No, it's not about crystal balls or tarot cards!  Those are fortune telling

devices. 

    A reading is where a medium or psychic sits with a client, one on one,

and gives information about the client's past, present, and future.  They

frequently counsel people about problems they may be experiencing in

their personal lives, work place, and/or love life.  For the purpose of

alleviating grief, mediums are frequently asked to contact loved ones

who have passed onto the spirit side of life.  Often messages are

conveyed to the client from the loved one in spirit.  Finances, health,

relationships, occupational areas, and spiritual growth are all areas one

would expect to have addressed during a reading.      

     The difference between a psychic and a medium is simple.  The

ability to psychically tune into someone is a mental gift.  It is sensing

and knowing.  Everyone is psychic to a certain degree.  When you know

who is calling on the phone before you answer it, you are being psychic.

     A medium is able to communicate with those who have passed over

into the spirit world.  They may see, hear, feel or smell spirits, and from

this communication can determine who they are contacting.  They receive

information and possibly guidance from the spirits and convey such

information to the client.  All mediums are psychic, but not all psychics

are mediums.

     To clear up a few misconceptions, let me say that mediums and

psychics are not any weirder than your next door neighbor!  They may

have a less than normal occupation, but that doesn't make them weird. 

And contrary to popular belief, they don't read your mind when you're

in their presence.  Giving a reading is not about readings minds anyway. 

Reputable mediums know how to turn on their gifts and turn them off.

     The best way to find a reputable medium or psychic is by referral. 

Ask someone who has had a reading to recommend a good reader.  If

you don't know anyone who has had a reading, go to a New Age bookstore

or a Spiritualist church and ask for a list of readers.

     I hope this has helped to enlighten you about this subject.