Mediumship

Are you Psychic?

The short answer to the question -are you psychic, is that YOU ARE though you may not know it. The rational minds' developments begin very early even before we learn to walk but as you may have noticed (or maybe even remember) youngsters live in an immediate world much more so than us grown ups. A very young personality's' memory is short on specifics -they live in a momentary world in which their intuitive faculty dominates their expressions. As we get older we tend to push this capability to the back of our minds as we evolve in the physical world; objective realisations develop, patterns of behaviour are remembered and logical thinking becomes the order of the day.

But you will have your moments; unexplained hunches, prophetic dreams, inexplicable insights into other people and events. You may even experience a loud inner voice advising or defining; you may have flashes of clairvoyance -pictures that appear unasked for on the back plate of the mind. You may smell an odour or perfume not recognised by anyone else; you may have a déjà vu experience you cannot explain.

A great many intuitional moments are not recognised at all -we thinking they are the product of our imaginative minds.

Well, OK I'm psychic, so why should I bother about it?

Psychic means soul and we use the word psychic to describe an ability -what the word doesn't tell us is its relationship with the creative nature. The creative mind is governed by the intuitional faculty. However we create, be it artistically, or conceptually, inventively our starter for ten is a function of intuition.

What man has discovered and continues to re-learn as his environments change is that creative right brain functions are necessary to balance the naturally dominant left brain logical minds activity. When we get the balance right we are happier more contented people -however we express the psychic nature.

We have as you know a two-sided brain; the left side used mainly for the objective and logical events of life and the right side mostly for subjective stuff; ideas, concepts and mind bending events. To lead a happy and contented life we have to balance the needs of the left and right organs of consciousness. It's not rocket science, 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' or to put it another way what we must do to feed, clothe and shelter ourselves and what we otherwise do to fulfil and stimulate interest should compliment, satisfy and encourage a sense of purpose. When we get it right the feel good factor includes a sense of adventure, a more tolerant understanding of others, real interest in communicating yourself and perhaps most important of all -YOU become more interesting to other people

What is Mediumship?

What is Mediumship?

Mediumship is a practice commonly related to Spiritualism, Spiritism, the New Age, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Voodoo, Umbanda and Shamanism. though practice and development varies greatly in the world. A medium is essentially defined as a go-between linking this world with afterlife dimensions. While the Western movements of Spiritualism and Spiritism account for most Western media exposure, most traditional African, Caribbean, South American and Asian movements have grown out of animistic religious communities

Western Mediums in the main are described as people who, psychically gifted, make connections with the afterlife and relay messages from the so-called dead to the living. To make these contacts mediums must achieve a shift in consciousness, in which the higher vibratory senses can interact with the physical world by language that recipients can understand. That shift in consciousness is more accurately defined as an expansion of known consciousness; the physical senses must still be able to shape the higher vibration to provide understandable communication. As the self-being expression is tuned to deal with the physical world, its go between capabilities will be restricted by the demands of the human community -demands that require attachment, ownership, opinion and security. The shift of consciousness needed to channel higher vibratory forces can only deliver in this world when the conscious expression of self is simplified and unbiased.

The medium generally attempts to facilitate communication between non-mediumistic people and spirits who may have messages to share. A medium may appear to listen to and relate conversations with spirit voices; go into a trance and speak without knowledge of what is being said; allow a spirit to enter their body and speak through it; relay messages from the spirits those who wish to contact them with the help of a physical tool, such as a writing implement.

Channelling is a function of mediumship and is an important element of Modern Spiritualism and New Age exponents. Mediumship in this context refers to the inspirations received from a 'teaching spirit'.

Mediums have been responsible for producing an array of science baffling phenomena that includes materialisation, de-materialisation, levitation, apports, direct voice, proof of survival, psychic surgery and rain-making etc.

Who and what are Mediums?

Before we answer that question it is as well to understand who sensitives and psychics are. Sensitive is a modern name for a psychic that came out of the psychic research community. Being psychic is having awareness of the higher expression of the senses -clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience; seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching which also means feeling. Whilst most psychics will experience the expression of all senses in their higher form, most will only express commonly with maybe one or two senses. The experience can be phenomenal, that is being physically aware of a higher sense perception, for example -seeing a person or energy formation as part of the world about them and hearing as if someone physically was speaking to you.

