Trance Mediumship: Its Modern-day Significance with the Spirit Realm
Trance Mediumship: Its Modern-day Significance with the Spirit Realm
The intriguing practice of trance mediumship enables people to connect with the spirit world by entering an altered state of consciousness. Through this form of communication, the living can interact with the deceased.
Trance states have been and still are used in shamanic, tribal, and indigenous cultures. We can trace some of the earliest documented trance mediumship back to ancient Egypt. In this region, priests used to communicate with the dead for their religious rituals and the Pharaohs could be consulted regarding important matters of state. The early Egyptian trance mediums are believed to have conducted their spirit communications in a state of unconsciousness.
During the 19th century, the spiritualist movement brought about the rise of trance mediumship as a popular practice. Spiritualism, which gained traction in Europe and the United States, centred around connecting with the spirits of those who had passed away.
Trance mediumship played a pivotal role in spiritualist events and seances, as mediums would enter trance states to receive messages from spirits and convey them to the living. While this practice has modernised over time, it still shares some similarities with shamanic, tribal, and indigenous trance practices.
In the state of trance, the medium's consciousness shifts, enabling spirits to merge with their mind temporarily. This collaboration can result in the manifestation of speech, art, healing, or music, working together with the medium's physical abilities.
The idea of varying levels of trance appears to be introduced by spiritualist practices. A light trance involves a slight change in consciousness, enabling the medium to remain aware of the communication process. However, a deep trance is a much more intense altered state where the medium relinquishes complete control of their physical and mental awareness, to the spirit that is communicating.
Trance mediumship remains a prevalent practice within spiritualist circles in modern times. However, it has transcended the limitations of the spiritualist movement and has gained popularity in diverse spiritual and metaphysical communities. These communities have distinct approaches and belief systems for trance mediums.
Modern trance mediums may seek instruction to improve their skills and establish a powerful link with the spiritual realm. They focus on intensifying their trance levels, improving their intuitive and psychic abilities, and building a relationship with the spirits they communicate with. Trance mediumship, like any form of spiritual practice, varies among individuals.
An intriguing aspect of trance practices is the emphasis on the spiritual origin. In ancient, shamanic and indigenous trance, the purpose was most usual to commune with the gods or a divinity. Whereas modern trance mediumship focuses on spirit guides, well-known personalities, or deceased loved ones expressing themselves. We should ask ourselves why the emphasis changed and there are several theories.
One such theory is from Amy Lehman's book: Victorian Women And The Theatre Of Trance: Mediums, Spiritualists and Mesmerists In Performance
'Spiritualists in the nineteenth century spoke of the “Borderland,” a shadowy threshold where the living communed with the dead, and where those in the material realm could receive comfort or advice from another world. The skilled performances of mostly female actors and performers made the “Borderland” a theatre, of sorts, in which dramas of revelation and recognition were produced in the forms of séances, trances, and spiritualist lectures.'
This book examines some of the most fascinating American and British actresses of the Victorian era, whose performances fairly mesmerised their audiences of amused sceptics and ardent believers. It also focuses on the transformative possibilities of the spiritualist theatre, revealing how the performances allowed Victorian women to speak, act, and create outside the boundaries of their restricted social and psychological roles.'
Theoretically, modern trance may have gained traction as a method to express something, that was normally considered inappropriate of the time, for those who had no other public voice.
In conclusion, trance mediumship is mostly regarded as an ancient and profound practice that allows individuals to establish a connection with the spirit realm. Through the ages, it has developed from the rituals of ancient civilisations to become an integral part of the spiritualist movement and other modern spiritual practices.
