Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, I've become used to certain questions about myself and my practice coming up. If you have a question about me or my work that you don't see answered here, please feel free to contact me by email at hoodoo4u@yahoo.com and I will answer as soon as I can. Q: Are you real? A: Yes, as real as you are. Q: Smartypants! You know what I meant. Are you a real reader? A: Yes, I am a genuine reader. I use traditional methods and interpretations, guided by my intuition refined through years of practice. I am as real as it gets. Q: Are you really a Gypsy? A: Not that I know of. I have however studied the history of the Gypsies as well as their folklore, and do my best to portray Roma culture with sensitivity and an authentic touch. Q: Do you really see the future? A: Sometimes I get a psychic vision of a future event. This is a gift that comes on its own, and while I initially began my study of fortunetelling in an attempt to understand and control the gift, it is very much an unconscious, involuntary occurence. So it is not something I offer as a service. You don't want me to, really, because what I tend to forsee is that someone will die soon. Q: Do you tell them that? A: Not unless they ask. So far, no one has. If they were meant to know, the vision would have occurred to them, not to me. Q: Can your readings predict the future? A: They certainly seem to. What I mostly see in the cards, however, is the most likely developments resulting from current events, as well as the conditions existing in the present, and those elements of the recent and distant past with the most direct bearing on the current matter. Q: How does it work? A: To be completely honest, I am not entirely sure. What is interesting is that it does work. That is the best answer I can give briefly. If you are interested in the reasons people thought fortunetelling worked in olden days, you can read about that here. For a more modern, scientific explanation which is my best guess at what's really going on, see this page for a fuller explanation. Then again, if we really knew why and how it worked, it would be science, not magic. Q: Do you really believe in this stuff? A: Yes, I really do. In cultures the world over, at all levels of social development, belief in some form of fortunetelling is universal. It may not work according to the principles held by the practitioners, but it seems to be a genuine function of human consciousness. Q: How did you learn to do this? A: Practice. I was given my first deck of fortunetelling playing cards when I was a child, and really too young to understand or use them. However, in 1984, I was given a deck of Tarot by a friend for my sixteenth birthday . By that point, I had been studying metaphysics and the occult seriously for a few years. With a foundational understanding of the symbolism involved, I was able to begin to use the cards. I read for friends and family as a hobby, and whenever I could I would discuss theories and interpretations with other readers. I had worked with the Tarot for over ten years before I began reading professionally. Q: Did you go to school for this? A: No, unfortunately, I never had the chance to enroll at Hogwarts. However, I met many other people who had similar interests at Antioch College, where I studied creative writing, and we learned a lot together in an extracurricular group we formed with such things in mind. So sort of. Someday if I ever have more money than I know what to do with I might pursue an academic degree in fortunetelling. It would make a really unusual diploma to hang on my wall, but also would be a very expensive nicknack. Q: Where do the answers come from? A: From the cards, or dice, or dominoes or whatever oracle I am using, interpreted according to my intuition. Q: How can a deck of cards tell a fortune? A: Cards are a game of chance, hence are an excellent gauge of your individual luck. That is what "fortunetelling" means - to see how your luck is running, and when and how it can be expected to change. A lay of cards is simply a snapshot of your fortune at any particular moment. Q: Do you worship the Devil? A: No. I believe in God, and while I do not consider myself an adherent of any single faith, I see the same essential message of compassion and kindness taught as the core of all world religions, and do my best to live accordingly. I don't think worshipping the Devil really fits. What would be the point? Q: Can anyone learn to do this? A: Yes, I believe so. It is like playing the piano. Learning takes dedication, practice and a lot of hard work. Even then, some players have more talent than others. But everyone can learn to use their intuition. I do not believe the ability is supernatural, but rather a natural ability which like any other can be improved with practice. Q: Will you teach me? A: I am sorry, but with my current schedule, I cannot find the time for preparing and administering an effective course of study. If that ever changes, I'll put the information on my website, so do check back. Q: Where can I get a Tarot deck? A: Most chain bookstores carry Tarot decks. My first deck came from a Waldenbooks store. Also, check your Yellow Pages for metaphysical suppliers, or else visit some of the businesses online from my links page. Q: Can you recommend a good book for beginners? A: I started with A Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray. It is in print, and is an inexpensive paperback. Ultimately, however, I believe that one really has to learn the meanings the cards hold for you. I have never met an experienced reader who assigns each card the