FAQ
Below are some the questions people frequently have about mediumship, readings, the spirit world and Spiritualism.
Q. What is the difference between a psychic and a medium?
A. A medium is someone who is sensitive to the vibrations of the spirit world, and functions as its instrument, to convey messages from Spirit to the recipient (‘the sitter’). With mediumship there are three parties involved: the spirit communicator, the medium and the sitter.
A psychic is a person who can obtain information mind to mind from another person or from their own higher self, that is, that part of their soul that does not incarnate and remains in the spirit world.
All mediums are psychic but not all psychics are mediums.
Q. Why hasn’t my loved one ever come through with a message for me?
A. Those in spirit have their own lives and continue learning on the other side. Thus, while they will always love you, they may be involved in their own spiritual progression and no longer attached to this plane of existence. Alternately, you could be getting signs from them that you are not recognizing. It is said that in the spirit world there is no time as we have here, so they may still come through for you at a later date, or they may come through when you really need it.
Q. Can a medium connect with the deceased person I wish to hear from?
A. It is a common misconception that mediums can call up a spirit on the other side; it is, in fact, the spirit that decides to present him- herself to the medium, who can only relay information from the individual who shows up.
Q. Where is the spirit world?
A. The spirit world is not a geographic location; it is all around us. Everything is made up of energy and vibrations. The vibrations of this physical world where we exist in human form are slow and dense, whereas the spirit world vibrates at a much higher rate that is not visible to the human eye.
Q. How do I know if I am psychic/mediumistic?
A. Everyone is born with a degree of psychic/mediumistic ability, and has the capability to improve and develop awareness (psychically, intuitively, or on a deeper level of mediumship). We all have the ability to connect with our loved ones who have passed on, through the power of thought and through our dreams.
Q. Does SSB offer private readings?
A. Yes, SSB has mediums/psychics who are available for readings. If you would like a reading please reach out to us at spiritualistsociety@primus.ca.
GLOSSARY
AUTOMATIC WRITING: Control of the hand of the medium by Spirit during the process of writing. The medium is in a trance state relinquishing physical control of the hand.
CLAIRALIENCE: Smelling a fragrance/odor of a substance which is not in one’s surroundings. These odors are perceived without the aid of the physical nose.
CLAIRAUDIENCE: Words, voice, music or other sounds that are perceived by mediums. Clairaudience is subjective when it is heard within the mind vs. objective when heard outside the body in the surroundings.
CLAIRCOGNIZANCE: Refers to clear knowing; mediums can’t explain how they know or where the information or idea came from but they are confident it is correct.
CLAIRGUSTANCE: To taste a substance without putting anything in one’s mouth; the perception of the essence of a substance from the spiritual realm through taste.
CLAIRSENTIENCE: A feeling or sensing spirit of their physical characteristics and personality traits. Physical impressions often accompany this ability. It is akin to empathy.
CLAIRVOYANCE: A visual perception in the medium’s mind of Spirit, people, objects and scenes in the past, present or future, and near or at a distance. True Clairvoyance is objective whereby the medium can see spirit with their physical eyes.
ORBS: Typically a circular translucent object that may be noted in a photograph but which was not perceived with the naked eye, and which may represent Spirit energy.
PSYCHOMETRY: Greek for soul measuring. A term coined by Joseph Rodes Buchanan, a 19th physician, who proposed the idea that all things give an emanation. He described it as the past entombed in the present. In Spiritualism, psychometry is a method of obtaining mainly clairsentient information from an object through touch. Psychometry can also trigger clairvoyant and clairaudient perceptions and is often used in development circles for that reason.
SPIRIT ART: In the broadest sense, art that is inspired by the spirit world’s influence on the artist/medium.
TRANCE: A state that mediums achieve when they disconnect from everyday consciousness and allow Spirit to manifest. Trance is not the possession of the medium’s body, but rather, a mental process of mind blending between Spirit and medium. The trance can be light, in which the medium is partially detached from normal consciousness and is aware of what is being said. Spirit speaks through the medium’s own voice, imparting personal thoughts, and using characteristic expressions. Inspired phenomena, such as speaking, writing, or drawing, are expressions of light trance. Deep trance is reached when mediums detach themselves completely from consciousness and are unaware of what takes place. Spirit’s own voice is heard. Through the trance state, Spirit is able to speak, teach, write, paint, compose music and heal. Although considered mental mediumship, some physical phenomena, such as levitation, movement of objects, materialization and automatism were produced in deep trance. Healing has been transmitted in a deep trance state, as well as in a normal conscious state.
LINKS
Spiritualist Church of Canada
The Spiritualist Church of Canada acts as an umbrella organization for affiliated churches throughout Canada. The S.C.C. offers various training programs for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of Spiritualism, as well as those seeking to become ordained Spiritualist ministers.
Spiritualists’ National Union
The Spiritualists’ National Union (SNU) is a not-for-profit limited company that supports and has helped unify approximately 340 Spiritualist churches and centres throughout the United Kingdom. The SNU owns a large residential college, grounds and other buildings located near Stanstead airport, The Arthur Findlay College, as well as an education and conference centre in Stafford in the West Midlands, The Barbanell Centre.
The Arthur Findlay College
The Arthur Findlay College is a residential centre where students can study Mediumship, Spiritualist philosophy and religious practice, Spiritualist healing and awareness. Courses, lectures and demonstrations are all offered by leading exponents, together with the additional features of a library, museum, magnificent grounds and full board accommodation.