By Howard Koplowitz
In the current economy, investors are taking losses, restaurants are struggling to attract clientele and nonprofits are finding it increasingly difficult to collect donations.
But one field has had some good fortune: fortune tellers and psychics.
“It has gotten better,” said Mrs. Dee, a psychic and palm reader who operates out of her apartment on Bell Boulevard in Bayside. Mrs. Dee said her clients are also asking different questions about their future since the economic downturn.
Several other psychics in Queens hung up the phone when asked to comment on how the economy is affecting their business.
“I’d say I definitely get more customers coming in asking about their job, asking about how things are going to be next year,” Mrs. Dee said. “Usually it’s ‘Who’s my soulmate?’ or ‘When am I going to get married?’ ”
Other common queries are when will be a good time to buy a home or is going on vacation a prudent move.
“A lot of people tell me, ‘I need to go to school. I need to be able to go to school and will I have a good future if I don’t?’ ” Mrs. Dee said.
The recession means fewer questions about marriage and whether the health of sick family members will improve.
Mrs. Dee said that while psychics and fortune tellers are considered popular with women, she has seen a demographic shift in her clients under the current economic conditions.
“The men sometimes would come with a woman just to make them happy,” she said. “But now I’m seeing groups of men. Sometimes men are convincing the women to go and try it.”
A significant portion of Mrs. Dee’s clients are the proprietors on Bell Boulevard, who ask her what business investments they should make. Others are walk−in customers from Bell Boulevard who notice the white letters advertising palm readings on the front door of her building.
“I tell them more advertising. No fancy things in the store,” she said of her business clients. “People are going to be looking for deals, they’re not going to be looking for a new oven.”
Mrs. Dee said she has also seen a common theme during her readings when customers ask about going on vacation. More often, she is telling her clients that now is not a good time to travel because they could face money problems.
“For most people, winter would be better to hunker down because they will have problems with finances in the summertime,” Mrs. Dee said.
She said she discovered her psychic powers — her mother and grandmother also had “the gift” — at around age 7 and has been working as a psychic for the past 22 years.
Mrs. Dee specializes in palm readings — $10 a palm — and also does tarot card, energy and aura readings. She can also give readings if customers supply her with their names and dates of birth.
Sessions usually last around 35−40 minutes.
“It’s well worth it because it does give people sense of mind,” she said.
Mrs. Dee also has her share of regular customers, who have recently been coming in more regularly because the economy is fueling more questions about their future.
“My repeat customers are coming a lot more often,” she said. “They hear rumors about people getting fired.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e−mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 173.
