What images, sense, feelings, knowings – and the list goes on – do you have when you encounter the words psychic, mystic or the term ‘woo-woo’? Do you have a calm familiar sense or do these words ignite a Hollywood style visual of an older more haggard looking character, typically female, hunched over a crystal ball claiming to know your future?
I personally have all of the above in my purview. One annoys the bejeezus out of me! Can you guess which one?? Correct. The Hollywood one it is! Why does a wise woman have to be portrayed in such a hideous physical fashion and, more often than not, as a charlatan? Has anyone ever taken the time to research the history and science behind the words and practices before forming the standard societal opinion of ‘weirdo’! That’s a coy ‘maybe I have’ from me. Keep reading!
Many of you know by now, I am well known for being quite particular about word usage – apparently a good trait to have as a writer, editor and proofreader – and I’ve spent some time pondering the use of these words, and in particular how I use them when speaking about myself.
I’ve discovered that when I use the term ‘woo-woo’ or even my preferred term of endearment ‘fruitloop’, it’s almost like I am apologising for the knowledge I have gained, my beliefs, my boundaries and well frankly my very existence.
From an etymological point of view, the word psychic itself has its derivations in Ancient Greek and in its most simplistic form is said to mean ‘to have a soul’. Nothing too ‘woo-woo’ or fruitloopy about that now is there?
I have often stated I have a foot on either side of the great ‘woo-woo’ divide. One in the day-to-day typical world of and one on the fruitloop side. And one of my greatest passions is discovering knowledge and learning.
And yes I was working in a senior role for police and emergency services at the time. At that point I’d been working with police for over 15 years, so in an effort to hide my studies, I chose to take long service leave to complete my diploma. This is the perfect example of having one of my size 10s firmly planted on either side.
Reflecting on undertaking these studies is where I commence my pondering around the use of the word ‘woo-woo’ as a way to diminish our beliefs, achievements and self-worth.
Personally, I despise studying due to my neuroquirky brain, however I love learning and this always overtakes my passionate dislike of studying. And when the opportunity presented itself to undertake a Diploma of Professional Psychic I jumped at the chance.
I can sense that look on your face… what on earth could you ‘study’ to complete such a Diploma? How to shuffle cards? How to hunch over a crystal ball dripping in jangly jewellery and scarves? How to reword information clients give you to make it seem like you are ‘reading’ for them? Again. This is not a Hollywood blockbuster about ghosts! And I was actually taught the art of rewording information in one of my degrees not this diploma – I do believe this is referred in corporate world as being a ‘spin doctor’!
My main motivation for undertaking this diploma was to understand the history and the science behind spirituality, mysticism and divination tools. Yes you read that correctly too – the history and the science.
For example, the first recorded use of obsidian glass in the western world for scrying (aka crystal ball reading) was thanks to the admiral of Queen Victoria’s fleet, following an expedition to South America. And when you undertake a corporate personality preferencing test, you’re technically looking at your Tarot archetypes. And the meditative trance-like Automatic Writing started as a parlour game amongst Impressionist artists in France. And Austrian clairvoyant Rudolph Steiner can take credit for things like political science as a discipline, Steiner schools and biodynamic farming. And then there’s Fibonacci sequences, chromotherapy and music therapy. Or where would Tolkien be without the Eddas and Sagas or runes? Or the significance of circumambulation – whether you’re Buddhist or a Freemason.
The list goes on and on. I’m not even going to attempt to credit all the various ancient cultures which held wise/medicine women and men and shamans in the highest of esteem.
You may even be surprised to know two of the subjects you must pass were communication with clients and ethics. Not something you’d find in a Hollywood script.
Despite all of this learning and coming up with amazing work arounds for my brain to achieve 100% for every assignment – from memory there were 18 subjects all up and an assignment for each – I choose to not share this qualification with people as I know the standard definition of the word psychic comes with so much fear, invented imagery and ridicule. Why would I knowingly subject myself to more of the ‘not fitting in’ vibe?
It's interesting when we suddenly discover contradictory beliefs living in our mind, body and spirit! I chose to not share this qualification – well until now - for a couple of reasons. Any of the qualifications I have, I did for me. To learn stuff. I don’t generally share any of my tertiary qualifications. My uni degrees were useful in gaining employment, which I think is kind of sad.
I also didn’t wish to be seen as a ‘woo-woo’ weirdo. Can you begin to imagine the thought of sharing this achievement widely at the time I graduated, while working for police and emergency services? The word ostracised comes to mind. And yet so many officers follow their ‘gut instincts’ in their work. Conundrum hey.
The internal contradictory beliefs I discovered are simply that my whole world and being centres around acceptance and fitting in by not fitting in. And I am very much in the ‘not bothered by others’ opinions, in fact they’re none of my business’ space these days too. And yet despite society evolving and becoming more open to spiritual and mystical beliefs and practices, we continue to brush it all off as something non-tangible and non-existent. Or we outrightly dismiss the history, science and overall genuineness in these non-conformist beliefs as being ‘woo-woo’ and something strange and insignificant or another Hollywood storyline.
As a result, for me, I often hide my mystical side as much as I can so as not to be belittled or classified unacceptable. Or I refer to myself as being ‘woo-woo’ or a ‘fruitloop’ in a ‘don’t mind me ha ha ha…’ manner instead standing firm in my beliefs and my empowerment. This is exactly where the contradiction comes in for someone like me who doesn’t require external validation for my existence and yet I’m not sharing a whole side of my very being based on not being validated or accepted externally.
My head truly hurts right about now!
Perhaps by not using the ‘woo-woo’ or ‘fruitloop’ labels when referring to peoples’ spiritual or mystical ways and accepting these traits and beliefs as nothing other than part of their truly authentic self –– we are able to continue to raise the vibration of acceptance just a little bit more universally.
And I personally may be able to relieve the pain in my head I am causing myself by constantly living in a contradictory mindset.
I am more than willing to change my internal definitions and to stop inadvertently apologising for my learnings and existence. I also choose to be more discerning about the use of labels. And you are more than welcome to give me one those ‘ah-hmmm’ sideway glances if I slip up and use the term ‘woo-woo’ or ‘fruitloop’ post publishing this article.
If you were sitting next to me in the local café and I pulled out a deck of cards and started shuffling to access information about myself or to assist the person I was with access their intuition, would you move tables or would you be willing to simply see me for who I am without labelling me as ‘woo-woo’ or a Hollywood version of a charlatan? Food for thought, hey?
I am Peta-Ann and I have a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Letters (Journalism) AND a Diploma of Professional Psychic. I believe in having a soul. I believe our souls love the truth and accept nothing less. I am a mystic.
Peta-Ann is the Founder of Elegant Rebel®, providing support for other soul-full rebels in rediscovering their uniqueness and celebrating all that they are and can be. Elegant Rebels choose to follow their inner-knowing instead of societal norms and take heart-centred action filled with compassion, kindness and grace. She is also a Published Author; Holistic Coach for Writers; Proofreader, Writer; Colour Therapist; Holistic Counsellor; Happiness Coach; Professional Psychic; Reiki Master; Certified Angel Tarot Card Read and Soul Coaching® Oracle Reader.
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