same identical meaning I apply. It's an intuitive art, not a science, and every reader has a personal style. So while a book can help you get started, sooner or later every true reader moves beyond books. Q: Where can I see you for a reading? A: I travel throughout the year. I list my upcoming destinations on my schedule page. Since this can and does change from year to year, do check in from time to time to see where I'll be and when. Q: I want a reading, and you aren't anywhere near me. Will you travel here or do I have to come to you. A: You have to come to me. But I can meet you half-way, as it were, by giving a reading by email. I try to keep up with mail wherever I am, but sometimes I may be slow to reply if access is difficult to arrange, which varies depending on where I am. My email address is hoodoo4u@yahoo.com Q: What can you not tell me? A: I have a hard time with names and with dates. I can describe individuals in terms of manner and behavior, their general relation to yourself (spouse, family, co-worker, stranger, etc.) and to a lesser degree appearance, but I cannot tell you their name. Dates are hard to pin down, but I can usually at least tell you which time of year, or how soon you can expect something. Q: What is your real job? A: This is my real job. I am a professional fortuneteller. Q: How much does a reading cost? A: I offer different kinds. Your basic card reading is $25. I do offer discounts for students or for children. Q: How long does a reading take? A: I can cover the essentials in ten minutes. Anything else is just explanation. Your reading will last as long as I need to explain what I see without keeping others waiting too long. Q: Do you make a lot of money doing this? A: Not really. I am sure that compared to people in the Third World who cannot afford to eat I am rich, and I am always thankful for the good things in my life. But while I get by, I do not make any huge amount of money. If I'd wanted to be rich, I'd have studied law, not writing. I think that there are other things in life that are more important, like doing what I love. I have never known anyone who got rich from being a spiritual advisor. Money tends not to be a big priority. Q: Is this all you have ever done? A: No. I have also worked as a cook, as a nanny, in construction, in market research and in publishing. But fortunetelling is how I support myself now, and while I have had other jobs, this is my career. Q: I believe that spiritual gifts should be free. How can you justify charging money? A: I am providing a service. I have spent many years learning to do what I do. It takes time and effort. Ministers, psychologists, guidance counselors and therapists get paid for their work. This is my profession, and I feel that I deserve to make a living like anyone else. I have to eat and house and clothe myself. So, until I win the Lotto, I have to be paid for my work. Q: Can you tell me the winning lottery numbers? A: No. If I could, I wouldn't need to run a business, would I? Q: Will you read by phone? A: No. I have had too many lousy telemarketing jobs to be at all comfortable on the telephone. I do however offer readings by email. Q: What if my reading is totally wrong and inaccurate? A: I give you your money back. I do not claim to see all, but I do tend to hit the key issues. I am told that I am generally accurate. Sometimes, however, I hit a blank. If that happens, I don't charge. On the other hand, I believe that lying to a psychic is not only dumb, but incurs a karmic debt. So trying to get a free reading by telling me I was off is not recommended. When I'm off, you and I will both know it, and you will not be charged for the reading. Q: I really need a reading, but I can't afford the charge. What can I do? A: Talk to me, and we will see what we can work out. I may be able to offer you a reduced rate, or maybe we can agree to a barter of goods or services. Q: Do you do private parties / weddings / etc. A: I will if it can work with my scheduled appearances, which are contractual obligations that I cannot honestly reneg upon. Contact me. Q: What deck do you use? A: I like to use the Guala Tarot, which is a reproduction of an 19th Century Italian deck, with the traditional 22 Major Arcana and the four suits of wands, cups, swords and coins. Although of relatively late date, the deck is in all essentials of the design common since the appearance of the first Tarots in 15th Century Italy. I am also quite fond of the Rider-Waite Tarot, designed by Pamela Coleman Smith. I regard it as the best Tarot deck of the 20th Century. Q: I am a reader and I want to know how I can work at Renaissance Festivals. How do I get involved? A: Contact the Festival office of the Faire in your area, and ask for a vendor's application. Many Renaissance Festivals have contact information online. I recommend trying smaller, newer festivals first. Older, established festivals tend to have as many fortunetellers as their audience can support, and a long waiting list for new applicants. Good luck! Q: Do you offer other metaphysical services? A: Not for hire. I have learned a lot about the occult generally, and can offer advice, but do not do spell-work or teach magic professionally. If this is what you are looking for, see the list on my links page for those who do so that I know to be reputable. No FAQ can be truly exhaustive. If you have questions that I have not answered here, please feel free to email me, and I will try to get back to you. If I get the same question more than once, I'll update this page and add it to the list. Check back soon!

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