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A well-meaning friend recently sent me a “Happy Father’s Day” meme. At first, I was a little surprised, since I don't have any children, and my dad passed away many moons ago. Then I thought about it again, and responded, “Much appreciated! I am very proud of the man I raised myself to become.” Yes, indeed. Growing up psychic and sane was certainly no mean feat, since my childhood resembled a combination of the movies 'Matilda' and 'The Sixth Sense,' with a sprinkling of 'The Jerry Springer Show', all set against the backdrop of 'The Handmaid’s Tale.' For many years, I thought I was just really stupid, or weird, even crazy. Many of my earliest memories are of vivid extra-sensory experiences and sometimes traumatic paranormal events. Growing up psychic is certainly not for sissies. I woke up many nights with what I perceived to be 'shadow people' standing next to my bed. I still don't like to talk about those days. ​I am a psychic medium by birth, but only discovered this fact much later in my life. ​There were many signs and synchronicities over the years, of which some were quite exceptional, but due to my stubborn rejection of my psychic heritage, I only managed to connect all the dots many years later. I inherited my psychic ability from my paternal grandmother. Throughout my childhood my dad used to tell us amazing stories of his mother, and how she used to talk to dead people and foretell the future by looking into people's teacups. Family legend has it that as a young woman she was an 'Irish beauty' with pale skin and piercing violet eyes. She was admired, but also feared by some in the small town where she lived in the 1940s and 5o's. Some of the locals would actually cross the road to avoid her. Apparently, word had gotten around that whenever she talked kindly to strangers, someone in that particular family was going to get sick... or kick the bucket... or both! Poor grandma, I'm sure she meant well. However, whenever they needed their fortunes told, or had problems with paranormal activity in their homes, they always knew where to find her. According to my dad, she was a badass 'ghostbuster' in her day! As a matter of fact I had a terribly traumatic childhood. But afterward I sort of reraised myself ~ Michael Gruber I suspected at a very young age that there must be something terribly wrong with me. I was clearly very different from other children, and it was confirmed soon after my 5th birthday, when the headmistress at kindergarten peppered my tongue with cayenne, in front of the whole school, for telling “tall tales” about a mysterious “angel man” watching over us from the corner of the playground, as well as the sad little "ghost girl" who used to play with us on the merry-go-round. Apparently, I was upsetting the other kids, and some of their parents. At first I thought everyone saw, heard and sensed the same things I did, but on that momentous day in daycare, it became very clear that this was not the case. ​The name-calling and bullying escalated by the time I went to school. I was a gifted, unusual child growing up in a very religious and politically conservative society. Nevertheless, I was intuitively drawn to the mystical and the paranormal from a very early age. My mom was not impressed, for example, when she discovered one day that her missing glass bowl had been turned upside down and used as a ‘crystal ball’ to do readings for some of the kids in the neighborhood. Not to mention the fact that those kids were a little freaked out too! What can I say... we had no computer games in those days. ​Growing up in Apartheid South Africa, my childhood environment was shaped by a government policy known at the time as Christelike Nasionale Opvoeding (Christian National Education). This restrictive policy was geared towards social engineering and allowed very little religious or ideological freedom. The Calvinistic and highly chauvinistic values of the regime were drilled into us, and we were programmed not to question authority, and to comply with the prescribed cultural and social expectations of our community. In this stifling environment I was obviously soon misunderstood, ostracized and bullied, to the extent that I began to view my highly sensitive nature and psychic heritage as a shameful secret... as some kind of personal ‘disability.’ I see dead people.. . ​To be sensitive, emotional and spiritually aware are still taboos in this world, especially for young men. Combine that with being an empathic ‘new age weirdo’ who talks to dead people... and you have the perfect breeding ground for shame, self-hatred and public humiliation. The fact that my parents were emotionally absent, and not at all nurturing or supportive, did not make things any easier. ​I soon realized I had to wear a mask and pretend to be what I am not, for fear of rejection and ridicule. I fervently began to resist my extra-sensory experiences. My fascination with all things metaphysical soon became my ‘dirty little secret.’ At least I no longer blurted out the secrets of unsuspecting adults at social gatherings, which often caused many red faces and awkward silences around coffee tables and barbeque fires. I'm sure many folks were quite relieved that I opted to keep my mouth shut. ​I was fortunate to grow up with a lot of books in my childhood home, and I became the proud owner of a public library card as soon as I could read. Just like Roald Dahl's character, Matilda, books really were my saving grace. Books nurtured, guided and comforted me as a child. Books were my substitute parents and teachers, when the adults in my life failed me. In my late teens, I was fortunate to discovered the classic book, An Experiment with Time by J.W. Dunne, and this helped me a great deal over the years to understand and interpret my dreams, which is a skill I now effectively use in my work. The most important thing I learned from Dunne’s book was that I was not the only guy in the world who sees the future in his dreams . Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone ~ Roald Dahl Oddly, books also brought me a fleeting 15 minutes of popularity among my peers. I was around 13 years old at the time and I used to secretly read books about divination, the paranormal, and mediumship, in the school library. It was the safest, most peaceful place for me to hide from the bullies during school breaks. ​One day three older girls noticed the palmistry book I was reading, and the leader of the pack came over and asked me what it was about. Not used to this kind of attention, especially from older kids, I proceeded to spill the beans, before I even considered how she might respond. Instead of being shocked or amused, she asked me if I could “tell fortunes." Without any hesitation, I said yes. She immediately beckoned her friends over, and insisted I read their palms. I actually knew very little about palmistry, but I was born with the ability to ‘see’ and ‘feel’ things when I touch someone, or hold an object that belongs to them. So, one by one I took their eagerly upturned hands and gave the first psychic readings of my career. I will never forget the expression on their faces as I talked about their problems at home, their schoolwork issues, and all the drama of their teenage romances and the boys they secretly had crushes on. Word spread of the geeky kid in the library who tells fortunes, and soon there was a mob of youngsters waiting for me at the library every day. The library became my ‘psychic parlor’ and a refuge for all the teenage angst of the senior girls. But my newfound fame was short-lived, because the crowding and noise got so out of hand that the school’s librarian had no other choice but to put an end to it. She also sent me to the headmaster’s office, where I received a beating with one of the canes from his extensive collection - for being a disruptive influence, and for doing “the devil’s work.” The following week, at Monday morning assembly, he read from scripture and sternly warned the student body against the evils of witchcraft and satanism. I was just thankful he never called my parents. Grandma 'Dolly' is said to have been a badass ghostbuster in her day. For a long time, after my stint as the ‘teenage library psychic,’ I refused to publicly acknowledge the existence of psychic or paranormal phenomena. I had by now gone thoroughly undercover, and deep into the psychic closet. Yet, I still was frowned upon by teachers, and rejected and tortured by many of my peers, for daring to be different from the norm. I was a weird kid. Period. On my 16th birthday my father gave me a yellowed, sealed envelope from my grandmother, which she handed to him a few months before her passing. It contained a short letter to his eldest child, explaining my psychic heritage. The letter also contained a St. Christopher pendant, which she said I should wear for my protection. I did not take any of this very seriously at the time, and disregarded all of it as the 'woo-woo' ramblings of an old lady. Sorry grandma, I will apologize to you in person someday, when I finally get back to the Other Side. For many years, I had a problem with intense anxiety and I frequently experienced acute panic attacks. The problem was so severe when I was about 4 or 5 years old, that I had to be rushed to the emergency ward on more than one occasion, and once had to be hospitalized, because I would literally stop breathing. My dad told me years later that on that particular day I was so uncontrollably hysterical, it took the physical strength of two nurses, my dad and the doctor to pin me down for an injection. ​The first time I personally became fully aware of having these panic attacks, and that they were linked to something beyond this world, was when I was about 7 years old and in the second grade. I was sitting on the living room floor one afternoon, paging through a book, when suddenly an intense sense of dread engulfed me. At the same time an ominous 'shadow' descended upon our home, as if the sky had suddenly turned overcast outside. The living room became gloomy as if it was suddenly twighlight. Someone... or something... was in that room with me. Then, I remember feeling somehow very angry...when the pages of the book in front of me began to vigorously page all by itself... from cover to cover... rapidly... like someone flicking through a deck of cards! I was beyond myself with terror! I ran for dear life, jumping over furniture and just about diving through the front door to get out of that house! Outside the sun was shining brightly and it was still a beautiful, peaceful summer's day. I refused to go back into the house for the rest of the afternoon, patiently waiting on the front lawn, until my parents came home from work. ​As a child I felt myself to be alone, and I am still, because I know things and must hint at things which others apparently know nothing of, and for the most part do not want to know ~ C.G. Jung Soon after, I woke up one night from some kind of bad dream. Crying inconsolably, I ran to my parents' bedroom, where my mother lay sleeping alone. My dad was not yet home. Mom could make no sense out of what I was trying to say. She thought I was simply afraid of the heavy thunderstorm outside. Apparently, I was sobbing and repeatedly crying, "Daddy has the moon on his face...!" Later that night the phone call came. My father had been in a head-on collision and had not been wearing his seat-belt. He went through the windshield, head first. The shattered glass cut into his face, leaving a large, deep wound shaped like a half moon across his forehead. He carried that scar for the rest of his life. By the way, that 'self-paging' book was certainly not the first or last time that psychokinetic or telekinetic phenomena happened around me. Psychokinetic occurrences are an almost normal, although very infrequent part of my everyday life since I can remember. For example, it is not unusual for me to somehow crash computers and cash registers everywhere I go, when I am out and about on a particularly emotionally distressed day! A few people in my life have also learned not to stand under any exposed overhead light-bulbs, whenever I'm around, as they do tend to unexpectedly explode from time to time. Same thing happens with street lights. One of the funnier instances occurred inside a grocery store in 2009, on a quiet weekday morning. I was walking down the cereal aisle, minding my business, when a piece of PVC water pipe mysteriously became dislodged and dropped from the ceiling, missing my head by inches. Fortunately, I only had a scratch on my face and my shirt was covered in a muddy slush. Interestingly, most of these everyday 'disturbances' subsided and even disappeared once I began working full-time as a psychic professional. One of the most traumatizing and memorable anxiety attacks happened during the school holidays in the early part of 1983. I was 16 years old at the time and waiting for a bus in Church Street in Pretoria, South Africa, when I was suddenly overcome by the most horrible sense of dread. The anxiety was so overwhelming that I could hardly breathe. I had no idea what might have caused this suffocating feeling, but I just new that I was in extreme danger... and I immediately had to get out of that area! At first I walked, but eventually ran like an insane person for about 2 km (1.3 miles). Then, just as suddenly as it came, the feeling was gone. I came to an exhausted halt, drenched in perspiration, yet utterly calm and relieved. This inexplicable incident was soon forgotten, but in recent years I accidentally discovered its true meaning, after sharing some of my childhood experiences with a fellow psychic. I had never made the connection before, but after doing some further research, I soon realized that a few months after my panic episode, on the afternoon of May 20th, 1983 , at least 16 people were killed and about 130 injured in a car bomb explosion in Pretoria. The explosion happened outside the Nedbank Square building on Church Street, at the height of the city's rush hour…just a few steps away from where I had been standing on that day when that dreadful panic attack hit me! So much for psychic overload and being an energy sponge. To this day I wonder if I could have made a difference at the time, had I been more empowered with a better understanding of why I was experiencing these bizarre things. In my early 20’s, I was referred to a therapist by my doctor, in the hope of overcoming my anxiety. It was a miraculous synchronicity that I went to see this particular therapist, because he just happened to be a mainstream psychologist who was also interested in alternative spirituality, energy work and holistic healing. For obvious reasons, he never admitted any of this to me at the time, I only figured it out many years later. Instead of just doing the usual psychotherapy, we also did past life regression and energy healing. At the time I did not understand what he was trying to accomplish; I thought he was teaching me some kind of self-hypnosis. And I thought his therapeutic skills sucked, because he spent most of his time sitting back in his armchair with his eyes closed. After many sessions, during which nothing much happened, I had a major breakthrough one day. I remember suddenly feeling an intense ‘explosion’ in the are of my solar plexus, as if a floodgate had burst wide open. I was pinned to the couch by a powerful stream of energy rushing through what felt like a churning ‘cavity’ in my stomach. It was like a tornado drilling right through my spine, and into the floor below me. It was the most astonishing thing I had ever felt. After the initial shock, an incredible sense of relief and freedom washed over me. The therapist asked me what I was feeling, but I was unable to speak. I was completely paralyzed, as if in a trance. Silent tears were running down my face, and I felt profoundly calm, blissful and at peace. Living a spiritual life may not be easy. It demands total authenticity. It brings you to dance to a unique song that only you can hear fully, and sometimes you dance alone because no others can hear the music ~ Debra Moffitt Years later, I figured out that what I had experienced was an unblocking of my solar plexus chakra , which is the energy center for mental understanding of our emotional life. Interestingly, the spiritual lesson of this chakra is to achieve self-love, and acceptance of our place in the stream of life. The solar plexus chakra is often linked to issues relating to self-image or self-esteem, oversensitivity to criticism, fear of rejection, and fears of our secrets being found out. The information stored in this energy center also relates to personal power, our sense of belonging and the consciousness of self within the Universe . It is the basis for a positive, healthy self-image and connection to one's personal spiritual path and life calling. ​Based on my childhood experiences, I clearly was a prime candidate for developing a problem in this area! Not that any of this mattered much to me at the time. All I cared about was the fact that I never again experienced a single panic attack since that day. On my final visit to the unorthodox ‘shrink,’ he unexpectedly gave me as parting gift a paperback copy of the book Mind To Mind: The Secrets Of Your Mind Energy Revealed , by the late Betty Shine. She was a renowned psychic medium and healer in the United Kingdom, and her book helped me find my way back to who I really was. It opened up a whole new world for me, very far removed from the books on palmistry I used to read in the school library. The 1990 paperback that launched my career. I soon started doing some of Betty’s meditation exercises. My favorites were Journey to the Centre of the Universe and The Auric Egg . Betty’s exercises became the foundation for my personal psychic re-attunement and my ultimate spiritual awakening. Little did I know at the time that these exercises would eventually become spontaneous experiences that came and went for the next decade. There was a long period when I had recurring dreams and out-of-body experiences of returning to that spiritual ‘university’ on the edge of the Universe, for more and more ‘lessons.’ Betty's book and grandma's pendant were also not the only unusual, synchronistic gifts I received along the way. While I was a senior at university, for example, I became acquainted with a new student, named Rudy. Our friendship was brief, but to this day his synchronous appearance in my life intrigues me. How exactly it happened remains a mystery to me, but one day he just unexpectedly showed up at my door with an unusual gift in a brown paper bag. It was a brand new deck of Rider Waite ® Tarot cards. It was not my birthday, or any other special occasion, so I asked him the reason for this unusual gift. His answers still haunts me to this day. “It is best to receive your first deck as a gift, instead of buying it yourself,” he said. Then he left. A few days later I heard that he had dropped out of school and I never saw him again. Sadly, that deck of cards ended up being burned in a bonfire later that year, which a friend and I felt compelled to make in the backyard when we became reborn Christians for a period of time. In 1996, I experienced three consecutive blackouts, or fainting spells, a few weeks apart. I simply fell unconscious for no apparent reason. Twice I badly injured myself, and still have the scars on my left ear and the right side of my forehead. On all three occasions I had profound out-of-body experiences (ODEs). I remember feeling like I was floating and seeing my own body lying on the floor. Then it felt like I was moving very rapidly through a dark tunnel… to a place of safety. It felt like all the sacred knowledge and deepest truths of the Universe were surging through my very being. I also felt intense emotions of well-being, and joy, and peace. It was unbelievable, and so pleasant, that I did not want to return, but I kept hearing a far-off voice telling me that I had to go back, because my work was not done. I felt annoyed that anyone would expect me to go back, but I was being sucked violently back into my body and waking up feeling disoriented, and really miserable. The weird blackouts happened within a period of one month, and I have never experienced anything like it again. After the third incident, I was tested extensively in a medical lab for every possible cause, but nothing was found. They did blood tests, had me running on a treadmill, and even took an MRI scan. Nothing. My doctor was puzzled. Nobody could explain what may have caused me to just fall unconscious, without anything being wrong with my physical health. In fact, I was extremely fit at the time, since I worked part-time as an aerobics and yoga instructor. I was also enrolled for a personal fitness trainer certification course in those days, and it was a source of great amusement for the other students, when I showed up for lectures with a black eye and swollen forehead. Nobody believed my story that I had just fainted for no reason, and they teased me endlessly about “getting wasted and beat up in a pub brawl!” When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind ~ Patrick Rothfuss I had sensed that something significant happened during those blackouts, but I never would have thought that those fainting spells had in fact been near-death experiences (NDEs). The descriptions I read of other people’s NDEs were generally different from what I had experienced, so I did not know what to make of it. Amazingly the answer came to me courtesy of a skeptic! According to research conducted by Dr Kevin Nelson , a leading advocate for brain-based theories for NDEs, the leading cause of near-death experience is fainting . Although Dr. Nelson does not believe that there is anything spiritual about NDEs, he certainly helped me find some answers about my own spiritual and psychic awakening. ​ ​After these experiences, my psychic awareness rapidly began to increase and intensify, although I still did not take it very seriously and kept it secret from friends and family. After all, I had majored in Psychology in the early 90s and knew very well where people ended up who claimed they ‘saw things’ or ‘heard voices’. I had no intention of becoming just another psychiatric statistic. But after several further traumatic life events, and strange disruptions in my professional and personal life, I eventually could no longer avoid the inevitable. I increasingly felt a sense of urgency to fulfill my true life purpose, whatever that may be. I also continued to have vivid dreams and other psychic and paranormal experiences, which I ignored to the best of my ability. Eventually, I could no longer keep up the pretense. The breakthrough came at a point in time when my life seemed to have spiraled completely out of control. I had reached the stage where I simply felt I had nothing more to lose, and I had finally also lost the will to continue the charade. It all came to a dramatic climax, when I found myself late one night searching Google for the most effective, and least messy methods of suicide... until I experienced an unforgettable metaphysical encounter, which ultimately led to a profound spiritual awakening. It may seem somewhat shocking for me to say this, but today I believe that this was the best thing that could have happen to me at that time. While I thought I was giving up on my crazy life, and throwing in the towel, what really happened was that I finally surrendered my resistance to my true self. At first, I smelled a strangely pleasant odor that I suddenly remembered very vividly from my childhood. This distinctive scent always preceded the ‘floating bubbles of light’ which I used to often see as a child. I had completely forgotten about those experiences, yet here they were again... the flickering light specks that look like ‘bundles of fireflies.' The smell they came with was like electricity, or ozone. It was not unpleasant, simply unusual. For a long time I had no way of describing it, until I bought a small air purifier a few years ago. I soon discovered that the faint smell of ozone, which is generated in small quantities by the negative ions from the purifier, was rather similar in scent. In an expanding universe, time is on the side of the outcast. Those who once inhabited the suburbs of human contempt find that without changing their address they eventually live in the metropolis. ~ Quentin Crisp Then a strangely familiar voice spoke to me telepathically . I remember it telling me to be grateful to be alive; that I live in an abundant Universe, that my life was meant to be happy and joyful, and that I had a unique purpose and a special mission to fulfill in this lifetime. I suddenly remembered where I heard that voice before! It was the voice of my ‘imaginary’ playmate ... that very same ‘angel man’ who watched over me on the playground! He was the one who spoke for the ‘others’, the one who was always there when ‘they’ came to visit. When I started working professionally a few years later, he introduced himself to me as “Jordan.” And as time passed, I discovered that his name was actually “Yarden" from the original Hebrew יַרְדֵן, meaning “the descender,” or “to flow down,” or “descending from above.” It was also revealed to me that the word Yarden consists of the Hebrew letters Yud Resh Dalet Nun, read from right to left. My jaw dropped when I uncovered the meaning of every syllable and I soon realized that "Jordan" was much more than just an individual spirit guide, or my personal guardian angel. Yarden was not a person or a singular being, he was a group of entities, a universal energy, an infinite intelligence. Yud is the 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and means "hand." The Zohar states that the Yud represents the head of all creatures, and in the Sephrotic tree the Yud symbolizes wisdom - the stage of concealment which precedes its development into a state of expansion in understanding . Yud is the smallest letter in the alphabet, yet is frequently associated with the large concept of emanation , the highest level in the Four World paradigm of Kabbalah. Resh is the 20th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and means "beginning" or "head". Resh literally means "there is a beginning ." Dalet is the 4th letter of the alphabet and means "door" or "doorway." Nun is the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and means "shine, sprout, spread," According to the ancient Kabbalistic text, The Bahir, the bent Nun represents the spinal cord through which the body is fed by the brain​. Go figure. To this day I find it quite mind-boggling when I think of that incredible moment. Behind my desk, in front of the flickering screensaver on my laptop computer, intending to plan my own demise... I experienced instead a deeply significant spiritual breakthrough. I was confronted with an overwhelming and sudden awakening to my spiritual origins. I was reconnected with my inner divinity and higher self in a very powerful way. ​I still did not know what I was going to do going forward, but I finally felt free in that moment to fully acknowledge who I really was, for the first time in my life. For weeks afterwards I was like a hung-over, dazed Rip van Winkle, who had finally woken up after spending many years in a restless, feverish sleep. I was now perceiving with astonishment a sparkling, new, mystical world through the eyes of a newborn. ​​ After that fateful night, my life took a remarkable turn for the better. 'Crossing Over with John Edward' was the final puzzle piece. My daily, humdrum existence changed, in radical ways I could have never imagined. In time everything in my environment began to shape and rearrange itself around me. I experienced one synchronistic event after the other. It was as if the right people and the most perfect opportunities just flowed towards me and crossed my path in a miraculous chain of events. I received daily signs and intuitive confirmations, and at night my dreams were filled with ideas and visions of what needed to be done the next day. The confusing riddle that was my ‘dirty little psychic secret’ finally began to fall into place, and gradually my life began to transform. ​In my youth it was near impossible to find any reliable information on alternative spirituality, metaphysics, psychic phenomena and the paranormal. In those days we did not have films and television shows like The Secret , Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal or What The Bleep Do We Know? There were also no Long Island or Hollywood mediums, or any cable TV for that matter. Bear in mind that I basically grew up without television, since it was only introduced to South Africa when I was in my early teens, but I did spend a lot of time in the movies. The closest thing I had to a psychic role-model in those days was the actress Sissy Spacek in the classic Stephen King film Carrie , as well as the stereotypical gypsy fortune-tellers and their crystal balls in my dad’s old comic books. The metaphysical books I could find in the school library were on subjects like the evils of witchcraft, or how Harry Houdini became a debunker of mediumship. No wonder it took me decades to figure out what all the ‘strange things’ were that I was seeing, hearing and feeling ! Fortunately, with the dawning of the new millennium, came the TV show Crossing Over with John Edward, which brought me the final missing puzzle piece. Seeing someone whom I could actually identify with, doing this kind of work out there in public, like it was the most natural thing in the world, gave me the courage to finally come out of the psychic closet myself. Today, my quest continues to liberate others from dogma, ignorance, prejudice and fear, and inspire people to live their life by design and fulfill their true destiny. My early life experiences compel me to search for more answers, and it continues to inspire me to teach and write. The confusion and frustration I had to endure as a child, often due to ignorance, fear and intolerance, made me vow to research, learn and share as much as I could about alternative spirituality, psychic phenomena, parapsychology, the paranormal, and metaphysics. If I can spare just one sensitive child unnecessary trauma , inspire just one adult to come out of the 'psychic closet’, or save just one Indigo soul’s life from ending in tragedy , then the bewilderment I had suffered as a child would all be worth it. ​© 2017 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

