Physical mediumship is the process whereby someone, in Spirit, usually known as a spirit operator (as compared to a spirit communicator), works or operates through the mental AND physical energies of the medium and causes something physical to happen on the Earth plane. Physical mediumship is objective in nature; that is, when the phenomena occur, everyone is able to see and/or hear them.
Physical mediumship was more popular in Victorian times and the early twentieth century, although it is still practiced today. Physical mediumship involves the manipulation and transformation of physical systems and energies. The spirit operators can produce physical manifestations of both the entity and psychic energy upon the Earth plane. They may produce physical objects, they may produce ectoplasm that can take the shape of the entity. What it is that actually happens varies with the style of mediumship involved, but the results can be seen and heard by others. Physical mediumship should only be practised in properly controlled environments with the correct supervision and safeguards in place to ensure the safety of the medium.
The energy used by spirit is a lot greater in this form of communication than with mental mediumship. In most cases a medium goes into deep trance (there are different levels of trance) for the spirit to work through them. The spirit will use the mediums body, and it should be stressed here that the medium is not possessed by the spirit and should be in control at all times.
The types of Physical phenomenon usually encountered are Transfiguration, Ectoplasm, "Voice Trumpets", Materialisation and Apports.
Transfiguration
Here the face of a spirit person can be seen on formed over the mediums face. The correct use of lighting is necessary as shadows can appear making people think they have seen someone that really isn’t there. The faces can be very clear at times, with the mediums face completely disappearing.
Direct Voice
Objects called trumpets are used for this type of communication, they are conical shaped objects with holes at both ends. The trumpet is placed in the centre of the circle of people present, when the atmosphere is right for spirit they will make the trumpet float in the air and use it for communication. The sound is created from an artificial throat box formed from ectoplasm and comes from the pointed end of the trumpet.
Trance
This form of mediumship allows the spirit to control the the mediums body for communication. This could mean using not only the voice box but also moving various parts of the body. There are various stages of trance from slight over shadowing to full deep trance where the medium seems to be asleep. Whilst in trance the medium will be aware of spirit around them, and will communicate all that is told to them without interaction of their own thoughts. Deep trance is obviously better for this as the medium is not aware of what is being said by the spirit to those present. The medium should be in no danger if the session is correctly overseen and controlled.
Apports
An Apport is a physical object bought through by spirit usually to the group of people sitting for communication. The objects can be almost anything from flowers, books, jewelry and even money usually coins (usually small denomination values, remember financial wealth is not important to spirit). People do not usually sit for the purpose of bringing apports through, they just happen during a séance or closed circle if the spirit wishes to do so for what ever reason.
