Ethics of a Psychic Reading: A Guide for Professional and Amateur Messengers of Psychic Information

By Suzanne Newnham

Understand the responsibilities of working with energies.

Based on her personal experiences and observations of energy and psychic phenomena and the manner in which they are delivered, psychic Suzanne Newnham offers this guide designed to help people expand their understanding of the world related to psychic and energetic phenomena.

Organised into three easy-to-follow sections, Ethics of a Psychic Reading will help both amateur and professional messengers build their knowledge base.

The first section clarifies terminology used when speaking about the psychic world, including terms used to describe the various types and styles of psychic connection, tools used for psychic readings and healing, and techniques utilising psychic communication. The second section looks at style and the delivery of readings. The third section addresses other aspects that are important when looking at the complexities and the ethics of a psychic reading.

This guide, presented from a psychics perspective, seeks to make the most of giving paranormal messages and understanding possible ways a client might receive those messages. A summary is included at the end of most chapters to offer concise points for study and to facilitate discussion.

Ethics of a Psychic Reading is also designed to elicit questions that will encourage readers to develop their own awareness based on responses and to be mindful of some of the truths and inaccuracies that surround an esoteric subject.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: Jul 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452504155

Suzanne Newnham

At the age of four, Suzanne Newnham started learning to read tea leaves and interpreting dreams. She has researched and taught energy flow as well as psychic communication since 1986; she has also worked professionally as a trance medium since 1998. http://www.suzanne-newnham.com for further information on Suzanne's books, articles, & activities. Connect via facebook, twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin.

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Copyright © 2012 by Suzanne Newnham.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Ethics of a Psychic Reading has been written as a guide. This book and its contents

are not to be used as a basis of consultation, diagnosis, treatment, or counselling

whether in a professional or amateur manner. No guarantees are made as a result of

using information contained herein. Legal requirements regarding psychic information

and healing may vary in different countries therefore professional advice should

be sought relating to your particular situation. Assistance given, or references,

by people in the various information and editing stages do not necessarily reflect

their opinions on the subject of psychic readings and paranormal phenomena.

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technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the

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Balboa Press rev. date: 07/05/2012

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

PREFACE

THANK YOU

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PREAMBLE

INTRODUCTION

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

PART TWO

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

PART THREE

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CONCLUSION

GLOSSARY

REFERENCES

FOREWORD

I wondered why Suzanne asked me to write this foreword—after all, I’m not psychic! Well, not in any significant way. However Suzanne and I have worked together in the energy therapy field for more than a decade, and in that time I have definitely come to value her integrity and high ethical standards. It’s these qualities that Suzanne brings to her missive, written in the context of her professional work as a trance medium and intuitive.

In all our dealings, both professional and private, I have never known her to be dishonest, to dissemble, or to mislead anyone. She is clear in her communications, strives to keep up with current scientific studies into the mysteries of human nature, and has great levels of compassion for all living things. This makes her the ideal author for the topic of this book—ethics within the context of giving and receiving psychic readings.

I have absolutely no doubt about Suzanne’s ethics, but is she psychic? Within a few days of my mother’s death in 2002, Suzanne phoned me with some information. My mother was pleased about the medals, she was glad I’d bought the skipping rope, and she was concerned about the family member who shared her birthday because he was grieving deeply—I was to let him know she was okay.

My mother had applied to receive my father’s war service medals, which arrived the day after her death. I had told no-one about that. I had just bought a skipping rope as an inexpensive way to get some aerobic exercise and to strengthen my bones. No-one knew about that. My nephew (who indeed does share my mother’s birthday), was taking her death very hard. Suzanne has never met him and I never told her about him.

You decide…

Sue Lake-Harris (Dip. Teach., B. Ed.)

Director—Reiki Education Services

Board Member—Council of Australian Reiki Organisations Ltd

Reiki Teacher—Usui Reiki Network International

22 September 2011

PREFACE

Ethics of a Psychic Reading is written from my own experience as a practising trance medium, psychic, clairvoyant, healing therapist and teacher, and also as an ordinary person who goes to a psychic for readings.

