Neuroscientist Dr. Jeff Tarrant - Understanding Mediums and Psychics

Dr. Jeff Tarrant is known for his pioneering work in the field of integrative mental health, blending traditional psychology with mindfulness, neurofeedback, and other alternative therapies. He is a leading expert in the use of technology and meditation for mental health and has authored several books on the subject. Dr. Tarrant's journey from skeptic to innovator has earned him recognition as a thought leader in holistic mental wellness. His latest book ‘Becoming Psychic’ received the Spring 2024 First Place Award in the Body, Mind, & Spirit: Parapsychology category from The Book Fest.

If you haven’t had time to listen to ‘Unveiling the Mysteries of Psychic Minds’, presented by Jock Brocas on his award-winning Deadly Departed podcast, please feast your mind on a selection of expansive highlights from his compelling discussions with Dr. Jeff Tarrant. They candidly discuss their respective journeys from skepticism to belief in psychic phenomena, the neuroscience behind psychic experiences, Dr. Tarrant's compelling mediumship research, and the potential connection between psychedelics and spiritual development.

Neuroscientific Talking Points

~ Dr. Jeff Tarrant's research on mediumship and psychic abilities challenges traditional scientific perspectives on consciousness and the mind-brain connection

~ The role neuroscience plays in validating psychic experiences, and brainwave activity can offer insight into the validity of mediumship and psychic perception

~ Trance mediumship vs Glossolalia, light language and channeling energy

~ How Dr. Tarrant's experience with psychedelics influenced his understanding of spirituality, interconnectedness, its potential impact on psychic development, and how ethical studies could be conducted in a controlled and responsible manner

~ Dr. Tarrant's work with non-directive healing modalities like biodynamic craniosacral therapy reflects the interconnectedness of energy and the potential for healing within the context of psychic and spiritual experiences

~ How Dr. Tarrant's findings on brainwave activity in relation to psychic experiences serve to broaden our understanding of consciousness, memory, and accessing information from broader fields of awareness

~ How the findings and discussions can contribute to ongoing research and discourse surrounding the relationship between consciousness, brain function, and the development of psychic and mediumistic abilities

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Part 1 of this 2-part series focuses on the neuroscience of Mediumship, glossolalia and channeling. Listen to the podcast. (Run time: 1 hr 07 mins)

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Transitioning from ‘I want to believe’ to ‘I do believe’

Dr Jeff Tarrant: ‘As a kid, I was totally into all this stuff, and, I loved it… all I kind of cared about was the weird stuff. But then, as I got older I started questioning things and learning more, and trained as a psychologist and a neuroscientist. I attribute a lot of my professional training to kind of beating that out of me, so to speak, and kind of encouraging the idea that, ‘well, if we can't prove it in a laboratory, then it doesn't exist. It's not real.’ And so, there were many years where I was a pretty hardcore skeptic.

And then, as life does, it presented me with some opportunities to actually study this. And now I've come back around to the other side again. I've become more of, I do believe as opposed to I want to believe. I've still got a significant skeptical nature, but I've seen too many things, and it makes too much sense to me at this point to try to deny it.

Jock Brocas: You go through loads of examples in the book, and I love the fact that you get so excited. You can't wait to get a hold of measuring people's brainwaves and their activity... But there had to be one pivotal moment where the information... just didn't make sense, right?... That point you were like, there's gotta be something more in this because this doesn't materialistically make sense in the world. What was that pivotal moment for you?

Dr Jeff Tarrant: There's probably been several of those... I think it's been a building process of lots of weird little moments that don't make sense or don't fit with a strictly materialistic viewpoint. But when you were asking the question, the thing that jumped into my brain was, when I first was able to measure Laurel Lynne Jackson, a well-known medium…

The thing that really stood out with her that was so interesting and unique, especially from a neuroscientific standpoint, is that she has this very distinct way of how she perceives information when she's doing a psychic reading versus doing a mediumship reading. For her, they're two very different processes.

When she's doing a psychic reading, she sees it on her inner screen, she calls it, on the left visual field. And when she's doing a mediumship reading, she sees it in her right visual field... this is just something she's noted about herself often. But what was really cool is that when we measured her brain while she was doing a psychic reading and a mediumship reading, that's exactly what showed up - the opposite sides of the occipital lobe where the visual processing was happening corresponded with exactly what she was reporting.

That was a really interesting one where I was like, wow, wait a minute, she's not seeing anything out here. Like, we're just in a boring conference room, but her brain is processing information and it's processing it exactly the way she describes. So for me, even though it doesn't prove anything, it’s pretty convincing that something is going on here.

This isn't just make-believe, right? The brain is processing information even if I can't see it.

Displacement and unawareness during mediumship work

Dr Jeff Tarrant: I've seen Laurel work several times and a lot of times it's a group situation where she's doing a gallery reading, where she's kind of just picking up whatever she picks up in the room and goes over there and does a short reading and then moves along. And when I've seen her do this, and she's described this to me... she's kind of not there. Like she's doing it, but she's almost unaware of the external environment. And so it lends me to sort of believe that maybe she's not really tuned into her body as much when she's in that zone, that it's like she's kind of out here somewhere.

Jock Brocas: … That correlates to my own experiences and my wife's experiences. We used to serve and run our own church back in in the UK. And the way I can explain it would be, if you were up on platform or you were doing… a gallery setting... you would have no idea where you were going to, but all of a sudden, you get up and… you're not there, and… you know exactly where you're going. You know exactly who you're going to, and you know what's actually happening. So, it's interesting because it is almost that there's a sense of displacement of the self or whatever we want to call that… it displaces and then something else takes over and, boom, you're in that flow.

Trance states Spontaneous tribal languages

(Image: Canva)

Jock Brocas: In your book, you talk about...the trance states and xenoglossia and the ability to confirm, and you worked with a woman who developed...

Dr Jeff Tarrant: Janet Mayer.

Jock Brocas: Janet Mayer, yeah... What you experienced there, would that be similar to what they call speaking in tongues or... this whole idea of light language, which is not something that I'm drawn to in any way. Or was there some kind of coherent intelligence behind what she was what she was bringing through?

Dr Jeff Tarrant: Yeah. And so just to give kind of a quick background to Janet and what her story is. She was the very first person that I worked with in this field. And, it’s funny because we're still friends and we still talk periodically. And I jokingly blame her... I'm like, it's your fault that I'm doing this…in a good way, of course.

Janet is a wonderful psychic medium. About 15 years or so... she had this experience during a holotropic breath work exercise... It was a group environment. You're breathing rapidly. There's evocative music. Anyway, she sat up in the middle of this session and what sounded like a language just started coming out of her and she had no idea what was happening. She couldn't really control it. She didn't even know if it was a language for sure because she didn't know she was saying something.

After this experience, it kept happening… when she was in the grocery store and when she was cooking dinner and driving her car, right? This language would just kind of come through. It took four years before she found somebody who would actually listen to her… some experts… linguists, and anthropologists.

She finally found somebody who would listen to her tapes and this person was an anthropologist at the Smithsonian, who was also a shaman in a previous lifetime in South America and recognized her language and so over time, translated several of her tapes. She was speaking up to four different South American tribal languages. Usually when they were translated, they were prayers or healings or teachings. A lot of it had to do with honoring Mother Earth and being connected to nature and important spiritual ways, things like that.

But it was interesting because she... she still doesn't know what she's saying. She can turn it on or off now, but she has no idea what she's saying...

