| Channeling spirits, also known as mediumship, can be | | | | deeply loved or resented. The medium, or channel, |
| accomplished by a variety of processes, ranging from | | | | may contact these spirits by entering a hypnotic state |
| the use of tarot cards, crystal balls or dream analysis. | | | | before sitting, lying down or moving around in the room. |
| The channel, also known as a medium, may also use | | | | Often he or she will gesture to, joke with and |
| one of many techniques of "mental mediumship" such | | | | essentially translate between the spiritual realm and |
| as: clairvoyance (when the medium is able to see the | | | | that of the living while having no memory of anything |
| spirit), clairaudience (an ability to hear the spirit) or | | | | that was discussed. |
| clairsentience (the sensation of feeling the spirit) to | | | | Accuracy of Channeling Ability |
| convey the spirits' message to his or her loved ones. | | | | The accuracy of the channel's communication |
| History of Channeling Spirits | | | | depends upon their level of psychic ability. The channel |
| Communication with the dead has been documented | | | | essentially receives messages from the spirit(s) and |
| as far back as The Old Testament, which tells the | | | | then must translate them into human language. Some |
| story of The Witch of Endor, who raised the spirit | | | | mediums have the ability to channel spirits which |
| deceased prophet Samuel in order for the Hebrew | | | | convey ideas that not only have relevance to a certain |
| king Saul to question him about an impending battle. | | | | individual, but may also be of universal importance. |
| Channeling spirits became a popular practice in 19th | | | | Examples of these predictions might include |
| century America when the religious practice of | | | | Nostrodamus's interpretations of the Holocaust, the |
| Spiritualism was gaining a strong following. Modern | | | | Kennedy assassination or the tragedy of 9/11. |
| Spiritualism dates back from 1848, with the practices | | | | Tools Employed by Channels |
| and lectures of the Fox sisters in New York state. | | | | Many channels employ tools such as tarot cards, |
| Leading lecturers and authors on the subject in the mid | | | | crystal balls, or material items owned by the deceased |
| 1800s include Emma Hardinge Britten and Paschal | | | | in order to "channelize" their specific type of psychic |
| Beverly Randolph. | | | | ability. Some psychics, known as hyperwriters, may |
| The fraudulent use of stage magic tricks during the | | | | also use pen and paper to record the messages as |
| late 1800s and early 1900s caused mediumship to fall | | | | they are sent from the spirit in question. |
| into disrepute. From the 1930s to the 1990s, physical | | | | By whatever means, the goal of the process of |
| mediumship became less practiced in the church of | | | | channeling spirits is to communicate with those who've |
| Spiritualism and the process of spiritual channeling | | | | moved on, whether to resolve their unrest, or to ease |
| gained popularity. | | | | the minds of those who've lost them. The process |
| How Mediums Facilitate Communication with Spirits | | | | takes much practice and patience, and it is important |
| Lacking the limitations of a physical body, spirits are | | | | that the medium is someone who is compassionate |
| believed to hover around at will, often in a place where | | | | and has the ability to feel empathy for the lost soul as |
| they believe their lives were ended unfulfilled. They | | | | well as the grieving loved ones who are desperate for |
| also tend to follow living acquaintances that they either | | | | answers. |