More Aspects of Mental Mediumship

PSYCHOMETRY:  (Coined by Dr. J. Rhodes Buchanan, 1842)  (Gr.  psyche, "soul", metron, "measure")  Soul Measurement or Object Reading.

The ability to psychically obtain information, through the palms of one's hands, by touching or handling an object.  The vibrations of the objects come through the Sympathetic Nervous System to the brain where they are interpreted.  The article can be held against the forehead or the Solar Plexus for clearer interpretation.

Psychometry has been used in the field of criminology quite successfully by Peter Hurkos, Gerard Croiset and Lottie Van Strahl, to mention a few.

Dr. J. Rhodes Buchanan (1814-1899) stated that psychometry was a science and he believed that "everything that has ever existed, every object, scene, event that has occurred since the beginning of the world has left on the ether or astral light a trace of its being...not only on the ether but likewise on more palpable objects...trees, stones, and all manner of things."  This impression will never be erased during what is considered as time.  This is why so many have closely related the study of psychometry to the Akashic Records.  (Lewis Spencer, Encyclopedia of Occultism, 1960, p 333)

Mrs Hester Drowden, a famous medium, defined psychometry as "a psychic power possessed by certain individuals which enables them to divine the history of, or events connected with, a material object with which they come into close contact."

Practical Psychometry:  (Regarding the owner of an object)

Tuning into an extension of the individual through the psychometrist's hands to the individual's Sub-Conscious Mind.  Personal items that belong to the individual, such as eye-glasses, wristwatches, rings, etc. which are worn daily, are more easily read because emotional vibrations impregnate, more deeply, those items that one wears or handles.

Pure Psychometry:  (Regarding a random object or area)

To Psychically measure or evaluate an object or area through the hands.  The object could reveal where it came from, age, etc.  The area could reveal events that had taken place and people who had been in the area.

Psychometry is presently practiced in many Development Circles.  It is done with crystals, other stones and personal items.  The person, with eyes shut, takes an item in her or his hand.  Carefully feeling the item the individual tries to visualize its shape, texture, and color.  Along with these physical features the person tries to reach an intuitive connection with the stone through which feelings and  impressions are received from the stones.  When done within a group these inspirations may be shared with others.

RETROCOGNITION: The ability to perceive the past and past events in this life or another life, without the aid of any record or from the memory of living persons through clairvoyance, clairsentience or clairaudience.  (One of the three aspects of E.S.P.)

SCRYING: (from the Old English word "descret" which means "to make  out dimly" or "to reveal")  (Antiquity - Seeing)

Scrying is the ancient act of divination for the purpose of clairvoyance.  It is usually achieved by concentrating on or staring at an object that has a clear, shiny surface until a vision appears.  The surface may be clear water, polished mirrors, stainless steel, etc.  Some of the reasons Scrying is used are to see into the future, find lost objects and or person.

Witches were known to Scry in a magic circle to protect from outside influences distorting the visions.  Most diviners work at night to avoid the excessive psychic vibrations that are generated during the confusion of daylight hours.   More often than not, the visions are symbolic and the Scryer must be trained in interpreting their meanings.

• Crystal Ball Gazing:  (1,000 B.C.)
  

See objects or actions, removed in time or space from natural vision.  Psychic should be in an Alpha State.  Material must be placed around the Crystal Ball so that the light comes in at an angle.  As the psychic concentrates on the Crystal Ball, a vision will begin with a white cloud which will gradually lift to reveal an answer to the question asked.

• Mirror-Gazing: 
  

To clairvoyantly see one's guides, past incarnations (by change in facial features), deceased loved ones, or one's own aura. 

TALK-IN-TONGUES or SPEAKING IN TONGUES:  (Christianity - Glossolalia)

To make rapid, incoherent utterances, in a language that may be foreign to the planet or to the country.  These utterances can be interpreted by someone in the congregation who purportedly understands the language spoken.  This usually occurs in a light trance state that has been brought about by a charismatic or evangelical service.  Some believe the speaker has received the Holy Spirit.  It is also believed that the information that is received is far beyond the comprehension of the speaker or those hearing the speaker and is composed of Universal or Cosmic Truths.

