The easiest way to spot a scammer is to simply follow the old adage which is the title of this post–if it looks like sh*t, smells like sh*t, then it is sh*t. In other words, first and foremost, trust what your gut is telling you about the person who you are considering doing business with. The one time a scammer ever read for me, I had a strong feeling that this dude was full of it–and I wasn’t doing readings at the time myself. Allow your gut to be the end decision maker on this one.

If possible, get a referral from a friend. What to do if you lack psychic pals? Call the intuitive you are considering working with, and ask them about their process. Can you ask questions? How long does the reading last? Do they talk to spirits? Will they tell you when you are going to die? Are they right all the time? In my opinion, someone who will tell you the date of your death or someone else’s is just plain old unethical. What good could come of that information? All you will do is fret and worry about it. I heard of a lady who received a reading at a party, and the psychic told her that her daughter would die soon. The woman was devastated. Isn’t that horrible? I felt so badly for the poor soul. Anyone who tells you they are right all the time is so full of sh*t that I guarantee their eyes will soon turn brown, if they aren’t already.

Some other questions to ask and points to consider: Beware a purveyor of crystals, candles, etc. which claim to repel or eliminate evil spirits. Yes, crystals do help energetically. I use them myself. But if the person says that ONLY their product will do this, or that ONLY they can get rid of evil energy, then you had best run as if the Hounds of Hell were lapping hard at your ankles.

Does the psychic believe that everyone has intuitive abilities? We all do–trust me, we all do. A psychic who thinks that she/he is “extra special” because of their abilities is probably on a massive power trip. Most likely they are using the abilities to gain a sense of control over others, not to empower others with a sense of control. Avoid such a windbag, ok?

Another swell option is to visit a local New Agey type store; they typically employ only experienced, knowledgeable psychics. In the Indianapolis area, we have one aptly named New Age People which provides excellent readings on a walk-in basis. Then, of course, you can always call me. Shameless self-promotion, I know, but it is my blog. I have been reading energy since 2002 and began it as a part of my life’s work in 2005. As a former psychiatric social worker, I have the education which enables me to impart information in a helpful and empowering way. Plus, my spirit guides are sometimes a HOOT! It can be really fun and life changing. 317-440-8783. Bon voyage to you in your psychic endeavors!

Now on the other hand, a question that really does pose endless discussion even without the assistance of alcoholic beverages is this–does the concept of a predetermined “fate” really exist, or is everything just free will? Cue in the song, “Things that Make Ya Go Hmmmmm…”, right?

My darling spousal unit and I are members of an interfaith discussion group, and this topic presented itself at our meeting last week. I have since then scratched my head (and no, not because I have fleas) and pondered this one, brow and mouth scrunched up like the dog just ripped a stinker. Being a psychic and Nicheren Buddhist, I do believe VERY strongly and know for sure that we do indeed have a bevy of free will–our belief systems, personal choices, ability to get our fat asses off the couch and engage in life all make a huge difference in what happens in our daily existence. For example, my grandpa was in bad health a few years ago. Every morning, I tuned in to his energy to see what his will to live was, when he was going to die, what time, etc. One day, he would be ready to take the permanent dirt nap. Next day, he had more energy and zest, no intention whatsoever of passing over. He kept changing his mind and didn’t leave until he was damn well in the mood. Plenty of free will at work there,right?

But let us use me and the aforementioned darling spousal unit, Jim, as an example of  arguing perhaps predetermined fate does exist. Myriad decisions on both my part and his, plus his ex-wife’s, resulted in our meeting and marriage. Back in the early 90′s, the ex decided to attend law school in Indy. Then they decided to stay in Indy rather than return to Valparaiso. Divorce ensued in the late 90′s, with Jim deciding to move into the Marrot apartments. My friend Steph had decided to work there, and being the raving matchmaker she was back in the day, she told me about him and vicey versa.  Me–I had decided to adopt my dog Kubi back in the early 90′s which resulted with me not becoming a flight attendant and leaving Indy. In 1994, I just couldn’t get myself to leave Kubi in the states so I could move to Prague and teach English. Wanting to move to Washington for grad school, I decided to stay in Indy so it would be cheaper. In 1999, Steph kept telling me about how wonderfully funny Jim was, but I just would have nothing to do with an attorney. I thought he would be an anal retentive Virgo with a compulsive hand washing obsession and determined I wouldn’t be swapping spit or knocking knickers with this guy. That is, until I sat by his funny, beautifully nosed self on the evening of January 28, 2000 at a party, and the rest is history. I changed my mind REAL FAST about him, asked him out, 5 months later had an engagement ring, and married him 13 months later.  See how many decisions, twists and turns of fate, brought us together? Just one different decision somewhere along that path would have resulted in us never meeting. So……..hmmmmmmm.