Having higher sense awareness makes you witness to other vibrational states of consciousness and enables the receiver to speak about it. A medium is a psychic with the ability to act as a 'go between'.

A 'go between' is a person who carries messages to and from another person or group of people. This activity loved by novelists to move the action of their stories into new dimensions is a practise we all have some experience of. The go between, no matter how small the task, has an immediate sense of purpose strengthened by the simplicity of the action required of them. When so engaged in receiving and transmitting messages the medium is entirely focussed on that activity. Any complications harboured by recipients and senders are not shared with the medium whose task when complete has no loose ends in need of resolution.

The pathway of mediumship is essentially that of a 'go between' activity; a practise of receiving and giving that does not ask us to exercise powers of judgement or develop and maintain a subject relationship with either receiver or sender. What then are the achievable values that may elevate this practise to a spiritual pathway?

The Spiritual Medium

However we describe the practise of mediumship, it must be doing of some kind and since the medium doesn't own the message they receive, doing is the function of delivering the message. The mediums experience of consciousness will be radically different from that enjoyed in the ordinary everyday world of living in which attachments and relationships govern the expression of our consciousness, the medium in practise operates in a momentary sense of time with an intensity of feeling and thought that has minimal awareness of the outside world.

The action of mediumship promotes transformation; both recipient and medium are affected by the activity which gives a spiritual dimension to the factual information that is relayed. Mediums in the main are described as people who, psychically gifted, make connections with the afterlife and relay messages from the so-called dead to the living. To make these contacts mediums must achieve a shift in consciousness, in which the higher vibratory senses can interact with the physical world with language that recipients can understand.
A healer who channels higher intelligence in the energies they transmit to patients is also a medium. The artist, artisan and scientist who channel concepts and ideas are also mediums in that function. Where the conscious being accepts moral, religious and cultural practises as platforms for higher expression, the exponents customise the pathway of mediumship to those ends. Therefore, our medium is not a "dumb" messenger as much as they might wish to be on occasions they will have to interpret what they are given through the framework of the service expression they use.

Guides and helpers provide message sometimes as an intermediary to loved ones wanting to communicate, but otherwise their work is guidance in whatever form the recipient needs it. That could be advice on their spiritual pathway, it could be direction on health and it may be advice on material welfare. It should be pointed out that loved ones communicating can, and often do, refer to these areas of our life.

In the wider context, mediumship is a pathway that connects worlds within worlds, occasionally literal, but mostly interpretative. Why interpretative? Communications usually comprise several forms of expression simultaneously. For example, a picture can be accompanied by speech, sensation and a sense of time, when received the picture may be the strongest impression, the speech most fleeting, the sensation and the sense of time triggering associated ideas and conditions in our conscious mind. We may also include our subconscious bias, which may 'tailor' the meaning of the message. A good relationship with key communicators makes the distinction between the psychic who manifests information with good intentions and the medium that with this psychic and spiritual partnership can give a spiritual perspective from the link established.

To sum it up ... mediumship is a calling, a priestly function and covers not only communication from the afterlife of our earth and inter-dimensional forms of being but also the channelling of healing and creative forces. The spiritual intent of all mediumistic demonstration is Healing in one form or another.

Do you want to train as a medium?

Do you want to train as a medium?

If you are capable of expressing the higher vibratory nature of the senses AND feel called to take the message of Love to other human beings and to animals and to whatever life form you feel directed then you are a medium in the making. Skill alone is not the definition. The practise has far reaching effects upon the psyche.
As imperfect instrument of higher forces, we are translators. The function of guides is to facilitate, protect and encourage our spiritual development on the pathway we have chosen -they are NOT 'plants' in our creative consciousness, they do not 'use' us as a means to get to others. We agree to act - they collaborate at our request. If a communicator appears to take over without your agreement, one of two conditions is apparent. <Actinic:Variable Name = '1'/> Your subconscious and conscious states are not in harmony - in other words, you do not know your own mind, or <Actinic:Variable Name = '2'/> the communicator is not yet fitted to be guide to mortal mind and their overtures must be resisted.

