Philly Authorities Shut Down Psychics, Astrologers and Palm Readers WEIRD BUT TRUE By LUKAS I. ALPERT, Wire Services April 28, 2007 -- They should have seen it coming, but maybe that was the problem. Philadelphia authorities shut down dozens of psychics, astrologers and palm readers after realizing there's a decades-old law on the books that bans fortune-telling for profit. The law states that fortune-telling "for gain or lucre" is a third-degree misdemeanor. No fines were levied, but they will be if "these people try to return to work," said a city official.