Think of all the names those with psychic powers been called throughout the years: clairvoyant, fortune tellers, augur, and prophets. There are many different titles given to those who have any type of powers related to second sight, but the actual powers and activities of this group have been the same throughout the years.

People who are psychic believe that they can tap deep enough into the subconscious to be able to see things beyond what the natural eye sees. Some psychics claim to be able to speak with the dead (mediums). Others believe that tarot cards can be used to predict the future.

People who do not have these powers often go to psychic readings in order to learn something about their deeper mind and life in general. It is believed that psychics are able to see deep into our psyche to access information we do not even know exists in our own minds.

The reactions to a psychic reading or any display of psychic power vary from person to person. Some people embrace the new information they discover about themselves, while others shy away or become alarmed at what they learn. It is never known what may come out when the reading first begins.

In 1766, the very first known psychic was born. Dr. Franz Antoine Mesmer lived until he was 49 years old, passing away in 1815. While many people today have questioned how powerful he really was, he was known in his own time as a clairvoyant who could heal people.

A trio of psychics well known in historical accounts was the “Fox Sisters.” Margaret, Kate, and Leah Fox were a big part of the well known Hydesville psychic movement that occurred in 1948 and were known for their ability to communicate with dead people. They put on shows where objects flew around the room on their own and strange noises appeared on cue.

There were several churches in the past as well, that claimed to be able to speak with the dead and ward off demons. Many people still had a hard time believing all of this. Harry Houdini himself claimed that is was all fake. It would be some time before people would start to accept psychic powers.

A lot of skepticism about psychic powers comes from the fact that every human has some type of precognitive ability. We commonly refer to it as instincts, but many people relate it to the power of prophecy. There have been many instances of people calling a loved one just as something really bad was happening because they sensed something was wrong. You may have had your own experiences with knowing things, such as who is on the phone before you say hello.

It is also common today for some people to have dreams that actually become reality. This is commonly referred to as a dj vu experience.

The Universe guides may psychics in reading signs and symbols. These psychics believe that items such as stones, sticks, cards, dice, tealeaves, and shells and help them to predict the future. At one time priests would try to predict the future by watching the patterns that occurred when he poured oil into water. These practices are referred to as mantic arts. We find that in history many of these practices were banned and ever persecuted by Christians.

The historical accounts of psychic readings can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt when psychics were a valued part of the royal court. A King would not make a decision without consulting a psychic, and there were stiff penalties if the wrong answers were given.

During the Salem witch trials, fortune tellers and anyone else who displayed any type of extraordinary powers were murdered under the Christian belief that they were doing the bidding of the devil.

Today Psychics are widely accepted as part of society. They are prominent in large cities, as well as in books, on the radio, on television and on the internet.

Yet, that doesn’t mean everyone believes that psychic powers are real. Many people are still very skeptical.

Though a very small minority of psychics may not be sincere, you should remember that there are charlatans in every profession. There is more than ample evidence to show that the majority of psychics are genuine.

You could even have psychic powers of your own. Scientific research is now showing that most people have some sense of this power and if you are determined it can be developed.