Dr Jeff Tarrant: You brought up speaking in tongues, which, you know, the official term is glossolalia and… it's a Pentecostal kind of a thing, right? Where people get worked up into a religious fervor and they start saying something that sounds like a language. And so for Janet, a lot of the people that she approached, professors and what not said, oh, that's glossolalia....and kind of dismissed it because glossolalia is not an actual human language… so there's nothing to translate. Right?

Jock Brocas: Yes. That's the difference.

Dr Jeff Tarrant: So for me, it can't be glossolalia because these are actual languages and she's actually saying something that could be translated. And it sounds funny when I say this, but the only logical explanation is that she's channeling some kind of either shamans in South America or some other entities but somehow she's able to allow that energy to move through her. How that works… I've got some ideas about how it might work, but that's the only explanation because otherwise, it doesn't make any sense. She's gotta be getting information from somewhere.

Jock Brocas: I want to go into your ideas because I find that fascinating, especially from trance conditions and channeling because I have my own feelings on it. But I think it's important for anybody who's listening out there to make the distinction. And I've said this many times, and you can hate me if you want, guys but this light language stuff that goes out there is just… glossolalia. It's the same as anything that's on the Pentecostal side and... for me... my personal opinion, and you can write in all you want... there is no evidence. And you all know me. I'm very hard on evidence. I need evidence... whether it's scientific evidence or spiritual evidence, there has to be continuity. There has to be a pattern. There has to be a serious evidence. We don't see that.

What is interesting is that... and I think this is fascinating, and I think this gives credence as well to a mediumistic aspect of it, she had no idea what she was speaking. She had no idea at all, and it took a shaman to be able to bring that forward and really say this is the language, and there is a coherent intelligent pattern to it. And I think that's really important. This is not gobbledygook. There was an a a coherent pattern.

Thinking about this, I love how you're getting at channeling because that's my next thing. People are gonna hate me for this as well. I have an issue with channeling. I don't seem to have an issue with trance conditions and going into a trance state because I've had experiences of that myself as well... I know that when the trance condition happens and we allow that connection, that melding of energies, whether the spirit's coming through. There's intelligence. And often, a really, really good trance medium - I don't like to use the term trance channel - but the trance medium…they don't remember. They have no idea of what's going on. There's a sense of disassociation that happens - and this is another argument people come up with - they separate the idea of self going away and an intelligent force or intelligent being that will come in and communicate.

My issue with the channeling side of things is… are they channeling and it's coming really from their own perceptions, their own knowledge, their deep un-subconscious? Because I can perceive a massive difference between someone who's in deep trance, to someone who's just channeling wisdom, that they're saying is coming from such and such. But I feel I discern that it's coming from them, and it's coming from their intellect and their knowledge of maybe what they've studied or what they've been interested in. Where do you fit in that side of things?

Dr Jeff Tarrant: That is a tough one. That's a really tricky one… I've been able to work with quite a number of mediums now. I've not kept track, but… let’s say 20 or 30. And these are pretty high-level mediums, for the most part. And it's interesting because they seem to have levels of trance. Most of them will say that they're at least in a light trance or what they would characterize as a light trance.

And that might be like what Laurel experiences. Because, you can get her attention. If she's doing a reading, and she's kind of in her own zone. It's hard to get her attention. I can be jumping up and down in the background going Laurel, Laurel…

Jock Brocas: She's in the flow.

Dr Jeff Tarrant: She's in the flow. She hadn't even seen me. But eventually she will, right? She'll kind of click in... And so a lot of them talk about being in a light trance but those are… what I would consider... more mental mediums. Where they're in telepathic communication with these other entities, and then they're translating it. So they're getting this information in their own head, theoretically from another entity, and then they're translating it and trying to make sense out of it and put it in human words. I've only worked with... a handful of what we might consider trance mediums where their voice kind of changes a bit, they're much more disconnected, a lot of times they have no memory whatsoever of what they've said. And, I kind of have mixed feelings as well…

Jock Brocas: Awesome, alright, let's get into it. Yeah. (Laugh) Let's go there.

Dr Jeff Tarrant: Certainly I've been sitting with people where they've done this and there's just something in my gut that's like, this feels weird. This feels like they're kind of making stuff up... but then there have been other times where I've not had that feeling and it does feel like a higher wisdom of some kind, right? But all I've got to go on is my gut feeling and this is part of the problem. From a scientific perspective, I can't prove any of it one way or the other. And that's where I have trouble… especially trouble from a scientific perspective… you know, people say, oh, I can communicate with angels or fairies or aliens or… It's like, well, that's cool, but I can't prove anything there. There's nothing… Yeah, I just have to trust them or not. But… usually I'm just agnostic about it.

At least with mediumship where you're talking to somebody who's deceased, you could verify some things… you could verify that the things they're saying make sense and in the physical world. And that there's some way to sort of demonstrate that like, oh yeah, they did have that relationship, or they did live in this place, or they did go by that nickname, whatever. So it's tricky, you know? I don't know… it sounds like maybe you're even more skeptical than me. I don't know.

Jock Brocas: Yeah. I'm like you. But, I've been a professional medium for over 2 decades. I have experienced seances and trance and all sorts of things, but I have a very discerning nature when it comes down to it. And like you, I've been in conditions where I'm like, okay - pardon the French anybody who's listening now - that's bollocks, that's coming from them or, wait a minute, that has got substance to it.

And I am really fascinated. I have a passion for the trance condition and part of the reasons why I'm now on an academic path is because I want to understand more of psychosis, obsession, I want to understand permitted possessive states such as in the trance condition and I'm really fascinated about where can we go with this scientifically.

I think there's a potential bridge in terms of evidential research that can maybe go into it. If we go back to, you know, SPR studies, way back in the day, where we had cross correspondences where people were in trance conditions and was able to identify verifiable evidence that distance and time made no real the problem. I think there's a possibility that we can look more into the science of it… which brings us into your whole realm as the brain and mind connection.

Because I always say to people... when Lisa (Miller) and I were chatting , and I wrote an article on PDN about this, Defending the Soul, but my whole idea is that your mind is a psychological building block to your reality. That's how I feel. And so I always ask the question, is the mind in the brain, or is the brain in the mind? And this is like one of these massive arguments...

So I feel for me, there's a great deal of miscommunication and misunderstanding in mediumship or even in psi when it comes down to channeling, trance, and things like that. But I think there's an exciting possibility to move forward in doing further research in the trance conditions, and there's very little of it. There's very little science research in psychometry which I find fascinating from my own experiences.

So I think there's an element that we haven't really dove into deeper, and I think we can. How do we do it? I don't know. Maybe this is where you come in with the whole idea of the brain and the cerebral and working with mediums that are legitimately in trance conditions and not making it up. And that's the difficulty.

Resources:

Dr Jeff Farrant websites: Psychic Mind Science & NeuroMeditation Institute

Article: Dr Lisa Miller Sparks a Paradigm Shift in the Science of Spirituality

Deadly Departed - The Dangers of Afterlife Communication

This afterlife book is unique. It challenges the assumptions in the afterlife's safety. It is a must have book for those grieving, mediums and researchers.

paranormaldailynews.com

How a Ghost Inspired a Profound Spiritual Journey

The author of this story is Fred Welling, an English spiritual medium who resettled in Adelaide, South Australia in the late 60’s. I was fortunate to witness his gifted mediumship demonstrations in local spiritualist churches which brought comfort and healing to many. His article was originally published in the popular Afterlife Magazine, which has since joined the PDN family.

