For a long, long time I wanted to be a medium. It was something that I’d set as a bit of a spiritual goal in my early 20s. I had started to follow the work of a few different mediums after I started getting more into tarot reading and I thought that it would be awesome to be able to add mediumship to my tarot work. Naturally I thought it would be something that would require a long process of studying, learning, reading, and practice. I mean, that’s what everything else I’d been doing spiritually seemed to require at the point so this must too! As it turned out, that wasn’t the case at all. In fact I WAS a medium but didn’t realize it. And guess what, you probably are too!
Honestly, I thought there was some big thing, some big secret, that you had to learn and train in so you could connect to the dead. I mean, there had to be! I was reading books written by mediums who would tell their stories about they grew up seeing and hearing spirits, often seeing them standing around their rooms at bedtime. My thought was, “Oh, so you have to be born with this skill…and you have to have been aware of it since you were little.”
No. That’s not actually true. And I’ll tell you, this story of seeing dead people standing around someone’s childhood bed has gotten to be so common I’m starting to think that not everyone with this story actually had this experience.
So there I was…I was studying, reading books, taking classes {including a mediumship class with Lisa Williams} and discovered the real answer.
I was a medium all along!
The problem was I’d put a really weird expectation on what it meant to be a medium and how doing mediumship should go down. I never saw apparitions but what I did see were impressions or images in my mind and I often heard bits and pieces of things, also in mind – not like someone was standing next to me talking. I’ve been having those experiences since I was quite little. This is what being clairvoyant and clairaudient actually IS.
But to me that wasn’t mediumship, or at least what I’d come to believe mediumship was.
So when I had the realization that I was actually doing this all along I stopped studying mediumship altogether and just let it ride. I decided I would just welcome insights and information when they needed to come to me. That worked really well, but I still felt I needed to learn some real specific things to make connecting to the spirit world work better. I finally got those insights after beginning my angel communication work in 2007. While doing this work it was made very clear to me that everyone is a medium, or at least has the ability to receive these messages and make these connections, but we tend to create the blocks that prevent it from happening.
Doing a distance mediumship session for a client…
Here are 5 things I’ve learned that really make a big difference in opening up to your mediumship abilities.
1. Stop Believing You Can’t Do It
The more you think you can’t do something, despite your desire to do it, the less likely it will be that you have any success in your attempts. This is true for absolutely anything; like attracts like when it comes to energy and your thoughts are your personal energy radiating out to the Universe around you. If you think you can’t then you can’t. If you think you can, really truly think you can, then you can and you will. Everyone is psychic and therefore everyone is a medium, the problem just sits within our perception of what we can do.
2. Don’t Create Expectations
If you put a lot of expectations on how your sessions will go then you’re going to find yourself disappointed just about every time. Your job as a medium is to just channel the information. You’re nothing more than a conduit for spirit energy in this situation so it’s not up to you to decide how it should come through, what should come through, or even who will contact you. You can put requests out to the spirit world {which we’ll talk about in a sec} but if you put expectations on what it will be like when it happens – what it will look like, sound like, feel like, etc – then you’re probably going to be disappointed. The way spirit communicates their messages to us is truly a language all its own sometimes so you have to be patient and take the time to learn it.
3. Trust Your Feelings and Impressions
When you’re working with intuition the golden rule is always that your initial impression is the right one. Test this out! Next time you think you’re getting a message, second guess yourself, go with your second answer, and see how off it is. OK, that might be a little much, and chances are you’ve already had that experience because you did that without meaning to. Always go with your initial impressions and trust that they are right. When you’re giving information to someone else they may not agree with you or understand who or what you’re talking about, but there is something in the message for them and it might just take them a little while to discover it. Remember, you’re just here to pass on the information not make sense of it for someone else.
4. Be Open But Don’t Be A Floodgate
There is a misconception that when you do mediumship you have to be an open floodgate for anything and anyone to come through to you. This is not only a misunderstanding of mediumship it’s also not safe spiritually. When you’re going to do spiritual mediumship you can do the well know white light protection practice {envision yourself surrounded in white light that descends down from above and envelops you in an egg-like shape that extends above your head and below your feet into the earth} or you can simply ask the angels to keep you safe. Say a little prayer to Archangel Michael and your guardian angels to protect you from any spirits that may come to do you harm or to only allow those who you are specifically looking to contact reach you.
5. Have A Purpose – Have A Name
Names carry a great amount of energy and they become part of our own energy in life and in death. Speaking the name of someone on the other side while visualizing them, or using their full name if you don’t know what they look like, can help to fine tune your connection like tuning a radio dial. We also want to go into a mediumship session with a purpose, not just going in saying “hey, who wants to chat?” It takes energy out of you and it takes energy from those in spirit to make these connections so use the energy wisely. Also, it’s so important to keep in mind that when someone passes into spirit they don’t become angels {literally or figuratively}. They will have the same quirks in their personality and the same traits that we loved and loathed when they were on this plane of existence. When you ask for help or advice ask them about things that they would have been able to ask you about in life. They don’t become all knowing because they have crossed over.
