Aria Norman One of Three Chicago Psychics Polled by Chicago Tribune About the 2016 Olympic Bid

Back in the Fall 2009, Aria Norman was one of three Chicago psychics polled by the Chicago Tribune, who asked all three readers for their impression of whether Chicago would win the bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The article was researched and written by journalist Georgia Garvey before the winning city was announced. Aria was the only one of the three psychics to accurately sense the correct answer.

Below is the article. Here is a link to it on the Tribune website.

Do these psychics have the answer?

October 2, 2009
The politicians, pundits and protesters have spoken. Even Irish oddsmakers have weighed in on Chicago’s chances of hosting the 2016 Olympics. Their conclusion: All signs point to a win.

But what do psychics have to say? What’s their read?

Two of three contacted by the Tribune felt Chicago was the likely choice, but one laid it on the line and predicted Rio de Janeiro would wind up the host city.

“I immediately knew it was Rio,” said Aria Norman, who calls herself a “psychic evolutionist.”

She may start a prediction, then, based on guidance from her “spiritual council,” correct or “evolve” the wording as she speaks.

Norman urges Chicagoans not to mourn the loss of the Olympics, saying it will save the city from a financial mess.

“If Chicago had gotten [the games], it would have been a bust,” she said.

Arturo Edan Munoz read tarot cards to assess Chicago’s Olympic chances and found them strong, but added that behind-the-scenes political machinations troubled him.

“It’s kind of, almost, fishy,” says Munoz, who sees “a lot of strings being pulled.”

Munoz called himself a “psychic spiritual tarot card reader,” saying he uses his psychic ability to complement the predictive powers of the cards.

Patrick O’Brien estimated Chicago has a better than 50 percent shot at winning.

The city “could make money off it,” said O’Brien, who hails from a long line of more traditional Irish psychics, including his grandmother, who used to tell back “in the old country.” Munoz and O’Brien both wrote off Tokyo and Madrid, calling Rio the only serious challenger.

“I don’t think the other cities are in the running at all,” O’Brien said.

But before you lay down a bet in Vegas, they warned that even psychics have their off days.

“There is no such thing on this earth as 100 percent psychic,” Norman said.

Munoz agreed, reminding that all the cards haven’t been played.

“The future isn’t really set in stone,” he said.