MEDIUMSHIP

INTRODUCTION

Mediumship is the ability some people have to serve as intermediaries between the spiritual world and the material world. As a phenomenon, it is considered as ancient as humanity itself. Reports of communication with spirits and mediumistic manifestations can be found in various cultures and epochs, from ancient civilizations to the present day. Similar practices have been recorded in religious, mythological, and historical texts of peoples such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Africans, Asians, and Native Americans. The term “mediumship” was popularized by the educator and codifier of Spiritism, Allan Kardec (pseudonym of Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail), in the 19th century. The word “medium” derives from the Latin “medium,” meaning “means” or “intermediary”. All human beings possess some degree of mediumship, although not all develop or recognize it, and its conscious and disciplined practice can be used for elevated purposes such as the search for spiritual knowledge, helping others, and moral progress.

TYPES OF MEDIUMSHIP

Mediumistic abilities vary widely, each offering a distinct means of interaction with spirits, reflecting the richness and complexity of connections between the material and spiritual planes. Below are some of the main types of mediums identified and studied by Allan Kardec and his followers, highlighting their characteristics and particularities.

  • Physical Effect Mediums
These are those capable of producing tangible material phenomena, such as the movement of objects, noises, luminous apparitions, or even materializations. These manifestations are often visible or audible to anyone present, regardless of their mediumistic abilities.
  • Electric People
These represent individuals who, unconsciously, emit a significant amount of electromagnetic energy, which can influence electronic devices or cause small electric shocks. In the spiritist context, these people can, without conscious intention, be the source of phenomena attributed to spirits due to their strong natural energetic charge.
  • Sensitive or Impressionable Mediums
This category includes those who possess an acute sensitivity to spiritual presences, feeling their influences more intensely than most. They can perceive changes in the environment, emotions, or thoughts transmitted by spirits.
  • Hearing Mediums
These are people with the ability to hear the voice of spirits, either clearly and distinctly, like an external voice, or as an internal impression, similar to a thought. This ability allows them to receive instructions, advice, or direct messages from spirits, which can be shared with others or used for personal guidance.
  • Speaking Mediums

Also known as psychophonic mediums, they transmit messages from spirits through speech. During these communications, the spirit uses the medium’s vocal apparatus to express themselves directly. In many cases, the medium may be conscious or partially conscious during the transmission of the message, functioning as a verbal channel for spiritual communication.

  • Seeing Mediums

These have the ability to see spirits and other spiritual entities. This vision can occur with physical eyes or through spiritual vision, or clairvoyance. These mediums can describe in detail the appearance and actions of spirits, providing a direct visual connection with the spiritual world.

  • Somnambulistic Mediums

These are those who enter an altered state of consciousness, similar to somnambulism, during which their mediumistic abilities are amplified. In this state, they can perform diagnoses, treatments, or transmit spiritual messages with greater precision and clarity. The medium’s consciousness may be partially or completely suppressed, allowing more direct interaction with spirits.

  • Healing Mediums

These are individuals who possess the ability to channel spiritual healing energies, aiding in the recovery from physical, emotional, or spiritual ailments. Mediumistic healing can occur through the laying on of hands, prayers, or even through the simple presence of the medium, who serves as a conduit for the healing energies of benevolent spirits.

  • Pneumatographic and Psychographic Mediums

Pneumatography refers to the ability to produce direct writing from spirits, which can appear on surfaces such as paper or other materials without the physical intervention of the medium. In psychography, the medium uses their own hand to write the messages transmitted by the spirits, either mechanically, where the medium’s hand is directly controlled by the spirit, or intuitively, where the medium writes under the mental influence of the spirit but with greater conscious participation. Psychography is more common and frequently used in spiritist sessions to convey teachings, messages, and guidance from spirits.

MEDIUMSHIP AND OBSESSION

Obsessive processes in mediums are negative and persistent interactions between a disembodied spirit and a medium, in which the spirit exerts a harmful influence over the medium. This phenomenon can manifest in various ways and intensities, affecting both the physical and mental health of the medium. In Kardecist Spiritism, obsession is classified into three main degrees:

  • Simple Obsession

In simple obsession, the spirit tries to influence the medium’s thoughts insistently, causing distractions, difficulties in concentration, and errors in mediumistic communications. The medium, although aware of the spirit’s presence, finds it difficult to rid themselves of this persistent influence.

  • Fascination

Fascination is a more severe degree of obsession, where the spirit succeeds in deluding the medium, making them accept erroneous ideas and behaviors as correct. At this stage, the medium loses critical capacity and starts to believe in the suggestions and false perceptions imposed by the obsessive spirit, compromising the quality of mediumistic communications and potentially affecting their personal relationships.

  • Subjugation

Subjugation, also known as possession, is the most severe form of obsession. In this state, the obsessive spirit dominates the medium both mentally and physically, imposing involuntary and harmful behaviors. The medium may experience a loss of control over their actions, feel compelled to act against their will, and suffer severe emotional and physical disturbances.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Prevention and treatment of obsession involve willpower and discipline, as it is not an easy task to fight against something that does not suffer the limitations of physical body fatigue. Below are the main pillars in approaching obsessive processes:

  • Inner Reform:

The medium should seek moral and spiritual improvement, cultivating virtues such as humility, patience, and love for others.

  • Prayers and Positive Vibrations:

Prayer and the emission of positive thoughts help elevate the medium’s vibration, making it difficult for obsessing spirits to act.

  • Study and Knowledge:

The study of spiritist works and understanding the mechanisms of mediumship strengthen the medium against negative influences.

  • Spiritual Assistance:

Participating in serious mediumistic meetings and receiving support from elevated spirits and other experienced mediums can help combat obsession.

  • Disobsession:

Specific treatments, such as disobsession meetings, where trained mediums help to remove the obsessing spirit and guide both the involved (medium and spirit) towards the path of good and peace.

In this way, mediumship, when well-directed and protected, can be a powerful tool for spiritual progress and helping others, contributing to harmony and understanding about life and its purpose.

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