Santa Cruz Sentinel

By AMY ETTINGER
Sentinel Correspondent

Rebecca Rosen has a long waiting list of mere mortals and "pushy spirits."
The self-proclaimed psychic claims that a large number of souls, deceased and otherwise, are clamoring to speak with her.

"The spirits are pushy," said Rosen. "With an audience of 100 people there are hundreds of spirits in the room all trying get into one channel, which is me."

Rosen, who will hold a reading Saturday at the Pacific Cultural Center, claims she can communicate with deceased loved ones and bridge the gap between this world and the next. She doesn't "see dead people," but the spirits "impress" her with numbers or letters that she then translates for a willing crowd.

The process is called a "cold reading" and has gotten a cold reaction from many skeptics who say "mediums" provide vague information and rely on audience members to fill in the key details.

Rosen said this isn't the case, that she is picking up on the spirit's energy and helping people move forward with their grief. Rosen, 27, said she became aware of her "gift" while mired in a deep depression in her early 20s. Still in college, and suffering from eating issues, she began looking for answers by writing in her journal. She says her grandmother, who committed suicide when Rosen was 11, began communicating with her.

Rosen believes the messages helped her move out of her depression.
"She said, 'I want you to find love within, once you find that you will find your soul mate,' " said Rosen. Rosen said her grandmother gave her very specific ideas about the man she would marry. His name would be "Ryan," he would give her a rose and his birthday was Sept. 24. She later was introduced to Brian Rosen, whose birthday is Sept. 24, and the two were engaged seven months later.

Rosen now has a following, a long waiting list of clients who are hoping to reconnect with relatives who have died. She's also working to develop a TV show, and recently moved with her husband from Detroit to Santa Monica.

Psychics have seen an increase in popularity in the past decade.
According to a Gallup poll, the number of people who say they believe in psychics increased from 18 to 28 percent from 1996 to 2001.

Kevin Christopher, a spokesman for the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, said the rise in popularity is due to "celebrity psychics" such as John Edward and Sylvia Browne, who are getting widespread media attention.
"It taps into major sources of regret, unresolved family feuds or discussions," Christopher said. "From a skeptic's take it's unfortunate. It may make somebody feel better, but it's a forced feeling of fulfillment."

Christopher said even if a medium believes they are helping someone, it raises an ethical dilemma. "Ultimately it boils down to can you really do what you say you do?" he said.
Rosen said she understands skeptics; she used to be one herself.

"I'm going to stop being aggravated by skeptics," Rosen said. "I'm going to focus on people I can help."

Lisa Lifrak of Aptos visited Rosen in Santa Monica for a private reading in October and said the experience was "very transformational and life-changing." Lifrak's mother died when she was 18. Within the first minute of the session with Rosen, Lifrak said her mother "came through."

"I felt the presence of my mother," she said. "It made me feel like I had her back in my life."

Lifrak, a marriage and family therapist, says she would recommend sessions with Rosen to some of her clients. Private readings, which last 45 minutes, cost $225.

Ellen Coren, who is promoting Rosen's Santa Cruz visit, brought her 20-year-old daughter with her to a private reading in September and went back for another reading one month later.

"I have always been open to the other side," said Coren.

Coren said Rosen's readings affirmed that she was on the right track in her life.

"It was a confirmation that my spirit guides are here and they're working with me and through me," Coren said.

Rebecca Rosen will hold private readings in Santa Cruz on Friday and an audience reading from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Pacific Cultural Center, 1307 Seabright Ave. Tickets to the audience reading cost $25 in advance; $35 at the door. To purchase advance tickets or for more information call 425-1004. To find out more about Rebecca Rosen visit www.rebeccarosenmessengeroflight.com