The current state of the world is no doubt the 'winter of discontent' for our generation. 'Pandemic fatigue’ or ‘covid burnout’ has been taking its toll on even the most resilient, spiritually grounded, and level-headed among us. Nobody has been immune to the ravages of the past year's challenges. But how we ultimately emerge from this time of extreme contrast will be a make-or-break free will choice. How we spiritually manage the remainder of these difficult days will determine the next chapter of our life and serve as a springboard for the rest of our journey in this lifetime. We recently reached the one-year mark in an ongoing global crisis and it has certainly not been rainbows, butterflies, or unicorns. In fact, it has been an annus horribilis in every possible sense. The Covid-19 pandemic is without a doubt one of the most challenging experiences of spiritual contrast many of us will have to face in our current lifetime. Those of us who are spiritually aware and committed to an awakened, conscious lifestyle have been aware of the spiritual significance of these dark and difficult times. We have been valiantly embracing the many opportunities for personal empowerment and soul growth this time of deep contrast has been presenting to us. Some with more success than others. There is, however, one valuable spiritual prospect that many seekers and believers are currently blissfully unaware of, or not taking full advantage of. Many do not seem to understand that we have a powerful window of opportunity currently open to us that can set in motion the future fulfillment of our most cherished life goals, and the manifestation of our most ambitious hopes, dreams and desires. Contrast is the spiritual spice of life. It's a foolish mistake to assume that when the going gets tough, the magic must stop. Now is the ideal time to manifest miracles . Our future is not tomorrow. The future is what we are creating today. Right now. It's a foolish mistake to assume that when the going gets tough, the magic must stop. The darker and more difficult the times, the more vital it becomes to hold on to your dreams and launch new rockets of desire. Now is in fact the ideal time to manifest miracles! The most fertile time for manifesting abundance , prosperity, joy and fulfillment is not during the happy, carefree days of our life, when we are cruising along on autopilot and everything is peaceful and prosperous. Quite the contrary. Our innate desire as spiritual beings to expand, achieve, prosper, and fulfill our true destiny is seldom fueled by times of comfort, ease, and abundance. It is actually during the darkest, most challenging times of deep soul contrast, spiritual adversity and intense trauma and suffering that we realize what truly matters and learn to appreciate even the smallest blessings in our lives. It is only when we have experienced the chill of a brutal, grim winter, that we can begin to fully cherish the warmth of a bright summer’s day. Contrast is the spiritual spice of life. The past year has been exactly such a stark wake-up call. Many of us have found a new awareness of our true priorities, hopes and dreams. Sadly, not everyone will maximize their chances of successfully manifesting these newfound dreams and goals. In fact, some will stumble out of the Covid arena bruised and battered with little to show for surviving the battle, despite the current opportunities presented to them. Other will simply return to the comfort zone of their pre-pandemic life. And tragically, some will be worse off than they were before this existential storm. Some will stumble out of the Covid arena bruised and battered with little to show for surviving the battle. For the spiritually savvy person this is make-or-break time . And contrary to all the doom prophets and naysayers, there is much to look forward to. The spiritually wise and metaphysically empowered will however come out of these times ready to embrace a meaningful new life of joy, fulfillment, abundance, prosperity, combined with a heightened level of empathy, social responsibility and spiritual wisdom. How you consciously manage the remainder of this challenging time will determine the next chapter of your life. It will lay the foundation for what you will manifest in the medium-to-long-term future, while setting the scene for what to expect from the rest of your journey in this lifetime. Now is certainly not the time to be complacent or despondent. For the spiritually savvy person this is make-or-break time. It’s very much now , or never. And contrary to all the doom prophets and naysayers, there is so much to look forward to for those of us who will be ready to embrace the many blessings and opportunities I foresee in our future. Many revolutionary innovations and unexpected new possibilities will come forth from these difficult times, like lotus flowers blooming brightly in the morning light from the messy, murky waters of a dark night. Now is absolutely the time to 'get all dressed up while there is still nowhere to go.' Now is the time to rise up and embrace the life lessons and spiritual growth opportunities all of this contrast has delivered to us and use it to recalibrate our consciousness, realign our energy and reinvent our lives for the better. Contrast is a gift of divine inspiration . Now is the time to redesign your destiny and set your intentions for manifesting a new and improved future reality. And this is how you can start achieving this today: Adjust Your Attitude The first step in beating back ‘pandemic burnout’ and setting in motion the manifestation of your bright new future is to choose how you are going to think and feel about the current circumstances. I foresee that we are still much less out of the woods than many currently may want to believe. In many places we are still set to hit rock-bottom and in others the aftermath of the pandemic will in time reveal even more losses, trauma and collateral damage. The effects and influences of this novel coronavirus will reverberate for many years to come. There is only one sensible path when we are confronted with such an agonizing, frustrating co-created circumstance, over which we have little control as individuals. Instead of hopelessly trying to change the situation, it makes much more sense to adapt our attitude and change ourselves. It is spiritually foolish to constantly row upstream and fight the currents of life, or passively wait for the tides to change. To get to our destination, we must calibrate our inner compass, adjust our sails to the winds, and look up at the guidance of the stars. This does not mean we surrender or give up. Quite the contrary. It means we harness the contrasting energy of the times and make the absolute most of the circumstances exactly as they are right now. Everything happens for a reason and spiritually mature, empowered people accept personal responsibility for their daily reality experience. The renowned Austrian psychologist Viktor Frankl referred to this as “the last of the human freedoms: to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Frankl discovered this universal truth during his time as a teenage prisoner in various Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War. Everything was taken from him: his freedom, his family and friends, his clothes and possessions, his name, and even the hair they shaved off his head - except for the one remaining freedom we all possess: the ability to choose how he was going to think and feel in that dreadful situation. The positive, hopeful, determined attitude he chose in the end ensured his survival and he went on to become a celebrated neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher and author who fulfilled his true destiny and lived out his life until the age of 92. The only true human freedom we have is the ability to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. You absolutely do have a choice at this moment in time. We always have a choice. Make the better choice today. It will be wise to assess your attitude and mindset going forward. A pessimistic, cynical outlook, toxic anger and frustration, or a victim mentality, will not invite new blessings and miracles into your life. Trust me on that. It will only serve to rub salt in the wounds and add further insult to injury. Choosing a hopeful, enthusiastic, courageous, even excited outlook will instead empower you to manifest a better, brighter future. You absolutely do have a choice at this moment in time. We always have a choice. Make the better choice today. Change Your Thoughts To take back your power in any given situation, focus on the things you can control. The thoughts you choose to think is usually the best place to start. Your fears, worries and false beliefs do not keep you safe. They keep you small. When you are trapped in negative, pessimistic thought patterns, your mind is no longer free to set new intentions, nor visualize a brighter future. For that is how we create: with our consciousness; with everything that goes on in our mind. Manifesting is a dual process governed by two universal spiritual laws, namely the Law of Creation and the Law of Attraction. You can read more about this in my book Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny . The bottom-line is that manifesting is a two-sided process of both creation and attraction . We must create (plan, design, envision, imagine) what we want, and then attract those creations into our reality experience. We do this by resonating with, or becoming a match to the energy frequency of whatever we wish to manifest. Like attracts like. Birds of a feather flock together. Until we match the energy, our wishes cannot become manifest. How bright or bleak is your current vision for the future ? If you don’t like what you currently find in the corridors of your mind, now would be a vital time to sort that out as soon as possible. Therefore, the next hurdle to overcome in these tough, crazy times is to be wise about what we are choosing to create. We create with our consciousness. Thoughts become things. What we think about, what we focus on and pay attention to, what we choose to believe, all adds up to what will ultimately become our manifested reality. We are the creators of our own reality experience, therefore we must be mindful about what we choose to think and believe, for this will determine our destiny and the outcomes of our future reality experience. Consider what you have been consciously, and subconsciously creating in your mind lately. Take stock of your thought patterns and mental processes. How bright or bleak is your current vision and outlook for the future? Do you even have a proper vision for your future? If you don’t like what you currently find in the corridors of your mind, now would be a vital time to sort that out as soon as possible. Shift Your Focus If you do find yourself engaging in a lot of negative thought patterns at the moment, it is very likely that your pessimism, fear and doubt may be caused by your current choice of mental focus. Consider for a moment what you have been feeding your mind lately. What have you been paying most attention to in the world around you. Here’s the deal: a better, brighter future cannot emerge from the ashes of a contrasting experience if we continue to dwell on the past, or obsess over the unpleasant details of the current manifested reality. There is no future in the past, and what is evident today, will no longer be true tomorrow. Empowered manifestors are masters of their own mind . They are not slaves to self-limiting beliefs, nor servants to small-minded views of the world. Empowered manifestors are masters of their own mind. They are not slaves to self-limiting beliefs, nor servants to small-minded views of the world. Now is the time to carefully consider what you are choosing to focus on, think about, pay attention to and believe. Yes, things are difficult and chaotic right now, but get over it. Instead of focusing on what is , or how bad things may appear to be right now, what you should be doing more of is focusing on what you wish to see, experience and manifest in the future. Use the remainder of this difficult time to focus more on what you do want for your future. Set your intention to manifest solutions, instead of obsessing over problems that you cannot change or control. Visualize the cure, stop feeding the calamity. Focusing on everything that is wrong or missing in your life today will not serve to invite tomorrow’s joy, fulfillment, success, abundance, or prosperity. Instead of investing your divine creative energy by focusing on the negative aspects and every grim detail of the current reality, you will be wise to direct your focus towards what you envision, wish for and desire for the future. Clarify Your Goals Times of contrast are not intended to be an everlasting pity-party of fear, despair, victim mindsets, lack consciousness and a scarcity mentality. Yes, initially when disaster and tragedy strikes, contrast is meant to turn our world upside down, because the ensuing wave of chaos, misery and anguish is what will ultimately push us forward to a newfound awareness of life’s joys and blessings we otherwise usually take for granted. But once we have been rudely awakened and radically confronted by such an experience of contrast, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get ourselves back on track with renewed strength, wisdom, clarity, determination, and ambition. From the contrast must arise a new vision for our future. This is the dualistic dynamic of this spiritual adventure we signed up for in this lifetime. Like it or not, this is how we roll as spiritual beings in human form. The unwanted aspects of the current reality is meant to give rise to new rockets of desire . Find those rockets now, so you can launch them and set the wheels of your future manifestations in motion as soon as possible. If you currently find your attention and focus morbidly turning to what is , instead of what can be, use those moments of negativity as an opportunity to consider what you truly want instead. For that is what contrast is meant to teach us. It is supposed to show us what we do want , not just what we don't want . From our agony, grief and suffering must emerge new desires, hopes and dreams for the future. This is the true purpose of spiritual contrast. Without contrast there is no growth, innovation, renewal or expansion. Even Mother Nature knows that a perpetual summer makes no sense. There must be a winter. The cold months of the year strengthen the roots of trees and enable plants to store energy for renewed growth. In fact, the harsher the winter, the more the plant kingdom thrives when the warm sunshine returns. The unwanted aspects of the current reality is meant to give rise to new rockets of desire. Find those rockets now, so you can launch them and set the wheels of your future manifestations in motion as soon as possible. Don’t be tempted to indulge in pessimism, negativity or self-pity during the rest of these dark, difficult times. Use the contrast as it was intended: to serve as fuel for discovering new goals and dreams. Begin to focus on what you want, instead of what you do not want . Focus on the possibilities. The limitations will take care of itself. Release Your Resistance Figuring out what we yearn for and truly desire is, however, the easier past of successfully working through a time of contrast. And this is where even more of us are currently floundering. Some may have already found crystal-clear clarity in recent months regarding their hopes and wishes for the future, but many of those post-pandemic dreams will fall through the cracks and go up in smoke because their owners lack energetic resonance and alignment with what they are hoping to attract and manifest. When we are indulging in negativity and hopelessness we are perpetuating an energy frequency that creates resistance to new blessings and opportunities from entering our life. It pushes the good stuff away and blocks our progress. We can only attract what our energy is resonating with today, not what we hope to be energetically compatible with tomorrow. There is also no point in sending out energy that is telling the Universe, God, Spirit, Source what we do not want , or how much we despise the mess the world has become this past year. Stating the obvious of what is with our energy signal will not transform those things we do not want. It will merely recreate it, or worse, invite even more of that negativity into our life. Resistant energy prevents new miracles from manifesting. This current existential drama is co-created and divinely ordained. It is beyond our individual choosing or control and it must unfortunately play itself out to its bitter end. While you wait out the storm, focus instead on aligning yourself with the next chapter of your life. The most self-empowering step you can therefore take in the remainder of these difficult time is to release the energetic resistance you may have been cultivating by pushing against the circumstances of the pandemic. Let go of the struggle, release the frustration, stop fighting the tide! It is what it is. This current existential drama is co-created and divinely ordained. It is beyond our individual choosing or control and it must unfortunately play itself out to its bitter end. We exist in a co-created reality in which we do not always choose all the outcomes and circumstances. Much of our shared reality is manifested in collaboration with the rest of humanity, and on top of that some of it is also chosen for us by divine intervention. There are times in our life when God, Spirit, Source, the Universe, decides what is best for us. But how we choose to think and feel about a given situation is always our free will choice . While you wait out the storm, focus on aligning yourself with the next chapter of your life and begin to prepare yourself for your amazing future. Many souls are spiritually and mentally lounging around these days, wasting precious time, or feeling miserable, hopeless, bitter, or sorry for themselves. There is absolutely no worse death curse than the humdrum daily existence of the living dead. Do not allow yourself to become a part of it. Instead, use this time to get ahead of the game! Love Your Neighbor The most powerful way you can beat back the ‘pandemic blues’ and ensure the successful manifestation of your dreams and wishes is to practice empathy, compassion, gratitude and unconditional love. These are the prime energy frequencies for attracting miracles and wonders! There is much suffering and despair in our world today. Many have lost their livelihoods. Many have lost their loved ones. Many are grieving or struggling with their mental health. Many are fighting for their very survival in emergency rooms. Many have also gone hungry, while some have been complaining about gaining weight during lockdown and “getting a tan from their refrigerator light." While in some places in the world local authorities are having to coax their citizens into get vaccinated by offering them financial rewards, entertainment and free donuts, there are places where people do not even have access to a hospital bed or oxygen, much less the luxury of choosing to get vaccinated, or not. These challenging times demand that we all check our privilege . The pandemic has exposed many inequalities, disparities, and social injustices in our world. We have a collective responsibility as co-creators to do something about it. These challenging times demand that we all check our privilege . The pandemic has exposed many inequalities, disparities, and social injustices in our world. It has also revealed the extreme ignorance and lack of education in our society regarding science and technology . We have a collective responsibility as co-creators to do something about it. For if we do not correct these wrongs, we will all suffer for it in the end and more global events of contrast will be coming our way. Instead of complaining about ‘pandemic fatigue,’ it may be more useful to find ways to be of service to others when there is currently so much opportunity to do so. Empathy, compassion and social responsibility is sorely lacking in our world today. To be blessed, we must bless others. To manifest miracles in our own lives, we must create miracles in the lives of others. The most powerful key to successful manifesting is to practice gratitude. The more sincerely grateful we are for every blessing in our life, no matter how big or small, the more our energy resonance will attract more new blessings to be grateful for. And the most powerful expression of gratitude is to be generous and big-hearted in sharing our blessings with others. Respect Your Grief For some of us it is currently more difficult to set new intentions for the future. There is a time and place for everything. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one this past year, be kind and gentle with yourself. You may not be ready right now to implement the guidelines offered in this article. Instead your starting points should be to make every effort to process your grief first. And you have every tight to do it in your own time and in your own, unique way. Grieving is highly individual and personal. It is perfectly normal and acceptable to express your true feelings, whatever they may be. Whether you feel sad, angry, depressed, lonely or afraid - all of your feelings are valid and should be respected and authentically expressed. Do not allow others to dictate to you how your bereavement should be dealt with, or how you are supposed to think and feel. Take your time and deal with your loss in your own way. Grieving is not subject to a random schedule or timeline. Allow yourself as much time and space as you need to work through your unique thoughts and emotions. Be patient and compassionate with yourself and others. Know that this too shall pass . In time, you will find your way through the contrast. It will not be easy or predictable, and some days will be worse than others, but eventually you will get to higher ground. Do not be too proud to seek help and support from others. Reach out if you need a shoulder to lean on, or a friend to talk to. There is always someone out there who cares, no matter how isolated you may feel at this time. Also, make a real effort to support yourself daily with self-care. You may not always be in the mood to take good care of yourself, but do whatever you can, when you can. Try to at least get some sleep, eat healthy, take breaks and relax, do some exercise, meditate, pray, journal, socialize, get out of the house. Self-care and spiritual practice will empower you on even the most difficult days. Know that this too shall pass. In time, you will find your way through the contrast. It will not be easy or predictable, and some days will be worse than others, but eventually you will get to higher ground. Your heart will become lighter and your soul will regain balance. Until then, whatever you do, do not try to suppress or ignore your true feelings. Denying how you really feel will not bring your to a place of acceptance and healing. Once you feel ready to proceed with everyday life, return to this blog post and apply the rest of the guidelines described here. Find Your Purpose This time of intense contrast has been inviting many of us to contemplate the true meaning and purpose of our life. If you went into this pandemic with a lack of purpose or life goals, chances are this is no longer the case. If so, then it is now time to begin taking more practical steps towards making your newfound purpose a reality. And if you have not yet figured out what your life purpose or calling is, now is the ideal time to explore it with more sincerity and determination. The first thing you can do to connect with your life purpose is to boost your daily spiritual practice. To connect with you life calling your inner guidance system needs a broadband connection to the ‘big computer in the sky.’ A dial-up connection is not going to cut it. If you are really stuck then contact me for a destiny coaching consultation. Visualize Your Future Now is the time to launch new ‘rockets of desire,’ not wallow in misery over what used to be, or should have been, or could have been. Pandemic fatigue is essentially just a symptom of clinging to the past and desperately wanting to return the ‘good old days’ that were not necessarily all that great, if you carefully think about it. Contrast enriches life. Was your life really all that picture perfect before the pandemic? If not, why obsess over it? Begin to imagine instead your brand-new post-pandemic life. The end is in sight. A new epoch, a time of great joy, celebration, abundance, and adventure, is looming on the horizon. Be wise and get ready . The restrictions and limitations currently placed of our daily lives is therefore not a prison sentence. It is a wonderful opportunity to amp up our spiritual and metaphysical practices. Now is the time to create, to visualize, to set powerful intentions for the future. The temporary ‘new normal’ is not a curse, it is a blessing in disguise. It offers us a unique period of grace to envision and prepare for the future, and calibrate and align our energy with the outcomes we intend to manifest in the years that lie ahead. Instead of getting sucked into downward daily spiral of fake news, social media drama, pandemic fatigue, frustration and self-pity, use this time wisely to apply as many manifesting techniques and spiritual practices as you can lay your hands on. Create a vision board, start a gratitude journal, write a set of morning affirmations, recite a daily prayer, make a shopping list of your wishes, goals and desires, do visualization exercises, perform a manifesting ritual, experiment with dreamwork, listen to subliminal recordings, stream some guided meditations, write a letter to yourself from your future self. Meditate. Pray. Chant. Journal. Visualize. Fantasize. Imagine. Daydream. Every day. The end is in sight. A new epoch, a time of great joy, celebration, abundance and amazing adventure is looming on the horizon. Be wise and get ready. ​​© 2021 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

