Sunday, May 24, 2009

Magazine Interview....Question and Answer

1) How would you describe your work and what you do? Would you be happy with the title fortune teller?


Well I am not going to rave about it as I have mixed feelings. This work is quite vocational and it is certainly not a glitzy, glamourous job once you scratch beneath the surface. You can face some quite interesting challenges whilst processing people’s stuff. But it is something that I take very seriously. It is a huge responsibility to be trying to help someone when they are perhaps at their most vulnerable. There can be a pressure as there is no one to answer to but God and of course the client.

I have to have absolute faith that the person who has asked for help will be helped. It just goes to show that you are given the people that you really can help. I have not been let down yet and I wouldn’t actually entertain that possibility as I have complete trust that this is how it works.

To do this work effectively, you need to be quite self-monitoring. Wisdom, integrity and discernment are key words which you have to have to the forefront of your mind the whole time like a mantra. It is fundamentally important never to work just ‘for the money’. Ironically you won’t last long in this ‘business’ if you have the wrong impulses and motivations. Spiritual law has a habit of tripping you up if you get too big for your boots.

It is not an easy path to take. I have been put through the wringer energetically on more than one occasion. It is not a career I would recommend to anyone; mainly because it is not actually a career at all. More often than not you simply work away as guided. You could get a phone call for a radio slot one minute, an email needing the week’s copy the next, a sports guy needing a quick fix at lunch time and by the end of the day two parents on the phone wanting some advice about their child.

Every day has its own flow. There is no office to attend from 9 to 5, which is a blessing. But at the same time the freedom of movement is fundamental as you often have to think on the hoof and respond on the hop. In truth it requires bucket loads of faith and huge trust even down to the details of daily life. The upside is of course that ‘The Gift’ can really help others if not always the person who possesses it.

I do love the rewarding aspect of what I do. It is great to see someone dealing with a really difficult situation walk out the door with a spring in their step. I try to make the sessions as empowering as possible and don’t encourage a dependency on what I do. I am actually happy if they never feel the need to see me again, so long as we have shifted the issue which was oppressing them.

I see what I do as a form of life coaching in a way. It is always important to make sure the person is functioning as fully as possible in all the areas of their life and to go over every aspect in which they feel stuck. Balance is the key to our happiness and equilibrium after all. This work is about much more than predicting what is going to happen next; though of course that is also part of it.

I would probably be a bit snobby about the term fortune teller. I am a bit wary of the image and expectations which people attach to the head scarf, loopy ear rings and crystal ball. I don’t relate to that at all. I don’t really aspire to working on the end of Brighton Pier; though that may yet be on the cards!

I’ve nothing against Mystic Meg; in fact I quite rate her. I just do not really want to go there myself. On reflection, I probably already did.



2) What types of people come to see you most – would you see more women than men, are they generally vulnerable people?


I know many people assume it is mainly women interested in this kind of work. But nothing could be further from the truth. Men are human and need help too, though they are admittedly more pragmatic creatures. Sometimes the people looking for help are vulnerable; but more often than not they simply need guidance. I have dealt with people experiencing a whole spectrum of issues. Of course client confidentiality is important. In general terms you could say I have had to get a handle on just about everything from High Court shenanigans, divorce settlements, conception and sex of children, illness, depression, work, relationships, money, to serious business dealings. You name it.

I tend to steer clear of party bookings and entertainment events where people assume you will come along and give some light hearted banter along with some cheery inoffensive predictions. I can not do flippant or superfluous readings. That is not really what it is all about. I prefer to dig deep and really help someone with whatever it is they are facing. Sex, gender, race and creed are irrelevant. If someone needs advice and I can help, I will do my best for them.



3) Can you take us through what happens when someone comes to you for a reading, do you actually see things or is it more feelings that you get. Can you describe what goes on in your head when you are giving a reading?


What doesn’t go on in my head when giving a reading! (Just kidding). Actually I guess you could say it is better to empty your head and heart of any expectations. Every reading and healing has its organic process and follows its own flow. There is absolutely NO point in trying to second guess what is happening nor what is going to happen. Also it is completely necessary to switch off from one’s own life and issues otherwise you are not giving the person the 100% they deserve.

I actually stopped readings for a few years for this reason. I needed to stop, recharge, reflect and sort things out. Even now, I will not see a client if I am not in the right space to help as I do not think it is fair on them. Where it is urgent though, I will always make myself available.

A reading usually builds in layers. Someone can sit there and say absolutely nothing at all. Or they can chip in and ask questions as we go. It can be as interactive or as hands free as you like. I think the end result is the same though. I like to make sure people get what they are paying for, so I think it is important that they think about it in advance and make sure all their issues are covered.

