Psychic Reading vs. Akashic Records Reading: What's the Difference, and Does It Actually Matter?

“So, is an Akashic Records reading basically a psychic reading?”

I get this question a lot.

And the answer is yes. And no.

Helpful, right?

I'm a multidimensional psychic, channel, and energy healer. I use my intuitive abilities within the Akashic Records, communicate with spiritual Guides, and sometimes step aside to allow them to speak directly through me.

So in my experience, psychic and Akashic work aren't mutually exclusive.

Psychic abilities describe how I receive information. The Akashic Records describe the spiritual framework within which I'm working.

A practitioner may use the very same intuitive abilities in both.

And while you'll find plenty of explanations about why one is supposedly deeper, more spiritual, or more accurate than the other, I don't think it's quite that simple.

Here's why.

What is a psychic reading?

A psychic reading involves receiving information through intuitive or extrasensory perception.

How that happens depends on the practitioner.

Some use tarot cards. Some work with mediumship. Others receive images, sensations, words, or information they can't necessarily explain through ordinary reasoning.

You may have heard of the clairs, which describe different ways intuitive information is perceived.

• Clairvoyance: Clear seeing.

• Clairaudience: Clear hearing.

• Clairsentience: Clear feeling.

• Claircognizance: Clear knowing.

I use multiple clairs, often simultaneously.

Sometimes I see images. Sometimes I hear words or phrases. Sometimes I feel something in my body.

And sometimes I simply know something without understanding how I know it.

Which, for someone who can intellectualize the crap out of just about anything, is occasionally inconvenient.

I also question what I'm receiving.

Yes, I question the Guides.

If something doesn't make sense, I ask for clarification. If I'm unsure whether I've interpreted something correctly, I check. My clients sometimes hear me doing this in real time.

I'm not interested in pretending I understand something when I don't.

And I use these same intuitive abilities when I'm working within the Akashic Records.

What is an Akashic Records reading?

The Akashic Records are understood in spiritual practice as an energetic record of the soul, containing information about its experiences, relationships, patterns, and possibilities.

You've probably heard them described as a cosmic library.

Or Google for your soul.

I've used that analogy myself... like last week.

It's not terrible. But it does make the whole experience sound like I'm sitting at an invisible computer, typing in your questions, and waiting for the universe to return search results.

And that's not how I experience this work.

When I open the Records, I begin with an invocation and energetic attunement. From there, I connect with the spiritual Guides and information available for the session.

You might bring questions about relationships, career, life purpose, or something happening in your life that you can't quite make sense of.

We might explore a recurring pattern, a past-life experience, or a perspective you haven't considered.

Sometimes I'm interpreting images, sensations, or information through my intuitive senses. Other times, I step aside and allow the Guides to speak directly through me.

That's what I mean when I talk about direct channeling.

And sometimes the work moves beyond conversation into energy healing, clearing, or a shamanic journey.

It's why I call my sessions Akashic & Beyond.

The Records provide the starting point, but I don't limit the experience to answering questions.

So, what's the real difference between a psychic reading and an Akashic Records reading?

You'll sometimes hear that psychic readings tell you what is happening, while Akashic readings tell you why.

I understand the appeal of that distinction.

It's simple.

But I don't think it's particularly accurate.

A psychic reading can explore the deeper reasons behind a pattern. An Akashic reading can address practical questions about your present circumstances.

Neither is inherently more profound than the other, and neither label tells you everything about how a practitioner works.

For me, the Akashic Records provide a framework for connecting with spiritual guidance and exploring consciousness, experiences, and patterns at a soul level.

My psychic abilities are part of how I perceive and communicate what I receive. Direct channeling is another aspect of my work, and energy healing may become part of the experience as well.

I don't see these as competing practices, or as a hierarchy where one is somehow more spiritually advanced.

What interests me is what becomes available when we explore a question from a perspective we might not have considered before.

Sometimes that perspective confirms something you've sensed for years.

Sometimes it challenges an assumption.

And sometimes it opens an entirely different conversation.

That's where I find this work especially interesting.

Frequently asked questions

Can an Akashic Records reader also be psychic?

Absolutely. Many Akashic practitioners use psychic or intuitive abilities to receive information. I use multiple clairs and communicate with spiritual Guides, sometimes through direct channeling.

Can an Akashic Records reading predict the future?

A session may explore future possibilities, but I don't believe the future is a fixed script. Our choices matter, and I see possibilities as something we can explore rather than inevitable outcomes.

What questions can I ask during an Akashic Records reading?

Relationships, career, life purpose, recurring patterns, spiritual experiences, and personal growth are all possible starting points.

If you're looking for inspiration, I've put together 40 Questions to Ask in an Akashic Records Reading.

Curious about experiencing the Akashic Records for yourself?

If you'd like to explore your questions through intuitive guidance, spiritual connection, and the possibility of energy work, you can learn more about my Akashic & Beyond sessions.

Bring your questions.

All of them.

Just leave a little room for the unexpected.

Your Spiritual BFF,

Shannon