By Marjorie Young

One thing I find difficult to fathom is the yearning for ‘fame.’ Of course, many crave it with a passion, as if ‘being famous’ was an end in itself. As for me, the image of celebrities, pursued by wild mobs of admirers and paparazzi, resembles a vision of purgatory! Becoming an author has changed that to a small degree, since I am now called upon to do book signings, school appearances, etc. I enjoy those events, where I meet fans, learning how much my series, ‘The Boy with Golden Eyes’ means to them. While interviews, podcasts, and other such activities are now on my agenda, they hardly impede my daily life or privacy. And as long as they don’t involve appearing on camera, something I avoid whenever possible, I am happy to participate.

Yet when it comes to my psychic practice, other feelings come to the fore. These days, ‘psychics’ abound on television; ‘The Long Island Medium,’ and ‘Monica the Medium’ are two ready examples. In the past, James Van Praagh, Sylvia Brown, and John Edwards, among others, enjoyed their share of the spotlight. I’ve recently watched Monica, a ‘typical’ college student who also happens to be a gifted medium. Everywhere she goes…applying for a part-time job, taking her dog to the vet, having coffee with friends…there is the near certainty that a ‘departed spirit’ will demand she approach a nearby stranger with messages from the ‘other side.’ While her talent appears genuine, she apparently has no ability to turn it on and off, which certainly puts a crimp in her social life and study demands.

I’ve often been asked by whether I dream of joining the ‘TV Psychic’ brigade. The answer is simple: a wholehearted ‘NO’! I don’t criticize those who take on the opportunity. I’m sure it is a lucrative as well as potentially positive experience. And yet, I wouldn’t do it for any amount of money! Beyond my aversion to being on camera, there is a far more important reason. I consider my work to be meaningful and personal. I would never equate ‘after death’ communication from a client’s loved one as ‘entertainment’ for outsiders. Instead, I believe it to be private in the strongest sense of the word. In addition to my mediumistic gifts I am a psychic, clairvoyant, and spiritual counselor. The information manifesting during my sessions tends to be unpredictable and wide-ranging. If clients choose to reveal what follows to their friends or family, that is entirely their decision. But it is not within my purview to make that choice for them. In fact, I don’t even allow clients’ acquaintances to sit in on the readings, except under very special circumstances, since information they would not want ‘broadcast’ might well come through.

Whether or not the ‘show-biz’ psychics reduce their work to a form of recreatiion is open to debate. Hopefully, their readings, if genuine, bring inspiration and comfort, as well as a degree of insight to viewers. Admittedly, many would impugn my aversion to mass scrutiny as squeamish or puritanical. Nevertheless, I am quite certain my counsel will remain forever ‘low-key’ and gawker-free. And that suits me (and hopefully, my clients) just fine.

Marjorie is available for readings at the Ballard Sunday Market, her Ballard home, or by phone.
Please email her: myballardpsychic@gmail.com
See her fantasy/adventure series: www.theboywithgoldeneyes.com
Follow her on Twitter: @psychicmargie