My husband loves websites that offer free astrology readings. I don’t have the heart to tell him that what they email him every morning are designed to be one-size-fits-all, because not every Leo in the world was born on the same date in the same year, and have the same rising and moon signs in the exact same place on their charts. So even though every Leo gets the same reading, my husband still thinks the message is just for him. (Isn’t that like a Leo?) Oh, well, it’s all in fun… Until the other night he showed me a very disturbing ad the website had sent him – and I’m sure it was sent to all of the website’s subscribers.

The message banner asked: "IS YOUR LOVE LIFE CURSED?"

I gritted my teeth. What an awful idea to implant in people’s minds! I thought of all the psychic scam artists out there who prey on people’s vulnerability and ask them to pay money to remove "curses." Here’s some great advice FOR FREE for everyone who thinks they’re living under a black cloud: Think positive thoughts, strengthen the light within yourself, and stop believing other people have power over you.

Here’s the message, in part, my husband received from the website:

"Do you feel like there's a black cloud hanging over your love life? Are you underappreciated at work? If the stars seem to have forgotten to work their karmic magic on you, don't give up hope! True love, your ideal career, or a windfall could be right around the corner, or even right in front of your nose!"

Shame on you, for sending out such a fear-inducing message!

The only part of the ad that’s true is love and happiness is right in front of your nose. The world is a loving, supportive place, and your angels and guides want to help you realize that. If you feel love and happiness is always just out of reach, it’s not because you’re cursed – perhaps you’ve put blocks in front of you. Are you secretly afraid of success? Are you missing out on love because you’re shy, or you’re hesitant about opening yourself up to the possibility of sharing yourself with someone? Karma isn’t working against you – you’re tripping over your own fear. "Change your attitude and change your life" is the lesson behind many wonderful self-help books available at your local public library.

If I’m coming across as strident, I apologize. I’m sure there are many fine workers at psychic-based websites who whole-heartedly want to give service. I’m sure they, like me and countless other intuitives, honour and respect the work we do. I just don’t like to think there are psychics and mediums out there who take advantage of people who are truly seeking help.

I’ve been writing blogs for several years, and I get the most responses from one I did on psychic scams. It’s never too late to recapture your power. Just remember: No one can curse you except yourself. Or, as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel bad without your permission."