Mediums and Psychics
I receive a lot of questions at lectures about mediums and psychics: what are the differences, and who is legitimate and trustworthy? In response to these questions, in my book Ghosts of Long Island II; More Stories of the Paranormal, I included a chapter on well-known, Long Island medium and personal friend, Richard Schoeller. In a no-holds-barred interview, Richard explained how he became a medium, the difficulties he encountered, and how he uses his mediumship today to help communicate messages from the other side, or to help others through their grief. It truly is an amazing story and one in which I hope you will read.
People are often confused as to what the difference is between a medium and a psychic. I have had readings from both, and they are two totally different experiences. The medium's sole purpose is to act as a channel of communication between those living on the earth plane and those in spirit form. In other words, they communicate with the dead and provide valuable messages for us. Oftentimes, mediumship begins at an early age. Parents often disregard it. I have to point out however, that many children do see spirits. Children have just come from that world and they are more open and accepting of the spirits than adults usually are. So don't disregard a child's "imaginary friend" or tell your son or daughter to go back to bed when they claim to see someone in their room. This is not to say that children who experience these things will be mediums later in life. Most children outgrow these experiences. It is the ones that continue to see spirits as they age, who probably have the gift.
For adults who become mediums, it is often quite alarming. Although Richard did experience spirits in his room as a child, it wasn't until he was an adult that he actually became a medium. His mediumship was brought on one night and he actually thought he was dying. He saw both sets of his grandparents in his room, all of whom were dead. So for the person who has been given the gift of mediumship, it requires careful training to be able to control it. It is imperative for the medium to be able to function normally in society. The medium who has learned to control this gift, can then share it with others. They offer a valuable service to those who are grieving or those who simply want to communicate with their loved ones on the other side. The medium provides people with messages that are beneficial to them. Many people, especially skeptics and those who don't believe in an afterlife, are blown away from the experience. Mediumship is a way of proving that life definitely does exist after this one, and that the afterlife, Heaven or whatever you may choose to call it, is a wonderful and positive place. It also gives us the comfort of knowing that our loved ones who have passed over are still with us and are helping us on our own life's journey. They are there for us. All we have to do is ask for their help and guidance.
A psychic is something different, although there are quite a number of mediums who are also psychic mainly because they are already "sensitive" to things. A psychic who is not a medium, however, does not communicate with the dead. In general, a psychic is someone who obtains information through ESP (extrasensory perception). Psychics usually tell us things about our own lives and can often tell us of future events or happenings. Interestingly enough, everyone has the ability to be psychic, but most of us choose not to tap into it. Some people are born with psychic ability, some people tap into it later in life, while still in other cases it can be brought on when something triggers it. Like mediumship, psychic ability is considered a gift and should be used wisely.
Since human nature tells us to be frightened of the unknown, many people are skeptical when it comes to mediums and psychics. It goes back to my old saying, just because you can't prove something, it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. On the other side of the coin, you should definitely be cautious when choosing to have a reading from a psychic or medium. It's like anything else in life. Check the person out. Make sure they are reputable and/or come recommended. When you are in need of a doctor, lawyer, accountant or any other professional person, are you going to open up the yellow pages and just pick one? Most times you are not. You will ask your friends and family who they recommend and what their experience was. The same thing holds true when looking for a reputable medium or psychic. Do not open your phone book and call 1-800-psychic, ask around or do a thorough internet search until you find someone you are comfortable with. When you do, you will have a wonderful and rewarding experience.
During any reading, be open to the spirits and they will come. You will be amazed at the information you will receive. It truly is a remarkable gift.
Kerriann Flanagan Brosky is the author of Ghosts of Long Island; Stories of the Paranormal and Ghosts of Long Island II; More Stories of the Paranormal. She also co-hosts "The Kerriann & Joe Show - Spirit Connection" on blogtalk radio live every Thursday night from 10-11 PM. www.blogtalkradio.com/kerriannandjoeshow.
Anthony
8:12 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Go Kerriann :) Anthony R
Leigh Harris
9:59 am on Saturday, October 1, 2011
Thanks for the insight into the difference between mediums and psychics. You are correct, people often confuse the two. And I agree with you on another point: Everyone can be psychics (or at least intuitive) but not everyone can be a medium.
