When it comes to reiki, horoscopes, manifesting my dreams and reading tarot cards – sign me up!
But I’ve never been one to buy into crystals or believe the idea that someone can really ‘talk to the dead’. Come on.
I’d like to think I’m a rational person, somewhat practical, grounded, and probably too cynical for my own good sometimes (but that could be because I’m unapologetically English).
So, when I booked in to see David Stevens, aka ‘David The Medium‘ – one of Australia’s most in-demand psychics with a year-long waitlist (and touring soon) – I went in armed with a healthy dose of side-eye.
To set the scene, David had flown into Sydney from his base in Melbourne and was taking appointments in the bougie surrounds of the Capella Hotel in the CBD.
David himself is petite in stature, impeccably polite and graceful, the kind of person who makes you feel instantly at ease. Still, I wasn’t about to be charmed.
My plan was simple – say as little as possible, give nothing away, and watch for the classic ‘tricks of the trade’ I was convinced would come.
I should add here that my social media is no open book. No way was I letting any telling information out before we met.
I lovereiki, horoscopes, and reading tarot cards, butI’ve never believe the idea that someone can really ‘talk to the dead’
I’d like to think I’m a rational person, somewhat practical, grounded, and probably too cynical sometimes, but I wanted to be proved wrong – so I booked in for a reading with one of Australia’s most famous psychics when he visited Sydney
My public Instagram account is strictly beauty content (think lipstick reviews, serums and the odd hair and makeup tutorial) – there is nothing about my family, my relationship or my personal life.
And my Facebook is locked down tighter than Fort Knox – in other words, if David was about to wow me, it wouldn’t be because he’d done a quick online stalk.
Then, within 45 seconds (yes, I checked the voice recording on my phone), he floored me.
He reeled off the names of a few of my siblings: Tom, his wife Ruby, my sister Lauren, as well as their personality traits and how many children they had.
He also knew my mother Sue’s name. And then, casually, he told me my late grandmother Joyce was present.
He didn’t just pluck ‘Joyce’ out of thin air either; according to him he got there via a bizarre but strangely accurate pop culture reference.
‘The spirit is showing me Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s mother… her name is Joyce, right?’ Sure enough, Joyce was my grandmother, who passed away several years ago.
It didn’t stop there; he went on to say Tom was named after his ‘heroic great-grandfather’, who had a military connection.
When I walked in to see David Stevens, aka ‘ David The Medium ‘ (pictured) – who has a year-long waitlist and is the go-to ‘psychic to the stars’ – I was armed with a healthy dose of side-eye
Then, within 45 seconds, he floored me. He reeled off the names of my siblings (three out of four pictured), my mum, her cancer battle, my dead grandmother and even details of my childhoodBorder Collie, Ben
David said he could ‘see a man saluting,’ as if Tom’s name carried a legacy of service. Which is correct.
My jaw was already on the floor when he casually mentioned a family dog bounding into the room of his vision – my childhood Border Collie, Ben.
How on earth did he know about Ben? I hadn’t thought of him in years, and yet there he was, still ‘guarding’ us, apparently from the other side.
Now, if you’re rolling your eyes, trust me, I get it. I went in expecting vague platitudes and generic guesses that could apply to anyone.
But these details? They were uncannily specific on every count. And while I tried not to let it show, part of me was… impressed.
The reading then moved into even more personal territory.
David spoke about my partner – yes, ‘the hot tradie’ (guilty as charged) – and told me our relationship was built on solid ground. Phew. But hey, I did already know that
David spoke about my partner – yes, ‘the hot tradie’ (guilty as charged) – and told me our relationship was built on solid ground. Phew. But hey, I did already know that.
He described him as having ‘anchored Melbourne energy’, which made me laugh because he’s constantly homesick for Victoria.
Apparently, kids are also in the picture ‘at least one’, David said with certainty.
I’ll admit, I felt oddly reassured hearing that, even though I’ve never considered myself particularly maternal.
When it came to my career, David seemed to hit on things I hadn’t even said aloud, and that threw me again.
He talked about the big job shift I’d made earlier this year (again, not an industry secret in the slightest, but keep reading), how it’s been both exciting and overwhelming, and how the next six months would feel like ‘falling without knowing where you’ll land’.
He stressed that my passion for beauty and wellness would open major doors, name-dropping a specific idol of mine as a kind of mentor figure in the industry.
When it came to my career, David seemed to hit on things I hadn’t even said aloud, and that threw me again. ‘Major doors are also opening’ for me in October, apparently. Let us all pray…or should I say manifest?
By October, he said, I’d be ‘handed opportunities that could shape my career’ if I stayed focused and refused to take on ‘side quests’ that didn’t align with my goals.
Funnily enough, exactly a week later my bestie in the industry sent me a job on Seek with the words, ‘OMG, you’d be perfect for this!’ I promptly replied, ‘thanks, but no thanks’.
There were very emotional moments too, and even the sceptic in me was reduced to blubbering tears.
He spoke about my mum’s health, and how ‘the Spirit’ insisted I didn’t need to carry that weight of constant worry and went on to specify it stemmed from her cancer diagnosis nine years prior.
Another odd coincidence: my mum’s recent health checks confirmed exactly that – she got cleared with a perfect bill of health for her age.
I felt like a tonne of bricks had been lifted.
By the end of the hour, I was somewhere between mystified, comforted, and annoyed at myself for not being able to pick apart his ‘method.’
The sceptic in me wants to hold tight to logic, but there’s now a part of me that heard things I can’t unhear – even the sceptic in me was reduced to blubbering tears in parts. Pictured: David and I at the end of our hour-long chat
I’d honestly gone in wanting to debunk him, but instead, I left with goosebumps and more than a few things to think about.
David insisted that everyone has the capacity for intuition, and that we all ignore the nudges of our own inner voice.
I guess I’ve experienced certain ‘unexplainable’ knowledge and pre-empted scenarios in the past, but I’ve always put it down to coincidence or random luck.
David doesn’t use tarot or astrology, but just his own energy, tuning in to what he calls ‘the Spirit’.
It’s either the most extraordinary gift or the best-kept performance trick I’ve ever seen.
So, do I believe now? Honestly, yes I do.
The sceptic in me wants to hold tight to logic, but there’s now a part of me that heard things I can’t unhear.
Like my grandmother’s name and whole personality described, my childhood dog perfectly depicted, and my brother’s military namesake all coming out of a complete stranger’s mouth.
Let’s just say I’ll be keeping an open mind from now on.
