Melissa Cynova 
About a year ago, I got to interview a trio of siblings who are all psychic. Terry Iacuzzo, Rosemary Wise, and Frank Andrews. I’ve always been fascinated with stories about folks who grew up having the “Shinnin”, as the Simpsons call it, and even more with families who do. I suspect most people in my family have very strong, honed intuition, because there are family stories about “remember when Uncle Richard passed and we all woke up at 3am and started calling each other?”
In reading “Psychics, Healers & Mediums by Jenniffer Weigel, I found an entire group of people who grew up with this gift. Thomas John, Caroline Myss, Rebecca Rosen, Paul Selig, Concetta Bertoldi and three siblings from the Bodine family – Echo, Nikki and Michael.
As someone who grew up as a strange kid (and a weird adult), it’s so refreshing to hear stories of other people like me, that aren’t presented as scams or as unrealistic fantasy. So, Jen scheduled a road trip with a friend to get a reading from each person in the book. She schedules a reading with each person for a friend of hers of whom they know nothing. The friend then gets a reading and then they evaluate the experience. It’s a pretty fun read.
Although the approach to each experience starts journalistic, you can tell that Jen is a huge fan of this process – and honestly, thank god. Spiritual experiences should be fun and enlightening, and I feel that if you approach this field with dry, superstitious or VERY SERIOUS attitudes, you’re going to miss the fun of it all. Also, having that kind of mysterious, mystical shroud around the experiences makes it easier for assholes to rip people off.
That said, this book is awesome. I immediately followed all of the readers on social media and schedule an interview with Michael Bodine (who is a hoot, btw). If you wonder what it’s like to get a reading, if you want to know how other’s readings differ from yours, or if you just want a fun read about some Woo, this is a fantastic book. Thanks to Weiser for the book, and to Jen for filling out my little questionnaire.
xo Lis
LFT Questionnaire
1. What you appreciate the most in your friends.
Honesty. Loyalty matters too, but honesty is most important.
2. Your idea of happiness.
Laughing with my son.
3. Your idea of misery.
Doing my taxes
4. Where would you like to live?
Anywhere by water
5. Your favorite colors and flowers.
Roses and Lily’s. I’m a fan of pastels lately.
6. Your favorite poets.
Shakespeare
7. Your heroes/heroines in fiction.
I know this is odd for me to admit, but I don’t much care for fiction.
I like the real stuff. After all, truth is stranger than fiction.
8. What role does divination play in your life?
I don’t practice any organized religion. I think churches divide people. God should unite us.
9. Your heroes/heroines in real life.
Anyone who fights for something they believe in without getting recognition. The unsung heroes who don’t need to be famous for their service.
10. What is your present state of mind?
Calm and trusting. For now..
11. What is your favorite tarot deck or divination tool?
Wisdom of the Oracle cards by Colette Baron Reed.
12. Your favorite songs?
I like classical music to write… dance music to exercise. Tibetan bowls to calm my mind.
13. What is your favorite word?
changes often, but today, it’s “perplexed”
14. What is your least favorite word?
Fart.
15. What sound or noise do you love?
The chirp of a cardinal.
16. What sound or noise do you hate?
Sirens of any kind.
17. What turns you on?
Someone with integrity.
18. What turns you off?
Lies. White lies or big lies. Anything that isn’t in alignment with the truth.
19. What is your favorite curse word?
Shit
20. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
The all you can eat buffet is down the hall and to your left….
You can find Jen and her book here.
