Q. Do you do online readings?

I am sorry but it is difficult to do them over the internet, and would do no justice to our Guides and Helpers if we gave inadequate proof of survival because we had got mixed vibes from trying, using cyber space!
I prefer to do reading 'face to face' as the link to Spirit is much stronger then.

Q. Can I ask why you can't give readings here (over the net) but there are some other threads where Mediums do?

There is no reason why one of the methods would be more effective than another – it’s only personal preference.  All Mediums work in different ways, some are platform mediums that serve churches and large venues; some are mediums that do private readings from home; some are Psychic Artists who draw pictures (aided by spirit) for their recipients; and there are a few other types. There are a few who do readings by telephone, email and the Internet, but it just depends on how each individual trained, for example if a medium is not comfortable with person to person communication in the material, churches etc, then they happier using the ‘net’.

Q. Why can some people predict the future, and you cant?

One of the biggest mistakes made by people who go to see mediums is to think that they can predict the future. Mediums can only pass on messages from people in spirit to the sitters. What makes you think that your friends in the spirit world would want to do this? Occasionally they will indicate a general prediction, an ‘eyes up’ hint - but not usually. The purpose of the Medium and the spirit person coming through is to prove survival, and to let you know that the person in spirit is OK.

Fortune telling is left to what we call Psychics, the type you see at the end of the pier in small booths. Some say they are accurate and can predict the future, but there is no direct evidence of this. Normally they work on a Psychic level, taking note of your age, the way you dress, and your attitude, etc. A lot can be gleaned from this and they can tell you things that seem pretty accurate about yourself, but in most cases it is nothing more than a clever guess. We can all make facts fit to suit ourselves!

Q. How do I find a medium that isn't a con artist?

To find a genuine medium go to your local Spiritualist church and ask them to recommend someone. They will know the reliable, good ones. Don't relay on ads in papers, etc anyone can advertise and call him/her self a Medium. For lists of churches go to the top right of the front page and see ‘Reading for All’ there you will find a book called “The Sign Post”.

Q. I had a message from a Medium but it didn't make sense to me.

I would advise anyone who gets a message from a Medium and doesn't understand it to tell him or her straight away so that the Medium can ask for more information from the one in Spirit. It is a conversation that the medium is having with another person; so just ask for things to be made clearer to you. The medium will not mind this - so don’t be shy!

Q. I have often noticed white feathers at times of sadness or when I have been thinking of my loved one who passed away years ago. I have heard these can be a sign or way of communication. Do you think this is true?

White feathers are indeed a sign of Spiritual activity. Not many people receive them, and some of those who do, do not appreciate the significance of them. You certainly have some Spiritual visitors who leave you a calling card. They mean you no harm, and just want you to know they've been close to you. A good thing to do might be a short prayer of appreciation, just say inside your head “Thank you for the feather.” They will know that you are “receiving loud and clear” !     If you would like more to be shown to you , again just ask.

Q. Do people; a) reincarnate b) into the same families C) non-human form?

It’s purely a personal choice to believe or not in reincarnation. Yes, if you believe in reincarnation a person might be reborn into any family once or more than once for their own personal progression,  'Animism' is a very interesting subject. [See General Knowledge article.]

There are some religions that believe that we can reincarnate into animal, bird, or insect as part of the great circle of life, Buddhism for instance, but the Spiritualist religion does not in general subscribe to these beliefs, sometimes I feel because the subjects are too contentious. All spiritualist churches accept that we have to decide for ourselves and you will find people of every religion also in a Spiritualist Church.

Q. Do animals have souls? Do they go to the same place as human souls after death?

All life forms have an etheric (spirit) body as well as a physical one. Some people believe that larger species elephants horses domestic cats and dogs are usually separate spirit entities, whereas small ones, birds fish ants, etc, have what is termed a group soul or spirit. 

I am inclined to believe that all animals have soul groups - perhaps we can communicate with them through either way - this is because I have talked to my own pet’s group spirit and asked for messages to be given. See “Healing Thomas the Cat” on ARTICLES ‘True Stories’ section.

Q. I know I have a guide, I have been told, but I have no idea who or what it is.

Spirit guides are from all cultures and backgrounds. Some may be Oriental, American Indian, or just 'Joe Boggs from around the corner' so they would have had various religious upbringings when they lived on earth.

