Blogs by Tony Hyland

For some, the word “fairies” conjures up images of tiny, delicate-winged ladies sitting on flower petals and sprinkling fairy dust; however, the fact is that fairies have a long history and there’s far more to them than Tinkerbell might tell you.

The older stories of fairy legend depict a very different creature to those that we generally encounter in modern tales. In older stories, they were far more capricious creatures who had to be treated with utmost politeness – it is from this need for courtesy that many traditions developed euphemistic names for them, calling them Fair Folk or People of Peace rather than calling them by name.

Fairies were often depicted as creatures of mischief, from whom a measure of protection was often necessary. Fairy circles, which can be found throughout Britain, were often said to be the venue for fairy dances, which were very dangerous for unwary observers and thus frequently avoided. Several tales tell of such unfortunate travellers who, having joined in the dance or partaken of the feast, found themselves trapped in fairyland for many long years.

At the same time, however, they could also do a lot of good for those who found their favour. The most common kind of helpful fairy is the brownie, who likes to carry out small tasks around the house overnight in exchange for small gifts of food. However, they don’t like to be observed working, so even if you suspect you have a brownie in the house, you should never attempt to stay up to spot them – if you succeed, they will simply leave, never to be seen again. You should also never be tempted to leave all the housework to your brownie, as they are said to take offence if a house is too untidy and spend the night pinching and nipping at the untidy occupants instead!

Glastonbury has a long association with the fairies; the Tor there is said to be a portal to Fairyland, home of Gwyn ap Nudd, the king of the fairy folk and the leader of the Wild Hunt. On wild and stormy nights, it’s sometimes said that you can see him lead his hunt across the sky, chasing in mad pursuit of their prey as the wind blows.

If you are concerned about the attentions of capricious fairies, there are a range of measures you can take to protect yourself. Cold iron, running water, ringing bells and wearing your clothes inside out are all said to protect against the negative aspects of the fair folk.

For other guidance in your spiritual life, you can call me and my team for psychic readings at any time on the numbers at the top of this page.

In an earlier blog, we looked at some of the different kinds of psychic abilities; whether these talents are natural or learned, individual psychics, mediums and clairvoyants often use different methods to access these abilities in order to provide guidance and advice. These are just some of those methods.

Tarot Cards

The Tarot originated in decks of cards which were used for playing games in the Middle Ages. The deck consists of the “Minor Arcana”, which is very similar to today’s standard playing cards with the addition of an extra court card, and the “Major Arcana”, which is a series of 22 cards depicting symbolic scenes, such as the Hermit, the Fool, and the Priestess. Psychics and clairvoyants use these cards in a variety of layouts to tap into their ability and focus on your question or circumstances.

Trance

The Oracle at Delphi was perhaps the most famous psychic (or series of psychics) in all of history; these priestesses were said to have entered into an ecstatic trance state in order to connect with the divine and issue their prophecies. Today, many psychics and clairvoyants still make use of similar states of mind. The trance is often a special kind of intent relaxation, similar to meditation or prayer, which allows the person entering that state to become extremely aware of things beyond their “normal” senses.

Natural States

For some innate psychics and clairvoyants, no special methods are necessary; their abilities simply come to them naturally. A clairvoyant may simply see images and auras as naturally as they see the normal world around them, and a clairaudient or medium may simply have to listen in order to hear communications from the other side.

Astrology

As shown in my recent infographic, there is a lot more to astrology than simply knowing your star sign (or sun sign, to term it properly). By examining the complete horoscope – the position of all the planets in the sky at the moment of your birth – and referring to the position of those planets now, an astrologer can identify the challenges and opportunities that face you. Psychics can also use this information to help them focus on your issues and find the right advice.

When you call me and my team for psychic and clairvoyant readings, you can be sure that, whatever methods we use, we will be completely focused on you; providing you with information and advice to help you to find the right way forward.

Throughout the year, there are certain days which hold special significance; the first day of spring, or the Vernal Equinox, is most certainly one of these special days. On the Equinox – which this year falls on Thursday the 20th March – the length of day and night fall into balance. The word “equinox” comes from the Latin, meaning “equal night”.