I see or sense energy within and around a person or situation and am able to just tune in on another person’s energy, without any tools or props, and receive information on their behalf. This energy may be related to something past which is coming up to be resolved—a person does not have to relive details of what has happened in the past for rebalancing of the energies in the present. Another aspect which may also be indicated is an opportunity or a decision presenting in the near future. Spirit offers guidance so that a person can make the most appropriate decision when the opportunity arises. As an accredited healing therapist I have offered, over many years, healing energies through one, or a combination, of a number of learned techniques or modalities, as well as techniques passed to me by many guides, angels, ascended masters, and people of all different healing modalities who have passed over before their time. I have been blessed to receive that wisdom and knowledge.

I do not know specifically from where information is channelled. I have my theories which work for me but they may not be an adequate explanation for someone else. I make no apologies for the gaps, or for non-inclusion of concrete evidence—a wave of my hand through the air and saying it just came to me from there is often the closest I get to pinpointing the source of the information. As I was growing up the image of the clairvoyant or psychic was more in the realms of a fortune teller or Gypsy as portrayed in movies on television, the exception being my Nanna who just knew things. With a Christian background through Catholicism many dilemmas kept arising—I had been taught to pray and await the answer from God. Direct two-way conversation with God was outside my understanding of the context of prayer and sacred space, and I thought only those such as priests who had devoted themselves to God could have such an intimate connection with the Divine.

However, receiving future information outside the context of prayer at church seemed the normal thing for me. Regularly from the age of four Saturday morning with my Nanna meant tea-leaf reading with our cup of tea and comparing our dreams. I would have half a dream and my Nanna the other half. This was the big learning process and I am forever grateful to Nanna for her kind and experienced tuition. Words my Nanna said to me when I was eight years old echoed true—I asked her why I had to go to church and she didn’t and to paraphrase, she said that I needed the discipline of going to church and finding the spirit of God and then I would be free to pray anywhere like her.

Over the years formal training with various energy techniques, particularly through Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Reiki, and Body Harmony, has taught me a more grounded approach to recognising and working with energy. Especially since the mid 1980s aspects of my life have involved a lot of trial and error, overcoming fears and recognising strengths in regard to working with the energetic and psychic world. Events, situations, and health issues occurring over that time have made it necessary to explore and research the energetic component of the issue to more fully deal with and overcome any limitations presented. I am an extremely lucky woman with my darling husband, Mick, who with his love supports me and through his scientific background encourages me to explore the psychic and energetic worlds to bring both known and potential science together. I dedicate this book to him.

Imparting knowledge and assisting in extending understanding of the impact of the energetic world to enable one’s quality of life to be at its fullest, regardless of circumstances, is what I wish to leave to humanity. I trust that this book will go somewhat towards an understanding of the psychic world and how to achieve the best from this connection, whether as a practitioner or a recipient.

THANK YOU

Thank you to my loving husband and best friend Mick who has supported me for many years, who has been there to comfort me, act as a sounding board, and at times challenge me with questions. From his scientific background he provides me with an understanding of inter-relationship of my world of psychic phenomena and that of mainstream science, and helps foster an eagerness within me to explore the differences and the similarities.

Thank you to my parents, David and Patricia Evans. Pappa and Mamma you taught me that a person can do anything in their life and that the only restrictions are the ones you believe in.

To my son Andrew and daughter Kathryn in carrying on the family tradition of being able to follow your heart’s desire and know that nothing is impossible, you are my joy and continued inspiration. With your respective partners Jennifer and Paul may you all continue to enjoy life to the fullest.

To my sisters Julianne and Joanne, and my brother Peter, you have all taught me much over the years, each of you with a strong independent nature and a faith in your abilities that I have always admired.

To my first teacher Nanna, your Spirit in the both in the physical and non-physical planes has constantly guided me with love. Thank you for always being there and understanding.

For Beth, my granddaughter, your innocence and wonder of the world around you, and your joy at each new lovely experience is beautiful to behold. To my grandsons Mark and Liam I am eager to learn from you the delights of being twin spirits. And to my granddaughter Kyra your strength and determination is already evident at your tender age.

To my parents-in-law Wendy (dec) and Jeff for the many questions and scientific discussions on subjects esoteric around the dinner table at the coast house.

To the following people I would like to put you all at the top of my friends’ list for a special thank you but as that is not physically possible know energetically that it is so. For those people not listed know a special thank you is meant for you also. For pivotal times in my life in relation to energy and the psychic world I will mention just a few people in no particular order. Thank you to Silvia, Monica, Maz, Sue, Annette, Brenda, Stella, Petra, and Spiro.

Thank you to the lady at the party who was the catalyst for my thoughts to realise and transform into the words you are reading today. Her permission to re-tell her situation is greatly appreciated.

