Psychic News Mag 59 - March 2015 by 816267

£3.80 | MARCH 2015

PSYCHIC

ISSUE NO 4125

NEWS

DEVELOPING YOUR MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

IS LIFE IN THE NEXT WORLD

WEITN S TO

A BED OF ROSES?

TICK TONY THE KWELL C STO ERIENCE EXP

DOES INFRARED HARM PHYSICAL MEDIUMS?

KICK-START YOUR PSYCHIC POWERS

THE GHOSTS OF THE BLOODY TOWER

MAE WEST AND SPIRITUALISM SNU PRESIDENT EXPLAINS NEW SÉANCE PROTOCOL 03>

9 770033 280014

Contents

13 42 Your spiritual art

More of your stunning inspirational artwork

44 The world would be a better place. . .

David Hopkins on the right to freedom of choice

48 Your letters 51 From the archives

26 05 News 13 Media watch

What the I Ching did for Mark Rylance

15 DANGER! Infrared

harms physical mediums – or does it? Engineer Lew Sutton gives us the facts

Your news, views and opinions

28 In my view. . .

Ken Pretty on the SNU’s new protocol for physical séances

31 Life in the next world –

20 Your life in your hands

Internationally acclaimed palmist Johnny Fincham speaks to Sue Farrow

23 SNU physical séance protocol

President David Bruton responds to PN readers

26 The spirits of the dead New Orleans medium and paranormal investigator Kalila Smith speaks to Billy Roberts

54 Community news round-up

is it really a bed of roses?

Sue Farrow ask some tough questions about the afterlife

33 Sudoku

Your chance to win tickets for The Tony Stockwell Experience

Psychic School

18 Reveal your true nature 34 Craig Hamilton-Parker’s Billy Roberts digs deep in search of what your handwriting says about you

This month: Hollywood star Mae West on psychic ability

This month: a practical experiment to kick-start your psychic powers

36 Meaningful mentorship for mediums

Nic Whitham on why high quality mentorship means better mediumship

– The end of an era – Sanctuary closure benefits air ambulance – Spiritualists open food bank – New spiritual centre for Ireland

A good read Our pick of the best new books, CDs and card decks

Classifieds The place to find a psychic, medium or healer and see what’s on at churches and centres

39 The ghosts of The Bloody Tower

John West investigates hauntings at England’s most iconic building

20 PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

EDITOR Susan Farrow ASSISTANT EDITOR, ADVERTISING, CIRCULATION & MARKETING Paul Brett pnadverts@gmail.com CHIEF REPORTER Kay Hunter TECHNICAL ASSISTANT Magnus Smith DESIGN AND LAYOUT Louise Lynch CONTACT DETAILS: Psychic Press Ltd, Suite 6, Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 7WE Tel: 01279 874339 EDITORIAL EMAIL pneditorials@gmail.com WEBSITE & ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS www.psychicnews.org.uk ISSN 0033-2801 Opinions expressed in PN’s Personal Experience columns are those of their individual authors and should not necessarily be taken as an endorsement by the editor. The Psychic News logos are UK and Community registered trade marks of JV TR Limited (Company Number 07793490) and are used under licence

Psychic News. Published by Psychic Press Limited. Pre-press and printing by Warners (Midland), Lincolnshire. We regret that we are unable to recommend particular mediums and healers. Whilst we endeavour to ensure those given editorial coverage on our pages and those who advertise their services are bona fide exponents, the abilities of exponents are often subjective. Advertisements appearing in Psychic News do not necessarily reflect editorial policy and no responsibility can be accepted for dissatisfaction with any service or product. Readers are asked to exercise due care when responding to advertisements. Whilst we welcome them, PN cannot take responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, articles, photographs etc. © Psychic Press Ltd

From the Editor As I write this in late February there seems to be a lorry load of negativity around. The news is full of appalling events, from terrorist attacks to child and animal abuse, from corrupt bankers and business leaders to yet another NHS crisis. Meanwhile, adverse weather conditions have disrupted much of the UK and Europe, and sparring politicians (with gloves firmly off) are the daily diet of TV and radio as the UK heads ever deeper into an acrimonious general election campaign. It’s enough to make you crawl back under the covers and curl up for a spot of late-winter hibernation. But in amongst all this gloom and doom something beautiful has emerged. Today the garden has begun to awaken from its own winter sleep and the first snowdrops have tentatively peeped out. Call me (very) sentimental, but there’s something so innocent and hopeful about those tiny, delicate white flowers that optimistically break through the cold, hard ground to bring us the first hint of spring.

In a way it’s nature’s version of the spiritual life we’re all trying to lead – trying to look for the positives, the good in others, and working to expand and give out the good inside ourselves. There are plenty of positives in your March PN, from hints on developing your psychic gifts to interviews with those good souls whose lives are dedicated to bringing hope and upliftment through their mediumship. And if you’re in the mood for a bit of good natured debate, why not respond to my article on page 31 and let me know your personal views on what life is like in the spirit world? I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, be safe and well, and may the optimism of spring and new beginnings inspire you, mind, body and spirit.

SUE FARROW

Psychic News: the voice of Spiritualism Two of Spiritualism’s leading exponents helped create and launch Psychic News in 1932. Hannen Swaffer, one of the UK’s most famous journalists, and Maurice Barbanell, a businessman who was also a trance medium, recognised the need for a publication that would satisfy the public’s desire for up-to-date and independent information about Spiritualism and mediumship. They regularly addressed audiences of thousands in theatres around the country as families came to terms with the loss of loved ones who had died in World War I and the devastating Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Barbanell was its first editor and Swaffer became a regular contributor. Today, eight decades later, Psychic News continues to be the independent voice of Spiritualism in a very different world. What has not changed is the desire to have an answer to The Big Question: What happens after death? Psychic News makes a unique contribution to that debate every month with news, features and opinion pieces that explore the evidence for an afterlife and spirit communication. Above all, Spiritualism and Psychic News are life-affirming, so our features also explore ways in which readers can enrich their lives spiritually and make the right choices. Why not let us be your travelling companion, offering words of wisdom and support, as you continue on your soul’s journey through this lifetime?

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

NEWS

Million dollar sceptic retires at 86 JAMES RANDI, former stage magician and sceptic of all things paranormal and pseudoscientific, has decided it’s time to reduce his responsibilities and hang up his hat. He has announced his retirement from the James Randi Educational Foundation, but makes it clear that he will not stop campaigning against what he considers misguided or fraudulent nonsense. His letter of resignation, addressed “To all my dear friends”, reads: “At 86 years of age I feel that it’s now well time to officially retire, so I’m stepping down from my position with the JREF. This doesn’t mean I’m retiring from my battle against the so-called psychics, faith healers, paranormalists, and the assorted frauds I’ve encountered in my worldwide wanderings.

“I’ll in no way relax the critical attention I’ve given to them over the last busy 73 years, I promise you. I’ll still lecture and write, here and abroad – but from now on in my own time – not on the exhausting schedule that I’ve had over the past few years.”

Signing off, the world’s most determined debunker writes: “To sum up, this has been a wonderful, exciting, enjoyable venture for me, and I trust I’ve given my friends some laughs – perhaps a few tears, and hopefully, some valuable thoughts to carry away from my writings.

In his long letter he lists his many lecture tours abroad, including visits to India, Sri Lanka and Australia. He has also been touring with the documentary film An Honest Liar, about his life as a performer and a writer. This is due to be released on 6th March.

“No, I’ll not yet hang up my cape, nor sheathe my wand, be assured. I’ve still ‘a few tricks up my sleeve’ as they say. So stand back!” ®

In the meantime, the James Randi Million Dollar Challenge still stands.

To sum up, this has “been a wonderful, exciting, enjoyable venture for me, and I trust I’ve given my friends some laughs – perhaps a few tears, and hopefully, some valuable thoughts to carry away from my writings.

”

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

NEWS

Stoke-on-Trent GP struck off A STOKE-ON-TRENT GP has been found guilty of “deplorable conduct”. He was deemed “a risk to the public” and had shown no insight into his actions. Dr Thomas O’Brien, 56, was struck off the medical register and given 28 days in which to lodge an appeal. His case first came to public notice on 14th April 2013, when reports appeared of a hearing at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester. Dr O’Brien was working as a locum when he told his physically and mentally vulnerable Patient A that the devil was “having a go at her”. He then re-tuned her bedroom TV to an evangelical channel and said his wife, a “faith healer”, could cure illness without medication. He said psychiatry was dangerous and the patient should stop seeing her consultant. The doctor and his wife visited the patient at home, and said ebony figures the patient’s husband had brought from abroad were “devil’s items” and were on an “occult list” of objects to be avoided.

The patient, who had been prescribed antidepressants, antihypertensive and analgesic medication, had stopped taking these after Dr O’Brien told her – “There is another way.” She said he gave her lifts to the Pentecostal Church in Stoke, where she was advised that God was her surgeon and God would heal her. She also claimed that Dr O’Brien lent her books about the church, which he ran with someone else, and gave her pamphlets, including An Occult Checklist.

Hendra, said Dr O’Brien demonstrated “harmful, deep-seated personality or attitudinal problems” and repeatedly breached professional boundaries. Dr O’Brien, who was not present at the hearing, submitted a written statement in which he said: “Perhaps Patient A has no mental problems or psychotic illness, but likes telling lies for effect, and enjoys inventing and twisting stories to harm others?”

In addition, she was subjected to a fourhour “testimony” where an exorcism was performed. Dr O’Brien specifically told her not to tell her psychiatrist about the meetings because “they do the devil’s work”, and she would be cursed if she told the General Medical Council. But the patient did tell her psychiatrist, who then rang a confidential helpline to report her allegations. The matter then reached the General Medical Council. Chairman of the panel, Professor Tim

On 27th January it was reported that Dr O’Brien had been struck off the medical register.

Pakistani cricketer’s ghostly encounter PAKISTANI cricketer, 26-year-old Haris Sohail, was terrified by a supernatural presence in his New Zealand hotel room in January. He woke in the middle of the night sensing a spectre, and was convinced a malevolent ghost had pushed him while he slept at the Rydges Latimer Hotel in Christchurch. Sohail called his team bosses, and by the time they arrived he had developed a high fever. He was so terrified that he was moved to another room, and was temporarily unable to resume training. He also missed Pakistan’s first World Cup warm-up against the New Zealand President’s XI. Sohail is not the first cricketer to be stumped by a hotel ghost. Australian all-rounder Shane Watson had a similar experience in 2005 at the 14th century Lumley Castle Hotel, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

He fled to colleague Brett Lee’s room, and later claimed he had not actually seen a ghost, but had been wound up by the team’s bus driver’s local legends.

“I got a bit spooked out,” he said some years later. “I went back to my own room, which was a tiny little room, and I had to walk through a dungeon to get there. I think I’ve grown up a bit since then.” English paceman Stuart Broad asked to change rooms last year at the Langham Hotel in London, where Room 333 is reputed to be the most haunted room in London. “It was so hot in the room I just couldn’t sleep,” Broad told the Daily Mail at the time. “All of a sudden the bathroom taps came on for no reason, and then turned themselves off. Then when I turned the lights off, the taps came on again. It was very weird.” Cricketers should obviously choose their hotel rooms with care.

NEWS

Spiritual teacher and reiki master murdered NOTTINGHAM teacher Julie Semper, 47, lived alone. Her body, which had suffered multiple stab wounds, was found in her home at Mapperley Park, Nottingham in early February. She had a keen interest in all aspects of alternative therapies and the paranormal.

These aspects of her life have perhaps been

Since September 2014 Julie had taught business studies at Bilborough Sixth Form College, Nottingham, where she was regarded as a valued member of the cover team.

book, Emily Moon and the Fire Demons, published

A reiki master, past life regressionist, astrology tutor and student of angelology and Spiritualism, she was also a member of the Theosophical Society.

“

eclipsed by publicity for her first children’s last November. This Harry Potter-style book is available on Kindle. James McCarthy, 24, of Calverton, Nottingham, was arrested in connection with the crime and subsequently charged with Julie’s murder.

A reiki master, past life regressionist, astrology tutor and student of angelology and Spiritualism, she was also a member of the Theosophical Society.

”

He is currently awaiting trial.

Spirits and mediums in new musical BUMPS in the night, mind-reading tricks and ghostly presences combine with music to produce an evening of theatre in February.

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The story revolves around Morven and Hannah Forsythe, who perform amazing feats of mediumship. But are they as genuine as they appear to be?

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The Forsythe Sisters had its premiere at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff, before going on tour. The show’s creators, Lucy Rivers and Hannah McPake, are founders of Gagglebabble, the rising Welsh company who devised the earlier Gothic music spoof, The Bloody Ballad of Mary Maid. This production won the Brighton Fringe Emerging Talent award. The story revolves around Morven and Hannah Forsythe, who perform amazing feats of mediumship. But are they as genuine as they appear to be? According to the Guardian critic, the show “has real and intriguing potential, which in its present form makes you feel the spirit, even if it doesn’t quite move you.”

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

NEWS

Five-year-old claims past life as a woman LUKE RUEHLMAN, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is just five years old, yet he remembers being a 30-year old woman, named Pam, before he was born. He claims that at that time he lived in Chicago, until he jumped from a burning building in 1993. His mother, Erika, says he recalls meeting God, and being ‘pushed back down’ as a boy, then being named Luke by his parents.

references to Pam had now stopped, but he had been mentioning her since he was two years old.