Sometimes the energetic interaction is more important than the words spoken because a healing is needed, or else there is something going on which needs to be shifted. It could be less of a reading and more of a healing; but there is always customer satisfaction as the info comes through regardless.

There is a bit of mystery attached to it all really. I am always interested to hear what happens to the person in the two to three weeks afterwards. More often than not a shift has taken place which frees the person up to get on with their life.

The nuts and bolts of a reading begin with setting the scene with a bit of astrology relevant to the client’s star sign. I do not actually need this to do a reading; but it does help to put their situation in the context of current astrological trends. If I am doing a reading the person’s star sign is of curiosity value really. It gives a framework which helps set the scene, and the detailed picture then builds brick by brick.

Once I start the info flows and specific names, timings and places pop into my head. These are usually a signal to steer us to the next subject. The names and places are always accurate ie) Margaret will always be Margaret not Mary or Matilda.

As for literally hearing and seeing things? Are you trying to get me locked up?

No seriously; I choose not to major on clairaudience or clairvoyance as I would find too much ‘hearing’ and ‘seeing’ uncomfortable to deal with. I am primarily clairsentient which means I get the feeling ‘from the heart’. I use intuition and tune-in to what I feel the person needs to hear. This is most certainly not the same thing as what they want to hear; though thankfully it sometimes is.



4) Do you have your own cards read/fortune told? Can you predict what will happen to yourself?


I have had this done; both in the name of research and when in a crisis situation. I guess I developed my own ability by using myself as a bit of a guinea pig along the way. It has been costly and I have learned the hard way. A few years back I was given some very loaded information about my love life and my financial situation. I have to say these two predictions have put me through the wringer as they were sold to me in no uncertain terms. I am not stupid and I really trusted the information. But it just goes to show it is not a good idea to take anything for granted regarding one’s fate.

To be fair, I have to say that nothing has yet contradicted what was predicted. But the issue of timing has been way out. This is where people really do need to be careful. I personally get the client’s age at key events. This is infinitely more practical and useful than being told something that is going to happen in ‘the blink of an eye’.

Going for readings a few years back put my world into a spin and it has been very difficult to come back from the brink. I would always urge people to be very careful who they go to. There is definitely a mixed blessing in being able to read the future. I am less and less convinced that it is a blessing at all. I wouldn’t now go for a reading unless I was really cornered by something. Even then I would think twice. I prefer to trust my own intuition and the advice of two trusted friends and my father. Destiny has worked in the strangest way in my life.

Weirdly what has happened to me enables me now to help people. Destiny can be quite cute, leading us down paths we do not intend for ourselves. I have tried to step off the wheel believe me; but to no avail. This is obviously what I am meant to be doing.



5) You come from a religious background – is it possible to follow an orthodox religion and have an interest in fortune telling and horoscopes?


I figure God made the stars in the heavens above and what is good enough for the three wise men is good enough for me. The most ancient religion Zoroastrianism combined the use of astrology and strong faith, so these two aspects of spirituality have not always been at loggerheads. The Vatican has tarot symbolism strongly imprinted in its architecture and many of the French cathedrals use the astrological signs in their stained glass windows. In Medieval times the boundaries were most definitely blurred.

I do admit though that I have walked the tightrope on this one. I have really struggled with it actually. I think the term ‘Christian Mystic’ just about sums up where I am coming from.

Weird though it may sound I do not actually have a mad interest in astrology or fortune telling. These things have just proven to be introductory tools which now allow me to help people. I do not actually need either of them to come up with the information and healing that people need. These skills have enabled me to get into the media and do the writing which I love, so I can’t complain.

Astrology and fortune telling certainly catch people’s imagination and I have to say they are useful skills to have. But as for myself I can take it or leave it. I am quite detached from it all. For me these are tools which connect me up with the rest of the world and enable me to do my work.

It just goes to show that we should not judge by appearances. The image which goes with what I do couldn’t be further removed from who I actually am. I think it was Bono who said ‘in the midst of a contradiction is the place to be’. Well that is apparently where I am at, and it is an ever present challenge.

This work has strengthened my faith, not diminished it. Indeed I know for sure I would not now be still here on Terra Firma if not for the protection it has afforded me. I have at times been in danger and it is only by the Grace of God that I have been protected.



6) Some people believe that tarot cards are dangerous and belong to the dark side – how would you react to that?


I would say that in the wrong hands they could certainly be misleading and therefore dangerous. But in the right hands they can be a powerful and informative tool. At the end of the day they are just a pack of cards which the intuitive uses to tune-in to the client. It depends on what energies the person is hooked up with in truth. Is the information channeled from a high source or not; that is the question.

