Jock Brocas is a spiritual author and teacher with books published internationally. Jock is also the president of the charity organization assmpi and works tirelessly to he others develop spiritually and live a more rewarding life. Join Jock Brocas on a spiritual journey.
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Standing sentinel over the Kent town of Hythe, St Leonard's Church is a testament to centuries of faith and history. Its imposing structure, a blend of Norman and Early English styles, hints at a rich past. Yet, within its walls lies a more unexpected story; a silent congregation of bone, housed in the largest and most well-preserved ossuary in Britain. This article delves into the intriguing history of St Leonard's Church. There is a particular focus on the enigmatic crypt and the ongoing quest to understand the lives it holds within its skeletal embrace.
A Church Steeped in History
The origins of St Leonard's Church remain shrouded in some mystery. Historical evidence suggests a Saxon foundation, possibly as early as the 10th century. However, the earliest documented record dates back to 1090. A time when a Norman church dedicated to Saint Leonard, the patron saint of prisoners, stood on the site. The Normans, known for their architectural prowess, likely constructed the core of the present-day church.
Over the centuries, St Leonard's underwent several extensions and modifications. The 13th century saw the addition of the chancel, a key architectural element that would become intricately linked to the church's unusual crypt. Furthermore, this period also coincided with a growing trend of building charnel houses – dedicated spaces to store exhumed bones from overflowing cemeteries.
Unveiling the Crypt: A Repository of the Past
Descending a narrow staircase, visitors to St Leonard's Church encounter a sight both captivating and unsettling: the ossuary. Nevertheless, unlike traditional crypts, this space is not a subterranean chamber but an above-ground room built as part of the 13th-century chancel extensions. Lined with shelves along its four arched bays, the ossuary holds an estimated 2,000 skulls and a staggering 8,000 thigh bones.
The precise reason for creating such a repository is open to debate. One theory suggests it served a practical purpose – as a charnel house, storing exhumed bones from the surrounding churchyard to make space for new burials. Consequently, this practice was quite common in medieval England, though the sheer scale and meticulous arrangement of the Hythe ossuary set it apart.
Another theory proposes a more spiritual significance. During the Middle Ages, memento mori – the contemplation of mortality – was a prevalent theme in religious thought. The ossuary, with its stark display of human remains, could have served as a powerful reminder of death's inevitability and the importance of living a righteous life.
The Whispers of the Skulls: Unveiling Identities
The origins of the individuals represented in the ossuary remain a subject of ongoing research. Radiocarbon dating has confirmed that the bones date primarily to the medieval period, ranging from the 12th to the 15th centuries. This timeframe coincides with a period of significant population growth in Hythe, a bustling port town.
A closer examination of the skulls reveals intriguing details. Several exhibit signs of trepanation, a surgical procedure involving the drilling of a hole in the skull. While the exact reasons for trepanation in these cases remain unclear. It was a practice employed for various ailments, ranging from headaches to epilepsy.
The meticulous arrangement of the bones, with skulls placed on shelves and long bones stacked in the central bay, suggests a degree of respect and order. This careful organization, along with the sheer volume of remains, hints at a systematic collection process over an extended period.
Modern Research and the Untold Stories
In recent years, advancements in archaeological and forensic techniques have opened new avenues for understanding the lives represented in the ossuary. Researchers have begun analyzing the bone structure and chemical composition to glean information about diet, health, and even geographical origins of the individuals.
Isotope analysis, for instance, can reveal dietary patterns based on the presence of specific elements absorbed through food. Such research could shed light on the socioeconomic diversity of the population buried at St Leonard's and whether the ossuary contained remains from across the social spectrum.
DNA analysis, while a complex undertaking on such aged remains, holds the potential to unlock even more profound insights. It could reveal genetic relationships between individuals and potentially provide clues about migration patterns and disease prevalence in medieval Hythe.
Conclusion
The Hythe ossuary serves as a powerful reminder of the impermanence of life and the enduring power of human curiosity. Standing as one of Britain's most well-preserved repositories of the past, it presents a unique opportunity to delve into the lives of a medieval community.
The ongoing research into the origins and identities of the individuals housed within the ossuary promises to unveil a wealth of information. This knowledge has the potential to not only illuminate the specific history of Hythe but also shed light on broader social, dietary, and health practices of medieval England.
References:
Parish of St Leonard, Hythe. "The history of St Leonard's church." The Parish of St Leonard, Hythe, www.slhk.org. Accessed July 9, 2024.