This moment of balance has been celebrated by human cultures for thousands of years, and it’s easy to understand why. After a long winter, it’s wonderful to think that, from this moment onwards, the days will get ever longer and the nights shorter, and to know that the days will get warmer and (the British weather notwithstanding) the sun will shine brighter.

For many cultures, the Vernal Equinox was the beginning of a new year; rather than celebrating a beginning in the middle of winter when all was cold and grey, their year began as the flowers and blossoms began to appear, and as new life began to grow all around them.

The egg, as a symbol of new life, has long been a part of many of these celebrations; one tradition that is still maintained in many parts of the world is the act of balancing an egg on end on the day of the Equinox. Today’s Easter festival, the date of which is based on the date of the Vernal Equinox, includes many traditions and symbols from these earlier celebrations, including eggs and the ubiquitous Easter rabbit.

Spiritually, the beginning of spring is an excellent time for new beginnings; to focus on acts of creation and growth – to spring into action. There is a huge amount of spiritual energy available to us at this time, and many people use this energy without even realising it – this is the energy that drives spring cleaning!

There are many ways you can use this energy; not just in clearing out the clutter of the year gone by. It’s a perfect time to plant flowers in your garden, or to begin new creative projects – especially if it’s a project you have never tried before. It’s also an ideal time to forge new relationships and to accept new challenges in your life. If you feel that you are in need of some guidance on how best to use this energy, you can call me and my team for psychic readings that can give you valuable insight.

Many of us know our star signs and regularly check our horoscopes; however, for a true astrological insight a full report based on your astrology chart is far more informative. Here is my guide on what to look for in your astrology chart; alternatively, you can order a range of astrology reports from my site, or call me and my team for psychic readings on the numbers at the top of the page.

The word “clairvoyance” comes from the French, meaning “Clear Sight” or “Clear Vision”. It refers to the psychic ability to perceive information and details about a person, an object, a particular location or event, through extra-sensory perception – in other words, not through the usual senses of sight, touch, hearing, taste or smell. This information may be about what has occurred in the past, what is happening now, or even what may happen in the future.

Clairvoyants have been recorded in historical texts going back several centuries. It was one of the abilities mentioned in ancient Hindu religious texts as a “siddhi” – a “perfection” or a skill that could be attained through dedicated training and spiritual practices – and many people over the centuries have recorded stories of clairvoyant experiences.

While clairvoyance is a natural psychic ability for some, others (like the ancient Hindus) believe it is a skill that can be attained and trained. The ancient Hindu texts suggest that the siddhis could be attained through years of dedicated yoga and meditation. Modern parapsychological experiments have used sensory deprivation to stimulate clairvoyance, and simple tests using Zener cards to demonstrate it. In other cases, it can be experienced spontaneously – for example, in the cases of those who have seen a distant loved one at the moment of their passing.  

Whilst clairvoyance is the ability that is most often talked about, there are other similar abilities that are believed to work in a similar way:

  • Clairsentience – extrasensory perception through touch or feeling. This is often used to refer to the ability to feel the vibration of other people.
  • Clairaudience – the ability to hear on a paranormal level; often used by mediums.
  • Clairalience or Clairescence – using the sense of smell to acquire psychic information.
  • Claircognizance – simply knowing information that could not be acquired through the standard senses.
  • Clairgustance – The rare ability of psychic taste. Some say that those with this ability taste the essence of a substance from the ethereal or spiritual realm.

Clairvoyants, mediums and psychics can help you to understand the circumstances that surround you, and provide support through trying times. If you would like a psychic reading from me or any of my team, simply call one of the numbers at the top of this page.

We are still at the beginning of a new year so if you’re still worrying about past events from 2013, you could benefit from a psychic reading. Meeting or simply just talking to a clairvoyant psychic can alter your life – in a positive way. If you have been struggling through life and are a bit uncertain about what the future can bring talk to a psychic. If you’re a little unsure of how a psychic can help, here are a few of the many ways a psychic can help you through times of uncertainty or struggle.

