Double Vision: An Experience in a Medium Circle

I have had a fascination with all things paranormal since I was 14 years old, and I am now a member of a development circle for mediumship. After circle we always take photos while the room is still dark, and therefore the flash always goes off. One night when the flash went off, I very clearly saw a man standing behind a chair that a friend was sitting on. After describing this person, I was told that it was his brother who had gone to Spirit just over a year prior. I have had this happen once since then. Can you tell me if I can develop this ability to see spirits, or will I only be able to see them under those conditions? What do you make of this? I did originally think that it was my eyes playing tricks on me, but I have been told by those present that it wasn’t. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Love and Light to you all,

Clare

Dreamchaser:

Clare, thank you so much for asking this question. When we are around like-minded people, we soak up the energy in the room and become even MORE than when we are alone. Think of a sponge: if there is one drop of water, the sponge will soak it up but not become saturated, but if there is a puddle, the sponge will soak up that liquid and become full.

This is similar to how we soak up the energy of those around us. The Christian Bible says “when two or more are gathered in my name…” I believe that when you saw this man, you were “wide open” spiritually from the circle. Your logic was asleep and your spirit was in control. Do you THINK your eyes played tricks on you? Is that how you justify all the things you have seen throughout your life? As long as you do not believe your own eyes, you will not be able to see.

You see things all the time! You just don’t believe in your own abilities, so you find a way to rationalize EVERY sighting away, like you have always done. This one in particular is hard to rationalize away, since you know who you saw, and you have other witnesses to that fact. I repeat, Clare, you have ALWAYS seen. You just have to trust in your own power.

I suggest that in your next prayer/ meditation session, you speak to your higher power about this issue. Ask for guidance and trust. You must also consider that some beings do not wish to be seen, or like to play a game of paranormal “hide and seek.”

I have mentioned many times that my house is extremely haunted. I do not, however, see any of these beings with my own eyes. (I have also mentioned that I really do not wish to see said beings.) One night as I was just getting settled into bed, however, I heard a noise in the kitchen. My bedroom is a loft that overlooks the house. I sat up and saw a man in a fedora hat walking through the kitchen. I lay down quickly and rubbed my eyes. When I sat back up, of course he was “gone.” I am sure he showed himself to me that night. I do not know why, I just know he did. It was HIS choice to be seen, not MY choice to see him – a game of “hide and seek.”

Another way spirits show themselves to us is on film. So many people see shadows, lights or orbs in their photos, but explain them away as “glare.” Next time you get a picture with “glare” in it, look more closely. If an orb is floating against a flat wall, where can the “glare” come from?

Open your mind and your soul to your own gifts. I wish you 20/20 psychic vision.

*****

Astrea:

Any kind of mediumship takes practice, and validation is important to a person’s progress. I’m tickled pink that you have a group who can do that for you! Obviously, your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you there!

You ask if you can develop the ability to see spirits. By that I assume you mean spirits of Departed People (the Dead). You are already accomplishing that, with witnesses no less, which is very important. While taking photographs is a very good idea for keeping records of what happens in situations like this, you don’t need the spirits to show up on the film to feel validated. The other people present can confirm details about the loved ones you’re able to see.

Communicating with the Dead is always hard work. Over the years, I’ve found that there are several common threads that lead to success in such practices. While it’s possible to see and communicate with spirits in several venues and in many personal ways, finding someone who can mentor you in the process of learning how to do that would be very helpful to you. The circle is fine for experimentation, but you will find if you have an actual personal TEACHER, the process will go more swiftly.

Here are a few pointers that always help me. Use what you like and discard what you don’t!

I find that it’s almost impossible to “speak” to someone before they have been departed for at least a year. That first “Celestial” year, a person has to face a lot of what they did that THEY felt was wrong during their Earthy Incarnation. After the first year has passed, usually people become more settled and ready to talk with loved ones or with channels who can relay messages to loved ones.

As you’re beginning, try NOT to talk to people who have died violently, whether in an accident or by their own hand. Sometimes suicides come through almost immediately, as they aren’t convinced that they are dead. Try NOT to see suicides before a year is up if you can help it. (Very unhappy, dissatisfied bunch, in my experience).

Women and men are equally interested in “coming through.” So are animals. Try not to limit yourself to human spirits. We miss a lot when we do that.

Above all, take your time discovering what works best for you, and be patient with yourself as you discard the techniques that don’t prove helpful. As a young person, you’re still getting all kinds of impressions coming into your brain. Sorting it all is difficult, but with lots of patience and practice, you will be able to turn it on when you need it. Turning it OFF – now that’s another matter!

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, “You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT.” Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown’s book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn’t read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don’t usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity – you gotta love it!

I like your description of “getting caught.” That’s exactly what it feels like, isn’t it? One minute you’re free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that “feeling of return.” With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family’s interest in “psychic stuff” will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You’ll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she’ll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn’t nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it’s STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don’t get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you’re doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.