Editor's Preface to this series of articles
We would like to thank the medium Maggie Carrington for her kind permission to present a number of articles here. Maggie is a long-standing friend of York Spiritualist Centre. 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.
The first two articles are a working medium's reflections on what she knows and has experienced of trance, transfiguration and physical mediumship. They are targeted at students who have begun to work with these phenomena in a circle with an experienced circle leader, and at experienced Spiritualists who are comfortable with demonstrating and/or watching trance mediumship and transfiguration or attending demonstrations of physical mediumship. You should never work at these things on your own, no matter what your level of ability and experience.
If you are new to Spiritualism, you should not be trying these things without first seeking the advice of experienced Spiritualists or sincere and competent trance or physical mediums, such as you will come across, eventually, working in the Spiritualist movement. For novices, this article is presented for information only. If you are new to Spiritualism and are intrigued by trance mediumship or physical mediumship and would like to know more, it is strongly recommended that you begin your journey of discovery by sitting in an Open Circle, which is open to all levels of ability. Open Circles are held in almost all Spiritualist churches and centres. There you will be able to develop your psychic and mediumistic ability and practise mental mediumship, before you move on to trance mediumship, or the other things described here. Leaders of Open Circles will always be happy to answer your questions and direct you to the right paths when you are ready. Good trance mediumship or physical mediumship can take years to develop, and requires dedication, commitment, complete sincerity, trust and much patience. Although the demonstrations of a competent trance medium or physical medium can be light-hearted and fun, these or any other form of mediumship should never be played at by those who don't know what they are doing. No form of mediumship should ever be treated as a game, prank or distraction.
Working Within the Trance State
How can anyone profess to teach this work, and, indeed, anything remotely connected with working in the field of mediumship, is a question I cannot even begin to imagine how to answer. I know this, I cannot teach this, all I can do is try to enable, to facilitate for each individiual any knowledge or experience I have gleaned down the many years I have been a working Medium. It does not stop there either, for I am still trying to develop the gift I have been given, and I am aided in this process through Circle work, and through the love of my friends, both here, and within the World of Spirit.
I believe we can learn so much from one another, and there are still so many layers left on the wrapping of this gift we have been born with, that to unwrap just one layer is a gift in itself. I am constantly kept motivated and enthralled, excited and enthralled, excited and eager in my wish to do Spirit justice, and within these parameters, my God also, but that is a very personal thing, vital to my exposing others as much as possible to the sharing, and the enjoyment of, and within Spirit.
Always remembering we are Spirit in the here and now, it is a humbling experience to be in the presence of so much love, compassion, and humility, and this, for me, is the key and what I try to base my work upon. I say again, I cannot teach these things, but if I can open a door a little way for a Seeker of Truth, then at least I have the satisfaction of knowing I am working as a Team with my Spirit friends. Another truth I am certain of is, 'I do not believe, I no longer need to believe, I KNOW'. This truth for me is perhaps the best of all, because along the pathway of your development you become more certain, more sure, that this is irrefutable in its truth and in its honesty.
So, coming to the Trance state, all I can tell you is, first and foremost, be comfortable with who and what you really are, i.e. Spirit in a body here and now, Spirit first last and always. When you are happy with that thought, ask of your God that you require to work with the highest and the brightest, and for the best of reasons. Ask only that you may be of service, not looking for gain of any sort; ego must not have, and does not have any place in the work of the Spirit.
Once again, when you work with simplicity and truth, you will find it hard to falsify anything. If the intention is good, then so will be the words that come to and through your mind. Give them voice, for mind is Spirit and Spirit is mind. First things first. There are many stages of trance; perhaps a better name would be 'an altered state of consciousness or being'. Practicalities are important, and have their place within this discipline. Relaxation, awareness, attunement to the World of Spirit and meditation, (you know I prefer the word attunement!). A comfortable place to sit, preferably a straight-backed chair, keeping your head up, is the preferred way of beginning for me. No need to close your eyes straight away, , perhaps you could focus on a lovely picture, or a pleasing object, changing colour lights, or perhaps a lighted candle flame. These are mere suggestions, always remember, you are the medium, it's for you to choose, none of this is set in stone. Have music playing that is appropriate for youand to set the scene. Take out, switch off, any phones, lights, or other possible means of intrusion. Sit with a circle of friends, people who are of a like mind, and whose one wish is to sit for you. Two or three of you is fine. Perhaps you could take it in turns if more than one of you wishes to develop the Trance state. Try to make it the same place and time week to week. Spirit know the intention and will be there.
How do you know if you are a good subject? This is sorted by the recognition again that you are also Spirit, and that you have within you the desire to be of Service, that you put yourself in their hands, that you trust them, for they know what they are doing. I can guarantee there will come a time when you just have to speak! Yes, you may be aware, but again listen to the content, you will know what is you, what is Spirit, and you will be aware when they draw on your own knowledge base. Be comforted by the fact, (or not depending on your expectations!) that there are very few deep trance mediums, (meaning those who 'fall asleep' or who are taken out completely by Spirit. If it is meant to be, believe me it will happen!
Remember you need to give permission to the Spirit World for them to use you as, and how they see fit. Throughout all this, remember you are the instrument, vital and necessary for the work they wish to implement.
Always say a prayer for protection, for yourself, the group, the building in which you sit, with the intention of keeping away any low, or curious entities, fragmented thought forms, or any malevolent beings. This also is vital.
