Quick: List the first three things that come to mind when you hear the word “psychic”.
Does your list contain any fictional stories, movies, or comics? A certain famous psychic reader from ‘90s commercials? People getting conned out of their money–or the people conning them? Maybe you just laughed and didn’t bother to list anything because you think it’s all just silliness.
Whether you’re a skeptic or nay-sayer, true-believer, or on the fence, we’ll explore what the word “psychic” means, how it's used (and who uses it), and what other words real psychics use.
If you can’t already tell from the title of this post, I don’t call myself a psychic. It’s a word others may use, and I certainly have no problem with that. It’s the term my business gets lumped under by many platforms because of limited industry options to choose from. But “psychic” isn’t a word I typically self-describe as.
For me, when I hear the word “psychic”, the first three things that come to mind are:
- Critical skeptics’ reactions (words and facial expressions)
- The local reader whose every customer seems to have the same curse that only she can remove (every town has one of these!)
- Professor X and other Marvel comic characters gifted with sensational, out-of-this-world level abilities
With a list like that, it’s easy to see why I don’t self-identify as a “psychic” reader. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this loaded term.
Why is “Psychic” a Dirty Word?
We would be here all day if I listed all the different stereotypes and negative associations of psychics in the United States alone. The biases run deep (some, justifiably so), and no amount of wokeness can fix it. So for this post, I’m going to just stick with the three most common stereotypes people associate with psychic readers.
Stereotype #1: The Theatrical "Fortune-Teller" or "Crystal Ball Gazer"
These are the ones that go all out with the visual appeal: abundant decor, bohemian-styled clothing, excessive jewelry, fancy cards and oversized crystal balls, enough incense to make a Catholic priest break out into a coughing fit… You get the idea. Within this stereotype, you find pure entertainers (it’s all just acting for a good time and/or whatever it takes to make a buck).
For the actual people falling into this stereotype, rather than providing authentic insights and guidance, their primary focus is on providing a spooky atmosphere and generating whatever the intended feeling is.
Many (not all!) Tarot readers–myself included–love dressing up and creating an atmosphere for our clients. I don’t skip a beat for any event that gives me the opportunity to bust out the Ren Faire gear! That said, a real psychic reader can be spotted by their approach to the readings themselves. Are they emphasizing real connection and clarity? Or are they playing up the theatrics? If your reading feels like it could be out of a scene from a Hollywood movie, it’s probably theatrics.
Stereotype #2: The All-Knowing "Predictor of a Fixed Future"
For my non-skeptics, this one is likely tied to whatever your first thought was. This is a case of a misconception turning into a full-blown stereotype. Somewhere along the line, psychics–anyone claiming or claimed to be one–are expected to serve as the “be-all, know-all” holders of vast, indisputable knowledge of the universe.
It’s like someone visited the Oracle of Delphi once and decided that’s the model for all psychics.
This stereotype relies on a belief in predetermination–that we have no free will. Psychics are thought to be capable of providing infallible predictions about when you’ll meet your soulmate, the number of children you’ll have, and when you’ll die. Man, that’s a lot of pressure for the psychic!
Not to mention unrealistic. While some readers with gifts in this area may be able to pick up on such details more than others, real psychics recognize their work as providing merely perspective and guidance. With Tarot, we know the cards don’t dictate the future; they just help us to tune into energy. Some Tarot readers offer predictions; the rest of us may touch on past or future potentials while focusing on the present moment.
Stereotype #3: The Fraudulent "Mind-Reader" or "Scammer"
Yes. That guy. Oh, they’re real. And, yes, they prey on the vulnerable for their money. Those fitting into this category are the reason that business laws for Tarot readers and other psychic-related services tend to be unfair (more on this below!).
These self-proclaimed “psychics” use techniques like “cold reading” (making high-probability guesses based on social cues) and “hot reading” (using pre-researched information) to exploit the vulnerable for money.
This became a stereotype when people and whole communities began to believe that all psychics are charlatans and cynical frauds. Many people today falsely believe all psychic phenomena to be pseudoscience, despite real scientific research over the last century suggesting otherwise.
What Does “Psychic” Mean, Really?