Just as you or I, their own individual lives and religious beliefs etc. would have been a part of their purpose for that lifetime, and their knowledge would have been increased through their experiences, and what they learned with each reincarnation. They share this knowledge with us, helping us to understand things and increasing our knowledge of life here and in Spirit.

To learn how to recognise that your Guides are around you, or what form they take, you might like to join an “Awareness and Development Circle” and through meditation, you would gradually learn how to open your spiritual senses to communicate with them. They are people and want to help, so just talk to them as you would a good friend. Private meditation is how most people begin so go to the "Silver Screen" on the 'Lessons' section under articles.

Q. A medium told me I have a clairvoyant / healing gift... where do I start to learn about this?

If you want to pursue your talent you will have to find the time, start going to church, and join either a healing group or special classes where you can be trained properly. If you are not able to do this and feel that spirit will provide, there is a saying “When the student is ready – the teacher will arrive”.

Q. Is Spiritualism a religion?

It is now recognised by the Charity Commission as a Religion, although many Spiritualists still prefer to call it a 'way of life'. It gained this status for legal reasons, and the persecution of mediums was still active in the 1940’s. Interestingly there is a site to go to r.e. this subject  … http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Clairvoyants/

You can also read about “The Report on Spiritualism” – top right of the front page on this site.

Q. What should expect when I visit a spiritualist meeting?
Q. Does it bear any resemblance to an Anglican or Catholic service?
Q. Do you sing or have any form of communion?
Q. Do you take a Bible to a spiritualist church?

In a divine service on Sundays most churches do the blessing, then a hymn, and a reading (not always from the bible). The medium does a little talk about something relevant (called the address - similar to a sermon but much more directly through mediumship) and then we have prayers. The medium does his/her communications [demonstration of Clairvoyance] and we finish with healing prayers for those in the healing book, and a hymn.

This may vary in order from one church to another, but the general format is basically the same. We make new people feel very welcome: tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service and those that need it usually can have healing. Most people find it more relaxing than C of E or other religious services. If you want to take a Bible, that’s up to you. It is not obligatory in ANY church to take one, and is an individual choice. Weekdays there are often held informal meetings where just the communications are brought forward, these might have an entrance fee.

Q. My loved one died, are they all right now?

Yes, whatever medical conditions they may have had when they were alive, they no longer have in the world of spirit, all pain of that nature is gone, simply because they have left behind the physical, we all take with us the character and perhaps the ‘baggage’ of our personality we have developed ‘down here’. Mental illness like physical illness can be part of the burden we accept as our karma, but attitude is different, the boring person who is on an ego trip will still have those characteristics when newly arrived, but with development still going on for eternity we hope they are progressing out of that ‘mode!

Q. Do they love me/forgive me?

As you see from the answer given in the last question, it might take time to come to terms with the new circumstances and progress to love and light, but generally yes, where they are now, there is no negativity; it is just Love and Peace. They still love you and care about you, and their family and friends on the earth. Forgive? Often there is nothing to forgive, but yes of course they do forgive. They don’t have any resentment, anger or other negative feelings, only Love and Peace, we too have to learn these things here on earth, don’t we?

Q. Do they know I love them?

Yes of course they do. All communications between the two worlds are through the love vibrations, but this doesn’t mean that we can’t cause ourselves to make our own pain, worry and fear are the enemies to fight.

Q. How do they know when I am thinking about them?

When we think of someone who is in Spirit, its like a telephone call to them. They pick up our thoughts and it draws them close to us. Isn’t that a beautiful system?

Q. Are they able to come and see us?

Yes they come close to try to help ease the hurt in times of trouble, and they like to share the times of happiness too. I see people around at birthday parties for example, and hospital visiting is also a time for closeness.

Q. I have never felt them/seen them/had a message from them, why?

Maybe you have, but have dismissed it as wishful thinking?

Did you ever think you felt a hand touch you for a moment in time? Did you ever feel something brush by you, but saw nothing? Many times in Church I have asked these questions of recipients and I always get a “yes”.

Q. Some people seem to get a message every week, why is this?
It's not fair. I go to church every week hoping to hear from my loved ones, and never get a message.

The Medium cannot demand that someone comes and gives a message; they can only pass on messages that they are given by Spirit. Spirit chose that they wish to give the messages to, not the Medium. Also, for those who get messages every week, maybe their need is greater than yours? Why not have a private reading? Your local spiritualist church will help you with this.