What do you think? Please share your thoughts….don’t be shy. Inquiring minds want to know!

I know you are thinking, “Well, Annie, you brilliant biatch, just how do you do that? Damn, are you giving Einstein a run for his money these days or what?” No, no Nobel Prize for my rosy red ass–just using a potent combo of common sense and intuition. When I have solely listened to the advice of experts, I have screwed myself over. Why? Not because these people didn’t know their ass from a hole in the ground, but because none of what I was “supposed” to be doing was in my heart and head to do. I just didn’t wanna do this crap–it felt so wrong to me. Example: sticking it out in this gargantuan networking group that made my head spin with the sheer volume of people. Networking is about building relationships, finding those who can help you grow your business and who you can do the same for. How in the balls are you supposed to do that when there are more people milling around than you can shake a stick at? And a lot of them had really nervous energy, like they were about to crap their drawers or something. No fun to be around either. Not much was happening for me with this bunch, but for 9 LLL…oooo…nnnn..ggg months, I dragged this bs out. When I finally heeded the little voice in my head which for eons had been screaming, “You will get more clients if you seek elsewhere”, let us guess what happened? I got more clients. Duh. I also agreed to work with clients I got a distinctly weird and tooty fruity vibe from, and I paid the price for that with lots of headaches and aggravation.

The best Preparation H for this kind of business hemorrhoid is going with your own flow, seasoned lightly with excellent advice from others. Yes, we business owners all have tasks to perform that we despise and must be done–taxes must be dealt with and paperwork must be handled. Bleeeccchhhh! But you need to process those chores in the way that works for you…maybe take more frequent breaks, a nap, drink a martini while handling your paperwork (just joking…I think.) You can’t force yourself into a paper management system you read in a book just because Mr. Know It All Fancy Pants Britches Who Has A Big Dong authored it. If he has some good ideas, sit quietly and ask your Higher Self how to tweak them so they fit for you. Then, and only then, will that paper management system make you happy.

Using your intuition to build your business is as easy peasy as cutting the cheese too. Simply retire your crack to a place where you won’t be bothered, and for God’s sake, ditch that damn iPhone or other loud, jangling electronic device. Breathe easily and notice the thoughts in your head, slowing your breath. Keep just breathing and relaxing, then ask your intuition any question. If you receive no answer, don’t throw a hissy fit and ditch the whole operation. Instead, trust you will receive that information in the near future. Write or draw on some paper to record your responses if you want. Or not. It is your process, and this method is a recommendation on how to start. Yes, Mrs. Know It All Fancy Pants Who Does Not Have a Big Dong authored this blog, but it is up to you to practice and find your own intuitive process.

Yes, indeed, I shall greatly enjoy the companionship of my dearest relatives who have passed into Spirit this holiday season. No, there shall not be LSD or mushrooms involved either. As my mediumship (one who communicates with the Spirit world) abilities have grown, I can now contact my grandparents when I want to sometimes. I am still perfecting my method, but this is what I will do to converse with them and see what manner of mischief they are causing elsewhere.

My brother and his family live in my grandpa’s house, so we will mosey on down there to talk with him because he still hangs out there and throws objects about when he gets a wild hair. It is easier to pick up on his vibration at his home. I just set the intent that I can contact him (picture calling him on the cell–will he answer or not? That is what it is like.), then connect my energy upward. Grandpa Sever usually answers my call. He has VERY strong energy still, so he is currently the easiest one for me to pick up. How do I know I have Grandpa Sever “on the line”? It is just the same as it is here, minus the physical body. When we greet someone, not only do we see them with our eyes, we sense and experience their energy with our intuitive antennae. Grandpa’s energy feels the same now as it did when he was in his body….very loving, comical with an ornery slant. Then we will just talk….just like we did when Grandpa was hanging out in his bag of bones. Next, ask to communicate with my other grandparents, aunts, uncles….anyone who wants to chat. I just wear a big ol’ Cheshire cat grin on my mug imagining it….OMG, I do so love being able to hear them again.