It is said that mediums are born not made... true! That pre-birth commitment is part of their pathway and will be with them from cradle to grave and beyond. Some mediums are 'sleepers' until awakened by the call, just as Samuel of the Old Testament was.
Be diligent, be conscientious learn the craft well, many are called and few are chosen. The true medium is known not by their insistence to be called a medium, or be named in hallowed terms, but by their acceptance of mission and the absence of ambition to that calling. Spiritual values are not Ego promoting, therefore each event is a first and last one. History belongs to the recipient - the Medium only lives in the world of "NOW".

Q&A on Psychic & Spiritual Development

Discover your Psychic & Spiritual Self

Why would you want to?

What would your reaction would be if someone took you quietly to the side and said, 'How many senses do you think you've got?'
Answering 'six' 'cos you've seen the films and watched the TV programmes your erstwhile friend then says, 'not true you've got ten!' aren't you going to be just a tiny bit curious to find out more?

Its about seeing ghosts and people passed on -isn't it?

And no it's not only about seeing psychically, hearing voices and being touched by unseen hands. Some 'psychic' people don't see or hear anything yet they are in touch with paranormal worlds that extend far beyond the limits of our senses.
The key to what I'm telling you is in the word 'touch'. When the psychic level of consciousness is opened up the creative nature of the conscious ego is motivated to express 'hidden talents', such as art, poetry, sculpture and crafts.

I hear what you say but what does that mean?

Even more important is the mental and emotional awareness received from contact with higher consciousness. You feel better about yourself, you feel connected and more able to relate yourself to world about.

I have strange dreams so real I feel sad when waking up -does that mean I'm psychic?

Everyone is psychic, some like you have vivid dreams of places and people consciously unknown -dreaming like you describe is an out of body experience without being aware of leaving or re-entering your body. With development you too can make a closer link with the higher self and likely see and hear paranormally.

I meditate when I feel stressed and that helps to relax me -would this development you speak about help me further?

It certainly would -the meditations taught in our psychic & spiritual development courses are not only designed to relax and refresh you but they also enable you to access higher vibrational states of consciousness

Yes but is it safe?

The JCPF prides itself on teaching safe and controlled expression -add to that your teacher, experienced in developing psychic awareness and tutoring your individual needs within a group environment

Don't you teach a particular philosophy or religion?

Well, that's good. We won't be trying to mould you into any particular way of thinking -our aim is very simple. Show you how to achieve control of higher consciousness and have you participate in that connection as you choose too.

I'm interested in development, I've read a lot about it and have my own ideas -spiritually that is! Do you teach a particular religious philosophy?

No we don't -we are guided by the wisdom of our founder teacher, Joseph Carey. Joey as we affectionately call him lived in this world as a Negro, son of freed slave parents, in Louisiana USA 1834-1901; his philosophy founded upon love of God and Man is very simple; "Let no one think they are more advanced than another, and if it is so, then far better they walk back in order that the one behind can walk forward and catch up with those who are going ahead."

I know this sounds silly -I'd like to do this but I'm scared of doing it!

Relax! Tuition is carried out in a group environment -class sizes are not big, you'll quickly get to know the other students. And remember you are always in control. The first levels of meditation you master relax and balance your energies.

Yes but I've had some scary experiences -waking up in the middle of the night feeling as if I've fallen out of the sky!

You'll find others in your class with similar experiences. One of the primary reasons we do these courses is to have you creatively harmonise the unconscious nature and dissipate fears that are natural reactions to the unknown. Learning to positively express these powers will educate and pacify the conscious mind. You will find it liberating! If you are the fretting kind we offer 'out of hours' counselling that will put your mind further at rest -so what is there to worry about?

It's something I've always wanted to do but all these pictures of young people make me think I'm too old to be included. Is there a place for me?

There sure is! People of all ages develop psychically and spiritually in this way -you won't be alone, the mix of ages are from 18 to 80 plus!

The JCPF has two Introductory Psychic & Spiritual Development course programmes with similar objectives -to develop your psychic and spiritual potential. You can pick up a start date of one of these courses within a couple of months from applying. Classes are usually held on a Thursday or Monday evening from 7.30 -10.00 p.m. at the Phoenix Healing Centre or Buckland Community Centre in Portsmouth.