Fred Welling, Spiritual Medium

We have much more to fear from humans than from spirits/ghosts

In the 1940s, my parents and I lived in a two-storey home in Southampton, England and like many children, I was scared of the dark and things that go bump in the night. My bedroom was at the top of the stairs and as a young boy of 5 or 6 years old, when I climbed those stairs, I often felt that someone or something was standing at the top of them. Terrified, I would jump into bed and pull the covers right over my head. I heard scary noises and felt that someone or something I could not see was in the bedroom with me.

My parents were both psychically aware and used to tell me that I had much more to fear from humans with physical bodies than from spirits/ghosts. They also encouraged me to not be afraid of the unseen presences in my room as they would not harm me.

However, I was not too sure of this. We often spent time downstairs in the living room, talking or listening to the radio. We began to hear crashing sounds from upstairs, my father and I would run up the stairs to find dozens of the fragile, mantlepiece ornaments scattered all over the floor of my parent’s bedroom. It was amazing that none of these ornaments ever broke.

My father, a professional boxer, eventually became completely frustrated with this recurring activity and in a strong and authoritative voice, he said: ‘We do not mind you visiting but please do not do that again!’ From that time onward, to our relief, the ornaments were left alone.

Learning that ghosts are not ‘bad’

During my teenage years I met a young man called ‘Buck’ who became a friend. Buck was training to become a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. He was fully aware of the unseen world of spirit and could have conversations with those in the spirit world as clearly as with a group of friends in this world. Buck’s spirit guide told him: “You will be a good priest, but you will help more people if you do not become a priest.”

One evening, Buck was visiting the family and went upstairs to use the toilet. He was away a long time and when he returned, with my dry sense of humour, I couldn’t resist asking if he had fallen into the toilet. Buck ignored my question and asked if we had ever noticed anything unusual at the top of the stairs. We all replied, “Yes.”

He revealed that he had seen a young mother holding a baby at the top of the stairs and found out that many years ago, this young woman had committed suicide in my parent’s bedroom. Her young baby also died in that room.

The mother had become ‘stuck between the worlds’ and had been trying to get someone’s attention for quite some time. Even though my parents were psychically/spiritually aware, they had not been on the same wave length as the mother and baby and were therefore unable to help.

Fortunately, Buck was able to tune in to the mother’s spiritual energy level and assist her and the child to move on to a more fulfilling life in the spirit worlds. To our relief, we no longer felt a sad presence at the top of the stairs. It was wonderful that Buck had been able to converse with ‘our ghost’ and help her.

This proved to me that life did indeed continue beyond physical death and that ghosts are not ‘bad’ but rather souls who need our love and assistance to help them move into the realms of light in the spiritual worlds where they are met by their loved ones. When I finished school and started work, I thought no more of these psychic experiences. However, little did I know that Spirit had only just started with me!

How my lifelong commitment to Spiritualism began

Image: Jplenio, Pixabay

In my early twenties, my beloved wife Doreen became ill with a heart condition. The doctors said that she would not survive without surgery. I gave permission and signed documents for the surgery to be performed but tragically, Doreen died on the operating table. For many decades I felt extremely guilty for having signed the papers and irrationally believed that I had killed my wife.

At the time I was living in Shirley, Southampton UK and heard about a Spiritualist Church which was within walking distance of my home. During my grief period, I visited this church on a number of occasions.

My first visit left me intrigued and I really enjoyed the service, so I returned the following week and sat near the back. The spiritual medium on the platform was an old lady who was almost blind. During her demonstration of evidential mediumship, she said: “I want to come to the young man who is hiding near the back.”

I was naturally stunned, as she could not have physically seen me. The medium gave incredible details of the relationship between my wife and me. This information was known only to me. She also emphasized that Doreen did not hold me responsible for her death. It was her time to leave the physical world.

So began my lifelong commitment to Spiritualism. I ended up vice president of that Southampton church and over the years, became an evidential medium both in the UK and later in Australia when my second wife (another Doreen) and our two daughters, Patricia and Barbara, migrated in 1969.

True tales from a closed physical mediumship development group

Before leaving the UK, I had heard about a closed physical mediumship development group at Lances Hill. There were about ten to twelve sitters in this group and after waiting several years, I was invited to attend as a visitor to see if my vibrations were suitable to join this group. To my delight, I was accepted and attended on a weekly basis, catching two buses there and back.

The development group was led by a medium who had leukemia and was not expected to live for long. However, we were told that he would continue his work until it was finished and then leave the physical world. When I left for Australia in 1969, the medium appeared to have recovered.

Physical mediumship involves spirit entities using the energies of a medium to produce tangible physical effects which can be witnessed visibly and audibly by everyone in the room at the same time. The spirit entities manipulate the energies and substances of a medium to form physical manifestations such as spirit ‘bodies’ that enable a spirit to speak directly from their world to ours.

The spirit communicators provide an interface of communication between our world on earth and their worlds known as spirit world. Other physical phenomena that can be produced include physical smells, hot or cold drafts, levitation, apportation of objects from mid-air, transfiguration, spirit lights, raps or knocks, direct voice communication and physical apparitions.

Each week we met in a private home in an upstairs, candlelit room that was reserved solely for the purpose of physical mediumship. Members of the group, referred to as ‘sitters’, would enter quietly and always sit in the same position and the same chair. This ensured that the group energy remained harmonious and balanced.

We were asked to talk quietly about spiritual topics while the medium prepared to move into a state of deep trance. Suddenly, there would be a change of energy and we knew that a spirit being was about to manifest physically in the room.

Opening our hearts to the Divine Force

The manifested spirit would speak through the medium for about thirty minutes on spiritual topics such as life beyond the physical world, karmic events affecting individual lives here on earth and what we could do to mitigate the negative effects. He emphasized the need to open our hearts to the Divine Force and to work in service to humanity.

Questions were permitted to be asked and answers were received. However, if the spirit being felt it was not in a person’s best interests to receive the answer, it was not given. Sometimes the spirit would move close to a sitter and hold their hands, an experience that felt like an electrical current passing through the body.

On the rare occasion when a guest hoped to be accepted into the group, the spirit would proceed to tell them a few of the things they had been doing that day as a means of confirmation and validation that their arrival had been anticipated. They were assured that this was an ongoing practice and there would be no further intrusion in anyone’s private life.

These major life experiences began my search for truth.

Fred & Liz Welling. Behind every great medium is an equally great woman

Australia Bound

Following my arrival in Australia, I settled in Adelaide, South Australia and joined various psychic development and self-awareness groups. For over 40 years I have continued to develop my ability to tune into the spiritual worlds and, like the old lady who was almost blind, I have worked on many platforms in spiritualist churches across the country.

I have been able to bring comfort to many people by giving them evidence that their loved ones are not dead but very much alive in a wonderful spiritual dimension. I am still doing this in 2020 at the age of almost 86 years young.

Author, Fred Welling

The Aztec Death Whistle: A Haunting Legacy of Sound and Ritual

Imagine a sound so unsettling that it sends shivers down your spine, a shriek so unnerving that it echoes in your mind long after it stops. Now, picture that sound not coming from a horror film or a wild animal but from a small, skull-shaped clay instrument crafted centuries ago by the Aztecs. These chilling creations, known as death whistles, produce sounds eerily reminiscent of the wails of tortured souls. Yet, despite their menacing reputation, these whistles remain a mystery. Why did the ancient Aztecs create such instruments? Were they symbols of death, tools of war, or perhaps something far more ritualistic and spiritual? As researchers continue to explore the significance of these artefacts, the Aztec death whistle lures us deeper into the enigma of pre-Columbian soundscapes.