All science is divinely inspired. It is a miraculous gift, a sacred mandate, an act of divine providence. It is channeled from beyond this world. Scientific discoveries and technological innovations are gracious blessings from Spirit, godsends from the Divine, manna from the Heavens. Why then are some of the so-called enlightened and spiritually conscious among us still choosing to wear their ‘tin foil hats?’ Science and spirituality, by their very nature, have traditionally always been at odds, and there is a fundamental ideological reason for it to be at cross-purposes. The point of departure for any scientific endeavor is always a position of doubt, questioning, skepticism, and even disbelief. In the eyes of science nothing is real or true, until proven otherwise, and this requires hardcore evidence. According to science, if you cannot observe something, or somehow measure it, it simply does not exist. Spirituality, on the other hand, operates from a position of faith, belief, conviction, hope, acceptance, and even certainty. To be spiritual is to believe in the unseen, the unknown, the ethereal. Science deals in the physical , while spirituality embraces the metaphysical . And by their very nature, this is how it must be. But it is therefore also highly unlikely that science and spirituality will ever be the best of friends. Throughout human history, hardcore classical scientists have considered all forms of spirituality and metaphysics as nothing more than ignorant superstition, while religious fundamentalists have branded scientific pursuit and innovative technologies as a godless sacrilege, condemning science for its arrogant interference with the natural order of things by ‘trying to play God.’ It does astonish me that so many 'spiritually aware' people in this day and age can still be so hostile towards modern science and technological invention, when in truth it is divinely inspired. In the 1600’s, for example, the astronomer Galileo Galilei spent the final years of his life under house arrest, after he was branded a heretic for claiming that the Earth revolves around the Sun. And strangely, there are still people today who believe the Earth to be flat, and that the Sun rotates around us, as if the past 400 years of scientific achievement never happened. Galileo must be turning in his grave. Despite the fundamental disparity and age-old animosity between science and spirituality, it does astonish me that so many spiritually aware people in this day and age can still be so hostile towards modern science and technological invention? The first irony is the fact that both the spiritualist and scientist share the same passion in life: they are both striving to gain a better understanding of our worldly existence and the many remarkable mysteries of the Universe. Yet, they refuse to see eye to eye. But the absurdity goes much deeper than that. It is even more astounding to me that so many ‘highly conscious’ and ‘spiritually awakened’ individuals can remain so bitterly antagonistic towards the many miracles and wonders of scientific discovery, when in truth all of science and technology is divinely inspired. Consider, for example, the fact that several of history’s most famous and influential scientists, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Marie Curie, were all theists. In other words, they were not just seekers, but also believers. They all had a spiritual belief system that included believing in the existence of a Higher Power or a Creator God that intervenes in the miraculous workings of the Universe. A lesser known example is the number of scientists who have stated that the original inspiration for their significant discoveries came to them in a dream . René Descartes who created the field of analytical geometry; Dmitri Mendeleev who invented the Periodic Table; Niels Bohr who received the Nobel Peace Prize for conceiving the model of the atom; and Albert Einstein who conceived the Theory of Relativity, all claimed that the spark of inspiration for their ideas came to them courtesy of their dreams. ​Not From Me, But From Heaven, Comes All You see, scientists do not invent or discover amazing new things entirely of their own accord. The miracle of science is not a creation of man, it is merely channeled by humanity. All science is a sacred inspiration received from the Divine, the Original Source, God, the Universe, Great Spirit, the Creator, the Universal Life Force. Science is a miraculous gift from the heavens, a sacred mandate, an act of divine providence. Scientific imagination originates from beyond this limited time-space reality and the feeble human mind. True scientific ingenuity is not of this world. ​This universal truth was more widely understood by the ancients. Greek mythology, for example, features in its pantheon of deities the minor goddesses known as the Muses, whose job it was to guide, protect and inspire the visual arts, music, literature, and the sciences. Each of the nine muses, meaning ‘guiding spirit’ or ‘source of inspiration,’ was responsible for presiding over a particular art or science. Today we still ‘muse’ over something when we deeply think, ruminate on, dream, ponder, or contemplate important matters. Oh. if only more of us would do more musing more often, then our world might be a much more sensible, safe place... ​In 1759, after his final performance, the beloved Baroque composer George Frideric Handel , received an ecstatic ovation from his audience. Blind and very sickly at the time, he refused to take any of the credit for himself, and instead cried out, “Not from me, but from Heaven, comes all!” ​​Oddly, most spiritually aware people today have no problem accepting that creative art is inspired by the Divine. Just one glance at the breathtaking beauty and grace of the natural world is enough proof that its Creator must be the Ultimate Artist. I doubt any deeply spiritual person will ever dispute this. The Divine indeed does loves beautiful things! If scientific discovery and technological innovation are blessings from the Spirit Realm, godsends from the Divine, why then do so many in the spiritual community still insist on looking a ‘gift horse in the mouth?’ The Italians say, “Hell is crowded with ungrateful wretches .” Maybe the Italians have a point. Similarly, artists and creatives are often valued by the spiritual community as divine messengers and channelers, or even as the new shamans of contemporary society. Both the visual and performing arts have always had its central place in many spiritual practices, religious ceremonies and devotional rituals. What would most forms of spirituality and religion even be without the presence of music, dance, literature and the visual arts? ​Yet, when it comes to the many wondrous marvels of modern science, some believers fail to recognize or appreciate it being equally the result of divine intervention. If scientific discovery and technological innovation are blessings from the Spirit Realm, godsends from the Divine, manna from Heaven, why then do so many in the spiritual community still insist on looking a ‘gift horse in the mouth?’ The Italians say, “Hell is crowded with ungrateful wretches.” Well, maybe the Italians have a point. Surely, both physics and metaphysics reside on the same continuum of an expanding Universe, and surely, they must both be expressions of the same, original Divine Source of Intelligent Design that is responsible for the creation of our magnificent Universe? And just as scientists subscribe to different theories and research methodologies to explain natural phenomena, similarly spiritual seekers explore supernatural phenomena through diverse practices, belief systems and wisdom traditions. Are we then not all children of God? Boogeymen Tin Foil Hats To me it seems only logical that spiritually aware people, who are sincerely seeking enlightenment in their lifetime, would automatically and enthusiastically want to include the wonders of science and technology in their quest for the truth? The desire to gain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the Universe, and of divinity and higher consciousness, surely must also consider the wonders and miracles to be found in the natural world. Why then are some of the so-called ‘enlightened’ among us still choosing to wear their boogeymen tin foil hats ? Of course, it is also true that science has on many occasions been abused for corrupt and destructive purposes. One of the most disgraceful examples of this is how the original curiosity of a small group of nuclear physicists, to better understand the ultimate nature of matter, was eventually perverted to create the deadliest weapon of war. Let us also not forget the inhumane cruelties and other abuses certain practitioners of science continue to inflict on vulnerable people, the animal kingdom and the natural world. Indeed, not all practical applications of science have always had the best interests of all God's creatures at heart, nor has every scientist in history had the most noble of intentions. Let it be known, that while pure science, and its many wonderful discoveries, is a manifestation of divine providence as a result of sacred inspiration, its prostitution and abuse for the evils of greed, power and political gain is a man-made travesty! These deplorable practices are certainly not of God. Like the arts, science is graciously and generously gifted to us, to make our world a better and safer place. May the karmic heavens therefore have mercy on those who choose to exploit it for any other purpose. Science is a heavenly gift to the people. It does not belong to the merchants, money lenders and Pharisees, who have turned the temple of science into a den of thieves. The Monstrous Evil Of Ingratitude ​ With all that in mind, let us consider the state of our world today, where we now find ourselves in the grip of a terrible global pandemic. As a generation, most of us have never before been exposed to this kind of adversity, and it certainly brought out the best and worst in many of us. In times of trauma and extreme crisis, the true nature of our values, priorities and beliefs do tend to be blatantly exposed. And many of us, including the so-called spiritually aware, have certainly revealed our true colors in recent months. ​Let it be known that while pure science, and its many wonderful discoveries, is a manifestation of divine providence and a result of sacred inspiration, its prostitution for the evils of greed, power and selfish political gain is a man-made travesty. One would think that in such a dire time of stress, fear and anxious uncertainty we would absolutely thank our lucky stars for how far we have progressed with our sciences and technologies! Our ancestors certainly did not have the same kind of luxury during the Black Death of the 1300’s, for example, or the Third Cholera Pandemic of the 1800’s, or even the so-called Spanish Flu of 1918. ​Yet, instead of going on our knees every day to express our gratitude and appreciation for living in such a privileged, easy time of progress, where our scientists are able to develop the necessary medical interventions and will be able to give our normal lives back to us, some among us have instead chosen to invest their precious time and energy in fear-mongering doom prophecies, or spreading of disinformation and conspiracy theories that ridicule medical science, while showing no compassion or consideration for the daily hell our healthcare providers, frontline workers and the frail elderly all over the world currently have to endure.​ The poet Edward-Pickering Rich once wrote that ingratitude is so monstrous and so dark a crime that "none but devils ever practice it.” Well, if you look at our society today, one must wonder if it is truly limited to the devils only? For grotesque ingratitude and privilege these days seem to be the spiritual disease of our time, and it is apparently practiced by many who claim to be spiritual proponents of compassionate, unconditional ‘love and light.’ Frogs And Spiders In The Oil And Cheese It took science centuries to discover and fully understand the invisible world of microbes, infectious disease and epidemiology. Until that breakthrough happened, humanity had to find other ways to explain what was causing all the horrid disease and death during previous plagues and pandemics . Their ignorant speculation of course included all manner of absurd superstition and bizarre beliefs in those dark days. For example, during the Plague of Cyprian, that afflicted the Roman Empire from about AD 249 to 262, it was widely believed that the disease could be contracted simply by looking into the face of someone who was infected. And during the Bubonic Plague, said to be the deadliest pandemic recorded in human history, some people chose to believe it was simply a punishment from God, while others were more ominously convinced it was a secret conspiracy by the Jews against the Christians. According to historian Samuel K. Cohn, a monastery chronicle written at the time of the plague, describes, for example, the “horrible means by which the Jews wished to extinguish all of Christendom, through their poisons of frogs and spiders mixed into oil and cheese.” ​Indeed, these wild beliefs were so rampant at that time that modern historians cannot say for sure if more people died in that period due to the actual plague, or a as result of the persecutions which caused many to be violently massacred. Roy Wentz writes on History.com that “pandemics have long bred prejudice and mistrust, and fueled longstanding biases, as traumatized communities have looked to blame others as unclean or malicious spreaders of disease.” One can accept in retrospect that the blatant and sometimes shocking ignorance and bigotry of our ancestors existed in a time long before the microscope was invented. But, exactly what is our excuse today? Do we not now live in a digital information age, where we are supposed to have easy access to reliable sources of information and global communication? Do we not also live in a time of great scientific understanding and technological achievement? Compared to our superstitious, misguided ancestors, we now live in a miraculous, blessed, privileged time! One can accept in retrospect that the blatant and sometimes shocking scientific ignorance of our ancestors existed in a time long before the microscope was invented. But exactly what is our excuse today? And yet, today, in the year 2020, some of us still see our way clear to primitively indulge in ridiculous conspiracy theories and bizarre ideological rhetoric, ranging from ‘bioengineered viruses masterminded by evil billionaires,’ to ‘genetic mutations induced by 5G cell phone technology.’ ​I mean, how on God’s good earth did the recent miracle of a new vaccine, for a potentially deadly disease, become a ‘black, transgendered, Marxist plot to control the world?’ The mind truly boggles. And the Angels must certainly weep. Could the actual problem be that some of us have become so arrogant and complacent, surrounded by all our plush, modern comforts and our opulent privileges, created in most part, by the way, with the gift of science and technology , that we now find it impossible to accept what those who live in less advantaged parts of our world have come to know as a daily fact of life: that the world we live in is still a primal, untamed place where new infectious diseases, without a known cure, can suddenly spread like wildfire? Have we really become so spoilt and entitled with the blessings of an easy, comfortable life (courtesy of modern science, medicine and technology) that we actually believe the natural evolution of disease has been eradicated by the brilliance of mankind, and that every newly mutated microbe must therefore have been concocted in a laboratory, or a boardroom? ​Diseases have come and gone for millennia. Our ancestors dealt with this reality, generation upon generation since the dawn of time. What then gives some of us the idea today that we have somehow become untouchable to such things, or too 'high and mighty' to succumb to the powers and unpredictable ways of Mother Nature? Have we forgotten that Gaia, the ancestral mother of all life, has always been a force not to be trifled with? Out Of The Darkness, Into The Light Each one of us arrives in this physical world with a soul mission and a life calling. We are all expected to offer our unique legacy and contribution in this lifetime, in return for the privilege of experiencing this thrilling physical adventure. We all have a calling of service to either the spirit realm, our fellow human beings, the animal and plant kingdoms, or the natural environment. And modern science and technology is one of the manifestations of that sacred calling. ​Our scientists and inventors are not the enemy. Many of them are Lightworkers with a sacred mandate from the Divine. Whether both spiritual extremists and skeptical researchers choose to believe it or not, scientists and spiritualists are all simply doing God’s work. And by exploring the workings of the Universe they bring us all a little closer to our true spiritual origins and the loving embrace of God. Divine calls us out of the darkness into the Light. And scientific advancement is a fundamental expression of that sacred calling . Let us for once show some appreciation, gratitude and respect. So, whether we choose to prioritize science or spirituality in our lives, or a combination of the two, I believe it is all the same expression of our innate spiritual mission. We are after all spiritual beings having a physical experience. We are all expressions of Divine Consciousness in human form. ​We were created in the image of God, not to rest on our laurels or be passively stagnant, or much worse regress and deteriorate to ancient levels of ignorance and stupidity. Instead we are meant to expand, evolve, advance, prosper and transcend. God expects it of us. ​Our souls are points of consciousness carrying with it the creative spiritual DNA of the original Creative Force. The Divine calls us out of the darkness, into the Light. And scientific advancement is a fundamental expression of that sacred call. Not only did the Covid-19 pandemic serve as a massive spiritual wake-up call for humanity, but in future it will prove to be the source of marvelous new innovations, great advances in human achievement, and many positive changes in our world. Revolutionary new scientific discoveries and technological innovations that will profoundly enhance the quality of our lives will emerge from this dark time of deep spiritual contrast, just like Isaac Newton discovered the Law of Gravity in quarantine during the Great Plague of London in 1665. I also predict a coming time of much celebration, a zesty new enthusiasm for life, and a renewed vigor and hope for the future. Some of the best years for our generation are still ahead of us, and there is much to look forward to. And we will have divinely inspired science and technology to thank for much of it! So, let us for once show some appreciation, gratitude and respect. In closing, let me just say this. If you are fortunate to live in a developed, first world country, where you will soon have the privilege of choice, and you still prefer not to be vaccinated for Covid-19, the rest of us absolutely respect your decision. However, please be so kind to send your unused vaccine to those of us who live in places where we do not enjoy the same kind of luxury. There are many vulnerable people here in my country, for example, who will welcome with much gratitude and appreciation every vaccine that can be spared. This time of contrast shall separate the wheat from the chaff. The wise will strive to manifest a brave new world, while the foolish and unkind will suffer for their lack of common sense. And when the storm finally subsides, many will wake up on the wrong side of history. Until then choose your beliefs wisely, for they will become your reality. ​ ​© 2020 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

