First spiritual Temple
Why Spirit Communication?
By Rev. Simeon Stefanidakis

Physical Mediumship

Physical mediumship is, perhaps, the most amazing demonstration of what spirit out of the body can do through a medium. Yet, it is the most mistrusted and least understood form of spirit communication and interaction.

Basically, physical mediumship is the process whereby someone, in Spirit, usually known as a spirit operator (as compared to a spirit communicator), works or operates through the mental AND physical energies of the medium and causes something physically to happen on the Earth plane. Physical mediumship is objective in nature; that is, when the phenomena occur, everyone is able to see and/or hear them.

In this article, I am not going to discuss the mechanics of physical mediumship, other than to say that a physical medium is a person who has an abundance of vital, magnetic, etheric energy. While in a state of deep trance (although trance is not an absolute necessity here), the spirit operators are able to exude this etheric energy and substance from the medium's body (generally through some orifice), condense it, manipulate it, and direct it, through the power of their mind and intelligence, for a variety of purposes.

It should be noted that, although the medium is the primary source of the vital energy needed for the production of the phenomena, energy from the sitters is also used during a demonstration of physical mediumship. The more harmonious are the overall conditions in the seance room, the stronger will be the energy available to the operators and the more remarkable will be the phenomena.

Once the spirit operator is given control of the medium -- through the process of trance -- the phenomena can begin. The mind of the operator is, now, in control of the energies of the medium, and, through the directed use of thought, he or she is able to work with and manipulate these energies on the Earth plane. This is done via a most astonishing substance known as ectoplasm. Through the use of ectoplasm, an almost limitless array of phenomena can occur.

Ectoplasm is a material which comes from the body of the physical medium. It originates from the material of the medium's own etheric vehicle. Etheric matter is quasi-physical in that it has physical characteristics, yet is invisible and more easily subject to mental influences. What makes a person able to become a physical medium is an abundance of this etheric substance within his or her etheric vehicle, along with the fact that it tends to be more loosely attached or bound to the physical body than in most people.

Nandor Fodor, in his Encyclopedia of Psychic Science, describes ectoplasm as follows:

"A mysterious protoplasmic substance streaming out of the body of the medium by the manipulation of which, either by the subconscious self or by discarnate intelligences, phenomena of a super-physical order, including partial and complete materialization, are produced. The word was originated by Professor Richet . . . The first thing that has been definitely established is that ectoplasm is matter, invisible and intangible in its primary state but assuming vaporous, liquid or solid condition in various stages of condensation. It emits a smell which reminds one of ozone."

There seems to be no limit to what spirit can do through physical mediumship, provided proper conditions prevail within the seance room. The phenomena range from raps and taps, to full levitation of objects and people, to the production of lights, to genuine automatic writing and painting, to direct voice, to partial and full materialization of the spirit people. All in all, it really is quite amazing what can happen when proper conditions prevail.

But, why should spirit out of body wish to produce all this phenomena? What does it demonstrate? What are the implications behind physical mediumship?

Well, it really is quite simple, and the implications of physical mediumship are even more profound than the phenomena themselves; actually, this is true of all forms of mediumship.

Physical mediumship demonstrates, clearly, the power of the human mind and the ability of thought to make an impact on physical matter; in other words, physical mediumship sheds great light upon the mystery of "Mind Over Matter".

Physical mediumship shows us that, with directed thought, the human mind is capable of doing some amazing things; things which transcend the realm of psychology and fall clearly within the domain of physics.

If spirit can move a table, then are mountains far behind? If spirit can manipulate matter and mold it, why cannot that same intelligence manipulate matter within a body and shrink a tumor, mend a fractured bone, or heal a diseased body?

Mind over matter: that's what physical mediumship is really all about. And the healing implications behind this are staggering.

We plan to follow up on this article with a more lengthy feature article on the various ways in which spirit uses physical mediumship. In this, we shall discuss a very important question:

If spirit out of body can produce these phenomena, can spirit in the body do likewise?

From there, we will look at: why physical mediumship has been subject to so much fraud and deception; why physical mediumship is so rare today; and a few examples of physical phenomena in the Bible.

Finally, we will look at some of the phenomena which have taken place within our Church, from the early days of the 1880's, up to more recent times, specifically in our classes and presentations on physical mediumship and through Rev. Fulton's mediumship.

Having said this, we would like to close this article by sharing a most amazing demonstration of physical mediumship; Spirit's Dedication of our original House of Worship, in Boston. The event took place on September 26, 1885, before a large group of guests, specifically invited by Spirit and our founder, for this one aspect of the three-day Temple Dedication. This comes directly from our Church Records:

"On Saturday evening, September 26th, a large company of people, specially invited by the spirits interested in the structure, assembled in the large sanctuary of the Temple. These persons had been selected on account of their known familiarity with and belief in the power of spirits to render themselves visible, under appropriate conditions, and hence their freedom from either excessive curiosity or incredulity on the subject, which might interfere with the object of the occasion; also, because their unconscious emanations or atmospheres were such as it was believed would aid in the purpose had in view.