Discovery: A Sound Unleashed from the Past

The journey of the Aztec death whistle from obscurity to fascination began in 1999, with an archaeological dig beneath modern-day Mexico City. Here, in the ruins of a 650-year-old temple dedicated to Ehecatl, the god of wind, archaeologists unearthed a skeleton. Clutched in the skeletal hands of a sacrificed young man were two small clay objects, sculpted into the shape of human skulls. At first, these artefacts were mistaken for children’s toys or perhaps burial ornaments. After all, what else could they be?

It wasn’t until someone blew into one of these ancient noisemakers—15 years after its discovery—that the true nature of the death whistle was revealed. The sound it produced was unlike anything that had been heard in modern times: a bone-chilling, high-pitched wail that seemed to carry the cries of the dead through the air. Far from a simple toy, this was a tool designed to evoke terror.

Theories and Speculation: Tools of Fear or Guides for the Soul?

When trying to unravel the mystery of the Aztec death whistle, one can’t help but feel a sense of awe at its potential purposes. Theories about its function are as varied as they are fascinating. One of the most prominent ideas is that these whistles were used in sacrificial ceremonies. As the victim prepared to meet their fate, walked toward death, the death whistle may have been blown to accompany their final moments with the sound of spirits howling in agony. Could this be the sound of souls being ripped from their bodies, carried on the wind to the underworld? Perhaps.

Equally compelling is the idea that the whistles were instruments of psychological warfare. Imagine standing on a battlefield, facing a swarm of Aztec warriors. Suddenly, the air fills with the screams of a thousand souls, the shrieks so piercing that your instinct is to flee. Could these whistles have been blown in unison to disorient and terrify enemies? Some scholars believe it’s possible, though the evidence remains thin.

Others have posited more esoteric theories. Certain researchers suggest that the death whistles may have been used in healing rituals, their chaotic sounds intended to induce trance-like states. The erratic frequencies, reaching the upper limits of human hearing, might have been thought to alter consciousness, opening pathways to the spirit world or calming a troubled mind. The truth, as with many artefacts of ancient cultures, may never be fully known. But what remains is the sound—a sound that both captivates and terrifies.

Roberto Velázquez and the Revival of Ancient Sounds

At the forefront of modern research into the death whistle is Roberto Velázquez, a mechanical engineer who has spent decades studying and recreating pre-Columbian instruments. His work has not only breathed new life into these ancient noisemakers but has also challenged the way we think about the sensory experiences of past civilizations.

Velázquez, fascinated by the sounds of his ancestors, has meticulously reconstructed hundreds of ancient whistles, flutes, and other wind instruments. He has travelled the breadth of Mexico to study newly unearthed artefacts, some dating back as far as 400 BC. But recreating these instruments is only part of his mission. Understanding how they were played—and why—is equally crucial. In one instance, Velázquez spent an entire year experimenting with a frog-shaped whistle before finally uncovering its "inner croak." His dedication underscores how much is still unknown about the aural landscapes of ancient Mesoamerican cultures.

Velázquez has said that modern archaeologists have often viewed ancient cultures through a visual and tactile lens, largely ignoring the importance of sound. “We’ve been looking at our ancient culture as if they were deaf and mute,” he has remarked. His reconstructions of the death whistle challenge that perception, offering a vivid auditory glimpse into a past where sound played a pivotal role in both ritual and warfare.

The Complex Sound Mechanism: Chaos in the Wind

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Aztec death whistle is its sophisticated internal design. Far from being a simple noisemaker, the whistle contains intricately crafted chambers that manipulate airflow in ways that are still not fully understood. When air is blown into the mouthpiece, it is split and forced through these chambers, creating unpredictable fluctuations in pressure. These fluctuations, in turn, produce the chaotic, spine-tingling sound that has come to define the death whistle.

Velázquez refers to this intricate mechanism as a "chaos wind generator," a fitting term for an instrument that produces such discordant, unnerving noises. The sound isn’t just a scream; it’s a multi-layered cacophony that can evoke the sound of storms, winds, animal growls, and even human suffering. The chaotic nature of the sound has led some researchers to suggest that these instruments were meant to invoke the elemental forces of nature, perhaps calling on the wind god Ehecatl himself.

A Modern Fascination

Though the Aztec death whistle was born in an ancient world, its legacy is finding new life in modern times. From musicians like Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, who incorporates death whistles into his re-creations of Aztec and Mayan music, to cottage industries producing replicas for Day of the Dead celebrations, these eerie instruments have made their way into contemporary culture. Velázquez’s work has inspired a new generation of researchers, musicians, and even medical professionals interested in how ancient sounds can affect the mind and body.

In fact, some medical researchers are now investigating whether the erratic frequencies produced by these whistles could have therapeutic applications. Could these sounds, so chaotic and unsettling, be used to alter states of consciousness or influence heart rates? The idea may seem far-fetched, but the ancient Aztecs were known for their sophisticated understanding of the human mind and spirit.

Conclusion

The Aztec death whistle remains one of the most captivating mysteries of Mesoamerican archaeology. Its chilling sound, combined with its intricate design, suggests a deep cultural significance that we are only beginning to understand. Whether used in sacrificial rites, psychological warfare, or healing rituals, the death whistle provides a rare auditory window into the world of the ancient Aztecs—a world where sound was not merely an accessory to life, but a force that shaped it.

References

1. Posada Tamayo, S. (2018). Mexico: What Were the Terrifying “Whistles of Death” Used To Be? One of the Great Mysteries of the Aztec Culture.

2. Velázquez Cabrera, R. (2015). ‘Death Whistle’: Cremated Example (Re)Discovered.

3. Broad, W. J. (1988). Complex Whistles Found to Play Key Roles in Inca and Maya Life.

4. Leafloor, L. (2014). Aztec Death Whistles Sound Like Human Screams and May Have Been Used as Psychological Warfare.

5. Watson, J. (2008). Archaeologists Digging Up Pre-Columbian Sounds. Associated Press.

6. Likens, T. (2018). The Aztec “Death” Whistle – Hear What the Wailing of 1000 Souls Sounds Like.

Samhain: A Witch’s Sacred Power Source

Photographer: freestocks | Source: Unsplash

The Power of Interior Investigation

Today my fiancé asked me how humans could ever get organized enough to fix the many colossal problems in the world. She said that even if substantially sized groups banded together to work on worthy humanitarian causes, she probably wouldn’t trust them. I feel that.

Groups of humans can so quickly become cultish, power-hungry, vapid, and out of touch. An astounding number of the most seemingly heart-centered nonprofits are run by corrupt CEOs who have the same defunct moral compasses as their corporate counterparts. Numerous spiritual collectives swiftly transform into vampiric MLMs, demoralizing pyramid schemes, or divisive churches and cults. Even well-intended creative organizations will cave to the seductive call of late-stage capitalism and sell out their original target mission for a fat check or fast cash.

She followed up her observation with, “So how will we ever get out of this mess we’re in?”

After some marination, a thought emerged:

I don’t think we’re going to get out of this mess and through these discordant evolutionary growing pains via groups, gurus, or mass organizations. At least not at first.

That’s not to say I don’t believe in the power of protests, activist movements, and covens. They are badass and necessary. But I think the central work of this astrological moment is overwhelmingly and surprisingly, solo. For eons, we have traversed the cycles of corruption, wars, and revolution. My intuition (and the ancestors I work with) tell me this time is different.