I've been following the Forever Family Foundation for a few years and they actually do certification with mediums. They have a Long Island conference coming up Nov 11 and 12 at the Sheraton Inn in Hauppauge, and I think it will be a great opportunity to hear from mediums such as Angelina Diana, and actually learn some of the science behind it.
Thanks again for opening up discussion on such a fascinating subject.
Blessings, Leigh
Angelina Diana
1:35 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
My name is Angelina Diana, I feel the need to post. I have the honor of working with the Forever Family Foundation as a psychic medium. They have a program that tests mediums to be sure that they give evidence when they connect and they do not take advantage of the grieving by being unethical. Through them, it connected me to the top scientists in this country,which gave me the opportunity to be a research medium. As a member of the Medium Advisory board of the Forever Family Foundation, and also certified by them, I have had the honor of seeing and listening to how others mediums can process this work differently. As a former newscaster and full time psychic medium, I have heard horror stories on how mediums can misrepresent this work. Things I have learned are..Continued next posting....
Angelina Diana
1:39 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Part 2 The Responsibilities of a Metaphysical Practitioner
Copyright Angelina Diana
A Medium's purpose is to honor the messages of the otherside and to provide proof and evidence that a spirit is communicating.
A Psychic's purpose to provide validating information about the sitter's (the person being read) energy concerning their life issues and spiritual growth. A psychic should provide evidence that they are connecting to a sitter's energy.
The goal of a Psychic & Psychic Medium is to open a path that enlightens, empowers and helps the sitter (the person being read) on their personal journey to see that energy is present in the physical world. Also, to be a resource to help inspire the sitter see that they have the ability to connect to that energy, be intuitive and feel the presence of their loved ones on the otherside.
Metaphysical Practitioner will...........
Provide validation (evidence) during the reading.
Honor the sitter's free will to make choices.
Present the information in a matter that will not cause harm to the sitter.
Stop a Sitter from giving too much information during a reading to maintain the integrity of the reading.
Not use a checklist of questions to dig for information (fishing).
Surrender their ego to see that they have the ability to be wrong.
Will understand the responsibility and impact that a reading can have on a sitter and will not foster a dependency of their work with a sitter.
Continued below
Angelina Diana
1:40 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Part 3 I'm honored to work as a psychic medium. It's a path that if someone had told me I would be on, I would have said that they were crazy. In 1998, I made a commitment to work with energy on a personal level to understanding on how ALL of us can tap into energy. I was a newscaster in radio. In time, it led me to dedicate my life as a professional psychic medium in late 2001. It was not "alarming " as you state. In the beginning, I called my self a STUDENT OF ENERGY. I also said that I would only stay in this work only if I helped people. Now I have a full time practice now. I feel we are all intuitive. This work is not a gift. It's an ability. Maybe the gift is having the PASSION to develop & understand energy.
Angelina Diana
1:40 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
part 4 . We are born with the opportunity to develop & to connect to energy, to be a student of energy, but as physical beings, we get pulled into the physical world, and see everything physical as the only truth of what exists. If we look at is as a gift, it means that we feel only certain folks are bestowed & that excludes others from having it. If we look at it as an ability, then we can devote the time to connecting to our loved ones on the otherside. What stops the majority of folks, is the difficult process of grief. That is where a medium comes into the picture, we are the microphone and the interpreter to show that communication is possible. The hope with any ethical medium, is that we can inspire the grieving, to connect themselves. If one has the desire to work in this field of psychic Mediumship, you have to have the stamina, thick skin and most importantly, the passion to help others without ego! Just because you can sense your loved one on the otherside, doesn't not mean that you need to become a psychic medium, it just means that you are tapping into an element of really who we are and the potential of who we can be ...spiritual being in the physical world who can sense energy.
Thank you for reading this Angelina Diana
Richard Riccoboni
7:46 pm on Monday, October 3, 2011
I truly believe I have an ability to predict catastrophe and see the circumstances of past tragedies, however I don't know the significance of these predictions as I don't pay them any mind until such time as the details and events are made public and I can see their shocking accuracy. I do not notice anything significant when I have these predictions, they just pop in my head like any other routine or obscure though, I want to know how I can learn to understand this sense and possibly use it.