You know, I am also in the stage where I want to be able to clearly communicate with the spirit world… I miss my grandfather, and even though I know he’s always here, I would like to communicate with him the way mediums on TV do.
There have been some very specific occasions where I’ve seen things, or images, information, and things of that sort. But like you, I thought that medium-ship was something you were born with.
When I was little, I don’t remember my age, I just know that I must’ve been less than 5 because I hadn’t started school yet and we lived in a small house. I remember that at night, mostly every night, I would see my entire ceiling covered in shapes of people. Like shadows, standing next to one another, in rows. I honestly remember this so clearly that it’s been able to stick with me through all these years.
As a child, I didn’t really think much of it. I wasn’t afraid, or curious. They were just there, shadows of people all over my ceiling. Thinking back, I know that there was no possible way that anything could’ve created these shapes. The ceiling was slanted and there was absolutely nothing that could cast such many shadows. Very specifically defined body shapes.They were always standing solemnly, one next to another, holding or touching each other on the shoulder almost as if they were supporting one another. It was comforting.
We then moved to a somewhat safer neighborhood. I used to sleep with my sisters in bunk beds, mine on top, the other two on the bottom. One clear night, my middle sister and I were awake and out of the blue, there’s this shadow of Peter Pan on our wall. We both looked at the shadow in awe; it was EXACTLY Peter Pan’s iconic stance. We were a bit older, and we discussed the shadow but never once looked out the window to see what was casting such specific iconic shape.
To this day, whenever I ask my sister, she undoubtedly retells the same story. We joke around about it, but we both know it was there. That’s something we will never forget.
I can’t say that I’ve seen any more shadows of that sort. But those two instances stay with me even now. I feel that the shadows on my ceiling were my ancestors protecting us. Letting us know there is nothing to fear.
I didn’t give much thought to any of this until I began my path. There have been occasions where I’ve clearly gotten images of situations that at the time I thought were crazy farfetched ideas.
My friends and close relatives tend to confide in me. They share whatever ails them and I give them advice. It’s something I’m quite good at. People just open up, without me even trying to find out about their lives, and some of the things they tell me as they are sharing is “you’re very easy to talk to … I feel I can tell you anything … I don’t know why I’m sharing so much.” I sympathize and empathize with them; I can feel their pain and anguish, happiness, etc. I’ve always seen this as my overly emotional Leo personality shinning through.
There have been many occasions where I tell them this whole lot of GREAT advice; it’s like everything flows coherently and full of honest and powerful advice. They are sometimes shocked by the advice I give them, but when they ask me to repeat it, I simply can’t. I’m hearing myself speak, and things are just coming out, but I’m not really thinking about what I’m saying, it’s like this is the truth and I just know it, and it’s clearly expressed. But the second it’s out of my mouth, I can’t recall the exact wording, only the gist of the information. I thought this was because many of the times I’ve been tired, or too overwhelmed to remember exact wording. I honestly wish these were recorded because the advice is concise and straight to the point, beautifully spoken too.
I’m starting to think that maybe, it’s guidance from someone else? Has this ever happened to you?
I clearly remember this one occasion where I was dealing with some pesky spirits. I was talking to a recently deceased extended relative (only by marriage); I was asking her if I had done anything to offend her, to please forgive me. I was foolish and disrespectful; I allowed my best judgment to be clouded by my needs.
I thought my actions had been the reason why all those unfortunate events were happening to me. I thought that she was punishing me for having disrespected her.
Just as I’m asking for forgiveness, I get these images in my head, about her daughter and something I said to her when her mother [the Lady in question] passed. It was my first close encounter with death, and in my ignorance, I said, “What a bummer.” (This was said in regard to The Lady’s recent passing.) IT was stupid, and very ignorant of me to say something like that. I didn’t mean any disrespect; I just didn’t know how to express my condolences.
The images in my mind, depicted this, and revenge from her daughter’s part. This was linked to my grandfather’s recent passing, and consequently 3 months later, my uncle’s passing. There was a very strong sense of the reason why they died was because of what you said, she wanted you to feel the pain. SHE, the daughter, did all this.
After my grandfather passed, The Lady’s daughter told me something that struck a chord. She said, “I heard about your grandfather, what a bummer.” The exact same words I said to her months back. At the moment, I nodded in agreement. It WAS a bummer, but it was much more than that. I understood at that moment how much my statement had hurt her… and consequently, why she had her revenge.
I cried then and there with such pain. I felt so guilty. I was the reason why my grandfather passed. The daughter wanted me to feel the pain she felt.
After I got these images, I simply couldn’t believe them. But they had been so random that I didn’t know if I should believe them or shake them off as a coincidence.
That’s when I began my quest for protection. I took the guidance I got from those images, whether I doubted them or not. I followed my gut. The Lady wasn’t mad at me. She was simply explaining what happened.
I put her daughter in a jar, made a poppet to block any further negativity. I didn’t want to cause any harm to anyone. I just wanted protection. Around that time, I bought protection items from your site.