Most dictionaries perpetuate the stereotypes by defining the term “psychic” in ways that suggest it refers to otherworldly powers or charlatans. At the time of this writing, I’ve only ever found two official dictionaries that define this word without clear bias.
- Merriam-Webster:
- adjective - 3 “...marked by extraordinary or mysterious sensitivity, perception, or understanding”
- noun - 1a “a person apparently sensitive to nonphysical forces”
- APA Dictionary of Psychology:
- adjective - “phenomena associated with the mind”
- adjective - “a class of phenomena, such as telepathy and clairvoyance, that appear to defy scientific explanation”
In understanding psychic powers or events through definitions like this, the word is considerably less charged. It suggests that psychic abilities and talents are simply phenomena that we can’t measure through the usual scientific means. Speaking as a science-minded person, this makes sense.
Psychism in Science
Modern science is an established, systematic way of exploring the world around us to make sense of it. Real science relies on the collection and analysis of quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (descriptions) data. Science teaches five basic senses–sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste–because these can be easily quantified and/or confirmed. It’s what we can test, so it’s what we gather.
But modern science doesn’t dismiss additional senses. In fact, science often confirms that humans possess additional sensory perception that we simply can’t quantify at this time.
For example, in my undergraduate studies, I suggested to my Biological Psychology professor and classmates that perhaps there is a genetic basis for Jung’s concept of the Collective Unconscious. Sure enough, years later, peer-reviewed research on intuition emerged, finding that instincts from the experiences of ancestors long ago are encoded within our DNA. It’s why we run from or jump at dangerous things we had no conscious knowledge of previously.
What I Call Myself (and Others Do, Too)
You’d think I’d be eager to identify with the word “psychic”. After all, the dictionary definitions and science support my understanding of my lived experiences. And let’s not forget that I’m a big fan of Mat Auryn’s “Psychic Witch” series of books.
As Mat Auryn states in his first book, Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation: “Psychic ability, on the other hand, is the processing of extrasensory perception that doesn’t rely on primary sensory information about one’s environment.” Throughout the book, with that definition as a basis, Mat completely changed my thinking about the word.
That said, he goes on to explain the difference between psychic and intuition while providing the examples of claircognizance (“clear knowing”) and clairempathy (“clear feeling”) on the intuition side of things. Guess which category my Tarot abilities fall under?
So, yes, while you can call me a psychic Tarot reader if that’s your understanding, I refer to myself as “intuitive”. My psychic abilities are rooted in my intuition and connection with nature. It’s just how my brain works.
And I’m not alone. Many Tarot readers today distance themselves from the psychic label, choosing other terms like intuitive, empath, clairvoyant, holistic, spiritual, and other words and phrases that are more grounded and free from so much stigma.
How Laws Complicate It All – But Probably Should
This brings us to the infamous "for entertainment purposes only" disclaimer. I previously touched on the "entertainment" legal requirement for Tarot readers. As someone whose work is deeply spiritual and therapeutic, being legally classified as "entertainment" can feel dismissive. Why is a church's divination and psychic-based services protected while mine isn't? Not to mention the industry-specific mismatches...
The frustrating truth is that this legal quirk, born from outdated laws aimed at fraudsters, also serves as a shield. If you come across a fraudulent “psychic” and see the entertainment disclaimer, it reminds you to think about what you’re seeking vs. what they’re offering and decide for yourself if it’s worth your time and money. When you find the right psychic for you, the value of a true reading transcends a legal label.
So, Is “Psychic” Really a Dirty Word?
Not really. The dirt comes from the reputation of the word and how negative stereotypes and bad actors have distorted its real meanings. While some are reclaiming it, I find power in a more precise language. I choose “intuitive” because it reflects the grounded, integrated nature of my work—a collaboration between spirit, mind, and practical guidance.
Take another look at your list from the beginning of this article. Would you change any of your items? Or do you see any of them in a different way now? I invite you to check your biases at the door the next time you come across a psychic reader, just to see what happens.
Ready to experience intuitive guidance, free from the stereotypes? Book an Embodied Tarot Session with me, where we focus on clarity and empowerment, not predictions.
In Light & Love, Evylyn Rose
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