Remember that defining moment recently, when the novel coronavirus finally made its way into your everyday reality? Your spiritual well-being and metaphysical beliefs were probably the last things on your mind. In fact, the spiritual meaning of this pandemic will not be a major consideration for most at this time. But in the dark, difficult days that still lie ahead, the Covid-19 pandemic will increasingly reveal its profound spiritual truths. And in its devastating aftermath, we will have no choice but to acknowledge and embrace its spiritual significance in our post-pandemic reality. When Covid-19 was officially declared a global pandemic, and made its unwelcome way into international news headlines, many people reverted to the ‘first law of nature.’ They responded instinctively with their best personal strategies for self-preservation. Some hysterically stockpiled a lifetime supply of hand sanitizer and toilet paper, while others stubbornly gathered en masse at street festivals, religious gatherings, and even at their nearest beach, despite medical experts and authorities advising against it. Many simply carried on with life ‘as normal’, until they could no longer ignore the writing on the wall. Meanwhile, the least anchored among us, tried to alleviate their overwhelming anxiety and confusion by seeking certainty in fake news, superstition, and the outlandish fearmongering of conspiracy theorists. Some went into hardcore survival mode, compelled by their lack consciousness and a scarcity mentality, while others still continue to choose the path of least resistance: denial . And in-between these polar opposite responses, the best, and worst examples of human behavior continue to surface all over the world. In times of trauma and extreme crisis, the true nature of our values, priorities and beliefs tend to be blatantly exposed. We are clearly not a generation that will be remembered for our personal accountability, spiritual wisdom or metaphysical maturity. Yet, I believe that even the most careless and bizarre responses we have been seeing in our communities are not simply a symptom of people’s ignorance, recklessness, weakness, or selfish egotism. Their conduct is not a result of their lack of humanity, but rather due to their lack of spirituality . For in times of trauma and extreme crisis, the true nature of our values, priorities and beliefs tend to be blatantly exposed. And goodness me...namaste...have some of us been caught with our pants down! Many of the irresponsible actions and peculiar coping strategies we have been witnessing in recent weeks, reveal just how out of touch humanity has become with its true spiritual origins. Many clearly do not realize that they are spiritual beings having a human experience. They do not recognize themselves as divine beings on a sacred soul adventure. They do not understand that they are powerful points of consciousness; expressions of the Divine Source; particles of light in the spectacular daily miracle of life. Many among us have very little, if any sense that there is something greater than themselves that makes our world go round. And they also have no idea how much their every word and deed impacts everyone and everything around them. Until now, that is. As a society we have generally lost our sense of spiritual purpose and meaning. There is a lack of understanding of the metaphysical part we play in the greater scheme of things. As a global community we lack spiritual substance. And this absence of spiritual awareness and inner connection has become glaringly evident in the callous, careless manner we tend to treat each other, as well as our unashamed disregard for all other sentient beings with which we share this planet. ​Our co-created world is currently not a very nice place. We have been increasingly plundering our natural habitat, and poisoning our environment. We have been slavishly following unstable, corrupt leaders, while we worship many false gods and narcissistic idols, and lash out daily at each other on social media. We have created a manic world nauseous with the pursuit of personal pleasure and material wealth, while our discontent souls have been increasingly suffocating in the arid wasteland of our spiritual deprivation. We are clearly not a generation that will be remembered for our personal accountability, spiritual wisdom or metaphysical maturity. A Show-Stopping Pattern Interrupt Is it therefore any wonder that the time had finally come for a major change, a colossal shift, a profound reawakening, a global step back? And the novel coronavirus has delivered exactly that to us, in no uncertain terms: a show-stopping pattern interrupt that will forever change our worldview! Covid-19 is so much more than just a nasty new disease, a scientific anomaly, a tragic twist of fate, or an everyday inconvenience for those who still believe all of this is just an ‘overblown hoax.'’ ​Spirit can only communicate with us on our current level of understanding, and our spiritual habits at that time will determine what the format will be. So, at this time in human history, the Divine apparently had no other option but to sternly address us as a collective, in a way that none of us could willingly ignore, or completely disregard. For the first time, in a very long time, the Divine has now intervened on a global scale. While in our arrogance we were busily building our 'towers of Babel,' the Big Computer in the Sky decided it was time to hit a global reset button we did not even know existed. The time had come for a total reboot. And in truth, it is what we all have been asking for with our thoughts, words and deeds... what we have been setting an intention for. For we are the creators of our own reality experience and co-creators of our global reality. And when we ask, it is always given, but not always in a way we might expect or anticipate. Many of us wanted drastic change in our world, and now it has finally arrived. Does this mean the pandemic is a stern ‘act of God’ to punish mankind for its spiritual barrenness? No, definitely not. For only contrast is of Spirit. Suffering at the hand of an ‘angry god’ is a man-made notion. The Divine does not chastise or rebuke, it guides and teaches for the greater good. ​The shadows of life add spiritual depth and dimension to our human journey, like route-markers along our path. But these times of adversity are never intended to dominate our life with darkness, neither do they determine our ultimate destiny. What we learn from these contrasting experiences is all that truly matters in the end. The Surprise Element Of Divine Intervention Very few appear to have had the privilege of much foresight in the arrival of this pandemic, and as usual the voices of those who predicted it were largely ignored. But the ‘surprise element’ is to be expected when there is to be divine intervention on a global scale. The great equalizer indeed. ​The closest I personally came to any sense of what was coming, were the repeated messages of caution I had lately been channeling for many of my clients during consultations - especially for those who are business owners, entrepreneurs and investors. I warned them to get their affairs in order, for the global economy was heading for another major downturn. Since late 2018, I had been increasingly having the premonition that there would be another major economic recession in the foreseeable future, similar to the financial crisis we experienced a decade ago, possibly even worse. But this time the financial industry, banks, hedge funds and mortgages would not be the root cause. ​Some of my clients were not amused when I warned them of this. And when they asked me why this would happen, my sense was always that the cause would be somehow political in nature. I suspected we might be heading for a major war, or possibly some sort of civil unrest or upheaval. The fact that it might actually be due to a new viral disease was not revealed to me at the time. Today, I understand why. ​In my personal life, I at least had the privilege of some foresight, when spirit began to encourage me to prepare myself many weeks ago, which made it possible for me to go into voluntary self-isolation two weeks prior to authorities announcing an official lockdown in my country. Of course, I might add that as a highly sensitive empath, I have been practicing social distancing for most of my life anyway, which helped me to adapt quite easily to being in so-called ‘self-quarantine.’ In that sense it has been pretty much 'business as usual' for me. While in our self-absorbed arrogance we were eagerly building our towers of Babel, the Big Computer in the Sky decided to hit a global reset button we did not even know existed. Interestingly, in recent weeks I have also become intensely aware of the increased presence of the collective energy of many departed family members around me, more so than at any other time in my life. If you are experiencing the same at the moment, know that they are here at this time to support, guide and protect us. It reminds me of the words of Linda Hogan, "Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands." So, while many people were rushing around to stock up on essentials in recent weeks, or getting their affairs in order at home and the office, I had already settled into my ‘new normal,’ and could begin to focus more of my time and energy on my spiritual practice, as well as being of continued service to my clients all over the world. Courtesy of my self-imposed lockdown, I had the luxury of spending more time than usual in daily meditation, and continue to do so. I have been doing this mainly for the purpose of channeling information, because I feel it my duty as a lightworker to gain a greater understanding and spiritual insight into what is currently happening in our world. ​ So, what are the spiritual lessons this global pandemic is delivering to us? Well, the following is what Spirit has revealed to me so far: Brave New World, Bright New Future ​Disasters and crises have always been ruthless, yet very effective spiritual teachers. There are many spiritual life lessons to be learned at this time, which will be much needed when begin to rebuild our post-pandemic world. First, let me reassure you that we will recover from this crisis. This too shall pass, but our world will never quite be the same again. And although it will be somewhat different in many respects, it will definitely also be better. Please know that there is much method in all the current madness. Blessed are they who will grow to understand the spiritual significance of this global pandemic, and awaken to its messages of universal truth. For they will be the spiritual warriors of a brave new world; the wayshowers to a brighter future; the architects of an improved civilization. The Spiritual Necessity Of Deep Contrast Covid-19 is reminding us that one of the principle spiritual forces that governs our human journey is the notion of ‘contrast.’ In the book of Genesis, for example, night and day was created first and foremost, before anything else. Similarly, the black and white duality of the Yin and Yang symbol in ancient Chinese philosophy represents this immutable Universal Law of Polarity . Contrast is the basis of our physical life experience. A shining light has no purpose when there is no darkness to define its brilliance. Life will always have its ups and downs. These experiences of contrast is what we knowingly signed up for before we arrived on the planet. We knew before we came that we would face both love and fear, prosperity and hardship, abundance and deprivation, joy and suffering, wellness and dis-ease. Without the balancing properties of contrast our human journey would actually be a monotone, uninspiring affair that will not ignite within us the desire to achieve, discover and expand as spiritual beings in human form. Extreme darkness rekindles the radiant flame of the human spirit. Know that once this bitter cup has finally passed, our world will be a much better place . ​Indeed, much grief, despair and suffering will ultimately result from the ravages of this global epidemic. Everyone’s life will be touched in some way, and we will face challenges we never before imagined possible. But in time, much good will come from all of it. The light at the end of this tunnel is much brighter than many will be able to see at this time. Many are saying that our lives ‘will never be the same’ after this, but what they fail to also add is that our lives will be better than it has been before. Deep contrast is the birthplace of great innovation and reinvention. It is the catalyst for miraculous healing, and the inspiration for crystal clarity of what we truly desire as co-creators. Extreme darkness rekindles the radiant flame of the human spirit. Know that once this bitter cup has finally passed, our world will be a much better place for it. In the happier, healthier days yet to come, we will turn the dark tears of this uncertain time into many precious pearls of wisdom. We shall find many unexpected blessings in this curse, for years to come. The Simple Joys Of Gratitude At the very least this pandemic will teach us to revere and appreciate life more. It will show us what it means to be truly mindful and present in the now, and how to savor the sweet nectar of even the most ordinary moments. We will find a new appreciation for the simple joys of life, while it exposes our attachment to meaningless material things and superficial pursuits. Many of us will learn that even the most dedicated spiritual practice is meaningless when we are controlled by our daily obsessions and the things we own. For where our treasure is, there also is our heart. ​Instead of constantly yearning for something bigger and better, despite everything they already have, many will now discover for the first time the true meaning of gratitude, and realize that it is in fact the antidote to the emptiness and discontent in their daily lives. No matter what, or how little we may have, there are always many awesome things to be thankful for. Sadly, the only time we usually recognize these gifts in our life, is when a major change in our life circumstances forces us to take another hard look, and count all of our blessings for a change. The Oneness In Our Separation Covid-19 is the great equalizer that does not care who you are, or where you are from. It does not choose to infect only certain humans, based on their religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation, level of education, or material wealth. It does not observe title, success or status. It is coming for all of us in some way, even those who may not experience any symptoms, as well as those who may never become infected at all. In the end it will impact all our lives: socially, culturally, and most of all economically. Nobody will be immune to its future impact. The coronavirus pandemic is a sobering reminder of the Universal Law of Divine Oneness . There is a reason why the Golden Rule of ‘treating others as you want to be treated,’ is a prevalent concept in most world religions and spiritual traditions. We are all connected. We are one. And we cannot escape our responsibility towards each other, even in this time of increased social isolation and unprecedented physical separation. For until we all learn to think more universally, instead of separately, there will never be a brighter future for any of us. We are not living among each other; we are living through each other. For the truth is that our world has become what each one of us have chosen it to be. The co-created world we live in is a collective product of all the thoughts, ideas, opinions, attitudes, values, choices, decisions, and actions each and every one of us have brought to the table. ​Our every thought and action affects the thoughts and actions of every other person in our world. Our dysfunctional world is not the product of just one person. Not one of us has the right to say, “I am good, I am kind, I am mindful, I am too cool for school! The state of our world is not my fault, or my problem.” The truth is, we all share in a co-created reality that is only as strong as its weakest members, and whether we like it or not, we are indeed each other’s keepers. ​The sooner more of us will contemplate the Oneness of our being and the connectedness of everything in our Universe, the sooner we will be able to manifest a better world for all. Understanding our universal connection, and our responsibility to one another, is the only way we will ever know lasting joy, peace, happiness and fulfillment in this world. For even the most sheltered and fortunate among us, will at some point suffer the loss of luxury, privilege or liberty due to our attitude of disconnect. Until we all learn to think more universally , instead of separately, there will never be a brighter future for any of us, much less for our children. ​There is no such thing as the ‘personal good,’ there is only the greater good, and the highest good for all. The same pain, fear, love and joy that runs through your veins, runs through everyone else's in this world. And the current impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is concrete, undeniable evidence of this universal spiritual truth. May this new virus teach us new patterns of thinking about how we impact each other. May it force us to reconsider our place and our role in society. May it teach us new levels of kindness, compassion and charity. For we are not living among each other; we are living through each other. Blessed Are The Mindful Blessed are the mindful and the spiritually aware in these traumatic times, for they will be calm and flexible in the darkest of days. Their spirituality will be an indispensable compass, and anchor during this pandemic. For to make the most of our journey in this lifetime, and to fulfill our true destiny as spiritual beings, we must be able to trust in our divine power to adapt and transcend. Our inner core of divine connection is what keeps us grounded, centered and serene when the world around us seems to be falling apart. As this pandemic rages on, the spiritually faithful will be savoring the rewards of their continued devotion to their inner divinity and higher consciousness. It is in times like these that our spiritual practice makes all the difference. The same will not hold true for those who have been neglecting the inner world, and the Great Beyond. Those who no longer believe, or have never believed in anything, will have much less to hold on to, and very little to keep them grounded. Tragically, they have become so caught up in the trappings of their material reality, that they no longer feel connected to anything greater than themselves. And for them this will not be an easy time. Whatever your spiritual beliefs or religious convictions may, or may not be, the Covid-19 pandemic will be an undeniable spiritual wake-up call for all of us. It is reminding us that life is short, precious and sometimes full of uncertainty. And if the rampage of the coronavirus does not get your spiritual attention, I’m not sure what will. For typically we tend to only reach out to Spirit in times of unbearable or unforeseen life events. And this time we truly are in serious trouble! ​Nothing sparks a renewed interest in our spiritual beliefs quite like a global disaster. The spiritually careless among us will be forced to take another look at the face of God during this crisis. Even the most skeptical and atheistic among us will have to somehow contemplate their values, opinions and beliefs about the nature and meaning of their existence. Mind, body and soul…none of us will emerge from the current mayhem unscathed. The Global Vision Quest There is a rite of passage in traditional shamanism known as a vision quest . It requires the seeker to spend a significant period of time alone in nature, often without food, water, or shelter, until he receives a vision for his life’s purpose from the Great Spirit. During his time of isolation and deprivation, the initiate is forced to face his deepest fears and insecurities, and must strive to gain greater clarity about the meaning and purpose of life. The Covid-19 pandemic will indeed be such a ‘vision quest’ for many of us. The Covid-19 pandemic brings us many opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. Social distancing, self-isolation, quarantine and a general slowdown, are creating a unique opportunity to 'amp up' our daily spiritual practice, and rekindle our relationship with our Higher Self, Spirit, Source, God, the Divine. Nothing gets in the way of love​. Generosity of spirit empowers us to perform miracles and wonders. The disruption of our normal routine and the suffering of loss, offers us a period of divine grace to truly reconsider our core morals, values and beliefs, as well as the meaning and purpose of our lives. Make the most of this window of opportunity, for it is a period of divine grace. ​Idle days spent in isolation will teach us many valuable lessons about the true meaning of love, compassion, kindness, humility, integrity, faith, hope, courage, perseverance, and especially forgiveness. Some will experience intense grief and bereavement that will rekindle their faith in this time, or cause them to find new purpose in their lives, while others will simply lose their innocence or complacency. Most of all this crisis will reveal to us the true meaning and value of service. For we all share only one common purpose or calling in this life, and that is to be of service . Service to each other, to the fauna and flora of our planet, to the natural environment, and to Spirit. May this global crisis teach us to give to others in the same way that others have given to us. May we all discover new ways to make the world a better place. May we also learn that nothing gets in the way of love, and that generosity of spirit empowers us to perform miracles and wonders. ​Everything we experience in life has a spiritual significance. No event or circumstance is ever random, arbitrary, or a coincidence. Every moment matters. And right now humankind is going through a significant moment; a collective spiritual growth spurt; a period of deep contrast; a profound metaphysical realignment; a dark night of the soul ; a great global awakening. How we will recover and heal from this pandemic as a collective, and how we will apply the spiritual truths it has so unpleasantly delivered to us, remains to be seen. Visualize The Cure, Not The Calamity Meanwhile, wherever you a may be the in the world, know that you are never alone. We are all in this together, and Spirit always has your back, even in the most desperate moments when everything seems hopeless. During the difficult days ahead, do not believe all the dysfunctional noise and fearmongering. Those anxious, hysterical voices are only out there because they do not have a spiritual practice or inner compass, and they currently have a lot of idle time to broadcast their fake news and toxic negativity. The rest of us are too busy with real efforts to stay safe, support each other and help the world heal from the true effects of this pandemic. How do we heal our world, and return to the 'new and improved' normal? The answer is simple. Pray. Meditate. Fantasize. Imagine. Daydream. Visualize. Every day. Set an intention for science and technology to manifest the necessary treatments and interventions soon, instead of obsessing over who is to blame, or getting caught up in self-pity, conspiracy theories, conflict, lack consciousness, or a scarcity mentality. What we focus on is what will become our reality, and we now need all hands on deck. If more of us confidently intend the manifestation of the solution, instead of debating the problem, we will reach critical mass and tip the scale much sooner! There is no future in the past, and fearful worrying is just a way to create more of what we do not want. Visualize the cure, not the calamity. It is my prediction that, once our collective consciousness has gained critical momentum, divinely inspired medical science and technology shall find the prevention and cure. ​No matter how this new virus may impact your life, always remember that you are a divine being, and creator of your own reality experience. Don’t give away your power to anyone or anything. And to take back your power in any given situation, begin by focusing on the things you can control - the thoughts you choose to think is usually the best place to start! We exist in a co-created reality, in which we cannot always choose all our circumstances. But how we think and feel about any given situation is always our choice. Life is not always easy, or fair, and contrast is a necessary part of our spiritual journey in this lifetime. But fear, self-pity, or feeling defeated, is not the way to deal with it. Stay strong and move forward one day at a time. This too shall pass. ​​© 2020 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

What is one of the most valuable commodities that anyone can possess in this day and age? What is the one precious thing we all seem to lack? Have you guessed what this ‘eighth wonder of the world’ is? Well, it is the virtue of patience, of course! I believe that, given the opportunity, some of us would even trade all of our earthly possessions for a lifelong supply of this magical substance. A lifetime supply of patience is the one thing that can secure us so much happiness, inner peace and long-term fulfillment. The Dutch say that “a handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains”. There is no doubt in my mind that should some genius be able to develop a magical formula to capture patience in a bottle, that person would overnight become the wealthiest person on the planet! ​The patent holder for patience will not only rule the world, but will also put many of us out of work. The global service industry, for one, will experience a major downturn in customer demand. With so many suddenly patient souls on the planet, there will be less need for some of the jobs that typically deal with the impulsive, hot-headed and intolerant side of human nature. Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish ~ John Quincy Adams If everyone could take a pill to become instantly self-restrained, tolerant and long-suffering, many professionals would have to be made redundant, including customer complaint managers, divorce lawyers, emergency room nurses, traffic officers, therapists and, of course, psychic advisors. The newly founded ‘Patience Company’ will no doubt become the most powerful corporation in the world. They would probably expand their range very quickly, to include tempting product variations like Patient Persistence, Peaceful Perseverance and Powerfully Present. These life changing potions will permanently alter our reality as we know it. It will in time deliver to us much of the joy and fulfillment so many of us desire. Imagine the possibilities of having no more ‘road rage’ along your life path. There will be less broken relationships, less bad decisions, less spoilt chances…no more arguments, regrets, misunderstandings, impulsive assumptions, reckless behavior or jumping to ridiculous conclusions. No more sleepless nights. With true patience we will find it so easy to peacefully wait our turn; we will be content to give the cycles of life the benefit of the doubt. With lasting patience in our pocket, we will no longer have the need to pressure the world around us to immediately comply with our needs; neither will we have the tendency to want to control everything. We will have lasting inner peace and we will simply trust in the flow of life. We will not have the compulsion to act impulsively, before we consider the future consequences of our words and deeds. We will have confidence in the successful outcomes of our manifested desires, even if it takes a hundred years to accomplish. We will accept that when we ask it will be given, one way or the other, and always when the time is right. We will intuitively know that everything is as it is intended to be, every second of every day. We will understand that the 'Law of Attraction' is not the name of a fast-food restaurant. Over the years, I have seen how a lack of patience, uncontrolled emotions and rash actions can crush dreams, destroy lives and wreak havoc in relationships. It does not surprise me that patience features as one of the most valued virtues in many religions, including Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Buddhism regards it as one of the perfections that must be achieved on the path to Enlightenment. One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life ~ Chinese Proverb ​I constantly advise clients to remain calm, be patient and allow the future to unfold in its own time. To very little avail. Those who do heed my advice always reap the rewards in the end. But they are few and far between. Many simply cannot conquer the urge to act before the time is right; they find it hard to contain their emotions – be it anger, anxiety, desire or desperation. They do not see that patience is sometimes the best form of action. If only they would accept that the human ego is fueled by fear and petulant self-interest, and realize that when the ego takes over in any situation you are bound to get way ahead of yourself, and it will usually lead you to make a royal mess of things. Patience is the antidote to the restless poison of the ego . Without it we all become ego-maniacal bulls in china shops, destroying our future happiness, as we blindly rush in where angels fear to tread. In these out-of-control moments, we bulldoze through the best possible outcomes for our lives, within a matter of minutes, only to return to the scene of the crime later… to cry over spilt milk. Then the process of picking up the pieces begins, trying in vain to salvage what may be left of the opportunities and future prospects we have now annihilated. More often than not the damage simply cannot be undone. How many times have I heard the sad words: “If only I had listened to your advice, if only I waited a little longer?" Our lack of patience comes from our fear of the unknown, and our intolerance of uncertainty. We are reluctant to accept that nothing is ever certain or secure in our human experience. The only security we really do have in this lifetime is the knowledge that there is absolutely no certainty. There is no such thing as a ‘sure thing’ when it comes to the human condition, except for the fact that this lifetime will eventually come to an end for all of us. Sir Francis Bacon said that “if we begin with certainties, we shall end in doubts; but if we begin with doubts, and we are patient in them, we shall end in certainties.” Our increasingly fast-paced society and constant technological advancement also does not serve us well in the patience department. We like to call it ‘efficiency’ and ‘progress’, but how are we supposed to teach our children the virtue of patience, when they live in a world where just about everything is easily accessible, and often instantly available? All it takes is one swipe of a credit card, or the click of a mouse button. No wonder we have so little forbearance, and zero perseverance. How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young? ~ Paul Sweeney Some of us have become so ridiculously impatient that we cannot even wait for the world to end in its own good time. Oh no, some of us demand an immediate apocalypse , be it this year or the next. And for those who are privileged to be chosen to survive there must be an instant DNA upgrade included in the deal ... non-negotiable. Immediate gratification is what we have come to expect and demand. Meanwhile Planet Earth revolves around her axis unperturbed and Mother Nature patiently goes about her daily business, as she always has, doing her utmost to heal the damage and destruction we leave in our wake. She will continue to see us come and go, untroubled by our petty human dramas, whilst the Universe will continue to leisurely work in its many mysterious ways. I deal with the aftermath of impatience almost every day in the work that I do, and I can assure you that there truly is wisdom in having some patience and fortitude. There is freedom to be found in letting go of our rigid, premature expectations. If only we could stop jumping up an down, and not try to drive square pegs into round holes. If only we could refrain from peeking at the cards of others, before they lay them out on the table, or quit tampering with the unripe fruit of our destiny. ​If only we could relinquishing our unyielding ideas of how things must be, and how quickly they must come to pass. If we could just cut loose and surrender to the boundless possibilities that await us. If we could just kick our heels up and run spontaneously wild with the mysteries of life. If only we had a some patience in a bottle ... how smooth the ride would be! © 2011 Anthon St Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

