I firmly believe that everyone is psychic. The secret is not only recognizing it but tapping into the source as well. I did not realize it; I did not acknowledge it and I certainly did not come close to tapping into it. I ignored it for so long that it finally had to tap into me. To say it "tap" is a gross understatement. It repeatedly clobbered me over the head with a series of rhythmic deafening thuds. That's the best way to get my attention since the word "subtle" is certainly not in my vocabulary. It began innocently enough by a 'chance' reading by renowned medium, George Anderson in August, 2001. (Click here for the inspiring details). What soon followed was discovering, and cultivating, my own natural abilities as an automatic writer and a channel. This new path lead me to extensive training at The Astrological Institute of Integrated Studies in Port Charlotte, Florida. It was there, under the guided hands of Sandy Anastasi, John Maerz and Ed Hicks, that I truly began to understand, and embrace, my potential as a psychic medium as well as a spiritual being. I assure you no one was more surprised than me! I have also had the honor of studying with renowned clairvoyant and medium, Francesca Kimpton, medium John Holland, as well as spiritual teacher & medium, Hans Christian King.

I can look back on my life and see many instances where my undiscovered psychic abilities were in full working order. I had a premonition of my grandmother's death the night before it happened in March of 1973. I often saw and/or heard her in our house for several years after that. I would have strong premonitions of upcoming events and I had this 'uncanny' knack of thoroughly 'knowing' people without having ever met them before. I didn't think much of these occurrences and just shrugged them off for the most part. My lack of understanding caused my natural abilities to go into a hibernation of sorts. It took quite some time for me to restart the engine. But once it revved up I took off at a high rate of speed! It was the closest thing to exercise that I had experienced since the Carter Administration.

I suppose the most blatant sign was my obsession with cemeteries. I have always loved them. As a small child my family visited a cemetery in Virginia where my great aunt's father was buried. We had never been there and had no clue where his grave was specifically located. As my mother ventured off to the caretaker's office I immediately waded right in among the rolling sea of tombstones. I walked directly to the man's grave much to everyone's dismay. I honestly didn't think much of the event. I just "knew". Everyone, including me, chalked it up as a coincidence.

In 1993, at the urging of a close friend, I visited my first psychic and spiritual reader, Donna Sims. I found the subject matter interesting but that was as far as it went. One of the first things Donna said to me was, "You're very psychic, Charles. You just haven't learned to tap into it yet." Then she just sat there smiling knowingly. I blew that generic comment off with a wave of my hand. "Yea, right!" I scoffed. I can honestly say, without hesitation, that a Merlot is the best wine to serve with crow.

I have been blessed to have access to amazing teachers both here in the physical world as well as in the spiritual. With the devoted aide of my Spirit Guides, as well as the loving direction of Suzie Estridge, my first spiritual teacher and one of my dearest friends, I am able to receive, and better understand, messages from Spirit. I continue to learn from each and every reading that I am privileged to conduct.

I am an artist therefore I am very visual. Most of the messages I receive are in a wide assortment of images and flashing pictures that I have to decipher. It's like playing a very surreal game of charades! I will see things that I, personally, understand or I will see, in my mind's eye, an object or place that will be significant to the person I'm reading. It will not be familiar to me so I have to describe what I’m seeing the best way that I can. I see spirits subjectively (in my mind's eye), not objectively (as physical apparitions). At least not yet. But I know I will in due time.

I will often see movie clips because I am an avid film buff. ("Film Buff" being the PC term for "couch potato".) Humor is very important to me and Spirit utilizes this to the max. It’s an adventure for both the medium and the client. I don’t know what’s coming next any more than you do! Spirit has direct access to all the information and experiences stored in the bulky filing cabinet in my mind to help get the message through. I often get information that seems like nothing short of gibberish to me but will then make sense to my client...often to my own dismay.

The process can best be summed up by Robert, my Master Guide: "It is an effort of three: mind, body and soul; Spirit, medium, and client. One cannot be without the other. Equal participants working as one."

Peace.

Charles A. Filius