Mediumship Explained

The very basic differences between mental and physical mediumship are that physical is seen or experienced by all who are present in the circle or demonstration. Mental mediumship is perception and control and is based on the interpretation of the mediums mind.

Physical mediumship can be in the form of rapping's which were the first phenomena experienced by the Fox family. Everyone who was in the house could hear the knocking sounds.

Basic communication with spirit was achieved by table tilting or levitation. Small tables could be tilted by the energy from the sitters, whilst larger tables could be tilted with the aid of ectoplasmic rods. These rods support the weight of the table and enable it to move easily around the room.

Materialisation is achieved by sitting with a physical medium in a darkened room with a red light. The physical medium will go into a deep trance state and energy will be taken from the other circle sitters to help the medium produce ectoplasm. The ectoplasm is a living substance taken from the mediums body, generally emanating from the solar plexus, mouth and nose. This substance will flow into the form of a discarnate spirit, either part of the person will form, such as the face or the whole person may be seen. The ectoplasm can form at a distance from the medium but it is always attached by a cord, similar to the cord attaching a baby to its mother at birth. Transfiguration also uses ectoplasm and spirit will use this to form a mask over the mediums face. It will form into the face of a discarnate spirit, recognisable to family and friends of the spirit communicator.

Telekinesis is where objects can be moved independently, they may suddenly lift into the air, or be directed to a particular sitter. Apports are objects generally brought by spirit for a particular person. These will often be in the form of gifts that would be especially poignant to the recipient. These gifts can travel great distances if necessary and it is thought that this is done by de-materialising the object, then re-materialising it in another place.

Spirit photography is a good way to capture on film an ectoplasmic form of a discarnate spirit. This provides lasting evidence and enables us to show others what can be achieved. Unfortunately, not everyone can produce photographs like this, it requires a special energy that is not possessed by us all.

Unlike most of the previously mentioned phenomena that can be seen, direct voice is an audible form of physical mediumship. This requires a trumpet, which is cone shaped with fluorescent ends that can be seen in a darkened room. This trumpet is used to concentrate the sound in specific directions. Once again the energy from the sitters in the room and ectoplasm is needed as this will be used to form an independent voice box that is capable of moving around the room.

Having covered physical mediumship, we will move on to explain how mental mediumship is quite different. It is based on control and perception, where spirit guides helpers and communicators can draw very close. The communicating spirit will use the mediums mind to achieve this type of phenomena. Therefore there is always the element of interpretation by the medium.

The three main ways of communicating from the church platform using mental mediumship are Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Clairsentience. Clairvoyance is when the medium can see their communicator clearly and describe the person. This may include things like their approximate height, their build or the colour of their hair. Clairaudience is the ability of the medium being able to hear spirit communication clearly, enabling them to pass on messages word for word. Clairsentience is when the medium can sense the spirit communicator. They will feel different sensations, they may feel taller, they may sense they are male or female or they will sense the character of the person. Whilst the medium can see, hear, or sense the communicator, it does not mean that the communicator can be seen, heard or sensed by the rest of the sitters or congregation.

Spirit writings and psychic art are an interesting aspect of mental mediumship and can be very evidential. Writing can be done by spirit giving inspirational thoughts to the medium which are then written down to be passed on to an individual recipient or to a congregation if philosophy is given to be shared with all.

Automatic writing is where the medium is in a trance or altered state of consciousness. In this instance spirit will take control of the mediums hand and arm. In many case the handwriting has been analysed and proved to be that of the discarnate spirit.

Healing is a very important aspect of mental phenomena as we can help a great many people. Healers do not claim to cure all ailments or illnesses, but they have many successes with the help of their spirit guides and helpers. A healer is used as a channel for the healing energy from spirit to be directed to the patient. In most cases the patient will find great comfort and upliftment as well as an easing of their pain or condition.

Trance is a controlled form of mental mediumship, where spirit draw closer and have more influence in what is being said. Often in this form of communication we will receive great philosophy from guides and helpers in the spirit realms and most of the time we are given the opportunity to ask questions of a spiritual nature.

To conclude, there is a lot to be gained from both physical and mental forms of mediumship. For those who are more sceptical maybe the physical can prove more effectively the continuation of life after physical death. The mental phenomena can equally give extremely good evidence of survival but not in a tangible way. However, we gain the richness of the philosophy which can be a far greater gift.