Spiritualist Basics

Both are valid ways of getting information, but in Spiritualism the major emphasis is on mediumship. Mediumship is preferred because the information is coming from spirits in the spirit world, and not from the medium personally. As a result, messages and readings should be more accurate and not clouded by what the medium personally thinks or feels.

Being a medium (or psychic) is a very large responsibility and typically takes years to develop. You do not have to be "born with it". Every person has the basic capability, although few develop it. Anyone can pick up a French horn and make sound, but only a few will learn to make beautiful music with it. Becoming a medium (or psychic) is the same way.

Predicting the Future and The Continuity of Life
Isn't predicting the future what this is all about anyway? No. The main reason spirits come back to the earth plane through mediums is to prove the continuity of life, although they may come back to offer help too. So many people believe in life after death but don't give it any real thought. People don't fully realize that you, your personality, your being actually continue after your body dies. Your friends and loved ones in spirit are coming back to let you know that they love you and are OK. The continuity of life is proven when the medium gives you something in a message that uniquely identifies the spirit - when you know who it is, without a doubt.

The "something" that spirits will use to identify themselves can be most anything - their name, occupation, how they passed from the earth plane into Spirit, their relationship to you, their peculiar hairstyle or dress, a favorite dish they used to like to cook, their quirks and habits, special things they did with you on the earth plane, how they met you, or just about anything, even if it's funny or ridiculous. The point is to let you know who they are.

Spirit can more accurately predict the future than you can because they have a better vantage point. Imagine yourself in a car at night, driving down the road. It is snowing hard and you have your headlights on but you can't see very far. The snow hitting the windshield has a mesmerizing effect. A large tractor trailer passes right by you without a problem, just like it was noontime on a sunny day.

The truck driver has a better vantage point to see the road from. The truck driver is sitting far above the headlights and isn't mesmerized by the view of the snow hitting the windshield. The view from the seat in the truck is much better than down in the car.

Spirit has a better perspective to see where you are heading in your life. Spirit can see where the road you are on will most likely take you. Why most likely and not absolutely? Because you have the freedom of choice. You can change your mind about things and take a path that leads into something entirely unexpected at any time. But Spirit will be right more often than not.

Remember that people in the spirit world are often guides. Because they are guides it is appropriate to ask them to help you find your way, but you should not live your whole life clinging to them (and getting readings every day) for every little decision that comes up. How would you feel if you had someone continually asking you silly questions every day - "Should I eat eggs for breakfast or cereal instead?" "What should I have for lunch then?" "Do I wear the green dress today or the blue one?" Keep it in perspective. Remember that spirits are people just like you. Be grateful that they are there to guide and help you.

Healing
Messages and readings are a form of mental mediumship. The medium raises his or her vibration and allows Spirit communication through in the form of thought. Spiritual healing is a