Brown, Peter. Medieval Charnel Houses and Ossuaries in England. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
Thomas, Anne. Sacred Bones: The Spiritual Significance of Ossuaries. Routledge, 2021.
“I was suddenly transported to a historical biblical scene that took place 3,480 years ago and consciously found myself in a tent in a hot, arid desert...”
The laws of psychic science have never changed
Mediums are the communication link between the physical and spirit worlds and are said to ‘walk in two worlds’, which is an accurate metaphor. I attended a demonstration of trance mediumship with Robin Hodson, who entered into a deep trance state, allowing his Spirit guide, Jacob, to speak through him.
Jacob’s ‘lecture’ provided profound insights into the process of death and he also invited questions from the audience, stipulating that they must be philosophical and relate to all people. Anyone who had a question was asked to come to the front of the room and sit next to the entranced medium so the questioner ‘would be in his energy’. I was awed that every answer Jacob gave was profoundly personal, addressing specific details of each person’s life and providing each questioner with counsel, support and even healing.
As I witnessed the deeply engaging questioning process, I was suddenly transported to a historical biblical scene that took place 3,480 years ago and consciously found myself in a tent in a hot, arid desert. Two people sat at the front of the tent and a third person joined them and asked a question. It dawned on me that I was observing what transpired in Moses’ meeting tent, an event documented in the Bible in Exodus chapter 33, and that I was standing in two different time periods, one in 2018 and the other in 1462 B.C. [1]
This unique experience did not surprise me, because I learned early in my education of mediumship in the Bible: “The laws of psychic science have never changed. What happened in Biblical times can still happen today, under suitable conditions.”[2] A sudden burst of emotion brought my focus back from the Biblical scene to the hotel meeting room and I immediately knew that I had just experienced a holy communion with a highly evolved Spirit. Then I heard a voice in my head reciting a Bible verse: “And Moses took the Tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the Congregation.”
The realization that I had walked in two time periods caused deep emotion and resonance with the intensity of the divine energy that Jacob transmitted in the room. But at the same time, this unique experience did not surprise me because I learned early in my education of mediumship that: The laws of psychic science have never changed. What happened in Biblical times can still happen today, under suitable conditions.
252 Translations of the Old Testament
I recognized the first half of the 7th verse in chapter 33 of the book of Exodus as it is written in the King James Bible [KJV]. The name of the Tabernacle, מוֹעֵד אֹהֶל/'ohelmow`ed, varies in the 252 translations of the Old Testament I studied. Bible translators created 48 different variations to translate the Hebrew phrase. I will discuss only 2 of them in this article.
While KJV used the phrase Tabernacle of the congregation, THB used the phrase Tent of Appointed Meeting;[3] which is a direct literal translation of the Hebrew words. THB is also psychically correct because it is essential for a medium who wants to work with Spirit on a regular basis, to fix an appointment with Spirit.
The other psychically accurate translation which described what I was witnessing in that hotel meeting room with Jacob was ETHJ’s phrase: Tabernacle of theHouse of Instruction.[4] Listening to Jacob speak was identical to attending a college professor’s lecture. Jacob’s subject was death, and he instructed us not only about the process but what one experiences during and after the transition from the physical world into the Spirit World. It was indeed highly instructive with unique information not found in any book.
I heard then the voice recite the second half of verse 7 of chapter 33 in the book of Exodus: “And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.”[KJV]. During my study of the second half of verse 7, I discovered the Hebrew verb בָּקַשׁ/baqash that KJV translated as sought, was translated 30 different ways in the 252 translations of the Old Testament. Many of these variations described a person asking a question.
Here are just three that would fall into that category. NIrV used the phrase to ask a question.[5] ARATO used the phrase seeking instruction.[6] CEB used the phrase wanted advice.[7] These three translations accurately described what I witnessed in the hotel meeting room that day, which is the modern version of the Biblical מוֹעֵד אֹהֶל/'ohelmow`ed.
Gifts of the Spirit
Imagr: Falco, Pixabay
Both Biblical and modern-day people asked Spirit a question and received a personalized answer; an answer specifically tailored to that person’s experiences and needs.
Most Bible translators are uneducated in the Gifts of the Spirit. They ignored Saint Paul’s directive to understand psychic science.[8] It is this lack of understanding that caused errors in translation to appear in Bibles.
