Gut instinct, a sixth sense, a hunch — many a successful trader and entrepreneur credits their business breakthroughs to something other than logic and reasoning. But how many would admit to drawing on the power of the supernatural to clinch that contract or sell those shares at the right time?

Whether it is a sign of desperation or a new-found spirituality in the City, psychics and astrologers claim that more business people than ever are approaching them for advice.

Russell Grant, a business founded by the astrologer and media personality, says that since the start of the recession it has received a 32 per cent rise in the number of calls from business people seeking guidance from its team of psychics, mediums and astrologers.

Paul the Seer, a psychic, says that up to 30 per cent of his calls now relate to business and employment advice, compared with 10 per cent or less 18 months ago.

The British Astrological & Psychic Society (BAPS) also reports an upturn in business-related calls. Robin Lown, a consultant with the BAPS, said that regular clients included senior bankers and lawyers: “I’ve had several questions around how long the downturn will last and whether it is a good time to look at borrowing.”

Kevin Parker, from Russell Grant, said that clients typically sought advice from an astrologer or psychic when considering a big change in their business and looking for an “impartial view” on a decision.

George Valentino, a spiritualist medium who also works within the Russell Grant team, has clients ranging from property developers, bankers and City traders to owners of small businesses. “I get two kinds of people who approach me,” he said. “The believers and the desperate.”

Among those who consult Paul the Seer regularly is Gill Huggon, a turnaround specialist who works in the healthcare and education sectors. Ms Huggon, who particularly values the psychic’s advice on human resources issues, admitted to having been sceptical at first. “I was always looking for a rationalisation of it,” she said, “but he would say ‘Let’s see what happens’, and he’d be spot on.”

Paul the Seer said that an important part of his job was to put worried people’s minds at rest. And he cautioned: “I am careful to tell my clients not to rely [exclusively] on this stuff — that would be unhealthy.”

Not surprisingly, few business people want to discuss their consultations with alternative advisers in public. As Ms Huggon said: “Some people think you’re a bit wacko.” But as Mr Parker pointed out: “Businesses are quite happy to pay £20,000 a month to a management consultant for very little return.”

Looking for an answer in the stars, it seems, could be a cost-effective solution to corporate problems.

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