Love & Relationships

Although Tarot cards first came about in the fifteenth century, they are still used today in modern psychic readings because of their mystical properties. The cards that are drawn out during a tarot reading can reveal your deepest secrets; you may not be able to translate the meanings of the cards yourself however a clairvoyant will help you to discover the truth. Love tarot readings can help you through difficult times within a relationship or if you are looking for love. They can indicate whether you are heading towards a major love life event.

Your Career

If you are dissatisfied with your job, currently unemployed or considering a career change, a clairvoyant can help you onto the right path. A clairvoyant will not tell you what to do or make any big decisions for you however can provide guidance and support. A psychic can see your past, present and future – they are able to see the truths that you are unable to see yourself. By having a psychic reading you can discover things about yourself that you didn’t know or had forgotten about. Passions that you once had can be rediscovered and can guide you to your new career.

What is Ahead

Astrology readings help you to see what is ahead of you. Psychics can look into the stars and decipher the secrets that are out there. Astrology and horoscopes can provide you with guidance and answers about anything at all from family life to your career to relationships. I offer a wide range of astrology reports such as birth charts, character profiles, monthly horoscopes, annual horoscopes and relationship analysis.

If you’re unsure or worried about 2014 and what it will bring, you can benefit from psychic readings. Don’t struggle through life alone, a clairvoyant can provide you with guidance and the support that you need. For more information about any of the services that I offer please get in contact by calling one of the numbers at the top of this page.

People will have often heard about psychic abilities, but they may not fully understand exactly what they are, where they came from and their significance is in life. Psychic abilities are usually passed down through the generations within a family. Some people’s gift may be stronger than others, but it commonly remains in the family line.

What is Psychic Power?

In its most basic form, psychic power is simply knowing, or seeing, the future before it happens. Therefore you are able to predict events that have not yet come to pass. Someone with psychic abilities is sensitive to supernatural forces that actually come from beyond our world. Visualisations or premonitions can be clear and easy to read, but at other times visions can appear blurred or in code, and are subsequently much harder to analyse. People with these abilities have shaped history significantly; planning marriages for royalty and organising battle strikes for kings whilst at war.

Other terms for someone with psychic powers include shamans, soothsayers and prophets. These terms have come from all over the world and occur throughout history. The term ‘psychic’ actually covers a range of unusual or supernatural talents; being psychic does not just mean that you can foresee the future. It can also include supernatural abilities such as psychometry, telepathy and clairvoyance.

Origins & History

It is unknown why some people are born with psychic abilities and others are not, and it is unclear where the ability has actually originated from, however the gift is apparent through the history of the world. Psychic abilities act as a sixth sense to those who possess them and feel entirely natural, although mastering them can take years. The most famous human with psychic abilities was Nostradamus, who lived in the early 16th century, and whose natural psychic ability allowed him to foresee natural disasters such as droughts, earthquakes and floods. The Native American community is rich in people who possess psychic abilities; in the past they were also considered to be excellent healers who could communicate with the dead.  

Psychic readings can help people to get through difficult times and give you strength to face the future. If you have any concerns or desire answers then please don’t hesitate to get in contact with my team.

Orbs have been around since humans have walked the earth, maybe even before. However interest in these entities, or beings, increased when photography became more accessible. They can be split into two categories dubbed ‘natural’ and ‘supernatural’; the former being the most common. The term orb was coined back in 1994, by the International Ghost Hunter Society, to explain shapes and anomalies that occur on photographs. Psychics are able to converse with supernatural or spirit orbs, and ghost hunters will usually frequently see them at what are considered to be haunted locations.

International Ghost Hunters Society

Orbs are believed to be ghosts or spirits that appear in a ball of light. They are not to be confused with the natural orbs that are formed from dust and pollen. These supernatural or spirit orbs were once human; they are the physical representation of the human soul, including their emotions, personality and even their intelligence. Unlike typical ghosts, orbs are spirits that have chosen to stay behind. This could be because they feel somehow bound to the location in which they inhabit or lived their previous life; it is as though they feel bound by something, or to someone, and do not wish to move on. Most humans, when they die, feel at peace to move on to the spirit world, however because an orb has chosen to stay they will remain on Earth; maybe even forever. It is important to note that the longer a spirit remains on earth, the harder it is to move onto the spirit world.

