USA, November 22, 2008: In this uncertain economy, when government financial policy seems to change at a moment’s notice, more and more people are consulting psychics. Stock trader Thomas Taccetta explains it this way: “There is no rhyme or reason to the way the market is trading,” he said. “When conditions are this volatile, consulting a psychic can be as good a strategy as any other.”
Psychics say their business is robust, as do astrologers and people who channel spirits, read palms and otherwise predict the future (albeit not the winning lottery numbers). Their clients, who include a growing number of men, are often professional advice-givers themselves, in fields like real estate and investments, and they typically hand over anywhere from $75 to $1,000 an hour for this form of insight.
With advice from the nation’s supposed experts on the economy–from network pundits to billionaire investment bankers–proving unreliable, spiritual readings appear to be one of the few growth sectors in a contracting economy. Some psychics report receiving many times the business they normally handle.
“When you don’t know what to expect of a job interview or a business partnership,” said Gita V. Johar, a professor of at the Columbia University Business School, “that is when you’re most likely to turn to a psychic.”
Professor Johar, whose specialty is studying the effects of superstition on consumer behavior.