Last month, I shared some thoughts about what qualities you can expect in a good reader. Whether it's for Tarot, psychic readings, astrology, or other modality, you need to be a smart consumer. By having a clear sense of what you should expect, you have the right to receive excellent service.So where can you find good ethical readers? How do you skip the fly-by-night ones, and connect with honest, skilled practitioners?
If you have trusted friends or associates, personal recommendations are the best way to find a good practitioner. This is especially if you can ask people whose judgment you trust. Of course, different people like their readers for different reasons, so be sure to ask your friend why they recommend this person.
Another way to find the better practitioners is if you have a local metaphysical shop. Often the staff members at the local New Age stores personally know many of the local folks, especially the ones who are serious professionals. Often, they may be readers themselves. Ask who they like to go to (yes, most readers go to other readers for second opinions or for help with issues beyond their expertise).
Visit your local psychic fairs. This can be a great place to sample the local talent, without investing a lot of time or money. Note: Be careful about those bigger national psychic expos. They are fun, but often cost more and many (but not all!) of the readers leave when the event is over. This makes it harder for them to be accountable to you later.
Once you have narrowed down the field and are considering some possibilities, here are some additional things to consider:
* Check out their literature. Any serious consultant will have professional-looking business cards and brochures that explain their services as well as their beliefs and style of readings. You want to hire someone who is skillful, attentive and inspires confidence. Do their materials reflect this?
* Do they have a website? Does it look hyped, or amateurish and thrown together? Or is it professional, clear, and informative? Is it updated regularly? Do they respond to email inquiries made through their website?
* Do they have a newsletter or discussion group? If so, subscribe to it, so that you can get a feel for the person you may be doing business with.
* Are their fees reasonable for your area? Think about other service-oriented businesses in your area. What do they charge? Allow for some to be more educated or experienced in their field then others and worth higher fees. What are the going rates in your area for professional, service-based businesses, like beauty salons, auto mechanics, or massage therapists?
And once again, it bears repeating that ethical readers will always tell you their fees up front. They do not ambush you with extra charges for services or time not discussed clearly in advance.
Next Month: I'll offer some tips on how to make the most of your session.
