Trance mediumship is something that has been practised for generations, yet many people still don’t fully understand what it involves. It’s also something I have experienced personally for many years and now teach to others.

But what exactly is trance mediumship? How does it work, and how can you tell whether the words being spoken are genuinely helpful?

I want to share some of my own experiences and explain why I believe one of the most important things in trance mediumship is learning to judge the words you hear.

What Is Trance Mediumship?

Trance mediumship is a form of spiritual communication in which a medium allows someone who has passed into the spirit world to speak through them.

Now, when I say that someone takes over and speaks through you, it might sound rather alarming! But that is essentially how trance mediumship is understood by those who practise it.

The belief is that a spirit can communicate through the medium, allowing words, thoughts and messages to be shared with those listening.

Trance mediumship is certainly nothing new. Over the past 100 to 150 years, there have been many trance mediums, and a great deal of what was spoken through them has been written down and preserved.

One well-known example is the Zodiac Messages, a collection of spiritual teachings attributed to a communicating spirit known as Zodiac.

But whether you’re reading these historical messages or listening to a trance medium today, I believe the same principle should always apply.

You must judge the words being spoken.

My Personal Journey Into Trance Mediumship

I was actually brought up around trance mediumship.

I had aunts, uncles and grandparents who were all trance mediums, so it was something I was familiar with from a very young age.

But did I want anything to do with it? Absolutely not!

In fact, I thought they were all mad! I couldn’t understand what they were doing or why they were doing it.

However, by the time I was around 18 years old, I had started sitting in a spiritual development circle, and gradually my understanding began to change.

Eventually, I began developing as a trance medium myself.

Initially, it was a very strange experience.

Words would come into my mind, and my immediate reaction was to dismiss them. I would think, “No, this isn’t real. I’m not doing this!”

But as I began to speak those first words, more would follow. Gradually, the communication developed, and I became more comfortable with what was happening.

It wasn’t something that happened overnight. It was a gradual process of learning, understanding and developing through experience.

Can Anyone Become a Trance Medium?

This is something I am often asked, particularly because I teach trance mediumship myself.

The simple answer is that not everybody will become a trance medium.

I have taught many people in development circles over the years, and not everyone who attends will develop this particular ability.

And that is absolutely fine.

I believe trance mediumship requires the right environment, proper training and, importantly, someone who is grounded and sensible in their approach.

You cannot simply walk into a room and expect to become a trance medium without understanding what you are doing.

Having your feet firmly on the ground is incredibly important. You need to be practical, sensible and prepared to learn.

For those who do develop trance mediumship, it can be a remarkable experience, but it must always be approached with care.

Why the Words Matter More Than Anything Else

This is perhaps the most important point I want to make.

When listening to a trance medium, don’t simply accept what is being said because someone tells you it comes from the spirit world. Judge the words for yourself.

Ask yourself some simple questions:

• Are these words helping me?
• Are they offering kindness, understanding or reassurance?
• Do they make sense?
• Are they encouraging something positive?
• Or are they creating fear, confusion or worry?

When I teach trance mediumship in my development circles, I listen very carefully to what is being spoken.

Sometimes the words are absolutely beautiful. They can be full of kindness, wisdom and encouragement, and genuinely help those who are listening.

For me, that is what trance mediumship should be about.

It isn’t about making grand claims or trying to impress people. It is about the value of the communication and whether it brings something worthwhile into someone’s life.

Not Everyone Who Claims to Be a Trance Medium Is One

Over the years, I have encountered people who believe they are trance mediums, including individuals who have come to me through the church.

But I haven’t always agreed with their understanding of what they are experiencing.

Why?

Because I listen to the words.

Sometimes what is being said simply doesn’t seem right. The messages aren’t helpful, they don’t offer anything positive, and in some cases they may cause unnecessary confusion.

In my view, that is not what genuine trance mediumship should be.

Just because someone claims to be speaking on behalf of a spirit doesn’t mean you should automatically believe everything they say.

We must all use our own judgement.

Trust Your Own Judgement on Your Spiritual Journey

Whether you are interested in trance mediumship, clairvoyance or any other form of spiritual communication, I always encourage people to think for themselves.

We are all on our own pathways in life, and we are all learning.

If you ever have the opportunity to listen to a trance medium, take the time to consider what is being said.

If the words bring you comfort, make sense to you and help you in some way, then that’s absolutely fine.

But if something makes you uncomfortable, frightens you or simply doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to accept it.

Walk away if you feel that is the right thing to do.

You should never feel pressured into believing something simply because another person claims to have a special spiritual ability.

Your own free will and judgement are incredibly important.

Final Thoughts

Trance mediumship has been part of my life for many years, from growing up around family members who practised it to developing my own abilities and eventually teaching others.

From my personal experience, I believe trance mediumship is real, but I also believe it needs to be approached responsibly.

Not everybody will develop as a trance medium, and not everybody who claims to be one necessarily understands what they are doing.

Above all, remember that the words are what matter.

If spiritual communication is genuinely helping people, offering comfort and encouraging kindness, then I believe it has something valuable to offer.

But always remain grounded, use your own judgement and never be afraid to question what you hear.

After all, we are all here to learn, and each of us must follow our own pathway.

Rob Harvey
Life After Death