It feels like there’s some supremely witchy shit on the horizon.

Even within the cacophony of noise in central LA (where I currently live), I can feel it.

The Aquarian Age and the resurgence of feminine power call for surrender, wisdom, and radical interior investigation. That means, this time, the revolution must come from within.

Samhain Harm Ye None

This isn’t a new concept. During the Occupy Wall Street and Women’s March movements, a similar idea was frequently thrown around. And before them, it was popular amidst the waves of activism in the 1960s and 1970s. Both Gandhi’s and Martin Luther King’s movements were driven by the core of this ideology, radical non-violence. Non-violence is a beautiful concept and can be understood intellectually with ease. But to live non-violently in a consistent manner requires cultivated wisdom, empathy, inner compassion, and connectedness. This is far more difficult to achieve and it stems from prioritizing internal change and personal revolution over external change and global revolution.

That much-needed wisdom and reflection come only from that interior investigation. It comes from meditation, communion with nature, shamanic journeys, and/or other healing practices that can trigger the memories of our unfathomable connection to each other, the divine feminine, the sacred Earth and Star spirits, and the original breath of our earliest existence.

The Aquarian Age has valuable messages for us, perhaps the most important among them being the death of guru outside of oneself. This is the point in our collective growth when the bravest among us will let go of the rigidity and pressure of our very civilization and embark on billions of vision quests. One by one.

Only then can we truly evolve.

Photographer: David Menidrey | Source: Unsplash

Connections to Samhain

So what does this have to do with Samhain (more commonly known as Halloween)? As the veil between realms gets thinner, as it does every year at this time, we can use this energetic opening to spur our own vision quests. We can celebrate this ancient Celtic festival by turning off our phones, sitting in dark, liminal spaces, and listening for answers from within. There are unseen spirits, guides, and entities all around us, waiting and willing to aid in our spiritual development. Especially during Scorpio season.

Samhain is the Witch’s new year. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darkest part of the year, in the northern hemisphere. It is an intrinsically introverted and liminal time, which makes this solo interior work more accessible. The lessons gleaned from deep, meaningful shadow-work, although immensely uncomfortable, can be absorbed more quickly at this time. Because our spirits and ancestors have more access to us, they can powerfully aid in unraveling old and stubborn karmic knots, if we are open and allow.

Photographer: Natalia Y | Source: Unsplash

My Witch’s Charge

Identifying as a Witch and practicing the Craft have different meanings for different people. For me being a witch is about three central aspects (I think of them as sides to a sacred triangle):

The first is Bravery (Maiden):

Bravery to face the inner layers of the self.

Bravery to admit both our deepest, ugliest folly and internal power that’s beyond measure.

Bravery to rise against the waves of patriarchy by invoking the Divine Feminine.

Bravery to be resilient in the face of the often excruciating contrast of this binary planet.

Bravery to stay awake enough to refocus on the Magick of love, laughter and compassion.

Bravery to remember the reality that exists beneath all realities.

The second is Power (Mother):

Power in knowing that we co-create uncountable realities, thousands of times each day.

Power in service of the receptive Feminine Spirit that binds us all.

Power in a lineage that we both revere and make manifest, simultaneously.

Power in the sacred act of original creativity (birth).

The third is Wisdom (Crone):

Wisdom of radical compassion especially projected to those who seem not to deserve it.

Wisdom of the ancestors, spirits and entities of all realms, both seen and unseen.

Wisdom of cultivated humility when bestowed with Magickal power.

Wisdom of the elements and cosmos in ritual workings.

Wisdom of Great Grandmother Spirit.

Final Thoughts

So, when October comes around each year, I am reminded of the sacred responsibility of this path. This is our time to journey within and connect with the deepest, truest versions of our sacred selves. If throughout your days you often feel disconnected from a happier, livelier version of yourself, use the power of Samhain to remember who you are.

I am reminded that for us to collectively evolve, I must be brave, powerful and wise enough to look within and listen closely. Only there, in the quiet, innermost crevices of our being, can we conjure the necessary spells to break our subconscious bonds to the outdated, destructive patriarchal beast.

Make no mistake, to be a Witch is to be a warrior.

But, unlike the traditional warriors of the past, we know the real battle is fought within.

On Samhain, when the power is high, and the veil is thin, So Mote It Be.

The Vital Role of Psychological Evaluation in Paranormal Investigations

Clarion Call for All Involved in the Mysterious Field of Paranormal Investigations

In the fascinating world of paranormal investigations, the stakes are high, ranging from haunted locations to cases alleging demonic possession. However, one often overlooked but critical aspect of these investigations, is the necessity for comprehensive psychological evaluations. Why are these assessments so vital?

In a timely podcast episode, Investigating Demonic Cases: Paranormal Psychological Evaluation, host Jock Brocas underscores the importance of psychological evaluations, noting that he personally receives about four to five new cases every month. Although a significant majority—over 95%—are not serious, the small percentage that may involve something more sinister requires utmost caution.

The Thin Between Psychiatric Illness and Demonic Influence is Easily Blurred

(Image: Canva)

Jock Brocas, a professional medium and spirit interventionist, emphasizes the importance of psychological evaluations to distinguish mental health issues from genuine paranormal occurrences. A clarion call for all involved in this mysterious field to adopt practices rooted in professionalism, ethics, and multidisciplinary cooperation.

“There's a very gray area between psychosis, mental psychosis, psychiatric illness and demonic possession/obsession. There is basically a pattern. There's an intelligence. And some of this pattern and... intelligence actually comes through looking at a potential case which is out of the realms of science and...psychology and psychiatry. And a lot of people that are claiming that they are having a psychiatric illness, do actually suffer from... some spirit obsession or spirit oppression, not necessarily demonic, by the way.” Jock Brocas

While the necessity for a professional psychological evaluation when assessing paranormal claims speaks for itself, Brocas explains that individuals often refuse these evaluations, firmly believing they do not need them. This refusal complicates matters because the line between psychiatric illness and demonic influence is thin and easily blurred.

“One of the things that stops people in their tracks is when you start to say, this case actually needs psychological evaluation, we need to bring in a psychiatrist or a psychologist and they need to be able to evaluate that person. Nine times out of ten, most of these people will say they don't need an evaluation and they don't want an evaluation and they're not interested in having that done because they know.

Unfortunately, that's where things get a little bit gray because there are so many people out there claiming that they have a haunting... a demonic possession or an obsession, and do not have the history to back it up, and they do not have the phenomena to back it up. And they think that just a little imbalance in the mind or negative thoughts or bad things is completely oppressive and demonic. And it's not.” Jock Brocas

The Allure and Misconception Around Demonic Cases

A common trend among people who contact Brocas, is an almost eager conviction that they are experiencing demonic oppression, obsession, or possession. This excitement can be problematic and reveals a significant misunderstanding of the complexities involved. Paranormal professionals, including mediums and parapsychologists, must address these cases cautiously, ensuring that they don’t contribute to unnecessary fear or misinformation.

“There is a pattern to diabolical possession. There is an intelligence. This is also the same in obsession and oppression, before even you get to possession. So be very careful, don't jump on the bandwagon. Make sure that you have all your bases covered that you actually go through, that you have a relationship with a professional, with a psychologist, with a psychiatrist, someone that you can rely on that can actually help you to evaluate that case. It's important that this is evaluated professionally.” Jock Brocas

Occult illiterate, mainstream mental health professionals who dismiss the paranormal world as nonsense, will be of no help to spirit interventionists, mediums and others who are called upon to assist troubled souls. Experiencing mental imbalances because of innocent, ignorant tinkerings with spiritual realms, is more common than many people realise. Basic occult education and holistic health pathways should be taught in universities and medical schools but that is unlikely to happen any time soon. In the meantime, taking heed of the reality of paranormal and potential interferences is highly recommended when assessing mental/emotional imbalances.

