Western psychics see a starry future on the mainland

Xu said she also did not like the way Chinese psychics talk.

"They always sit in the chair, smoothing their beard, and saying words that are really difficult to understand. And they do not make it clear when you ask.

"But the Western masters are more direct when they answer my questions, which may be because of the different way of thinking," she said.

Zheng Wei, an assistant to Lynda Woolf, said privacy concerns might also be a reason people visit foreign psychics.

"As far as I know, some clients do not trust the mainland psychics because what they ask may be very private stuff, but foreign psychics, especially those from Western countries, are trustworthy in this respect," Zheng said. In Australia, Canada, Europe and the US, there are associations and boards that set professional and ethical standards for Tarot readers and certify those meet these standards.

Despite the warm response for Western psychics, their Chinese peers don't feel threatened.

"Foreign clients are more interested in prediction, while Chinese clients are more likely to ask for advice on changing names or naming their children, because they believe a good name can significantly affect one's destiny," said Zhou Xin, a Chinese psychic who has been in the business for more than 30 years.

"But compared with Tarot and astrology, Chinese divination, based on the theory of the I Ching, is more specific and complicated," Zhou said, adding that many foreigners are very curious about the mysterious Chinese divination and have come with translators to ask him to tell their future.

"Many foreign clients come to visit because they are obsessed with the I Ching, or The Book of Changes, as a result of the worldwide upsurge of studying this magical book," said another Chinese psychic surnamed Li.

Zhang Boyuan, a 75-year-old physic who has been studying the I Ching since he was 16, said the I Ching and Chinese divination is different from superstition. "It is science. Everything in this universe, including human beings, is affected by energies, such as yin and yang, and the five elements, and the I Ching reveals the rules of those natural energies. So people can foretell or change their destiny as long as they are proficient with those rules."

Ji Yerong contributed to this story.

chengyingqi@chinadaily.com.cm