After finding an old news story about a woman named Pamela Robinson who died in the fire of the Chicago Paxton Hotel in 1993, Erika believed the story was worth further investigation.

Erika contacted the Robinson family, and said they told her about Pam’s personality, which seemed to match Luke’s. He correctly identified Pam’s photograph from others and recalls wearing earrings like Pam’s. She had loved Stevie Wonder, and so does Luke. They share an enthusiasm for the keyboard, but Erika says her son’s is a child’s version.

She told Fox8 radio station that Luke’s

Luke’s story was aired on an investigative

TV show, The Ghost Inside My Child. Erika explained: “He would say things like, ‘When I was a girl I had black hair’, or ‘I used to have earrings when I was a girl. When I died I went up to Heaven and I saw God. He pushed me back down. When I woke up I was a baby, and you called me Luke’.” The story was featured in newspapers on both side of the Atlantic, and a video can be seen at MailOnline. There has been no further comment from the family.

Bronx school hires ‘psychic’ A MENTALIST has been engaged by a high school in New York’s South Bronx to give the students self-esteem. Mentalist and mindreader Gerard Senehi, who has performed for former President Bill Clinton, will be unpaid, and is volunteering his services to help the Bronx Centre for Science and Mathematics and its students. The programme, called the QUESTion Project, is intended to enable students to answer questions about themselves such as, “Do you have the courage to pursue what you really care about?” and “How much do you have a sense of purpose and direction in life?”

“That’s an amazing feat, to keep teenagers engaged for over two hours,” he said. “The whole purpose was to give the kids a magic show, to let them know the power of belief, that so many things are possible. “We just felt that there was this other side to teaching and learning that we needed to look into and develop,” he said.

The first session took place in December, when Senehi dazzled his audience by bending wine glasses, spinning spoons in other people’s hands, and making accurate predictions about the future.

It was thought to be important in a school like the Bronx Centre for Science and Mathematics, where many students come from deprived backgrounds.

Edward Tom, the school’s founding Principal, said he was impressed at how Senehi managed to keep the students’ attention.

Students will have the opportunity to design some of

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

the classes themselves. Speaking of Senehi’s first class, Patricia Klarl, a counsellor at the school, said, “So many kids were asking, ’Will I be successful in the future? What does my future look like?’ It was great to see they were not alone in that struggle.” ®

NEWS

Making babies in Wales MOTHER-of-two Victoria Miles says she has helped hundreds of apparently infertile women conceive naturally by foot massage and reiki healing techniques. Victoria, 38, from Cardiff, is a former car saleswoman. She was bored when she was at home after having her own first child, and decided to qualify in some healing therapies.

“When couples first come to me I give them a basic assessment, see if they are suitable for reflexology, and work with them, helping them to relax, making them believe they can conceive.

At first she helped friends, but then started a business, and now claims that in the last five years her treatments have helped 300 couples to conceive.

“De-stressing and relaxing women and their partners can lead to a re-balancing of the hormones.

She works from home in Efail Isaf, near Llantwit Fardre, South Wales. In reflexology, every area on the sole of the foot relates to a specific organ in the body. Massage of the appropriate areas of the foot can improve specific health problems. The patch below the ankle bone apparently relates to pregnancy. “We’re a nation of brilliant, hard-working people, and often have very organised lives,” Victoria told the MailOnline. “So many of us delay having children until the last minute. This can lead to problems and stress.

“What I do is half life coaching and half reflexology. I also have a network of people like psychologists if clients have difficult emotional problems, plus reiki and other practitioners.” Victoria says she has become friends with many of her clients. “You form a bond,” she said. “When a baby is born the bond becomes much stronger. The success stories make you feel good. It’s a job I love doing.” There are some women Victoria cannot help, such as those with certain physical gynaecological problems which can’t be cured.

What I do is half life “ coaching and half reflexology. I also have a network of people like psychologists if clients have difficult emotional problems, plus reiki and other practitioners.

”

Hollywood actor’s dilemma – faith versus treatment ACTOR Val Kilmer’s family believe his Christian Science faith is hampering his medical treatment, according to the New York Daily News.

Val Kilmer Photo: Georges Biard

Members of that religious group do not believe in medical intervention.

sweet support, but I have not had a tumour, or tumour operation, or any operation.

Kilmer, 55, is said to be suffering from a throat tumour. He began his career as a stage actor, but then found fame in comedy films, the first of which was Top Secret.

“I had a complication where the best way to receive care was under the watchful eye of the hospital.”

Kilmer is playing down the state of his health, but has confirmed that he was taken to hospital recently for what he referred to as “a complication”. He wrote to fans on Facebook: “Thank you for all your

Associated Press had reported that the actor was undergoing tests for a possible tumour. Doctors were encouraged, and it was hoped he would make a full recovery. PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

NEWS

Woman claims 1,000 NDEs A 49-YEAR-OLD mother from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, believes she is the only person in Britain receiving treatment for chronic near-death experiences. Beverley Gilmour’s traumas began in 1987. Since then they have occurred, on average, up to three times every month, when her heart stops. “Most people who go through an NDE have it on an operating table, or in a moment of trauma such as a car accident,” she said. “Most of them only have one experience in a lifetime. “I was terrified at first, and a friend

suggested it was a near-death experience.” Registered as disabled, Ms Gilmour is director of a graphic design company, and is looked after by her two sons, 27-year-old Oliver and 30-year-old Westley. “My sons act as my carers,” she said in an interview with UK News. I suffer from headaches and am on medication. I go into a trance-like state while I am lying down. I feel I move over to the afterlife. “I can see my own body and hear everything that’s going on around me. It’s not painful, but when I come round I feel sore and stiff, and my head burns. I have no concept of time, and have no idea how long it takes. I can be so exhausted that I’m bedridden for up to four days. “I have had to adjust my life around it.”

see my own body and “hearI caneverything that’s going on around me. It’s not painful, but when I come round I feel sore and stiff, and my head burns.

”

Photo: “districtaliens” on deviantart.com

Psychic predicted comic’s breakthrough year A PSYCHIC correctly pinpointed Canadian comic Jim Carrey’s ‘breakthrough year’. “I was driving down Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles in 1993,” he told an interviewer, “and I saw one of those crazy Psychic Reading signs. I thought it sounded like fun, so I went in.” “This psychic reader told me, ‘You’re about to do three projects that will change your life forever and make it very difficult for anyone to ever bring you down from the place you’re going to be, which is a really good place.”

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Carrey went from being a respected comic, best known for the sketch show Living Colour, to being one of the highest paid movie stars after his performances in Ace Ventura, Dumb and Dumber and The Mask came out in 1994. Peter Farrelly, of the writing duo for Dumb and Dumber, said he’d never heard of Carrey before casting him. “He had shot Ace ® Ventura and The Mask, but they weren’t out yet.”

Jim Carrey Photo: Ian Smith

NEWS

Aykroyd hails all-female ghostbusters DAN AYKROYD has praised the all-female cast chosen for the third film in the Ghostbuster series. Aykroyd, who played Raymond Stantz in the two Ghostbusters movies of 1984 and 1989, told the Hollywood Reporter he was pleased to see the cast of Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon had been confirmed. They will take over the roles previously played by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. Dan said: “The Aykroyd family is delighted by this inheritance of the Ghostbusters torch by these three most magnificent women in comedy. My great-grandfather, Dr Sam Aykroyd, the original Ghostbuster,

was a man who empowered women in his day, and this is a beautiful development in the legacy of our family business.” It was great-grandson Dan who came up with the original idea for Ghostbusters and co-wrote the screen play for both earlier movies. Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler in the two earlier films, died in February last year. The new, as yet untitled film, the first Ghostbusters movie for more than a quarter of a century, will be released in July 2016.

Discovery of mummified monk MUMMIFIED remains of a meditating Buddhist monk have been found in Mongolia. Early estimates date the find as being at least 200 years old. A report from the country’s Morning News described “an ash coloured man sitting in a pensive lotus position, with no sign of decay.” The discovery was made in Songinokhairkhan province, but the precise area has not been released. The monk was additionally described as being covered with some kind of cattle skin. The remains were taken to Ulaanbataar National Centre of Forensic Expertise for further study. It has been suggested that the man was a teacher of the famous Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov, who died in 1927, and whose body was also found preserved, seated in the lotus position, in 2002. The exhumation took place in front of dozens of witnesses, including two forensic experts and a photographer, before the remains were secured in a monastery. Sokushinbutsu, the Buddhist practice of self-preservation, was performed between the 11th and 19th centuries, mainly in northern Japan. It was considered the ultimate act of religious discipline and dedication, more so than suicide.

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

NEWS

Did spirit doctor cure woman’s agonising pain? DIAGNOSED with Fibromyalgia, Barbara Phoenix, 59, from Wrexham, North Wales, suffered severe pain and ill health, starting in 2007. She now claims she was cured by a spirit surgeon born in the 1880s Painkillers prescribed by her GP were not effective, and by 2012 Barbara Phoenix was so incapacitated she could hardly walk and rarely left the house. Desperate for help, she was prepared to try anything, when she heard about “ghost doctors” through friends who were interested in the paranormal. On their recommendation she emailed a man named Vincent Fuller from Reading, Berkshire. “My husband Allan was very supportive, and in June last year Vincent travelled to Wales to meet me,” said Barbara. “I invited some friends for support and we gathered in a local hall. The atmosphere was eerily quiet. Barbara Phoenix with her husband Allan

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Photo: PA Real Life Feature

It felt as though my organs were moving, as though I was pregnant and the baby was moving. A woman in a nurse’s uniform appeared before Vincent. I could see she was a spirit.

Vincent Fuller

“A man called ‘Dr Charles’ arrived. Speaking through Vincent he told us how he had been born in the 1880s and died in the mid-1900s, aged 86. A GP by profession, he had been helping people ‘from the other side’ ever since. “One friend asked why he was operating on people when he’d trained as a GP. Another wondered if medicine had changed since the 1900s. “His answer was, ‘I have the knowledge of the universe’.”

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Satisfied with his answers, Barbara invited Mr Fuller to her house a few days later. He asked her to lie down on her stomach, and suddenly Vincent became Doctor Charles. “He slipped into a semi-trance, his eyes glazed over and he circled his hands in the air above me. “It felt as though my organs were moving, as though I was pregnant and the baby was moving. A woman in a nurse’s uniform appeared before Vincent. I could see she was a spirit.” Barbara said that an hour later Mr Fuller came out of his trance and she paid him £60.

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Two days later she felt awful – a side effect Mr Fuller had warned her about. But since then the pain has virtually gone, and she can bound up the stairs, free from agony for the first time in seven years. A spokesman from Fibromyalgia Association UK said: “It’s great to hear that someone is no longer suffering from the constant pain and other symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia. “However, the charity would recommend that anyone seeking treatment should do so with the help and cooperation of their GP. We have no knowledge of any evidence that supports the use of a psychic surgeon.”

MEDIA WATCH

Getting a life with I Ching

Kay Hunter reports on a recent BBC programme featuring actor Mark Rylance.

off certain prejudices of the Western mind”. The book runs to 700 pages, so it’s a fairly hefty tome to digest.

ACTOR Mark Rylance, currently enjoying fame in TV’s historical drama Wolf Hall, has revealed that he did not speak until the age of six. Only his brother could understand what were “unintelligible sounds”.

The apparatus which accompanies the book is in the form of three coins, which have to be thrown six times and are the key to the whole business. Each coin has a ‘message’ in the form of a word. Now it’s a matter of going back to the book to find the relevant advice, according to the coin.

He has certainly made up for it since, not only voicing his own words, but those of plays written generations ago. Now aged 55, this award-winning actor and former artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs interviewer Kirsty Young that he was glad he had found fame later in life because in some way he feels he has “dodged a bullet”. He gives credit for his successful stage career to the ancient Chinese doctrine of I Ching, a method of divination. He used this to decide whether to accept a role at the National Theatre. This may appear to be a fairly risky way of furthering one’s career, but in Rylance’s case it turned out to be fortuitous. He turned down a very small part offered by Steven Spielberg in Empire of the Sun. Not only did Spielberg come back with a better offer, but Rylance also had an offer of a role at the National Theatre. Which should he choose? “I did lists of the benefits of both,” he said. “They were completely equal, so I turned to I Ching. You ask it ‘Where now?’ and receive a word answer. If I went to the theatre the answer was ‘community’. It was because of that answer that I went to the National and met my wife Claire.” I Ching became popular in the 1960s, in the Beatles age, when Eastern philosophies

Mark Rylance Photo: BBC/Company Productions (Wolf Hall) Ltd

You can ask advice about “ your health, diet, finance, or any other area of your life. What you do about the given answer is up to you.