In my line of work there is sometimes the unhealthy obsession with the concept of clearing "dark entities" or removing "evil curses". Some of the most spiritually aware and gifted people , who are otherwise very reasonable, intelligent and level-headed, can sometimes also become fanatic about finding evil spirits, curses and dark entities under their beds, inside their closets …and deep-down in the purses and wallets of their clients. Just the other day I was listening to a radio psychic scaring the living daylights out of his unsuspecting caller. The caller just wanted some career advice, but instead the fear-mongering 'psychic' was hell-bent on convincing her that her home was infested with evil entities. The psychic's charming co-host then also jumped in to offer some old-wives’ cures for getting rid of all the demonic forces. Truth be told, the only disturbance I was picking up on was the fact that that poor, freaked out woman would not be getting much sleep for weeks! It appears we are simply not able to rid ourselves of this thing we seem to have for the boogeyman (here in my country also known as the tokoloshe ). Now, don’t get me wrong. The struggle between good and evil is very, very real. It is a fundamental component of the human condition. It is also the basis of all Creation. It stems from the duality found in every important aspect of our expanding Universe: dark versus light, life versus death, night versus day. But light needs the presence of darkness to be truly visible and meaningful. A belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness ~ Joseph Conrad The co-existence of good and evil is also the basis for an inner conflict that each of us have to resolve in this lifetime. It is part of the reason why we are here. Both good and evil therefore do serve a purpose in the greater scheme of things. No doubt about that. But blaming the spiritual realm for the darkness of men is my idea of heresy and blasphemy. Our morbid fascination with all things dark is as old as the hills, but it is still very much de rigueur . Just the fact that psychics and mediums are today still being accused of doing the devil’s work is sufficient proof in itself. In many religious circles ‘fire and brimstone’ remains the height of fashion. Not to mention the latest 2012 doomsday prophecies, conspiracy theories and apocalyptic visions of evil forces, undercover aliens and secret societies; all hype eagerly spread by fear-mongers, spin doctors and social entrepreneurs. But those are the most obvious kinds of evil mania. What truly amazes me about our obsession with all things evil is that it is not something you only find in traditional churches or conservative circles. No, some truly gifted, spiritually aware and highly intuitive people, with whom I share many beliefs and blessings, are also fanatic about finding evil spirits, curses and dark entities under their beds, inside their closets …and deep-down in the purses and wallets of their clients. Yesterday a wonderful client called me, devastated and in tears. She had been persuaded by a well-meaning friend to “try out” another psychic she knows of… just for fun. The self-proclaimed ’spiritual advisor’ had a field day predicting doom and gloom for her current relationship and warned her that another woman was doing magic to steal her man away. She also offered to do spell work for her to fix the problem, to the tune of $400! Meanwhile my client’s love life is perfectly on track and they are in fact a very happy couple. How dare someone mess with the lives of others out of sheer greed? It truly disgusts me. May God have mercy on her soul. It is deeply disappointing that many who share in the collective consciousness appear to be obsessing about evil entities and dark forces all of the time. In fact, they are so busy doing this that they hardly have any time or energy left to be co-creators in our spiritual evolution. They seem to miss the point that evil is about regression, destruction and reversing into the past. Evil is the antithesis of creation and expansion, and they seem to forget that what they focus on, sadly, does become their reality. The good versus evil ‘battle’ has been waged one way or another since the dawn of civilization. It is an ancient archetype that is one of the most recognizable themes in literature and the arts. Let’s face it... the archetype of ‘good guys versus bad guys’ is the stuff that bestsellers and box office hits are made of. To rid ourselves of our shadows – who we are – we must step into either total light or total darkness. Goodness and evil ~ Jeremy P. Johnson I guess it therefore comes as no surprise that some spiritual seekers are forever obsessing about the evil they fear may be creeping up on them. One only has to tune in to a few podcasts, or watch the latest online videos, to witness the spiritual community’s fixation on everything evil. Indeed, fundamentalism is not only found among the religious and the dogmatic. Some of the ‘spiritually enlightened’ and ‘intuitively evolved’ seem to insist on clinging to medieval concepts and out-dated superstitions. Instead of being fully devoted to unconditional love, kindness, generosity, selflessness and the greater good, much energy, time and money is being spent every day fighting evil entities and keeping the ‘darkness’ and its ‘extremely powerful forces’ at bay. Potions, spells and candles are actually the very products that keep scam psychics and fake mediums in business. All this while the true battle of Armageddon is being fought right here under our noses, in the streets in front of our houses. There is no dominating source of evil, because if there was, we would not exist, nature would not exist and neither would the Universe. It is counter-productive to assign so much influence and power to something that is in fact just vast emptiness, non-entity and anti-matter. I have often said, and will say it again, if you want to know true evil just switch on the evening news. If you are curious to see the real face of satan, you will find him lurking on the cover of celebrity magazines, in newspapers and on political campaign posters. The battle between good and evil is not being fought in the spiritual realm. Spirit knows no anger, envy, fear, violence or hatred. The real war is happening in mundane places, like the television set in your parlor or at your child’s school. If you want to find demons, shadow people or anti-Christs, look for them in our educational institutions, communities, churches and governments. If you truly want to find evil incarnate, seek it among the school bullies in our midst, those who drive their peers to suicide or post vile online jokes about their deaths. Maybe we should stop hunting ghosts, witches, psychic vampires and energy thieves, and rather expose the narcissists among us who dominate, dictate and destroy so many relationships, families, careers and lives – devoid of empathy and compassion. Let's also search our boardrooms, public offices and parliaments. There we will find among our leaders and kings many ego-maniacs who abuse their power, corrupt their economy and violate the basic human rights of their people, while they wage senseless wars on their critics, and each other. Evil, darkness, threat and fear are not spiritual forces… they are the evil creations of man. JJ Dewey writes that “all forces, powers, and energies are neither good nor evil in themselves. They are completely neutral, but only become good or evil when they are intelligently directed.” He also states that “all energies and creations vibrating in their pure state are good.” And that is the whole point. Focusing so much of our thoughts, feelings and intentions on evil, instead of that which is good, is counter-productive and contrary to our Divine Purpose. We are here to serve each other and grow, expand and become, not to cast an exaggerated, ominous shadow over all that is potentially good in the world. Eternal good is eternal becoming or eternally moving forward to greater life. Eternal evil is to cease becoming and “to be” that which was in the past ~ JJ Dewey The spiritual realm is much like the natural world. It is in essence breathtakingly perfect, completely harmonious and utterly flawless. I have yet to meet an evil animal or discover a satanic plant. The only evil I have ever witnessed among plants and animals are the scars left on them by the inhumane, dark deeds of men. It is certainly not the devil who is trashing the environment, abusing the animal kingdom or trampling the hearts of loving women and breaking the spirits of brave men. The Divine Light that you and I come from, and will return to one day, knows no evil and does not recognize the power of these shadows that some so willingly fear and follow. Believing in the supremacy of evil entities and dark beings implies that we all come from a spiritual place of imperfection. It suggests that the Divine Source is somehow diseased, that Creation is riddled with flaws and falsehoods that dwell among us. And, worst of all, that we are so far superior in our human state that we alone are capable of fixing this broken, dysfunctional or chaotic spiritual mess. I realize that for some it must be fun to indulge in this paranormal soap opera, but most of us simply don’t have the time, or the inclination. We know we have much work to do, gifts to offer, blessings to share. We are the Wounded Healers, the Empaths, the Shamans, the Indigo Children, the Starseeds, and the Lightworkers. We speak to the Angels, listen to our Spirit Guides and trust in the guidance of our Ancestors, Ascended Masters and Loved Ones. We fight true evil by saving the planet and healing humanity, by drying one tear at a time. We have no need for spells, talismans or obsessive-compulsive psychic defenses, for we are surrounded by the everlasting and indestructible shields of Love, Peace and Harmony. The phenomenal power of our Spiritual Heritage surges through our being every moment of every day. We are illuminated by the Divine; there is much Light around us. The spiritual evolution of mankind is our ultimate aim, our Divine duty. As we continue to expand the Universe, this dazzling, bright Light we carry will continue to emanate from us with much Glory. And we know that there shall come a time when there will be no more evil among men. And we shall know that all is Good © 2010 Anthon St. Maarten SCIENCE UPDATE: A 2024 study on paranormal beliefs and mental health looked at the impact of two types of belief systems on psychological well-being: Traditional Paranormal Beliefs (TPB), which tends to focus on outside forces controlling life, and New Age Philosophy (NAP), which encourages people to trust their own power and inner guidance. The study surveyed over 3,000 adults in the United Kingdom and the findings suggest that how we frame our beliefs is more important than whether we believe, or not. Hope-filled, empowering, inspirational beliefs can actually support our well-being and help us navigate life with more resilience. Beliefs rooted in fear — like harmful spells and curses, external forces, evil spirits, and bad omens that dictate outcomes — were linked to higher stress levels, avoidance behaviors and anxiety, especially in stressful situations. However, beliefs focused on inner being, self-empowerment, personal agency, spiritual growth, holistic healing, manifestation, and benevolent spirit beings showed no negative impact on mental health. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

Ever wondered how a psychic connects with you over a long distance? Or maybe you have thought about how it is even possible for psychics to do remote readings via a phone call or video chat? Well, contrary to popular belief psychic reading or channeling is not like a ‘tin can telephone’ children used to play with in the good old days. Psychics do not connect with you directly via a phone line or electrical wires, or computer hardware for that matter. Psychic reading or channeling is not like a ‘tin can phone’ kids use to talk to each other remotely through the length of a piece of string tied between two empty cans. True psychic perception is not such a simplistic, linear ‘connection’ between, for example, this world and the spirit realm, or between two minds or souls. It is also not like an old-fashioned internet dial-up connection, with a copper wire phone line connecting a home computer to a server in the next city. Instead, psychic resonance is more like ‘connecting to wi-fi,’ or ‘tuning in to radio waves.’ Radio waves are everywhere and ever-present, but we only hear the music for a particular station once we tune in to its unique bandwidth or frequency. The 'energy data' or metaphysical information that psychics and mediums 'read' is nonlocal, omnipresent, omniscient, and universal. It exists all around us, as it is ‘embedded’ in the expanded field, plane, or matrix of universal consciousness . It is beyond our everyday reality, ‘encoded’ on various bandwidths with its own vibrational frequencies, yet it is immediately and directly available to be consciously perceived by anyone at any time. Psychologist Paul Stevens explains, “there is a great deal of information naturally being broadcast from every living system, and from a great many non-living systems, which would be available to a receptive system sensitive to it. Just as we tend to be unaware that every television program, every radio broadcast, information about weather systems, transport systems and a myriad other human-related activities is being continually broadcast away from our planet into space, we also ignore the fact that every aspect of our ongoing cell activity has been broadcast to the world around us in a variety of different ways. The information is there - we have only to find ways of using it. " [1] Psychics and mediums therefore do not connect to an external ‘big computer in the sky.’ Instead, everyone’s mind-soul already exists within the big computer’s ‘mainframe,’ or better yet, we are all an extension or expression of it. Everyone and everything in the universe is connected, in the here and now, as well as in the past and the future, and universally. The omniscient ‘music’ that psychics and mediums ‘tune in to’ has always existed, and always will. And the play list keeps on expanding every second of every day, as humanity and the natural world add more new experiences, creations, and intentions to the universal akashic record . The ‘music’ we tune in to is therefore not restricted by what Einstein calls the ‘optical illusion’ of human consciousness. In the expanded mental (mind-soul) state of psychic awareness, psychics resonate with unconscious energy frequencies or ‘hidden bandwidths’ which allows us to vividly hear ‘more of the music’ that is otherwise mostly playing only in the background. This cosmic music also includes various ‘vintage tracks,’ that have not been played in an exceedingly long time, as well as some of the ‘future hits’ that are yet to be produced and recorded. It is however important to note, not even the most gifted psychics and mediums can ever perceive all of the ‘music,’ nor can we ‘listen to the radio’ all of the time. In fact, we would not be able to lead any kind of normal life if we did. Philosopher William James famously says, “mystical states cannot be sustained for long. Except in rare instances, half an hour, or at most an hour or two, seems to be the limit beyond which they fade into the light of common day.” Psychics and mediums therefore only perceive a few notes of the ‘universal music’ at a time, by temporarily expanding our mind-soul awareness, or raising our vibration in order to ‘tune in’ or resonate with certain energy data or psi . This is mostly achieved purposely, but it also manifests spontaneously as random mental events of ‘tuning in and out’ — something many of us experience from an early age, but learn to control more effectively with further development. It is also important to note that the notion of psychics and mediums ‘tuning in’ to the ‘music or radio waves’ of the universe is not an ideal analogy. While it serves to illustrate the concept of psychic resonance , it may also evoke the flawed notion once again that psychic perception is some sort of ‘sender-transmission-receiver’ process. True psychic perception is not a transmission of external signals or inputs through time and space, but rather an expanded mental awareness of nonlocal energy data. THE UNIVERSAL FIELD To imagine the universal field of consciousness from which psychics and mediums channel or transduce unconscious energy data into conscious awareness, consider the idea that everything consists of energy . We know this from quantum physics. On the subatomic level there is no physical matter, there is only energy. [2] The entire universe is essentially a ‘matrix of energy’ that underpins or constitutes everything. This universal energy field or metaphysical platform of all existence is known by many names in various scientific paradigms, esoteric belief systems, and spiritual traditions, including Aether, A-field, Akashic Record, Astral Plane, Beyond The Veil, Book Of Life, Chokmâh, Collective Unconscious, Conscious Universe, Dark Matter, Divine, Fifth Element, Gaia Mind, God, Great Spirit, Heaven, Life Force, Matrix, Nirvana, Nonphysical, Other Side, Paradise, Promised Land, Psychic Reservoir, Soniferous Ether, Source Energy, Spirit Realm, Superconscious, Superstring Field, The Eternal, Unified Field, Universal Intelligence, Universal Mind, and Universe. Author Gregg Braden explains explains this universal field as not something that is ‘out there,’ but rather it is the very stuff that holds us together. “The universe can be viewed as a massive computer with our consciousness as the operating system and our emotions or feelings as the software.” [3] Author Kevin Todeschi refers to it as the “universe's super-computer system, or perhaps what today would be called cloud computing.” [4] Parapsychologist Samah Zahran describes it as the ‘unified, global information universe that potentially explains psi phenomena in a measurable way.’ [5] THE AKASHIC RECORD Pierre Teilhard de Chardin believes “there is neither spirit nor matter in the world; the stuff of the universe is spirit-matter . No other substance but this could produce the human molecule.” [6] Many psychics and mediums refer to this ‘spirit-matter’ as the akasha , or the akashic record . The akasha is traditionally believed to be a metaphysical or etheric collection of all knowledge, insight, experience, and wisdom recorded throughout the ages. It is like an omniscient ‘mainframe’ of psi, or the universal energy data ‘library’ where every thought, word, deed, feeling, idea, intention, invention, imagining, and life experience is recorded and archived for posterity. A similar concept in Judaism and Christianity is the Book of Life, also known as the Book of Remembrance. Luke 10:20 states "rejoice that your names are written in heaven,” and Malachi 3:16 states, “a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.” The Quran verse 27:75 states there is nothing that is hidden in the heaven or the earth, but it is recorded in a ‘clear record’ (or a ‘manifest book,’ or ‘the preserved tablet’). According to Islamic philosopher, Abul A'la Maududi the record referred to here is not the Quran itself, but instead the Divine Record in which everything is recorded. [7] The term ‘akasha’ was adopted by Western occultism and spiritualism in the late 19th century from traditional Indian cosmology. It is originally a Sanskrit word derived from the root kāś meaning ‘to be.’ According to Hindu mysticism the akasha is the first of five elementary principles of nature, out of which the other elements of earth ( prithivi ), water ( apas ), fire ( tejas ), and air ( vayu ) are created. [8] In some languages the word akash is still used in reference to concepts like ‘sky,’ ‘open space,’ and ‘atmosphere.’ Vedanta philosophy, one of the oldest spiritual doctrines, defines the akasha as the ‘ethereal fluid pervading the cosmos,’ or the ‘primordial matter’ from which all else in the universe is created. At the beginning of time, akasha is motionless and unmanifested, until prana (the primordial life force) acts upon it to create all things in the universe. Akasha is therefore the infinite and omnipresent material of the universe, while prana is the infinite, omnipresent manifesting power of the universe. [9] The akasha is therefore the very fabric of all conscious and unconscious existence. It is the eternal reservoir of all physical and nonphysical experience and karmic wisdom, collected since the beginning of time, including everything that is currently being ‘recorded;’ as well as that which is already intended for the future. Psychic channeling or reading is therefore the conversion or transduction into conscious awareness some of these akashic ‘records’ or ‘files.’ New Thought author Ernest Holmes writes “when we remember that subjective mind is universal, we will come to the conclusion that the history of [humanity] is written in the mental atmosphere of the globe on which we live.” Everything that has ever happened on this planet has left its imprint on the walls of time; and could we walk down the corridors and read the writings; we should be reading the human history. This should seem simple when we realize that the vibrations of the human voice can be preserved in the receptive phonographic disc, and reproduced at will. If we were to impress one of these discs with the vibration of some one's voice and lay it away for a million years, it would still reproduce those vibrations. It is not hard then to understand how the walls of time may be hung with the pictures of human events, and how one who sees these pictures may read the history of humanity. [10] When a psychic or medium channels or reads, we are essentially seeing what Holmes describes as the ‘pictures on the walls of time,’ or listening to the ‘phonographic discs’ of recorded human events. We are browsing ‘soul files’ in the akashic archives. When asked what the source of his information was for psychic readings, Edgar Cayce said it comes from two sources, namely the subconscious mind of the person he was reading for, as well as from the akashic record. In reading number 1650-1 Cayce describes it as “God's book of remembrance” in which is recorded both the “good and bad activities of every single day of each entity, each soul in the material world.” [11] Author Jess Stearn adds, “Cayce seemed gifted with a universal mind , which seemingly drew on a subconscious register of everything that had ever happened, or was going to happen.” [12] PSYCHIC CHANNELING Psychic channeling or reading is therefore the conscious perception of nonlocal ‘energy data’ or akashic information in the form of mental (mind-soul) impressions. It is mostly done for the benefit of a person or group, or other living beings and the natural environment, as well as for society or humanity at large. Psychic channeling is essentially the reading of information on the ‘cosmic internet.’ It is the ‘scanning’ or ‘browsing’ of energy data or metaphysical information encoded in the akashic internet. However, in our physical state, humans cannot consciously perceive this nonphysical information in its original ‘coded’ or unconscious form. Instead, our mind must transduce, convert, or ‘channel’ this unconscious data into conscious awareness, for us to perceive it as various psychic perceptions, which depending on the psychic perception preferences of the psychic or medium may include any of the following: Claircognizance : cognitive, knowing, precognition, prescience Clairempathy : affective, emotional, feeling, presentiment Clairsomatica : somatosensory, sensation, foresensing Clairvoyance : visual, seeing, foreseeing Clairaudience : auditory, hearing, forehearing Clairolfaction : olfactory, smelling, foresmelling Clairgustance : gustatory, tasting, foretasting Clairintuition : premonition, presage, foreboding PSYCHIC READING VERSUS MEDIUMSHIP Psychics essentially perceive energy data of currently living persons, while mediums channel the energy data of deceased persons, spirit entities, or discarnate beings, as well as etheric, universal 'wisdom data' from the akasha. ​ A predictive psychic, for example, perceives a living person’s future probabilities and potentials , while a past life reader or a psychic energy healer perceives the previous incarnations, past life experiences, and ancestral legacy associated with a particular person or soul identity. ​ An evidential medium or mental medium channels the energy data of those who have departed this life and have transitioned to another plane of existence, also known as the afterlife, heaven, spirit realm, or ‘other side.' This is mostly done for the purpose of providing afterlife validations, soul family records, inspirational and healing information, as well as life guidance for the benefit of living persons (relatives and friends) associated with that spirit entity or personality's most recent physical incarnation. Furthermore, a trance medium or trance channel channels the omniscient energy data or universal sagacity (akashic wisdom data) of a particular discarnate spirit personality or nonphysical entity, or group of energies, such as deities, ascended masters, avatars, angels, spirit guides, and so on. This typically serves the purpose of broader spiritual guidance, metaphysical insight, and universal wisdom for the greater good of humanity. Adapted from The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception . © 2022 Anthon St. Maarten REFERENCES [1] Stevens, P. (1997). A Biophysical Approach To Psi Effects And Experience. Psychology Ph.D. Thesis Collection, The University of Edinburgh. [2] Sutter, P. (2019). Is It A Wave Or A Particle? It's Both, Sort Of. Space.com [3] Braden, G. (2008) The Divine Matrix: Bridging Time, Space, Miracles And Belief. Hay House Inc [4] Todeschi, K.J. (1998) Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records: The Book of Life. Association for Research and Enlightenment Press. [5] Zahran, S.K. (2019) Is Psi an Ability to React with Vibrations? Anaest & Sur Open Access J. (ID: 000513). [6] Teilhard de Chardin, P. (1936) A Sketch of a Personalistic Universe. [7] Maududi, A. (1932). Understanding The Quran. Islamic Foundation. [8] Prasad, R. (1897). The Science Of Breath And The Philosophy Of The Tattvas. Theosophical Publishing Society. [9] Swami Vivekananda. (1920). Raja Yoga. Brentano’s. [10] Holmes, E. S. (1926). R. M. McBride & Company. [11] Todeschi, K.J. (1998) Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records: The Book of Life. Association for Research and Enlightenment Press. [12] Stearn, J. (1967). Edgar Cayce: The Sleeping Prophet. Doubleday. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

