Being a psychic is not a pretty job. Seeing death and destruction while tapping into that invisible chamber in people's minds takes a soft touch. Entering the front room of psychic Dante Sabatino's New York apartment, it has rich purple walls, a velvet curtain, and shelves filled with books on the occult and tiny monkey talisman. Whatever sort of dirt he may uncover about his subjects will be interpreted with a careful eye. As Dante assures, "I do my best to support. I'm an optimistic holistic reader. It's about what the spirit needs to grow."

With 25 years of experience, Dante's interpretation of the cards is grounded. His readings focus on the upcoming six to nine months. This is one reason he has become a favorite of the fashion industry, which relies heavily on thinking ahead to the next season. Dante does not allow sessions to be recorded, but will hand you a pad and pencil. Cards are cut nine times with a new subject for each pile such as: pile two, future consciousness-- things you are aware of, or pile six, my mind-- things you think about and analyze. The information is practical, and good news is followed by Dante taking a moment to look up and say, " Nice. Isn't it?" There are no big surprise moments, and the delivery is steady, wise, and at times specific. After a private reading, psychoPEDIA talked to Sabatino about why he’s fashion favorite and how we can all attempt to tap into our psychic side:

Why do you think you attract fashion industry clients?
I actually went to school for design and have worked in fashion PR. I read designers, production people, trend setters, textile designers, and marketing people. I attract people I can relate to. There's always movement in fashion, and I look at the cards as a form of movement. Fashion design is an applied art, and reading tarot is an applied occult art. A lot of them come to make sure their creative spirit is free.

Why are your readings for the near future as opposed to some who read years ahead?
My reading style is kind of based on your next psychic trend. I read your next season, I don't read your life. When things start to happen, people come back. I have people I've been reading for ten to twelve years that still come every six months.

For a psychic tune up?
Exactly. It's instant gratification. It's New York-- it's here and now. But I also give people path illumination for what's ahead of them. What the truth is will help bring them if they choose to work on a certain areas, where it can lead them down the road.

Would you agree that everyone has some psychic abilities, but it's just a matter of developing it?
It's sort of a talent. And some people are born with a little more talent then others. As we evolve as a species, we return to a more psychic place. But I think it's takes a lot of energy for people to plug into it. I have a whole library of books on how to develop your psychic abilities that I've read and reread.

What are some favorites?
I like older books from the 70's. The Pictorial Key To The Tarot is also a good one. I like the more academic books to develop psychic energy. Tarot cards are meditation tools, so meditation is very important. It's a way of seeing and hearing, a more subtle form of understanding. You can practicing different psychic exercises, especially ones like “who’s going to call today?” Also, dream analysis-- looking at your dreams and seeing how they relate to certain events. Eating healthy and avoiding putting toxins in the body is important to developing psychic abilities. And not having people in your life that drain or stop you from exploring possibilities.

Are there any dangers in tapping into these psychic abilities?
What you see psychically can be very unattractive or very frightening. You have to have a fun element, or it will turn people off and they will never want to look at it again. Prophecy is not an exciting field. You have to be very careful about how you treat your body, because people who enter into occult work can become insane from not taking care of themselves.

What is most important aspect to having a psychic practice?
The main thing about working in this field is it's a service. That is the primary focus and intention-- to heal, help, and clarify by bringing light to a situation. I've been to too many readers myself, and I work on myself and have high ethics. It's always to serve others.

Can you read yourself?
It's like giving yourself a message. I can, but isn't it better when someone else does it?

~Sara Costello