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suddenly became the rage. Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen were devotees, and Cohen said I Ching was “the only thing that is amazingly true”. I Ching – or The Book of Changes became a best-seller in its 1989 English translation of the ancient Chinese classic which is more than 5,000 years old. There is a Foreword by Carl Jung, who asks the reader to “cast

It can be compared perhaps to Roget’s Thesaurus, but that book’s word groupings don’t need coins. It can also become tedious when seeking a particular word to finish a crossword, and one has to resort to the rudiments of grammar to decide whether the word we want is a noun, adjective, adverb, possessive, or whatever. But back to ancient China. . . You can, in these modern times, do the whole Ching Thing Online, which of course wasn’t an available facility 5,000 years ago. Start by tapping out www.ichingonline.org and follow the instructions given. You can ask advice about your health, diet, finance, or any other area of your life. What you do about the given answer is up to you. It then becomes a matter of implicit faith. Do you trust those coins enough to take a gamble on a major issue in your life? It might be a more intellectual approach than the reading of tea leaves, but are the odds any better than the throw of a dice? But then if so many intelligent people deem six throws of the coins to be infallible, we must surely resort to the old adage – “There must be something in it.” Taken all round, it’s a bit of a Chinese puzzle! PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

DANGER!

PHYSICAL MEDIUMSHIP

INFRARED HARMS PHYSICAL MEDIUMS – or does it? The debate about light (or the lack of it) in the physical séance room has raged for decades. It’s an important issue because it concerns a form of mediumship that, at its best, offers more convincing proof of survival than any other, writes Sue Farrow.

Arthur Findlay College (AFC) seeking, in the absence of lighted conditions, to introduce a camera into its séance room, has generated comment worldwide, including PN’s own postbag.

disappearance of physical materialisation To be blunt, would you really choose mediumship after the death of the great third party evidence that your mum, dad, Alec Harris in 1970 has baffled scholars of husband, wife or child had communicated physical mediumship their height, hair or eye colour ever since and has over actually seeing them for resulted in physical yourself, standing right in front So is this proposed séances taking place in of you – touchable, huggable infrared camera total (or almost total) and audible through physical really a risk to darkness, making it mediumship? I know which I’d very much easier for prefer. the health of our sitters and sceptics physical mediums, Don’t misunderstand me, I’m to cry fraud, whether or is the whole not diminishing the huge value justified or not. ‘scare’ factor a red of evidential communication The new physical through mental mediumship – herring based on mediumship protocol it’s saved me from despair more misinformation and put forward by the than once. But the apparent

So is this proposed infrared camera really a risk to the health of our physical mediums, or is the whole ‘scare’ factor a red herring based on misinformation and outdated science? Who better to enlighten us (no pun intended) than Lew Sutton, Lew Sutton long-time attendee of physical séances and a retired research engineer who specialised in microwave energy for satellite communications.

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outdated science?

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Mythology abounds in Spiritualism concerning the effects of infrared energy in the séance room. This situation dates back to the 1930s when experimenting with this energy in the séance room really took off. However, the recent publication by the Spiritualists’ National Union (SNU) of a séance protocol has brought the subject well and truly into the limelight again. One of the protocol’s requirements is that séances held in the dark must be monitored by infrared video equipment. There has been a mixed reaction to this in PN and on social media sites, with strong feelings for and against various aspects of the protocol.

Thermal Imaging Photo: Danie Ware

Although it is not specified, the protocol implies the use of ‘Far Infrared’ (FIR), as used for thermal imaging. Traditionally it has been ‘Near Infrared’ (NIR) energy that has been used in the séance room, and also by landscape photographers to produce unusual scenes.

NEAR AND FAR INFRARED ENERGY Let’s have a brief look at the three types of infrared radiation and see how the infrared energies fit into the spectrum of electromagnetic energies that we are all familiar with. Starting with visible light, the highest frequency our eyes can see is violet; dropping down through the rainbow colours we come to red. Reducing the frequency of the energy further we come to the invisible infrared bands. Going lower still we reach the frequencies used for radio communication. (See the ‘Electromagnetic Spectrum’ reference for technical information.) Just below the visible red is the band of frequencies known as ‘Near infrared’ (NIR), used for special-effects photography, PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

PHYSICAL MEDIUMSHIP

The detection of “ectoplasmic forms will only register if they are sufficiently warm to emit energy at FIR frequencies.

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Infrared Camera Photo: Minea Petratos

and traditionally, in the séance room. Dropping down in frequency we come to the ‘Mid Infrared’ band (MIR) which is used for TV remote controls and industrial applications. Dropping in frequency yet again, we come to the ‘Far infrared’ (FIR) band of frequencies. These are used for thermal imaging, initially made famous by video shots from police helicopters following suspect criminals at night. The use of this technology for various applications is now widespread, resulting in a large increase in the range of equipment available and a corresponding decrease in the cost of that equipment. (See ‘Thermal Imaging’ reference for typical equipment and also more on the infrared bands.)

FAR INFRARED IN THE SÉANCE ROOM For observing activities in the darkened séance room, the use of FIR equipment presents no risk whatsoever to the physical medium. These cameras, both video and still, are purely passive devices just like ordinary photographic cameras. They detect naturally occurring radiation from our bodies. The hotter our bodies, the more energy we radiate in the FIR band, but not hot enough to take us into the realm of the higher NIR frequencies – unless we are on fire! So FIR energy has the characteristics of heat radiation, as opposed to NIR which behaves more like visible light. This means that FIR will not give a clear picture of those sitting in the séance room, only a fuzzy outline that blurs as we move around. Expensive equipment such as is sold to the military reduces these effects but there is a basic limitation to what can

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be achieved with thermal imaging. One can never approach the clarity associated with NIR photography, as areas of the body at the same temperature just appear as one blob of energy. Only differences in temperature give shape to displayed images. Thus facial features will not be clearly defined because there aren’t sudden changes in skin temperature across the face, just gradual changes in temperature. The detection of ectoplasmic forms will only register if they are sufficiently warm to emit energy at FIR frequencies. I must say, though, I’ve never been touched by a cold materialised hand, but that may be arranged so as not to feel unpleasant to us. Ectoplasmic rods and the like could be much cooler. The variance of séance room phenomena is so great that one cannot speculate as to what may register on the FIR monitor. Some physical circles say they are using alternatives to ectoplasm, so that is another unknown. The inherent characteristics of FIR mean that the equipment is best suited simply to monitoring the location of everyone in the room.

NEAR INFRARED IN THE SÉANCE ROOM The 1930s saw a major increase in the use of NIR photography in the séance room. At the forefront of experimentation was photographer Leon Isaacs whose equipment was used in the famous experiment with Direct Voice medium Leslie Flint. Isaacs also took infrared flash photographs of mediums, perhaps the most famous being of physical medium Jack Webber’s séances (Edwards 1978). However, this article concentrates on

video rather than still shots. We shall look more closely at the 1930s era in the next section, as many of the ‘scare stories’ originate from that decade when high levels of radiation were used in the séance room. So what about today? Well, in general, camcorders with infrared capability and domestic-type security cameras are not best suited for use in the séance room. Without an excessively intensive light, they may give only an indication of physical energy manifesting, rather than a good image. But a PN reader might prove me wrong! Cameras need a good lens with aperture control and manual focusing plus built-in programmable noise reduction software to get good images at low levels of illumination – see next section. The other problem is that most have a built-in infrared light source which must be blanked out. A separate infrared light which can be accurately dimmed is absolutely essential.

INFRARED FEARS – A TRUE-LIFE EXAMPLE The following account typifies fears concerning infrared energy in the séance room. It involves a physical medium who was told several years ago by a supposed ‘expert’ to avoid infrared energy as it could seriously damage him. About four years ago I set up my own NIR video equipment in a room made ready for a public séance. I was able to prove to members of the medium’s home circle and to the event organisers that the dim red light used by the medium for several years produced far more infrared light

PHYSICAL MEDIUMSHIP

than visible red light. In simulating séance conditions, all the naked eye could see was the small area where ectoplasm formed into a shape during part of the séance. But on the video monitor, anyone sitting close by, such as the medium, could be seen clearly enough to be readily identified. The reason why this experiment worked so well is that incandescent light bulbs, whether dimmed or not, produce considerably more infrared energy than visible light. A great deal of this energy is in the NIR band. This is all very predictable by ‘Black Box Radiation’ physics (see references). So the medium, who has been adamant in wanting to have nothing to do with infrared energy, had in fact been exposed to significant amounts of it for the last fifteen or so years with no apparent discomfort or complaint from his spirit controls! Even so, the medium would not change his attitude towards infrared energy. In this case we can hardly blame the medium for his fear, it being based on the word of someone he respected and believed to be knowledgeable. Such attitudes, based on misinformation, are quite prevalent in Spiritualism. However, the point is that many physical circles use a dimmed incandescent red light bulb, so this scenario is being repeated across the world. There must be many physical mediums being bathed in NIR with no apparent illeffects. I’m sure their spirit controls would have said something if the energy was detrimental to the production of phenomena. So where did these fears originate? The evidence for infrared energy causing harm seems to be based Helen Duncan on experiments in the 1930s when high levels of radiation were required to produce visual images. In 1932 physical medium Helen Duncan and her main communicator Albert Stewart complained of unpleasant effects when subjected to NIR energy during a séance (Donaldson 1932). However, 1500 watts of energy was emitted by light bulbs to produce enough infrared energy for the experiment! A few years after Donaldson’s experiment the leading exponent of infrared photography, Leon Isaacs, used a 300w light bulb situated inside a box that emitted only infrared energy. Interestingly,

this is almost certain to have been the level of energy used when NIR energy reduced the volume of Independent Direct Voice phenomena at a Leslie Flint séance (Flint 1988).

energy is mainly of use in monitoring the Negative thoughts location of everyone in the séance room. by uninformed Whether ectoplasm observers could be will always be very destructive to the detectable by this technique is unlikely, delicate conditions it being dependent within séances and I on the temperature However, modern suspect this would be a of the ectoplasmic equipment is form – or whatever risk too far for physical exceedingly more alternative psychic sensitive. I use less mediums. energy is used. There is than 1/100th of the also the problem that power that Leon Isaacs thermal imaging may used. And of course, lead to false claims in my own experiment of fraudulent mediumship as historically mentioned above, I used no energy there have been cases of mediums walking additional to that which the medium had around covered in ectoplasm to form the been subjected in his séances. shape of a spirit being.

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A MAJOR CONCERN

There is one aspect of the SNU’s protocol that is more worrying than the nebulous dangers of infrared energy. It is the requirement that séance proceedings be observed outside the séance room via infrared monitoring. I can’t see any medium accepting viewers watching outside the séance room – the reason being that, in not experiencing the unique energies within the séance room, external observers may misjudge proceedings, sending out negative vibes to the serious detriment of the séance phenomena, as suggested by Eric Hatton in his recent letter (PN Feb). There are reliable accounts of spirit controls being very aware of actions or thoughts occurring outside the séance room as well as within it, and I have personally experienced such events. Negative thoughts by uninformed observers could be very destructive to the delicate conditions within séances and I suspect this would be a risk too far for physical mediums.

CONCLUSIONS Thermal imaging using FIR energy requires no infrared illumination to produce observable images. Thus there is absolutely no health risk to physical mediums and no reason whatsoever why physical phenomena should be affected. However, with poor image clarity, such

NIR energy, as in traditional infrared photography, has the potential to give detailed video images of medium, sitters and materialised forms. Unlike thermal imaging, the physical temperature of psychic structures doesn’t determine whether they can be seen or not. There are accounts of ectoplasm being completely invisible at times, so don’t be surprised if you have phenomena but nothing shows up on your video monitor! Compared to the 1930s, modern NIR equipment requires considerably less illumination intensity to produce video images, so the likelihood of harmful effects is greatly reduced. With proper equipment, the level of intensity can be accurately controlled to determine what energy level is tolerable without causing problems for the medium and the phenomena. Probably the biggest difficulty lies in convincing physical mediums that it is safe to allow infrared equipment in the séance room.

REFERENCES Black Box Radiation. http://galileo.phys.virginia. edu/classes/252/black_body_radiation.html Donaldson, S.G. 1932. Materialised Form Photographed. PsyPioneer, V8, No5: May 2012. Available at http://www.woodlandway.org/ Edwards, Harry 1962. The Mediumship of Jack Webber. UK, Harry Edwards Spiritual Healing Trust. Electromagnetic Spectrum. http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum Flint, Leslie 1988. Voices in the Dark. London, Psychic Press Ltd, p168-169. Thermal Imaging: http://www.atncorp. com/howthermalimagingworks PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

FEATURE

R U O Y L E R A IC E H U C T V RE UE NABERTSY’ PSSISY TRH BILLYTIRNOG ANAL WIT DWRI HAN

SUBJECT: FEMALE DATE OF BIRTH: 31st JULY 1969 ASTROLOGICAL STATUS: LEO NUMERICAL INFLUENCE: ARIES This is the handwriting of someone with excellent communication skills, plus artistic flair with an eye for perspective, shape and colour. She likes to get her point of view across and is certainly not afraid to speak her mind, particularly when she knows she is right. She can be quite stubborn when the mood takes her, and considering she was born under the astrological sign of Leo, she occasionally likes her quiet time – not a typical Leo trait.

A NEW PHASE The subject is extremely sensitive, and although she is a Leo, she is influenced, numerically speaking, by the sign of Aries. This suggests that she will enter a new psychological, emotional and spiritual phase on or around 12th April 2015, after which she will begin to enjoy the fruits of her labours, her talents and aspirations, whatever they are. She will then surmount any difficulties she may have encountered over the last twelve months or so.