So how can you do the same, or similar? How can you too experience the loving vibes of your family and friends who have left our fair planet? Try these suggestions with a very open mind:

First, you MUST protect your energy. This isn’t just for sh*ts and giggles….you must ask the Universe to protect you as you connect to your loved ones and state the intention that ONLY your loved ones respond.

Next, be quiet in a space where you can relax and be left in peace. Place photos of your loved ones in front of you, and simply recall memories. Ask them to send you any greetings, information, whatever as you gaze at their photo. Be patient. You may hear something that doesn’t quite seem like your usual internal talk, you may “see” something in your mind’s eye that is unusual…or there may be nothing. Sometimes these activities take practice….lots of it. Sometimes they happen easily. Who knows what your experience will be. If there seems to be no connection, remember they can send a message of love through songs playing on the radio that remind you of them, or there will be something that shows up which serves as a reminder of them. Let it be what it is, and know that with practice, you can better hear and talk with them. At least setting aside that time to stroll down memory lane will provide joy and comfort and a time to grieve the fact that they aren’t here. Allowing both the love and the sorrow to be there is important.

In all the readings I do, the one consistent message I ALWAYS receive from “dead” people is that the love we shared with them on earth is never, ever severed even though their bodies are 6 feet under. Time, space, stars, and galaxies can never separate us from them; we are always together. I hope this brings you peace and comfort this holiday season if you are grieving. Just remember–the most important thing, the love, always remains.

Yes, it still sucks. It still sucks that my grandparents, aunts, and uncles aren’t in their human bodies currently, that they left me and the rest of my family through various vehicles of death. You would think that because I am a medium, can talk to “dead” people, that my grief at these losses would be so much softer, less sharp and prickly, more blurry, not hurt so much. I can, after all, have the occasional chat with them on my own. Grandpa Sever always hears me when I cry until my eyes are raw because I miss him–I just want him to give me a sign that he and I are still together, that it doesn’t matter that his body was lowered into the cold, hard ground back in 2003. When I ask him to give me a sign that he hears me, this is when the camera will sail off the dresser for no apparent reason, or all the beauty products under my bathroom sink will suddenly be turned upside down. All of them.  About once a year, I will visit another medium so I can have direct communication with all my family up there. I just LOVE hearing what they are up to now, what advice they have for me…..it’s so comforting.

But it still sucks. When totally out of the blue I had my first spirit contact while reading for a client back in 2007, I thought, “Hot Damn!” I am in like flynn with the kinfolk up above, I won’t pine for them so badly at holidays and birthdays, I will hear them so clearly now……this is the sh*t!!!!!! Not. It hasn’t worked that way for me. Grandpa Sever chimes in more loudly than the rest at times; I can hear him very loudly and clearly. With the others, it is just a feeling of what they are communicating. All this is heavenly. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But it just doesn’t at all lessen the acute longing I have for them, to hug them, listen to their laughter, hear my granny tell me how my brother needs to “reduce” (a polite way of stating he is a fat ass and needs to drop that chub) , share my stories, and hear theirs. Every holiday brings a fresh cascade of tears because I won’t be able to hear the doorbell ring and get so excited to greet them. My birthday…the same. I would give anything just to have one more family birthday party at my granny and grandpas. Granny always ensured my cake was as beautiful as it was delicious, that the gifts were what I had requested, and best of all, hugged me and was genuinely delighted to see her granddaughter and be silly with her.

But what doesn’t suck at all is the fact that I at least had them here for a while. Such a short while, it seems. Especially my dear Granny…..I was only 24 when I clung desperately to her hand as the life support system finally stopped its creepy rattling, Granny stopped breathing. I sobbed until I thought I would puke because I couldn’t believe this wonderful woman was no longer in my life. But she was still in my life, and really, never left. She, and my other family members, live on through me, in the way I treat people, in my ever sharp memories of them….the lessons I learned, of what it takes to die knowing your life was well lived, they are alive and well within my heart. In the midst of the suckfest of my grief, this is what I cling to. The love is still there, the connection was really never severed. When I can remember this, then it doesn’t suck quit so badly.