The modern psychic medium faces the challenge of remaining true to a spiritual calling, despite the sometimes unrealistic client expectations engendered by popular culture. Mediumship is in truth not a dog and pony show aimed at applause or viewer ratings. It is a spiritual endeavor that seeks to validate, console, heal and uplift. It's a blessing from beyond... like a phone call from God. Mediumship presented as entertainment is a double-edged sword. The media hype generated by psychic television shows, and live stage performances featuring celebrity mediums, has no doubt contributed much to an increased public awareness of mediumship. It has liberated spiritualism from the stereotype of the 19th century séance by bringing the work of the psychic medium into the public domain and mainstream culture. But does mediumship as an entertainment genre do spiritualism and the daily work of psychics any real justice? I am certainly not a purist. Neither am I a traditionalist when it comes to spiritual matters. I tend to shy away from any form of fundamentalism or fanaticism. But having the work of talented mediums dished up as trivial amusement has certainly proven to be a mixed blessing in my own practice as psychic medium. The modern psychic medium faces the challenge of remaining true to a spiritual calling, despite the sometimes unrealistic client expectations engendered by popular culture and the mass media. Mediumship is after all not a psychic sideshow, but a spiritual blessing. It is a gift to humanity. There is a reason why the outdoor services at the Lily Dale Assembly , for example, are traditionally described as “religious services”. So many people in this world seem to think being a medium is glamorous and something with an almost ‘celebrity’ status. That’s probably because we see it portrayed on our television screens in that way ~ Lorraine Holloway-White Mediumship is not aimed at applause or viewer ratings – it seeks to validate, console, heal and uplift. Mediumship is a phone call from God. “Ghost whispering”, as it is portrayed on your television screen, is therefore not an accurate reflection of what you should expect from a proper mediumship reading. If you are planning to consult with a psychic medium or spiritualist, you may find it useful to adjust your expectations and cultivate a flexible attitude, to ensure you get the most from your session. Remember that mediumship is always an experiment , and never an exact science. Booking a session with a medium does not guarantee you will receive any messages from spirit. Mediumship is not a dial-up service, nor is it a fast food order. Spirit does not communicate on-demand and the psychic medium is not an automated teller machine (ATM). In my practice it seldom happens that nothing comes through during a session, but from time to time I do experience a complete, resounding silence… like a ‘dead phone line’ from the other side. In these rare cases I simply refund the client. Nothing more to be done. Like some experiments, mediumship sessions sometimes fail, and it is usually not the fault of the client, nor the medium for that matter. I have, however, noticed that connection is sometimes blocked by spirit when a client expects the session to be entertaining, or dished up like the frivolous ' comediumship ' they have seen on television. Humor can indeed be very healing during a mediumship reading, and some fun and laughter is often welcome when the mood becomes too solemn. But, when humor and entertainment happen to be the main aim of a session, it is unlikely that the reading will be much of a success. ​Beware also those “mediums” who claim they can call on specific spirits to come forth on your behalf. True Lightworkers will never command the dead. That is not spiritualism or mediumship, it is necromancy . And necromancy is a dark magical art using spirit invocation as a form of divination. Summoning spirits is treacherous territory and certainly not something to be trifled with for entertainment purposes. Do mediums who go into a trance make moaning sounds and gyrate their bodies in circles, before speaking in loud exaggerated voices? Yes, they do - when they’re hamming it up! ~ Gordon Smith It is impossible to control or predict who will come through during a mediumship reading. You may expect your deceased grandmother, but instead you might receive messages from a former colleague, or a distant cousin. Spirit shall communicate as it pleases. Patience in this regard sometimes does pay off, because once the initial communicators have been acknowledged and dealt with, the loved ones who you were hoping to hear from might speak up next. Different spiritual energies or personalities will also communicate in different ways, utilizing the medium’s different pathways of psychic ability in their own, unique way. For example, in some sessions I often rely more on clairyoyance and clairaudience , while in others I will receive more information through clairsentient and claircognisant channels. How the information presents itself is beyond my control, and sometimes also subject to my flawed, human interpretation. In my experience spirit often comes through only once to validate that there is life after death , and to bring messages of hope, consolation and forgiveness. I have had many cases where clients failed in their attempts to get additional messages from the same loved one, by scheduling unnecessary follow-up sessions. If you have had a successful, satisfying mediumship session concerning a specific loved one, I recommend you be content and grateful, and let your loved one rest in peace. ​ ​Clients who pursue what I call “psychic binge sessions” are either struggling to accept their bereavement, or they are using repeated readings to postpone the necessary process of grief. Much worse, for some individuals it is a hobby or mere entertainment. Mediums who encourage people to get repetitive follow-up readings about the same family member are simply not being ethical. Mediumship is not meant to be a weekly tea party. ​​I have, however, experienced some interesting cases where spirit came through repeatedly, sometimes in very remarkable ways. My most memorable experience was with a deceased airline pilot who came through on three occasions over a period of about two months. On each occasion the session was with a different family member: first his mother, then his wife, and finally his daughter. This in itself was unusual, but what made it even more extraordinary was that none of the three women knew that the other would be consulting with me. Each of them booked their own session without knowing that the other had done the same. They all found me of their own accord, a few weeks apart, without ever discussing it with each other. In fact, two of them had not spoken a single word to each other in the five years since this man’s passing! In time it became clear why the former pilot was so determined to guide his relatives to me for mediumship consultations. ​​ His family had become torn apart after his passing. He was the key person who always kept his large family together and his passing left a considerable void. He was no longer around to guide and lead his family, who was now falling to pieces due to strife and petty feuds. The separate consultations I had with his three relatives ultimately served to heal many wounds and to reunite the family. I have also found over the years that some clients are so determined to connect with a specific person that they experience what is known as ' psychic amnesia.'  In these cases the sitter does not recognize or understand any of the information I relay to them, because it is not coming from the person they are hoping to hear from, or in the form they expected. Part of the reason that the prominent Spiritualist leader Emma Hardinge Britten left her work as a public ‘test medium’ for a career in lecturing for the cause, seems to be that her ’spirit friends’ told her not to turn mediumship into a show from the platform ~ Charles & Penelope Emmons Only much later in the session, or sometimes days, weeks or months later, do they suddenly connect the dots and comprehend what the message was all about. One client contacted me two years after a reading to let me know she finally figured out who I was talking about! It is also not wise to strike some sort of ‘bargain’ with spirit before your reading. Don’t make deals about what you expect the message to be. Some people try to make a mental agreement with their loved one to present specific information, or relay certain facts as proof of the authenticity of the reading. This strategy is seldom effective, and often the client misses out on valuable messages, because they were holding out to hear about that golden pendant, or the funny bumper sticker, or that photo on the dresser. Spirit communication does not always convey what we demand to hear. It is best to keep an open mind and not have rigid expectations, because it simply sets you up for disappointment. It is best to keep an open mind and have no set expectations, but never attempt to force any of the information to 'fit.' A successful mediumship reading does not always run as smoothly as depicted on television. Anyone who has been to a recording of a psychic show will tell you that the show they later saw on television did not accurately reflect the actual chronological events of the original live performance. ​ Nineteenth-century British medium Bessie Williams said, ‘When these mediumistic gifts are used, it should be for some higher purpose than an hour’s entertainment ~ Charles & Penelope Emmons Broadcasts featuring celebrity mediums are usually edited to create drama and add entertainment value. Do not expect your reading with a psychic medium to necessarily offer a similar series of quick-fire and awe-inspiring 'hits,' or amazing 'aha moments.' If psychic parlor tricks are what you’re after, you might find the typical, garden-variety medium rather dull and unimaginative. Other precautions you can take when consulting with a psychic medium is to ensure that you are relaxed, well-rested and sober. Participating in a mediumship session when you are stressed, sleep deprived, intoxicated, or stoned, is never a good idea. It will affect the clarity of the reading and will most likely restrict the quality of the psychic connection. Most of all, approaching a mediumship session with love, trust and respect will ensure the best clarity and accuracy during the reading. I remember one incident where a client booked a second reading with me, less than a month after her first session. Instead of booking under her own name, she chose for some bizarre reason to schedule the second session under a false name by using a pseudonym. The moment we connected on the phone I instantly knew that we had spoken before. I asked her if this was true, but she vehemently denied it. I was once again shown that we had spoken before, yet still she denied it. I asked her for the third time, and then she suddenly admitted that “we may have spoken before”. She finally admitted that we had indeed spoken before. When I asked her why she was pretending to be someone else, she confessed that she was so astonished by the accuracy of the first reading, during which I communicated with her deceased husband, that she decided to “test” me the second time… to see if I was the real deal? Apparently none of the powerful evidence this client had received from her husband during the first session fully satisfied her skeptical disposition, but she must have been sufficiently impressed to make a second appointment. So much for staring a gift horse in the mouth... Oddly, the duplicitous client was very shocked when I informed her I was unable to continue with the second session. She apologized, and she tried to encourage me to go on with the reading, but at this point everything inside me had simply shut down. In these situations it almost feels as if spirit slams the door in my face, and the phone line to the other side is then nothing more than a distant dial tone. She did not understand that I could not find it in myself to act as a medium for someone who treats me with such contempt and disrespect. Psychic mediums tend to be highly sensitive souls; we have to be in order to do this work. I cannot speak for other psychics and mediums, but personally I find it quite impossible to perform a ' dog and pony show ' for those who offend me, and those who choose not to believe. © 2016 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

Psychic reading is often assumed to be synonymous with fortune-telling, and while they may seem similar on the surface they are in fact two very different practices. Psychic reading is a spiritual practice... a sacred portal to manifesting your true destiny. Fortune-telling, on the other hand, is a fallacy and potentially dangerous and destructive. Yes, fortune-telling is a myth. Nobody can ‘tell your fortune' for the simple reason that you don’t actually have a 'fortune.' Your fortune is something you create every day through your beliefs, thoughts, choices, decisions and actions. You are a spiritual being continuously seeking physical expression in your current incarnation. And therefore you are the creator of your own reality experience, and the designer of your own destiny. Your fate is ultimately in your own hands (albeit with a little help from the Divine). Fortune-telling, however, claims that your future is carved in stone and your destiny consists of a rigid, preordained program which you are obliged to stick to unfailingly. But your life path has not been strictly scripted like the plot for a movie or a stage play, which you have to monotonously act out every day… scene by scene… minute by minute…until the final curtain. We certainly did not come into this time-space reality to be mere puppets or robots passively going through the motions of a pre-determined fate. What would the point be of such a dull and totally predictable affair… over which we have absolutely no control? Yet, there are many ‘prophets’ who find these inevitable, unyielding life forecasts every day in their teacups, crystal balls and oracle cards. Their fantastic tales are often also heavily sugar-coated, in order to feed their querents whatever good news they wish to hear, or they are rife with fear-mongering and doom prophecies about unavoidable future calamities and tragedies. And some people actually believe them (sometimes with dire consequences). God isn't about making good things happen to you, or bad things happen to you. He's all about you making choices - exercising the gift of free will. God wants you to have good things and a good life, but He won't gift wrap them for you. You have to choose the actions that lead you to that life ~ Jim Butcher A client once impatiently reprimanded me, "I don't want any coaching or advice, just give me the predictions!" I then had to explain to her that I am a psychic medium, not a fortune-teller. Does that mean I never predict the future? Actually I do. In fact, psychic prediction is an essential component of the daily work I do with clients all over the world. Yes, I absolutely do forecast and predict (often with uncanny accuracy according to the testimonials and feedback I receive), but my readings are not fortune-telling. A genuine psychic reading is never purely about casino jackpots, job offers, good fortune or meeting tall, dark strangers. Neither does it predict unavoidable tragedy, disease, or death. ​​The fundamental difference between psychic reading and fortune-telling is rooted in the age old philosophical debate of determinism versus free will . Since ancient times we have been asking the question, “What determines our destiny?’ We have actually spent a lot of time and energy over many centuries to try and figure out who really is in control of our fate. We have even spilled much blood and caused much suffering in our efforts to prove which laws, deities or divine powers are really running the show. To have free will implies that our own, individual intent determines the course of our life, while determinism implies that our fate is determined by external forces beyond our control. So, which is it? Do we have free will and 'personal agency' which allows us to make our own decisions in this lifetime, and choose for ourselves the doorways and winding paths we wish to pursue? Or is our life story rigidly preordained in such a way that, should we somehow be able to rewind it like an old-fashioned video tape and relive it all over again, exactly the same things would happen to us, in exactly the same way, at exactly the same time, and in exactly the same order? Well, we still have not found the conclusive answer to this conundrum, and I don’t believe we ever will. We are after all not meant to know all the answers to all the mysteries of the Universe, despite the fact that some scientists may believe they are privy to this possibility. The act of fortune-telling implies that our lives are indeed ruled by some sort of dreary determinism, while psychic reading, on the other hand, is a spiritual or metaphysical exploration of our future as determined by our free will. A genuine psychic reader does not make sweeping statements like, “You will meet a handsome stranger and marry him... then you will win the lottery… then you will be diagnosed with a dreaded terminal disease… and finally you will die a tragic and untimely death." Fortune-telling is typically very simplistic and rigidly focused only on the future, rather than taking a holistic, multi-dimensional view of life that includes the past, present and future. And often there is also a complete disregard for the complex interaction of body, mind, soul, spirit and the eternal laws of the Universe. Sure, we all sometimes wish the winding road of life was really all that simple and straightforward, but from your personal experiences you must know by now that this is not the case. Looking back over your life, I am sure you can see how your choices and decisions over the years, both good and bad, have pretty much brought you to where you find yourself today. Everything happens through immutable laws. Everything is necessary... It would be very comic that one part of the world was arranged, and the other were not; that one part of what happens had to happen, and that another part of what happens did not have to happen ~ Voltaire Instead of making sweeping one-dimensional statements, a psychic reading delivers a snapshot of your current life circumstances, as you have manifested it thus far, as well as the past influences and choices that brought you to this current moment, together with predictions of the most likely future outcomes (provided you stay the course and make no changes to the direction you have chosen). In best case scenarios, a psychic reading will confirm that you are already on the right path. However, when a psychic reading reveals the probability of an undesirable future outcome, it will also be accompanied by divine guidance and sound spiritual advice on how to change it, or even avoid it. But it is unlikely that you will ever receive this kind of information from typical fortune-telling. That being said, it is important to understand that we are not always entirely in control of our own fate. I have seen in my work that there are indeed moments in life when people encounter events and circumstances that they never chose for ourselves, nor willingly invited into their lives. Sometimes things happen to us that are beyond our control, and outside the scope of our free will. And sometimes really bad things happen to really good people. But please know that these ‘ill-fated’ contrasting experiences, however unfortunate, traumatic, unfair or disastrous they may seem at first, always serve our highest good and a divine purpose in the end. A reputable psychic will help you to see and understand this, while a fortune-teller most likely will not. ​So, what causes these predestined ‘misfortunes’ in our lives? And who or what is responsible for them, since we do not create it for ourselves? In my experience they stem from the following origins. Destiny & Life Design Working with thousands of clients over the years, it has become abundantly clear to me that we do arrive on this planet with some sort of preliminary life design. This ‘life plan’ is basically a custom-designed outline of the entire experience, which acts as a blueprint or road map for our amazing physical journey. And built into this life plan are certain milestones and obstacles that have been selected to emerge along the way. Our life plan is however not carved in stone. It is more like an itinerary, instead of a detailed script. It maps out the defining moments or route markers for our journey, which includes certain predestined events and contrasting circumstances and experiences that will arise throughout the course of our lifetime. It is what we may refer to as fate, luck, or God’s will. These are the events and experiences in our lives we cannot always control or avoid, for better or worse. Predestined contrasting events are mainly designed to add depth and dimension to our life experience. They literally are the spice of life! Without the contrasts created by loss, disappointment and adversity, it is unlikely that we will ever experience true joy and fulfillment, or treasure our real blessings. I always say, if we never experience the chill of a dark winter, it is very unlikely that we will ever cherish the warmth of a bright summer’s day. Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else’s hands, but not you ~ J im Rohn In more extreme versions, the life plan of some spiritual seekers may also require that they go through a ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ at some point in their life. This ultimately informs and shapes their unique soul purpose and life calling as they journey through their current lifetime. The archetype of the Dark Night of the Soul is a concept I strongly identify with, since I have gone through the experience myself. If you are currently going through such a profoundly challenging time in your life, know that this too shall pass. Personal suffering ultimately inspires many people to much greater heights, and it will most likely do the same in your life, should you choose to remain true to your life plan. When this kind of ‘life design data’ comes up in psychic readings, it usually surfaces at the most opportune moment and always for good reason. We only receive in a psychic reading what is most necessary and beneficial to us at that particular moment in time. Nothing more, nothing less. These prophetic revelations are, however, the exception and not the rule, and they are the closest one will ever come to fortune-telling in any psychic reading. It is actually one of the most exciting aspects of the psychic medium’s work, and obviously the part my clients love the most! However, what always distinguishes such prophetic psychic predictions from fortune-telling is that it is always accompanied by some form of spiritual guidance or esoteric wisdom. Even in worst case scenarios, where you really have no control over what will happen, you should at the very least be offered a sensible explanation for why something is meant to happen in your life, and what you are meant to gain from it. For example, I once did a consultation for a lady who was very much distraught by the terrible prophecy of a fortune-teller several years prior. Apparently she was told that she will have her heart broken repeatedly, she will never know love, she will never be married, and she will end up living a very lonely life! No further explanation or reason was offered. No guidance or consolation. No method in the madness, nor ghost in the machine. Nothing. Maybe the fortune-teller was in a really foul mood that day? ​It may seem silly that this kind of ridiculousness can create havoc in someone’s life, but it almost destroyed my client's sanity. She firmly believed this 'prophecy' to be true, and it subsequently caused her to sabotage and derail all of her relationships, gradually destroying her happiness, and almost crushing her spirit. Fortunately, she found me before it was too late, so that I could set the record straight and get her back on track. It was also not the first time I had to clean up the mess created by an ill-advised fortune-telling episode, and it certainly was not the last. I have come to accept it as an occupational hazard that comes with the territory. Being the soothsayer of the tribe is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. ​By the way, I cannot remember that I have ever encountered a client whose psychic reading revealed that they were meant to remain single all their life? And if I ever do, I am very certain that I will receive additional information from spirit to explain why this must be so, and what purpose it will serve in that person’s life. Our lives are never a mistake. Misfortune is never our true destiny. However, most fortune-tellers will never tell you this. Destiny & Co-Creation Although we are the creators of our own life experience, and we by and large hold the reigns of our own destiny, we also co-exist in a shared reality experience which we co-create with others every day. Not only does our free will operate within the confines of this collective consciousness, but the free will of others also have a profound effect on our daily lives and various aspects of our destiny. ​The future of your romantic relationship or marriage, for example, is not determined solely by you, but also by your partner’s free will choices and decisions. And what happens at work is seldom only your call (even if you are self-employed) since your customers, colleagues, employers and even the local culture and global economy, all determine the future of your career, or business. You are also not solely responsible for the election of certain political candidates, nor do you control the bad decisions made by your government. Neither can you alone be held accountable for all the misguided trends in mainstream popular culture, for example. There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox ​​For this reason a legitimate psychic reading will always focus on what you can control, instead of what you cannot control. And what you cannot control is what other people are going to think, say or do. Neither can you control the flow of the Universe, the forces of Nature, or the will of God. So, what can you control? What are you responsible for? Although you contribute to shaping the reality we live in, and although the Universe yields to your desires, and molds itself around your energetic intentions, the only thing you can ultimately control is yourself, and how you are going to choose to think, feel and act in any given situation. This is where our true power lies in being the masters of our own destiny: self-awareness, self-realization and spiritual growth through individuation, transcendence and service. ​When a genuine psychic reading reveals unwanted outcomes in your future involving the free will choices of others, you will be spiritually counseled on how to reduce its probability, or at least be advised how to better manage those predicted outcomes, even if you cannot entirely control them. Fortune-telling, on the other hand, typically does not offer this facility. Usually you will merely be informed that your spouse will leave you for someone else, for example, or that your boss will fire you. And that will be that. Period. Unless you consulted the kind of fortune-teller who would then proceed to sell you a 'love potion', 'curse removing candle' or 'magic spell' to influence the free will of others or change the outcome of your terrible fate. And meddling with the free will of others is never a good idea. In fact, it is a messy metaphysical business and a very dangerous practice. Proceed at your own risk. Destiny & Divine Intervention Some of the predestined events in our lives truly are ‘acts of God.’ Sometimes these major contrasting events in our lives serve as safety mechanisms , to protect us from our own free will, should we not stick to our original life plan, or should we make some bad choices and decisions along the way. And sometimes they kick into gear as trigger mechanisms , when we have drifted from our life path… or got stuck next to the road. These contrasting events then ignite a major life transition, or launch a whole new chapter in our lives. Or they push us in a different direction, or they elevate us to higher level. Divine intervention always changes our lives, often in very significant, and even radical ways. Whatever the aim may be, these 'acts of God' always happens at the right time and place, and for the right reasons. It is always meant to serve a higher purpose and the greater good, and it always ends up being in our own best interest - even if we cannot see it at the time. ​Who or what is responsible for these life-changing events? Your interpretation will depend on your personal belief system, spiritual conviction, or religious orientation. Whoever or whatever you may choose to attribute it to, these preordained events are never designed to punish, curse, or destroy us. That is not the nature, nor the purpose of divine intervention. But fortune-tellers seldom tell you this. ​It is also important to know that predestined contrasting events due to divine intervention, are seldom revealed to us in psychic readings before they happen, for obvious reasons. Surely, it will no longer be an ‘intervention’ if we are prematurely forewarned that our apple cart is about to be upset, or that life is planning to throw us a major curve ball! But whenever life does unexpectedly rock your boat with one of these major contrasting experiences, a genuine psychic reading will reveal the true nature of such a predestined event or circumstance, and offer an explanation for why it has occurred, and how to best deal with it going forward. A good psychic reading empowers you to live your life by design. Fortune-telling typically does not offer you this option. Destiny & Fortune-Telling The real hazard of fortune-telling is not so much that it exempts us from personal responsibility, or that it leaves little room for personal choice or spiritual growth. It has a far more ominous, hidden danger in its potential for becoming a deeply destructive force in your life. In fact, I have seen how fortune-telling can potentially derail a life plan and literally interfere with God’s work. No wonder some folks describe fortune-telling as the ‘devil’s work.’ In have personally witnessed the damaged lives and broken hearts that sometimes result from the aftermath of a misguided fortune-telling. You see, the predictions of fortune-tellers sometimes actually do come true - not because those events were predestined in someone’s life, but because the person chose to believe the words of the fortune-teller, and thus set the spiritual wheels in motion to create, attract and ultimately manifest the predicted outcome into their life. In other words, they basically allowed the fortune-telling to interfere with their free will and redesigned their original life plan as a consequence. And as you may well know from movie caricatures and psychic cartoons… fortune-tellers traditionally have a reputation for being ‘negative nellies’ and’ debbie downers.’ There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost ~ Martha Graham ​My advice is to be careful about who you choose to consult with, and what information you choose to include in your personal vision for your future. Trust your intuition, and use your common sense. Legitimate psychic readings aim to inspire, enlighten, and uplift, and they never predict unavoidable tragedy, disease, and death. Real psychic readings will show you many of the options and possibilities available to you, and reveal a variety of probable and alternative outcomes for your future. And in times of need, a genuine psychic reading will come and find you when you get lost on a stormy night. ​Fortune-telling, on the other hand, typically does not offer the above prospects. It is instead nothing more than a rigid road map through an often very dark tunnel. There is only one direct path. Only one single route. It has a beginning, middle and (usually dramatic or tragic) end. You enter at birth, and exit when you croak. And you have no choice or control over what happens to you along the way. If anyone ever attempts to reduce your divinely inspired, many-splendored life plan to such a one-dimensional, trivial affair… do yourself a favor and grab your wallet, and run. © 2018 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

It is recommended to begin all spiritual activities, meditations, intuitive development exercises, as well as energy or healing work, with a basic psychic protection routine. A well-designed grounding, centering and shielding meditation or visualization exercise will create a solid safeguard and meditative energy foundation for any kind of spiritual practice session. Centering is the process of anchoring and centralizing your inner, non-physical being within your physical body, while grounding (or earthing) refers to strengthening or reaffirming your connection with physical reality, the secular world and planet Earth. ​Centering and grounding is therefore aimed at stabilizing yourself energetically , by firmly setting a mindful, harmonious balance between your body and soul, between the spiritual and the secular, between the physical and the metaphysical. Being grounded and centered is to feel safe and securely anchored in the physical world, while opening up to increased energy flow, and metaphysical or spiritual input. You may ask why you would attempt to increase your awareness of your physical body, and earthly reality, when you are going to be engaging in spiritual or metaphysical activity? Why would you want yourself, and the ground beneath you, to feel ‘more real’ and tangible, when you are going to venture into the deepest recesses of subconscious unconsciousness? I always liken it to the exploration of a deep, mysterious cave. The best way not to get lost while you are venturing deeper and deeper into that unfamiliar grotto is to tie a long roll of string to the entrance of the cave, so that you can follow it back on your way out. Grounding, centering and shielding is like having your sailboat firmly anchored on the open sea, while you are scuba diving nearby to explore the unknown depths of the ocean. There are many creative ways you can achieve a deeply grounded, centered and shielded state of being at the beginning of your spiritual practice sessions. I believe it is best to intuitively find what works best for you as a unique individual. In my work with students and clients over the years, I have found that no two people are intuitively and spiritually ‘wired’ in the same way. You can use the following general guidelines to design your own grounding and centering process. Sacred Space Find a quiet place free from distractions to do your spiritual exercises. The best place for this would be the 'sacred space’ you created for your daily spiritual practice. More information about how to create a sacred space in your home or office can be found in my book Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny . Meditation Music Use music, if it will aid you. I like to use instrumental music when doing spiritual or energy work, as I find it helps me to focus. However, it is vital to choose appropriate music that will not be distracting or dominating. You do not want the music to stimulate your imagination and begin to color your intuitive impressions, so that it loses validity or accuracy. If music distracts you, don’t use it at all. Also, using music during exercises for clairaudience, for example, makes no sense as it will most likely drown out any auditory impressions you may perceive. Comfortable Positioning Sit or lie in a position that is comfortable and which allows you to fully relax. If you experience any discomfort, adjust your position until your find something that works. Creating a closed energy circuit can be of great value. This is done by crossing your legs at the ankles and interlocking your hands or finger. This will greatly enhance your grounding and provide a stable basis for energy flow. Mindful Breathing Close your eyes and focus on mindful breathing by diverting your attention to the natural flow of your breath. Become more conscious of your breath. If you find it helpful you can do a specific meditation or yoga breathing exercise to establish a base, before going into natural, mindful breathing. Do not put any further effort into your breathing. Simply allow your breathing to flow easily and spontaneously, while you merely observe it happening. As you increasingly focus on your breathing, begin to slow down your thoughts. Disengage your mind. Discontinue all thinking and shut down any ‘self-talk’ that may be going on in your head. Let your active mind become quiet. Clear your mind of all conscious thought. Use visualization if you find it helpful. For example, imagine your mind being the tranquil, reflective surface of a lake without any ripples, or imagine your mind to be like an empty, white screen. Do not allow your mind to wander. Simply relax and try to think of absolutely nothing. Ask also your emotions to become calm. Evoke from within a sense of neutral serenity, of inner peace. Become emotionless. Disengage your senses. Stop paying attention to your sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch sensations. Focus on experiencing the stillness. Embrace the silence within. If any thoughts, feelings or physical sensations emerge, simply accept each one of them as they come. Give them the space to come and go, but do not judge your thoughts and do not get involved with your feelings. If at some point you do become distracted by a thought or feeling, simply take note of it for a moment, and then gently return your attention back to your breathing. Remain aware of the ebb and flow of your breathing and feel yourself come to rest in this present moment. Progressive Relaxation Once you have settled into the rhythm of your breathing, begin to progressively relax different sections of your body, focusing on one area at a time. Ideally, start from your feet and work all the way up to the top of your head. Focus on one area at a time and feel those muscles and organs relax. ​Beginners often find it useful to first tense the muscles in every area and holding the contraction for a few moments, and then releasing it completely and feeling the area relaxing. This creates a more tangible sensation to ensure a deeper level of relaxation. ​Notice any physical sensations you are having that may be distracting or that may interfere with your process. Simply take note of the feeling or sensation for a moment, and then gently return your attention back to your relaxation process. Focus on your body becoming perfectly calm, relaxed and still. Once you have achieved a perfectly relaxed, mindful state, you are ready to proceed with your grounding, centering and shielding exercises. Aura Cleansing It is a good idea to start your energy protection process with some form of psychic cleansing visualization. For example, imagine yourself taking a 'spiritual shower' under a waterfall or in the ocean, and see how the healing water splashes over you, washing away all negative energy 'leftovers' or spiritual attachments that might be hanging around in your energy field, or aura. Another cool option is to visualize a bright spotlight, or a powerful lazer beam, or even a magic wand (sort of like a dental curing light) that emanates healing energy. Use this light to scan your aura from top to bottom, neutralizing and 'sterilizing' any unwanted energetic debris from your energy field. Solid Centering Begin by solidifying your center. Centering is about finding that quiet, inner core of your being. Simply go within and sense where your center is. I find for many people this is usually in the area of the solar plexus, although I have worked with people who felt it in the root or sacral chakras, or even in the heart chakra. Sometimes it is useful to use a visualization if you find it challenging to locate your center, for example, visualizing that you are the core of a lotus flower. Once you have found your center or core, feel it stabilize and becoming solid and fixed, then attach it to your grounding cord (see next step) and proceed to ground your energy to the earth below you. Grounding Cord Once you are mindfully centered, the next step is to 'earth' yourself with an energy grounding 'cord.' Grounding creates a firm loop or circuit for energy flow. ​Once again this is up to your creative imagination. The idea is to direct your energy in such a way that you become firmly grounded to the earth below you. This can be achieved by simply visualizing a strong cord or ‘steel chain’ that anchors you to the center of the earth, or imagine yourself as an ‘old oak tree’ with thick, sturdy roots growing deeper and deeper into the ground. A root chakra meditation or visualization exercise can also be introduced as part of your grounding process. ​A misconception about grounding is that it keeps you from somehow being ‘airy fairy’ or ‘ditsy’, as if you might levitate and float away... giggling... into a twilight world of rainbows and unicorns! Actually, the real purpose of grounding or earthing is not to ‘tie you down.' Instead it can be likened to the earthing or grounding of the electricity circuit in your home. Similar to a house's earth leakage, all unwanted energy is redirected through your ‘grounding cord’ and discharged into the earth, which serves to protect you. Another suitable metaphor is a lightning conductor, which is basically a metal rod attached to an exposed part of a tall building or other structure, which serves to divert potential lightning strikes harmlessly into the ground. Psychic Shielding The final step in the process is to erect a protective psychic shield around you. Find an image or shield concept that works for you. It can be anything that you personally relate with, and will provide you with a sense of safety and security. There are many ways to do this, for example surrounding yourself with a golden ‘wall of energy’, or creating a ‘glass sphere’ around you, or seeing yourself in a ‘circle of white light’, or placing a series of ‘mirrors’ facing outwards to form a protective ring around you. Whatever ‘shield’ you choose to use, ensure that you visualize it having two distinct qualities: your mind must perceive it as impenetrable and unbreakable so that it is strong, safe and secure enough to keep all unwanted influences or negative energy out, while still being permeable or porous enough to allow all wanted input and positive energy in. For example, instead of putting up an iron ‘wall’ around you, visualize yourself inside a steel ‘cage’ or a metal ‘sieve’. A wall is solid, a cage or sieve is not. Yet, they are equally strong. Your shield does not have to be realistic or practical. Use your imagination to create whatever shield works best for you intuitively. You may also prefer to combine your spiritual protection shield with a prayer blessing or invocation, depending on your personal belief system.The most important thing is that whatever shield you create must be believable to your subconscious mind and must make you feel secure. If it is not making you feel safe, it will only serve to distract you, which will cause your protective energy to waiver. The aim of these kinds of visualizations is to direct and maneuver energy using your mental focus. You should now be firmly centered, grounded and shielded and your rational mind disengaged enough for you to be ready to begin your spiritual growth exercise, intuitive development activity or energy work. Initially, you may find that developing your basic process takes some time and you will not always be completely successful with every attempt. But with regular, frequent practice you will become more proficient and the process will begin to flow more easily and automatically and ultimately become second nature. Excerpt adapted from the book Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny. © 2017 Anthon St. Maarten ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

Clairgustance is probably the most rare and unusual of all psychic perceptions. It is the nonsensory perception of gustatory or ‘taste’ impressions. Psychics and mediums with this psychic preference experience various mental ‘taste’ and ‘flavor’ impressions. The term gustance means ‘pertaining to taste' or 'tasting’ from Latin gustatus ‘sense of taste; a taste,’ and gustare ‘to taste,’ from root geus- ‘to taste; or to choose.’ What might the purpose of such an odd psychic preference be? Well, it does come in handy. Forensic or medical psychics and mediums, for example, benefit greatly from the ability to perceive ‘taste’ impressions relating to chemicals, drugs, or even blood. These psychic impressions can offer clues to the cause of disease, or how a victim was kidnapped or murdered. Some medical psychics and mediums can perceive taste impressions of foods, substances, and flavors that indicate nutritional shortages and other health issues. For example, tasting ‘chocolate’ while channeling for a patient might indicate they have a magnesium deficiency. A ‘saline’ taste may signify a sodium deficiency, while the taste of ‘blood’ or ‘raw meat’ could point to a chronic iron or vitamin B deficiency. Tastes of medicinal substances can also indicate probable causes of illness, or what kind of treatment to seek. Scarcely one person in a thousand is capable of tasting the happiness of others ~ Henry Fielding Clairgustant spirit mediums sometimes rely on their tasting ability to channel afterlife validations. In this case the taste impression is associated with the former human personality of the spirit entity, or the special relationship the soul identity had with their family while they were in this life. The ‘taste’ impression usually identifies exactly whose energy is ‘coming though’ from the other side. For example, few things are more validating in a mediumship reading than a ‘cinnamon taste’ reminder of granny’s home-baked biscuits made from her secret recipe, or the ‘sweet and sour’ memories of a beloved sibling’s favorite ketchup brand, which he always smothered his food with at family gatherings. In physical mediumship, various oral sensations, such as dry mouth, belching, hiccups, and salivating are also reported by some mediums. The Brazilian physical medium Amyr Amiden, for example, is able to anticipate his manifestations of unusual stigmata whenever he experiences an ‘acidic taste.’ [1] But psychic taste impressions are not only applicable to the dearly departed and nonphysical spirit entities. Psychics also experience tastes associated with the living. For example, when I am about to receive a phone call from one of my closest friends, I always get a strong taste of Cabernet Sauvignon, his favorite red wine cultivar. He is an avid wine collector and connoisseur, and whenever we meet, he always opens a bottle. Over the years, I have come to associate this taste with his personal ‘energy signature.’ Surprise visits from him are therefore impossible, try as he might! But I do not experience these clairgustant impressions very often, and fortunately I usually have to deal mostly with pleasant flavor impressions, whenever it does occur in a channeling session. The worst I typically perceive is the strong taste of ‘cigarette butts’ or ‘ashtray,’ when I channel for clients who are avid smokers — to the extent that I sometimes even experience a ‘choking’ sensation during those readings. Some psychics and mediums, however, report much stranger and more unpleasant taste perceptions, including ‘rubber, charcoal, urine, and bile.’ Clairgustant psychics and mediums typically also perceive clairolfactory or psychic smell impressions that accompany these taste perceptions. It is logical that this mental partnership would exists in a metaphysical context, since our ordinary perception of taste and smell also go hand-in-hand. In fact, without smell people are unable to accurately distinguish most tastes. Research on psi phenomena relating to gustation is limited, but some evidence has been reported in related studies. Researcher Frank Podmore demonstrates in his telepathy experiments, for example, the telepathic transference of simple sensations, including taste, between two subjects in various states of consciousness. Experimenters (senders) tasted certain substances and then asked the participants (receivers) to describe what they were tasting. Vinegar was described as a “sharp and nasty taste;” port wine as “between eau de cologne and beer;” and nutmeg initially as “peppermint” and then “no, what you put in puddings…nutmeg."[2] In a systematic investigation of psychometry or ‘token object reading,’ early psychic researcher Joseph Rhodes Buchanan studied an American Civil War general who experienced an unpleasant ‘metal taste’ whenever he touched brass objects. Inspired by this discovery, Buchanan soon found that many of his own psychometry students were able to identify various unseen metals, wrapped in paper, purely through touch. [3] Buchanan then went on to experiment with impressions of taste by asking students to touch envelopes containing various substances, like sugar and salt, and even emetics (medications used to induce nausea and vomiting) and found many of them susceptible to these influences. [4] The Russian psychic Nina Kulagina was observed being able to telekinetically spin a compass; stop a pendulum or change the direction of its swing; as well as prevent a scale from unbalancing. She would lose as much as two kilograms (4.4 pounds) of body weight during these psychokinetic demonstrations (more than would typically be lost in a similar period by means of strenuous physical exercise). Furthermore, she reported other adverse physical effects, including the perception of a ‘metallic taste’ in her mouth. [5] Excerpt from The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception . © 2022 Anthon St. Maarten REFERENCES [1] Wehrstein, KM (2018). Amyr Amiden (Physical Medium)’. Psi Encyclopedia. The Society For Psychical Research. [2] Podmore, F. (1894). Apparitions And Thought-Transference; An Examination Of The Evidences For Telepathy. Walter Scott. [3] Abreu, N. & Riise, T. (2018). Ordinary People, Extraordinary Experiences: Real Cases Of Transformative Phenomena. Independently Published. [4] Buchanan, J.R. (1885). Manual of Psychometry. Holmax Brothers. [5] Wehrstein, KM (2021). Nina Kulagina. Psi Encyclopedia. The Society For Psychical Research. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.

