Higher Power Readings: a Rationale and a Philosophy.
CURTIS FOSTER
An Issue
One of the issues with giving readings is that BELIEF of some sort seems to be a usual prerequisite for readings to work. The sitter must do the work to find meanings to what you are saying and what the symbols of your Oracle mean.
If they don’t believe, what then?
Worse is when you have someone actively working against you.
How can we give a reading to people on all degrees of the belief spectrum?
People believe in many things from gods, to goddesses, to angels, to spirit guides, to any kind of higher power, to the subconscious, to Jung’s Collective Unconscious, to Nietzsche’s Overman, Self-actualization, to nothing at all, and we must be able address a person’s level of belief in order to get them to work with us instead of against us.
For true believers, not much work to get them to work with you is necessary.
For non-believers, more work and possibly a logical rationale is needed.
This brings us to alternative reasons for readings to work besides psychic, supernatural, or paranormal phenomena.
NIETZSCHE’S OVERMAN
Nietzsche’s Uberman, Beyondman, Superman, Ubermensch, or Overman in his book “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” is a goal for humanity to set for itself and live by. It is the ideal person; the person we all aspire to be. It is the voice in our head telling us to do right and be better.
In a reading, the Oberman or your higher, best-self can “see” things in the cards, the lines of the palm or from what you are saying and provide insight to the consciousness of the sitter. It is the Oberman, your greatest self, who is providing insight. It is the sitter’s Oberman that provides meaning to what you and your Oracle reveal.
CARL JUNG’S COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS
According to Jung, the human collective unconscious is populated by instincts, as well as by archetypes: ancient primal symbols such as The Great Mother, the Wise Old Man, the Shadow, the Tower, Water, and the Tree of Life.
Jung considered the collective unconscious to underpin and surround the unconscious mind, distinguishing it from the personal unconscious of Freudian psychoanalysis. He believed that the concept of the collective unconscious helps to explain why similar themes occur in world mythologies around the world. He argued that the collective unconscious had a profound influence on the lives of individuals, who lived out its symbols and clothed them in meaning through their experiences.
It is not unreasonable to believe that the Collective Unconscious in a person could give insight into words or symbols of a reading. No psychic powers needed, just using an Oracle to tap into the Collective Unconscious.
PSYCHOLOGICAL PICTURE WORD CARDS
Some Psychologists use psychological picture word cards in therapy sessions. They are sometimes called Contemplation Cards, Emotion and Feelings Cards for Therapy, or Metaphor Association Cards.
Like a Rorschach test, people see what their brains tell them they see in your words and Oracle. If psychologists are using psychological picture word cards to help people, why can’t we?
CONSCIENCE
Most of us have a conscience, a Jiminy Cricket, prompting us what to do. Many people, particularly women believe they have a sixth sense and good instincts that they rely upon for guidance.
While giving a reading, your sitter’s Conscience could be providing all the information needed for the reading. For example: “What does your conscience say about this problematic card, the Queen of Spades? Are you having issues with an older woman?”
HIGHER POWER READINGS
According to my time in Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-Step Programs, anyone or anything can be your Higher Power; as long as it is something “bigger than myself”.
If AA believes anyone or anything greater than myself can be a Higher Power, why can’t that Higher Power, however it is defined, help you and your sitter interpret their reading?
I have officially come out as doing Higher Power Readings. Under this umbrella, I feel that I can ethically read anyone of virtually any belief level.
Whether you believe in psychic phenomena, are a complete rational skeptic, or somewhere in between, I believe you’re Higher Power, your “BEST” self, whatever that is for you, will help you and give you insight.
Your sitter’s Higher Power, whatever that is to them, will give you and them meaning and insight.
I believe a reading can be done with almost any one of almost any belief system.
These rationales for an alternative to psychic phenomenon to explain how a reading works is adequate for my skeptical mind.
As a Rationalist, I believe that any of these explanations for how readings work, psychic or otherwise, is possible, and that is why I feel I can ethically read.
HIGHER POWER READINGS
Higher Power Readings 