International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC Media and Commercialisation of Psychic Reading Dr. Manash Pratim Goswami* Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism, Media and Mass Communication, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak (MP) Email: [email protected] ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT : Derived from Greek word, ‘Psyche’ means ‘breath of life’ in context to soul or spirit, is the method of communicating with those who have passed from the physical world. The word ‘psychic reading’ means a specific attempt to discern information with clairvoyance. In general, it is associated with consultation of paranormal needs of the people. Of different types and methods of foretelling the future of a person, distance reading, psychometric reading, astrology, numerology, past-life readings and palm reading are some popular methods of psychic reading. Although, the practice of psychic reading is often considered controversial, as focus of it assumed to revolve are skeptical inquiry, but the growing demand and rising faith of the people on these ancient arts of fortune telling have been fueling the industry to grow leaps and bounds. The proliferation of media and the growth of disposable amount of money among the people in the last decade have been also catalysing the business of Psychic Reading a high octane growth. This research paper is a study to understand and analyze the role of media in commercializing the psychic reading and its impact among people. Keywords: : Business, Commercialization, Media, Psychic reading. _________________________________________________________________________________________ I. Introduction: The word ‘Psychic’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Psyche’, which means ‘breath of life’ in context to soul or spirit. The word ‘Psychic’ is also referred to ‘sensitive’ or ‘medium’, where sensitive attunes to the vibration energy of all living things. The word ‘medium’ refers to a psychic, who communicates with those who have passed from the physical world. It is believed that a true psychic can be clairvoyant, who has intuitive knowledge of people and things. French astronomer and spiritualist Camille Flammarion is credited as having first used the word psychic, while it was later introduced to the English language by Edward William Cox in the 1870s.[1] The word ‘Psyche’ as per Webster's dictionary means ‘pertaining to beyond known physical processes apparently sensitive to forces beyond the physical world’. The word ‘psychic reading’ means a specific attempt to discern information with clairvoyance. In general, this term is associated with paranormal based consultation provided for a fee over the phone, at home, chamber or at psychic fairs. Psychic reading is a method of foretelling the www.ijirssc.in Page 91 International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC future of a person. There are two main types of alleged psychic ability: extra-sensory perception and Psychokinesis. [2] There are different methods and techniques of Psychic Reading. It is believed that only a person having psychic abilities can offer such services. Many consider the act of Psychic Reading as extra-sensory readings. People often believe that they have had a psychic experience when there appear to be inexplicable correspondences between their thoughts and events in the real world. [3] The term is commonly associated with paranormal-based consultation given for a fee in such settings as over the phone, in a home, or at psychic fairs. The profession of psychic reading includes distance reading, psychometric reading, astrology, numerology, palm reading and many other methods. Although, the practice of psychic reading is often considered controversial, as focus of it assumed to revolve are skeptical inquiry, but a popular interest in them endures. In fact, in the metropolitan cities, the industry of psychic reading is emerging as growing business. Some of the popular methods and techniques of psychic reading to predict future include the followings 1. Aura reading: Aura readings involve the observation and interpretation of auras.[4]. It involves interpretation and observation of auras around human bodies. The aura is said to be a set of colored outlines emanating from the surface of a body. These outlines differ according to shape, color, size and intensity. It is believe that aura reading helps to reveal the individual characteristics of a person. 2. Numerology: A popular technique, where reading is done on the basis of one’s numeric values, of the letters in the name, date of birth, etc. In the past, numerology was not included in the techniques of psychic reading, rather it was regarded as higher mathematics where different numbers specify different meanings. 3. Distant readings: In this method, the reader and client are do not required to be physically present in the same place. The answers to the queries of the client from the reader can be obtained without having face to face interaction. 4. Tarot reading: In this technique of predicting future, the reader may not necessarily possess psychic abilities to practice tarot reading. A tarot deck contains 78 cards which are used to unravel and predict love, careers, marriage, etc. 5. Psychometric readings: This method enables the reader to gather information about events and people at close proximity. 6. Palm reading: This is one of the popular and oldest methods of foretelling the future of a person based on the shapes, lines, curves and wrinkles on his palm. www.ijirssc.in Page 92 International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC 7. Cartomancy Reading: In cartomancy method of fortune-telling or divination uses a deck of cards. [5]. In this method, the common playing cards are shuffled, laid down and interpreted to find answers to the queries of the client. 8. Astrology: This ancient method of foretelling the future of someone is based on the positions of planets at time of his birth. 9. Rune Reading: Runes are considered as magic, where they are used by witches to cast spells on an individual or a group. They are practiced to know the future events. 10. Cleromancy: The method of Cleromantic readings usually involves casting small objects and reading them by their position, orientation, and mutual proximity. There are several variants of Cleromantic reading practiced throughout the world. 11. Lithomancy and crystallomancy: The method of lithomancy readings usually involve especially suitable gems or stones that are immersed in water, or tossed as a set and read by mutual proximity. The act of Psychic Reading, which was considered to be sacred services offered by religious people for the benefits of the mankind, has no more in the custody of religion. Psychic Readings are attempts to predict the future by utilizing extrasensory perceptive abilities possessed by professional called as psychics. The profession of Psychic readings offered by experienced and proficient psychics has been emerging as popular business. The psychics of different domains have been practicing all methods of psychic readings. In fact, an interested person can avail the services of Psychic reading from different media platforms such as websites, TV channels, newspapers, magazines etc. Most common Psychic Reading related topics discussed in such platforms include marital issues, love, career, financial problems etc. The profession of Psychic Reading is not only restricted to men, there are many female psychics offering services with remarkable ability of clairvoyance. With the growing stress and problems of modern day life, people approach such psychic services whenever they feel the need for peace and composure in the distraught lives. In the recent times, media has been found active in offering different services of psychic reading and replying queries of the audiences. It is not only print or electronic media but social media has also been found active in offering such services. A number of websites have been offering numerous services of Psychic Readings for free to certain level, thereafter the services are charged. An interested person can contact psychic through email, voice chat, video chat, phone, letters or similar networks available online. Newspapers offer such services based mainly on date of birth of the client. The television channels, especially the news channels both in Hindi and regional languages, telecast shows every morning on Psychic Reading. The studies conducted on the popularity of such Psychic Readings suggest a considerable growth of its business with times. www.ijirssc.in Page 93 International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC Gone are the days when psychic readings were rare services and people had to try hard to avail psychic advice from a clairvoyant. In the recent times, media has been emerging as popular vehicle in commercializing Psychic Reading services among the people of different segments of the society. Media in the forms of newspapers, magazines, TV channels, Radio and internet, all have been offering