NORFOLK, Virginia: Norfolk has repealed a 45-year-old ban on psychic practices such as palmistry, palm reading, phrenology, and clairvoyance.

The City Council's decision reflects the growing acceptance and demand for psychic services across the United States.

Ashley Branton, a psychic medium in Norfolk, has been helping people navigate life choices for seven years. She was unaware of the outdated ordinance that made soothsaying a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail.

"I had no idea that was even a thing," Branton said with a laugh in her Norfolk shop, Velvet Witch. "I am glad it has never come down on me."

According to market research firm IBIS World, the repeal comes as the psychic services industry continues to expand, generating an estimated $2.3 billion in revenue last year and employing nearly 97,000 people. Despite its growth, the industry has had its share of legal challenges stemming from historical bans rooted in anti-witchcraft and anti-vagrancy laws.

Norfolk's repeal coincides with a broader shift in societal attitudes. A Pew Research Center survey found that 4 in 10 Americans believe in the power of psychics, with about 1 in 7 having consulted one. According to Branton, this shift is driven by various factors, including social media, a decline in organized religion, and the nation's divisive politics.

"Ever since COVID, people have been carrying this weight," Branton said. "They are starting to take care of their mental health and the spiritual aspect."

Branton's psychic abilities run in her family, and she has always wanted to help others through her gifts. She has built her clientele through word of mouth without advertising.

"I always had interactions with spirits," she said. "I have always been an empath. I can feel people's energies."

"There is going to be scammers and people out here doing this for just the money," Branton said. "But it was never about money for me."

In 2022, AARP warned of scam psychics who prey on vulnerable individuals. Despite the repeal in Norfolk, some bans remain in place. Last year, the police chief in Hanover, Pennsylvania, warned a witchcraft-themed store about potential investigations under an old state law prohibiting fortune-telling for money.

Historical bans on fortune-telling were often motivated by concerns about fraudulent business practices and threats to mainstream religious beliefs. However, modern courts have increasingly viewed such bans skeptically on First Amendment grounds. Maryland's Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that fortune telling for a fee is protected free speech.

David L. Hudson, a law professor at Belmont University, noted the evolution of social norms and First Amendment protections. "It is very disfavored to entirely ban a medium of expression," he said.

Carol Peterson, owner of the Crystal Sunflower in Norfolk, welcomed the repeal. Her store offers tarot card readings and vibrational sound therapy.

"I was like, 'Oh my God, I could get a class one misdemeanor,'" Peterson said.

"People have this misconceived notion that tarot is evil or demonic," she added. "But you are helping people tap into their highest self for their journey. If people would be more curious instead of judgmental, they would be pleasantly surprised."