When the going gets tough – people turn to the stars

Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

By

Vickie Zisman

Rational thinking is good. Western civilization has been hard-wired from almost the cradle of its conscious existence (Aristotle?) that logic and facts are the sole base for correct decision making in life. Even monotheistic religions like Judaism (which is a very practical earthly day to day codex of law) or a more spiritual Christianity, have not succeeded in completely wiping out reason from our life. Moreover, all religions have a claim to a certain divine wisdom/rationale. So far, so good, isn’t it?

No, not really. With the advent of Enlightenment, about 250 years ago, the power of religious beliefs and coercion was in a steady decline. Science and socio-political movements of the second half of the 19^th century and beginning of the 20^th, followed by two World Words, seemed to have driven the final nail into the coffin of religion throughout the West. Reason unequivocally triumphed. Well, at least we thought so for almost 70 years……..

Overtly or not, science and reason have not killed spirituality in the modern era. New forms emerged, old practices re-surfaced, wearing a new guise. And since 2008 it all came back with a bang – powered by Technology! The global state of affairs post 2008 does not necessitate my introduction or explanation. The recent month, has seen the snowball of the clash of civilizations gaining even bigger momentum with Brexit and the terror attacks, failed coups, etc…..World apocalypse scenarios of all kinds and shapes are discussed openly, without fear of becoming a laughing stock.

In times of order-less society, in geo-political, social and economic turmoil, Reason seems to have taken a long leave of absence without a return date. But humans still need to quell their emotional and psychological unrest, which is not assisted now by any logical facts and understanding. Enter the spiritual guides. As I mentioned above, science didn’t abolish spirituality and belief – it may have dissolved the rigid framework of rituals and ceremonies of the traditional religions, but it didn’t stop the quest for answers, not provided so far by reason or reason-based social disciplines, like modern psychology and therapy. Re-incarnated into the modern mold, spirituality has its field day.

Internet and all other communication technologies have proven to be a secondary wind to guides and instructors all over the world. Astrologers, numerologists, tarot readers, shamanic priests, occult communicators – mystics are increasingly recognized as a legitimate valid authority taking the front stage in traditional media (be it TV programmes or former “print” media outlets), dispensing advice not only on personal affairs, but opining on economy, business and macro-geopolitical issues as well. Social networks and mobile applications have only accelerated the trend. Youtube is awash with astrologers guiding the viewers though the uncertainties of their lives. There are countless portals and websites for spiritual guidance. And even a dedicated spiritual tourism (in places like Arizona), promoted via several sites.

However, the easiest immediate accessibility can be attained via mobile application. Batsheva Dor, a renown international mystic and life coach, who won the title “Psychic of the Year” for three consecutive years 2013-2015 (dubbed “Australian Oprah Winfrey of the psychic world”) , is accessible on ‘ASKme – live psychic readings’, which can be downloaded from AppStore for iPhones and GooglePlay for android.

I heard her predictions on American radio two days before the Nice terror attack and a day before the Turkish coup attempt. It gave me chills. Totally spot on.

Moreover, August is going to be as turbulent and eventful (if not to a greater extent) with more cataclysmic occurrences. In short, the wind of WWIII will blow even stronger, with increased ISIS attacks all over Europe. It being increasingly weakened in the Middle East, European capitals are under direct and immediate terror threat, including its celebrities, political leaders and financial institutions. We will witness a higher number of hostile attempts on crowded places, including mass transportation points, leisure and entertainment venues. Following the failed coup and precarious internal situation, Turkey won’t be able to curb the refugee influx, hence a much larger number of migrants will find their way into European cities. The right wing parties are on the rise throughout the 1^st world – US and Europe. China’s financial crisis will deepen.

Mystics attest that the guidance people ask for is increasingly beyond the personal realm of family and love relationships. More and more ask for financial and business predictions, political outcomes, geo-political forecasts – in short, all major current events that bear direct effect on our lives. They are clutching at straws for certainty provided by another dimension, because our human “reason” is failing them miserably now.

The business of ASKme – live psychic readings’ mobile application is booming, precisely because after 16 years of successive booms and busts (and time gap between them becomes shorter and shorter, more in the bust direction), people are left breathless, hanging in the air. They crave answers now!, the change….They want an immediate access to an authority that can guide them through the tribulations in their lives. And what is more immediate than a phone call? The answer is just a phone call away!

Rationalists may shake their heads and laugh dismissively, however, history teaches us that revolutions occurred precisely when popular sentiment was ignored and derided. If both the dwindling middle class and the growing class of the poor stand with their backs to the wall, following ‘rational’ socio-economic global tests on humans, the upper crust will not be laughing for much longer.

Or maybe, just maybe, the mystics have an access to the more intricate workings of our mind and consciousness, still obscure to science? To the “windmills of our minds” to paraphrase the well known track from the “Thomas Crown Affair”.

Vickie Zisman

Historian by education. Corporate communications professional – by vocation. “Holy cows” in management & life slayer – by choice. Highly allergic to self-righteous hypocrites, universal moral preachers et al. Incurable, politically incorrect, cynic. Mad cat-lover. For further clarifications – you can always leave a comment on my blog, visit my Linkedin profile or connect with me on Twitter.