Ancient Practices in Mediumship and Channeling

Published on 28 January 2025 at 10:20

"I feel the nights stretching away thousands long behind the days till they reach the darkness where all of me is ancestor." ~ Annie Finch

HISTORY of Mediumship and Channeling - Fascinating fields that bridge the spiritual and metaphysical realms.

Mediumship typically involves connecting with the spirits of those who have passed, serving as a bridge between the physical world and the afterlife.

Channeling, on the other hand, involves receiving and conveying messages from non-physical entities, such as spirit guides, higher selves, or collective consciousness.

Mediumship and channeling have roots in ancient spiritual traditions, with evidence of these practices spanning millennia across various cultures:

  1. Ancient Practices:

    • Shamans in indigenous cultures worldwide have long acted as intermediaries between the spirit world and the living, channeling messages and guidance during rituals and ceremonies.
    • In ancient Greece, oracles like the Pythia at Delphi channeled messages from the gods, particularly Apollo, often during altered states of consciousness.
    • The Egyptians believed their pharaohs and priests could connect with deities and the afterlife for guidance and protection.
  2. Modern Mediumship:

    • The Spiritualist Movement of the 19th century brought mediumship into public view. Originating in the United States and spreading to Europe, this movement popularized séances and spirit communication.
    • The Fox Sisters of New York are among the most famous figures of this era, claiming to communicate with spirits through rapping sounds.
  3. 20th and 21st Centuries:

    • Channeling evolved into a broader practice, often incorporating messages from extraterrestrial beings, ascended masters, and collective energies.
    • Figures like Edgar Cayce, known as the "Sleeping Prophet," and modern-day channels like Esther Hicks, who channels the collective entity Abraham, gained prominence.

 

Techniques in Mediumship and Channeling

Both mediumship and channeling require attuning to non-physical frequencies, often through altered states of consciousness. Key techniques include:

  1. Mediumship:

    • Mental Mediumship: The medium receives messages through thoughts, images, or feelings. These are then conveyed to the intended recipient.
    • Physical Mediumship: Involves physical manifestations such as table tipping, ectoplasm, or direct voice phenomena during séances.
    • Trance Mediumship: The medium enters a deep trance state, allowing a spirit to communicate directly through their voice or body.
  2. Channeling:

    • Conscious Channeling: The channel remains aware while conveying messages from higher beings or energies.
    • Trance Channeling: Similar to trance mediumship, the channel steps aside to let the energy speak directly.
    • Automatic Writing: Messages are received and written down, often bypassing the conscious mind.
    • Guided Meditations: Channels use meditation to connect with higher energies, downloading information or guidance.

 

Notable Figures in Mediumship and Channeling

  1. Historical Mediums:

    • Helen Duncan (1897–1956): A Scottish medium known for her séances and controversial physical mediumship, which led to her imprisonment under the Witchcraft Act in 1944.
    • Leonora Piper (1857–1950): An American trance medium studied extensively by the Society for Psychical Research.
  2. Influential Channels:

    • Edgar Cayce (1877–1945): Known for his trance readings that provided insights on health, spirituality, and past lives.
    • Jane Roberts (1929–1984): Channeled a being named Seth, delivering profound metaphysical teachings compiled in the Seth Books.
    • Esther Hicks (b. 1948): Channels Abraham, a collective consciousness providing insights on the law of attraction and personal empowerment.
    • Lee Carroll: Channels Kryon, a magnetic service entity delivering messages about humanity's spiritual evolution.
  3. Modern Contributors:

    • Darcy Demoss: Known for her compassionate mediumship and healing messages.
    • Matt Fraser: A celebrity medium blending heartfelt messages with a touch of humor.