When a spirit or ghost orb is in its circular form they are much easier to photograph, however they can sometimes be very faint or entirely transparent. It is believed that orbs are more likely to appear during the autumn or winter months of the year because the static electricity in the Earth’s atmosphere is increased. This means that they have the required energy to appear. There is nothing to fear should you come into contact with an orb; they do not wish to bring harm to those around them. In fact, they do not have much control over their actions and are often peaceful beings.  

It can be quite difficult to go out with the purpose of photographing an orb, as it is troublesome to determine exactly when they will emerge as they rarely follow a set pattern. They will also often appear without warning.

For those interested in the spirit world, or to discuss any topic that does concern you, psychic and clairvoyant readings are offered here.

Heather, in all its colourful variations, is a beautiful flower and a hardy plant. Found on the desolate moorlands and high hills of Britain, it also has a long lasting tradition of significance.

A beautiful tale tells of how the heather came to be so common in the desolate areas where it is now found. The moorlands, barren and lonely, asked the oak to grow there as it was so strong. The oak refused; it needed deep soil to sink its roots into, and the stony hillsides would not do. They asked the honeysuckle to grow there, to spread beauty and fragrance, but the honeysuckle refused; it needed something to grow against, and the moorlands were too barren. They asked the rose, the most splendid of all flowers, but it refused; the cold and the wind and the rain would destroy it. However, the plucky little heather volunteered, and as a result it was rewarded with the strength of the oak, the fragrance of the honeysuckle and the beauty of the rose.

Despite being common in isolated areas, it has long been used by the people of the British Isles. The ancient Picts used it to brew a kind of ale which was so sought after that legends say the Vikings fought entire Pictish armies in attempts to get the secret recipe.

Heather is thought to have been sacred to the Druids. The bees that fed upon the heather produced honey, which was used in the brewing of mead, in turn often used as a sacrament in Druidic ritual. They associated heather with joy and community, so this cycle brought these connections into the mead and into the ritual.

It’s often considered to be a lucky flower. Queen Victoria wrote of an incident where her servant, Mr Brown, jumped off the carriage to pick a sprig of white heather he had spotted in passing; “No Highlander would pass by it without picking it, for it was considered to bring good luck.” While other colours of heather are just as beautiful, it’s white and pink heather that most often bring good fortune and protection, so if you are given a sprig of lucky heather you should make sure that you keep it safe and close to you so you can benefit from it.

Other colours hold different associations; red heather is particularly connected to passion, and purple heather to spiritual development and psychic ability, as well as beauty and admiration. All shades of heather enhance aspects of selflessness and caring, and because it is so hardy it can be worn to help you through difficult circumstances.

Alternatively, to talk about anything that concerns you, you can visit this page of my website for psychic readings in the UK and elsewhere.

“The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us.” – Jean Paul Richter

Belief in guardian angels is nothing new; it can be found throughout antiquity, in ancient cultures such as the Babylonians and Assyrians. You can even see the figure of an ancient guardian angel which used to protect an Assyrian temple now standing in the British Museum in London.

In both the East and the West, people have long believed that guardian angels serve to protect their charges, to carry their prayers and intercede on their behalf. They are found in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism, and similar guardian spirits are found in other faiths and cultures– even the fairy godmother in the fairy tales we tell our children. With such widespread belief, it seems that there must be a truth that all these different cultures have embraced.

However, guardian angels are said to be very difficult to connect to. Only the most gifted and sainted individuals are allowed direct contact with their own guardian angels, such as Saint Gemma Galgani and the Italian mystic Maria Valtorta. For most, requesting angelic assistance requires prayer and belief, and keeping your eyes open for signs that your prayers have been received.

One of the most common signs that an angel is nearby and watching over you, or that they have heard your prayer, is the appearance of white feathers; especially if they appear in a place where you would not normally expect to find feathers – inside your house for example. They can also manifest in other ways, so you may suddenly notice “angel” in a pub or a street name, see their wings in the shape of a cloud or hear a song about angels on the radio just when you are thinking of or praying for angelic assistance.

