Mediumship is generally defined as the ability of a person to speak with spirits. It is divided into two groups. Physical mediumship involves rapping noises, telekinesis, table-titling, automatic writing, and many other external manifestations. Mental mediumship involves the relay of information from “beyond the veil” verbally. Mediums function either from a complete trance state or from a semi-trance state and frequently identify the spirits with which they are communicating.
History
Mediumship was, at several points in history, considered either a form of demonic possession, leading to prison or death during Inquisitorial times, or as a form of mental insanity. However, as more serious investigation was made during the 1800s and 1900s, it was determined that mediums, though prone to some physical weakness, tended to be very mentally sound and not given to “hysteria”.
The determination was made that mediums were able (sometimes through training) to control their trance states while those who were truly insane such as schizophrenics were not able to control themselves. Schizophrenics tended to act on the voices and commands in their heads while mediums were able to discern between their own ego-selves and those of their controls.
Current Day
Today, a medium is regarded primarily as a person who speaks to spirits of the dead. The general formula of mediumship is that a medium has a single spirit guide, a control who assists them both with managing other spirits’ contact and sometimes with day-to-day life. Some mediums report having more than one control, but usually there is a single dominant control. Speculation exists as to whether this dominant control is a true disembodied spirit or if it is a manifestation of the medium’s subconscious or “higher” self.
The talent of mediumship tends to run in genetically, and in the late 1800s and early 1900s, immediate families of 10 or more people were reported as being mediums. The talent tends to manifest at an early age, and if it is encouraged instead of quashed, it grows in strength, usually with remarkable manifestations during adolescence. People who are disposed to this talent and ignore it or avoid it often report anomalous health problems until they acknowledge their ability.
Disclaimers
A great deal of effort was made during the Spiritualism movement in the 1890s to 1920s to debunk séances and mediums. Quite a few professionals were discovered to have used fraudulent methods to produce physical effects. If you are consulting with a medium, keep in mind that a truly higher spiritual power will not lead you to do anything unethical or dangerous. As an old wise-woman adage says, “Just because they’re dead doesn’t make them wise.”
References
- Encyclopedia of Psychic Science, Fodor, N., 1966; p. 232-238
- Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience, Guiley, R.E., 1991; p.358-360
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