For example, the Hebrew verb בָּקַשׁ/baqash is translated as disputes to settle in KNOX,[9] as pray in GRT,[10] and repented in ARATJ.[11] There is a significant difference between asking God a question, repenting and praying to Him. So, why would Bible translators choose the words pray and repented rather than question? Are these Bible translators trying to disguise the fact that one could ask a question and receive an answer from Spirit? Would people start to question: why the ancient Hebrews could have a two-way conversation with God, and 21st-century people are told they cannot?
In Biblical times, people who wanted guidance from Spirit – or as the Bible says to consult[12] or inquire of God,[13] – went to the Meeting Tent. Orthodox religions denied humanity the possibility of divine guidance, after they placed the psychically ungifted priest as the intermediary between God and the people instead of the genuine medium or prophet, as God had intended.[14]
Now we come to the intriguing subject. Who heard the people’s questions and answered them in Moses’ Meeting Tent? 252 translations of the Old Testament provides us with 17 different answers!
Nine Different Names For God
In the Hebrew Torah, God’s name is unpronounceable because it is written using four consonants יהוה and no vowels. Perhaps this was intentional, so no one could invoke God’s name to perform “self-focused deeds.” Therefore, in the Jewish tradition יהוה is pronounced Adonai, but there is no association between the sound of Adonai and the written letters יהוה.
Here are 9 of the Bible translators’ names for God: Adonai,[15] Ever-Living,[16] God,[17] Hashem (literal translation is the name),[18] Jehovah,[19] the Eternal,[20] the Lord,[21] Yahweh,[22] YHVH.[23]
Many people believe the Bible is the direct word of God, a book without error or contradiction, and has remained unaltered through the centuries. We have seen the error of this statement, with the extensive assortment of variations in the English translation of Hebrew words, even including the name of God.
Readers of this article may begin to question why I interchange the words God and Spirit. In my 43 years of experience with mediumship, I accepted long ago that when the Bible used the phrase “the Lord,” it did not refer to “the Almighty God, the creator of the universe.” It referred to a Spirit person.
In Biblical times, when Prophets or Mediums addressed the invisible entity who spoke to them, they used the phrase “the Lord” as a sign of respect. It is similar to when a common person in England addressed an aristocrat using the term your Lordship, 200 years ago. The Bible proves the validity of this concept. Jesus taught: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. [KJV].”[24]
What Did Jesus Really Say?
However, the KJV (King James Version) is NOT a precise translation of what Jesus said. According to the Greek New Testament circa 90–110A. D.,[25] Jesus said, “πνεῦμα ὁ θεός/Spirit is God.”[26] In the Gospel of John in the Latin (Vulgate) translated by St. Jerome and published in 384 A. D.[27] Jesus said, "Spiritus est Deus/Spirit is God."[28] In both Bibles, the word Spirit comes before God.
However, only 4 of the 406 English versions of the New Testament, I have studied, accurately translate precisely what Jesus said. HEIN states A spirit the God is.[29] HORNS states A spirit is God.[30] DIAG states A spirit the God.[31] And PSR states For breath (rúwach) [the Hebrew word for Spirit] is of ’Elohíym [the Hebrew word for God].[32]
We believe that God is omniscient, meaning all knowing, and has a total understanding because He can perceive all things. I witnessed the Spirit Jacob being omniscient, knowing all the personal details of the questioner’s life, who sat in the chair next to him. Remember, Jacob wanted to sit in the questioner’s energy. This energetic contact allowed Jacob access to the memories recorded in the questioner’s soul and thereby enabled Jacob to give highly personal answers.
Jesus The Medium?
Spirit’s knowledge of the intimate details of a person’s life is also found in the Bible. In the Gospel of John chapter 4, as Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, he asked her for a drink of water. The woman gave Jesus her filled water-pot. After he drank from it, and still holding the water-pot, he began to use the Gift of Psychometry. The Spirit working with him, began to tell Jesus specific details about the woman’s life. Jesus then told the woman she had five husbands and was now living with a man she had not married.[33] “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.” [34]
The woman called Jesus a prophet. She unknowingly acknowledged his mediumistic abilities, which allowed him to give personal details about her life.
In July 2000, I spent two days at Harvard’s School of Theology Library, researching 19th century New Testaments. At one point, I decided to take a break and went to the library’s reference section to investigate the etymology of a Hebrew word. After I completed my research for the day, I returned to my hotel room. That evening, a thought entered my mind: “You should have looked up the word you absolutely need to know— קֹדֶשׁ/qodesh (the Hebrew word for holy).”