Patterns of Alleged Demonic Activity Symptoms

Several patterns can manifest in cases involving alleged demonic activity and often overlap with various psychiatric conditions, such as psychosis. Brocas notes that some symptoms attributed to demonic influence might actually stem from psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

However, there is an intelligence that drives genuine paranormal cases, making them distinguishable from psychiatric conditions but identifying this intelligence requires more than intuition; it needs evidence and professional validation.

A Multi-disciplinary Approach Prevents Misdiagnosis of Mental Health Conditions

The importance of psychological evaluations lies in their ability to provide a clear, clinical perspective on the individual’s mental health. Collaborating with psychiatrists and psychologists is a valuable multi-disciplinary approach because it ensures any paranormal investigation is grounded in reality, thereby preventing the misdiagnosis of mental health conditions.

“You want to be able to identify if there is psychiatric or psychological illness there. Is there a pattern of psychological illness in the family? Is there a pattern of psychosis that's developing here? As a medium, you're not going to be able to give those answers but you can bring in a professional that can. As professionals ourselves in mediumship, we can talk to people and get the background and intelligence, give them advice and things. But when it comes to something that's serious or maybe needs looked at deeper, you really do need a professional.” Jock Brocas

Brocas collaborates with the Wisconsin Paranormal Society, illustrating how effective teamwork and network-building with medical professionals can enhance the credibility and outcomes of paranormal investigations.

When investigating paranormal claims, building trust with the affected individuals and their families is paramount. This approach mandates a professional demeanor and a commitment to ethical standards. Professionals should never hastily diagnose a situation as demonic without thorough evaluation, including psychological assessments.

Cutting Through the Noise: The Myths and Realities of Possession

On the topic of misinformation proliferated by some religious entities and media that sensationalize demonic possession, Brocas contends that many individuals who believe they are possessed are, in reality, experiencing psychological or emotional turmoil.

Certain religious narratives and sensationalist media presentations fuel misconceptions about possession, often advocating for extreme views without substantial evidence, contributing to the public’s misunderstanding.

“I'm blaming religion... some of these evangelical type people that will say that there are so many demons inside of you. There's no proof in this and there's no evidence to the contrary. So anybody who thinks that they are actually oppressed, would have to go through a series of tests and a series of studies to be able to have a professional identify if that person seriously is being influenced by a demonic being or a spirit being or is being oppressed in some way.

There is a need for anybody that is seriously claiming that they're possessed, or the family is claiming they're possessed, to have a psychological evaluation, not just of them, but also the family. So if you're a professional and...you have people who come to you and say that they are actually demonically possessed, and you start to kind of believe it, and you go down the realms of checking everything and... you don't have any professional psychological testing or evaluations done, then you're kind of doing yourself a disservice. And you're doing them a disservice because 99% of cases are actually explainable. There's very, very little out there that is seriously a diabolical possession and people who think they are, normally aren't.” Jock Brocas

Avoiding the Pitfalls: Responsible Paranormal Investigation

Avoid the pitfalls of rushed or unsubstantiated conclusions by approaching each case with an open mind, rigorous methodology, and a willingness to seek professional psychological insights.

Ethical responsibility is a cornerstone of credible paranormal investigation. Even if a case appears to fit the criteria for demonic possession, investigators should ensure that it undergoes comprehensive evaluation. This approach not only protects the individuals involved but also upholds the integrity of the investigative field.

Stay Informed and Engaged with Deadly Departed Podcasts

For those interested in delving deeper, the Deadly Departed podcast is a rich resource of knowledge and case studies which aim to shed light on these intriguing and complex phenomena. The perfect place to engage with the community by posing questions and sharing experiences to foster a more informed and respectful dialogue about the paranormal.

The ongoing journey to understand the paranormal is filled with both challenges and revelations. Psychological evaluations serve as a crucial tool in this quest, bridging the gap between mental health and supernatural phenomena. By embracing a rigorous, ethical approach to investigations, we ensure that our work contributes meaningfully to both fields.

Stay tuned and stay curious. The more we learn, the greater our ability to navigate the shadowy intersections of the seen and the unseen.

Watch the Video

Investigating Demonic Cases: Paranormal Psychological Evaluation

(Run time: 13 mins)

Due to the Hurricane . . .

The chief editor and publisher, Jock Brocas is safe, but cannot be reached at the moment due to hurricane damage. He cannot respond to anyone, but will resume when he is able.

Unearthing the Unexplained: Geological Secrets of Paranormal Hotspots

Shedding light on paranormal mysteries

Across the globe, certain locations have gained notoriety as hotspots for unexplained paranormal activity. From ghostly apparitions to unexplained lights in the sky and encounters with cryptozoological creatures, these places captivate the imagination and stir a sense of wonder, and fear. What is particularly intriguing is the frequent correlation between these paranormal phenomena and unique geological features. Could it be that the very ground beneath these mysterious sites holds the key to understanding the unexplained?

This article delves into the potential connections between geological factors and paranormal activity, exploring how elements such as fault lines, underground water sources, and electromagnetic fields might influence or even generate these strange occurrences. By examining both well-known and lesser-known case studies, alongside scientific perspectives, we aim to shed light on the mysteries that lie at the intersection of geology and the paranormal.

Geological Factors and Paranormal Activity

Geological features may seem like unlikely culprits in the realm of the paranormal, but growing evidence suggests that the Earth’s natural energy could play a significant role in the manifestation of paranormal events. Several key geological factors are believed to influence these occurrences, potentially acting as catalysts or conduits for the unexplained.

Fault Lines: Earth's Shifting Energy

San Andreas Fault in the Carrizo Plain Nov 2007. Commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kluft

Fault lines are fractures in the Earth's crust where tectonic plates meet and sometimes clash, releasing significant amounts of energy during seismic activity. Some researchers theorise that this energy might interact with the environment in ways that contribute to paranormal phenomena. For instance, areas surrounding the San Andreas Fault in California are not only prone to earthquakes, but also frequent UFO sightings and reports of strange lights in the sky. This has led to speculation that the fault line’s energy might be more than just geological, potentially influencing or even creating these paranormal occurrences.

Underground Water Sources: A Hidden Catalyst

Water has long been associated with the paranormal, and many haunted locations are situated near rivers, lakes, or underground streams. Some theories propose that moving water, particularly underground, can act as a conduit for spiritual energy or amplify existing anomalies. This could explain why so many haunted sites, such as the famous Borley Rectory in Essex, are located above or near underground water sources. In these cases, the presence of water may create the conditions necessary for paranormal activity, possibly by affecting the local electromagnetic fields.

Electromagnetic Fields: The Invisible Force

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are another area of interest in paranormal research. Certain geological features, such as mineral deposits or fault lines, can generate or amplify EMFs, which have been linked to paranormal experiences. High levels of EMFs have been detected at numerous haunted locations, leading to the hypothesis that these fields might attract or even create paranormal phenomena. Sites like Sedona, Arizona, known for its energy vortices, have been hotspots for UFO sightings and spiritual experiences, suggesting that the area's unique geological properties might be influencing these occurrences.

Case Studies: Unearthing the Unknown

To better understand the potential connections between geological features and paranormal activity, it is helpful to examine specific locations where these elements seem to intersect. While some sites are well-known, others are less frequently discussed but equally intriguing.