"When all were in readiness, it was announced by Mrs. Dyar, under control of the spirit known as Dr. Edgarton, that an Astral Spirit, known as Star, had expressed the desire and intention, on this occasion, of reassuming a visible form for the purpose of making a special or spirit-consecration of this Temple, prior to the public dedication which was to take place on the morrow. To afford this exalted spiritual being an opportunity to accomplish this design, was the object of the present gathering.

"A small curtained apartment or "cabinet" had been provided upon the platform, with temporary steps leading from the platform to the floor of the auditorium. When these had been placed in position, Dr. D. E. Caswell, a well known medium for materialization, took a seat within the curtained enclosure, and the gas lights were extinguished, leaving the room in total darkness, except for the dim rays of the rising moon which entered the windows.

"After a brief interval occupied by music from the organ and singing by the assembly, an appearance like a column of phosphorescent light was seen standing by the altar. This for a time appeared to alternately expand and diminish, gradually advancing towards the steps, till at length the outlines of a human form, arrayed in a peculiar luminous robe, with a tall head-dress or mitre, also luminous, were dimly visible. The form repeatedly advanced, and then retreated toward the cabinet as if to gain increased strength, till at length it reached the steps, and slowly descended to the floor of the auditorium.

"As he came near the audience his extended robe was seen to be composed of the finest lace, possessing a singular luminosity, while an undergarment resembling velvet of a rich royal purple color, on which were figures of apparently symbolic character, was observable. After reaching the floor the spirit, silently waving his hands and arms over the assembly, as if dispensing beneficent influence, passed up the nearer isle to the rear of the room, then crossed to the other aisle and through it returned to the front, and partly re-ascended the steps, having passed in all a distance of over two hundred feet.

It was observed as the spirit left the platform, that his arms appeared of the ordinary size of human arms, but on his return they looked no larger than the bones of a skeleton, while the whole figure seemed considerably diminished in size. (It was subsequently explained, that this shrinkage resulted from the partial dissipation of the material gathered chiefly from the medium's body to constitute the visible form.) Having regained and partly ascended the steps, the spirit paused, and in low whispers, inaudible except to those nearest at hand, requested successively several person from the assembly to come forward, when each was in turn addressed in a few appropriate words unheard by others. Among those present was Mrs. Fales, a medium often used to interpret symbolic and occult writings: she was called upon by the "strange visitor" to note and explain the symbols inscribed on his garments.

"She briefly stated her impressions, but said they were not sufficiently clear, and that the interpretation would be fully given at another time.

"The visitor now requested in whisper a gentleman present (Dr. Lang) to come forward and "lend to him the power of voice," and to strongly exercise his will in so doing. The gentleman designated took a position near the spirit, and soon the latter began to speak in audible tones, at first low and with apparent difficulty, but afterward sufficiently loud to be distinctly heard throughout the auditorium. He first expressed great gratification that he had at length been able, for the first time since he had thrown off the garb of mortality in the long ago, to assume a visible and independent form, and to speak with an independent voice to the people of earth. Though as yet he could do this but imperfectly, in the near future he would be able to speak more freely and with greater power.

"He proceeded to say, in substance, that he esteemed it a great privilege to be permitted to be visibly present, and take a prominent part in the dedication of this Temple, a structure in which he and his spirit associates had taken the deepest interest from its first projection, and which had been planned and erected under their prompting and guidance. It was to be the starting-point and centre of a work of vast importance to the human race on earth. After speaking in this strain for some moments, he advanced to the altar, and with great earnestness and solemnity gave utterance substantially as follows:

" 'I consecrate this Temple to holy living, -- to universal brotherhood, -- to the cultivation of that spirit which the Divine Master brought with him, in his life and teachings when on earth, -- to unity of the spiritual life with that of earth, that there may be but one life, one brotherhood, one God and Father of us all; that from this place may be taught that wisdom which shall recognize more than teachings from the intellect, even the development and wisdom of the heart-life; that here the hearts of people may be awakened to do, as well as their heads to think, for only through the wisdom that comes from both heart and head can God be brought near to help us in all our endeavors. And may all who come to listen have receptive hearts to be taught how to live the divine life. Amen.'

"The radiant spirit then retired toward the cabinet and disappeared, and the assembly soon after dispersed, to ponder the significance of what had been seen and heard on this extraordinary occasion."

Hi ady

thank you for pasting this, it is important that we learn all about what mediumship is, how we can learn about the process of it all..

hugs sky xxx

What a great article! Thanks for posting it, Adrienne.

That is amazing!,... Adrienne thanks so much I enjoyed reading that!!

This is great! for posting this!