The next day, I returned to the library and used the same trilingual dictionary, which translated the Hebrew words into German and English. (Hebrew words have a three-consonant root and are in word families.) I was shocked when I read its entry for the Hebrew word קֹדֶשׁ/qodesh /holy whose root קדש/qds.“קדש/qds comes from Ugaritic and has the meaning Heiligtum[35] [German] sanctuary [English], Akkadian qadasu meaning glänzen[36] [German] shine [English].”[37]
Vital Information Missing From Bibles
From this trilingual dictionary, I discovered if something is holy it shines! When a medium such as Robin Hodson goes into a trance state, his energy blends with the Spirit’s energy. Therefore, the medium’s aura or light field that emanates from his soul expands from its usual 18 inches (45.75 cm) from the body to 40 inches (101.6 cm) when the medium is entranced. A clairvoyant will see aura’s light as bright as “being outside on a sunny day.”[38]
This is one of many examples, where the original Hebrew word contains strong psychic meaning. However, Bible translators who lack knowledge of psychic science, or the Gifts of the Spirit, leaves this psychic information behind in the original Hebrew, and never put this psychic information into the text of English language Bibles!
The Biblical and linguistic evidence I have gleaned over the years, are now proved irrefutable: the laws of mediumship are immutable. Not only is Spirit communication possible today, as in Biblical times, but remains a powerful, profound and holy experience.
References [1] Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1977. p. 169. [2] Rev. Carl R. Hewitt, Founder and Pastor of Gifts of the Spirit Church often made this statement from his pulpit. [3]Turner, Gwin. The Heritage Bible: Containing The Old And New Covenants: A Totally New, Literal, and Absolutely Precise Translation Out of the Original Tongues. Los Angeles, CA: The Cathedral University, Publisher, 2003. p. 156. [4] Etheridge, John Wesley. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziël on the Pentateuch. Genesis and Exodus. Vol. 1. London Longman, Green & Roberts, 1862. p. 422. [5] New International Reader’s Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. p. 119. [6] Grossfeld, Bernard. The Aramaic Bible: Targum Onqelos to Exodus. Vol. 7. Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, 1988. p. 92. [7] Aaron, Charles. Common English Bible. Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011. p. 50. [8] 1 Corinthians 12:1. [9] Knox, Ronald. The Holy Bible. New York: Sheed & Ward, Inc., 1944. p. 80. [10] [The Great Bible] Whitchurch, Edward & Grafton, Richard. The Bible. 1540. Exodus 33:7. Unpaged. [11] McNamara, Martin. The Aramaic Bible: Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Exodus. Vol. 2. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1994. p. 256. [12] Bishops’ Committee of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. New American Bible. Washington, D. C.: The Catholic Press, Publishers, 1970. p. 65. [13] Fenton, Ferrar. The Holy Bible in Modern English. NY: Oxford University Press (American Branch), 1922. p. 86. [14] Jeremiah 7:25-26. [15] Stern, David H. Complete Jewish Bible. Clarksville, MD: Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. 1998. p. 98. [16] Fenton, Ferrar. The Holy Bible in Modern English. NY: Oxford University Press (American Branch), 1922. p. 86. [17] Hirsch, Samson Raphael. The Pentateuch: Translated and Explained by Samson Raphael Hirsch; Rendered into English by Isaac Levy. Vol. 2 Exodus. 2nd ed. Gateshead: Judaica Press, Ltd., 1989. p. 634. [18] Scherman, Nosson. Tanach: The Torah/Prophets/Writings, Stone Edition Tanach. Brooklyn, NY: Mesorah Publications, 1996. p. 221. [19] Bate, Julius, Rev. A New and Literal Translation from the Original Hebrew of the Pentateuch of Moses. London: W. Faden ; B. Law ; E. and C. Dilly ; and Mess. Faden and Jefferys, 1773. p. 130. [20] Ray, John Mead. A Revised Translation and Interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures. London: G. Robinson and Co., 1799. Exodus 33:7. Unpaged. [21] Tyndale, William. Tyndale’s Old Testament: Being the Pentateuch of 1530. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1992. p. 134. [22] Rotherham, Joseph Bryant. The Emphasized Bible: A New Translation. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1967. p. 117. [23] Hurt, John. Sacred Name King James Bible, 2001. http://www.sacrednamebible.com/ [24] John 4:24 [KJV]. [25] "Gospel of John." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Aug. 2018. Web. 02 Sept. 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_John. [26] Marshall, Alfred. The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament: The Nestle Greek Text with a Literal English Translation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1978. p. 371. [27] "Vulgate." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Aug. 2018. Web. 02 Sept. 