Glossary of Terms

A

Absent healing - this is where a person or group of people send out thoughts of healing to a person absent from their location, thus the healer  is not in direct contact with the person being healed.

Alpha Rhythm - these waves are slower than beta waves and higher in amplitude. They have a frequency range of 8-18 cycles per second. The alpha wave is predominant during periods of relaxation with eyes closed, or when in deep self introspection. Alpha waves are most associated with meditation, and extra sensory perception.

Altered state - a term used to refer to any state of consciousness, being different that the normal state of consciousness, such as Trance, Hypnosis

Apport - the term aport refers to an object or objects, which are transported from one room or unknown location, into the room where the physical mediumship is taking place. The object or objects can differ in size and shape and are usually of an inanimate nature.

Asport - the opposite of aport, the term aport refers to the location the object(s) has been removed from.

Astral Body - term used to refer to an astral double of the person's physical body, which is believed to be linked to the physical body during astral projection.

Astral projection - term used to describe an out of body experience, when the astral body is linked to the physical body during projection.

Astrology - a practice used to identify how astronomical events (such as planet alignments) are related to events around us. This practice can reveal the sitters personality and possible future occurrences.

Aura - the term used to define the electromagnetic energy field that surrounds all living things. (for further information follow this link AURA

Auragraph - a symbolic representation of a persons aura in a pictorial form

Automatic writing - a state of controlled mediumship, whereby the medium is in a state of trance and thus allows spirit controllers to take control of their hand in order to write a script. (see Trance)

B

Beta rhythm - these are relatively low in amplitude though they are the fastest of the four brain waves, and range in frequency from 15 to 40 cycles per second. The beta wave is associated with the brain being aroused and actively engaged in mental activities. A person in active conversation, orating a speech, or giving a presentation would all be in a predominately beta wave state. There are many external chemicals that can produce a beta wave state; these are stimulants, such as nicotine, caffeine, and amphetamines

Biofeedback - a term for techniques, such as aura cameras, which provide a person with information. In the case of the aura camera, electrical impulses are converted into colour representations of the aura around the person.

C

Chakra -  derived from the Sanskrit word for wheel, as they appear as wheels of rotating energy. Chakras are intersections of vital energy flows present in the ethereal body and in related locations of the physical body.

The Chakras are located along the line of the spinal column and linked into various nerve plexuses, and endocrine glands.

Clairvoyance     This is the ability to see, commonly known as the third eye. This allows the medium to describe what a loved one from the world of spirit looks like. This comes in two forms, firstly being in what is termed subjective, that is to say within the minds eye. Secondly in what is termed objective clairvoyance, whereby the medium or sensitive will be able to view spirit out side of the mind, as they "spirit" move around.

Clairaudience     This is the ability to hear spirit, thus being able to pass on information from your loved ones. This comes in two forms:

Firstly to hear in thought form, this is the most common form of clairaudience, & involves the medium picking up the thought patterns of your loved one in spirit.

Secondly to hear the words physically with the ear itself.

Clairsentience      This is the ability to pick up emotions from your loved ones. It also allows the medium to feel any ailments your loved had, & to generally feel the person who is communicating through the medium. It should be noted that when working primarily with this sense, that the medium can also be perceiving information from the recipient as well as with the spirit communicator.

Communicator - the term given to the person who is communicating through the medium to the person (recipient) in the audience or private sitting

D

Deja Vu - the term given to the effect of seemingly having been to a place or in having experienced something before. However this may be caused by one eye receiving the image slightly ahead of the other eye, thus seemingly having experienced this before.

Delta waves -  these brain waves are of the greatest amplitude, but slowest wavelength, and typically occur around a frequency range of 1.5 to 4 cycles per second. Deep dreamless sleep is associated with the lower end of the delta wave frequency range. When we go to bed and read a book for a short while we are usually in a low beta wave state, but upon putting the book down and turning off the lights our brainwaves slow from beta, through alpha and theta, and finally upon falling asleep are in a delta wave state. People dream in 90 minute cycles when the delta wave frequencies increase into the frequency range of theta waves, active dreaming takes place as well as rapid eye movements. 

Direct Voice - the phenomenon of direct voice requires a highly developed form of physical mediumship. Ectoplasm is supplied via the physical medium and blended with elements supplied by spirit, in this case however; the ectoplasm is used by spirit operators to create an instrument, which is capable of vibrating the surrounding air, to such an extent that a spirit voice can be clearly heard through the physical ear.

Discarnate entity - the name used when referring to people who have passed on to spirit.

Divination - the practice of interpreting signs or symbols (tarot cards, runes) in order to obtain an awareness of future events.

Dowsing - the process of finding water or lost objects by using a pair of L shaped metal rods.

Dream -  During our sleep, we pass into and out of various states of consciousness, ranging from light sleep to one of unconsciousness. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) for instance is an indication of one of these dream states, in which the majority of people report as having had a dream. This is primarily due to REM relating to a lighter state of sleep, and therefore involving the conscious mind to greater extents.  

