HW10: Effects of Fortune Telling

During the ancient times up to the rise of commercialism, fortune telling practices adapted to survive in the society, in every culture, country or race. Maybe because it is already a part of culture or tradition or because it is like a communicable disease, fortune telling can manifest itself through the word of mouth.

The article entitled “Negative Side of Art of Fortune Telling” by wisdomeye is limited only to the negative effect of fortune telling to people who are in a relationship or married. A situation stated in the article: Fortune tellers tells a happy couple (with no affairs at all at that time) that one of them will be having affairs and that he/she can purify away such misfortune by paying him thousands of dollars. Then there will be whose wives had never had any doubt on them before, would thereafter start worrying if their husbands will cheat on the wives. And the wives continue to give their husbands headache after headache and not a shadow of any mistress can be seen.

Basically, one of the positive psychological effects of fortune telling is to relieve people from anxiety but in this situation, it is the opposite. Because of money, the fortune teller defrauded his client without thinking of the psychological effects it may give to his client. If the wife continue to start worrying and think that her husband is cheating on him, as a result it can destroy their relationship.

Another situation stated in the article is when a daughter with his mother consulted a fortune teller. The fortune teller told them that the daughter will marry a rich man but will die young so the daughter will inherit the wealth. After hearing this, the mother advised her daughter not to be so committed with her current boyfriend.

Our destiny should be shaped or dependent on our decisions but not with others decision. If the daughter obeys the advice of her mother and the fortune teller and the prediction did not come true; this will have an effect to the daughter. It can arise to depression or mental disorder.

Some of the positive psychological effects of fortune telling to people are: it helps to relieve anxiety and promotes positive thoughts; it gives a person a sense of security and confidence; belief in destiny helps render life a coherent narrative, which infuses goals with a greater sense of purpose.

Some of the negative psychological effects of fortune telling to people are: People have compulsions to do fortune telling over and over again, often interfering with everyday life; it arises to the feeling of relaxation and laziness where people rely on predictions rather than hard work; it can arise to depression, mental disorder or symptoms of anxiety -- tension, excessive worry, trouble sleeping, obsessive thoughts and exhaustion.

The negative effects as well include: one might start finding and discover things about the answers in life which could lead to absence of focus and perseverance. When a person’s personal experience in fortune telling leads to a strong belief, it becomes a tough task to make the person realize the reality from untruth. One’s personality is now being shaped and developed by the “words” of fortune telling.

People may have different perceptions, understanding and reactions to objects or matters in the same way. It depends on how they think about it which produces feelings, which produces behaviors, which produces results.

A person should always learn to be optimistic in all matters for it as well constitutes positive energy and way of life. An individual should not be dependent on fortune telling for the answers and happenings in life because destiny is held and shaped by the one’s self, it is a personal choice. And a person with a strong belief and who works with principles can avoid being absorbed into the dangerous circle of fortune telling.