Research Methodology

Our Approach to Documentation

The Psychic Encyclopedia applies the standards of reference scholarship to subjects that are often treated casually. That means every entry is built on documented sources, every claim is attributed to the tradition or research body that makes it, and every area of uncertainty is honestly acknowledged.

Source Categories

Historical and Cultural Sources

For dream symbols, psychic traditions, and spiritual practices, we draw on primary texts where accessible — ancient Egyptian dream books, Greek oneiric literature, medieval grimoires, Renaissance occult philosophy, Victorian spiritualist writings — and on reputable secondary scholarship documenting these traditions. Cultural interpretations are attributed to the specific culture that holds them, and cross-cultural variations are noted.

Parapsychological Research

Where formal research exists — particularly for psychic phenomena such as clairvoyance, remote viewing, and precognition — we summarise the state of the scientific literature accurately. We document well-known experiments, their methodologies, and their reception in the broader scientific community. We do not overstate the strength of parapsychological evidence, nor do we dismiss it without engaging with the specifics.

Psychological Literature

Dream interpretation entries draw heavily on the psychological literature, particularly the Jungian tradition of archetypal analysis. We distinguish between psychological interpretations (rooted in how the unconscious mind uses symbols) and esoteric or spiritual interpretations (rooted in religious and occult tradition). Both are documented, and the distinction between them is always clear.

Practitioner Knowledge

For tarot, astrology, and spiritual practice entries, we document the interpretive frameworks used by experienced practitioners. We draw on widely accepted reference texts within each tradition — for tarot, this includes the writings of Arthur Edward Waite, Aleister Crowley, Mary K. Greer, and Rachel Pollack; for astrology, the work of Liz Greene, Robert Hand, and the classical tradition.

Writing Standards

Every entry in the encyclopedia is written to be clear, accurate, and appropriately scoped. We do not make broader claims than our sources support. We use precise language to distinguish between what a tradition holds, what researchers have found, what practitioners report, and what remains contested or unknown.

Review and Update Process

Entries are reviewed periodically to reflect new scholarship and to correct errors. The Psychic Encyclopedia is a living reference — entries are updated as understanding develops, traditions are clarified, or new research is published.