It is the deeper levels of sleep however, that provide us with valuable insight into our psyche on both an inner and outer level. In the deeper states of sleep, the subconscious mind plays the larger part. The subconscious mind, when inhibited by the onslaught of thoughts from our conscious mind during our day-to-day lives, is allowed to expand as it were and gives voice to our dreams, and fears. 

E

Ectoplasm -  A living substance produced by the physical medium at the cellular level & blended with substances provided by spirit. Because of this, when ectoplasm is being used, it is necessary to have total darkness as in direct voice, or a diffused red light as in transfiguration, materialisations. White light, not necessarily its intensity, but rather its duration can have a detrimental effect on the production of ectoplasm, as well as being harmful to the medium.

Electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) - refers to the recording of voices, raps etc which were not audibly heard by those present.

Etheric Body - also known as the astral body

ESP - an abbreviation for extra sensory perception, such as clairaudience, clairvoyance and clairsentience. Things that occur outside of our normal senses.

F

Fraudulent mediumship act - this refers to the  Passing of Fraudulent Mediums Act removing genuine mediums from the provisions of the Witchcraft Act 1735 and the Vagrancy Act 1824, thereby enabling Spiritualists openly and legally to practise their religion.

Fortune telling - term given to various methods of predicting future events (see divination)

G

Ghost - The dictionary explanation of a ghost is: “apparition of dead person or animal, disembodied spirit, emaciated or pale person; shadow or semblance, secondary or duplicate image". There is however a lot of misconception on the subject of ghosts. Ghosts are merely residual energies which have been permeated into the surrounding furniture, carpets, walls etc; which can then be perceived by a sensitive person; ghosts CAN NOT interact with our surroundings.

H

Haunting - the term given to a place or building that is haunted by a ghost (see ghost)

Healer - refers to a person who has the gift of healing, being spiritual healing,  shamanic healing, or Rieki healing.

Hypnagogic - refers to imagery (dreams) seen whilst falling to sleep

Hypnopompic - refers to imagery (dreams) whilst waking up

Hypnosis - change of consciousness due to suggestibility

I

Intuition - following the gut instinct, first perceptions, butterflies of the stomach, which prove to be correct.

J

K

Levitation - Levitation or table tilting, as it is otherwise known, is were a group of people sit around a table hoping for it to tilt backwards and forwards whilst they recite the alphabet. This way words can be communicated as the table pauses at the required letter. A simple code can be established, to ask questions with two raps for yes and one rap for no. 

Life after death - a belief of the human personality surviving physical death (see Spiritualism)

Lucid Dreaming - a state of dreaming whereby the sleeper can influence and take a certain amount of control over the events happening within the dream

M

Mental mediumship - refers to the part of mediumship whereby the events occur within the mind of the medium, thus they can not be perceived by everyone present as in the case with physical mediumship. Mental mediumship takes the form of clairvoyance, clairaudience and clairsentience

Materialisation - This is one of the most remarkable ways in which spirit are able to prove their existence. With the use of ectoplasm, whish is a living substance & is mainly taken from the body of the medium by spirit. Usually the medium enters a state of deep trance & slowly the ectoplasm begins to flow from the body & take form. The figure produced is constantly linked to the medium by a channel of nourishment, like that of an umbilical chord. The ectoplasmic figure is not consistent with normal physiology but is subject to change under the direction & control of mind. A discarnate spirit may not only materialise its face & form, but also have been known to produce in rapid succession facsimiles of his/her personal appearance at several different periods of earth life, from childhood to that of old age.

Meditation - a state of calmness brought about by listening to music or in a guided mediation whereby the person listens to a tape and follows what is being said, in order to achieve a more  relaxed state of mind.

Medium - Due to a heightened sensitivity, and special facilities, the medium is able to mediate between the material and spiritual worlds of consciousness. A medium like the psychic is able to read emanations from a place or person, though they take the step further by working with the person whilst at the same time working with spirit, a good medium will know on which level they are working

N

Near-Death Experience - this refers to experiences that people have reported whilst in a state of near death. This is normally when in a crisis such as being involved in an accident or whilst on the operating table. (recommended reading - Closer to the light - Melvin Morse MD ISBN 0-394-57944-5)

Numerology - using numbers as a system of divination

O

Orb - this phenomenon has appeared with the advent of the digital camera, it is NOT the first manifestation of spirit.

The image sensor employed by most digital cameras is a charge coupled device (CCD). Some low-end cameras use complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.  The CCD is a collection of tiny light-sensitive diodes, which convert photons (light) into electrons (electrical charge). These diodes are called photosites. In a nutshell, each photosite is sensitive to light, the brighter the light that hits a single photosite, the greater the electrical charge that will accumulate at that site.

The important difference between the lens of a digital camera and the lens of a 35mm camera is the focal length. The focal length is the distance between the lens and the surface of the sensor. The surface of a film sensor is much larger than the surface of a CCD sensor. In fact, a typical 1.3-megapixel digital sensor is approximately one-sixth of the linear dimensions of film. In order to project the image onto a smaller sensor, it is necessary to shorten the focal length by the same proportion. (for further information follow this link ORBS)

Out of Body Experience (OBE) - this is similar to the Near death experience, however it does not need a trigger such as a trauma to occur. Many occurrences have been reported by ordinary people, of looking down on themselves as they are floating upon the ceiling.

