Mediumship and tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Anna	23 Jul 2004
Not sure if this has been asked before, I've had a search but appologies if it has... I'm wondering how other tarot readers handle it if they start to find themselves going into mediumship within thier readings. I'll explain a little about whats been going on for me, and my question should hopefully make a little more sense! I've been aware of the presence of spirit folk around me from a young age, no dramatic or alarming experiences- just an awareness that has come and gone of spirit energy around me. I've also been happily reading and studying tarot since early teenage years. About 18 months ago I found myself in a setting where I was able to discover and develope mediumship. I was realy excited about this at first and things seemed to progress at a fast pace. But then it all got a bit too fast, I was learning to run before I could walk- I hadn't learned grounding tecniques and I was always a little spaced out and headachey, feeling I couldn't say no to giving readings. To be honest, I got quite ill through it. Following some disturbing experiences I had, that were entirely due to the politics of the setting that I was learning within and nothing atall to do with actual mediumship, I became very disillusioned and decided to stop developing alltogether. And I still feel vey strongly about that. I don't want to give spirit messages at this time in my life. In part, I feel guilty that I am rejecting a gift that can bring so much comfort to others. But, I know that its not healthy for me to persue this at this time. Well, at least not in the way that I was taught. And, definatly not feeling the way I am right now about spiritualism. In my day to day life, I feel like I've reattached to the ground. I have only a passing awareness of spirit and I am no longer walking around compleltly open. But, I find that when I sit down to read tarot, I inadvertantly open up whatever it is that I open to recieve mediumship. This frustrates me, because I want to just read tarot. I feel comfortable and safe with tarot, I want to find a method of keeping mediumship out of my readings. And that leads me back to my question...how do other people do this? How do you keep yourself at a psychic level? I am also wondering about other people's experiences of when mediumship comes into a reading. I think I'm hoping for some fresh perspectives and insights. Acctually, I'm not sure what I am hoping for! Its something thats been on my mind, thought it might help to talk about it here. pixie

Ravenswing	23 Jul 2004
CharmingPixie-- Perhaps before reading you might clear a space and set up a protected circle. There are many ways to do this depending on your particular slant on 'reality'.. Even a simple prayer might do... fly well Raven

Anna	24 Jul 2004
Thats a good idea Raven, and thanks :) Something as simple as stating my intention before I begin might work well, or visualising myself in a protective bubble. I've been thinking about this a bit more, and I think a big part of it is that I feel guilty for not wanting to do mediumship. If it happens durring my readings I feel bad about pushing it away. Maybe its a case of having more confidence in the decision I have reached. Feeling guilty is going to weaken whatever methods I use for keeping my readings to tarot only.

MeeWah	24 Jul 2004
CharmingPixie: I am not familiar with mediumship & may have forgotten more than I thought, but check out this site: http://www.psipog.net/activepsy/book2.html#_Toc472931489 Also: http://www.psychics.co.uk/ghosts/psychicprotection.html If ye feel unready, then do not force the self. Being uncomfortable ought to be heeded as that is an important message in itself.

Umbrae	24 Jul 2004
Hey Charming… We’re all wired a tad different, so we all read a little different. You will grow in rates and stages different from others. Sounds to me like you’re doing just fine. But if you want to slow down a tad…get a hunk (about the size to hold comfortably in your hand) of onyx. It’ll help ground you a bit. If you’re grounded – all is good. Just open and let it flow. If you feel ill, it’s because you are not grounded. Usually when ego comes into play (wow I can do this) we become too ‘heady’ and break our ground connection. Now Ravenswing and I agree on many things – but we differ on others (We’re all wired a tad different). I don’t do protective circles. In fact I don’t do protection at all. Don’t believe in it. I believe in taking what the universe gives us…channeling it…and using it. In my belief system – circles of protection are ego based – and do the opposite, cutting us off from the universe of which we are a part. Onyx…Hematite is also good.