Tarot cards reflect our situation and it can be quite amazing what they do reveal. Really though they are a simply a tool for the reader which helps focus the mind. They are not magical, though they are beguiling. For those who experience a really accurate reading they can also be spiritually seductive. They can very easily become a hook, and a good reader can very easily become a hook.

I have no doubt that seances and ouija boards are dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. If I had a teenage daughter the last thing I would want her to be doing is sitting up in her room with a pack of cards. Any dependency on this can be dangerous. Frequent readings can begin to block a person’s life flow while they await events which in truth may never happen.

I always advice clients to trust and listen to their own hunches and intuitions for this is how I believe God guides us. If we all learned to listen to the whisperings of our hearts, we would be in a better place anyway.

But of course life is not a picnic and strong guidance gleaned from a gifted intuitive can be timely, pertinent and helpful. When we are in a situation where we need help, it can in fact be better to see someone that we trust rather than to muddle through. The advice of a good reader can actually be tremendously reassuring and healing. But equally we could say ‘let go and let God’ and we would probably end up in the same place.



7) Where did your interest in reading cards and horoscopes come from – is there a history of this in your family?


NO there is most definitely not a history of this in my family. It was not tarot cards at dawn; it was church on Sunday. Having said that, my grandpa Fred would often describe my Scorpio Nan as a ‘white witch who should be burned at the stake’! Nan would get strong intuitions on random visitors and coincidentally prepare their favourite food the day before; that kind of thing.

I must have inherited my intuitive ability from my Nan I think. My Father, her son is strongly intuitive too, though as a God fearing man and medical practitioner he understandably has a natural caution about the word ‘psychic’. I reassure him that psychic just means ‘of the mind’ and that such a gift must be God given, so long as it is used responsibly and advisedly.

I suppose my own interest came from my exploration to make sense of certain life events that I had trouble coming to terms with. I guess I was looking like most people for a reassurance that things would pan out okay. I think this is actually the prime reason that people go for a reading. I was no different, though I found that my own ability developed thick and fast.

In fact a lot of things fell in to place quite quickly after I took my first Reiki attunement. I opened up further and probably began to understand certain things for the first time.

Between the ages of 9 and 11 I used to wake in the night of my half underground room and see the shimmering silhouette of a Napoleonic soldier in my room. It didn’t alarm me. It was more a case of ‘oh there he is again’. It wasn’t until I studied history at secondary school that I learned that my parent’s house is built at the site of an old Napoleonic fort.

This kind of thing doesn’t faze me. I just observe it all at one remove and do not like to sensationalize it at all

I never fully understood why I didn’t drink, smoke or do drugs at any point. I knew I wasn’t boring, but I just didn’t have a curiosity about these things, despite the numerous gigs and clubs I have attended in my time. When my healing ability became apparent this made more sense to me. A clear channel has to be; well a clear channel. Instead of indulging in toxic substances I ended up helping the bouncers at The Kitchen nightclub with their strains and sprains from the gym instead.

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8) Do people generally fit their star signs – can you back this up with a generalization of three star signs and what they are typically like?


Sun sign astrology is an accurate tool which enables us to give quite detailed personality descriptions. It certainly very useful as a profiling tool and it helps put things in context too. But we are complex creatures and it is usually not enough to simply know someone’s star sign if you want to glean the full picture. When we are born all the planets are in different positions and to accurately understand someone and their impulses across the board, you really have to know the whole lot. Mars affects our sexuality and energy levels, Mercury our skills of communication, Venus our love connections, Saturn our karmic tendencies and the Moon our emotions.

The Ascendant sign most clearly describes the way people perceive you and if you want to understand first impressions you really need to find a person’s Ascendant sign. This changes every two hours through a day and is one reason why people of the same sun sign are not inevitably the same; the position of the Moon being the other.


Typical Taurus traits are Stoic, Reliable, Stubborn, Determined, Loyal, Sensual, Cautious, Methodical, Practical, Possessive, Self indulgent, Warm, Tactile, Commonsensical, Fixed, Materialistic, Astute, Patient, Systematic, Compelling, Persuasive, Focused, Willful, Persistent, Judgmental, Faithful, Permanent, Dedicated, Enduring, Inert, Immoveable, Ingrained, Predictable, Trustworthy, Passive, Steady, Tenacious, Introverted, Domesticated, Sturdy, Lazy.