DOESN’T SUFFER LIARS OR FOOLS The subject is most certainly mediumistically inclined, but is for

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some reason being Although the subject’s prevented from handwriting suggests a moving forward in this certain timidity, she is area. This may well be anything but timid; to use the result of her own a somewhat clichéd term, The subject is most self-doubt, or perhaps certainly mediumistically she really does not suffer simply for her own fools gladly and has a inclined, but is for some personal reasons. She bit of a fiery temper, reason being prevented is extremely intuitive although she now takes from moving forward in and will always know great care to control this. in advance what any This would suggest that this area. member of her family over the years she has is going to say before calmed down a great deal they actually say it. In from the way she was in fact, most people who her twenties. However, know the subject well she is occasionally very would be reluctant to lie to her, simply impatient with herself and it is this that because she can see right through even tends to impair the quality of whatever the most carefully thought-out lie. she is doing at the time.

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LUCKY NUMBERS:

4 • 16 • 23 • 25 • 31 • 45

SENSITIVITY TO THE SPIRIT WORLD Although the subject enjoys her own quiet time, she occasionally likes the company of other people. I would be surprised if this person does not believe in celestial or angelic beings, as her handwriting suggests a sensitivity towards the spirit world and the celestial realms beyond. Overall, she is quite a spiritual person, possesses people skills and the ability to calm fractious situations with little effort. Although she is extremely meticulous where her work is concerned, she can occasionally be a little impetuous over the simplest things. However, generally speaking she is quite level-headed, psychologically well-balanced and highly astute. In fact, even though the subject likes to be in control of things, she is most probably in a relationship that works well doing things together. She knows exactly what she wants in life, and although there is still a lot of room for improvement, especially where her working life and home are concerned, the subject’s handwriting shows she is happy and content with her home and family life.

OPPORTUNITIES NOT TO BE MISSED There are quite a few ‘golden’ opportunities coming this year where her work is concerned. These will involve some travel, not only in the UK, but also overseas. However, because of other commitments the subject may well be a little reluctant to travel too far, and may feel obliged to turn down an opportunity of a lifetime. These all seem to occur around the months of June and August. In some

way this will be a test to see just how determined she really is. The subject’s handwriting reveals that she is mostly an extremely cautious person and someone who is quite private. She is a fairly good judge of character and is selective over those she regards as true friends. There is an overwhelming amount of colour in her handwriting, an obvious representation of her personality and overall attractiveness. This would always be apparent to people who meet her for the first time, and who would see her as quite eloquent, personable and charismatic.

OVERALL COMMENTS: Traditionally, Leo people are quite extrovert and really do like to be the centre of attention. However, where the subject is concerned this is only occasionally true. Although she is capable of standing up and talking to people, should the situation present itself, the subject would most probably prefer to leave the talking to someone else.

MISCELLANEOUS: I was wondering if the name Evans is a family name or in some way connected to the subject’s family? I have stated in previous analyses that if the names given are not known to the writer, they must always in some way be connected, perhaps to the family in the past. I can also see the names Abbie and Debbie, and my own wife’s name, Dolly, and something with Warren on it. Perhaps this is a reference to an area – I’m not sure. Does 16th January mean anything at all to the subject? Perhaps an anniversary?

THE SUBJECT COMMENTS: When the handwriting analysis from Billy was sent to me by PN, I must admit I was sceptical, even though I myself am a developing psychic artist, so would describe myself as pretty open to most things. The description of my character was incredibly accurate. I do not enjoy the limelight for the most part and over the past ten years I have worked incredibly hard to calm my temper. I do instinctively know when people have lied to me and I always stand up for my beliefs when necessary. For the most part I would say I am sane and levelheaded. I have always had a very small circle of close friends. Warren is my husband; Evans is my mum’s married name; Abbie is my daughter. And I hope Billy is right about the overseas travel, because we ® have not been abroad for over ten years!

If you’d like to be a future subject for Billy Roberts’ Psychic Handwriting Analysis column, send a short sample (just a few lines) of your writing, plus your date of birth and gender, to the email or postal addresses on page 4. Please note that, although the PN office team will need your name in order to be able to contact you for your feedback on Billy’s analysis, Billy will not be aware of your identity at any point. PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

FEATURE

PALMISTRY YOUR LIFE IN YOUR HANDS

Internationally renowned palmist Johnny Fincham – who will take no money before a sitting and only accepts it at the end if a client is fully satisfied – explodes some age-old myths for editor Sue Farrow. Ever wondered if palmistry is for real? Or have you (like me) seen it simply as end-of-the-seaside-pier entertainment, performed by a wizened crone complete with sequinned headscarf and big hoop earrings?

TIME FOR A RETHINK? If so, think again. Palmist (more formally, chirologist) Johnny Fincham has convinced this sceptical editor that it’s not only a genuine art, but actually something of a science as well. Did you think it was all about palms? Reconsider! The length and angle of your fingers, individually and in relation to each other, also have their story to tell, as does the texture of your hands’ skin. Bumps,

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hollows and hoops have their own secrets to reveal. Did you also know that those famous ‘lines’ on your palm reveal an enormous amount about the past events and patterns of your life, not just those that might lie in the future? Or that those lines change considerably as you age? I now know that there are technicalities to palmistry I’d never even dreamed of.

SCEPTICAL UNDERGRADUATE TO PALMIST Johnny came to chirology via a very different route from the one leading to the pier. He was studying at university when his yoga teacher decided to read the palms

of three students after class. “I was extremely sceptical,” he recalls. “But I was amazed at how accurate, perceptive and insightful the reading was. I then did a course in palmistry with that teacher. Later, doing a stint in Greece as a teacher of English, I tried out palm reading on various people and got some experience with lots of different types. Eventually I started reading at fairs and parties and became a full time pro palmist about five years after that first reading.” In the 20-odd years that have followed, Johnny has gained international respect. He regularly consults to the business community and has a lengthy waiting list for individual appointments. His workshops are frequently over-subscribed.

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People think everybody can do anything, but we are given certain evidence of disposition, and a certain amount of karma, if you like, which limit us to an extent concerning what we are best disposed to do. Once we’re able to see that, we’re in a better position to drive that vehicle to make our lives better.

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5 OCTOBER 1996

21 JUNE 1998

STEERING YOUR VEHICLE

already there and nothing is going to change about those. The lines change enormously, though, particularly from young childhood. I have a little baby boy and I keep watching his lines grow and change enormously month by month. They change much more slowly in adulthood.

Johnny explains that some things are fixed in the hand, but changes are reflected in addition. “I tend to call the basic pattern the ‘vehicle’ – that’s to say the type of hand you are born with. An earth hand, for instance, has short, stocky fingers and a broad, heavy palm. These things can’t be changed. “The earth hand means you are predisposed to your family, to have work which is very much to do with the home or family. You have a full sense of predispositions which the spirits have lined up for you. That’s your particular vehicle but ultimately it’s up to you to control it. So where the lines come in is to show how you are steering your vehicle, how you are driving it. “People think everybody can do anything, but we are given certain evidence of disposition, and a certain amount of karma, if you like, which limit us to an extent concerning what we are best disposed to do. Once we’re able to see that, we’re in a better position to drive that vehicle to make our lives better.”

DETERMINING WHAT’S NEW AND WHAT’S OLD Ignorantly, I ask how Johnny can tell what is new in the hand and what has been there all along. “Basically there are two ways to answer that question,” he says. “The first is that the hand shape, skin texture and fingerprints never change. They are the fixed things

“The second answer is that I tend to take a client’s handprints every year so that when they come back I do a reading based on the changes since the previous print. “For example, the differences in these two hands (pictured above) may seem remarkable, but are in fact quite typical over a two-year period. Your own hand may change more or less than this. The hand changes; you are not bound by ‘fate’. Your life is in your hands.”

SPOTTING THE FRAUDS Ever vigilant about mediums who are not all they should be, I ask Johnny for some advice about how to distinguish a genuine chirologist from a dodgy one. “Well, the first thing is that a true chirologist would hopefully offer a moneyback guarantee and would not be in any hurry to make a fortune. The second thing is that they would tend to take a very carefully-considered print pattern, thereby showing you that they knew the lines would change. “In fact they would tend to talk much more about your personality traits, hopefully very accurately, and much more about ways you can get the best from yourself rather than simply plot your future and say this, that or the other is going to happen.”

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS So how does a hand-reading work in practice? What might a first-time client expect? “I would start with what I call the ‘large impression’,” Johnny explains. “This would involve things like whether the person is still affected by their childhood. For instance, they might have had a damaging or difficult time and it tends to show up very strongly in the hand. “I also look at what is called the ‘fixed pattern’ of the vehicle. “So perhaps you have a fire hand and are predisposed to be a lively, restless, temperamental type who needs always to be kept busy and they need to know a lot about their fixed patterns. You’ll have a print here which shows you have a desperate need for lots of space and should never be crowded. I’ll talk about childhood patterns that might still be working, then go a little deeper. For instance, there might be a little disturbed line of intervention, and there might be a problem. “With somebody who is much too keen to get into a relationship, for instance, much too hot and wanting to rush in very quickly, I would advise them to slow down and get to know somebody much better before making a move, and I would help them as far as future relationships were concerned. “There are all sorts of ways in which one could advise someone. You might well find, say, that there is a talent for music they have not exploited. There might be a deep issue about their lack of confidence which PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

FEATURE the rise, even within law enforcement.

comes from their past, and which they need to examine and change.”

“I believe that actually comes from forensics,” Johnny says. “They’re starting to take the whole palm print now and once they start doing that they begin to recognise that criminals tend to have certain damaged emotional systems, and then you will see a line tends to be particularly short or crude, or damaged in some way.

PUTTING THE CLIENT IN THE DRIVING SEAT So, knowledge is power. It’s essentially about informing people and putting them in control of their own strengths and weaknesses? “Yes,” says Johnny. “I know it sounds rather arrogant but I’m just telling people about themselves. I mean that in the sense that I’m a complete stranger to them and wouldn’t be expected to know them. So I hope that through studying their hand I’m able to see into their personality, guide them and teach them a little bit about how to get the best from themselves, or from life itself.”

A CRAFTY QUESTION By way of an example I ask Johnny (a little mischievously, perhaps, but perfectly legitimately) what in a hand might tell him somebody has a gift for music. “The third finger would be long,” he says. “Longer than the index finger by a goodly amount. There would usually be a large Mount of Venus – the big ball around the base of the thumb. There would tend to be an air line or head line which would curve or drop a line into the subconscious, and there would usually be quite a lot of activity at the end of the heart line where somebody is able to transfer their emotions into some more abstract concept or process. All of these things would be there.” I reveal that I have asked him that for a reason. I was a professional musician for 25 years before I came into spiritual journalism and have just been staring at my own hand while he was talking. That’s absolutely spot on,” I tell him. “Oh, really?” he replies.

“There’s a famous book by a former Los Angeles Police Department officer. It’s called The Hands of Criminals. He’s used private prints he took himself to demonstrate criminality and deviance through the palm. I see that as being the first step of palmistry or chirology (I don’t like to use that word because nobody knows what it means!). psychological, medical, spiritual and vocational palmistry, to name just a few. “There are all sorts of different specialisms and they all need a bit of specialist time, and I would get students to do the basic course first so they know how to read a print pattern, etc. Usually they’ll want to apply a particular type of palmistry so I would tend to use the workshops to give them an insight into a particular field they might want to take further.” And does Johnny himself have a favourite specialist area? “I guess it would have to be the psychological side. I’ve done a lot of work with psychologists and psychotherapists. They bring examples of people’s depression, for example, and we look to see what part of the patterns those hands all have in common. So yes, I’m fascinated by the way people think and function, and how the hand shows the distinctions between different types.”

IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION!

As an after-thought he adds that “the little finger is usually slightly longer and slightly pointed at the tip.” I tell him I’ve got that too.

On a lighter note I wonder if, when Johnny meets someone socially for the first time, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to their hands so he can have a sneaky peek at what makes them tick.

“Well you must have been a damn good musician if you have all of those together!” says Johnny.

“I do,” he says, sounding a bit embarrassed. “I shouldn’t, but I do!”

MANY SPECIALISMS Finally, I ask about the many different specialisms that seem to be part of palmistry. His website – a really wellpresented resource for all things chirological – lists emotional, sexual,

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SCIENCE AND FORENSICS He goes on to tell me that exciting scientific papers have been published in recent years, suggesting that long-held beliefs about aspects of hand reading practice are verifiably true. It seems that mainstream acceptance of palmistry is on

“People are becoming much more alert to the potential and power of palmistry. But I think that once the authorities start using it and finding it helpful, it will make enormous strides forward.”