SongDeva	24 Jul 2004
I've developed through spiritualism too, and didn't have the experience of the politics and what not. I was able to keep my focus on mediumship and healing. I'm sorry you had such difficulty. I still attend from time to time, and think they are wonderful people, but don't consider myself a spiritualist. I think the label is too confining. You are discovering that it's all the same really...and that focus is important. If you really don't want to approach the mediumship right now, let your guides know..."look, I need a break from this. I don't want to give spirit messages until I say I'm ready again." I think it's necessary to be specific and firm, and no guilt is necessary. You're taking a break, and if it's a gift of yours, you'll perhaps be drawn back to it when it's not bogged down by politics and expectations. I feel guided to tell you that what will help is coming to understand what mediumship is to you. It must be separated out from the agendas of others. Anyway, a suggestion: You may recall that when you are learning mediumship you are encouraged to place your focus "higher" in order to rise out of the psychic level. You might try stating your intention, and then, instead of connecting through the crown chakra, bringing your attention down to the third eye. This will allow you to look out through the psychic level. But one question: who do you think you're talking to/communicating with when you do tarot? Is it not communicating for you, but 'reading' or 'reviewing'? For me, it's contact with my guides and inner self. I did a reading for a wonderful new friend recently, and for the first time (I've been aware of) in a tarot reading, her grandmother came through. We were able to identify her definitely. The whole reading wasn't about communication, the cards gave me info about her life and challenges, and her grandmother just sort of ...was there too. She chimed in and was quite helpful. It was beautiful, and I said, Guides, this is great! In fact, pix, I feel like I don't really need to rely on cards but enjoy them and indulge myself. So, I wonder if continued tarot will exercise your muscles and further help you to move into your own? Meaning, your abilities will feel more natural and particular to who you are, without politics getting in the way. It's in this way that I feel mediumship will come back to you when you are ready (if you decide you want it). I"m not speaking of cards, but through personalization. Hope this was clear. Sd

MeeWah	24 Jul 2004
As Umbrae states, we are all "wired" differently so the approaches & reactions will differ according to the person. Besides Onyx or Hematite, Agates also have grounding qualities. Turquoise seems to work at times as does Quartz, which particularly seems to aid the focus; cystallizes the thoughts. I do not always do grounding per se nor use stones. When I use stones, may be in the form of jewelry; hold a stone or two for a bit prior to commencing to read or run my hands through various stones. Doing so has a calming & focussing effect though most of the time, however, I just go right into a "reading mode".

