Stacey Wolf, 160 West 71st Street (at Broadway); 212-330-8189.

When did you realize you had astrological, otherworldly, what you would call psychic abilities?
"I made my first prediction when I was three, but I don't think I can actually remember. I've been told the story and retold the story so many times. I was standing by the door with my mother, and the nursery school bus was late. I looked at her and said, 'Don't worry, the bus is going to be late today because Ms. Mary broke her arm last night.' When the bus came, it was late and Ms. Mary wasn't driving because she had broken her arm the night before. So, that was my first experience, but I've always been psychic. And, I've always found the whole thing so fascinating. In high school, I'd study hand-reading and astrology, taking every book out of the library. In college, I'd do psychic party tricks and read people's driver's licenses just for fun. Still, it's definitely a skill you need to develop. I mean, having dreams and picking out feelings is nice, but in order to do this as a business, there really is a skill you need to develop. As an adult, I worked at MTV as an associate producer, and I started reading tarot cards. I went to a really bad tarot card reader and I just wanted to find out how she did it, I thought 'There must be a practical way to read these cards!' So I started studying the language, and started reading for friends, and then became a professional."

Is it practical?
"Absolutely! I mean, it's a skill and you have to like it. Just like developing anything else –– becoming a black belt, meditating –– or anything worth studying, takes time. I guess there is a natural skill set you have to have, you have to be reflective and creative or enjoy meditation and psychology. If you enjoy those sorts of things, and are willing to learn and develop those qualities, it's possible."

Did you have a mentor, and if not, how would you coach someone in this profession? Is there a set routine?
"I mean, you get what you focus on. One simple thing you can do is sit down every morning and write down three things that will happen today. Just sit down, shut off all your senses, your phones, the lights even, and just say 'What are three things that will happen today?' If you don't have time everyday, maybe once a week. You'd be surprised! What happened to me, I was playing with the tarot cards with my friends, and they'd say 'What you told me three months ago, it all came true!' And then I'd say, you know 'Get out of town! I was just making it all up, I don't know what I'm doing!' I mean, that's how it all started. When it's on paper, it's not lying to you. Or maybe start a dream journal. Force yourself to wake up, and write down the dream, and wait to see how they play out in life."

Do you think there's merit to the idea that dreams are prolific or do you think it's more symbols?
"I don't think those dream dictionary books do people a real service. Dream interpretation is a real skill, and our fears and issues do play out in our dreams, but a good psychologist can bring that into focus best. When my grandmother came and visited me the night she died in my dream, I do believe that was a real experience. I do believe they can be prolific, but not all of them. The power of the mind is very impressive."