Madonna is being advised by a psychic called Mama Love.

The 50-year-old singer - who was left devastated when her efforts to give four-year-old Malawian Mercy James a home were rejected earlier this year - turned to the medium in an effort to discover why her adoption bid failed.

A source said: "Madonna has turned to Mama Love before and knows she gets answers and advice she needs from her. Mama told her to take time out and cool down. It's unlikely the adoption of Mercy will go ahead now. She advised Madonna to slow down and let her spiritual side rise up."

The psychic is believed to have told Madonna - who raises three children, daughter Lourdes, 12, eight-year-old Rocco and three-year-old David Banda - not to try adopting another child for the next two years.

The source added to Britain's Heat magazine: "Mama told her, 'You won't get the adoption you are looking for because the spirit is trying to guide you to a higher maternal status. Follow my advice and you will become Mama of the world.' "

Mama Love has also told the singer to set up "compassion centres" to help those less fortunate than herself.