We would like to thank the medium Maggie Carrington for her kind permission to present this article here. Maggie is a long-standing friend of York Spiritualist Centre, and as well as giving us the benefit of her fine mediumship and 'light trance' philosophy from the platform, she has led many inspiring workshops at our centre.
This article is intended for those who have begun to sit in a physical circle, and for those Spiritualists new to Physical Mediumship who have been invited to attend a Physical Séance for the first time. Those who are new to Spiritualism please read the Editor's Preface to the first article in this series. For those with more experience, this article serves as a useful reminder of the proper procedures and the importance of observing them.
The Safety Aspect of Physical Mediumship
It is so easy to begin with good intent and to approach a Physical Circle with love, passion even, and determination to sit in the 'right way'. I can only tell you that even with very experienced sitters, the boundary can be crossed from time to time with only the best of intentions, that can have an adverse affect on the Medium involved.
Then, of course, there are those of you who have never had the wonderful privilege of sitting with a Physical Medium. I think, that maybe, if you are reading this, then you are about to undergo that privilege. I know you will never feel the same again, for if you are attending a good one, then you are in for the ride of your life!
So whatever your impressions, it is as well to be fully prepared, and to familiarise yourself with procedures, disciplines, and rules that are essential for the safety of the Medium. I make no excuses for these strong words. The safety of the Medium is paramount. I cannot stress it enough. Sadly, although I know there are many gifted mediums around, I also know they may never move away from the safety of their Home Circle, because of the risks that are involved. There are also those who have taken their gift outside the parameters of the Home Circle, and who have been hurt, bruised and burnt in the process of sitting with strangers. Sadly, even though they were given a thorough grounding in the procedures by the Circle Leader/Members, there have still been unfortunate occurrences, often through sheer over enthusiasm when they have been approached by a Spirit loved one.
Then there are those, in the past, who quite ruthlessly exploited, and who, though having been vetted, or taken on trust and strong recommedation to the Circle by another reliable source, have yet been totally unprincipled and have purposely 'grabbed' at the Medium, and or the Spirit within the room, and have caused terrible damage to the Medium, or worse, eventual death. Yes, it was a fair few years ago, but we must be on our guard, and alerted to the possibility of extreme action/circumstances at all times. We only have to remember the case of Helen Duncan, where it was stipulated in a recount of her life the damage that was inflicted on her by police and journalists invading the room in which a séance was being held, when the police in question held her down while she was in the Trance state, and wrenched at her clothing to try to reveal a supposed hidden 'shroud', and a light was shone in the Cabinet, in her face, eyes and on her body. The damage done was inestimable, and had such consequences that over a period of time, Helen, who had been jailed for the cause, eventually died from the resulting damage to her body, which was both external and internal. This heinous violation led to the untimely death of one of our greatest Physical Mediums.
I would, of course, advocate that you locate and read books about her life, to see for yourselves how this wonderful Physical Medium lived, and indeed died for the cause.
Nearing the end of 2006, I was once again privileged to attend, and work at a Seminar held at Cober Hill for Stuart Alexander and friends. Needless to say, I love, and look forward so much to attending this event each year, and feel privileged to be asked to take part, year to year. I do not think, therefore, I will ever forget that poignant and sad talk Stuart presented to us on the safety aspect of Physical Mediumship. He was in tears, nearly, the whole way through the heart-rending account, (taken from Louie Harris's book, "They Walked Among Us" on her husband, Alec Harris's Physical Mediumship), on the sequence of awful events when journalists interrupted one of his séances, which led to his health rapidly deteriorating and an early death. It affected us all, I am certain of this, and I think brought home to us a salutary sobering lesson, on the safety aspect of Physical Mediumship.
If you are ill, i.e. colds, coughs, etc. or have anything infectious, please be responsible enough not to attend the Séance. Also, carry your inhaler if you are asthmatic, and let the Circle Leader know.
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Advice for the sitters in a Physical Circle
1) Before you enter the room, please make sure your clothing is fairly loose and comfortable. I never wear jewellery in the Séance room, because metal is known to have an adverse affect on the Medium. No watches, phones, or magnetic material should be allowed in the Séance Room. Bags and purses to remain outside. Take only yourself into the room. Should a lot of ectoplasm be present in the Séance Room, these things can be the cause of burns to the body of the Medium. If some jewellery is OK'd by Spirit, then fine. I also think wedding rings are the exception to the rule. Pacemakers are always permissible, and for other medical appendages an exception is usually made.
2) I think it is advisable not to wear strong scents or perfumes on your body. Spirit will often bring perfumes into the room, and these, if we are not careful, can often be occluded by the scents we wear. By all means bathe before you attend, but do not add any strong scents afterwards..
3) Footwear will need to be comfortable too, soft shoes/slippers, bare feet are all fine. Remember, feet can swell in heat, and the room may become quite warm. Others have been known to feel arctic! Do carry a spare jumper or cardi if you feel this may be so.
4) Water. It is important to have lots of receptacles of with fresh water in and around the room. Spirit are known to make use of it! Drinking water is permissible, but only for use after the séance. Always a good idea for water to be near at hand to drink for the Medium too.
5) Talking of the Séance Room, it may seem obvious, but the room should be regularly cleaned. I read an article once, the Medium involved I forget, but paper clips and all sorts were located in the Medium's body at their autopsy!! No thank you!! These were taken in when the ectoplasm was absorbed back into the Medium's body.
6) Now we move on to the actual séance. Séances are usually conducted in the dark, with red light being used intermittently. If you are afraid of the dark then this is not for you. Please remember, it is vital that the entrance into the room is conducted quietly. The Medium is now in a state of heightened awareness, and any strong lights can hurt his/her eyes, and any loud noises are intrusive and hurt the eardrums. Hopefully, the seating will have been arranged beforehand, and the Medium will be rested and refreshed. Until the Medium is seated, please remain fairly quiet.
7) At this point it is probable that the Circle Leader will instruct you on what may or may not be expected within the Séance Room, i.e.. how the séance is conducted by Spirit. Music is important and helps the process, both for the Medium and for Spirit; there will probably be a fair amount to begin with until things get underway!
8) Now it is your responsibility to sit as still as possible in your seat. If you need to scratch, shuffle or stretch, or make any other noticeable movements, please ask the permission of the Circle Leader, or of the presiding Spirit. The séance usually lasts from one and a half to two hours, so it is important you shuffle now and again, with permission of course. It is also important, even though you may be taken by surprise at some of the noises or activity that spirit phenomena can, and likely will produce, that you try not to 'shout out' or exclaim too loudly when sitting under séance condition.
9) Never on any account, reach out to touch either the Medium, or any thing, or any Spirit or any 'neighbour' sitting next to you, unless you have the permission of the Spirit World. Let them approach and instruct you. Allow them to touch you, either with materialised hands, or with trumpets, or other objects used specifically for the purpose within the room. Keep your hands in your lap until and unless you are instructed otherwise.
10) Finally I would ask that you are quiet again at the close of the Circle, until after the closing prayer, when the Medium has vacated the room. Then you may be free to chat and move around.
NB All of the above rules appertain to not only Physical Séances, but also to Mediums who work with Transfiguration and to Trance Mediums. All Circle Leaders undertaking any of these demonstrations should act on the above guidelines, and enforce them to the above specifications, for the ultimate safety of their Medium(s).
Above all I hope you approach your séance in a relaxed, happy, harmonious state, because whatever happens in that room will be dependent on you and, crucially, your state of mind.
Maggie Carrington - January 10th 2007
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