The Skeptic Psychic

Originally published July 22, 2015

You think you know me. I’m that hippie chick who believes in things “rational” and “sane” and “scientific” people are quick to dismiss.

I call myself a Witch. I know spells are real and work. I talk about mythology like historical events. Trees and stones are my friends. If you ask me what I think about Jesus (or any other God, Goddess, Elemental, Angel, dead guy, etc.), I won’t fail to mention something about chatting with him just the other day. I will not back down about the authenticity of Astrology, talk about channeling energy like it’s part of everyone’s daily routine, and promise you I’ve lived as an incarnate human on earth far more than just this once.

Without personal experiences, skills, and looking in-depth into the science behind these and other things, you probably won’t believe in them and be quick to call me naïve or silly or stupid or any number of other negative things.

Or you’re on the other side of spectrum and believe me in all these things, plus a whole lot of other stuff that’s just naïve, silly, stupid, or something else not-so-nice-of-me-to-say.

“Did she really just say that?” Yes. Yes, I did.

Because synchronicity exists and seemingly related things are related and do mean something. But so do coincidences, and seemingly related things aren’t related and don’t mean anything.

Because extraterrestrials, ghosts, angels, fairies, Sasquatch, parallel universes, and Gods exist. But they are not the answer to every question. They shouldn’t be your go-to response. They aren’t the only possible answers to the yet to be solved mysteries of the Universe. (Or just to questions like, "What was that sound?")

Because words have power, intention is powerful, sacred objects can be powerful, traditions can be effective, and these things can manifest real changes. But saying some words with intention while lighting a candle and waving some tool around so many times in such-and-such direction alone is not going to make your wish come true no matter how badly you want it to.

Somewhere along the line, despite terrible excuses for parents and a pretty shitty (when not outright neglectful) upbringing, I was raised to be rational. I was taught to find answers. I yearned for Truth, no matter what form it took and regardless of whether or not it was going to hurt my feelings.

I was trained to be critical of information that came my way. I was taught to never trust the first thing I hear and to doubt what I was told. I don’t take the easy way. I go digging and will take my time scrutinizing everything until I’m sure I’ve found the answer.

Science is limited to our current knowledge, technology, and ways of thinking. There are many things still unknown. It's irrational to dismiss something just because science hasn't proven it yet. But it's equally ridiculous to say all things are true with the excuse that science isn't perfect.

We can’t always prove something, but we can sure as hell do a whole lot to disprove it. Only when I can’t disprove it will I accept it as a possibility, and it takes personal experiences to make me believe it. So I may be "that hippie chick," but I'm also rational, sane, and science-oriented.

This skeptical approach to things does cause some trouble, though. And you'll get to hear all about it in upcoming posts!

In the meantime, share with us your approach to life. Are you quick to believe things? Or do you dismiss most everything as silly nonsense like a true, full-blown skeptic? Does your take on things cause you trouble?