Physical Mediumship

Most mediums today work by using their own mind as a receiver and then passing messages on verbally. Indeed some very convincing evidence has been given in this way, and though sceptics have often asked why these messages rarely contain details of “Life on the Other Side” there is a simple answer to this. Messages which contain personal details can be verified and proven. But messages about the world of spirit cannot, even if they were to take time explaining their world, do we yet have the capacity to comprehend it? Probably not, but the need for proof goes on. Of course there have been descriptions of the spirit world by spirit communicators, such as those by Silver Birch, Red Cloud, White Eagle and White Feather, but to name a few. But the average person seeking evidence, the personal and trivial details about those we knew are much more convincing.


However, mediumship in the first half of the 20th Century and prior to that, concentrated on producing physical results. Early demonstrations by the Fox Sisters consisted of sounds coming from the walls and floors of their home. Investigators were unable to find a logical explanation for these noises, and so the sisters were further investigated and tested. On one occasion they are reported to have been made to stand on tables covered with feather pillows and their skirts tied up above their ankles. Still the rapping noises were heard and once again no logical explanation could be found. As their mediumship continued other unexplained events were noticed, including objects moving, heavy tables levitating and hands and faces appearing.


In there days such events as table tilting became very popular. This often involved a group of people sitting around a table calling out letters of the alphabet and waiting for the table to tilt when a correct letter was called. It was a slow and cumbersome method and quite easily faked by fraudulent mediums. But even so, some excellent evidence was still achieved.


Perhaps it was the extraordinary talents of Daniel Dunglas Home who was to bring Spiritualism to the recognition of the general public. Materialised forms were often seen around him, hands appeared and melted away. Musical instruments would start playing. Home was also well known for his fetes of levitation. During his séances it was reported that his chair would rise from the floor with him still in it. Home was never found guilty of any fraudulent mediumship, even though like most mediums of the era, was accused of it.


Since the late 19th and early 20th century when physical mediumship came to the very forefront of psychic phenomena, it has dropped off considerable. Now there are few physical mediums and fewer people prepared to give up their time to the dedication that is required to develop this form of medium. It is a long and hard road of selfless commitment, but the rewards are magnificent. Especially, when you finally get physical proof, from a loved one or friend, that life does continue after the death of the physical body.


What makes physical mediumship so unique?


First we need to understand the difference between the physical mediumship and the mental mediumship. This is quite simply that, the mental mediums see, hear and sense everything in their head, or by touch, and then interpret the message received before passing this to the person or client. Mental mediums are able to work anywhere, in broad daylight without the need to be in a trance state. The messages however, are due to interpretation by the medium and the accuracy of these messages will depend on the time and dedication the medium puts in to their development.


The physical medium on the other hand is ‘usually’ in a deep state of trance, is unaware of what is happening around them or to them and so any messages that are brought forward are usually by the mediums guide or the spirit entity directly by way of direct voice or independent direct voice, which means that you are talking to them (the spirit) as you and I would talk in any room, but for them this all takes place in a blacked out séance room, only occasionally and depending on the development of the medium, is a dimmed red light used..



The word ‘’physical’ speaks for its self; anything of a ‘physical’ nature is possible during a physical séance. For example, the movement of objects such as trumpets the playing of instruments, the materialisation of a spirit guide, a loved one or friend. Voices that can be recognised as family members or friends come forward and speak to you, even to the point of holding or shaking your hand, touching you and even kissing your cheek. Although all attempts at touching by sitters is strictly forbidden, except when invited to do so by the controlling spirit guide. (The reason for this will be explained in the next paragraph.)


How are all these things possible?


In a one word explanation; “Ectoplasm”. So what is ectoplasm? Ectoplasm (from the Greek ektos and plasma; exteriorised substance), is a substance that is drawn mainly from the medium, but also the sitters to a lesser degree, which, either by the subconscious self or by discarnate intelligences produce phenomena of a physical order which includes part or full materialisation of spirit entities. What we can say is that ectoplasm is matter, invisible and tangible in the primary state but assumes vaporous, liquid or solid conditions in varying stages of condensation. It emits a smell that is reminds of Ozone or damp and dank clothing. It is known that ectoplasm is drawn from any and every orifice of the medium and them moulded into what ever the spirits require, i.e. a voice box, a rod even a mask for materialisation or transfiguration.


It also believed that the spirit chemists working on the other side with for the medium add other substances to the ectoplasm to make it more pliable and workable in our atmosphere. Without these additions it could not be worked in the same or visible degree.