Hell no, I am not readin’ your ass when we meet. GAAHHHH!! Who  would want all that information? I do not want to know the color of your undies, or if you are going commando that day. I do not want to know that you are mad enough at your partner to throttle his/her fanny because the damn slob won’t pick up after themselves. I do NOT want to know how much you are coveting your neighbor’s ass–literally. If any sexual information randomly meanders into my noodle, I slam the “CANCEL” button down on my intuitive control panel ASAP and yell,”TMI! TMI!” Could you just imagine how bat sh*t crazy I would be if I had the “crystal ball” turned on at all times? Hokey smokes! Talk about information overload.

Each and every morning like clockwork, I read my most useful prayer/intention that everyone keep their energy, I keep mine, and only the energy of love pass between us. This sucker works like a charm! And if I forget it…..I can tell. I also frequently wear an onyx necklace that absorbs negative energy. All this stuff, and a few other tricks I have up my sleeve, keeps my abilities turned off unless I need them to kick in (if there is any physical danger, for example). So, there. I rest more easily at night because of this, and now you can too in case we are meeting.

Being highly intuitive comes with its ups and downs, just like everything else life hands us (and/or we hand ourselves.) So why would you want it? Here are some compelling reasons to practice and hone your intuitive skills:

1. It can literally save your life. Many moons ago when I was a ditzy blond more concerned with partying and farting around, I worked with a guy who I COULD NOT STAND! This is a highly unusual state of affairs since I tend to seek the best in people and laugh at about anything anyone says. None of my friends could fathom my distaste for this guy–I couldn’t either. I just wanted to run the hell away when he got near. He just felt creepy. I avoided him at all costs. Several years later, he and his cronies broke into a home, burglarized it, and slit the throats of the 3 teenagers who had the misfortune to be there. This guy was the throat slitter. Go figure.

2. It can keep you from dating/marrying jackasses. Again, during the aforementioned period of my bungling youth, I excitedly enjoyed a first date with a charming, boisterous man who I had been foaming at the mouth over for quite some time. Despite my giddiness of being in the presence of such an oozer of masculinity, something in my gut was telling me he was crazier than a shithouse wolf. Yep, kept thinking he was just a flaming wack job. You don’t have to be Einstein to decipher what came next. An intensely ugly 9 month period of my life because? This dude was a total nutter.

3. It can lead you to what is best for you. My husband is a lawyer. So what, who gives a flying crap, lady–yeah, that is what you are thinking. But the reason this is so freakin’ astounding is because I ALWAYS dated nothing but artists, musicians, and various highly creative hippy types. I refused to look elsewhere, though this brilliant dating ruse was leading to nothing but a lot of very strange stories which will be turned into a book at some point in my life. My friend kept encouraging me to date Jim, but I really thought she just needed to reduce her daily intake of marijauna. I mean, really. A lawyer. Pfffttt. I saw him, and he could have been the Eddie Bauer/Young Republican poster child. My scoffing at the mere thought reached an all time high. One conversation, one first date, 5 months later…this astounding man put an engagement ring on my finger. Almost 11 years later, I can’t imagine living without him. You see, during that first conversation, something inside of me felt like a brick had been thrown at my head. I knew like I know the sun comes up daily that I had to get to know him better. And I knew I had to be the one to ask him out because he was too shy. When he asked me to marry him after only  5 months, I said yes because I knew it was right.

4. Other good stuff…..being able to use an ability called remote viewing to see what is going on ahead of you in traffic, receive information about shopping while at the mall, determine what your best lipstick color is…really, the sky is the limit.

So what do you want to use it for?

These are remarks I hear over and over again. Now, I want you to know, angels did not swoop down at my birth, wings just a’flappin’ to beat the band, and gently sprinkle me in some sort of angelic fairy dust that enabled me to have super human powers. I just can guarantee that I do one thing very, very differently than you—I routinely park my arse and shut my cakehole. You know why? Because you MUST get quiet and stay that way if you are ever going to harness the power of your intuition. It is that simple–and that complicated.  Simple because it is free–solitude doesn’t empty your pocket of a even a penny, unless you are skipping off to a high falutin’ retreat. Simple because it is easy, sorta—be alone and be quiet. How hard is that? In our culture, it is like they say in the tiny farm community where I was birthed and raised, “it is like trying to pull hen’s teeth.” Pretty much impossible. So it seems.