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulgate#Translation. [28] Hollybushe, Johan. The New Testament Both in Latin and English. Southwarke: James Nicolson, 1538. John 4:24. Unpaged. [29] Herman Heinfetter. A Literal Translation of the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 6th ed. London: Evan Evans, 1863. p. 151. [30] Horner. Coptic Version of the New Testament: in the Southern Dialect. Vol. 3 Gospel of S. John. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1911. p. 53. [31] Wilson, Benjamin. Dr. The Emphatic Diaglott. Brooklyn, NY: The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1942. p. 310. [32] Pure Scriptures for the Remnant. 2010. [http://www.yahuwshua.org/en/mainpage.htm]. [33] John 4: 16-18. [34] John 4:16-19 [KJV]. [35] Heiligtum means sanctuary, church or shrine according to: Jones, Trevor, Ed. The Oxford-Harrap Standard German-English Dictionary. Vol 2 F-K. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1977. p. H-33. [36] Glänzen means to shine (of hair, fabric, leather, metal, etc.), to be shiny, glossy, glow according to: Jones, Trevor, Ed. The Oxford-Harrap Standard German-English Dictionary. Vol 2 F-K. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1977. p. G-99. [37] Köhler, Ludwig. A Dictionary of the Hebrew Old Testament in English and German.A Dictionary of the Aramaic Parts of the Old Testament in English and German. Leiden, Holland: Brill, 1953. p. 825. [38] See: Schwartz, Sidney & Rev. Carl R. Hewitt. Crossovers: The Origin of Homosexuality Revealed. North Charleston, SC: Createspace, 2014. p. 287-290.
The R101 airship disaster of 1930 is not just a story of aviation gone wrong, but a tale with overtones of the supernatural. Beyond the technical failures and human errors, the involvement of renowned Irish medium Eileen Garrett and esteemed paranormal investigator Harry Price has given the tragedy an aura of mystery. As early as 1926, Garrett, who had displayed psychic abilities from a young age, began having vivid premonitions of an airship disaster over London, warning of fire, smoke, and an impending tragedy. Her warnings, however, went unheeded by aviation authorities. This article delves into the eerie events leading up to the crash, the séances that followed, and the lingering spirits that continue to interest paranormal researchers.
The British Airship Industry: A Tale of Two Airships
The R100, completed first by a private company, Vickers, was relatively successful. It embarked on a maiden voyage to Canada in 1930, demonstrating a degree of reliability and operational success. The R100's construction emphasized private innovation and was led by a team including the notable Barnes Wallis, later famous for his role in designing the bouncing bomb during World War II. The R100's successful transatlantic flight showcased the potential of airships for long-distance travel and raised expectations for their future use.
In contrast, the R101 was primarily a government-funded venture, representing a significant investment in state-sponsored engineering. This airship was intended to surpass the R100 in size and capability, symbolizing British technological prowess. However, the R101 project was marred by political pressure, design compromises, and rushed timelines. The government's involvement aimed to demonstrate national strength and innovation, but it ultimately highlighted the pitfalls of bureaucratic interference in technical endeavors.
The R101 Airship: A Vision of Grandeur Turned Tragic
The R101 was envisioned as an ambitious project that would showcase British engineering prowess and help connect the vast British Empire through luxurious air travel. Stretching over 730 feet and filled with more than 5 million cubic feet of flammable hydrogen gas, the enormous airship promised to revolutionize long-distance transportation with unparalleled speed and comfort.
However, the development of the R101 was beset with challenges from the start. Its design incorporated diesel engines instead of petrol to reduce fire risks, but this made the engines heavier, requiring the addition of an extra central segment to increase hydrogen lift capacity. This compromise was one of many unsatisfactory solutions adopted during the airship's construction.
Other issues like insufficient engine power, faulty elevator controls, and miscalculated weight loads also raised concerns among engineers about the R101's airworthiness. Despite technical advisories to delay the maiden flight until these problems could be properly addressed, there was immense political pressure from officials like Lord Thomson, the Secretary of State for Air, to launch on schedule.
Anxious to showcase Britain's airship ambitions, Thomson insisted the R101 depart for India as planned on 4 October 1930, with him aboard as a passenger. This pivotal decision to prematurely launch the flawed airship, against expert recommendations, set the stage for the upcoming catastrophe over France less than 24 hours later.
So while the R101 embodied the grand visions of a globe-spanning British airship fleet, its rush to operation despite clear design faults and inadequate testing foreshadowed the tragedy that would unfold on its very first voyage.
