How to hire a fortune teller for a party
June 2, 2009 8:54 AM Subscribe
I'm throwing an occult themed party for kids and adults, and want to hire a fortune teller to read people's palms. Any one have experience with this sort of thing? Any tips on finding and vetting a fortune teller (extra bonus for specific suggestions in Philadelphia)?
I can't find anything promising online, and I am worried about just walking into a palm readers shop and asking. I want to make sure the person can handle kids and a crowd. I am hoping for something fun and kitchy, not heavy duty occult.
You are smiling.... you are typing... you are posting a response... you are invited to my party!
I can't find anything promising online, and I am worried about just walking into a palm readers shop and asking. I want to make sure the person can handle kids and a crowd. I am hoping for something fun and kitchy, not heavy duty occult.
We recently ran into a palm reader at a Civil War reenactment (of all things) - she took her job seriously, and would not read palms for people under the age of 18, because they weren't "fully formed as people" yet or something along those lines. Professional clowns and magicians know their job is to perform for a group and keep everyone's attention at once; palm readers generally work in quiet and isolation, to focus their attention on the one hand in front of them...it might not work well as a party event.
My suggestion, however, is a hyptnotist: they've got an occulty vibe about them, and are usually performance-based. Or, find somebody who can run a seance? Those are more group-oriented than a palm reader or a tarot reader. I also seem to remember a lot of the old "party game" books had sections with occultish games. You could certainly get cheap packs of basic tarot-card sets, and let everybody do readings on each other.
posted by AzraelBrown at 9:07 AM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
My suggestion, however, is a hyptnotist: they've got an occulty vibe about them, and are usually performance-based. Or, find somebody who can run a seance? Those are more group-oriented than a palm reader or a tarot reader. I also seem to remember a lot of the old "party game" books had sections with occultish games. You could certainly get cheap packs of basic tarot-card sets, and let everybody do readings on each other.
posted by AzraelBrown at 9:07 AM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you are a RPG gamer at all, look for local hobby stores and gaming communities, and possibly the local LARP crowd. You might be able to find someone who has the skills you need, without taking it too seriously and coming off as too heavy (i.e. - they have an interest in it for the fun, not because they want to make a profit off it). I actually play a gypsy in a Live RPG, and have done this exact gig for other people / parties, but I live in NY now (Although I do miss me a good pretzel & cheesesteak from my days in Philly...). Local Ren Faires also usually have something like this.
As I understand it, the palm reader shops make money not off the $10 reading when you walk in, but by suggesting to people that they need "accessories" to improve their life. The initial reading is the hook, while the $50 candles, water fountains, crystals, etc. that come after it are where they make their real profit. Bringing in a "pro" has the potential for them to try and hook a LOT of new clients, so be careful with that.
posted by GJSchaller at 9:08 AM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
As I understand it, the palm reader shops make money not off the $10 reading when you walk in, but by suggesting to people that they need "accessories" to improve their life. The initial reading is the hook, while the $50 candles, water fountains, crystals, etc. that come after it are where they make their real profit. Bringing in a "pro" has the potential for them to try and hook a LOT of new clients, so be careful with that.
posted by GJSchaller at 9:08 AM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Seconding going through your local occult /pagan shop. They usually have a community network, often have reading events in the store and they can probably recommend some different types readers... palm, tarot, runes, etc. I was very successful doing this in NYC for a fundraiser.
posted by kimdog at 9:10 AM on June 2, 2009
posted by kimdog at 9:10 AM on June 2, 2009
On preview, what Azrael said. A "fun" fortune teller will stack the deck or otherwise make sure it's entertaining, where someone more serious about it will let the cards fall where they do. Most decks have plenty of signs of doom and gloom in them, so someone who takes it seriously will not necessarily be a good choice for entertainment. (I know people who will go to fortune tellers and ask them to show them specific cards in the deck before or right after a reading - if they're not there, then the teller is not on the up-and-up.)
A good magician might also work well, and should be easier to find via public means, such as Craigslist or the phone book.
posted by GJSchaller at 9:13 AM on June 2, 2009
A good magician might also work well, and should be easier to find via public means, such as Craigslist or the phone book.
posted by GJSchaller at 9:13 AM on June 2, 2009
Best answer: As this is a party for kids and adults, I get the impression that you're looking for a fun gimmick rather than someone who [belives they can] actually fortell the future based on that old gardening scar on your palm.
In that case, why not contact a local theatre group and ask if any of the actors feel like playing a palm reader for you? Assuming that the actor can come up with some decent patter, they'll provide the same experience with no danger that they'll take it too seriously or be using your party to drum up more business.
Another alternative is to get a friend to read a book on cold reading (I like this one) and use the techniques in there to give some spookily accurate-sounding readings.
posted by metaBugs at 9:20 AM on June 2, 2009 [2 favorites]
In that case, why not contact a local theatre group and ask if any of the actors feel like playing a palm reader for you? Assuming that the actor can come up with some decent patter, they'll provide the same experience with no danger that they'll take it too seriously or be using your party to drum up more business.
Another alternative is to get a friend to read a book on cold reading (I like this one) and use the techniques in there to give some spookily accurate-sounding readings.
posted by metaBugs at 9:20 AM on June 2, 2009 [2 favorites]
Find a magician who is good with kids and familiar with cold reading techniques. That's all palm readers do anyway.
posted by chairface at 10:13 AM on June 2, 2009
posted by chairface at 10:13 AM on June 2, 2009
Response by poster: Resolved! We hired an actress, and it worked out really well. First, we were able to talk ahead of time, so we could set the scene and expectations (kids, adults, fun, etc). The actress was fantastic, particularly with different aged kids. And the adults all had a blast. And, we got to support an struggling actress... which was a real grace note.
posted by sgarst at 2:06 PM on July 2, 2009
posted by sgarst at 2:06 PM on July 2, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Additionally on South Street down around South and 4th there is a sign for a fortune teller by a little retail shop. Never been there but they might be able to help as well.
You could also set up a gig requesting a fortune teller on Philadelphia Craigslist.
Just try googling "Psychic Readers"/ "Palm Readers"/"Tarot Card Readers" in Philadelphia and you should get some more results.
posted by xdeliriumx at 9:02 AM on June 2, 2009