The Practise of Psychometry

The Practise of Psychometry

Psychometry is the practise of reading the memory of articles, generally personal objects like rings, watches etc, by a mediumistic person. The person owning that object need not be present -indeed some articles read by mediums are of people no longer in this world. Historical items are also read.

Whenever we handle an object we imprint information about ourselves and our activity world on that object. Our bodies common to all physical matter give off magnetic energy fields and can be likened to an audio visual recording. It's also important to remember that an object may have been handled by more than one person, thus its history may reveal things that are not relevant to the sitter. If, for example an object has been passed on down the family, it will contain information about its previous owners.

How does the medium actually get that information?

The medium opens their mind to the object in a sympathetic manner i.e. they extend their emotional and mental energies to the like nature of the object. They need to be 'opened up' psychically to do it, which means their consciousness must shift to be perceptive of a higher vibrational form of life. What the medium gets is often bits of this and that, strong undercurrents e.g. concern, purpose and need. Many mediums are trained to utilise the relationship they have with afterlife communicators to obtain guidance on how to express and what to deliver to the recipient.

Psychometry cannot provide proof of survival evidence -that's an entirely different vibration but it can give you a view of events to come as the nature of information obtained by the medium comes out of a higher order of consciousness in which past, present and future are closely related. This also explains why some mediums though adept at reading cannot be precise about the time of events they provide the client.

What is Psychic Art?

What is Psychic Art?

Psychic art takes a number of forms; its origins go way back to the dawn of history. Simply stated it is a graphical expression using pencil, pen or brush promoted into consciousness by an inner force that determines subject and the style of the composition.
The most famous of all psychic artists were the Bang sisters of Indiana who in the early part of the 20th century sat before easels and blank canvas and without touching or handling any brushes or paint were responsible through their physical mediumship for producing images instantly recognisable by to members of the congregation witnessing the phenomenon.

Some artists have their hands controlled to pick up brushes and select and apply paint or pencil etc -this also is physical mediumship. Most psychic artists are mental mediums who are inspired and controlled mentally to produce images. These images can be of persons who have passed away or they can be representations of the spiritual worlds. Symbols, mandalas and iconic images can also be produced.

Generally speaking the psychic artist will ask the sitter nothing of themselves before tuning in and producing an image. Some artists will also give clairvoyance of the communicators they are producing likeness of during a sitting or public demonstration.

Mediumship in the JCPF charity

Mediumship in the JCPF charity

Beginnings

The Joseph Carey Psychic Foundation was conceived by Mr Leonard Burden and his main guide Joseph Carey. Mr Burden, Spiritualist trance medium and professional clairvoyant gave public service for over 50 years. Born 1929 and passed into Spirit 2003. On 14th May 1967 he invited a few interested individuals to hear a trance communication at his home in Portsmouth. As a direct result of the inspiration received at that meeting the Joseph Carey Psychic Foundation was created.

President in Spirit: Joseph Carey

Joseph Carey appears as the common man, Joey as he is affectionately known, was born in 1834 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Born of parents who were freed slaves, hardship and poverty overshadowed his earthly life. He married, raised a family and practised his inherent psychic faculties as the occasion demanded. In 1901, at the age of 67, he passed on into the next world. In his new life Joey dedicated himself to understanding and developing his latent psychic nature. He chose the spiritual pathway of guiding mortal souls and to that end became the main Guide of the medium Leonard Burden.

The entire process of Joey's guidance is directed toward the goal of self realisation; encouraging others to make decisions and increase their sense of personal responsibility. He teaches that understanding at whatever level is not realised without effort. Spiritual values are not achieved without self sacrifice. Further, if man is to survive himself, the persuasion of Real Knowledge must influence the very roots of our human consciousness. Learn humility he urges, be cheerful in spirit, and listen to the intuitive voice of ageless wisdom. On the occasion of 14th May evening, Joey had agreed to address us. On Mr Burden's instructions all persons present witnessed the binding of his mouth with wide sticking plaster and the marking of same so examination could take place after the séance. The medium was then sat on a chair about four feet away from the sitters and further bound to the chair with sticking tape, and enclosed by two hinged screens placed at right angles to form an open topped box. The room was put in total darkness and the invocation given. After approximately ten minutes had elapsed, sounds resembling speech were heard to come from the "cabinet". These sounds were soon recognised as Joey's greeting. Joey then explained to the sitters that a "voice box" of energy had been constructed in the solar plexus region of the body, and it was by such means that his voice manifested. Joey was then asked what he feels is the purpose of the Foundation and how it should be formed. What follows here is the transcript of the inaugural address.

