Neptune's Dolphins

A man, who casually wants a reading, is not expecting the subject of death to come up. In my readings, I follow Dr. Jennifer Vest’s advice. In “The Ethical Psychic,” she stresses when dealing with the “Big Three Ds – Death, Disease, and Divorce,” a psychic need to be circumspect. Tell the man, that the reading is serious, but he can choose to do positive acts to transform the reading. Have him know that he can exercise his free will. I would have him think about anything that he would like to do but has not done so yet.

 

A diviner understands what the questioner needs to hear, how they hear it, and what has to be said. In the case of the man, I would inform him that the reading can change through his actions. I would stress that the reading is “never final, only informative.”

 

Works Cited:

Dylan, Mystic, “Throwing Bones, Crystals, Stones and Curios.” Weiser Books: Newbury Port (MA). 2024.

Kinneging, Andreas, “The Geography of Good and Evil.” Trans. Ineke Hardy. Regnery Publishing: Washington D.C. 2005.

Leath, Melissa, “Psychic Integrity.” Hay House: Bloomington (IN). 2011.

Vest, Jennifer Lisa, PhD., “The Ethical Psychic.” North Atlantic Books: Berkeley (CA). 2022.

Wood, Robin, “When, Why…If.” Livingtree Press: Dearborn (MI). 1996.

Since I am a Roman Polytheist, I follow the Roman Public and Private Virtues. (Note 1) These virtues are the ideals that Romans aspire to in their lives. According to Cicero, the four “Cardinal Virtues” contain the rest. (Note 2) “Prudence” (Prudentia) includes “Patience” (Patientia) and “Forethought” (Providentia), as important values to follow. “Courage (Virtus) has “Tenacity (Firmitas) and “Duty” (Pietas). Meanwhile, “Justice” (Iustitia) has “Mercy” (Clementia), “Equity” (Aequitas) and “Good Faith” (Fides). Finally, “Temperance” (Temperantia) includes “Dignity” (Dignitas), “Responsibility” (Gravitas), “Truthfulness” (Veritas) and “Nobility” (Nobilitas).

 

How these can be applied in modern life is described by Nessa Bird in her essay, “The Influence of Roman Virtues on Modern Business Ethics.” (Note 3) In business, “Virtus” is a commitment to moral integrity as “a responsibility to employees and stockholders.” “Fides” covers customer and community relations. The business ensures a safe product (service) and customer satisfaction. “Pietas,” which is responsibility in commerce, focuses on responsible business practices. For example, the company does not employ deceptive sales tactics. With “Dignitas,” the company’s reputation entails good will towards the community which includes investors.

 

Applying Roman virtues to divining means starting with “Virtus” (Moral Integrity). The diviner (reader) works with otherworldly entities and with humans. Unlike regular businesses, divination has a spiritual dimension to it. Mystic Dylan in “Throwing the Bones” notes that psychic links are formed between the tools used for divination, the questioner, and the otherworld entities with the diviner as the focal point. Therefore, the prudent diviner knows their own boundaries. An ethical reader recognizes the entire ecosystem of divination, which is “Pietas” (Duty and Piety)

 

“Fides” (Trust and Fidelity) for the diviner comes with the reading. A discerning reader understands what the questioner needs to hear and how they need to hear it. Since prophesy can be self-fulfilling, a responsible reader tempers their reading. As the maxim of Astrology states, “The Stars inform; They do not compel.” Therefore, the reading requires the latitude of choice and free will for the questioner. The responsible diviner preserves the delicate balance between what the otherworld entities want the questioner to know and what the questioner can understand.

 

Moreover, “Virtus” includes a duty to the otherworld entities drawn into this world. The diviner always establishes rules for all involved. Some entities need an offering for their services. Some should not be asked certain questions. Meanwhile to allow the exchange between the entity and questioner to flow, the diviner must remain rooted in the ordinary world.

 

Notes:

Note 1. Among the fifteen Personal Virtues are “Dignity,” “Tenacity,” “Prudence,” and “Truthfulness.” Among the twenty-six Public Virtues are “Concord,” “Confidence,” “Justice,” and “Piety.”

 

Note 2. “Everything that is honorable originates from some one of four parts: either in thoroughly recognizing and perceiving the truth; or in safeguarding human association, giving to each his own, and keeping good faith in agreements made; or in the greatness and strength of a lofty and unconquerable spirit; or in the order and due measure of all deeds and speech in which are included discretion and temperance.” Cicero: “On Duties: Book I,” Page 28.

 

Note 3. Bird considers the following: “Virtus”: bravery and moral excellence. “Fides”: trust and fidelity. “Pietas”: duty to family, state, and gods. “Dignitas”: dignity, worth, and reputation.

 

Works Cited:

Bird, Nessa, “The Influence of Roman Virtues on Modern Business Ethics,” 30 November 2024. Web. Roman Mythology Worldwide. https://roman.mythologyworldwide.com/the-influence-of-roman-virtues-on-modern-business-ethics/ .

Cicero, “On Duties.” Translated by Walter Miller. Roman Roads Press: Moscow (ID). 2016.