The very first time I used the fiery wall of protection there were some unexpected consequences. The Lady’s daughter was dealing with some health related issues, she was in bad condition. The day after I used the Fiery Wall of protection we are on our way somewhere and my uncle gets a call from his relatives saying that his aunt (the Lady’s daughter) was in the hospital. The first thought that crossed my mind was, “she’s not going to make it.” I don’t know where this came from; it was just something very trivial and I immediately said a prayer so she would be ok. I’m not one to wish harm to anyone, or at least I wasn’t back then. I was very naïve, and even though my family was being hit with very strong negative energy I didn’t want anything bad to happen to anyone.
The lady did pass the following day. I wanted to email you and tell you about the situation but at the time you were very busy and it was a heavy subject to discuss. I clearly remember the last time I saw the Lady’s daughter. It was during a family’s gathering, it was almost full moon, she walked over to my table and said “The moon’s full.” I responded, “Oh I know! Well, not until Wednesday.” The Lady’s daughter said, “It’s full enough,” and walked away. That comment struck with me, to the point where even my best friend said “What is THAT supposed to mean?” I knew what it meant, or at least I had a feeling. I just didn’t want to trust my intuition.
I no longer feel bad for her passing. She did what she did out of revenge, my entire family suffered, not just me. She should’ve focused on me only, but instead she chose to affect everyone. I tried to keep things from getting out of hand, but the more I didn’t want to cause them harm, the more they would try to harm me. My intention wasn’t to have anything bad happen to anyone; it was simply to protect my loved ones.
My sister’s motto has always been, GIVE THEM A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE, she always believed they simply got what they deserved. She’s never been one to sympathize with those that cause any of our loved ones harm.
I’ve grown a lot since all this began, and I trust In my own strength. I no longer believe we should stay pure and send only goodness out into the universe. Sometimes, there IS a need to fight back. I definitely don’t hold back.
Sorry about the long comment. Your post inspired me and things just spilled out. I would LOVE to hear / read your thoughts about all this, but I know how wicked busy you are. Any advice, or comment will be highly appreciated.
I tried to post under this account but my browser kept acting up. SO instead I posted below under my blogger account. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience Jess. By the way, you look SOOOOOOOO GORGEOUS with the new haircut! You're seriously sexy stuff lady! KEEP THE RED LIPSTICK! IT DEFINITELY SUITS YOU! ^_^
I tried to post under this account but my browser kept acting up. SO instead I posted below under my blogger account. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience Jess. By the way, you look SOOOOOOOO GORGEOUS with the new haircut! You're seriously sexy stuff lady! KEEP THE RED LIPSTICK! IT DEFINITELY SUITS YOU! ^_^
I was told by a former spiritual teacher that I was a medium, and I was flabbergasted. No one had ever acknowledged me in that context. I had no idea what to do with this "gift," but in time I was able to start communicating with spirit guides who had valid information for me and my later clients. Jess is right, you can't expect your own personal experience is going to be what you hear about others' medium experiences. It is what it is. I'd hear stories of people seeing ghosts all the time, walking up to strangers to do personal ghost readings for them, and I thought that's what it was (and what I was NOT). A little jealous, but when you get flashes in your mind of some people out there, there are some books you'd rather not open anyway! 😉 I agree, its more like snippets of info, or images in visual metaphors in my mind. I trust it now though, and am not afraid of it. One time I had a long hiatus from my tarot cards, and went through a lot of personal family traumas. When it all subsided and I picked up my cards again, I heard in my head "we've been here all along." Help was right there. So if you need help, ask for it. If it doesn't come directly as a message to you, ask for a reading from someone. I was taught by Michael Harner, the founder of Foundation for Shamanic Studies, that helpful spirit guides are around us all the time, willing to give assistance, but they must be asked. Thanks for the tarot class Jess!
I was told by a former spiritual teacher that I was a medium, and I was flabbergasted. No one had ever acknowledged me in that context. I had no idea what to do with this "gift," but in time I was able to start communicating with spirit guides who had valid information for me and my later clients. Jess is right, you can't expect your own personal experience is going to be what you hear about others' medium experiences. It is what it is. I'd hear stories of people seeing ghosts all the time, walking up to strangers to do personal ghost readings for them, and I thought that's what it was (and what I was NOT). A little jealous, but when you get flashes in your mind of some people out there, there are some books you'd rather not open anyway! 😉 I agree, its more like snippets of info, or images in visual metaphors in my mind. I trust it now though, and am not afraid of it. One time I had a long hiatus from my tarot cards, and went through a lot of personal family traumas. When it all subsided and I picked up my cards again, I heard in my head "we've been here all along." Help was right there. So if you need help, ask for it. If it doesn't come directly as a message to you, ask for a reading from someone. I was taught by Michael Harner, the founder of Foundation for Shamanic Studies, that helpful spirit guides are around us all the time, willing to give assistance, but they must be asked. Thanks for the tarot class Jess!