WANT TO GIVE IT A GO? If you fancy trying your hand (sorry, couldn’t resist!) at palmistry, you might like to start with one of Johnny’s three books on the subject. Palmistry – Apprentice to Pro in 24 Hours is aimed specifically at the beginner and is illustrated with images of actual hands, including those of many celebrities. I confess I’m tempted to pay Johnny a visit at his Norfolk practice. I have a feeling I might learn a lot. For more about Johnny Fincham’s work, and palmistry in general, visit: johnnyfincham.com

FEATURE

SNU Physical Séance Protocol David Bruton, President of the Spiritualists’ National Union and Principal of both the Arthur Findlay College and Arthur Findlay Centre, responds to PN readers Further to the extensive coverage in last month’s PN relating to the SNU’s introduction of a physical protocol for the Arthur Findlay College (pictured) and Centre, and the subsequent withdrawal of physical medium Scott Milligan from working at the College, I would like on behalf of the Union to make the following points in an attempt to answer the concerns expressed in the printed letters:

In my view – Eileen Davies I have great respect for Eileen as an outstanding medium, tutor and course organiser at the AFC and I support much of what she says. However, there are one or two points contained in her article which need to be corrected to provide your readers with a true and balanced view of the facts surrounding the introduction of the protocol.

“When Scott was presented with the new rules, it was stated by Minister Judith Seaman that his séances were not evidential enough because they were held in the dark.” This statement is totally false and these words were never spoken at the meeting. Minister Seaman has never sat with Scott, so I am sure that as a well-respected minister, medium and officer of the SNU she would not have and did not make such a judgment in relation to Scott’s work. Scott invited Judith to sit in one of his séances, an invitation which was readily accepted, but to date no firm details of a venue or date have been supplied to Minister Seaman. “There are many who have chosen to pass judgment on Scott’s physical mediumship – a number of whom have not even had the decency to experience his séances.”

The introduction of the protocol was never about any one medium but rather about adopting a rational approach to the conduct of physical mediumship at the College with a view to upholding Arthur Findlay’s wish for the advancement of Spiritualism and the Psychic Sciences. “How much better the outcome of this situation might have been if the opinion of Scott – the person most directly affected – had been sought on the best course of action before the protocol was finalised.” This is exactly what the AFC committee did at a meeting when Eileen was present. We offered to work with Scott in developing both the protocol and the testing equipment to find a mutually acceptable solution and take account of guidance from his spirit team. Scott was assured that he could continue to work at the College during this process, which would take place

“ofThetheintroduction protocol was never about any one medium but rather about adopting a rational approach to the conduct of physical mediumship.

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FEATURE in his home circle. The College would supply the necessary equipment at no cost to Scott. Sadly, some 48 hours after providing both Scott and Eileen with these assurances, Scott informed us he was withdrawing from the College; this was his decision and in my view we have by his actions jointly lost a great opportunity to progress the causes of both physical mediumship and Spiritualism. The protocol is in fact still a work in progress and although it has been issued in draft form the committee are more than ready to review it in the future as experience dictates.

Minister Eric Hatton – Letters I fully support Eric’s view and bow to his lifetime of experience with many great physical mediums, which is the very reason we planned to work to better understand both the phenomena and the latest technology at our disposal. Experimentation with infrared photography in the séance room was occurring as far back as 1934 but technology has moved on considerably since that time; if we never seek to expand our understanding through working with the conditions and different mediums, how can we hope to progress this potentially highly evidential form of mediumship?

Roy Stemman – Letters I am more than happy to propose dropping the requirement for infrared recording of all dark séances. The camera equipment we have identified for testing is not actually an infrared camera; it is, instead, the latest thermal imaging equipment developed for the military and emits no light that could be damaging to the medium. However, in my mind this underlines the need to test this equipment to establish its suitability and I am not wholly convinced that the College is the best place for this to take place. Surely the safety and protection of a home circle would provide a far more suitable test-bed before introducing this technology at the College, a point made very clearly to Scott and Eileen.

Derek Skeels – Letters Derek is quite correct in saying that the SNU has a long history of exposing fraudulent mediums, whose work only seeks to damage the movement in the eyes of the general public. Personally, before I became president I worked closely with Sue Farrow when she was first appointed editor of Psychic News, to test the physical mediumship of Warren Caylor, and the claims he was making for his work. Sadly, after months of close negotiations, Caylor withdrew at the last minute, claiming our demands and safeguards to be excessive.

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Lew Sutton – Letters Mr Sutton has written to me regarding his observations on the protocol and given his experience and background I welcome his input with open arms. He has kindly offered to critique the protocol, drawing on his personal experience, and the College committee is more than happy to consider his views and opinions going forward. The protocol is not set in stone; we are more than prepared to work in developing a document which meets the aims and objectives of the College whilst supporting the work in the field. I have already been approached by several physical mediums requesting test sittings using the protocol and over the next few months we will be arranging appropriate times to further investigate this important area of work.

Freddie Giddings – Letters

Yvonne Adriaensen Pols – Letters Whilst I appreciate Yvonne’s personal opinion, it is not supported by fact. The many thousands of students attending the College year by year from around the world seem not to share her view about her “awful feeling” at the AFC. Most of the AFC committee are also working mediums; does Yvonne seriously believe we would put our colleagues, peers and students at risk? This is a totally ridiculous suggestion, not worthy of publication in a serious magazine. In drawing my response to a close I would like to state for the record that the Spiritualists’ National Union takes its responsibility very seriously in furthering and promoting the Spiritualist movement. I repeat my regret that Scott took the decision to walk away from the College; what a lost opportunity this was, but I wish him well in his future development wherever that may take him.

I have to take issue with the statements of Mr Giddings. The SNU offers its members and students an internationally wellrespected standard of education. Never in the 38 years I have been in Spiritualism The Physical Protocol is still a work in have I said or heard said that the SNU progress. I look forward to working with approach is the only way. We are a many people in the future to develop progressive organisation and I can assure this document and continue to enlarge Mr Giddings that the boundaries of our we are well aware understanding. I have no The Physical that conditions in doubt that Spiritualism the séance room and the Union need Protocol is still a work potentially affect to change to face the in progress. I look the phenomena. challenges of future forward to working generations; let’s not, in I cannot see our efforts to appease with many people in any justification the sensitivity of a for naming the the future to develop few vocal souls, throw mediums who this document and common sense and a sought the rational and balanced continue to enlarge guidance of the approach out of the spirit world; this the boundaries of our window. would simply have

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understanding.

acted to make them targets, to have their standing and credibility questioned and undermined. What would this achieve?

I also cannot subscribe to Mr Giddings’ view that there are very few people in the SNU who have a deep knowledge of physical mediumship. What is the basis of these comments? Can Mr Giddings claim to have in-depth knowledge of our whole 2,800 membership? I can, however, assure Mr Giddings that the protocol affects only the work at the College and the Centre. Our 340 churches around the country, and the many home circles emanating from those churches, are not in any way affected by the introduction of the protocol, unless, of course, they wish to adopt it to further their research in this field.

How can we expect to be taken seriously in scientific and academic circles unless we are prepared to establish a framework for the development and testing of our work? Personally, I would subscribe to a view of the spirit world as a thinking, intelligent power wishing to progress the understanding of humankind; are we as Spiritualists ready to provide this or should we keep looking back to the past, hiding behind glories which have long since passed into distant memory? The future lies before us: development in the understanding of mediumship and spirituality will continue with or without us. Personally, I would prefer to be part of this important research and create an understanding of Spiritualism which resonates in the minds of thinking people everywhere.

Spiritual Events A selection of spiritual events taking place this month SUNDAY 1ST MARCH Mind, Body & Spirit Fayre 10:30am – 5:00pm Entry £2.50 At: Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, WEST SUSSEX BN14 9HS www.soulstarevents.co.uk Free talks, demonstrations and mini workshops, along with psychic consultants, Spiritualist mediums, clairvoyants, holistic therapists, aura photography and much more.

FRIDAY 6TH MARCH Chanting Concert Evening 7:30pm – 9:30pm (Doors open at 7:00pm) Entry £15 (standard ticket) £20 (front row ticket) At: St Columba Church, Chantry Rd, Moseley, BIRMINGHAM B13 8DJ www.treeoflifemagazine. co.uk

Performed by Nikki Slade, who has pioneered voice and sound work in the UK since 1990. During her early careers as an actress and singer she performed in venues including the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal National Theatre. Nikki leads these sessions with voice, harmonium and drum.

SAT & SUN 7TH & 8TH MARCH Mind Body & Spirit Event 10:00am – 5:00pm (Workshops finish at 6pm) Entry in advance: £3.50 (£3 concessions), £6 for a twoday pass (£5 concessions), Tickets £1 extra on the door At: Nantwich Civic Hall, Beam Street, Nantwich, CHESHIRE CW5 5DG www.rosemarydouglas. com There will be over forty stands, a cornucopia of complementary therapists, unique crystals, gemstone jewellery, flutes, drums, clothing, health products, demonstrations, talks and workshops.

SUNDAY 8TH MARCH Holistic And Mystic Mind, Body, Soul Show 10:00am – 5:00pm Entry £4.50 (adults), £3.50 (concessions), free for children under 16 At: Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, SURREY RH5 6AA http://holisticandmystic. com/events/dorking-show

A day filled with holistic and spiritual products including crystals, gemstone jewellery, singing bowls, incense and much more. There will also be psychic readers offering advice and life guidance through tarot, angel cards, clairvoyance and more. Plus, a range of complementary therapies including reflexology, reiki, homeopathy and crystal healing.

FRIDAY 13 MARCH Crystal Skulls Talk by Shane Darbey 7.15pm Subscription £2 At: Chesterfield Community Centre, South Place, Chesterfield, DERBYSHIRE S40 1QU www.cpsg.co.uk th

Explanation of the use of crystal skulls in mediumship.

SAT & SUN 14TH & 15TH MARCH BSSK Mind Body Spirit Weekend 10:00am – 5:00pm Entry £5.00 (adults), £4.00 (concessions), £8.00 (two-day pass), £6.00 (two-day concessions), under 15s free At: Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley, SOUTH YORKSHIRE S74 8HJ www.bssk.co.uk Free talks, workshops and a range of therapists, readers and trade stands. Free parking and a free treasure hunt for children with a prize for every child.

SAT & SUN 21ST & 22ND MARCH Mind Body Spirit Exhibition 10:00am – 4:00pm Free Entry At: Downham Market, Town Hall, Priory Road, NORFOLK PE38 9JS www.spiritualflowevents. com Mediums, healers, therapies, remedies, massage, crystals and beautiful spiritual gifts, and more.

SAT & SUN 21 & 22 MARCH Llangollen Light Mind And Body Festival 10:00am – 5:00pm Entry Free At: The Community Hall, St Collen’s Church, Regent Street, Llangollen, NORTH WALES LL20 8HL www.llangollenlight.com ST

A joyful celebration of health and healing arts and creativity for your mind and body. A space for you to relax and rekindle your sparkle, to explore new experiences and welcome in the changes you want in your life. Wide range of massage and complementary therapies, alternative gifts and natural healing tools, personal guidance, handmade gifts and workshops.

THURSDAY 26TH MARCH Charity Evening with Medium Terry Brookwood 7:30pm Tickets £10 At: Pennington’s Octagon, Bradford Road, Sandbeds, Keighley, WEST YORKSHIRE BD20 5LY Tickets available from the Octagon (01274 562 252) or by calling Jackie on 078141 75199 or Angela on 075024 36450 An evening of mediumship with international medium Terry Brookwood in aid of Manorlands Hospice. Tickets include the cost of a pie and pea supper. The evening will also include a raffle.

SAT & SUN 28TH & 29TH MARCH Ilkley Complementary Medicine Festival 10:00am – 5:00pm Entry £4.00 (Adults), £3.50 (Concessions) £6.50 – 2 day pass, under 16s go free At: King’s Hall, Winter Gardens, Station Road, Ilkley, WEST YORKSHIRE LS29 8HB http://icmf.co.uk/festival/ There will be a wide range of therapies, services and natural products. Visit the website address above to book tickets for demonstrations and workshops.

SAT & SUN 28TH & 29TH MARCH Holistic Ways Festival Aberdeen 11:00am – 5:00pm Entry £4.50 (Adults), £3 (Concessions), £7 (Adult weekend ticket), £4 (Concessions weekend ticket), under 14 free At: Aberdeen University, Regent Walk, Aberdeen, SCOTLAND AB24 3FX www.holisticwaysfestival. co.uk With leading MBS speakers and performers, a host of holistic, complementary and alternative therapists available for treatments throughout the weekend along with many of the country’s best known psychics, mediums and readers.

Advertise your event in the Spiritual Events section from just £15 for up to 80 words. Email or phone: pnadverts@gmail.com

01279 874339 PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

INTERVIEW

Honouring the spirits of the dead Medium and paranormal investigator Kalila Smith speaks to Billy Roberts Kalila Smith

British medium Billy Roberts first met New Orleans medium Kalila Smith in 2003 when they were both commissioned by Sony to feature in a documentary promoting the corporation’s Playstation 2 game, Ghost Hunter. Since then, the two have kept in touch and also worked together again. Billy describes Kalila as “an excellent exponent of mental mediumship” and recently interviewed her for PN on a broad range of subjects. First of all, Kalila, tell us a little about your background. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and I’ve spent the past twenty years as a psychic investigator of the paranormal. I researched all the locations for Haunted History Tours of New Orleans, the oldest and largest tour company in the city. My work with the spirit world has featured on a number of TV channels, Discovery and the BBC. When did you first become interested in paranormal and metaphysical subjects? It seems that I came into this world still very much connected to the spirit world. As a child, I saw and interacted with spirits as much as I did with the living. As I grew older, the ability seemed to close itself off. No doubt the left brain was taking over at that time and I became more concerned with the physical world. It was many years later when I decided to open back up to the spirit world.

religions which focus on honouring the spirits of the dead and communicating with them. I belong to a House of Santeria. We hold monthly spiritual misas which are based more on Allan Kardec’s Spiritism rather than traditional Spiritualism as in the UK. We spend hours sitting with spirit to attune ourselves to recognising messages from spirit and developing our mediumistic skills. We met in 2003 when we worked together on the documentary for Sony. I found the graveyard in the Louisiana swamps extremely eerie. Can you tell us a little bit about that venue and how it came to be there? The Manchac Swamp is several miles from my home in Laplace, Louisiana. The area began as a German farm town called Frenier but was destroyed in 1915 by a tidal wave during a hurricane.

