The theme of evil runs throughout Forging of a Knight, and those that do battle against it: Those That Stand in Shadow, the Yanaan, and the Mah-Zakim, among others. The Alliance has confronted them, as has the School. Various Orders of knighthood have done so as well, and of course our main protagonist, Qualtan, and his knightly and not-so-knightly buddies have spent most of the series doing so. Having magic powers, knowledgeable priests, and friendly wizards seem to make rooting out evil presences rather easy.

But outside of their fantasy world, such abilities have been identified with others.

They can be called healers, soothsayers, and psychics. Spiritualists, palmists, and those that can cast out evil presences from homes. People who feel they can see clarity from behind the veil of life. There can be tricksters, and many frauds, but also those who honestly believe they can assist others and have received positive/appreciative results from those they have helped.

Here is someone I know that falls under the latter. He was gracious enough to answer some questions and offer his own advice to any who may be interested.

Tell us a little about yourself.

.At this point in my life I wish to remain anonymous do to career challenges. Don’t get me wrong I strongly believe in my God gifted abilities that have graciously given me the opportunity to help others time and again. So you may call me Phoenix if you wish. I am a Psychic Medium.

When did you start experiencing paranormal phenomena?

I started experiencing paranormal activity and the sight to see people’s lives when I was 8 years old. It was as if I went from living my life as a normal little boy to understand things and seeing things that other people were not. I knew when adults were lying to each other and to myself. I knew answers to questions I’d hear people talking about that a child should not even experience for another decade. It all happened in one day.

Was this something you shared with others or kept to yourself?

I started telling my parents when this gift began, but I don’t think they understood the scope of what was happening. I remember telling different things I was experiencing and they told me I was imagining things, I was listening to adults talk and shouldn’t anymore. I began to tell them what I saw and again the answer was always my imagination. It’s ok now I understand them thinking that way, but my imagination wasn’t answering questions to things I couldn’t possibly know.

When did you know you could assist others?

I learned to accept what was happening to me and knew I wasn’t “dreaming/imagining” things. I would help other kids find things if they lost something. Tests at school became really easy lol especially multiple choice. I listened to people and began to give advice by suggestions instead of saying what I really knew. “You might want to try that bike Billy. The blue one looks girlish.” I saw him hurt himself pretty badly riding that blue bike. I will be in line at a store and hear someone on a cell. “I’m coming over tonight, what time do you want me to come?” I suggest to this person I heard we’re getting some really bad weather tonight. Really bad. Oh no!! Yeah probably a good idea to stay in if you can help it. I saw she was in a car crash in the rain. I’ll hear someone arguing on their cell. They get off extremely mad. I hear them in their mind how they’re going to tell this so and so off then they get out of wherever they are at. I’ll say “I’m sorry but I couldn’t help but hearing you argue. Maybe it’s good idea to talk to this person when you have claimed down. I know I’ve gone off on people right after a phone call that and regretted it. Just smile back.”

What do you actually perceive/see that others cannot?

It’s really hard to say specifically. I perceive something through feelings. Sometimes it’s like watching a movie play out. Sometimes I’ll just understand the outcome in a split second. When I do Angel Card Readings for people as I draw the cards I have information about their lives I should have no idea. I tell them and it always is happening in their lives. I don’t know most of these people, idk where they live or anything about them until I do the reading and then I will know more about them then I even want to know. Sometimes it can be disheartening to know an evil heart.

How do you know what to do in dealing with such phenomena?

It’s definitely a learning process. As a kid you just see a lot and experience sights. As an adult I try to help when I think I can make a difference. A lot of times I’ll see things and hear people and just know I’m not meant to help this person. Part of their journey is to live through that situation to make their own decisions and challenges. You just know.

What have been the end results of your encounters?

Blessed to say almost everything has turned out just fine. I think starting at such a young age gave me the courage to know when to act and when to just listen to my intuition.

Does this minimize loss/death in your eyes based upon what you have seen/have done? How do you feel about aging/death after having these experiences?

I become sad just like everyone else when someone passes away. But I know I will see that person again. No doubt. I know they will be going through changes of their own on the other side. Learning about their new eternity. Death does not scare me. Going through life is the challenge. There is a heaven and there is another place. Some call that other place hell. It does exist. I don’t believe the Lord would want someone to be on fire or terrible hurting for eternity. I believe it’s a place where you are alone. All alone forever. No friends no pets just that person with nothing to do but think about the pain and suffering they caused others forever. That sounds like hell to me. It feels like a loving God would choose that for souls who don’t belong in heaven.

How do you balance these experiences with everyday life?

Good question Hugo! It gets easier as I get older. When I was younger I would think my God is this going to end. I don’t want to feel everyone’s feelings. I don’t want to see terrible things. But then I learned it’s a special gift. My life purpose is to help others. To service. I turned this gift into a chance to make a difference. A chance to mend a broken heart. A chance to help those who cannot help themselves.

Is it challenging to explain this gift with others?

Absolutely! I try every time someone asks and know it’s hard for them to understand. It brings me so much joy and peace to speak to others like myself. We truly understand and appreciate what we go through. It’s like hugging a long lost friend you so desperately needed to see again. I believe a psychic is not able to help themselves. Only another psychic can see their life. Now I’ve had other psychic people tell me that’s not true. So me being me lol I ask them. “You know every single thing that will ever happen to you?” The answer is always no are you joking? Well then you do need others like yourself from time to time. They eventually say yes.

What would you tell people with regards to the afterlife?

I would tell them if you are following the right path you will be rewarded beyond anything you could possibly imagine. This of course is with guidance from your Guardian Angel, spirit guides and other angels who try to keep you on the right path. If you are choosing to be evil and heartless you have no idea what lays ahead of you in death. I don’t think God has space for an evil monster next to Mother Teresa.

Does what you have seen follow any specific religious system that you have studied/know about? Are your experiences more general with regards to such belief systems or completely separate/unique?

I’ve learned to let people believe in what they believe. God for me was learned in a life of Catholic upbringing. I see the Lord as the creator of all that has ever been. He could be the all powerful alien who started it all. He could be the Universe. All religions point back to the creator so that is how I see him/her to all. He is a loving God and forgiving. That is unless you live your life to spread evil and sorrow. There is another god “like” thing in charge of them. We call that entity Satan, Devil, Lucifer or the Bringer of evil. We are all tempted by this thing, but the light will shine bright to show you away from it. I try to help those who need me to go to God. Blessed to be able to do see it and do it.

Are there things people can do to better visualize/feel/see the positive experiences you have?

Lol it took me 25 years to convince my loving wife I had the sight. It’s not easy for anyone to understand these gifts other people have been given. All I can say is if you need help I will be there and you can tell me for yourself.

Are there things people should NOT do to protect themselves from attracting evil influences?

There are many ways to stay on the right path. Prayer and meditation. Living a good clean existence to help others. Even if you don’t have special gifts you can still help others. Just be a good person to those who may need you. Darkness and evil will crawl back in the blackest of holes when it’s sees the good work of God and it’s angels. Evil will try and try hard, but it will fail in the light of truth.

If anyone would need your assistance, how could they reach you?

For now I will say that they can contact you and I’ll see if there is something I can do for them. As I tell everyone I have helped. I’m always here if you need me.

Thank you, Phoenix, for sharing your story and your interest in helping others.