8 Red Flags in Spiritual Practitioners
When searching for a spiritual practitioner whether it’s for witchy services, a tarot reading, psychic/medium or astrology reading, it can be very overwhelming.
In this day and age, there are spiritual readers touting their services all over facebook, instagram and tik tok. Some are scammers without an ounce of talent or magick in their body, most are legit readers and then some are the absolute real deal.
But how the hell are you supposed to know who’s who in the spiritual zoo?
This post will highlight the 8 Red Flags that you need to be looking for, and WHY so that you can make an empowered choice when seeking a spiritual practitioner to work with.
Reminder, spiritual practitioners and their services are not to be used as replacements or in lieu of traditional medical care. I recommend you use them alongside recommendations from your GP or health professional.
1. Energy Vampires
Energy vampires are a red flag when it comes to spiritual practitioners.
What is an Energy Vampire? They are individuals who make you feel drained, tired, and low after spending time with them. You may even leave their prescence with a headache or the need to cleanse yourself.
These people may not know or be aware of what they are doing but in a way their feeding off your energy and the more sensitive you are, the more you will notice it.
Don’t go back if you’re left feeling this way after a reading.
There is a slight possibility one of you could have had an off day. If you’re comfortable to give it another try, do it and see how you feel afterwards. These rules are not black and white.
Do check with others who’ve had readings with this person - if you hear the same thing from others it likely is not a one off thing.
Do check online reviews of your reader before booking. If there aren’t many, and they’re not new, then that’s another red flag for that spiritual practitioner.
2. Trauma Dumping
Trauma dumping is a huge red flag from a spiritual practitioner.
First and foremost, if you are paying for a reading, then that time is for YOU! You are not paying them to be their therapist. Trauma dumping can also be a form of energy vampirism.
You are not there to listen to all the hardships and drama’s of your reader. If your spiritual practitioner starts dumping on you - cut it off.
This is not okay at all. Ask for your money back if possible.
If a reader uses an example from their own life, for a teaching moment, that is ok. They may use the example to help guide you through something with instruction and in a way that benefits you. Just remember that readings are not gossip sessions, they should be using teaching moments as guidance only.
3. Huge Upsells
Every business upsells - to a point.
Upselling can help a business grow and be profitable whilst also helping the client get something they way but it can also do this whilst taking advantage of a client and that is not okay.
For example, if a practitioner says to you during a reading that there is some very bad, negative energy surrounding you. That you need help and cannot do it alone, that only they can help you, usually by setting up a mentorship, or continual work for $3000 a month to work on it together. AND, if you don’t do this xyz may happen.
RUN. This is not an upsell, this is a scam and a MAJOR RED FLAG!
If a practitioner was to give you info during your reading, but then offered to help on how to do it yourself so you leave feeling empowered - green flag!
If they aren’t able to help but offer up suggestions to others in that expertise - green flag!
They may also offer another service or direct you to another of theirs if it might help - this is how an upsell should be and it is okay!
But anytime you feel pressured to make a further purchase due to fear, that’s a huge red flag and my suggestion is to leave them on read and ghost them, then tell everyone. Don’t be shy.
4. Doom & Gloom
Readers that will tell you all sorts of horrid things and is nothing but negative - RUN.
If the reader tells you to stop taking medications, things around you are negative, what has happened to you is your fault - RUN.
Get your money back if you can, and don’t go back.
Readers that tell clients things that scare them may be a result of mental illness or a scammer. Fear mongering is a no-no. It’s very unethical and an abuse of power to do readings like this.
Do leave a review if you are able, this helps others from using the service. It can be hard sometimes to leave reviews on a small business or individuals service if they aren’t positive, but you are helping others by doing so.
Do read reviews if you can, they help you as well. If there are no reviews, use your best judgment.
Green Flag - Google and Facebook reviews, they cannot be edited. See how people felt, what they had to say about the service, if they’ve purchase multiple items or services, if they’ve returned again and again.
5. Bad Health Advice
Another red flag to be aware of when choosing a spiritual practitioner is around health advice.
Any reader that tells you to stop taking your medications, stop seeing health professionals, your illnesses are caused by you thoughts - RUN!
This can be extremely dangerous and endanger people’s lives.
If someone ever suggests ingesting essential oils - RUN!
Orange Flag - People who expect you to return too frequently or allow you to for a follow up. You do NOT have to. Unless you feel it would be beneficial to you, but it should not be done under pressure.
Orange Flag - The reader has no boundaries with you. Do check their website to see if they have a code of ethics. They are not medical practitioners and give medical advice, not give legal advice, etc.
Most ethical readers will have a policy of some kind of timeframe before you can have another reading. Individuals who seek too frequent readings or bounce from reader to reader could be searching for the answer they are looking for vs. listening to the answer they got. This is not okay. It is not fair for the reader or a good use of their time and expertise nor is it helpful for the client.
“Tarot tells the story, you write the ending.” - Theresa Reed
A good reader will inform you of the likely outcome, how you can enhance the outcome if you want it and how to change it if you want it.
Good and reputable readers will empower you with the steps to get your goal or figure out your goal. Unethical readers do not care about the client, only the money.
6. Sugar Coated
A weird red flag is too much positivity!
Telling you EVERYTHING you want to hear, like it is too good to be true is a Red Flag.
Good readings do happen, but if nothing challenges you or makes you think - why are you getting the reading? Validation can happen in tarot readings, but not on everything.
These types of readers may not want to deliver bad news. Find the middle ground and balance between doom & gloom and toxic positivity.
7. Timing & Frequency
If a reader is not allowing a reasonable amount of time, like 6 weeks to 3 months after a death of a loved one, or traumatic event - they are only there for money.
Ethical mediums in particular will allow time to pass for grieving. You, as a client need time to grieve. Some mediums may do it if the client needs closure, and will not offer another reading for 6 months to a year at minimum for this type.
With Astrology readings, there are many different types. Look out for all doom & gloom readings, or not having a choice in your fate or how you are. These readings should be a tool of empowerment - this is your blueprint.
It’s your choice on how to use it, there are no “musts”, nothing is set in stone.
If a reader narrows you down too much - that is a Red Flag, life is not like that.
8. Exorbitant Prices
If a reader asks for several thousands of dollars, this is a big spiritual Red Flag.
Do see what other services they offer. If all prices completely block out a group of people, and are not accessible, that’s not a great look.
Ethical readers will generally offer something for everyone or a sliding scale option. Trust yourself, if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it even if its subtle.
Lastly, spiritual practitioners that exhibit these red flags often prey on people. They seek out the vulnerable and the confused, the ill and the grieving.
This list can be used to educate yourself or others, stop scammers and give genuine readers a good reputation. Please share it with anyone who needs to read it!
Brightest Blessings,
Hana the Suburban Witch
Meet Hana
Hana O’Neill, the Suburban Witch is a professional Tarot & Astrology reader, Intuitive Coach and the host of the Witch Talks podcast.