 

 

ANCIENT PRACTICES in Mediumship and Channeling

Shamans: Intermediaries of Spirit

Shamans are among the earliest known practitioners of mediumship and channeling, with their traditions spanning cultures worldwide:

  1. Roles and Practices:

    • Shamans acted as bridges between the physical and spiritual realms, often facilitating healing, guidance, and the resolution of community issues.
    • They entered altered states of consciousness through methods like drumming, dancing, chanting, or the use of sacred plants like ayahuasca or peyote. These techniques allowed them to access the spirit world or "upper" and "lower" realms.
    • Shamans often communicated with spirit guides, ancestors, or animal totems, seeking wisdom for the collective good.
  2. Examples Across Cultures:

    • Siberian Shamans: Among the earliest recorded, they used ecstatic trances to consult spirits about hunting, health, and tribal matters.
    • Indigenous Americas: Native American shamans performed vision quests, spirit dances, and ceremonial healing to connect with the Great Spirit and ancestors.
    • Aboriginal Australians: Believed to channel the Dreamtime, a sacred realm embodying creation stories and spiritual truths.
  3. Modern Legacy:

    • Shamanic practices have influenced modern spiritual movements, including neo-shamanism and practices of journeying into altered states for personal healing and insight.

Oracles of Ancient Greece: Pythia at Delphi

In ancient Greece, oracles were revered for their ability to channel divine messages. The most famous was the Pythia, the oracle of Apollo at Delphi.

  1. Sacred Role:

    • The Pythia served as the voice of Apollo, the god of prophecy, music, and healing. She was often consulted for critical decisions, from wars to governance.
    • The oracle operated within the Temple of Apollo, located on the sacred slopes of Mount Parnassus.
  2. Process of Channeling:

    • The Pythia would enter a trance-like state, often attributed to vapors rising from chasms beneath the temple. These gases, containing ethylene or other psychoactive substances, may have induced her altered state.
    • Questions were posed by petitioners, and her often cryptic responses were interpreted by priests.
  3. Significance:

    • The Pythia symbolized the interplay of human and divine knowledge, where mortals sought the gods' wisdom to guide their lives.
    • Her influence extended across the Mediterranean, reinforcing the belief in divine intervention through human intermediaries.

The Spiritual Practices of Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, spiritual connection was deeply entwined with governance, religion, and the afterlife. Pharaohs, priests, and temple practices were instrumental in channeling divine wisdom.

  1. The Pharaoh as Divine Medium:

    • The pharaoh was regarded as the living embodiment of the god Horus and the intermediary between the gods and the people.
    • Ceremonies and rituals often involved invoking deities for protection, guidance, and blessings on the land.
  2. Priesthood and Rituals:

    • Egyptian priests were trained in sacred rites and the use of hieroglyphs, believed to carry magical and divine power.
    • Temples like the Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Isis were centers for rituals aimed at communing with gods such as Amun-Ra, Osiris, and Hathor.
    • Priests performed rituals involving incense, chants, and sacred texts to channel divine energies.
  3. The Afterlife and Channeling:

    • The Egyptians believed in an eternal soul and the need to navigate the afterlife, detailed in the Book of the Dead.
    • Practices such as mummification and tomb inscriptions were designed to ensure communication and favor from deities in the afterlife.

Key Themes Across Cultures

  • Altered States: Techniques like trance, meditation, or sacred plant use were common for accessing the spiritual realm.
  • Rituals: Structured ceremonies provided frameworks for interaction with non-physical entities.
  • Cultural Integration: Spiritual practices were deeply embedded in governance, health, and daily life, reflecting a holistic worldview.

 

The Influence of Ancient Practices on Modern Spiritual Movements

Ancient traditions in mediumship and channeling continue to shape and inspire modern spiritual movements. Many practices have been adapted or reimagined for contemporary seekers, blending ancient wisdom with new-age philosophies.

Here’s how these practices are reflected today:

Shamanic Influences on Modern Spirituality

  1. Neo-Shamanism:

    • Neo-shamanism draws from indigenous shamanic practices, focusing on personal transformation and healing.
    • Tools like drumming circles, journeying workshops, and vision quests are used to connect with spirit guides and inner wisdom.
    • Organizations such as the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, founded by Michael Harner, have popularized shamanic techniques globally.
  2. Healing Modalities:

    • The use of energy medicine (e.g., Reiki) and soul retrieval mirrors shamanic healing practices where fragmented parts of the soul are reintegrated for wholeness.
    • Plant-based spiritual experiences, like ayahuasca retreats, echo ancient shamanic ceremonies, emphasizing healing and expanded consciousness.
  3. Ecospirituality:

    • Modern movements like animism and earth-centered spirituality revive shamanic beliefs in the interconnectedness of all life. Practices such as honoring the land, animal spirits, and nature cycles are central.