Bodmin Moor, Cornwall: The Beast and the Earth

Rough Tor in Cornwall, UK, Andy F, Wikipedia

Bodmin Moor in Cornwall is a place rich in local folklore, including sightings of the phantom wildcat known as the Beast of Bodmin. What makes this area particularly interesting is its geological composition. Bodmin Moor sits atop a network of ancient granite formations known to generate unique electromagnetic fields. The combination of these geological features may create an environment conducive to the strange sightings and eerie atmosphere reported in the area.

Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset: Echoes of the Past

Underground lake in the first chamber, Wookey Hole Caves – Wikipedia

The limestone caves of Wookey Hole in Somerset have long been associated with paranormal activity, with tales of a haunted witch and mysterious sounds emanating from the depths. The caves are located near significant underground rivers, and the unique mineral formations within them may contribute to the reported paranormal phenomena. The interaction between the water and the limestone could generate the conditions necessary for these unexplained occurrences, making Wookey Hole a prime example of how geology and the paranormal might intersect.

Hessdalen Valley, Norway: Lights in the Sky

Hessdalen Valley in Norway is known for the mysterious lights that regularly appear in its skies, a phenomenon that has puzzled researchers for decades. The valley’s geological composition, rich in sulphur and iron deposits, may play a role in these sightings. Some theories suggest that the interaction between these minerals and the Earth’s electromagnetic fields could be creating the conditions for these lights to manifest, offering a possible explanation for one of the most enduring mysteries of the region.

Scientific Perspectives: Bridging the Gap

While the connection between geological features and paranormal phenomena remains largely speculative, scientific research provides some intriguing insights. One theory posits that the Earth’s electromagnetic fields, influenced by geological formations, could be responsible for some paranormal experiences. For example, high EMF levels are known to cause symptoms such as feelings of unease, hallucinations, and the sensation of being watched, effects that could easily be mistaken for paranormal activity.

Additionally, the piezoelectric effect, where stress on certain minerals like quartz generates electrical charges, has been suggested as a possible mechanism behind some hauntings. This effect could produce electromagnetic fields that interact with the environment, potentially leading to the types of experiences often reported in haunted locations.

Despite these theories, the scientific community remains divided on the issue. Skeptics argue that psychological factors or environmental conditions are more likely explanations for paranormal reports. However, the possibility of a geological connection continues to intrigue researchers and encourages further exploration into this fascinating field.

Conclusion

The relationship between paranormal hotspots and geological features is a compelling area of study that blurs the lines between science and the supernatural. While definitive proof remains elusive, the correlations between geological factors such as fault lines, underground water sources, and electromagnetic fields with paranormal activity are too significant to ignore.

Whether it’s the UFO sightings along the San Andreas Fault, the mysterious lights over Hessdalen Valley, or the haunting echoes within Wookey Hole Caves, these examples suggest that the Earth itself may play a role in the mysteries that have captivated humanity for centuries. As our understanding of geology and the paranormal continues to evolve, we may one day uncover the truth behind these strange and unexplained phenomena.

In the meantime, the connection between the Earth’s natural features and the paranormal remains an open question, one that invites further research, debate, and perhaps a touch of wonder at the mysteries still hidden in the world around us.

References

Persinger, M. A. (1985). The Earth’s magnetic field and its relationship to paranormal activity: A review. Journal of Parapsychology.

Tandy, V. & Lawrence, T. (1998). The ghost in the machine: An investigation into the relationship between electromagnetic fields and reported hauntings. Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research.

Pease, M. C. (2009). Fault lines and the paranormal: Earth energies in paranormal research. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research.

Harte, J. (2000). Geological anomalies and paranormal phenomena: A study of ley lines and earth energies. Oxford University Press.

Guiley, R. E. (1991). The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits. Facts on File.

Nickell, J. (2012). Tracking the Man-Beasts: Sasquatch, Vampires, Zombies, and More. Prometheus Books.

Radford, B. (2016). Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search for Spirits. Rhombus Publishing Company.

Clark, J. (1998). UFOs in the 21st Century: An Encyclopedia of Extraterrestrial Events. Visible Ink Press.

Precipitation Mediumship – Gifts of the Spirit are in the cards

This article is one of the articles that has been republished since PDN took over the afterlife magazine known as ‘The Otherside Press.” We are delighted to carry on the legacy of TOSP, whish is now part of the PDN family.

From spiritual turmoil to profound healing

December 2007 was the month that my life of spiritual turmoil was powerfully healed. My own little Christmas miracle happened – all due to a 3-inch by 5-inch (7.64 cm by 12.7 cm) index card covered in colored images and names of family members in the Spirit world - Gifts of the Spirit.

You see, I was born into a very conservative Southern Baptist family. My family runs a cattle ranch in rural Texas. The Klu Klux Klan has a history of lynching in that predominantly white community. Local school busing was not desegregated till 1983 (the segregation of the races in schools in the United States occurred in the 1960’s and 70’s.) Even today, the two local Southern Baptist churches are segregated between races, sadly.

My upbringing was strict and full of ‘religious fear – guilt – damnation.’ Rigorous daily Bible reading and recitation was expected. Adhering to church teachings was paramount; otherwise Satan would begin to influence your life. Interestingly, all those mysterious and miraculous stories in the Bible ‘only happened in those days’ and ‘only Jesus’ could do such things. All the other characters were conveniently ignored.

Fast forward to 2007. I came across the Metaphysical Chapel of South Florida and immediately found their spiritual and metaphysical teachings to resonate with all of my being as Truth. As I was reigniting my desire for a relationship with God and Spirit again, I was seriously struggling to let go of my conservative Christian upbringing and step into a world of psychic phenomena and mediumship as a Metaphysician. Everything this church was teaching was ‘of the devil and sinful.’ I was emotionally and spiritually torn as to whether I should stay with what my heart and soul told me was true or to flee from what my mind (full of conservative Christian dogma) told me was ungodly and sinful.

How silk precipitation occurs

December 2007 marked my six month presence at the Metaphysical Chapel and the Senior Minister recognized my research, writing and speaking skills. I was asked to research, write and deliver my first sermon on the metaphysical interpretation of the birth of Jesus at Christmas time. Honestly, I was quite nervous and unsure about doing such a thing, as I was not even in seminary and nor could I see myself as a minister in the future.

About the same time, our minister shared with me several stories of attending séances with Rev. Hoyt Z. Robinette – an outstanding physical / mental medium from Camp Chesterfield (Indiana, USA), who was widely known for his Precipitation (card writing) Mediumship – similar to the Bangs Sisters. She showed me some 20 small index cards and a few square ‘silk precipitation’ pieces she received during multiple séances over the years. (The material is a type of polyester that feels like silk and is sold as ‘SLK’).

Silk precipitation occurs through Spirit laying down colored writing inks via precipitation onto the blank, white, silk pieces held at solar plexus chakra by each sitter in total darkness. Images of faces and bodies of Spirit persons and sometimes animals, appear on these precious silks.

Our minister further explained that cards were also presented in their store-bought plastic wrapper and shared with all guests to validate their being unmarked, and to personally energize them with one’s own energies to be used by Spirit in the precipitation process. Rev. Hoyt would empty his tightly woven ‘snake basket’ of its numerous coloring media (crayons, markers, pens, colored pencils and oil pastels) to show how nothing was inside.