Tell us a bit about the spiritual scene in New Orleans. The spiritual scene is more connected to Voodoo and Santeria, Afro-Caribbean

Santeria ceremony Photo: Jorge Royan

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

One of the town’s residents was a woman named Julia Brown. Many said at the time that she was a practitioner of Voodoo, and she was no doubt also a herbal healer. Julia would sit on her porch at night and sing a song indicating that when

Manchac Swamp

she died, she would take the town with her. It was during her funeral that the tidal wave rose and literally swallowed up the town. The residents were all buried in a mass grave that can still be seen deep in the swamp. No one ever knew if events were a result of the curse that she placed on the town or merely a prophecy, but the story has become a legend in this area. People still claim to hear the ghostly cries of those killed in that storm. More recently we did a show together in Cornwall. How does working in the UK differ from working in the States? In the States, it’s much more commercialised. Spiritualist churches are few and far between – it’s not as mainstream as in the UK. Mediumistic demonstrations are viewed by the general public more for their showmanship than their spiritual value. You have an interest in physical mediumship? Are you sitting for its development? I am part of a physical circle. When I began to further develop my skills as a medium, I was told I had to decide whether I was a mental or physical medium. I disagree. I think that labeling my relationship with spirit sets limitations. Spirit is limitless – I open myself up to any and all experiences and keep an open mind. Most of my work is considered mental

INTERVIEW

I have spent the night in “some of the most haunted places in New Orleans, considered to be one of the most haunted cities in North America. I have found that most hauntings are actually residuals rather than intelligent entities.

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The French Quarter, New Orleans

mediumship. I am clairvoyant, clairaudient and clairsentient. But I like experimenting with different means of allowing spirit to express through me whether it’s table tipping, art or cabinet work. In the UK, tutors considered trance and art mediumship a form of mental; here it’s considered physical – it’s just labels. But I do believe that anything physical should be validated by those present so I’m an advocate of working with the light on. In November 2014 you attended a physical mediumship seminar in Wales. Who were the tutors, and were you impressed? Among them were Scott Milligan, Eileen Davies, Jan Dayton and Christine Morgan, and I was very impressed. I learned quite a few new exercises to help tap into my right brain and keep myself in the power with spirit. I also had the opportunity to explore art as a form of connecting to spirit – something that had been trying to unfold in me for quite some time. I found that fascinating. The best part was that I received two assessment readings, one from Jan and another from Eileen, and I was amazed how they both picked up on pretty much the same things about my relationship with spirit and where I should be directing my focus. I experienced a lot of validation and healing. Are there any significant differences between American and UK mediums? I think the biggest difference is that in the UK a lot of mediums grew up in households where mediumistic development was considered a norm – it is much more accepted. Here in the States, when a child expresses mediumistic tendencies, they get suppressed. People who are born mediums sometimes spend the first decades of life being told there is something unnatural about it. We are told as children that we have

‘imaginary friends’ rather than taught to embrace our natural ability to relate to spirits beyond this physical world. Our confidence in mediumship therefore gets shaken from the very start. We secondguess ourselves and take more time to develop because we are forced to stifle our growth in that area. In the UK, there are mediums who have spent their entire lives working with spirit. They were permitted and encouraged to embrace that part of themselves. So-called ‘ghost hunting’ events are extremely popular in the UK. Tell us something about your experiences in New Orleans and a little about your most alarming experience. I have spent the night in some of the most haunted places in New Orleans, considered to be one of the most haunted cities in North America. I have found that most hauntings are actually residuals rather than intelligent entities. Residual hauntings are very strong and by no means less powerful than intelligent ones. Energy in these areas can be very toxic if negative, and I have become sick in certain buildings because of residual energy. Most of my experiences were not frightening. Having grown up around all this I am very accustomed to feeling the variations in energy in haunted places, but there are some things that cannot be explained. One of the more frightening things I’ve encountered is a phenomenon known as ‘shadow people’. During an investigation of the old State Palace Theater, we opened the door to an old costume and prop closet that had not been opened in many years. We had two night vision cameras focused on the door as it opened. Inside we captured the shadowy figure of something. It was long, slender and somewhat resembled the silhouette of a person. It stood motionless

for a few seconds then vanished. I found that somewhat unsettling. There was another odd thing on the first floor near the stage: we could see the balcony row above and it appeared that people were sitting in the seats above us. When we went upstairs to investigate, we found no one there and no seats either. No matter how long I conduct investigations, there’s always something that can’t be explained. How would you define yourself? A medium, researcher or something else? As I mentioned earlier, I’m not one for labels. I would say I’m all of the above. I work on the spiritual level when it’s called for and on the scientific research level when needed. I see mediumship and Spiritualism as being very scientific. Today, more and more doctors and scientists are proving that the spirit world exists and is parallel to our world. Psychic phenomena have been proved by parapsychology. I am just another soul trying to find my way through this life, ever curious about from where we came from and where we are going. We are working together again in November 2015. What other plans do you have for the future? I am very excited to be returning to the UK to work with you again and I’m hoping we will continue to do so in the future. In 2016, I’m hoping to travel to Brazil to study with practitioners of Candomble and further develop my relationship with spirit. Kalila is currently working on her seventh book, Séance Experiments, with American medium Sid Patrick. For more information about her work, visit: www.kalilasmith.com PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

PERSONAL OPINION

New Zealand-based medium Ken Pretty is less than impressed with the SNU’s new protocol for physical séances at the Arthur Findlay College and Arthur Findlay Centre. In typically forthright terms, he explains why. . .

I feel compelled to write about the SNU’s self-proclaimed protocol for physical séances. Much like previously delivered ‘gems’ these rulings clearly demonstrate that they have little or no true knowledge of what physical mediumship is about. Indeed, the SNU’s response to one physical medium was that the protocol was not a reflection on their mediumship, “but a way forward for the college”. This clearly translates as – “This is what you should and must do if you want to work at the AFC.” However, with the exception of one or two, these rules couldn’t be more wrong or disturbing. During my long time in Spiritualism I have observed that, like many things, mediumship talents run in cycles. A number of physical mediums, including myself, were still demonstrating in the early 1960s but most were either not in the best of health, edging towards retirement, or not being booked by established churches. Paralleled here is that almost nobody was sitting either, as many, quickly downhearted, knew that it was invariably a long time before even a smidgen of phenomena [and then only maybe] occurred in their circle. Principally, though, ‘times were a-changing’ and here were sown the seeds of the aforementioned cycles.

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Led by Harry Edwards, a healing craze began and a few really good healers emerged such as Harry, Ted Fricker, Maurice Tester, George Chapman, Harry Adey emerged, all of whom had the talent for physical mediumship. But healing is not per se the holy grail perpetrated by the many; indeed, it is the easiest of all talents to grasp and demonstrate somewhat. As such, there was an upsurge of healing and it became the norm to do this during Sunday meetings, where they could ‘perform’ and show off their ‘prowess’; even so, and as today, most were very basic in their craft, while others were nothing more than pretenders. Whilst clairvoyants [audients and sentients too] were always present, as were other mediumistic demonstrators, other cycles manifested and grew fast. Following healing, everyone wanted to be a ‘philosopher’ and many would stand on rostrums and talk about their gardens, family, or how spiritual they were. Only very few addressed philosophy.

because its greatest weapons are that one can become a medium in days, angels are among us to find our parking spots, and only evolved masters speak to and through them. However, their most powerful thrust is that far too many folk believe them. The next real cycle is that many Spiritualists left the fold of a large organisation, and not only opened their own premises but also set up their own, now firmly recognised and established organizations, too. Now it appears that from the 1990s it has come full-cycle and today physical mediumship and developing PMs are on the lips and agendas of many folk again. Spiritualism needs PMs to demonstrate worldwide. It can enable folk to be revived in their search, for such demonstrations prove beyond doubt the fact of life after life.

Churches soon found they could not afford two fees, so mediums were expected to do both address and clairvoyance, which left the ‘philosophers’ to do something else. Psychic portrait artists came forth but many philosophers became landscape and abstract painters – easy to claim as spirit works but never (as opposed to portraits) identifiably proven.

In the late 1920s and 30s some materialisation mediums were badly treated by scientists and sceptics alike. Moreover, spirit wanted so much to prove their existence that they unwittingly caused harm to their mediums too. Spirit would also make them commit unconscious fraud, dematerialising their bonds and having their mediums walk around as materialised entities. In fact, a transfiguration ectoplasmic mask was used, and ectoplasm ‘drapery’ would hide the mediums’ clothes, etc.

Then the New Age invasion began, which to our officials’ lasting costs - by allowing their takeover in many places - is now, by the more perspicacious among us, anathema to true Spiritualism. This is

In those days spirit helpers were unaware that light was a very damaging thing and in far too many séances they encouraged magnesium flash photography. In more than a few cases, unworthy sitters, thinking

PERSONAL OPINION

the medium was fraudulent, would grab at the ectoplasm and or the medium or trumpet, etc.

NOW TO THOSE AFC SÉANCE RULES: 1.

Indeed, more than a few mediums had problems with sitters but disgustingly Alec Harris had a hitherto friendly Spiritualist organisation officer put on a light. Sadly, Alec was never the same and he ‘died’ not long afterwards. The same sort of thing happened to Helen Duncan. Researching other PMs, one finds that very few made old bones.

During a séance the spirit chemist has to keep making biological changes to the medium’s ectoplasm, thus enabling its manipulation for each facet of phenomena, e.g. materialisation, direct and independent voice, levitation of objects, apports, etc, for each activity is of a slightly different nature [vibration] from another. Whilst originally they allowed light, etc. now they know the bad effects that can harm and or even kill a medium. In fact, they have not commonly come up with a formula for protecting the medium in any light whatsoever and they are continually trying to find this. Rest assured it will happen, but even then, since each PM is also biologically different from another, that formula necessarily becomes formulae. Hence as yet no light whatsoever except in very rare cases, and then only for short periods when spirit gives directions, occurs presently during séances.

Today, however, spirit helpers are more ‘savvy’ and will at all costs protect their mediums during séances. Even so, despite having minders, the searching of sitters, and emptying of pockets so that nothing is taken into the séance room, most mediums have still had health problems, due to a stupid ‘muppet’ who tried to grab. This is now the primary reason for sitters holding hands and not being allowed to sit next to the folk they came in with. In conclusion, I will simply state that sitters should understand they are very privileged to be able to sit in such rare séances, experience such rare phenomena and learn from the experience.

On filming, I point to such companies as Weta which produce incredible effects through computers. So will a filmed séance however strictly made - be regarded with doubt? Night vision goggles are individual, so the wearer can only say what he or she saw, and with more than one person using them, they each have to be looking at exactly the same event. Even then, their view would differ. The reports, therefore, can at best only be anecdotal. Cabinets, séance rooms, equipment and so on, and also mediums are always searched before a séance.

than a few mediums “had...more problems with sitters but disgustingly Alec Harris had a hitherto friendly Spiritualist organisation officer put on a light. Sadly, Alec was never the same and he ‘died’ not long afterwards.

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The perfect séance would of course be in natural light, or even subdued lighting. But little known is that physical mediums are biologically different from the masses – fact! While ectoplasm production is a part of the life-force essence, most folk can only produce minimal amounts, whereas physical mediums can produce copious quantities.

If physical mediums are not assessed before being let loose, why are they not? Ours always are.

Agreed.

Agreed

Our sitters are carefully vetted and know that once the door is closed nobody is allowed out, so opening the door would only happen in an extreme emergency.

We always have a pre-séance talk, and folk are also in possession of notes sent long before they attend.

We are extremely careful every time about who is allowed to attend a séance.

Editor’s note: Ken Pretty’s numbered points correspond to the numbered points of the SNU’s physical séance protocol. The full protocol can be found in the January 2015 edition of Psychic News. ®

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

2015 Spiritual Courses at Hafan Y Coed

13th - 15th March: Wendy Hale: Spiritual Healing, Part 1, NFSH Certified 26th - 27th March: Cheryl Brennan: Mediumship

28th - 29th March: Nina Roberts & Diana Riley: Mediumship - Improve Your Inner Self Weekend How to fill yourself with positive energy in a safe and loving environment. Saturday 11th April: Halina Hampson: Healing Code Workshop, 11.30am - 4.30pm Come and learn the Healing Code. To book, or if you have any questions, please call me on 07929 841223.

13th - 17th April: TJ Higgs: Mediumship, Building Evidence, Improving Your Sittings 17th - 19th April: Adele Brunton: A Trance Experience

24th - 26th April: Geoff Hutchison: Walk with the Shaman A course for all levels. 8th - 10th May: Jan Higgins: Gatekeepers, Guardians and Guides Weekend Find out who works with you from the Spirit World through meditation and practical work.

