I've got to admit that I felt intimidated when I entered The Original Tremont Tearoom, the area's oldest. Perhaps it was the room's glow-in-the dark cosmic decor. Boston's best-known psychic spot, the tea room felt a little clubby, with clusters of 20-somethings hanging out. But a sweet-faced young woman named Raven came to my rescue, handing me a menu and seating me at a table.

It's difficult not to feel vulnerable when you think someone might have the potential to read your mind and look into your future. But Raven was reassuring and down to earth, almost like a camp counselor. I chose a sampler of palm reading, runes, and a general psychic reading (45-minute combo, $50, plus tip). During the palm reading, my first, Raven said I had a writer's line. I had not told her my profession.

She described me as direct, independent, and controlling. That's me. She also said I was shy with men and don't open up easily. That's not me.

Raven had her own little table. But nearby was a fairly loud psychic reader whose client smoked - a distraction.

Unlike others, Raven didn't keep saying "do you understand?" during the psychic reading. Psychics do that to make sure they're on the right track, but some, it seemed, used the question as a way to elicit more information than they should need if they're genuine.

Raven was way off about a past boyfriend, but seemed on target about the new guy. She said, apologetically, she thought it would last for no longer than six months. She was right.