fortuneteller

A fortuneteller is a person who claims to predict a client’s future or reveal hidden information by means of divination, spiritual insight, or psychological techniques. The term combines fortune with teller and is often used for practitioners who offer readings in person or online. Fortune telling appears in many cultures and historical periods, from ancient and medieval courts to modern fairs, markets, and entertainment venues.

Predominant methods include tarot cards, palmistry, astrology, numerology, crystal balls, tea leaves, runes, I Ching, or dream analysis. Some practitioners use structured readings with prepared scripts while others employ cold reading techniques to tailor statements to the client. Readings are typically framed as guidance rather than certain prophecy and vary in depth and length.

Cultural role and reception: Many see fortune telling as entertainment or a spiritual practice. Skeptics note that most methods lack scientific support and consider fortune telling a form of pseudoscience or fraud when misrepresented as certain information. The practice is subject to legal regulation in some jurisdictions, including restrictions on charging fees for false or misleading claims or ensuring informed consent and disclaimers.

Notable forms of fortune telling include tarot readings, palmistry, and astrology. In literature and media, fortune tellers often serve as archetypes of mystery or fate, helping to advance plots or explore character futures.