"As you have seen fit to call it a Foundation, then that word is good. It will be a Foundation whereby all creeds and denominations, all people who are psychic by right of birth; can express themselves in any manner, that the guide is able through them. Where there will be no indifference of colour or creed, or personality. A Foundation for all earth plane children where the opportunity is given them to develop their natural abilities if they so desire. Where people can meet on common ground; where there is no station, rank or file; where all have the same right of opinion, where all have the same right of expression. We are coming closer to your earth plane as we have never done before. Remember little brothers and sisters this is the last age of all.
We do not judge, we seek to return to your earth plane to help, instruct and guide you. We seek to return in order that your earth plane which is full of trial and tribulation, where brother, father and son no longer love one another; where there is turmoil and ignorance as well as fear of physical death, to help each and every one of you. Indeed, now that you have brought yourself nearer, we seek the opportunity to instruct and guide you more fully. Tell others, have debates, have discussions. Let no one think they are more advanced than another, and if it is so, then far better they walk back in order that the one behind can walk forward and catch up with those who are going ahead. We say we like the word Foundation, we approve of it. Where all those in the Foundation that you have named after me can appreciate and express themselves, whether they follow the teachings of the Master Jesus or whether they follow the work and examples of Buddha and Moses.
Whether indeed they are agnostic and have not conceived or acknowledged the understanding of what is termed God. Even the atheist can be respected for his views, provided he respects yours.
We are returning with Love, coming closer to many young people, who are old souls that have been born so that the light that is dim can be much brighter in the years that lay ahead. In your Golden Age, the last years of all, we seek to assist and become as one with you.
There is division only by volume not by love or mind. The body however, is not the full extent of expression; it is merely the extension, like your hand, of the mind. If you paint and your hand holds the brush, your hands are the extension of your mind. What is being expressed on that canvas comes from that inner flow, that inner spark. When you write words, it is merely that your hands hold the pen; the pen is expressing your mind. When you speak, your voice is the expression of your higher Self, whether the actions be good or bad.

FOR THERE IS ONLY ONE LAW, THE LAW OF GOOD, BUT IN
EXPRESSING THAT ONE LAW THERE CAN BE DISHARMONY.

We approve of what you call a Foundation. And a Foundation for many in time it will surely be. And God Bless you".

A short while after the close of communication the medium rapped on his chair to indicate return of his consciousness. Light was let into the room. Sitters examined the tapes binding the medium to the chair and the tape sealing the mouth. Signatures made across the joins in the tapes were undisturbed and there was no evidence present to suggest that the tapes had been removed and replaced. Tony Ashenden concluded that given this impressive demonstration of mediumship and accounting for all that was said the Foundation should become a physical reality without delay.

The Development & Service of Mediumship in the JCPF

In addition to the excellent support and teaching of Len Burden and Joseph Carey the practise of mediumship is an ongoing development. The President Tony Ashenden has contributed significantly to programme of training and service for over 40 years. His abilities as a trance medium, clairvoyant, psychometrist, spiritual healer, tarot reader, writer, administrator, Gi-Gong practitioner and skill as a teacher has been ably complimented by his wife Pamela who is also a medium, clairvoyant, tarot reader, astrologer and hypnotherapist. Now in its fifth decade the charity has brought the practise of mediumship to thousands of people. Its training programmes are highly respected and continue to develop to meet the needs of the modern world.

Regular public mediumistic demonstrations are held twice monthly. Always a friendly welcoming atmosphere -mediums may be demonstrating their powers of clairvoyance, object reading and sometimes phenomenal healing ability. Depending on numbers present the meetings may last from 45 minutes up until 9 pm.

Course programmes both introductory and advanced are in progress annually and members have a special guides evening of demonstration and development to help them form lasting relationships with their key communicators. Teachers currently providing Mediumship introductory courses, advanced courses, workshops and development groups are Pamela Ashenden, Tony Ashenden, Steve Lashley and Carole Peachey.