Cook, Tonya, “Influence of Roman Virtues on Modern Ethics,” 30 November, 2024. Web. Roman Mytholology Worldwide. https://roman.mythologyworldwide.com/the-influence-of-roman-virtues-on-modern-ethics-2/.

Dylan, Mystic, “Throwing Bones, Crystals, Stones and Curios.” Weiser Books: Newbury Port (MA). 2024.

Kenny, Dennis, Rev., “Breaking the Spiritual Code.” Wipf and Stock: Eugene (OR). 2023.

Kinneging, Andreas, “The Geography of Good and Evil.” Trans. Ineke Hardy. Regnery Publishing: Washington D.C. 2005.

Leath, Melissa, “Psychic Integrity.” Hay House: Bloomington (IN). 2011.

Sancho, Brandie, “Exploring the Core Roman Virtues: A Path to Moral Excellence,” 28 November 2024. Web. Roman Mythology Worldwide. https://roman.mythologyworldwide.com/exploring-the-core-roman-virtues-a-path-to-moral-excellence/.

Triarius, L. Vitellius. “Religio Roman Handbook.” Independently Published. 2014.

Vest, Jennifer Lisa, PhD., “The Ethical Psychic.” North Atlantic Books: Berkeley (CA). 2022.

Wood, Robin, “When, Why…If.” Livingtree Press: Dearborn (MI). 1996.

 

As a diviner, I have a code of ethics. Moreover, I strongly urge that readers and other psychics receive instruction in ethics as they learn their craft. Not only do diviners (and others) engage with human beings but also with other entities (Gods, Spirits, Ancestors, Souls). Some of these entities provide us with aid and good information. Meanwhile, others want to deceive and do mischief or worse. Still there are those we have been asked to assist by the questioner.

 

Therefore, I welcome Jennifer Vest’s book, “The Ethical Psychic.” Dr. Vest, who has a Doctorate in Indigenous Philosophy, writes from her experiences as a Hoodoo and Reiki practitioner. In addition, she draws upon her time as a teacher and as a consultant at both the university and as a psychic.

 

In her book, Dr. Vest emphasizes how dangerous spirit work is. The goal of an ethical psychic is to be of service to humans and Spirits. Because of the peril, a person has to be sure as to why they want to be a professional psychic. Uncovering motives is an intense process. Therefore, suspect motives include fame, money, and power. She adds job security to that list. To figure all this out, the person needs to do the emotional work. Being a psychic does requires emotional stability.

 

According to Dr. Vest, the definition of an ethical psychic (Note 1) is the following: “An ethical psychic endeavors to be a good person and to do the right thing in his or her practice. An ethical psychic is intentional and conscious in her use of her gifts; she strives to use her gifts to help and never harm, and she takes steps to ensure that no negative consequences results from the expression of her gifts. An ethical psychic does not just seek to do no harm; he consciously and carefully examines all of the possible effects of his work and makes decisions about how to work according to these reflections, doing everything in his power to ensure a positive outcome.”

 

To become an ethical psychic, Dr. Vest suggests first choose teachers carefully. She states that without a teacher, the psychic can be become lost. That makes them dangerous. For example, they can unwittingly leave portals open. Meanwhile, bad teachers will insert their own opinions as advice from the Spirits. Or, they will teach a person how to convince people to follow their advice.

 

Also choose your colleagues carefully since they influence your thinking and actions. Some colleagues will use magic to have people dependent on them. Since you are their colleague, you can become indirectly complicit in their actions.

 

Dr. Vest offers other suggestions such as how to keep a balance. If unbalanced, a person may engage in harmful behavior such as dating clients. Since the psychic is dealing with other worldly entities, they need to be self-aware and honest. Because no one can be a hundred percent accurate, a person should examine their mistakes.

 

For psychics and spirit workers, the most important task is to discern the source of information. For example, there are entities who feed off people’s distress. Some Ancestors may have not the questioner’s best interest in mind. Summoning spirits is dicey at best and is generally ill-advised. In contrast, a God or a Higher-Level Spirit will allow for “inspiration writing” from which flows the “highest and best” information. (Note 2)

 

Doing spirit work entails risks. A psychic can accidently control the destiny of souls or create disharmony among souls. Working with spirits affects the destinies of the living and the Dead. The living can be stuck in their grief or a spirit may refuse to leave the Earth Plane. Depending on the psychic’s beliefs, they could be interfering with karmic contracts between souls or disrupt Ancestral healing.

 

In her “Question and Answer” chapter, Dr. Vest deals with the three “Ds” – Divorce, Disease, and Death. Informing someone about any of these takes great tact and gentleness. How the client is told is important. A reader has to understand what the questioner needs to hear, and how they need to hear it. Impeccable ethics should guide a person in these matters.

 

Notes:

Note 1. Dr. Vest lists hoodoos, witches, brujas, healers and diviners as psychics.

Note 2. African American medium Peter Brown describes “inspiration writing.” “With inspirational writing, you begin each session with a prayer. You ask for divine guidance. Then you have specific questions which you present. And these are answered.”