Typical Scorpio Traits are: Passionate, Intense, Intuitive, Magnetic, Profound, Compulsive, Secretive, Insightful, Psychologist, Super Savvy, Canny, Obsessive, Charismatic, Hypnotic, Confident, Mysterious, Jealous, Controlling, Powerful, Charmed, Magical, Kinky, Sarcastic, Fearless, Enduring, Willful, Imposing, Cruel, Sadistic, Transformative, Suspicious, Curious, Private, Deep, Determined, Resilient, Loyal, Shrewd, Irresistible.

Typical Aquarius Traits are: Independent, Honest, Original, Inventive, Distant, Unconventional, Quirky, Eccentric, Detached, Objective, Humane, Distant, Knowledgeable, Private, Discrete, Clever, Sharp, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, Visionary, Wise, Genius, Paradoxical, Stubborn, Generous, Compassionate, Intellectual, Inscrutable, Revolutionary, Friendly, Humane, Unemotional, Gifted, Aloof, Cool, Uncanny, Maneuvering, In-Control, Timeless, Old Soul, Self Sufficient



9) If you could choose your own star sign or that of a child you might have, what star sign would that be?


Oh crikey, I really don’t think I would time conception to conjure up a child of a particular sign. Having said that once you knew the due date you would have quite a good idea of what to expect! I gather both Madonna and Posh attempted to contrive Leo daughters, but it didn’t work. I really don’t think God, Destiny or Nature work like that.

At school I brought a Zodiac Leo ring on the way home once to match my two Leo best friends Karen and Susan. Turns out being born on 26th August I was a Virgo and just missed the boat. I was mortified and most indignant. I still to this day give a fairly good impression of being Leo with the mane of hair and one astrologer couldn’t believe I wasn’t a Leo, so mission accomplished I guess.

I am okay with being Virgo though. Virgo’s are the Zodiac oracles and they also tend to have a gift for organization and writing. They are perfectionist too, so I really am my worst critic. I like having a Scorpio Moon, it enables me to zoom straight in on things and makes me spontaneous, passionate, intense and a risk taker emotionally; good traits to balance the play safe, virginal Virgo thing.



10) Which star signs work best together and which star signs should avoid each other?


Fellow Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn always connect well and have balanced, sensual, laid back relationships. The only down side is the inevitable clash of wills from time to time. When they blow they blow, but it is not long before calm descends and the Zodiac bull grazes on and the Virgo gets on with the housework. Earth signs can be pretty stubborn and like to get their own way. But, mutable, practical Virgo will more often than not adapt to the dictates of their Taurus or Capricorn partner when push comes to shove.

Water signs Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio understand each other but things can get over emotional and off balance quite quickly. These are not necessarily practical matches, but there is always an intuitive telepathy, connection and empathy. Loaded, emotive relationships which can expend a lot of energy and wear you down; but on the up side make you feel like you are really living and experiencing something. Never dull anyway.

Fire Signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius generate a lot of heat. But these signs like to hold onto their freedom and get their own way. Aries is the Zodiac kid who doesn’t inevitably mix long term with Sagittarius who hates to bend to anyone’s will. But these are great passionate connections. Loyalty is rarely an issue once the commitments are made; but it takes along time for long term agreements to find their feet. Patience is needed in the early stages. Fire signs are perhaps better off mixing with Earth to encourage a bit of stability and grounded, adult behaviour.

Air Signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius can mix and match with most signs. They generally hate disharmony and seek to maintain independence. They do things in their own way, communicate with whom they please, and generally encourage loved ones to do the same. These are not obviously romantic signs, so the likes of Pisces might feel shortchanged and Earth signs may find there is not enough of a sensual hands-on action. These signs can be kooky and you need to understand the language of love of your Air sign or you could take offense quite quickly. They do not do things by the book.

Aries and Pisces can be a challenging mix, as can Sagittarius and Scorpio. They do say that adjacent signs have an understanding of each other. But it could be a case of not sufficiently different, so things get stale and fraught more easily.

Aries and Taurus have longevity having said that. The likes of Bono and Ali, Posh and Becks have the staying power so long as they are not confined to 24/7 scenarios. An independent streak is needed if you are in a relationship with an adjacent zodiac sign.

They say that opposites attract and this is true in the zodiac where polar opposite signs are often drawn together in quite a magnetic way. Soul mates are often opposite signs or there are string components in their charts demonstrating the attraction of opposites.

Then of course there are the same sign relationships, which have a habit of becoming familial quite quickly; more a case of brother and sister or sibling than lover and partner. I think the most bizarre would be Taurus female with Sagittarius male; though if it works, don’t knock it.



11) How significant is the moon on our moods – do the mad really get madder when the moon is full?

