20 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR PSYCHIC ABILITIES

Russell presents a guide to improving one’s clairvoyance.

The popular media often frames spiritual and psychic abilities as inherent gifts—supernatural powers granted to only a select few, blessed people. But to the author, a self-described psychic and paranormal investigator with 50 years of experience, phenomena like psychometry, dream interpretation, cloud manipulation, and even the attraction of a soulmate are all skills that can be honed by anyone willing to put in the time and effort to learn. “My purpose throughout this book has been to demystify and uncomplicate spiritual workings,” he writes. “Why make something any harder than it has to be?” As described in Russell’s encouraging, conversational tone, communicating with loved ones who have died, casting spells, and divining information from objects do not seem like impossible feats. Each chapter focuses on a particular aspect of psychic ability and the significance of accompanying objects, such as the importance of salt, how to “charge” amulets and talismans, and the many exaggerated stories spun about Ouija boards. None of these skills require any costly investment, and most bear a resemblance to meditative practices involving a familiar, quiet space and getting in touch with one’s inner self. The author is quick to eschew perfectionism regarding how certain ceremonies are performed, and he cautions against blindly adhering to the ways in which purported professionals in his field conduct themselves: “just because someone’s a ‘professional’ psychic, medium, or ‘ghost hunter’ that doesn’t mean that they are correct in either their methodology or in their assumptions about the information they may receive.” Skeptical readers may find plenty of things in the book hard to believe, such as Russell’s anecdotes about divining and providing accurate information to the FBI about a missing person case, controlling clouds, and healing medical maladies in others. But beginners seeking a down-to-earth guide to exploring the paranormal will find much to value.

An encouraging, unpretentious primer for neophytes eager to explore their paranormal skills.