22nd - 24th May: Scott Lornie & Denise McNulty: Working with Energies Weekend Explore the different types of energy involved in working with the mediumship, psychic and trance faculties.

12th - 14th June: Jacqui Day: Spiritual Fiesta Weekend 19th - 21st June: Wendy Hale: Spiritual Healing, Part 2, NFSH Certified 29th June - 3rd July: Jan Higgins: Open Your Heart to Healing 17th - 20th July: Claire Wiggins & Gill Snaith: Trance Mediumship Intensive Course 20th - 25th July: International Mediums Billy Cook CSNU & Les Henderson CSNU: The Spiritual Toolbox Discover and enhance your spiritual and psychic abilities. 31st July - 3rd August: Sandy Ingham: Psychic Art Course

FROM THE EDITOR

Life in the next world

is it really a bed of roses?

Sue Farrow casts a quizzical eye over some of the descriptions spirit communicators have given of life in the world unseen, and discovers a contradiction or three. . .

In between walking the dog, matching up the unpaired socks, traipsing round the supermarket and numerous other unremarkable but necessary tasks of the past few weeks, I’ve been brooding more than usual on the meaning of life. Not just this one, but the next one – the whole big ‘continuity’ picture. Be honest, now – have you ever had the odd heretical thought that it doesn’t all quite add up? And, like me, felt a twinge of guilt for indulging in such subversive mental meanderings? Well, hang the guilt – I’m a Spiritualist and I’m supposed to think out of the box. So here’s what bothers me: We Spiritualists operate on the basis that life for every human soul is neverending – a continuous eternal journey of spiritual progress and evolution. We muddle through the hard times on the ultimately positive premise that the soul grows through the facing of challenges and adversities, overcoming the various obstacles, small and large, that inevitably drop into the waters of our lives, causing anything from ripples to great big tidal waves. As Maurice Barbanell’s guide Silver Birch said: “You must recognise that this [mental and spiritual evolution] is an endless process in your world and in the whole universe . . . so go on making mistakes, learning from them and getting better spiritually all the time.” From this it seems clear that our responses to the problems and challenges that face us on a daily basis in this life are what enable

the soul to learn and progress. And if that’s the case, as I believe it is, presumably those challenging opportunities for progression must continue until a state of nearperfection is achieved, which is unlikely to be accomplished in this blink-of-an-eye earthly life. But the wise Silver Birch also said: “We must win you by evidence, by reason, by intelligence, by affection and by cooperation.” He explicitly encourages us, then, to use our reason and intelligence, and reasoning inevitably involves questioning, whether of ourselves or others.

We Spiritualists “ operate on the basis that life for every human soul is never-ending – a continuous eternal journey of spiritual progress and evolution. We muddle through the hard times on the ultimately positive premise that the soul grows through the facing of challenges and adversities.

”

So my question is: Can the spirit world really be the idyllic and blissful place that so many spirit communicators have described? Anthony Borgia, who apparently received the text for his book Life in the World Unseen through clairaudient communications from his friend in spirit, Monsignor Hugh Benson, paints a picture of a serene, magnificent and, yes, homely world, pretty much like this one but without the hassle and strife and pain. For instance: “What I saw was my old home that I had lived in upon the earth-plane; my old home, but with a difference. It was improved in a way that I had not been able to do to its earthly counterpart. The house itself was rejuvenated, as it seemed to me from a first glance, rather than restored, but it was the gardens around it that attracted my attention more fully.” The friend who, we are told, is giving Benson a guided tour of his new spirit PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

FROM THE EDITOR surroundings, tells him that “both the house and the garden . . . were the harvest I had reaped for myself during my earth life. Having earned the right to possess them, I had built them with the aid of generous souls who spend their life in the spirit world performing such deeds of kindness and service to others.” Can all this be for real? Same house, presumably same relationships, same pet, all mentioned in numerous other communications? I do accept that there will be reunion in the spirit world with those we have loved and lost, both human and animal. But does that mean we continue life exactly as we left off here? That makes no sense to me. Where are the soul challenges in the tried and tested and totally familiar? I’m back with Silver Birch: “It is easy to love those you love. There is no virtue, no saintliness in that. But to love those you do not love, that is the attribute of an evolved soul.” Another problem I have is that so many communicators have indicated we will retain our individual identity in the spirit world – same personality, same looks (but apparently reverting to a more youthful appearance, so minus wrinkles, cellulite and grey hair) – while other communicators maintain that the purpose/ goal of existence is to perfect the soul to such an extent that we must lose that individuality in order to become one with the source of all life. On the ‘appearance’ point, suppose we don’t want to be sans wrinkles? For some they are a badge indicating wisdom gained through a long life well lived. And what is all this returning youthfulness about anyway? We spend much of our earthly life in an absurdly image-conscious culture that glorifies a youthful face and body, bombarding us daily with adverts for an unimaginably huge range of cosmetics intended to reduce wrinkles, smooth the skin, make the teeth whiter, tighten a sagging jawline, cover up grey hair, etc, to say nothing of cosmetic surgeons who become seriously rich by specialising in supposedly age-defying operations. Tell me, please, that we’re not destined to end up in an equally superficial afterlife where outward image is still worshipped, as it is by so many here, and where personal vanity is encouraged! What next? Spirit beauty contests, perhaps? I’m genuinely confused by all this cosy, unchallenging familiarity. Can it really be that we just coast along in the same old domestic bliss (if, of course, we were

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

fortunate enough to have it in this world), with the same family and friends, all under a cloudless sky where flowers never fade? To be honest, after I’ve arrived, settled in and luxuriated for a while in a world free from the ever unpredictable British weather, I think I’ll be bored stiff. But have I misunderstood this fairy tale scenario? There may be a hint from Silver Birch: “What you must appreciate is that to you matter is solid and tangible, and spirit is shadowy and insubstantial. In our world spirit is the reality, tangible, and matter is shadowy and insubstantial. You do not have any of the apparatus to make you speak because you do not have to speak. “All our communication is done by thought. We send our thoughts to one another and we are able to communicate as a result. Thought is a reality in our world. Everything that exists is created out of thought. And thus you can have whatever you deem necessary for as long as you want or need it. “We have oceans, seas, mountains, lakes, and flowers, plants, trees, animals and birds. We have beauty of the kind that you cannot appreciate until you come to our world. It

would be the exception to find in our world anyone evolved to some maturity who would hanker after the world of matter. “Another advantage is that we do not have the problems that confront you. We do not have to buy provisions, or clothes. We do not have to pay for houses etc. All these exist in our world. You earn what you possess by your good deeds whilst on earth and in the spirit world.” But even this explanation has its problems. As a friend of mine observed: “That suggests that if I like mountains and you like desert, we’ll never meet! So perhaps on the Other Side we all live in our own little worlds of thought (like teenagers playing games on mobile phones!) until such time as we say, ‘Bu**er this, I’m off to Earth for a bit of excitement!’ It also means we should take with a pinch of salt any descriptions we are given of the next world because they are no more than a personal opinion, or a personal creation, of the communicator.” The bottom line, of course, is that we won’t know what the other world is like until we get there, which we all surely will. In the meantime, it’s a fascinating subject to explore and I’d love to hear your views on what you think it might be like.

r o f s t e l l k e c i t w k n i c o t W S y n e o c T n The xperie E On Tuesday 9th June 2015, at the Channel Suite, Folkestone, Kent, Psychic Weekend will be hosting The Tony Stockwell Experience. This is a great opportunity not only to see Tony live on stage, but also provides a chance to take part in one of his extremely informative workshops. The event will include a five-hour workshop (12 until 5) by Tony on all aspects of mediumship. This will be followed by an evening demonstration with Tony starting at 7.30pm. Tony Stockwell has been demonstrating mediumship for over 23 years and has worked all over the world. He has appeared on Television many times and had his own TV series. In 2006 he opened his own development and awareness studio in Essex. Tickets for the workshop are £50 each and tickets for the evening demonstration are £17.50 each. A combined ticket for both the workshop and evening demonstration is also available at £60. All tickets can be purchased by contacting Angela on 077 077 33 248. Channel Suite, Folkestone SPECIAL OFFER Lee Whyberd Psychic Weekend have included a special offer for Psychic News readers – a free reading with popular Welsh medium Lee Whyberd for every member of your party if you quote “Psychic News” when booking two or more combined tickets for the event. WIN TICKETS We have five pairs of combined workshop and evening demonstration tickets for five lucky winners as this month’s sudoku competition prize.

6 8 5 9 6

Please note: Sorry, but travel or travel expenses to and from the venue is NOT included in the prizes offered. The winners and guests must make their own arrangements to and from the venue at their own expense. All prizes are non-transferable and have no cash value.

To enter, complete the sudoku puzzle and send the numbers which appear in the shaded centre row, from left to right, along with your name and address to: Tony Stockwell Experience, Psychic News, Suite 6, Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 7WE. You can also enter via email to: pneditorials@gmail.com The closing date for entries is 27th April 2015.

For further information on the event visit:

www.psychicweekend.co.uk

5 8

6 4 3 5 5 8

7 6 3 1 6 2

2 8

8 9 4 5 6

How to solve sudoku: Place a number from 1-9 in each empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers from 1-9. PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

FEATURE

Craig Hamilton-Parker’s

PSYCHIC SCHOOL Last month’s abridged extract from Craig HamiltonParker’s book, Psychic School – how to become a psychic medium, took you through the process of setting up and running a successful and harmonious circle. This month, Craig suggests a fascinating circle experiment to kick-start the development of your psychic powers.

Mental mediumship is an inner experience. Spirit communicators use telepathy to interact with our thoughts and give us information about the continuation of life and the survival of the personality after physical death. Our eventual goal is to discover how to unlock mediumistic potential, but in order to do this you first need to train your psychic skills. Through ESP you can discover things about members of the circle and people you meet. I will show you how to do this by employing techniques such as psychometry, aura reading, and psychic sensing. As a prelude, I am going to show you a few simple and fun experiments that will quickly get you started. You will need paper, inks, water, brushes, a ruler, a compass, and coloured pencils for the experiments that follow.

via our own subconscious ESP and later, when mediumship develops, it comes from the spirit people. In both instances the subconscious mind plays a very active role.

Subconscious ESP

Projecting the psychic intuition

In a moment I am going to ask you to make a random shape on paper using black ink and water. You will look for pictures and images in the blot of ink and interpret these as symbols. But first I need to explain how the subconscious mind is engaged in ESP and why this inkblot technique is so effective. When we work as a psychic or medium, information appears to come to us from “out of nowhere” but in reality it is the subconscious mind working behind the scenes that is giving us this information. Just like ideas that arise of themselves, so too information from the sixth sense just pops into our heads. Sometimes this comes

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

In my other books I have called this process psychic intuition. It is this that gives us those initial psychic experiences of hunches, gut feelings, and dream premonitions. Just about everyone has had a hunch that proves to be true. Spontaneous psychic hunches are a wonderful starting point but remain a hit-and-miss affair outside our conscious control. If we are to work as psychics or mediums we need to develop a greater degree of control and know how to switch the gift on and off. Stimulating the subconscious helps to improve and trigger these impromptu hunches.

When you were a child you probably gazed at white cumulus clouds drifting in the blue sky and noticed how they formed into fantastic shapes of faces, animals, and spectacular landscapes. These changing images reflect what is happening in your subconscious mind. Similarly, pictures seen in a fire’s embers, the patterns in sand, a rock formation or the tea leaves reveal your hidden psychological processes. The psychoanalyst Hermann Rorschach realised that the mind’s ability to project visual images could be used to discover what was happening in the minds of people undergoing psychiatric therapy. While

playing a children’s game called blotto, in which children look for pictures in inkblots, it struck him that what the children were seeing in the shapes revealed a great deal about their psychological condition. From this simple game he devised the Rorschach test, which today is considered one of the best psychodiagnostic procedures and an indispensable tool of psychiatry. The test involves the patient describing images he or she sees in specially designed inkblots. Visually projected active imagination is not only a link to your own inner processes but psychics believe it also links you to your psychic intuition. For centuries psychics have interpreted the pictures they see in tea leaves, hot coals, smoke shapes, sand patterns, and even sacrificial entrails as symbols that represent the conditions surrounding anyone who has inquired of the oracle. (The word oracle comes from the Latin orare meaning to speak or pray. An oracle can be a person who is the mouthpiece for prophecy or a tool used to make a prophecy or give an insight into the course of the future.) For our experiment we are going to use the mind’s ability to project pictures onto a random shape to give a reading to a volunteer. The objective of this exercise is to demonstrate how the images emerging from the subconscious contain psychic content that is relevant to the person receiving the reading. The inkblot will become a mirror to your psychic intuition.