When everyone returned their charged card, the medium began to layer the basket like a lasagna with a handful of coloring media, some blank cards, more media, more cards, till the basket was full. The basket lid created a ‘darkened cabinet’ space within which Spirit could work, rapidly materializing images and writings upon the cards through precipitation.

Skeptical thoughts ran through my logical, scientific mind

I didn’t believe it was possible or real. After all, my parents and upbringing had taught me to believe such a thing was not possible. Skeptical thoughts ran through my logical, scientific mind: “Okay, hold up. What the heck? Oh, no. This poor minister was clearly scammed. It’s a magic trick. I feel so bad for her!”

Coincidently, my minister told me Rev. Hoyt was in town and would be offering such a séance soon, and I should go. I was unsure but decided to sign up to witness and prove to myself it was fake.

It was a Friday that I finished my first sermon writing project and turned it into my minister. She wished me well in my first séance experience. The next day, I felt nervous and cautious as I showed up at the location. Rev. Hoyt entered the room and began his introductions t0 25 seated guests.

I must reiterate my state of mind at this time in my life. I was terribly conflicted both emotionally and spiritually over the fact that I was now attending this metaphysical church with all its psychic and spiritualist teachings which I had fallen in love with. I had found what felt familiar and like home. I was seriously struggling to replace my southern Baptist beliefs with the Truth teachings of this new church. I wanted to believe that God was not upset with me but feared I was ‘dining with the devil’ and being misled. I was heartbroken, confused and ready to walk (well, run!) away from the Metaphysical chapel towards a more traditional and familiar God.

Letters to Spirit

Back to my séance. Rev. Hoyt handed out blank, small pieces of paper called ‘billets’ – basically ‘Letters to Spirit’ – upon which we wrote three names of loved ones or guides in Spirit we hoped to hear from and one question for Spirit to answer. We charged our billets with our own energies prior to folding them and dropping them into a basket. Rev. Hoyt taped his eyes closed and blindfolded his eyes with a night mask, which he then covered with a handkerchief (some US mediums place a solid silver dollar over their eyes before taping).

How bizarre he looked! I thought to myself, “Clearly the props for a magician!”

And off he went into his demonstration. He started fumbling through the basket of billets and as he grabbed one and held it up, he stated he had begun to hear names being called out to him from the Spirits around him. (Rev. Hoyt is a true clairaudient medium, able to hear Spirits speaking to him.) He would share several names in a row and a guest would quickly yell out, “It’s for me! Hi, mom! I love you mom!” Many tears and much laughter would ensue.

I was sure he was somehow looking out from under the three layers of eye coverings tightly applied to read those billets.

Oh my God! Is he talking to MY grandmother?

But then I heard him speak about a grandmother from a farm with lots of cattle and she had massive vegetable gardens she loved to work in. He said, “She’s telling me she had a man’s name. Like Sam, Sam, Samm-ie… Sammie.”

I thought, “Oh my God! Is he talking to MY grandmother?”

He said, “She is calling out for Kevin. Who is Kevin here?”

I spoke up with tears in my eyes and a huge lump in my throat. A powerful message ensued from her through the medium: “I’m so proud of you! And this new church you’ve found, I like it! I’m learning about mediumship with you.”

I was shocked! My grandmother was a very conservative southern Baptist lady and yet she didn’t condemn me and my new church or the mediumship. How odd and how inspiring to me!

Rev. Hoyt then said, “Now, I’m not being cute because it’s Christmas time but you have Father Joseph and Mother Mary around you today and they are telling me it’s due to a special project you are working on. Does that make sense?”

I was shocked! Not one person at this event knew anything about me. How did he know this? I began to shake nervously. I was very uneasy with this strange Spirit experience pushing further towards even higher strangeness. How did he know about my sermon that I had just completed less than 24 hours prior?

He continued sharing a message from these two saintly souls: “They tell me they are very happy with the spiritual path you are now on, this new church and to not be concerned with what others think of your spiritual beliefs. You don’t have to stay there but know that if you do, you will be able to help thousands.”

Rev. Hoyt said they had a gift for me

Rev. Hoyt said they had a gift for me and they were working on it. It was going to be my Christmas miracle – a likeness of themselves on a card. I was blown away and in shock. My pressing life issue of staying with or leaving my church had just been transformed. I felt a new and rare state of peace and happiness that had not been in my life for a long time. And to now know that not only did my precious grandmother approve of my new religious and spiritual practices that included healing and mediumship, but Mother Mary and Father Joseph (otherworldly Beacons of Light from my hellish childhood) also approved.

As the séance came to a close, the medium’s spirit basket was opened by two randomly chosen first-time guests. They removed one stunningly beautiful card after another, interspersed with several untouched blank cards and all 25 guests received a precipitated card. The whole affair lasted for about 45 minutes, so one would presume the time needed by Spirit to precipitate both sides of each card was approximately two minutes each - one minute per side.

The front of the cards contains ‘writing’ that includes names of loved ones, guides and teachers in the spirit world. One’s own name or initials are even written by Spirit to help identify your own card – what fun! I even experienced Spirit writing my legal family name that I rarely use in public. Rev Hoyt considers the back side of his cards as the ‘bonus side’ as they hold an image personally chosen and created by spirit specifically for the recipient.

Spirit writings are fairly common occurrences

In the US, this precipitation phenomena is often termed as ‘Card Writing’ Mediumship and has been around in one form or another since the mid-1900’s. Precipitation is defined as a substance that falls out of solution. Think snow, ash, rain and hail. In regards to this article, the colored media are dematerialized, taken into the ethers by Spirits, who then return the colored ‘matter’ and intelligently precipitate writing and images onto the index cards being used by medium.

Spirit writings are fairly common occurrences even in today’s many physical séances worldwide. Two of several ancient examples of said ‘spirit writing’ precipitation phenomena were the Ten Commandments and also the hand that appeared in King Belshazzar’s temple in Babylon and wrote upon the wall in an unknown tongue.

Being that the phenomena is termed ‘card writing’, the front of Rev. Hoyt’s cards contain the ‘writing’ that include names of loved ones, guides and teachers in the Spirit world around you in support. One’s own name or initials are even written by Spirit to help identify your own card – how fun!

I have experienced Spirit writing my legal family name that I rarely use in public – using it in a joking way such that on one day, they’d write it out and the next séance, they’d leave it off and replace it with “…”. The backside of Rev. Hoyt’s cards are considered by him as the ‘bonus side’ as it holds an image personally chosen and created by Spirit for the recipient. Often, such images are understood and important to the recipient.

I am reminded of my favorite saying by Jesus, ‘With God all things are possible.’ And setting one’s heart towards the intention of such Gift of the Spirit and ability will most certainly manifest in one’s future reality.

Transformative and healing potential of Spirit art forms

Precipitation Art is one of the ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ (Bible, 1st Corinthians 12) being expressed across this planet. Other art forms include:

∞ Inspirational Art (conscious)
∞ Automatic Art (conscious & an effect of mediumship)
∞ Painting Mediums (entranced)
∞ Direct Art (an effect of mediumship)

And while this phenomena can be fun and entertaining to experience, what matters most is the true transformative and healing potential this form of physical mediumship can have for those who experience it. Imagine being able to take home physical evidence that you are surrounded and totally supported spiritually by your loved ones and Spirit guides.

My life was transformed and healed due to this very rare form of mediumship. I am forever indebted to Spirit and will work the rest of this life serving Spirit and sharing the reality of not only the beautiful expressions of the various Gifts of Spirit but the Golden Truth… There is no death. Life continues on.

Spirit Art Examples

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