Center city psychics Gina (27 S. 19th Street) and Elizabeth (2028 Chestnut Street) are our golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory of celestial understanding. But you don't need a golden ticket to learn more about their mysterious world - just $10 will do. And apparently, our photographer has business opportunities in the next six months.
Gina
How long have you been a psychic?
Professionally, for 12 or 13 years.
Did you feel like you were psychic before you became a professional?
Yeah. I was interested before and it was a gift. My grandma did it.
Oh, so is it genetic?
It's a gift, but it skips a generation.
What are your rates?
I have a palm reading for $10. For tarot cards, half a deck is $30 and a full deck is $50. Psychic readings are $45. Crystal readings are $30. I do charts and horoscope readings. I do a lot.
You're a renaissance woman. Did your grandma teach you how to do all of that?
No, it was a gift.
But she explained how to do Tarot cards and things like that?
Yeah.
Some people will say that John Edward, who communicates with dead people on the television show Crossing Over, is a fake. Do you think that his art form is legitimate?
Yes. I do believe in that. There are a lot of people who do a lot of different things.
Do you think his grandfather probably did it, too?
I don't know. I guess it's just that the visions come to him.
Has anyone ever come up to you and asked, "What am I thinking now?"
Yeah, but it's really younger people.
Do people knock on your door and wait for you to say, "Who is it?" so they can respond, "You should know!"
Yeah, of course. That happens. People razz me sometimes.
What do you say to convince non-believers that your work is legitimate?
Well, nothing. If people don't believe in it, I don't want to force them. It's just what I believe in. The thing is that there are just a lot of different types of people. And everyone believes in different things so I would never force anyone into a belief. And I don't judge people.
Fair enough, but what about the people on TV that give psychic readings like Miss Cleo and that coke-head Dionne Warwick?
Why'd you say coke-head?
Because Dionne Warwick is a coke-head. Do phone psychics diminish the validity of your work?
No, not really. Their readings are pretty accurate.
Are phone readings difficult?
No. I do them.
Is it possible to do a palm reading over the phone?
No, but maybe cards, or psychic readings. You get a lot of vibrations over the phone.
Do you give readings to your family and friends?
Definitely not. You're just not supposed to.
Is that like psychic code?
Yeah, I guess so. It's really not a good idea.
What does reading a crystal ball entail?
There's no one specific way. It depends on the size and color of the balls. The quartz balls are the best. Some people just hold it and gaze into them, but it really depends on the size.
Do you ever read these blue balls?
No, these are decoration. They're just sort of fun to look at.
Elizabeth
How long have you been a psychic?
For 14 years.
When did you realize you had a gift?
Around age three.
Did your grandmother have a gift?
Yes. There were seven girls and one boy in my family and two of the girls developed a gift.
So what services do you provide?
ESP, past-life readings, tarot cards, palm readings, candle readings, aura, and pet readings for dogs, cats, hamsters, pigs and all pets.
Lizards?
Yes. Any animal.
Snails?
Snails are harder. They have instincts but they don't have a mind.
OK, but would you know more about my pet snail than I would?
Yes, maybe.
Like if its shell hurt or if I was feeding it the wrong food, you would know?
Yeah.
So you really get vibrations from snails?
Yes.
Have you ever predicted any world events?
Not predicted, but close to 9/11 I felt a lot of disturbance in the atmosphere. I could feel a change coming, and it was all very dark.
Do you ever read your family or friends?
Yes, all the time.
Do you ever read yourself?
No, I've tried but I can't. It's just too hazy.
What is your opinion of tele-psychics like Miss Cleo and Dionne Warwick?
I'm not proud to be associated with them. They give honest psychics working out of their home a bad name. There is just no possibility of a true reading over the telephone. What kind of vibrations could you get through the phone?
Do you know that Dionne Warwick is a coke-head?
Yes. It's sad.
Are you feeling a vibration from us right now?
Yes, very much so. But it's better one-on-one.
How do you respond to allegations that you are practicing black magic?
I don't believe in black magic and I don't practice witchcraft. What I do is very much of the earth. I believe very strongly in God and in all religions. And I am very proud of Wicca, which is white magic.
So you're not going to get a cauldron and throw in feather of a sparrow, semen of a whale and two amateur journalists?
No, nothing like that.