To focus the attention of your guardian angel, alongside prayer and belief you can use angelic crystals such as seraphinite, angelite and celestite, and keep any white feathers that you find close until your prayers are answered.

Alternatively, for psychic readings on any topic that concerns you, please visit this page of my website.

Virgo

22 August – 22 September

Virgo is the sixth sign of the Zodiac, and is considered to be the analytical core for all of the signs, with Virgo’s possessing attributes like being loyal and hardworking.  With this latest blog, the characteristics and attributes of the Virgo horoscope are revealed.

Alongside their intellectual mindset, Virgo ‘s are represented by the Virgin, not as a literal representative but instead reflecting more on the femininity and care giving side of a person.

A Virgoan is more likely to take a moment to contemplate their actions and the impact that they may have, as opposed to rushing in and taking charge. Although they are naturally attracted to power, they are more inclined to take a sideline role such as a loyal assistant and friend.

The birthstone for a Virgo is a Sardonyx, a stone generally considered to help funnel positive energies and help attain sustainability within life. The Virgoans are described as constantly searching for perfection, and both the creative and destructive elements of their personality can be balanced further through the use of this birthstone.

In addition to being a perfectionist, other weaknesses in a Virgoan’s characteristics often include working too hard, over analysing and worrying over the unnecessary. They dislike the company of the rude and find it difficult to ask for help when in need.

The constellation of Virgo has further connotations with femininity and fertility, often seen as depicting the virgin herself and other young maidens who emulate purity and contemplation.

Earth is Virgo’s element, which makes them the ideal partner with animals and nature, with Virgoans often seeking the comfort of a close pet and well loved garden.

Virgoans require reassurance of their importance within a relationship, preferring to have fewer but stronger relationships where they feel irreplaceable. They like to feel dedicated and grounded in a relationship, where becoming a soul mate means absolute devotion to one another.

For more readings on any of the signs of the Zodiac, take a look at the horoscopes tab as part of the clairvoyant readings service offered here.

Leo

23rd July – 23rd August

The fifth sign of the zodiac, Leo’s are often said to be the most outwardly impressive sign of the zodiac. Do they always live up to their reputation?

Leo is represented by the Lion, the king of the jungle, and ruled by the sun. Greek mythology identifies it as the Nemean Lion, defeated by Hercules as the first of his famous Twelve Labours and set into the sky. It’s appropriate for Leo’s, as the Nemean Lion had an impenetrable hide and their strong sense of self often makes them appear just as well-armoured.

Leo is a fixed fire sign, meaning that they’re powerful and wilful in all they do, and their confidence and energy can carry people along with them. They’re also very loyal, and those around them always know that they have a genuine friend to reach out to.

They can, however, be stubborn and resistant to change, and their self-confidence and flamboyance can be misinterpreted as showing off and attention-seeking.

Leo’s are often found in positions of authority and power, as their natural leadership qualities mean that people gravitate towards them, but they’re also very creative, expressive and very at home in the limelight – famous Leo’s include Mick Jagger, Madonna and Barack Obama. Whatever they do, they tend to be very lucky and have a great sense of timing.

Leo’s birthstone is the Tiger’s Eye, a stone known for its protective qualities as well as representing focus, integrity and willpower. Leo’s will be drawn to any golden stones, as representations of their ruler the Sun, but wearing citrine jewellery in particular will be energising for them.

In personal relationships, fellow fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are the best matches for Leo’s, but they’ll also be compatible with air signs Gemini and Libra. Water signs – Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces – can tend to put out Leo’s flames, and they can find earth signs a little too grounded.

For your Leo horoscope please visit this page of my website.

If you’re interested in mysticism and fascinating folklore, few places can hold a candle to Ireland. With its array of hauntings, neo pagan practices and mythical creatures, it is probably the most varied and interesting place in the British Isles.

Here is a brief overview of mystical beliefs in Ireland, past and present. Let your eyes be opened!