Breathe gently, be aware of that breathing, and let it be gentle and relaxed. Listen to it. Become aware of your body, any stiff or sore places, work on them to relax them. Tense and let go. Above all, 'Let go, let God'. When you are completely relaxed, turn your attention to your mind. Let any thoughts that drift in drift out like summer clouds in a very blue sky. The scene is set. Go within, become aware that the veil is drawn, and that Spirit is there with you. Let there be no ifs or buts in your mind at this crucial stage. You have begun the journey. Do whatever now feels natural and right. I wish you Godspeed on that journey. It's very special and should be treasured and used, but NEVER overused.
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What is transfiguration? Does it have a role? If so how?
Moving on from the Trance state, which I hope you find useful, we come to the realms of Physical Mediumship. This is vastly different from mental mediumship, under which we cover clairaudience, clairvoyance, clairsentience and the trance state, all of which are operated by Spirit through our minds. Now we definitely cross another bridge in order to be able to work with Physical Mediumship.
Again, Transfiguration is developed within a closed circle, where sitters will sit for the recipient of the transfiguration, and who are able to put aside their own aspirations and development for the sake of developing this gift in the medium. Latterly, within the circle I am involved with, ectoplasm was produced, under the right conditions, and an ectoplasmic mask would build up over the medium's face, just a fraction away from it, and it would seemingly shape itself, and mould into the likeness of a friend or relative, or guide/helper from the next world. To watch a good Transfiguration medium is exciting. The one I remember best was Ena Twigg. She would be transfigured complete with beards, moustaches, eye colour, whatever marks of recognition were necessary for the controlling spirit to show as evidence of their survival. Fantastic, especially when it is done well! This can, like most forms of mediumship take ages to perfect. Patience, commitment and dedication is essential from all in involved, both here and in the next world.
Latterly within circles I am, or have been involved with, the use of energy is in play, and little or no ectoplasm is used. This is so much safer for the medium and the sitters. Again the face is moulded into shape, and I can assure you, it has never been the idea of the medium to grimace in some awful fashion to bring it about. How pointless and ridiculous would that be! It would soon be exposed for the sham it was!
No, you can watch, slowly the face will change. You may see whispy shapes and energy lines near the mediums's face. The eyes may curve and lengthen, the neck may grow longer, the face may broaden, and cheekbones may change. There are a lot of subtle differences taking place. The medium tells us they feel a stretching or a pulling, or a butterfly movement, for they are ususally very aware of what is going on. Usually the whole thing is conducted in a darkened room with the aid of red lights. Some mediums transfigure in daylight too. This is remarkable.
I will state here and now that all the work undertaken, as we are so often reminded, is experimental.
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Touching on Physical Mediumship
This, as I sure you are aware, is a vast subject. Again, sitting together in a darkened room, or séance room, once a week with the intention of sitting for Physical Mediumship is the aim we work for. I will tell you our own experiences in the séance room.
We may be unaware of who the 'medium' will be. If you sit with energy being the controlling factor, then each one of you will be used to effect such things as 'physical phenomena' - the movement and playing with objects is a simplified explanation for this! Apports may be part of the process - this is when something from elsewhere is brought into the room. A lot of it, I am given to understand, is via Spirit's ability to 'change' solid matter into its constituent atoms, and then, because they are weightless, they can move heavy objects and even people around. I have yet to see the later through the use of energy only! Someone may be used in cabinet work, for, e.g. through the use of energy only! Someone may be used in cabinet work for materialisation, whereby figures, shapes, animals, are all built up within the cabinet, by means of collating the energies in the room, both that we produce, and the medium and the world of spirit collectively, which we understand is changed into material form and will emerge from the cabinet into the room. This is the role that Spirit have asked me to undertake. The wonderful thing is that I am, mostly, wide-awake and with it, although I may not be able to move or speak for a while. I can feel Spirit pull in the region of my solar plexus, and sometimes the curtains shake madly. All this time my arms are tied to the chair arms. I squirm and wriggle at times and experience the most odd sensations, but, I am told, so do we all within the group.
Loud, and I mean very loud, bangs occur, instruments are played, lights are brought into the room, we hear whistles and hums, etc., all in preparatory we are told for the voice box being constructed for the independent direct voice. Much less trance work takes place now, for the energies are needed for other things. One lady sees Spirit and spirit animals. We experience sequences of changing light levels, and often direct beams of light moving around are seen. In the Zerdin Buzz sheets you can read more about the 'new energy', especially via Tom and Linda Anderson's (a couple from Glasgow's) mediumship and Circle.
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Ectoplasm is still vital and used in other séance rooms. We only have to think of our own Stewart Alexander, David Thompson, and, latterly, Colin Fry. All are good physical mediums, worth seeing in action if you can.
Ectoplasm, drawn from the medium, who usually sits in a cabinet, also from various substances within the room, mixed and used by the Spirit chemists and doctors. The medium is watched over by Spirit throughout, and the safety of these mediums, indeed all mediums, is paramount.
The sitters in this instance again sit for the development of the one medium within the circle. Harmony and love are the key components of all the work undertaken in circle.
There are 3 grades, I understand of ectoplasm, ranging from very coarse to the very fine, which is used for the perfecting the build up of the Spirit people. The medium is usually fast off during most of the séance. Ectoplasm from the medium has been used to move trumpets around the room, in physical phenomena being produced, in lifting objects from place to place within the room, in playing the instruments available, and more importantly, in forming and producing the ectoplasmic voice box, through which the Spirit World can communicate. We can see then how our mediums should have been protected, but sadly were not protected enough a few short years ago. Many were horribly hurt in the end by ignorant individuals out to prove fraud. It is something that saddens me still.
Thank God there are enough of us to stand guard over our mediums, to treat them with the love and respect they deserve, for they are tireless in their quest to prove survival once and for all.
Maggie Carrington
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