Greek Oracles and Modern Divination

  1. Psychic Channeling:

    • The Greek tradition of the Pythia at Delphi resonates in modern psychic and trance channeling. Like the Pythia’s cryptic prophecies, today’s channels often convey intuitive messages from higher realms.
    • Popular channels, such as Esther Hicks (channeling Abraham) or Darryl Anka (channeling Bashar), follow a lineage of transmitting wisdom from unseen entities.
  2. Ritualized Spaces:

    • The sacred environment of Delphi is echoed in modern sacred spaces, such as meditation rooms or spiritual retreats, designed to facilitate connection to the divine.
  3. Astrology and Prophecy:

    • Astrology, a cornerstone of ancient Greek divination, remains vital in modern spiritual movements. Astrologers often act as modern-day oracles, interpreting cosmic influences to provide guidance.

Egyptian Practices and Esoteric Traditions

  1. Sacred Rituals and Mysticism:

    • The ceremonial magic of Egypt influenced movements like Hermeticism and Theosophy, which emphasize the spiritual sciences of divine connection and enlightenment.
    • Ritual practices involving incantations, symbols, and sacred geometry (e.g., the Flower of Life) reflect Egyptian temple traditions.
  2. Mediumship and the Afterlife:

    • Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife inform modern practices like past-life regression and spirit communication, aiming to connect with the eternal soul.
  3. Energy Work:

    • Concepts of divine energy, such as the Egyptian Ka (spiritual energy), are echoed in modern energy healing practices. Reiki, chakra balancing, and other modalities aim to channel and harmonize this life force.

 

Blending Ancient and Modern Practices

  1. Technology and Accessibility:

    • Ancient practices are more accessible than ever through online courses, apps, and virtual communities. Guided meditations for spirit journeys or apps for oracle card readings bring these traditions into daily life.
    • Tools like biofeedback and binaural beats enhance altered states of consciousness once achieved through ancient rituals.
  2. Rise of Spiritual Coaches and Teachers:

    • Modern spiritual guides often act as contemporary shamans, oracles, or priests. They provide personalized guidance, blending ancient wisdom with modern approaches to mindfulness, self-empowerment, and healing.
  3. Global Syncretism:

    • Many spiritual movements today combine influences from multiple traditions. For instance, yoga (Hindu), shamanic journeying (indigenous), and channeling (Greek/Egyptian) often coexist in holistic retreats or workshops.

 

Modern Movements Inspired by Ancient Practices

  1. New Age Movement:

    • A blend of ancient mysticism and modern spirituality, the New Age movement embraces channeling, energy work, astrology, and divination, drawing heavily from ancient sources.
    • Key figures, like Alice Bailey (Theosophy) and Helena Blavatsky (Hermeticism), revived interest in ancient spiritual practices.
  2. Spirit Communication:

    • Mediums today, from celebrity psychics to everyday practitioners, trace their craft back to the spiritual traditions of ancestors.
  3. Earth-Centered Movements:

    • Neo-pagan and Wiccan traditions honor ancient seasonal cycles, drawing from Egyptian, Greek, and shamanic influences in their ceremonies and rituals.

 

Conclusion

The history of mediumship and channeling reveals a rich tapestry of ancient practices that have transcended time, culture, and belief systems. From the shamanic traditions of indigenous peoples to the prophetic voices of the Pythia in ancient Greece and the sacred rituals of Egyptian priests, these practices highlight humanity’s enduring desire to connect with the spiritual and metaphysical realms.

Each tradition, while distinct, shares a common thread: the recognition of a profound connection between the physical world and unseen dimensions. These practices not only provided guidance, healing, and insight to their communities but also laid the foundation for modern spiritual movements that continue to evolve and thrive.

Mediumship and channeling remind us of the limitless potential of the human spirit to transcend the ordinary and explore the extraordinary. They serve as timeless bridges to wisdom, offering insights that inspire and connect us to the mysteries of the universe. These fields remain fascinating windows into the spiritual depths of existence, encouraging us to honor the past as we navigate our own spiritual journeys today.

 

Love and Light,

LLOracles

 

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