Irish folklore

A beloved figure who appears in many tales is Finn McCool, the legendary hunter warrior for whom the Giant’s Causeway was named. Unlike traditional giants, who were brutal and slow, Finn was renowned for his cleverness- a trait his wife Oona shared. Their most famous exploit is outwitting the giant Cuhullin; they dress Finn in baby clothes and pass him off as their child, telling the visitor that his father is far mightier. Understandably Cuhullin flees!

Fairies make regular appearances too, though they’re not as benevolent as contemporary portrayals. Possibly the best known is the banshee, whose name translates as “woman of the sidhe”, or fairy mounds; in folklore she is said to wail whenever somebody of aristocratic birth dies. Although the figure is ancient- the earliest accounts date back to 1380- one was reported as recently as 1948.

The Irish Queen of the Fairies, a capricious character who never forgives a grudge, bears strong similarities to the Arthurian villainess Morgan Le Fay (whose name points towards her fairy origins). To learn more about Irish fairy folklore, visit Lady Anna, one of the most complete fairy directories on the web.

Haunted places in Ireland

Considering the richness of the Celtic imagination, it’s not surprising it should boast so many haunted castles, hotels and even prisons! From Charleville Castle, which has featured upon shows such as Most Haunted and Scariest Places on Earth, to Grace Neill’s Bar, where the late landlady has continued her job into the afterlife, it’s a trove for amateur and serious ghost hunters alike.

Actors at the Grand Opera House in Belfast have often reported a ghostly figure sweeping across the stage afterhours. Possibly the most tragic is the ghost of County Meath’s Ross Castle, who roams the grounds searching for her drowned lover. For further information, visit the Irish section of the Paranormal Database.

Celtic Reconstructionism

There is a strong neo pagan undercurrent in the Republic of Ireland, with Celtic Reconstructionism being particularly popular. The movement’s goal is to revive pre Christian Celtic religions, making modern adaptations where necessary.

They accomplish this by studying and working to preserve Celtic language, dance and martial arts forms, as well as important archaeological and sacred sites. Regularly undergoing rituals of purification and prayer, they also recreate celebrations as mentioned in Celtic texts; these involve bonfires, songs and divination. They observe the major pagan festivals Beltane (originally beginning life as the Gaelic May Day festival) and Samhain.

Taking their model from the ancient Irish, they swear by the Land, Sea and Sky. Other practices include maintaining shrines to preferred deities and ogham (a form of divination using the Old Irish alphabet). To get a better grounding in Celtic Reconstructionist belief, visit the CR FAQ.

For modern day psychic readings in Ireland, please this page of my website.

As befits the birthplace of King Arthur and Robin Hood, the United Kingdom is a potent brew of folklore and the paranormal. It’s boasted everything from ghosts to seers, with its natives having a healthy belief in the unexplained. To learn more about this “sceptred isle’s” lore, read on!

Celtic Religion

The bulk of what we know about Celtic religion is drawn from Roman accounts, particularly Julius Caesar’s, and archaeological finds. We shouldn’t accept everything the Romans say at face value as they had their own axe to grind.

The ancient Celts were a deeply religious people, recognising somewhere in the region of 300 gods. While some appear to have been localised, others, such as the “horned man” Cernunnos, were recognised by all. They seem to have had an animistic worldview, believing everything in nature had its own spirit. Shrines were built by mountains, rivers and trees in recognition of the god living there.

Although Roman accounts claim they engaged in human sacrifice, evidence supporting this is flimsy at best. The majority of Celtic sacrifices seem to have been votive in flavour, with items dedicated to a god by throwing it into a bog or river- most of the artefacts discovered this way are pertaining to war. Since Celts were customarily buried with weapons and other belongings, it’s clear that they believed in an afterlife. To learn more about the religious practises of the ancient Celts, visit Maui Celtic.com.

Folklore

The UK has an unusually diverse range of native spirits. Possibly the most terrifying is ‘the Black Shuck’, a spectral black dog who roams East Anglia. With a marked preference for graveyards, crossroads and forests, he’s calculated to give wayfarers sleepless nights. While the most famous account dates from 1577, he has been sighted countless times since then.

