Almost everyone worries about the future at one point or another. We become uncertain about income, relationships, and health, and we do everything in our power to ensure positive outcomes. When personal strength fails, some people decide to turn to astrology and stargazing in hopes of learning more about what lies in their path and what they can do to prepare for it.



If you are thinking about calling a 900-telephone line for advice, keep in mind that anyone can set up shop as a horoscope reader, and there are many scams in place on the Internet and in the yellow pages. Think about it: anyone who could really tell the future could make a pretty good living by working for government agencies, wealthy clients, and serve their own interests through investments and gaming. The vast majority of people purporting to tell the future share very little personal information with a client, but tend to make more generalized statements, like "Happiness is in your future" or "You will lose a loved one in the foreseeable future." Does "foreseeable" refer to one week or ten years? Without detailed facts, no one should seriously consider the advice of someone with untried or unproven claims.

With that in mind, though, there do seem to be those who have a sixth sense in understanding much about a person they have just met. Sometimes these people can make claims that seem very close to reality, which, when they come to pass, fit the interpretation offered by a horoscope reader.

If you are thinking about consulting a medium, or fortuneteller, about your future, here are some things to consider when selecting a person to contact:

1. How long has the person been reading horoscopes? Has she lived in the immediate area for a long or short time? Does she live in a place that betokens someone making a successful living?

2. Where did the reader learn her skills? Who trained her? When did she realize she had second sight? Does she get ongoing training or study? Have her skills improved over time?

3. Can the person tell her own future? How has that worked out for her? What has she learned about herself and her clients in practicing this skill?

4. With what degree of accuracy can the teller predict your future? Can she offer immediate insight that will prove her claims? Are there client referrals that you can check with to see if their predictions came true?

5. Ask about the teller's methods. How does she see into the future? How reliable is her methodology?

Take specific questions or areas of your life that you would like to ask about during your consultation. Write down the teller's specific words or phrases so you can check for accuracy later.

If you believe that you have encountered a scam, don't hesitate to report it to the Better Business Bureau to help protect others from falling victim to the scam artist.