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The Phenomena
of Physical Mediumship Spirit works
with physical mediumship in a number of ways. Apparently, there
is no limit to what Spirit can do, provided the proper conditions
prevail. Here are some of the phenomena witnessed in physical circles:
Manipulation
of Ectoplasm: This is the
most fundamental use of ectoplasm. The ectoplasm is released from
the medium's body, and the operator demonstrates how it can be fashioned
and directed. This becomes a demonstration of Spirit's ability to
influence matter via the directed use of mind. Movement
of Objects: Ectoplasm can
be used to move objects. During a demonstration such as this, the
spirit operator might mold the ectoplasm into hardened rods and
direct these rods to the underside of an object and cause the object
to be lifted. This is known as levitation and usually -- although
not always -- involves the production of an invisible form of ectoplasm.
Objects known to be levitated have ranged in weight from a few ounces
to hundreds of pounds. Whenever we
conduct a program on physical mediumship at the Church, we conclude
by sitting in circle around a table. In this, we have never failed
to produce remarkable movements, which have ranged from tables swaying
back and forth and in circular motion, to tables levitating off
the floor. Direct Voice: Here, the Spirit
operators create an ectoplasmic voice box, through which they can
speak physically and audibly to all present. This is often done
using a small conical device, known as a trumpet. The trumpet acts
very much like the cabinet, in that the energies are focussed inside
the trumpet. The trumpet is often levitated around the room, with
the Spirit people speaking through it. A very interesting
phenomenon witnessed during direct voice is the shifting in the
strength of the voice, as the energy level and harmony change. When
the voice first begins, it is often very garbled and difficult to
distinguish. As the energy is built up, the voice becomes more powerful
and more easily understood. Toward the end of the session, when
the energies begin to diminish, so, too, do the quality and clarity
of the voice. In fact, this gradual peaking and diminishing of phenomena
is quite common in all forms of physical manifestations. Apportation: Here, Spirit
causes something to materialize in the sitting room, apparently
from nowhere. The apported object sometimes does and sometimes does
not remain. Often, the materialized object is dematerialized back
to where it came from. Stones, gems, animals, ancient relics, and
even people have been known to be apported into seance rooms.
Raps and
Taps: This is a common
form of activity observed in circles for physical mediumship. The
Spirit people cause sharp raps to be heard, often from within the
table they are sitting around. A code can be established through
the raps, thus creating a means of conveying specific messages to
the sitters. Spirit Lights: This is another
common occurrence in physical circles. Flashes or balls of light
appear, often on or near the vicinity of the medium himself or herself. In materialization, the Spirit people use ectoplasm to create an image or molding of themselves. The degree and strength of the materialized form varies quite a bit. A full-form, head-to-toe materialization of a spirit is, perhaps, the most amazing phenomenon witnessed in mediumship. There are countless recorded cases where spirits have materialized fully, with full dress and facial features. Some have been as clear and solid as an earthly body. Spirit has even been known to go to the extent of creating fingerprints on their materialized hands. Materialized spirits have been known to walk among the sitters; talk to the sitters via direct voice; touch, hug, and kiss the sitters; allow the sitters to touch them; materialize in front of the sitters; pass through walls; and dematerialize before the sitters. A most interesting phenomenon seen during materialization is the physical link between the materialized form and the medium. After a spirit materializes and walks away from the medium, there can be seen a cord of ectoplasm linking the spirit form with the medium. This ectoplasmic cord can be likened to the umbilical cord of a fetus. Through it, the spirit operator receives a supply of etheric energy-matter from the medium. The spirit may dematerialize by withdrawing the ectoplasm back into the medium's body via this cord. A specific form of materialization, whereby the spirit operator uses the ectoplasm to mold his or her face over the face of the medium, is known as transfiguration. These are a few of the more common means by which Spirit uses the energies of the physical medium for the production of phenomena. Again, there seems to be no limit to what Spirit can do through physical mediumship, provided the proper conditions prevail.
During the last century, up until around the 1930's, physical mediumship was very common, and the strength and range of phenomena were amazing. Today, it is quite rare. There are two basic reasons for this:
Thus, today, the occurrence, as well as the nature, of physical mediumship is nothing like it was a century ago. However, we have noticed during the last decade that there seems to be a resurgence of interest in physical mediumship and, consequently, a resurgence in the development of physical mediums. Where this will lead, only time will tell.
As we stated: Mind over matter; that is what physical mediumship is all about. If this is so, and if we are all Spirit, can those of us in the body create such manifestations? Traditionalists in Spiritualism will answer with an empahtic and resounding, "NO. Only Spirit out of body can create such manifestations." My question is: why should that be the case? Spirit is Spirit is Spirit. In the 1970's, this very question was put to the test by the Toronto Society for Psychical Research, in conjunction with the New Horizons Research Foundation. Their findings were published, in 1976, in the book "Conjuring Up Philip: An Adventure in Psychokineses." Very briefly, the story goes like this: a group of people decided to meet regularly, just as they would if sitting for mediumistic development, with one major difference: they decided to create a fictitious character, whom they later called "Philip." Little by little, as the meetings continued, the character of Philip was being created by everyone present. More and more details were being woven into the life story of Philip. Finally, the group decided to put their experiment to the test. They wanted to see if phenomena -- attributed to "Philip" as the operator -- would occur. They got more than they bargained for. Remember, they were sitting to experiment with psychokinesis, not mediumship. Psychokinesis, or PK, is the movement of objects via the directed use of INCARNATE mind. The most noted subject of research in PK is Uri Geller. |
