But according to the spiritualists who practice such arts, they are simply regular people with different beliefs and sometimes inexplicable abilities.
There is a strong stigma associated with being a psychic. When asked how he would reassure someone who might be skeptical, Joseph Graham, a practicing psychic in Jacksonville replied, “I don’t know. A year ago, I would’ve told you that they’re all scams.”
“I’ve seen tarot readers and mediums do some despicable things,” he added.
In fact, Graham says that sketchy practices are what prompted him to quit the industry for two years.
Though there is a negative connotation associated with psychic services, it is still a prominent industry. In a September 2014 report, IBISWorld, a marketing research company, reported that psychic service is a $2 billion industry.
Readings with a top psychic can cost more than $10,000. In Northeast Florida, however, the cost of a reading varies depending on time and services and can be as little as $35.
Graham is well aware of how pricey a reading can get and why people are willing to pay it.
“For people seeking mediums, some people are looking to reconnect with a dead loved one — you can’t put a price on that,” Graham said. “For people seeking psychics, people need help making decisions, even if the decision has already been made up in their mind.”
Though he has been a practicing psychic for the past four years, Graham still maintains a regular job as a gas station clerk.
After his sabbatical, he went back to the profession after deciding the culture is worth preserving.
“I find that when you put tarot cards between you and someone else, they’ll have a real conversation with you,” he said. “It’s beautiful.”
It’s that kind of meaningful conversation and possible insight that draws in people, said Paula Miller, who provides readings from a location on Atlantic Boulevard.
“I started to develop relationships and getting to know people, and I realized there is a constant need for information and guidance,” Miller said. “And I know that I have that information and can be of service to someone.”
The ultimate goal, she said, is to provide clients the answers they need. “I hope that each individual can find what they’re looking for, ultimately, peace of mind.”
There are more than 30 psychics scattered throughout Duval and St. Johns counties, but not all provide the same services. Some are tarot card readers. Some are palm readers. Some are mediums. Some are dream analysts.
Ann George is a practicing psychic in Jacksonville who has done readings for people both over the phone and in person for nearly 20 years.
According to George, an ethical psychic is an individual who is gifted with the ability to be able to clearly divine their clients’ situations, the people and events that may affect the person, and then instruct the clients how to attain a desirable future.
Psychics possess a number of abilities which allow them to provide a number of services, George said. These include tarot readings, in which a special deck of cards is used to help divine the prophecies, and the use of ritual candles for meditation purposes. Many psychics also claim to have an array of healing powers.
“It’s in your nature, your blood,” George said.
Sheree Silver is a psychic-medium who appeared on ABC’s “Wife Swap” in 2009 and now practices in St. Augustine. She received training in hypnosis in 1986 and began practicing the craft the same year.
She went on to practice past life regressions, which consists of taking someone back to what she calls their past life, and then began practicing Reiki, a Japanese technique that can include massage, or placing hands over the client to tap into their natural energy.
Silver believes in God and the teachings of Jesus.
“In a lot of ways, the church has done a disservice to mankind,” she said. “This kind of work is interpreted as devil work. It’s sad that people are so afraid of it.”
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