In Astrology, the Moon governs our moods, and I guess you could say there is such a thing as moon madness alright. Women and Cancerians are generally in tune with the moon’s cycles, whether they are aware of it or not. It is very common for women who live or work together to have in sync menstrual cycles. Few people will disagree that there is a tangible atmosphere when the moon is full. Even those who don’t pay astrology much heed are usually aware of it. When I worked as hostess at The Kitchen nightclub Full Moon nights were always eventful and fun packed with madness (for all the wrong reasons).

The Moon’s cycles can be a useful tool for different processes. The New Moon carries the energy of a fresh start and the waxing moon is good for creative projects and expansive processes. Don’t begin a diet on a waxing moon; begin it after the full moon as the moon begins to wane. The Waning Moon facilitates any letting go process we have to undergo. So if relationship issues have gone a bit haywire with the mad Full Moon, these can be dealt with as the Moon wanes. Often a relationship will disintegrate on a waning moon if that is the way it has been heading. As the Moon grows full its energy helps us to meet deadlines and put good energy into what needs attention.

The position of the Moon moves every 2 to 3 nights through the signs and it can be quite handy to know the placing of the Moon if you feel in tune with its movements. Cancerians in particular would benefit from knowing more about the daily movements of their ruling planet. For example a Leo New Moon is a good time to seal a financial deal and put a new structure on things, whereas a full Capricorn Moon will surely bring things to a head on the relationship front.

The cycles of the Moon through the calendar month is sometimes underestimated. I always feel it is very significant and worth keeping an eye on. It is good to know your moon sign for this can bring a great understanding of your emotional responses in all possible situations.

Never mind the madness; it pays to be Moon smart and savvy.




12) I know you do readings over the phone – how can you connect with a person doing this and how do you go about it?


I do offer this service on my landline by appointment. I always explain to a prospective client that there is actually no need to travel to see me. The information is exactly the same and I can tune-in just as well on the phone.

I actually do not understand completely how it is possible, except to say that it is a pretty good demonstration that psychic ability really does exist. I guess I now have enough experience and confidence to offer this service and to know that the information comes through and the healing takes place, even though I am not physically there.

That shows me too, that it is not actually me doing most of the work anyway. I guess we are back to the mystery of what happens with a healing or a reading. Something otherworldly seems to occur and I have heard clients describe a tingling whilst talking things through. That would be both on the phone and face to face.

When I first had a healing practice I used to do both healings and readings; but very quickly found that the two were interchangeable. I now know that the healing takes place and that I do not have to do a hands-on formal healing for the client.

I have been told that I heal through the tone of my voice, which I would take with a pinch of salt. But that is not to say it couldn’t be happening like that. I do believe anything is possible and that God performs miracles as and when he pleases, by whatever means. I take absolutely NO credit for it.




13) Would you be an advocate of the psychic phone lines where by people ring in premium rate numbers to have their fortunes told?


Not really though I guess they can be a quick fix when you’re in a bind. I have used them myself in the past and found them very unsatisfactory. However I had a good experience with one reader who helped me extensively last year when I was in a very difficult situation. I am extremely grateful to her. It just goes to show that we can be guided in the strangest ways just when we need it.

In general, though the service is fairly random and you do not know who you are going to get. Although I am sure they have some very good readers, I also know that some are not great. Having said that you can time how long you are on and you don’t have to pay for a full reading.

Premium lines are expensive and the minutes rack up quickly. I have heard of a good number of people who have had some pretty hideous phone bills from these companies. I really think they are not a good idea for people who are extremely vulnerable. They may end up with not much help at all and a very big bill. Such people need genuine help not more pressure.

I could have set up such a company and made a lot of money; but I did not want to be held responsible for what others may be telling members of the public. I could not justify it. I would rather trust the information I get and arrange a landline appointment with someone who really needs it.



14) Are you in a relationship at the moment – if so can you tell me a little bit about your partner – if not would you be looking for a specific candidate in terms of star sign etc.


Oh my God, it’s the last question you should ask a guy; I can’t think of anything more naff! The subject generally bores men rigid (except when they need help) but there is no getting away from it unfortunately.

I would always trust my intuition in love. Anyhow, chemistry is all you need when you’re making a connection. If the astrology backs it up down the road so be it. But I would trust my hormones, not his star sign when push comes to shove.

As for my relationship stuff; I’ll have to keep that secret.



15) Are people more interested in having their fortunes told now that there is such economic doom and gloom about – are they looking for a life of sorts?