Distinctive smell perceptions have long been associated with a variety of psychic and supernatural phenomena. Some psychic mediums with this unusual talent rely on their ability to ‘smell spirit’ in order to validate loved ones who have crossed over, or to identify the presence of spirit entities. Some psychics also use this rare psychic ability to gain insight into events of the past, present and future. It is the unique psychic ability known as clairolfaction, the gift of psychic smell. Psychic smell or clairolfaction is a lesser-known psychic preference involving olfactory or smell perceptions, which may include both pleasant aromas and putrid odors. The term olfaction means ‘sense of smell, faculty of smelling,’ from Latin olfacere ‘to smell, get the smell of,’ and olere ‘to emit a smell.’ However, despite clairolfaction being a rare phenomenon there are many synonyms in everyday use for this psychic perception preference, including: Clairosmesis from Greek osmēsis, from osmasthai to smell, perceive by smell. Clairessence derived from ‘ingredient which gives something its particular character,’ as in ‘distilled oils from plants, fragrance, perfume.’ Clairscent from Old French sentir "to feel, smell, touch, taste; perceive;’ and Latin sentire ‘to perceive, sense, discern.’ Clairalience (etymological origin unknown) In psychology and medicine, smelling an odor that is not physically present in the environment is considered to be an olfactory hallucination, or a medical condition known as phantosmia, or ‘phantom smell.’ Cacosmia , its ‘unpleasant’ version is however found to be more common and typically described as the phantom smell of something burned, foul, spoiled, or rotten. [1] While distortion in ordinary smell perception does indeed occur and certainly requires medical attention, assuming that ‘phantom smells’ are always due to hallucination or medical pathology does not explain why some psychics, mediums, healers, exorcists, and paranormal investigators experience these unusual smell perceptions, while their normal smell otherwise remains unaffected? Clairolfaction is not frequently acknowledged or discussed in the psychic community, probably because it is not a common psychic preference. It is most often associated with unusual mediumship experiences and spirit phenomena. Whether it is purely a mediumship phenomenon, or simply misunderstood or underreported by psychics is unclear, but accounts of this phenomenon traditionally focus mostly on extreme paranormal phenomena, such as poltergeist activity and demonic possession. The case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren include, for example, numerous accounts of foul ‘cacosmic’ odors and bizarre smell phenomena, such as those in the book In a Dark Place . [2] Psi research data on clairolfaction further appears to be limited mostly to physical mediumship, for example the anecdotal accounts of physical mediums Indridi Indridason and Franek Kluski. Indridason produced a fragrant smell when he was channeling, as well as other smells, such as seaweed. These smells would sometimes cling to other people after he touched them. [3] Various odors also permeated Kluski’s body during séances, including the smells of fruit, leaves, flowers, incense, disinfectant, animal smells, rotting flesh, sweat, and dirty clothing. These smells reportedly clung to him for a long time and were emitted from different parts of his body. [4]   It is unfortunate that psychic smelling is generally overlooked in both psi research and the psychic community, as smell perceptions are some of the most psychologically and emotionally meaningful ‘qualia’ people experience. “Not only is it a chief component of taste,” writes Amelia Buckley, “but it holds the key to our emotions. It is a primary factor in memory and can manipulate our feelings in a way that sight or sound can’t quite do.” [5]   Memories, imagination, old sentiments, and associations are more readily reached through the sense of smell than through any other channel. ~ Oliver Wendell Smell is indeed a powerful sense. We all experience smell associations that instantly take us back to moments of heightened emotion or special memories. It is no accident, for example, that when we experience a negative intuition or gut feeling we say things like, ‘I smell a rat,’ or ‘it smells to high heaven,’ or ‘something smells fishy.’ Smells have the unique ability to immediately evoke emotions or trigger vivid memories. No other sense can so instantly bring back a meaningful moment from the past, or invoke the memory of a special person or event. This class perception phenomenon is an exceptionally meaningful aspect of channeling or reading for those practitioners who do experience it. Clairolfactory psychics and mediums tend to also perceive clairgustance or psychic taste impressions along with certain smell perceptions. It makes sense that this mental partnership would exists in a metaphysical context, since our physical perception of taste and smell also go hand-in-hand. SMOKE & PERFUME The most commonly reported experiences of psychic smell involve the smell of a deceased loved one’s perfume, as well as smells associated with cigarette and cigar smoke. I had a very striking personal experience of this while having lunch at a restaurant one day, when I began to smell the stench of second-hand tobacco smoke. I complained to the waiter, as it was supposed to be a non-smoking area, but both my companion and the waiter were perplexed, as neither of them smelled anything, and there was clearly nobody smoking inside the venue? Driving home, I soon realized the truth. Whoever had been ‘stinking up’ the restaurant was now also ‘chain-smoking’ inside my car. Later that evening, the ‘culprit’ made himself known during a mediumship reading. The first thing I said to my client was, “whoever the person is you were hoping to connect with today, I can already tell you one thing for sure…he must have smoked like a chimney!” She confirmed that he indeed used to smoke two to three packs a day. Smoke and perfume are however not the only smell perceptions clairolfactors perceive. In readings I have perceived the smell of flowers (especially roses), perfume or cologne, cigarette smoke, leather, incense, spices, fresh bread, fast food (hamburgers and pizza), animals (including dogs, cats, and horses), sea water, and even ‘wet sand.’ Sometimes these smell impressions can be very unpleasant, but fortunately for me that does not happen very often. Foul smells I have had to endure include urine, dirty laundry, and chemicals (alcohol, turpentine, and disinfectant). I have however heard of psychics and mediums who smell even worse things, like ‘burning rubber,’ ‘wet dog,’ and ‘rotting eggs.’ Paranormal investigators also report in books like Exposed, Uncovered & Declassified: Ghosts, Spirits, & Hauntings: Am I Being Haunted? the smell of sulphur as one of the classic signs of a haunting or demonic activity. [6] [7] OZONE ORBS The most interesting aspect of my own ‘smelling ability’ is an unusual odor I began perceiving early on in my career. While I am channeling, spirit energy at times manifests clairvoyantly in the periphery of my ordinary vision as light orbs of ‘flickering, floating lights,’ comparable to ‘seeing stars,’ or the ‘flashers and floaters’ you see after looking into a bright light. These orbs usually bring with it a distinctive smell. The best way I can describe it is that it smells like ‘electricity’ or ‘ozone.’ It is not unpleasant, simply unusual. For a long time, I had no way of describing it, until I bought a small air purifier many years ago. I soon discovered that the faint smell of ozone, generated in small quantities by the negative ions from the purifier, was quite similar. I have since discovered I am not the only one to experience this phenomenon and that similar cases have been reported physical mediumship. A well-documented example is a report by psi researcher Gustave Geley of a séance conducted by physical medium Franek Kluski on March 17th, 1920, during which he produced ‘phosphorescent lights smelling of ozone.’ From these lights, floating in the air, came what looked like shining smoke, accompanied by a very strong smell of ozone, which the participants smelled until the end of the séance. Some of the participants were touched by what seemed like a shining, flowing stream which over a period continued to shine on the hands, hair, and faces which it touched. The little fires, which kept appearing in increasing numbers, started to travel through the medium and come out of him . [8] In Other Realities?: The Enigma of Franek Kluski’s Mediumship author Zofia Weaver writes that according to Geley’s records ozone was the most frequent odor occurring around Kluski during his séances and was often associated with these ‘highly phosphorescent, moving lights.’ [9] AUSPICIOUS AROMA I have been rather fortunate with clairolfaction, as I have in recent years begun to experience an unusual phenomenon of foreboding or portentous clairolfaction that is exceptionally positive, pleasant and uplifting. I suspect it may be something I have been experiencing all my life, but for some reason I only became aware of it more recently. I have also not been able to find any information on this phenomenon. I call it auspicious aroma . Merriam-Webster defines auspicious as ‘having qualities which inspire hope’ and ‘pointing toward a happy outcome,’ while an aroma is ‘a sweet or pleasant smell,’ as well as a ‘special quality or impression associated with something.’ My ‘auspicious aromas’ are pleasant, happy, comforting ‘smells’ that are mostly indescribable, but always a good sign. One of the only significant associations I have been able to make thus far was a smell perception that somehow reminded me of the pantry in my maternal grandparents’ home (one of my favorite places when I was a child). The feeling I have when I perceive these smells is vague excitement and a sense of joy. I have found that they are always a good omen or foreboding that something good, positive, reassuring, or fortunate is about to occur in my life. For me it is essentially the ‘phantom smell’ version of finding a four-leaf clover or seeing a shooting star. Science writer Alexandra Michel argues that psychology textbooks have taught us for decades that there is a clear line of distinction between perception — how we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell — and higher-level cognitive processes that allow us to integrate and interpret our senses. Yet, emerging interdisciplinary research is showing that the delineation between perception and cognition may be much blurrier than previously thought…New findings also show that our so-called low-level perceptual processes, such as smell, may actually be much smarter than previously thought. Discerning exactly what is top-down or bottom-up may be far more complicated than scientists once believed. [10] Neuroscientist John McGann uses cutting-edge techniques to explore the neurobiology of sensory cognition in smell. He uses the olfactory system as a model to investigate neural processing of sensory stimuli. He argues that our nose knows more than we realize. He believes the myth that our ability to smell is ‘non-essential’ is a serious mistake that has caused science to neglect research in this critical and mysterious part of the human mind. [11] In a recent series of experiments McGann discovered that “it was like the information coming into the brain from the nose already had the memory of bad things incorporated into it.” [12] In other words, we appear to be able to ‘know’ or ‘predict’ information from a smell, before the actual smell information even reaches our brain for sensory processing. MEDICAL OLFACTION Similar to other psychic preferences, clairolfactory psychics and mediums also develop personal symbolism or subjective associations with their psychic smell perceptions. For example, I can tell someone is terminally ill whenever I smell ‘rotting peaches.’ This association comes from an early childhood experience when I was about five years old. While visiting my grandparents, they introduced me to a sickly little girl who lived across the street from them. The day we met she was playing outside with her older brother. He was gently pushing her in a makeshift swing attached to the overhanging branch of a large peach tree. The instant I saw her, it seemed like the bright sunlight of a perfect summer’s day suddenly vanished. A dark, depressing shadow descended for me over everything, and I was overwhelmed by a sense of profound sadness, anxiety, despair. In that gloomy moment, the air was thick with the unpleasant odor of rotting peaches on the ground around us. I felt that she was extremely sick and dying, and so I came to associate the ‘peach smell’ with terminal illness. Years later, I was told that soon after we met, she had passed away from leukemia. Clairolfaction is especially meaningful in the context of health and healing, as some medical psychics, mediums and energy healers report the ability to ‘smell disease,’ or detect the early symptoms of illness, or identify affected areas of the body through smell impressions. Research in this field is limited, but there has been renewed interest recently due to Joy Milne who unknowingly smelled her husband had Parkinson's disease — over a decade before his symptoms became severe enough for him to seek help and be diagnosed. Despite a keen sense of smell since childhood, Milne never realized she had a ‘superpower,’ until the couple attended a support group for people with Parkinson's. There were many people gathered in the room and as soon as she walked in, she realized they all had the same ‘greasy, musty smell’ she begun smelling on her husband many years earlier, before he was diagnosed. Once she realized the connection, they approached a researcher in regenerative medicine, but he dismissed her claims, thinking it was impossible. Several months later, he heard about research that showed dogs could smell cancer, [13] which reminded him of Milne. He then invited her to participate in an experiment in which she was asked to smell T-shirts worn overnight by two groups: people who had Parkinson's, and a control group. Not only was she incredibly accurate (she only made one mistake), but she was even able to tell if a person was in the early or late stages of the disease. [14] [15] Interestingly, there is another case of a man who happens to suffer from Parkinson’s hallucinations, during which he smells a ‘noxious skunk-onion excrement odor’ that would suddenly intensify two to three hours before a weather storm, and would last until it has passed. According to a 2013 study he is the first reported case of ‘weather-induced exacerbation of phantosmia.’ [16] Excerpt from The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception . © 2022 Anthon St. Maarten REFERENCES [1] Leopold, D.A. (2002). Distortion Of Olfactory Perception: Diagnosis And Treatment. Chemical Senses. [2] Warren, E & Warren, L. (2014). In A Dark Place. Graymalkin Media. [3] Haraldsson, E. (2018). Indridi Indridason (Medium). Psi Encyclopedia. The Society for Psychical Research. [4] Weaver, Z. (2018). Franek Kluski. Psi Encyclopedia. The Society for Psychical Research. [5] Buckley, A. (2020). Stop And Smell The Roses! An Ode To The Most Beguiling Sense. OptimistDaily.com [6] Pye, M. et. al. (2011). Exposed, Uncovered & Declassified: Ghosts, Spirits, & Hauntings: Am I Being Haunted? New Page Books. [7] Wilson, C. (2015). Mysteries: An Investigation Into The Occult, The Paranormal, And The Supernatural. Diversion Books. [8] Weaver, Z. (2015). Other Realities? The Enigma Of Franek Kluski’s Mediumship. White Crow Books. [9] Weaver, Z. (2018). Franek Kluski. Psi Encyclopedia. The Society for Psychical Research. [10] Michel, A. (2020). Cognition and Perception: Is There Really A Distinction? Association For Psychological Science. PsychologicalScience.org [11] McGann, J.P. (2017). Poor Human Olfaction Is A 19th-Century Myth. Science. [12] Science Podcast: 13 December Show. Listen To Stories On Fear-Enhanced Odor Detection. Science.org. [13] Experimental Biology. (2019). Study Shows Dogs Can Accurately Sniff Out Cancer In Blood. ScienceDaily.com. [14] An Unlikely Superpower. (2020). Invisibilia: Season 6, Episode 3. Npr.org. [15] Trivedi, D.K. et. al. (2019). Discovery Of Volatile Biomarkers Of Parkinson’s Disease From Sebum. ACS Central Science. [16] Aiello, S. R. & Hirsch, A. R. (2013). Phantosmia As A Meteorological Forecaster. International Journal Of Biometeorology. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anthon St. Maarten is a psychic medium and destiny coach with a global clientele of thought leaders, business executives, celebrities, politicians, academics, and luminaries in the arts and sciences in more than thirty countries spanning five continents. He is also a metaphysics teacher, psychic development coach, podcaster, and spiritual blogger. Anthon is a hereditary psychic medium in professional practice since 2004 and a liberal arts post-graduate with a major in psychology . Anthon publishes the spiritual life design blog, The S Word , and is the author of Divine Living: The Essential Guide To Your True Destiny and The Sensible Psychic: A Leading-Edge Guide To True Psychic Perception.