Another legendary figure is Spring Heeled Jack, the subject of numerous books, poems and plays. This athletic, character is said to be horned, bearded and clawed, with eyes ‘like red fire’. Originally sighted in 1837, he has appeared all over the UK, with the last reported sighting in 2012. There’s plenty of life in the old ghoul yet!

Herne the Hunter, the ghost of Windsor Park, is only marginally less frightening. Said to be have been the keeper of Elizabeth I’s park, he was disgraced for reasons unknown and hanged upon an oak tree. Wearing antlers and accompanied by a pack of demonic hounds, he is believed to be an ill omen, particularly for the Royal Family.

Of course no account of mythical beasts in the UK would be complete without the Loch Ness monster, affectionately known as “Nessie.” To learn more about Scotland’s most famous inhabitant, visit the official Nessie website.

Seers and Prophets

The UK has been home to some of history’s most formidably gifted seers. The earliest prophet who is still known today is Ursula Southill, better known as Mother Shipton (1488-1561). Said to have been monstrously ugly, she was born in a cave that, as Mother Shipton’s Cave, has become Britain’s oldest tourist attraction. Although her most famous prediction was the Fire of London- Samuel Pepys wrote excitedly: “Shipton’s prophecy is out!”- others have been uncanny, predicting events centuries after her death.

Another highly regarded mystic is Dr John Dee (1527-1608). Elizabeth I’s consultant, he dedicated his life to the study of science and magic, with a special focus on astrology and alchemy. The British Museum still holds many important artefacts that belonged to him, such as his obsidian scrying mirror and the ‘Seal of God’ he used while scrying. He continues to be hugely influential, with novels, plays and even an opera inspired by him; he is said to have served as the original model for Prospero in The Tempest.  

For modern day psychic readings in the United Kingdom, please visit this page of my website.

For a comparatively young country, the USA brims with mysticism and mythology. From the arcane knowledge of the Native American Indians to the Spiritualism movement founded by the Fox sisters, it has an unusually vivid tapestry of beliefs. Add to that some of the most creative, innovative folklore in the world, and it’s no surprise that the “New World” is such a rewarding subject of study!

American folklore

Where to start? American folklore has an unparalleled cast of characters. Consider Bigfoot, the apelike creature periodically sighted in various locations; though most of these have been dismissed as fake, the universality of the legend suggests there’s some truth to it. For an even more curious visitor, there’s the Jersey Devil, believed to live in the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey. Few mythological beasts can be as bizarre, with the head of a goat, the body of a kangaroo and leathery bat like wings! A no less terrifying figure is the Mothman, originally seen in West Virginia in 1966 and memorably described as a “Man Sized Bird… Creature … Something.”

In comparison, the large number of white ladies who appear in the records are reassuringly ordinary. The most celebrated is probably the White Lady of Acra, who is said to have haunted the Hollywood sign ever since she committed suicide by jumping off the H. Another, who haunts Palmetto Flats by Highway 22, is known as the “Silk Lady”; her distinctive feature is that she ‘cackles like a banshee’.

Native American Religion

Contrary to common belief, Native American religion is extremely diverse. One branch may be practised only by a certain clan, while others have been adopted by various clans, the most obvious example being the Native American Church.

Native American religions all share the following characteristics: animism (that animals, plants and even inanimate objects have a spiritual essence), a firm belief in visions and “medicine people” (their preferred term- Westerners tend to use the phrase ‘shaman’). Although their religion is communal, they tend to regard it as a personal experience- institutionalised religion as we know it is very strange to them. 

Spiritualism

Despite an international presence, you may be surprised to learn that Spiritualism as we know today was founded by Kate and Margaret Fox, a pair of sisters from New York, on March 31st 1848. They were witnessed communing with a spirit, who had made its presence known by rapping noises. Since the occasion was seen by respectable witnesses, it created a sensation.

From that moment forward, Spiritualism was hugely popular. Largely practised by women, they also supported important issues of the day, such as women’s suffrage and the abolition of slavery.

To this day it is practised through denominational churches in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was an outspoken supporter of Spiritualism; his journey from scepticism to belief was echoed by Professor Challenger, one of his most famous characters, in the story The Land of Mist.

For modern day psychic readings in the United States and Canada, please visit this page of my website.