The Crash Site: A Scene of Tragedy
The R101's ill-fated journey came to a tragic end in the early hours of 5 October 1930, when the airship crashed near the village of Allonne, close to Beauvais in northern France. The airship encountered severe weather, and combined with its inherent design flaws, this led to its catastrophic descent. Upon crashing, the R101 burst into flames, fuelled by the vast quantities of hydrogen it carried. Of the 54 people on board, only six survived the inferno. The crash site became a scene of horror and tragedy, with debris scattered over a wide area and the remains of the airship smoldering amidst the French countryside.
Eileen Garrett: The Medium with Premonitions
Eileen Garrett, born in 1893 in Ireland, was a renowned medium known for her psychic abilities such as seeing auras, out-of-body experiences, and communicating with spiritual entities she called "controls" named Uvani and Abdul Latif. Despite a difficult childhood marked by family tragedies and questions about her sanity, Garrett persisted in exploring her gifts.
Prior to the R101 crash, Garrett experienced vivid premonitions warning of the impending tragedy on three separate occasions in 1926, 1928, and 1929. Although her warnings about an airship disaster over central London were not heeded at the time, they gained significance in the aftermath of the horrific event.
Harry Price's Initial Involvement
Two days after the devastating R101 crash, renowned paranormal investigator Harry Price organised a séance with the specific aim of attempting to contact the spirit of the recently deceased Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Price had arranged this séance at the National Laboratory of Psychical Research in London with Eileen Garrett as the medium, ostensibly to allow journalists to interview Conan Doyle's spirit.
However, the séance took an entirely unexpected turn when Garrett instead channelled the voice of Flight Lieutenant H. Carmichael Irwin, one of the R101's crew members who perished in the disaster. Unbeknownst to Garrett, her trance state gave way to Irwin's spirit rather than Conan Doyle's, and the séance was overtaken by astonishingly specific technical details about the issues that had brought down the airship.
The voice channelled through Garrett provided an array of startlingly accurate information, including details about the R101's insufficient engine capacity, elevator malfunctions, incorrect weight calculations, and even a reference to the ship nearly "scraping the roofs at Achy" a tiny hamlet close to the crash site unlikely to be known to the medium. For 40 minutes, Irwin's spirit seemed to communicate a wealth of insider knowledge about the disaster through Garrett.
Price, a famously skeptical investigator, meticulously documented the session, realizing the profound implications if this truly represented communication from one of the victims. The technical accuracy of the information imparted appeared to be beyond Garrett's conscious knowledge at the time.
The Séances and Supernatural Encounters
Following the initial séance, Garrett continued to conduct sessions where she claimed to communicate with the spirits of the R101 victims, often in the very Cardington hangar in Bedfordshire where the doomed airship was built. These séances were marked by a pervasive sense of dread and encounters with restless spirits expressing frustration and sorrow, and also asking to be left alone, suggesting the souls of the lost crew and passengers were not at peace.
Harry Price's Continued Investigation
Price, known for his rigorous approach, was initially skeptical but became impressed by the startling technical accuracy of Garrett's mediumship. Experts like John Charlton from the Royal Airship Works concluded it seemed Captain Irwin himself had communicated through Garrett, providing around 40 references indicating confidential, first-hand knowledge of the R101 that she could not have known.
The Parapsychological Studies
Garrett's abilities garnered significant interest from the scientific community. In the 1950s, she helped establish the Parapsychology Foundation in New York, which conducted extensive research into her mediumship and psychic phenomena. In 1957, Jungian psychologist Dr. Ira Progoff analyzed Garrett's trance sessions and offered an interpretation that her "spirit controls" were not separate entities, but rather "symbolic forms of dramatization" representing deep "principles of life." However, for witnesses privy to the specificity of her communications, a spiritual explanation remained plausible.
Legacy and Ongoing Mysteries
The R101 disaster had a profound impact on British airship development, prompting critical safety reforms. The alleged supernatural accounts raised deeper questions about life after death and spirit communication. While some dismissed these stories as superstition, others believed that the voices from beyond the grave provided valuable insights into the tragedy.
Researchers like Price meticulously documented Garrett's mediumship, lending credibility to her abilities. The lasting allure of the R101's haunting tales ensures the story continues to captivate those seeking answers about the disaster's causes and the possibility of an afterlife.
Conclusion
The R101 disaster is more than a historical footnote; it's a tale of human ambition, technical shortcomings, and inexplicable voices from the other side. As we remember the crew and passengers lost, we're reminded that some mysteries defy rational explanations. The haunting of the R101 serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and curiosity about the great unknowns that lie beyond our perception.
Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the story of the R101 and the prophetic visions and mediumistic communications surrounding it continue to captivate and mystify. The voices and premonitions associated with the disaster have secured its place not just in aviation history, but in the annals of the paranormal, ensuring that its legacy lives on, both in tangible fact and the realm of the inexplicable.
Sources:
"Eileen Garrett and the World Beyond the Senses" by Allan Angoff
"Harry Price: The Psychic Detective" by Richard Morris
Mediumship has enjoyed remarkable growth in the recent decades. More people are realizing the importance of real evidential mediumship in helping those who are suffering start the healing process. In reality though, everyone you meet these days is a medium. Many people don't really know what mediumship is or its long and diverse history. They rely on what they see in the media.
They believe they can save and heal people, but it's not true. What they think is evidential mediumship is not, and they call themselves evidential mediums, not really understanding what constitutes evidential mediumship. We then settle for poor standards and accept psychic intuition as spirit communication, and they are not communicating with spirit in any way. The communication is not flowing, consistently poor and has no pattern of an evidential story.
We cannot believe that what we see in the media constitutes the real story of mediumship. One person may have a little intuitive insight and wrongly think they are in communication. More now than ever, there is a real need to understand the process of mediumship and what constitutes good, supporting evidence. The lack of real evidence is just cannon fodder to our skeptical brethren, and who could blame them? If we are to stand any chance of being accepted as a legitimate practice, science or dare I say even a spiritual based philosophy, then there must be a certain standard of evidence that is easily accepted. However, there is a caveat and that may have to be the content of a part 2 “One persons’ evidence is another’s failure.”
Recognizing Evidential Mediumship
There are many self-proclaimed psychic mediums out there who do not understand the values of evidential mediumship or what constitutes evidence, and who, unknowingly, often read the auric energy, and talk in general terms about life issues and personality traits, rather than give real, valuable evidence.
I am not suggesting this is fraud, as the individual may be well-meaning and slightly ignorant of the mechanics of mediumship. Consequently, those experiencing the reading remain unaware and untrained, and do not understand what constitutes real evidence from a communicating spirit. So the sitter is more likely to accept certain validations as fact when in reality, they are rather general, including descriptions and personalities that could fit almost anyone, unless it was something unusual.
Our Rich History In Mediumship
Communicating with the other side has existed for thousands of years within tribes and varied cultures. The history of mediumship is rich with characters whose mediumship has even changed the course of history. In fact, most people think that spiritualism started with the Fox Sisters, but in reality, it was going on way before that. There have been many remarkable mediums in the past who shaped the history of spiritualism.
Leonora Piper
One of the most remarkable mediums of her time was Leonora Piper, whose level of evidence was astounding. She was one of the most tested mediums of her time and offered herself as a subject of inquiry for members of the Society Of Psychical Research (SPR). For many years, renowned psychical researchers such as Sir Oliver Lodge and philosopher William James collaborated closely with Leonora. She was able to give veridical evidence of life after death using her mental mediumship and unique ability with deep trance mediumship. Unlike many other mediums of her time, she was never caught in fraud.
Daniel Dunglas Home
Another remarkable medium of his time was Daniel Dunglas Home, who was a Scottish medium that was considered to be one of the finest physical mediums of his time and was witnessed to have levitated many times during séances. Like Piper, Daniel was never found fraudulent even though there were claims of fraud. The claims were often unfounded and the result of 3rd party gossip.
Real Evidential Mediumship
Real evidential mediumship is characterized by the delivery of specific, verifiable information that could not have been known to the medium through ordinary means. This includes details such as names, dates, personal anecdotes, and other precise facts that are unique to the spirit being communicated with. The accuracy of these details often provides comfort and validation to those seeking connection with their loved ones who have passed on. Furthermore, authentic evidential mediums typically demonstrate a consistent ability to produce such evidence across multiple readings and clients, which helps distinguish genuine practitioners from those relying on generalities or cold reading techniques.
Examples Of Communication
Consider the following two messages and identify what you perceive to be the best type of validation:
First Medium: “I have a father figure here, and he is coming around you with a great deal of love. He passed with a heart or chest condition. He is saying that you were very special to him and that you found it difficult when he passed. He is about 5 ft 10 and a bit rotund, wears glasses and smokes, and has a great personality. He says sorry for what you went through and identifies that you stepped up to help the family. You could always wrap him round your finger and that he would give you anything he could. He is strong in stature and looks like a powerful man. Do you understand?”
