Frequently Asked Questions on Spiritualism

By Barbi and Mike.

Q. Do you do online readings?

Mike and I do not give readings on here. 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!
We both 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?

Simple really, all Mediums work in different ways, some are platform mediums who serve churches and large venues; some are mediums who 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 neither Barbie nor I work that way.

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. Occasionally they will indicate a general prediction, 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.

Q. How do i find a medium who 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 themselves a Medium.

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 them straight away so that the Medium can ask for more information from the one in Spirit.

Q. How can I find my nearest Spiritualists Church?

For list of churches, although there are a lot more...
http://www.lighthousespiritualcentre.ca/Churches/churchgba2m.html#CAM
also look on the Spiritualists Nation Union website at...
http://www.snu.org.uk

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.

Q. Do people reincarnate into the same families? And, can someone reincarnate into a non human form, e.g. a dog?

It is possible, if you believe in reincarnation, for a person to be reborn into any family, their own or another. There are some religions that believe that we can reincarnate into animal, bird, insect, etc. but the Spiritualist religion does not in general believe that.

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

All life forms have a etheric (spirit) body as well as a physical one. Larger species are usually separate spirit entities, whereas small ones, ants, etc, have what is termed a group soul or spirit.

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 Bloggs from around the corner' so they would have had varyous religious upbringings when they lived on earth. Their 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 would have to join a Development Circle and through Meditation, you would gradually 'see' them.

Q. A medium told me I have a 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 an Open Circle where you can be trained properly.

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 because it believes in 'one God'. Any religion that believes in more than one god is not allowed this classification by the Charity Commission.

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?

Most churches does 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 lighthearted) and then we have prayers. The medium does his/her 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. Over the past couple of years many churches have been replacing some of the hymns with lighthearted and popular songs such as the ABBA classics, Thank you for the music, I have a dream, Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, etc. as well as some Country Classics that are suitable. This seems to raise the energies at the service and is getting more and more popular. We make new people feel very welcome: tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service and those that need it can have healing. Most people find it more relaxing than C of E or other religious services. If you want to take a Bible, thats up to you. It is not obligatory in ANY church to take one, and is an individual choice.

Q. My dad/mum/child/friend died; are they alright now?

Yes, whatever medical or mental conditions they may have had when they were alive, they no longer have. They don't have an earthly body now, so they do not have any earthly problems now they are in the World of Spirit.

Q. Do they love me/forgive me?

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 dont have any resentment, anger or other negative feelings, only Love and Peace.

Q. Do they know I love them?

Yes of course they do.

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.

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.

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

Maybe you have, but have dismissed it as wishful thinking? Maybe the time is not right (for you or them) to make contact.

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 mum/dad/other, 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 who 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?

Q. My young child seems to talk to 'imaginary freinds', 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 10 years old unless it is nurtured; and if it is nurtured, many of these children may grow up to become mediums.

Q. If someone commits suicide what happens to their spirit/soul?

They go over as normal and are helped by those on the other side. They usually go through a healing process, and eventually see that they have made a mistake in 'taking themselves over'. They almost all regret putting their loved ones that they have left behind through so much pain and sorrow by their action. 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 existance, 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.

Q. I have had several messages from Mediums but nothing to definately 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 I once heard a message that went like this... 'Hi, I have your Mum here, she says you've been painting your daughters room, but she can't stand that horrible glary green colour that your daughter chose'. The Medium and lady had never met or spoken before, and the lady had been painting 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 pricipally 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 Spiritulaist church or group. This knowledge (as opposed to faith or belief) may take weeks, months, or even years to obtain. Once you have your proof you will find a sense of wellbeing 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 two parts. Firstly a Spiritualist tries to live a life in which they put others first, and try wherever possible to help their fellow man. Secondly Spiritualism is about knowledge; the knowledge that survival is a fact, and that everyone, good or bad survives. And knowledge is a continuing process; we never know it all; we are continually learning.

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. As we most accept, telepathy does exist, so in theory a Medium could read your thoughts. If the message you received was simply about the person you were thinking about, then this could be considered true. However, most of the messages you receive will not be from people you have on your mind; in fact you will often have to think 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 imformation that proves that Mediumship is not simply reading the mind of the sitter. When you get such messages, you will have to weigh up the odds of the Medium guessing at these facts. In most cases you will have to accept that the odds are too high, and that the message really was from your old uncle Sam on the other side. You will then have your proof of survival.

Barbi and I will try and add Questions and Answers to this page as necessary, in the future.