Kilson, M. (1971). ‘Ambivalence and Power: Mediums in Ga Traditional Religion.’ Journal of Religion in Africa, Vol. 4, pp. 171-177. Halloy, A. (2010). ‘Comments on “The Mind Possessed: The Cognition of Spirit Possession in an Afro-Brazilian Religious Tradition” by Emma Cohen.’ Religion and Society: Advances in Research, Vol. 1, pp. 164-176.

We fully accept that every medium works in a different way and are sensitive enough to the demands of the spirit world to wish only to invest in equipment which is going to be fit and suitable for purpose. With this in mind we sought to work closely with Scott to ensure we selected equipment which both met the requirements of the protocol and had been fully tested by Scott in his home circle with advice sought from his spirit team. Scott’s decision to withdraw completely as a guest tutor at the College is to my mind a lost opportunity which could act only to further the cause of physical mediumship. Levitation is the phenomenon of an object or person floating in mid-air, defying gravity, with no visible support. The spirit, medium and sitter energies are known to create a ripe environment for this to happen. Sometimes objects are thrown and moved across the room. Vicars, G.R. SLATE-WRITING, Journal 2, 1885-6, pp. 151-2. Note on séances with Eglinton. physical mediumship/slate writingThis article is mainly concerned with trance mediumship, a category to which the anthropological label of ‘spirit possession’ is well suited. The phenomena and experiences associated with platform mediumship fall closer to the anthropological category of shamanism, while the kind of physical mediumship known in the West is a surprisingly singular phenomenon, with few cross-cultural parallels. Emmons, C.F. (2008). ‘On Becoming a Spirit Medium in a “Rational” Society.’ Anthropology of Consciousness, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 71-82. Finally, it must be remembered that a physical seance is not an entertainment or a fun show, but provides the opportunity for the intelligent minds of those in the spirit world to provide evidence of their survival in some quite amazing ways. Jane – During the session you are the only one who came forward for me,however, there were others that were on the card the medium removed from the box.It was somebody by the name of Doctor O’dlum--- it had the hyphen also. This association of spirit possession with pathology has been a persistent theme in both anthropology and psychology. 36 While it is true that in many cultures spirit possession, more specifically ‘spontaneous’ or ‘pathogenic’ possession, is associated with illness, 37 recent neurophysiological research has demonstrated distinct differences between the underlying neurological activity of individuals experiencing spirit possession as a voluntary practice, on the one hand, and epilepsy on the other. 38 Further research in this direction promises to differentiate pathological conditions from the trance states associated with spirit possession practices, 39 and may also point towards neurophysiological differences between specific forms of mediumship, 40 for example differences between psychic readings and communication with discarnate spirits. 41 Nutrient Deficiency

In principle there should be no seances held in total darkness. Subdued lighting including coloured lights or Natural light is preferable at all times. If there is to be consideration given to ‘Dark Seances’ then the following is required:- At the meeting I was met by David Bruton, Judith Seaman, Julia Almond, Simone Key and Tanya Smith, the general manager. Eileen and I were then handed the new protocol. David Bruton stressed that it was not a reflection on my mediumship but a way forward for the College. In spite of this, the concept of altered states of consciousness is still a useful tool in the study of mediumship, enabling us to develop a continuum of states of consciousness and to place the ASCs associated with spirit mediumship and possession within the broader context of human consciousness. There is a danger, though, that the scholarly use of the ASC concept lends itself to a reduction of the phenomena of spirit possession to the simple formula of ‘spirit possession is just an altered state of consciousness, and as such has no basis in reality.’ This kind of interpretation is inherent in Western culture’s general monophasic attitude to consciousness. Another view is that altered states of consciousness should be thought of as preconditions for the experience of spirit possession, not necessarily as its cause. We might say therefore that ‘spirit possession involves the use of altered states of consciousness, but is not necessarily synonymous with them.’ TranceRogo, D.S. (1988). The Infinite Boundary: Spirit Possession, Madness, and Multiple Personality. Wellingborough: The Aquarian Press. This is why the decision was made, under the guidance of the spirit world, for us to return to the darkness of the séance so that they can develop my mediumship, allowing my body time to get used to this form of phenomena.I tried to express this in the meeting but it fell on deaf ears. Messages are usually delivered through speaking or writing and with support from physical divination tools, such as oracle cards. #2 Physical Mediumship

Arguably, the most widely-known functionalist approach to spirit possession is IM Lewis’s social-protest theory; this suggests that spirit possession groups perform the essential social function of allowing women in male dominated societies (or any other socially peripheral group) to express their discontent in a socially-acceptable manner. When in the possessed state, Lewis argues, an individual is ‘totally blameless’ for his or her actions; the responsibility lies rather with the spirits. 7 This interpretation sees mediumship and spirit possession traditions as ‘thinly disguised protest movements directed against the dominant sex,’ or group. 8 Hunter, J. (2013). ‘Numinous Conversations: Performance and Manifestation of Spirits in Spirit Possession Practices.’ In A. Voss & W. Rowlandson (eds.) Daimonic Imagination: Uncanny Intelligence. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Press. Entry and exit to and from the room should be monitored at all times as someone entering or leaving without permission can have detrimental effects on the medium. Lots of people from all over the political, religious, age, class, race, industry spectrum have pulled me aside to talk about their connection to Spirit. If you’re not familiar with PM, it’s worth my briefly explaining what it’s all about, and why it matters.

Who is Amy Allan?

Experiences happen whether you're under stress or not, and regardless of how many mindful solutions you try. After the session I asked Saint. Germain to comment on this type of mediumship. He said he enjoyed watching me during the session and I should understand it was a very rare art. He continued to say this and I quote,” there are very few souls in the world capable of creating visual images through thoughts. As you know, thoughts are real and there are those who will precipitate their thoughts upon a surface. This gentleman is such a person.” Physical mediumship is not practiced much today. One reason might be that these phenomena brought on quite a bit of skepticism, as well as the exposure of many fraudulent physical mediums. Seances are still popular today, and the necessity of a physical medium is no longer a requirement. People have turned more to mental mediumship, psychic mediums, and evidential psychic mediums ? to assist in their connections with the spirit world. Anon. CORRESPONDENCE: THE ‘HODGSON REPORT’ ON MADAME BLAVATSKY, Journal 45, 1969-70, pp. 188-97. Criticisms of a parapsychologist’s support of the report. See also pp. 314-5. physical mediumship/beliefs/theosophy/magic/cheating

Cross-culturally, spirit possession practices share a distinctively somatic component. 65 The body is the physical means of expression for non-physical entities, and as such must be used in a variety of very specific ways. Methods for recognizing the presence of spirits within mediums vary across cultures, with each culture having its own distinct means of discernment. 66 Consciousness and its Alteration After all, if you're an otherwise rational human being in all other areas of your life, why would you be changing only in this one way?

How does someone become a medium?

However, as John Bowker 14 and Janice Boddy 15 have noted, although the functionalist approach does possess considerable explanatory power, it ignores both the significance of subjective experience for believers and also the possibility that genuine psi phenomena/spirits might actually exist, assuming as it does that the objects of supernatural beliefs are cultural constructions with foundations in misperception, delusion and fraud. 16 17 The image I have used this month is the precipitated card I received. I photographed both sides. I hope this has sparked your interest in Physical mediumship. It's something that’s been discussed for thousands of years, though because of past persecution, it had gone underground for a couple hundred years amongst certain groups.