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When the going gets tough, Valley residents apparently go in search of the metaphysical. Local psychics and astrologers say that while they're seeing some decline in business as longtime clients cut back on discretionary spending, the recession is bringing them many new customers. And for many of these new clients, the quest for insight is no lark.
"I'm seeing many more people that are in real crisis situations," Phoenix astrologer Charlotte Benson said. "They're coming to me with questions about whether they're going to be fired, and with more general questions about when the economy is going to improve. Even my wealthy clients are desperate."
Astrology is based on the idea that an individual's life is reflected by the position of the planets at the exact time and place he or she was born.
"Astrology has ways of really very rationally analyzing what a person's passions are, what their emotional needs are," Benson said. "It's very specific for career paths."
Carol Nicholson, a Scottsdale spiritual teacher and psychic medium, said psychics can also help determine future career paths.
She said her new clients are commonly asking specific questions such as, "Do I need to do a short sale on my house?" and "When am I going to find a job?"
"That seems to be the predominant theme," she said. "There's a lot of desperation. They are looking for help in ways that no one else can give them."
Psychics and astrologers said that many of their new clients are younger professionals who haven't sought such help before.
"I've done this for 30 years, and we're getting people I didn't used to get," said Dave Campbell, an astrologer and owner of the Astrology Store in Glendale.
"We are seeing a lot more of the conservative types, even government workers that usually wouldn't go to astrologers, psychics or tarot readers," Campbell added.
Psychic Paula Parris has been working out of her home in Gilbert's Heritage District for the past two years and about a year ago opened a storefront location in town. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law have locations in Chandler, and her daughter has a location in Scottsdale.
"I hate what the economy is doing to everyone, but it's brought me more business," Parris said. "People need to know where they are."
Parris said she's comforted by the fact that it's not the money questions she gets most often.
"Even with the economy, the Number 1 question is about finding love and a soul mate. Yes, they want to know where they're at financially, but the main focus is still happiness."
Benson and the others in the field said they're increasingly finding themselves in the position of therapist.
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