I am not sure really. I feel people are only prompted to enquire about a reading when they really need one. It is a steady phenomenon which ebbs and flows. I am looked after too in this and I generally do not get enquiries when I am up to my eyes with something. It is pure trust on all fronts. I just have to listen to what is being asked of me and say YES to requests when they come in.

Going into a new year more people make enquiries I would say. But I do not think I noticed an unusual increase this year because of the recession. People usually enquire when they want insight on relationship issues. The recession really has nothing to do with that, so I do not expect a change; either an upsurge or a decline. It happens when it happens, recession or not.

I find that clients are guided to the right reader for them; perhaps one on their wave length, or someone who is able to help with their unique problem. I think we are all looked after in this respect.

I think it would be insulting to assume people who go for readings need to ‘get a life’. There is bound to be some soul searching involved. But generally I don’t think people make the choice lightly. Clients are adults making an informed choice whether or not to access a professional service. It is no different from deciding whether to get your nails done or go to the dentist (well there’s a stretch).

I don’t think I have ever done a reading for someone who is simply looking for me to cheer them up and give them a pep talk. People are not stupid; they know when they are hearing the truth. But the truth is their unconscious contains all the answers that they need anyway. We all have the means to access the truth within. An intuitive simply accesses what is there already and reflects it back, hopefully empowering the client to go on and do the same…for the rest of their lives.

Of course we want good news during this time of recession; but I can not conjure up good news out of nothing. I believe we all have to take responsibility for our lives; whatever a psychic might advise. I always recommend The Secret by Rhonda Byrne to people. But the problem is with all this talk of recession, we are all creating the opposite problem; The Secret in reverse if you like.



6) What do you think happens to us after we die? Do you believe in reincarnation if so do you have any idea of what you may have been before – do you believe that the same people are drawn to each other in different lives – if so why?


I strongly believe that life goes on. People who have passed on certainly leave residue energy around for quite some time, and of course they live on in the hearts of loved ones.
Whether they come back again for more is their spiritual choice. There are many people around now who are working through loaded karmas in a bid not to come back to the earth plane again thank you very much. I think I might be one of them!

I personally do not think there has to be a contradiction between Christian faith and a belief in reincarnation. I am still trying to work this one out and I am sure Christian and Buddhist philosophers have yet to reconcile the two. I believe it can be done. The disciples asked Christ if he was Elijah reincarnated, so they obviously thought it was possible.

I was told by someone quite respected in this field that my name had always been Sarah, and that I was something to do with the Holy Grail blood line. Mm! This was apparently meant to explain the pressure I was under regarding my public work, personal life and all its accompanying tests of faith. To me it sounded like loopy talk; but you never know.

I sit loose to all that as I think it could drive you mad and give you airs of grandeur if you gave it too much thought. I believe in NOW and think it is important that we focus on our present lives. Giving the past too much though can be distracting and detrimental.

My friend who is big into Karmic Astrology has pin-pointed links in my natal chart to Botticelli, the Pre Raphaelites, Nostradamus, Biblical times, Tudor times and The Cathars.

I can certainly take on board the Tudor life time as I was fascinated by the Tudors at school. It was an obsession which took on new meaning when I had a hideous and inexplicable panic attack in Hampton Court aged 11 (not a word to Jonathan Rhys Meyers). I didn’t know what it was all about, but I just had to get out QUICK. My parents were not amused, but my intuitive Nan understood and came to sit with me on the banks of The Thames while they traipsed around the hell hole in an unnatural heat.

A life time which a well respected healer encouraged me to deal with was a Cathar life time. I apparently escaped the horrors of Montseigeur leaving behind my father, husband and son to die in the flames. The man I loved and who loved me was in an arranged marriage living locally. He was a prominent Prince famous in the region who could do nothing to break free from convention and his material circumstances, despite the passion between us. Allegedly I was one of the four survivors of the Cathar persecutions who had to rescue the Book of Secrets. I fled to Paris and set up as a healer for a couple of years before succumbing to incredible loneliness. Apparently I hung myself out of sadness; despite being herbalist of some repute.

Weirdly I can take some of this on board. It has had some uncanny echoes in my life since I came to Dublin. Also it always puzzled me that despite struggling with A’ level French at school, I came back fluent from Paris after a 5 day trip just in time to get a reasonable grade in the summer. Maybe something unblocked within me; all I know is my French teacher was incredulous.

Labyrinth, Da Vinci Code and Daughters of The Grail are all books I feel a strong resonance with; so you never know….

I just think you have to sit loose to Past life stuff....we really should be thinking about NOW!



17) How do you see this recession panning out? Why do you think it came about?


