Psychic Mediums
Psychics have been consulted since nearly the very outset of human existence. The word psychic is derived from the Greek psychikos, which means “of the soul, mental.” Psychics claim to be able perceive paranormal information hidden from the traditional five senses. Psychics claim to be able to do receive this information by utilizing extrasensory perception. Extrasensory perception is often referred to as a sixth sense. The word psychic is believed to have first been used in its modern meaning by the French astronomer and spiritualist Camille Flammarion, and was introduced to the English language during the 1870s by Edward William Cox. During this period there arose a belief that there were psychic mediums. Psychic mediums are a part of a variety of belief systems ranging from Espiritismo, to Candomblé, to Louisiana Voodo, to Shambala, to Umbanda, to Spiritualism.
Spiritualism provides the historic background of American psychics. People who believe in the power of psychic mediums hold that these psychics have the ability to speak to the spirits, or ghosts, of the departed, as well as the ability to talk with angels and demons. This communication is often believed to be achieved during séances. The rise of psychic mediums was associated with a movement known as Spiritualism. Spiritualism was a predominantly middle class and upper class movement which reached its heights in English speaking countries during the 1840s and 1920s. The movement originated in the United States, and was often lead by women. It was closely associated with the abolition movement and with the women’s suffrage movement. Allan Karde is credited with giving the name Spiritualism to the rapidly growing movement around 1860.
There are several methods by which psychic mediums are said to communicate with paranormal entities. The first is when psychic mediums “hear” the being, which is know as clairaudience. The second is when the message is “felt,” which is known as clairsentience. The third, and most commonly known is clairvoyance, when psychic mediums are said to “see” the entity. In all three cases the psychic mediums are said to be practicing telepathy. Psychics are also known to employ other methods of conveying their communication with the spirits. One of the methods employed by recent psychic is channeling. Channeling is characterized by extreme physical rigidity, and the entering of a seemingly cataleptic state. The channeling is often accompanied by vocal changes. A third form through which psychic mediums are said to communicate with the spirits is through physical mediumship. A seance where this method is employed is typically accompanied by physical manifestations of signs of an paranormal presence, such as loud noises or objects appearing to levitate.
A modern example of psychic mediums include John Edwards. The television show Medium, airing on CBS and starring Patricia Arquette, presents a fictionalized account of the involvement of a psychic medium in communication with the dead in an attempt to help police solve their murders. It is based on the reported experiences of real psychic Allison DuBois, who serves as a consultant for the show.