TELEPATHY:  (Coined by F.W.H. Myers, a founder of the Society of Psychical Research in England)  (Future Science)  (Gr.  Tele, "distance", pathos, "sensing...to feel afar") 

Communication between minds (or spirit to spirit) by some means other than sensory perception.  Many times it comes into action in a crisis situation, particularly if close family members or close friends are involved. This communication can occur in the form of a thought, a feeling, an emotional state, a symbol or in the form of an actual inner-dialogue of conversation.

W. Brugh Joy (author of "Joy's Way"):  "One does not have to think in images or symbols.  Language is automatically translated into essential thought and re-translated into the outer language of the person having the telepathic impress:  a natural form of communication".

THOUGHT-FORMS: Every thought is said to generate vibrations or images in the aura of the Mental Body.  These vibrations or images are surrounded by the plastic-like energy of the Astral Place which molds around the images to reproduce the theme of the thought. These molded thought-forms are nonphysical entities which exist in either the Mental or Astral Plane.  They are usually seen by clairvoyants, and may be intuitively sensed by others.

Annie Besant (1847-1933) and C.W. Leadbeater, both Theosophists and Clairvoyants, placed thought-forms in three classifications:

1. The image of the thinker.
   
2. An image of a material object associated with the thought.
   
3. An independent image expressing the inherent qualities of the thought.  Thoughts which are of a low nature, such as anger, hate, lust, greed, and so on, create thought-forms which are dense in color and form.  Thoughts of a more spiritual nature tend to generate forms possessing a greater purity, clarity and refinement.
   

It is possible to direct thought-forms to another person, but in order  that it be effective, the thought-forms must attach onto a similar vibration in the recipient's aura.  If that energy is non-existent the thought-forms can bounce back to the sender.

Although the strength and clarity of the original thought determines the life-span, strength and the distance the thought-form will travel, thought-forms have the capability to assume their own energy and give the appearance of intelligence and independence.  Thought-forms that are equally strong can disperse them or they may disintegrate when their purpose has been accomplished.

Thought-forms can occur from individuals or from "group minds" such as a football team, a group of employees, a crowd of demonstrators, or any close-knit working group.  Usually, if and when the group disbands, the power of the group-mind dissipates also.

TRANCE CHANNELING:  (An altered state of consciousness)

Channeling is the process of communicating with spirits or entities, either telepathically or by direct spirit-to-body contact, who have either inhabit ed a body but now don't or those who claim never to have inhabited a body. Trance is a state of sleep or unconsciousness that is either self-induced or induced by another (as through hypnosis or suggestion).

•  Light Trance or Conscious Trance:
  

The medium is receptive, but remains conscious and directs own psychism at will.

Semi or altered state of consciousness Trance:

This Medium works in a semi-conscious state, under partial control, but still aware of what is occurring.

• Deep Trance:  (Dead-Trance or Cataleptic Clairvoyance)
  

The Medium is attended by two "controls" (one physical, one etheric) who make the connection between the Medium's body and spirit.  The "etheric control" maintains order, relaying messages to the sitters through the Medium, making sure that any garbled or obscure messages are understood.  The "physical control" makes sure that the Medium is undisturbed by those sitting for messages.

Spirit Control is a term used primarily in trance mediumship which refers to the specific Spirit Communicator or Spirit Operator who controls the consciousness of the Medium during the condition of trance.

• Spirit Guide:
  

This is a teacher and/or guardian, in spirit, who is with the medium throughout his/her entire lifetime.  The primary role of this spirit is to help teach and inspire the medium and to give assistance in the process of the development of mediumship.

• Spirit Controller:
  

This is a friend and teacher, in spirit, whose primary purpose is to take care of and protect the medium while he/she works as a channel for spirit.  The Spirit Controller helps control the energy field of the medium, the sitters and any communicating spirit.  The Spirit Controller may or may not be the same individual as the Spirit Guide.