Well it would be silly to deny that the recession is happening; though I have certainly been trying to give it no energy whatsoever. I really believe we can create negative situations for ourselves with the wrong mind set. The media has compounded the problem too. There is no doubt there is something going on; but I believe it ultimately gives us the opportunity to get back on track. The toxicity of our lives needs to be cleansed at deep levels. This is what the universe is doing with the economy and in our banking system in particular. What goes around comes around….

What is happening is of course tragic and many lives will be affected. But there is an important cleansing going on and this time gives us a chance to ditch what is no longer good for us. Businesses will fail, and people will lose their jobs; but I think that many will sense that a change is long overdue.

There is a blessing in every challenge I believe. People now have an opportunity to rethink their lives and focus on what is really right for them going forward. Rather than staying in an unfulfilling situation or dead end job, there is an opportunity to simplify life and go back to what is important. We do all need to arm ourselves with The Secret!

The transition phase we are all in is uncomfortable, there is no denying that. In fact it will probably look as if 2009 belongs to U2 and the Irish Rugby Team alone. A cheery thought.

I am a great believer in looking for the silver lining in the cloud which looms over head. You want the good news? It won’t last as long as we all think. By June there will be signs of a recovery, and once Saturn moves into Libra in November, banks, businesses and legal institutions will begin to establish the new patterns and structures which will serve us well in the future. It is best to take the long term view and trust that things will pan out; because they most definitely will.

If we can look on this phase as a time when the old and out-worn falls away, we can begin to put things in perspective. It is pointless holding onto the past, so as a nation we must release the Celtic Tiger from our psyche. Even more importantly we must release the word ‘recession’ from our psyche. Let it be the word that no one dares to utter! For as long as we bang on about it, be assured we are perpetuating the problem.

I would suggest we get on with the next thing, keep our heads down and enjoy the blessings in our daily lives. That way we will all be okay….



18) Can you tell me about any predictions you ever made?


Well I can be a useful friend and family member, except more often than not people don’t listen until after the event. Folk are seriously independent and defensive when it comes to predictions. You really can’t force them on people unless you are asked, and even then more often than not you won’t be thanked. It is an odd position to be in.

I have only freaked myself out once with a prediction, as it has become so normal to me to get a sense of things in advance. I was called onto the Tony Fenton Show shortly after the predicting the full line up of the Irish popstars band SIX. I was sitting at home in my work room and after our interview, he jokingly asked me to tell him what record he was going to play. I said, U2’s Beautiful Day! Apparently Tony just about fell off his seat, as there was no way I could possibly have known that. I freaked myself out a bit with that one as I had never listened to the Tony Fenton show before and had no clue about his play list or anything.

The SIX prediction caught people’s imagination in Ireland. I had put six names in an envelope in October 2001 having briefly met and read for the final 32 contestants of the show. I knew Louis Walsh was sold on Nadine Coyle, he made that abundantly clear; but she wasn’t in my envelope. The band was decided on in early 2002 and the envelope was opened by Louis on camera (probably after the production team had checked it).

As we are all aware Nadine was too young to be in SIX and she was unceremoniously removed from the show. Some people thought it was all a set up for the cameras, but I can assure you it was not. The production team was really disappointed Nadine was not of age. Anyhow Nadine’s replacement Sarah Keating was the sixth name Louis called out from the envelope which was really affirming for Sarah as she had felt a bit awkward being called in at last minute.

Also around this time I just missed out on a Lotto jackpot of one and a half million. I had been doing a particular set of numbers for a fortnight with a strong belief they were going to hit. What happened was that on the day they hit, I was running to meet my ex in a cafĂ© and didn’t do the draw for that night. There you go, it wasn’t meant to be.

And the moral of the story is? Never dash to meet an ex!



19) You have a lot of academic qualifications – a BA in honours English, and MSC in modernism and postmodernism and an M Phil in Publishing. You are currently studying for a PHD in UCD, isn’t it strange to have someone interested in academia and the supernatural?



I wouldn’t say so. I am not a skeptic about the supernatural. I believe it is there, but I don’t cause a big fuss about it either. Because of my faith I would say I have a healthy respect for it. I am quite matter of fact about it too. It certainly doesn’t prevent academic thinking and writing In fact when I was pushed for time I was able to tune-in to the content of a book and write an essay without reading it too thoroughly. Now, there’s a confession!

I am not overly curious about ‘things that go bump in the night’, despite having a Scorpio Moon. A lot of that I find very sensationalist and a real turn off to be honest; it has a very unfortunate vibe and energy attached to it. I think those ‘Haunted Live’ programmes are awful. To me the supernatural is just an unseen extension of our reality that we can choose to acknowledge or not. I like programmes like Charmed and Angel though. They as they have more of an edge. I certainly don’t think I have an abnormal interest in all things spooky. I hate spooky movies unless they are really well done like Nosferatu or Sixth Sense.