A special thank you goes to my ever patient editor Anne Handberg. Anne refined my grammar so that my collection of thoughts and words became legible. I appreciate her numerous questions to help provide clarity so that the rest of the world might understand the content of my book.

Thank you also to Caroline, Hatice, Julianne and Jeff for your assistance with checking specialised areas and scientific aspects, and asking all those questions and supplying comment so that the intent of Ethics of a Psychic Reading remains true and accurate.

To all my family and friends over the years who have been there listening to weird and wonderful hypotheses, joining in the laughter and the tears, for believing me and believing in me thank you.

To all follow your dreams, live life and have fun…

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Acknowledgement and my thanks for assistance, including words and thoughts from other published works, especially Professor Vernon Neppe (Pacific Neuropsychiatric Institute), Professor Peter Singer AC (Princeton University & Melbourne University), Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder (www.superlearning.com), Julianne Evans (https://www.facebook.com/astrologiaperpassione), Dava Sobel (http://www.davasobel.com), John and Caitlin Matthews (www.hallowquest.org.uk), Molly Hall (www.astrology.about.com), Flir Systems Australia Pty Ltd (thermography section, Sydney office), Collins Australian Dictionary (Sydney Office), and Memidex.

The kind folk who helped clarify some information, proof-read and edit, and those who gave permission to cite their work, do not necessarily agree with all the content within this book. Suffice to say they are happy to help the author for whom this book expresses her thoughts on the subject of ethics and psychic readings.

PREAMBLE

In 600BC the Greek scientist and philosopher Thales of Miletus observed the effect when he rubbed a piece of amber causing what we now know as the effects of static electricity. Given that the serious work in static electricity (electrostatics) didn’t commence until some 2,200 years later how would Thales have explained what the general public might have perceived as a type of magic?

Even today, superstition can cause fear and misunderstanding when magic or the supernatural is then given as an explanation for paranormal abilities. A vague wave of the hand and saying the [psychic] information came from there is often the only description currently available until the scientific world can uncover a more objective and rational explanation for natural phenomena.

Even if not considered conventional, psychic connection exists and when utilised and relayed ethically can assist humanity and the environment on a multitude of levels. Whether through a paranormal connection, or learned modality, dealing with what would be considered beyond the normal has up until now been reliant on individual intention and integrity. Ethics of a Psychic Reading is written to enable the amateur or professional purveyor of psychic messages or readings to gain an understanding of the responsibilities of imparting such information.

Enjoy the journey…

INTRODUCTION

Why a book on the ethics of psychic readings?

The question which I am often asked is; what to do when a psychic has prophesied gloom and doom? This question usually comes from a very frightened person.

Regardless of the type of reading given and the information conveyed, the intention of any reading must be for healing for the highest good of the client (this concept is explained in chapter 6—Healing). Where the information is less than pleasant then it is very important to access additional information psychically for options of how the client can move through that period of time and energy. It is important for the psychic not to become ego-involved and tell the client what to do. To leave a client with no hope, even if the information seems accurate, is unethical and potentially unhealthy in many different ways.

In the first part of this book I will clarify areas of terminology. The word clairvoyant or fortune teller is often used to describe a person who gives readings. This might be in the form of reading tarot cards, tea leaves, palms, snake entrails and the like, sticks or stones with writing on them, or the stereotype image of a Gypsy-like person gazing into a crystal ball—and this is only a very condensed list. There seems to be an endless number of ways the future can be told!

There are some differences however in the style and delivery of information, as well as the favoured type of information allowed to come through the reader. This will be discussed in the second part of the book.

The third part will address other aspects that are important when looking at the complexities and the ethics of a psychic reading.

At times repetition, whilst kept to a minimum, is necessary to emphasise an important point or tie in with similarities presented in another section.

There will be some chapters which are based on talks given over the years at Spiritual churches and centres, various organisations, at psychic fairs, and workshops. I have included the transcripts of these talks to illustrate information from a personal perspective.

Whilst approaches to situations and solving them can seem biased, based on just an individual perspective, the telling of personal experience is an invaluable tool in relating a specific human rather than a generalised response. Even though studies should not be based on a single approach, where there are multiple approaches and responses to similar situations then patterns emerge which can be studied and a baseline of understanding and information created.