This message is perceived by many as good, and the sitter feels validated because certain pieces of information have been covered – especially if they are grieving badly and reaching for anything. Due to the sitter’s need to hear the information, they accept it and begin to open up more – offering leading answers that feed the medium such as, “yes he had a heart attack, and I was the one dealing with everything”.
Second Example
The medium confirms that is what they were getting and feels good because they think they have a hit. The reality is that the medium has offered no real evidence for the grieving individual.
Second Medium: I have a male figure coming through with the name Micheal and what sounds like Thompson or Johnson. He says thank you for talking with him when you were walking through the park yesterday and that you thought about him when you stood by the bed of flowers with the statue in the middle. He also says that you were in a store like Macy’s, and you nearly bought a new pair of shoes but changed your mind, placing them back. He often comes around you and notes that he was with you when you were mending the chair that you recently broke in the kitchen. He was trying to tell you how to do it and laughs at your attempt. He mentions the name Mateo or a name that sounds like this, and also I have to give you Anaheim road or place. Can you understand this? He also tells me that you have an anniversary in July and another on the 5th May. He wants to send love to his wife and the name I am given is Mary. He also shows me that you have his watch with you now. Can you accept that?
Validation
If this information is validated by the sitter in its entirety or at least 80%, it would be considered as stronger evidence; even better, if more evidence is given that the sitter can’t validate until much later by a third party. This would suggest the sitter had no knowledge of the imparted information and would have to wait until it was validated by a third party, thus suggesting the information could only have been derived from a communicating entity that previously knew the third party.
Considerations
Obviously, how one delivers this type of message has some bearing on how the evidence is offered, but generally, there should be no questions or assumptions. The medium should be able to give the name or a name that is as close as possible. It is not good practice to throw out a random letter unless the evidence that supports it is overwhelming. Like a jigsaw puzzle or a map, the evidence will be a unique and precise part of a larger story. As human beings, we are built for story telling and its how we communicate and learn. This is no different in the world of spirit. The evidence is often built upon stories that come together to make a cohesive evidence trail.
Inadequately Trained Working Mediums Risk Early Failure
Many inexperienced individuals that claim to be spiritual mediums, choose to work with clients or give public demonstrations long before they are ready, and risk becoming unbalanced very quickly. They get caught up with their own egos and also fall into the trap of feeding from the sitter, jumping on with link stealers and making what they believe is evidence, fit. This has been exemplified by well known mediums in the spotlight who are dismally unprofessional, but got the break because they know someone who knows someone.
This is true in all forms of mediumship. A consequence of media and ignorance of the mechanics, and having never received professional training in delivering messages or etiquette on how to act and work as a professional medium. In these circumstances, failure has a tendency to loom and skeptics lurk like hungry hyenas waiting to pounce on their next meal. Moreover, the damage that can be done to someone who is on a grieving journey is unimaginable.
A Medium’s Responsibility
It is a great responsibility to do the work of a professional medium. Therefore, you should be appropriately prepared and trained to operate within the highest standards possible and know what constitutes good evidence. There are many organizations that exist to test, validate, and investigate mediumship. Organizations such as the Windbridge Institute, ISSMPI and the Forever Family Foundation share a common goal of encouraging professional mediumship standards.
Unfortunately, there are many individuals who remain deluded and do not understand real mediumship nor the mechanics, such as knowing the difference between spirit contact and reading psychic energy. They promote themselves as mediums but have no prior history or training. They have no idea of real mediumship and are often giving misleading or false information. They may well have a good heart and want to help, but just do not have the ability to communicate with spirit.
From time to time, even professional mediums will not be able to communicate consistently. This can be due to personal circumstances, the conditions and the needs of the sitter. However, it is important to recognize real mediumship for what it is.
Take these notes on board when looking for a medium
Always try to identify with a professional medium who has a relevant history and experience.
Check the testimonials. If you have been recommended by someone - even better.
If the medium asks too many questions before the appointment, leave well alone.
Do not feed the medium information.
Check if the medium is involved with professional organizations or has served in spiritualist churches.
If you are not sure, ask if you can approach any of the testimonial authors. If this is possible, the medium should put you in touch with a couple of people who will validate them.
A professional medium should never tell you negative things and if you are faced with someone who tells you that they can sort out your life, bring your lover back or clear a curse – run and run far. Remember there is really no such thing as ‘Best Psychic Mediums’ but there are great evidential mediums to be found.