As you say I still have a PhD to finish independently. My tutor Gerry Hanratty from the philosophy Department at UCD died suddenly a while back and I have pledged to him that I will get the damn thing done. I have done enough study to be able to finish it under my own steam and I presume he can still inspire me from wherever he is. The first ever channeled PHD perhaps?

In a way, the public work I have been doing in the interim is a kind of research. I am trying to find an academic way to explain psychic ability in Jungian terms; using the Tree of Life as a symbol to demonstrate the spiritual aspect of our psyche.



20) How do you react to your skeptics?



I guess being able to read on the phone is one in the eye for the Skeptics who believe that all psychics are frauds who cold-read their clients. How can you possibly cold-read down the phone? Of course I never cold-read and do not really understand what they mean by it. To me cold reading would be difficult; I just do what comes naturally which is simply to tune-in and relay what I get.

I have had several quite public run-ins with skeptics and have grown to love them. I just call them ‘the Septics’ and hope for the best. I have nothing against them though I do find them frustratingly closed-minded and extremely pragmatic to the point of being ridiculous.

If you google my name you will find all sorts of shenanigans between me and the Skeptics. They got particularly upset with me when I did a Lotto prediction on line for them which hit on the specified draw 20 minutes later. The summer that Madeleine Mc Cann went missing I predicted that 9, 11 and 19 would come up on the Irish 49’s draw in the bookies at 12.30pm. These numbers hit at 12.50.

I was trying to help find her and ran into all sorts of criticism for doing so. This I can understand because it would not be my normal way of doing things. I went onto the SKY forum to put up details of where I felt she might be because I felt someone who could help would get in touch. Sure enough an ex police officer from northern England went out there following the clues and description I had given and seemed to find something of import. It just goes to show the nature of the case really. We reported what was found and have reason to believe the place was not searched (the place which matched my description was not far from the site of the Dutch Tip off near Oxidiere).

I had another public run in with the skeptics on the Marianne Finucane Show in 2003. They were indignant about my claim that I could get at least 3 and 4 numbers out of 5 in every draw in the 49’s draw.

At the time I was trying to win 125, 000k on a one euro bet in the bookies. I really was regularly getting one and two numbers short of the five on nearly every draw. I gave up in the end as it began to feel like a bit of a game the universe was playing with me.

The Skeptics challenged me to prove this under their test conditions and I’m afraid I took umbrage and thought ‘why should I’?

People may have heard of Rhandi’s Million Dollar Challenge to the first psychic who can prove their ability under agreed test conditions. A TV company was interested in doing a documentary on the subject; but we found Rhandi very evasive and elusive (well he is a magician!). I was willing to go for it this time, but Rhandi knew about my run in with the Irish Skeptics and hid behind it. He knew I was not willing to work with them on principle.

His conditions were that a psychic must be provisionally tested in their own country first, so as not to waste his time. I gather no one ever got through to the second phase of his challenge ie) he has never actually tested anybody. It became obvious to me that the Million Dollar Challenge is nothing more than a good bit of PR for his institute! Rhandi has NO intention of parting with that money….



21) If you weren’t involved in this career – what do you think you might be doing?


God only knows. I did get a place at Cambridge University to train as a teacher after my first degree; but chose to stay in Scotland as I had grown to love Edinburgh and my life there. I always thought I would be an eternal student and then a writer. In a way, despite the alternative route I have taken, this is actually what has happened.

A couple of London publishers have expressed an interest in my autobiography. The publisher of ‘angels in my hair’ was keen about my story; but they do not want to take on anything too similar to Lorna Byrne’s book just yet.

I also have a four book deal in place with Poolbeg, so could in theory write a best seller tomorrow and things could take off in an entirely different direction. I doubt that is what is going to happen; but you never know. It is not completely impossible.

As a 17 year old I always knew I would be published. I guess I have just taken rather an odd route to fulfill this prediction.

In fact there were 3 things I knew when I was 17 and they have all come about. The second was that I would at some point work for U2 in some capacity and the third is private; but it has happened.



22) Anything else you would like to add?


Yes ….go out and buy The Secret by Rhonda Bryne if you haven’t already. We can turn this recession thing around yet…

1 comment:

  1. Wonderful article - thanks for sharing your story! I can really relate to it.

    Sparkly Blessings,
    Kathy C.
    http://SoulReaderBlog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete