To believe or not to believe in psychic powers

Psychic powers...really? You are the epitome of scepticism. You like logic. The mere idea of turning to a supposed illusionist to whom vulnerable people turn in times of need (read: desperation) is a stomach-churning concept. Do you refuse to wrap your head around the infinitesimally remote possibility of someone being a conduit between you and the spirit world? Or, on the other hand, do you happen to be an unshakeable believer for whom no amount of discussion will convince you that your great grandfather did not in fact appear in your household as a bird to warn you of an unforeseen event? Whichever side of the fence you belong to, it would be incontrovertible to deny the rising popularity of people with 'psychic powers' in the world today.

“I sensed your energy before even meeting you.” With these tingling words, Rajani welcomes us into her home, guiding us into her living room. With an impeccable view of Haji Ali and crystals carefully placed in different parts of the room, the energy in the room is somewhat palpable. Choosing to stick our heads above the academic and so-called logical parapet, we begin conversing with Rajani in an attempt to understand this world that many refuse to believe in.

Fad or legitimate ability? “The world is about to step into the fifth dimension and turning towards different methods of healing such as tarot card reading is proof that we are looking for answers to our anguish,” shares Rajani. We try to delve deeper into the topic. Yes, she refers to her abilities as healing and not fortune-telling. “In fact, I cannot predict your future but what I can do is help you look for possible answers in moments of trouble,” she explains. “Tarot card reading is not some replacement for decision-making and is definitely not about fortune-telling.” Myth number one is dispelled as Rajani reveals that it is merely a tool that many turn to when looking to gain better insight, especially when they need direction. “It might suggest certain potential outcomes but in no way does tarot card reading suggest how you are to lead your life,” she goes on. Myth number two is busted.

A healer through means such as hypno-therapy, tarot card, and angel card readings, Rajani only discovered her spiritual side ten years ago. From dealing with mother-in-law issues to the typical love and romance queries, she explains that she does not tell people what to do but she does offer guidance through her readings. “I have conditioned my mind to absorb the energy that people emanate and when someone chooses a tarot card, the energy they release in the universe dictates what card will be revealed.” Based on the choice of cards, Rajani explains what it could potentially mean to the person in question. To get some hands-on understanding of her words, we ask for a reading to be conducted. As Rajani sets her crystals in front, we opt for the angel card reading. Why not? Three of them are flipped over by Rajani and by no means were they off-track. “Innocence, a lot of travelling, and the need to pray to the angel of romance.”

Rajani reads the content of the cards, as we chuckle away, trying to look for the relevance it could have in our lives. After all, they are nothing but a couple of randomly-drawn cards. Rajani sheds some light, “The cards here tell you about the choices you are faced with and what possibilities could occur should you opt for either path. The cards are signs that have possibly appeared before you but that you refused to recognise.” Funnily enough, Rajani's words echo with Carl Jung's concept of quantum mechanics and the guiding forces in the universe that are based on our subconscious thoughts and their power. “These cards act like an inner guide that we choose to ignore and that just need a chance to be materialised,” adds Rajani. And there we were, expecting to hear some balderdash predictions on our lives. Instead, what we gathered more insight on the power of our thoughts and how the answers we constantly seek are out there in the universe, waiting to be found.

There were no flowing robes. No small table in a small room where the only source of light is from a barely-there meagre candle. Better yet, no foretelling impending doom. Some call it the psychology of gullibility given the lack of rational plausibility, while others swear by it. Rajani happens to be one of the latter.