By Marcia Bender
All humans have the ability to use intuitive powers to enrich life and to guide in decision making. I am often asked if everyone is intuitive, and the answer is a resounding YES. It is true that some people are more intuitive than others, but we can all develop our intuition and learn to be more trusting of the messages we get from our “inner selves.”
I have had students of the Tarot who are surprised when the “Higher Forces” inform me that they would make good readers. I also have had people who look at me in disbelief when I work with numerology and tell them that they have very psychic, intuitive characteristics. What must be understood is that if one does not “use” and “develop” intuitions and psychic powers, they lie dormant within—often for entire lifetimes.
Webster’s defines intuition as: “the immediate knowing or learning of something without the conscious use of reasoning.” Think about that definition for a moment. Yes, your intuitive powers CAN be developed and used consciously, but there are ways to find out how intuitive you are BEFORE beginning conscious development and study.
There have been numerous studies on testing your own intuitions. I have always been interested in these little “quizzes” that measure one’s character. In the mid-80s, Dr. Vernon Coleman of England put out a book of quizzes that address different areas of personality to help one to better know self. One of the studies is on intuition, as in “How intuitive are you?” It is a simple test of 20 questions that are answered yes or no. Once the questions have been answered, by the adding up of the number of yes versus no answers, the level of innate intuitions can be measured. I thought Transformation’s readers would enjoy this little test. Remember to answer the questions BEFORE you check your personal level of intuitive ability, and ENJOY.
Do you do well in guessing games?
Have you ever had a run of good luck when gambling?
Have you ever felt that a house was “right” or “happy” as soon as you saw it?
Have you ever felt that you wanted to know someone better after seeing him/her for the first time?
Have you ever “known” who was on the other end before picking up a ringing telephone?
Have you ever heard voices telling you what to do?
Do you believe in fate?
Do you ever know what people are going to say before they say it?
Have you ever had a dream that turned out to be true?
Have you ever known what was in a letter before opening it?
Do you ever complete people’s sentences for them?
Have you ever thought about someone who you haven’t heard from in a long time and then had a letter, email, or phone call from him/her?
Do you find yourself distrusting some people upon first meeting them?
Do you pride yourself on being able to judge people fairly accurately on first meetings?
Have you ever experienced the phenomenon known as déjà vu?
Have you ever refused to get on an airplane or take a road trip because you “felt” there might be an accident?
Have you ever woken in the middle of the night worrying about the health or safety of a friend or relative?
Do you dislike some people for no good reason?
Do you ever see an item of clothing or object and feel that you must have it?
Do you believe that there is any truth in the saying “love at first sight?”
To score: Give yourself one point for every yes answer and 0 points for each no answer. The following is a prognosis of your intuitive powers, according to Dr. Coleman’s study.
If you scored between 10 and 20: You have an extremely powerful sense of intuition. You have unusual skills, and you aren’t afraid to follow your instincts.
If you scored between 1 and 9: You do have a strong sense of intuition, but you may not always make the most of your natural skills. You should get into the habit of allowing your sense of intuition to make decisions for you. With minor decisions, learn to follow whatever first springs into your mind (or use your Tarot Cards or another divination tool)! You will be surprised at the number of possible solutions and answers that will come into your mind. Try writing down the things that come into your mind and then look over your list carefully. It may be that the best solutions will jump out at you.
If you scored 0: This does not mean that you don’t have a sense of intuition hidden deep down inside of you. It means that you have not allowed your intuition to develop at all. Try to get into the habit of allowing your instincts to take over from time to time. When you begin to realize that your intuitions have led you to the correct decisions you will find yourself enjoying the advantages of a strong sense of insight.
In the event that you are interested, I scored an 18 on this quiz, but I have been working with and improving upon my intuitive powers for over 50 years!
And remember, Knowledge is the Greatest Power, so Walk in the Light.
Marcia began her career as a school teacher, working with preschool through inner city high school students. She has worked with all aspects of Metaphysics for over 40 years and specializes in Tarot and Numerology. Marcia’s clients and students are in every state and throughout Europe. Marcia has taught over 400 students to “read” the Tarot for the purpose of self-guidance and to use the powerful symbolism of the Tarot to reach higher levels of spirituality. Her column, Spiritually Speaking, originally ran for 8 years in Attitudes Magazine. Email marlou2000@aol.com