Blackberries, iPhone apps out our wazoos, texting, Twitter…..the list of technological advances designed to improve the quality of our lives can dramatically reduce it if we aren’t careful. We are encouraged to be connected, know what is going on with our blue million Facebook friends at all times, do this, do that….our choices of things to do, people to see, information to learn is now mind boggling. Solitude…what is that anymore? I am the only one I know who doesn’t text at all, I don’t talk on the phone when I drive, and I actually shut it off at times. I ALWAYS take time to head out into nature, smell the breeze, revel in the sun, touch the glorious flowers….and just reconnect to myself and Spirit. Without this, I get stuck in my head. My intuition heads to the backburner, only to come out and play when beckoned.

So how do you carve out the time in our Indy 500 paced world to park your arse and shut your cakehole? Set boundaries and schedule it. Tell the ones you live with that you are doing this and wave good bye. Delegate responsibilities to others so you can have this time. When a friend calls and wants you to go play, say no. You have a very special date scheduled with yourself, nature, and Spirit. Then just enjoy.

They will admit they aren’t always right. John Edward says he is never wrong. Oh, really, John Boy. Given that there are 365 days in each year, one would think that there is just a chance that mayhap John would have an off day. He is human after all, correct? Or maybe he is one of the aliens that I blogged about earlier…..ha ha ha.  Anyhooters, I think John is full of it. He is incredible at what he does, yes. He has been doing it since dinosaurs were flying around, but….he isn’t perfect. So that leaves room for error. And if someone says they are always right, then I say they are wrong.

They are very, very vague. I once had a reading from a dingleberry who said his Indian name was Crow.  I think his Indian name should have been Rabbit Shit because that is what he was full of. He asked my birthday, then proceeded to ramble about my personality traits (duhhh…..I am a Leo. That isn’t hard.) Money was tight, (again, duhhhh), there was a spirit under the tree in the back yard, another spirit hanging in maybe, say, the crapper, a few more vague references to my love life, then that was it. Come on. There should be at least some detailed and correct information pertaining to more than just your personality traits. Any chowder head with an astrology book can get at least some of that right.

They offer to remove an evil spell for you if you give them extra money, or encourage you to buy special products to remove the aforementioned evil spell. No. Just no, no, no. This is wrong. This is a scam. Hie thee out the door asap.

I hope this enables you to be on your own happy trail to a valuable intuitive reading.

If you would like a reading with me, please call me at 317-440-8783, or email me at annie@yourcoachforlife.biz. Ta ta, dear readers!

Just couldn’t help myself. I have dearly loved KISS and Paul Stanley from the tender young age of 10. Awash with awakening hormones, I was fascinated by him. That coal black hair! Those sultry eyes! That perky pucker! And Lord help us all, the —gasp–hairy chest. Little did I know, but Paul was the beginning of my life long fascination with Jewish men. My biggest dilemma was–should I strive to marry him or Shaun Cassidy? Like I said, I was 10. But now I am 43, and my idol was before me, strutting his hairy stuff, exuberantly singing, and I was ecstatic. He has such magnificent energy as a performer, despite the number of years he has been doing it. I wondered if it was all an act, or if he really loved it as much as he seemed. Considering he is rather difficult to find much information about, no books that I know of are available about him, I knew I probably would never find out. And I really, really wanted to. It occurred to me then, well, hell. I could just connect with him and read him. I could get my answer.

I got my answer, plus a few other bits of information that came along for the energetic ride. Then the guilt set in……ahhhh, dude!! I just broke my own rule.   But ya know, there was no malicious intent at all. I meant no harm. I am in awe of people who are very passionate about their work; I love to witness that energy. And he has it. I simply wanted to know if it was real.  I didn’t mean to call the National Enquirer or blab my findings to all and sundry. I sheepishly told Jim about what I had done because I felt so guilty. I was able to verify one piece of information on the computer, but I didn’t run my fat yap about it. Before I disconnected my energy from his, I sent him lots of pink light and love, along with a message thanking him for the joy he has given me through the years.

Doubt he felt my individual message, no doubt he will never see this blog, so no harm done. Right? What do you think? If you could (or if you can) read energy quite well, what are your ethical rules of reading?