Ethics of a Psychic Reading has been written as a guide. This book and its contents are not to be used as a basis of consultation, diagnosis, treatment, or counselling, whether in a professional or amateur manner. No exercises have been suggested in this book for development or any other type of connection by the reader. There is a section which briefly mentions that national and local laws and customs differ throughout the world; however, you need to acquaint yourself with regulations applicable to your circumstance as this book does not cover such detail. Professional advice may be required regarding your particular situation.

There is no guarantee offered in any shape, manner or form:

•    relating to any courses, workshops, groups of any kind, individual healing or psychic consultations that the reader of this book undertakes personally or applies to other people;

•    to anyone with whom:

•    this book is discussed;

•    advice given by other professional and non-professional people and organisations suggested in this book; or

•    advice given by individuals or organisations based on the contents stated or implied in this book.

Any suggestions of organisations given in this book are on good faith and through personal experience, though again no guarantee can be given to satisfying your own personal requirements via these organisations.

This book is designed to help expand your understanding of the world related to psychic phenomena, to encourage you to ask questions about it, to develop your own awareness based on your responses, and to be mindful of some of the truths and inaccuracies which surround this esoteric subject. A summary is included at the end of each chapter to offer concise points for study and to facilitate discussion.

I trust you will enjoy reading Ethics of a Psychic Reading.

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

Some of the vocabulary in this book uses

a context specific to psychic guidance, the

paranormal, as well as healing modalities.

In this chapter definitions of everyday words and discussion of concepts, relating to ethics, are given. Words and concepts used to define energy and how it is interpreted by the scientific community are further defined to clarify specific meanings relating to energetic connection, healing energies, as well as psychic and paranormal phenomena.

Ethics, morals and values

A code of ethics is a set of rules of behaviour for the moral well-being of an individual group or, on a larger scale, the society to which that group belongs. Codes of ethics may differ based on national, social, religious, and tradition or heritage, with different groups requiring specific codes to ensure integrity and harmony is maintained. Companies and large organisations might have complex codes of ethics. Each section of the company would possibly require a specific set of ethical guidelines linking into the overall code for that company or organisation. Different professions have quite specific codes based on the requirements for that profession.

Morals define the ideas of right and wrong within a society. Decisions or actions which might be considered acceptable from a moral perspective as right in one community may possibly be considered totally unacceptable according to another community’s code of ethics.

Values and what might be considered right or wrong are dependent upon the belief system of each person. Values can change if the environment around the person’s belief system is successfully challenged. The type of change depends upon whether the outcome is interpreted positively or negatively by that person. Individuals within that community may have different beliefs and this difference would affect the interpretation of morals. In some instances different belief systems may result in different values also.

Morals and values tend to reflect a personal understanding or perspective resulting in an individual application in society. Society reflects the collective group, rather than the individual person, and ethics is the set of principles resulting from the collective application of morals and values. A code of ethics defines these principles for society, whether professional, community or family. The effectiveness of the code is dependent upon the morals and values that the society has in enacting those rules. The degree of acceptance of a code of ethics can also be influenced by possible consequences due to non-adherence to those rules.

Whilst professions such as medicine and law have defined codes of ethics, clairvoyants, psychics, mediums, and natural healers have generally been practicing under an interpretation of the right thing to do based on the culture in which they live. For centuries, up to the present day, this has also been based on a genuine desire to help other living beings.

Consider the profession of law where a defence lawyer has the ethical duty to uphold a justice system so that the client receives an unbiased, impartial hearing and a fair trial. From a moral perspective background information may provide valuable insight into the accused client’s character. Legal ethics may dictate that past information not related to the trial in question may be inadmissible, whereas in a personal situation there may be no moral dilemma in disclosing the same information to protect another person.

The medical profession is faced with ethical decisions and moral dilemmas every day. From both a medical perspective and the consequent health outcome for a patient, a decision based on ethics may be quite simple. However, depending upon different groups within societies there may be either agreement or vehement opposition. Both these points of view may be entirely correct based on the set of values that particular group embraces.

Peter Singer from Practical Ethics¹ explains:

Ethics takes a universal point of view. This does not mean that a particular ethical judgment must be universally applicable. Circumstances alter causes… in making ethical judgments we go beyond our own likes and dislikes.

Collins Australian Dictionary 9th Australian edition, Harper Collins Publishers 2007 defines ethic, ethical, ethics, moral and value in the following ways.

Ethic

•    moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or group;²

Ethical

•    in accordance with principles of conduct that