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63 About this deal
For the first time in its 50-year history the Arthur Findlay College (AFC) has issued a formal protocol governing demonstrations of physical mediumship (PM).
Halloy, A. (2010). ‘Comments on “The Mind Possessed: The Cognition of Spirit Possession in an Afro-Brazilian Religious Tradition” by Emma Cohen.’ Religion and Society: Advances in Research, Vol. 1, pp. 164-176. Sitters can see the form in a surprising amount of detail. Again, detail will depend on the strength and quality of the energy and ectoplasm. In many cases, a clear physical representation of the spirit will emerge and sitters will be able to recognise relatives. This can occur to a high level of detail. There isn’t just a rough approximation where the willing mind of the sitter is forced to fill in the gaps and assumes that it is correct. Some of these materialisations will show facial features, scars and other defects that are true to the relative as they were known to the sitter. If Granddad lost an eye or gained a scar in the war, it is likely to be visible. The diversity and clarity of these materialisations is clear from some of the images that have been captured during sessions. How does transfiguration differ from materialisation? We fully accept that every medium works in a different way and are sensitive enough to the demands of the spirit world to wish only to invest in equipment which is going to be fit and suitable for purpose. With this in mind we sought to work closely with Scott to ensure we selected equipment which both met the requirements of the protocol and had been fully tested by Scott in his home circle with advice sought from his spirit team. Scott’s decision to withdraw completely as a guest tutor at the College is to my mind a lost opportunity which could act only to further the cause of physical mediumship. night vision viewers are made available to watch events live during the seance and so have independent witnesses acting on behalf of those present. With these conditions in use there would be no need to secure a medium to the chair with cable ties.
How does someone become a medium?
Some of the key cross-cultural features of spirit possession practices can be summarized as follows: Jilek-Aall, L. (1999). ‘Morbus Sacer in Africa: Some Religious Aspects of Epilepsy in Traditional Cultures.’ Epilepsia, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 382-386. King David, for instance, was not above putting Uriah, one of his top generals, in the heat of battle where he was sure to be killed, leaving the way open for David to seduce his widow, Bathsheba! Mediums, no matter what their skill, are no better or worse than the rest of us. Because mediumship can be used for good or ill, Spiritualists develop it in a spiritual context. they must be filmed with infrared cameras. It would be invaluable if the AFC invested in a video system that uses multiple cameras that could be linked not only to a recording device but also to a monitor outside the seance room.
Social functionSpirit possession usually performs important social functions, including, for example, enabling marginal groups to protest, and for making important community decisions. Kehoe & Giletti suggest that spirit possession cults represent ‘institutionalised recognition of class endemic symptoms of nutrient deficiency’. 44 However, the idea has been subject to much criticism, as it is easy to see instances where the hypothesis fails to stand up to scrutiny, for example within the modern Euro-American Spiritualist tradition. Bourguignon et al. (1983) have provided several counter-arguments to the nutrient deficiency hypothesis; for example they highlight: At its best, physical mediumship leaves no doubt in the minds of those fortunate enough to witness it. It was always rare and is now rarer than ever. For a full explanation of what it’s all about, see ‘The Psychic News guide to physical mediumship’, published in the December edition. To watch a one hour video about the circle of Minnie Harrison (pictured right) just google: ‘YouTube materialisation mediumship Minnie Harrison’. YouTube also has dozens of other clips of physical mediumship. 7 I have sat for a large number of AFC tutors and accomplished mediums. Surely with all their years of knowledge and experience of listening to the spirit world they would know if a physical medium is genuine or not? After all, each tutor at the AFC has to be assessed, accredited and be able to demonstrate their mediumistic faculty. Wilson, D.G.M. (2011). Spiritualist Mediums and Other Traditional Shamans: Towards an Apprenticeship Model of Shamanic Practice. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Edinburgh.
What is the difference between Physical and Mental Mediumship?
Cross-culturally, spirit possession practices share a distinctively somatic component. 65 The body is the physical means of expression for non-physical entities, and as such must be used in a variety of very specific ways. Methods for recognizing the presence of spirits within mediums vary across cultures, with each culture having its own distinct means of discernment. 66 Consciousness and its Alteration
Trance states: Some mediums enter a trance state in which they become more receptive to spiritual communication. It is important to note that trance states should only be attempted under the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Mediums who work with trance states should also take care to protect their own energy and well-being, as these practices can be physically and emotionally demanding. How does someone become a medium?
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Following a recent meeting called by AFC Principal and Spiritualists’ National Union President David Bruton, at which Scott, accompanied by the greatly respected evidential medium and course organiser Eileen Davies, was presented with the new protocol, he has taken the radical step of withdrawing from all bookings at the College. At the meeting I was met by David Bruton, Judith Seaman, Julia Almond, Simone Key and Tanya Smith, the general manager. Eileen and I were then handed the new protocol. David Bruton stressed that it was not a reflection on my mediumship but a way forward for the College. Klimo, J. (1987). Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher. Osborne, G. & Bacon, A.M. (2015). ‘The Working Life of a Medium: A Qualitative Examination of Mediumship as a Support Service for the Bereaved.’ Mental Health, Religion & Culture.
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