Anna	24 Jul 2004
Just over a week ago, I found myself in a new age type shop with a crystal jewelery section. I didn't have any intention of spending money that day, but I love the texture and feel of crystals, so I couldn't resist touching them. I came accross a shiney black stone on a black cord and the moment I picked it up it felt right. The shop keeper informed me that it was hematite, which didnt mean much to me, and I've been wearing it around my neck ever since. What an intresting coincidence that both of you, Umbrea and MeeWah should mention it. Ah, but is there such a thing as coincidence?...well, what I can take from this is that I don't need to spend so much time thinking, analysisng and worrying because my intuition is naturally guiding me to find the things I need without my even being aware of it. Trust myself. Thanks Umbrea and MeeWah, I just realised something important there :) SongDeva, thanks so much for what you posted- so many parts of it sparked off the begginings of some new perspectives. It is spiritualism, and not spirit communication, that I'm dissillussioned with and I can realy see why you describe it as a confining label. Quote: I feel guided to tell you that what will help is coming to understand what mediumship is to you. It must be separated out from the agendas of others. I've just got a line from one of my favorite films coming into my head....."people shouldn't believe in 'isms, they should believe in themselves"(Ferris Buller's Day Off)....its simple yet says a great deal to me. The moment I am aware of a spirit person coming close durring a reading, I start automatically going into "describe your communicator, evidence! evidence! evidence!, you have to proove the survival of the personality after death, and you have 7 minutes to do it in!" its all very overwhelming and frustrating. If I can detangle all the rules I've been given from the process, maybe I can discover what I believe and what it might be important to me to say in that situation. Quote: You may recall that when you are learning mediumship you are encouraged to place your focus "higher" in order to rise out of the psychic level. You might try stating your intention, and then, instead of connecting through the crown chakra, bringing your attention down to the third eye. This will allow you to look out through the psychic level So, durring a reading, if I am aware of the walm tingly feeling at the top of my head, all I need do is just to shift the tingle to my forehead. This makes a great deal of sense Song Deva, and will be a very good way to begin my readings. Thanks! Quote: But one question: who do you think you're talking to/communicating with when you do tarot? Is it not communicating for you, but 'reading' or 'reviewing'? Another lightbulb going on in my mind here :D Your right, when I am reading tarot for someone else and I become aware of spirit energy around me, I assume it someone come to communicate with my sitter. I'd forgotten about guides, of course! After I sent them packing a few months ago in a fit of anger *blushing profusely!* I assumed they'd taken me at my word and stayed well away. Oh...and I can feel a hand on my shoulder as I type :) Thank you for sharing the story of your reading for your new friend. I think in a way, that is at the heart of what I needed to hear in posting this question- that there is other ways, other possiblities- I think I needed to find something that I'd lost, and that feels something very simple to do with belief in myself and my path. Sounds like I need to throw away the rule book and rediscover mediumship for myself. SongDeva, that was incredibly helpful, thank you! pixie x

SongDeva	25 Jul 2004
Glad to be of service. Good luck to you. :)

Rain	25 Jul 2004
I'm really not sure why you don't want to accept this...I really think that that is a wonderful way to help people, and I also think that since you have the ability, you definitly have the obligation to help others. No, you may not like it...but life's not all peaches. With great power, comes great responsibility. I hope you don't feel like I'm attacking your opinion in any way...but that's just how I veiw the matter. To say things more clearly...God gave you this beautiful gift, this wonderful blessing for you to lift some of the burdens off of others' shoulders...not to mention the merit you'll receive next life. I honestly feel that you are depriving others of a beautiful experience that you can help them experience...that in itself would bring fulfilment to you. I don't know what you've experienced that has made you shut this out of your life, and in no way am I judging you...but I do hope that you'll reconsider ;)

Anna	25 Jul 2004
Rain, I'm already reconsidering, SongDeva's words have helped me to see things in an totally new way. One of my main reasons for posting this was to have my opinions challenged, and I realy welcome all that you had to say :) Because, and I'll admit it, a part of this is that my ego and my pride have got tangled up in all of this...I'm hurt by the difficult experience I had with the setting I learned in, and like a petulant child I'm stamping my feet and saying "I'm not doing it and nobody can make me!" Never mind the inner child, mine is an inner brat! ;) So I have to start again and learn what mediumship means to me, then maybe I will have something positive to offer that is a positive experience for me too.

Nevada	25 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by CharmingPixie I think a big part of it is that I feel guilty for not wanting to do mediumship. If it happens durring my readings I feel bad about pushing it away. Maybe its a case of having more confidence in the decision I have reached. Feeling guilty is going to weaken whatever methods I use for keeping my readings to tarot only. Just as healthcare workers can burn out, it makes sense that you burned out on medium readings. Remember that you have no responsibility to do this for others. It should be entirely a matter of choice. It's essential that you take care of you first. It's possible that in addition to using a circle, grounding and other such suggestions, which are all valid, you simply need to use an affirmation to reassure yourself that you're harming no one by refraining from doing spirit readings unless and until you decide to allow that energy through. The decision is up to you. Even if you decide to go ahead and do them, it helps to have your feelings about it in the right order and to know you can take a break from it whenever you wish. I've found for this purpose affirmations can be extremely helpful. Nevada

The Mediumship and tarot thread was originally posted on 23 Jul 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.