Ouija Board - a device which to be honest is abused wrongly. When working with a device such as this, your are opening a channel to spirit, which is not a bad thing, however if you yourself are not aware of the spirit who is wishing to communicate with you; how do you know who you have. Mischievous spirits can pretend to be someone they are not, and this is the problem, they say they are your grandmother for example, when the communicating spirit is in fact a man. This spirit could then work on your feelings of success in having communicated with your supposed grandmother to gain further influence over you. I am not wishing to sound like your parents, but please be careful if using this type of device.

P

Palmistry - a form of divination, whereby the hand is read in order to determine the past and future trends.

Parapsychology  - the name given to the study of the paranormal

Percussion - being the sudden impact of psychic force, or the use of ectoplasmic rods, causes raps that are audible to the ear. Raps can vary from feint taps to sledge hammer blows

Phrenology - the method of divination, whereby the bumps on the head are read to determine information.

Physical Mediumship - a form of mediumship such as, materialisation or direct voice; whereby all events are able to be perceived by everyone present through their physical senses.

Poltergeist - the name means "noisy spirit" and refers to a mischievous spirit.

Precognition - an awareness of future events

Prediction - the method of being able to ascertain future events

Premonition - an event leading to a feeling of what may be about to happen

Psychic art - a form of mental mediumship whereby the medium is influenced to draw pictures. This can be broken down into two areas, one being where pictures of people known to be in spirit are drawn; the second being an auragraph, a diagram of the aura.

Psychic -  This term is used to describe a person who due to their heightened sensitivity, is aware to varying degrees of emanations within a place or from a person.  This is normally an inherited trait and can develop in various ways, Seeing or hearing for example.

Psyche - referring to the mind

Psychokinesis - the influence of the mind upon objects

Psychometry - the ability of sensitive people to perceive information  about a person from an object, normally being a piece of jewellery

Q

R

Regression - a method whereby a person can be regressed back to an earlier existence, through hypnosis

S

Séance - the name associated with spiritualism in the early 1900's, whereby people sit in a darkened room, whilst a medium communicates with discarnate beings.

Sensitive - a name giving to psychics and mediums

Sceptic - a person who does not believe in the paranormal, spirit contact etc

scrying - the act of perceiving images of future events via the aid of a glass ball or bowl of water.

shaman - an ancient practice of healing, believed to have began in Russia, and most commonly associates with the Native American Indians.

Sitter - refers to a person receiving a message from a psychic or medium

Sleep paralysis - a state of being awake, yet not physically being able to do anything.

Soul - referring to the spirit we each carry within

Spirit -also referred to as the soul, the part of us which survives physical death

Spirit communicator - refers to the person communicating through the medium.

Spirit Guide - Refers to a person in spirit who has chosen to work with us in guiding us along our chosen path in life.

Spiritualism - this is more than a religion a science and a philosophy, it is a way of life. Spiritualism came about as a result of the Hydesville rapping's in 1848.

T

Table tilting - (see levitation)

Tarot - a set of 78 cards being divided up into 22 major and minor ancarna, and used to divine future events.

Telekinesis -  is the term given to physical phenomenon involving the movement of objects without visible support. Objects can move across the room, stir without being touched or jump up into the air.

Objects may at times be directed towards certain people, even after they have changed seats, as the object will still come to the person for whom it is meant.

The movement of these objects would seem to indicate that there is an intelligent force directing them, and as such help in establishing evidence of a spirit presence. Telekinesis can also involve the bending of objects, such as in the case of Uri Gellar.

Telepathy - Mind to mind communication

Theta waves -  these waves are typically of even greater amplitude and slower in frequency than the alpha wave. Theta waves have a frequency range of between 5 and 8 cycles per second. This wave is associated primarily with light sleep, rapid eye movements, dream, and hallucinations. The brain uses this state to exercise itself, a little like working the muscles in a gym, making them stronger and relieving overall tension. It is fair to note that during theta brain wave activity brain cells reset their sodium and potassium ratios, which are involved in the osmosis process that transports chemicals into and out of the brain cells. It is also fairly common to have driven home after work and not be able to remember the last few miles of the journey

Trance - There are different levels of development in the state of trance, ranging from the deep sleep of entire unconsciousness to a feeling of quietude or passiveness. Trance is the suspension of ordinary consciousness of external surroundings, in a sort of temporary loss awareness to outside stimulus; which can be best described as a semi-conscious state in which the person in trance has lost the ability to use their thinking powers (consciousness). Trance will normally take place within the low alpha to high theta ranges of brain wave (these are detailed below)

Transfiguration - Some mediums have the ability to act as transfiguration mediums, where spirit are able along with the use of ectoplasm  to adjust the facial features of the medium by means of an ectoplasmic mask. The transfiguration is often so complete that the person simulated appears to be actually present. (A lot of people get mixed up about transfiguration, & lean toward the belief that they have seen transfiguration, when in fact they have seen the spirit person moving close to an entranced person by means of clairvoyance. Remember if the transfiguration can not be seen by all present then it is not transfiguration)

U

V

W

X

Y

Z