Q. My young child seems to talk to 'imaginary friends', what are they?

It is quite likely that you child is seeing Spirit Children. They love to come back and play with ours over here. Many children see them while young, but this ability seems to fade by the time they reach about 7 years old unless it is nurtured; and if it is nurtured, many of these children may grow up to become mediums. I was giving healing as a child and didn’t know what it was. On the book list [top right of front page] there is a book called "The Boy Who Saw True", a true diary of a clairvoyant child in the Edwardian period, and it's good for adults to read too!

Q. If someone commits suicide what happens to his or her spirit/soul?

They go over as normal and are helped by those on the other side with the right experience for this circumstance, they go through a healing process when they are ready, and eventually understand the reasons for this. They will all eventually regret putting their loved ones that they have left behind through so much pain and sorrow by their actions, but time has no meaning in the spirit world, so we might have to wait till we get there to get reassurances. I know through personal experience they continue to exist over there and receive all the love and help they require.

Q. When you pass to the world of spirit and spend the rest of eternity with the ones you love, your partner etc. What if your husband/partner dies and you remarry? Who do you spend eternity with, your first husband or second husband, if you loved them the same?

All our loved ones are waiting to greet us when we go Home to Spirit, and they love us just as they did when they were on this side. There is no negativity in the World of Spirit, so there is no jealousy, or that sort of emotion. They are just happy to welcome us home.

Q. When I pass over and reach the Spirit World will I know 'the meaning of life, the universe, and everything'?

Simply put, No! You will certainly be more enlightened as to your existence, but you will only learn all these things over a period of time. If you were given all this info on the first day you would be overwhelmed and not able to understand it. Imagine a child going to their first Maths class at school, and being taught Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus all on the first day, they would not be able to understand or retain all the information, and it would be a waste of time. We are told that there are 'Halls of Learning' available over there for those who wish to increase their knowledge. Progression is gradual, and learning is to enjoy.

Q. I have had several messages from Mediums but nothing to definitely convince me that they are coming from Spirit. When will I get one so that I know for sure?

The answer is that you will know. You will get a message containing info that only you and the spirit person would have known. It will be very precise, and will be the sort of info that could never have been guessed at. I have heard so many of these messages in church services over the years, that they had to come from spirit; for example a very common communication might go like this...

“Hello, I have your aunt Flora here, she says she likes your new tinted hair, but you've bought a dress today and she doesn’t like the colour of that green with it.” The Medium and lady had never met or spoken before, and the lady had been shopping all that day. Info that could not have been guessed at!

Q. How does Spiritualism differ from other religions?

Most other religions ask you to believe, have faith in, or worship things that cannot be proved. Spiritualism is principally different in this respect. In fact Spiritualism encourages you to be sceptical until you have the proof and knowledge that life exists after death. In order to get this knowledge you have to go looking for it, by attending a Spiritualist church or group. This knowledge (as opposed to faith or belief) will take time and the most often advice from spirit is “be patient”. Once you have your proof you will find a sense of well-being in the knowledge that survival exists.

Many Spiritualists prefer to call Spiritualism more of a way of life rather than a religion. It comprises basically of three parts, or I like to say we all arrive at the spiritualist church through any of the three doors, and these are Communications, Healing or Philosophy .

Q. When a Medium is giving me a message, how do I know that they are not simply reading my mind?

An often-asked question: We must accept telepathy does exist, so in theory any one could read your thoughts, but I believe that is far more rare than mediumship – there are millions of us all around the world. If the message you received was simply about the person you were thinking about, then this could be picked up on a psychic vibration [all mediums are psychic – but not all psychics are mediums]. However, most of the messages you receive will not be from people you have on your mind, in fact on the contrary you will often have to think very very hard to place them.

Secondly, you will receive messages that will need research to confirm; you may have to ask older relatives if old uncle Sam (when he was here) actually had a limp and used a walking stick with a duck's head on the top; had a sister called Violet, and two sons called Harry and Arthur. This is the sort of information that proves that Mediumship is not simply reading the mind of the sitter. When you get any messages, you will know in your heart. In most cases you will accept that the message really was from your old Uncle Sam on the other side. You will then have your proof of survival.

End.