FEATURE

Psychic Inkblot Experiment You can use any number of things to create your random pattern: tea leaves, clouds, or the patterns formed in a crumpled sheet of paper are a few examples. I have had fun sometimes reading the images I see in dirty dishes after a dinner party and, of course, it’s a good excuse for not washing them right away! Any random pattern can be used to give this sort of reading, but in this instance we are going to make an inkblot. You can make the blots in advance of the session or they can be made at the time of the reading. I have also designed a set of ‘intuition cards’ which feature ready-made inkblots and other experiments (details available on my website). STEP 1. You will need white paper, black ink, an artist’s paintbrush and water. This experiment can be messy so use plenty of old newspapers to protect your table and/or carpets. Divide everyone into pairs. One person will read and the other will be read. STEP 2. Using a paintbrush, put some drops of water and drops of black ink onto a sheet of paper. Now fold the paper in half so that the water and ink merge to form shapes and tones in a symmetrical pattern – just as you may have done in school to create ‘butterflies’. Allow it a few minutes to dry. STEP 3. Relax as you look at the inkblot. Let your imagination discover pictures in the shapes. It is likely that the first things you will notice in the swirls of ink are faces and figures. Ask yourself what emotions these faces symbolise: are they happy, sad, perplexed, angry, contemplative, or whatever? The mood expressed by the face may symbolize how the sitter has been feeling. Describe what you see to your recipient and discuss if it relates to the way he or she has been feeling recently. STEP 4: Once you are accustomed to seeing pictures, you will eventually notice more subtle images. Look not only in the black areas but in the white areas too. See what pictures are formed there – much like a negative image. Look at the overall shape, but if you look closely you will also see pictures in the edges of the shapes and in the small details of the inkblot. The images that are most important are the ones you feel most drawn to, for it is your psychic intuition that is bringing your attention to them. STEP 5: Describe the images you see and what they mean to you. Explain what you believe this is saying about the person sitting in front of you. Say what you feel without trying to change it or overrationalise. The pictures are symbols, so explain what you feel they represent.

If you know a little about the meanings of dream symbols you can apply some of this knowledge. For example, if you see a bird you could interpret this as the sitter’s desire to escape a problem, or perhaps it represents a desire to attain higher knowledge or freedom. A bird flying away from the nest may indicate someone leaving home or taking the plunge in a new enterprise. Or maybe the image is literal: the sitter may keep birds! Symbols are fluid things and there is no set interpretation. Use your intuition rather than logic to discover and explain what is meaningful to the sitter. STEP 6: Work with the images to see if there are other hidden meanings. Help the sitter to understand what issues are important and give some clear and sensible advice about how they can make the best of things. Perhaps you can gain insight into material you could not possibly know, such as stories from the sitter’s childhood, his or her interests, hopes, and failures in life, and so on. Ask if the sitter can verify the information now coming from your psychic insights.

“Pictures seen in

STEP 7: When you have finished, ask the sitter how he or she felt about the reading and if the symbols meant anything different to him or her. The sitter may want to talk about some of the problems you identified, and you may want to give a little advice. Empower the sitter to deal with the issues rather than make predictions.

a fire’s embers, the patterns in sand, a rock formation or the tea leaves reveal your hidden psychological processes.

”

STEP 8. Now swap roles and try the experiment again. Studying the projected imagery that arises from the unconscious is a quick way of accessing your latent powers. Similar psychic aids include sand reading, in which the random patterns found in a tray of sand are interpreted, and scrying techniques such as gazing into a crystal ball, mirror, hearth fire, bowl of water, or black ink. Each of these psychic tools acts as a focus for the attention while the intuitive mind unfolds.

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

DEVELOPMENT

MEANINGFUL MENTORSHIP FOR MEDIUMS

“At Banyan we

are motivated to encourage good mediums to become excellent mediums and restore standards of mediumship that are now of a bygone era. If ever there was a time when we needed guidance, philosophy and closer communication with the world of the spirit, it has to be now.

”

Banyan Retreat, a spiritual centre set in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside, is fast gaining a reputation for the excellence of its courses, workshops and demonstrations, and for its uniquely tailored mentorship programmes. Its director, Nic Whitham, has recently announced a new programme led by the renowned medium Eileen Davies. Here, he explains why the Banyan team believes personal mentoring is so important in the unfoldment and development of a true mediumistic gift. We are delighted that Eileen Davies has chosen Banyan Retreat to host her 2015 mentorship programme. It’s a great honour to have someone with such depth of knowledge, understanding of philosophy and experience of mediumship working with us in this way. Eileen spends most of her time in her hometown of Aberdeen and works hard to support Kingswells House – a spiritual centre of which she is the leader. As many of you will be aware, she also spends some time as a tutor at the Arthur Findlay College, here in the south of England. As from this year she will be spending more time here at Banyan Retreat for her own mentorship programme and also for demonstrations of mediumship and development workshops which are open to everyone. Eileen will also be one of the leaders at our ‘Whispers from the Soul’ event over this year’s Easter weekend. If you haven’t experienced Eileen’s mediumship, I highly recommend that you witness one of her truly amazing demonstrations. You’ll be very impressed and want to see and experience much more of her work.

Much more than a message Although this is not the first mentorship programme we have hosted at Banyan

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Retreat, we feel very strongly about the need for us to contribute to and encourage development of mediumship way beyond the ability to just deliver a message. Mediumship is much more than a message – it’s about taking on the persona of the communicator, feeling the essence of the person you are working with in the spirit world and having the ability to communicate this to the recipient of the message. It seems to have become the norm for developing mediums to be taught to ask the communicator for several standard pieces of information, such as: • How old were you when you passed? • What condition caused your passing? • What is your relationship to the recipient? • Height and build and other physical characteristics Placing demands such as these on the spirit communicator can, I feel sure, be quite off-putting for them. Certainly, when I get to the spirit world and attempt to communicate to my loved ones who are still here, I don’t want the medium asking me these types of questions as there are far greater and more meaningful pieces of evidence I can provide.

DEVELOPMENT

Unfolding naturally I truly believe that none of the faculties of mediumship can be taught in a classroom environment or, indeed, in any other environment. However, they can be nurtured and encouraged to unfold in the most natural of ways. Building and exercising a bridge to the spirit world, learning about the soul who has agreed to work with you in this type of process, understanding which faculty of mediumship will unfold for you first. It’s also important that we remove all preconceptions and ensure that we never impose limitations on what is possible when we engage Eileen Davies in true partnership with the world of the spirit. They have access to limitless resources and to the source of all creation – everything is possible when we learn to get out of their way. In our world today, there are so many mediums offering readings and demonstrations; mediumship events are available every night of the week in some areas. Developing mediums are out demonstrating and giving readings almost as soon as they are able to get a link.

Which medium would you choose if you were in the spirit world? The quality of mediumship over the past twenty years or more has been in serious decline. I feel this does a great disservice to the world of the spirit and I believe

they are not always truly represented. It is important to continue with development – there are always new ways of working that can be brought forward by our spirit friends. One of my very dear friends often muses – “Who will I choose to communicate through when I get to the spirit world?” These days, when I observe a demonstration of mediumship, I find myself asking a similar question: “Would I choose this medium to communicate my message when I get to the spirit world?” Mediumship is not only the ability to provide proof of survival, and the communication of messages. It has many other aspects, such as inspirational speaking, healing, teaching, philosophy and the ministry of mediumship. It is also important to know and understand from an earthly perspective about the spirit world, how to work and read psychically, about the spirit and the soul.

An exciting journey from good to excellent At Banyan we are motivated to encourage good mediums to become excellent mediums and restore standards of mediumship that are now of a bygone era. If ever there was a time when we needed guidance, philosophy and closer communication with the world of the spirit, it has to be now. Allowing our friends and communicators to draw close and offer advice on how we can best deal with the various situations and acts of insanity that take place in our present-day world has to be of benefit to all humankind. This is the driver, this is the motivation for hosting and encouraging good mediums to join this mentorship programme. I can think of nobody better than Eileen Davies to present this programme to a small group of individuals with great potential to become excellent mediums, and perhaps even pioneers. Come and join this exciting journey of self-discovery – you will be surprised how things unfold for you. If you would like to be part of Eileen Davies’s mentorship programme at Banyan Retreat, visit www.eileendavies. co.uk and complete an application form.

Nic Whitham has been a spiritual healer for the past 40 years and holds qualifications in anatomy and physiology, reflexology and Indian head massage. He also practices Thai massage, is a reiki master and a qualified teacher and practitioner of electro-crystal therapy and polycontrast interference photography. He teaches spiritual and reiki healing courses which are affiliated to the British Alliance of Healing Associations. He is co-owner and director of Banyan Retreat, a spiritual development sanctuary and natural healing centre in Ashford, Kent. PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Sandy

Ingham Medium Psychic Artist

Available for public demonstrations and workshops For Readings/Portraits call Sandy on

0791 802 8888

or email: sandyingham@live.co.uk For details visit:

www.sandyingham.co.uk

Jeanette and Colin Greenhough are back from sharing their wonderful spiritual gifts in Spain and we are pleased to be able to host a range of activities with them in late March.

ACADEMY OF ANGELIC HEALING

Angel and Healing Workshops, Courses and Consultations in Harrow, London and RETREATS IN MENORCA

Demonstration of Clairvoyance with Jeanette ‘The Gift’ on Thursday 26th 7pm £7 Psychic Surgery with Dr John and his assistant Mohammed on Friday 27th 10am - 5pm £20 Private Readings with Jeanette on Friday 27th 10am - 5pm £30 Clairvoyance Workshop with Jeanette and Colin on Saturday 28th 10am - 4pm £40 An Audience with Wolf and Mohammed through entranced Colin on Saturday 28th 7pm £7

with Jayn Lee Miller

For contact details see our main advert on page 46

Teacher, Author and Spiritual Medium since 1972

VIOLET ROSE MOON

SPIRITUAL CENTRE & TAROT CAVERN Waterside Centre, 26 Avenue Road, South Norwood, London SE25 4DX

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PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Readings available daily by appointment only Special Events held monthly Holistic Products, Incense and Crystals, Events, Workshops, Development Circles, Spiritual Healing, Therapy, Party Bookings Welcome

HAUNTING

The ghosts of the

Bloody Tower BY JOHN WEST

Tower of London Photo: pikous

Paranormal researcher John West investigates some of the ghostly goings-on at one of the world’s most famous and iconic buildings. . . The Tower of London has been a place of imprisonment, torture and execution for centuries. It’s even said that the very mortar used to build the White Tower was mixed with blood from William the Conqueror’s Saxon victims. Its reputation as the most haunted castle in Britain is certainly well deserved and any wouldbe ghost hunter going there can expect to encounter executed royalty, phantom bears, shapeless forms and even the screaming victims of torture within its ancient walls. Every part of the Tower complex can boast

at least one ghost or odd happening. Here are a few of the most fascinating. . .

The Queen’s House A Colonel E. H. Carkeet-James wrote of a soldier from the 60th Rifles who had faced court-martial in 1864 after he was found unconscious during his watch outside the Queen’s House. The soldier claimed he had seen a white figure moving towards him. He had called out a challenge and then charged at the apparition with his bayonet drawn, fainting as his weapon passed straight through the figure.

Two other soldiers corroborated his story – both had witnessed the incident from a window in the Bloody Tower – and the sentry was acquitted. The figure has been seen by other guards, including one who observed a white form, accompanied by the sound of clicking heels on the stone floor. On reaching a patch of moonlight, he saw that the figure was headless. It’s thought by some that this may have been the ghost of Anne Boleyn – the ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII – who spent her last night on earth inside the Queen’s House. The house is also said to be haunted by sounds of chanting, footsteps and the groans of someone being tortured – the legendary Guy Fawkes was ‘examined’ there. A room which adjoins the one where Anne Boleyn was held is noticeably colder PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

HAUNTING than the rest of the building. The smell of perfume has also been noted on more than one occasion and people sleeping in the room have experienced a sensation of being slowly suffocated.

Setting the record straight? In 1972 a nine-year-old girl called Joan claimed to have witnessed the final moments of Anne Boleyn. She was on holiday with her parents and was visiting the Tower for the very first time. A guide was talking about the various people who had been executed with an axe on Tower Green, including Anne Boleyn, when the girl whispered to her mother – “They didn’t chop off her head with an axe, they did it with a sword.” She later gave more details, including the information that the executioner had removed his shoes and crept up behind the queen to behead her. Her father maintained that his daughter had no interest in history and had never read any books or seen any programmes about the Tudors.

to submit meekly to the axe and the executioner was forced to chase her round the block, literally hacking her to death as, screaming, she tried to evade his blows.

The Tower Chapel The Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula contains the bodies of many of the victims executed in the Tower, including Anne Boleyn. Henry’s contempt for his former love did not end with her death. Her headless corpse was unceremoniously thrown into an old arrow chest and buried in the crypt. One evening in the 19th century, an officer was making his rounds with a sentry, when he saw a light in the chapel. He asked the sentry about it and the soldier replied that he had often seen a light there. The officer found a ladder and used it to climb up and look into the building. He never forgot what he saw. . . Anne Boleyn

Walking slowly down the central aisle were a number of ladies and knights. They were led by a female whose features and dress resembled portraits of Anne Boleyn. The figures repeatedly paced the chapel and then, along with the light, suddenly vanished.

“Walking slowly

The Martin Tower – and a cliifhanger!

Margaret Pole, 8th Countess of Salisbury

Chased round the block In 1975 several personnel at the Waterloo Barracks were woken up by terrible screams which appeared to emanate from Tower Green. The sounds were also heard by soldiers in the nearby Byward Tower. Further screams were heard a few days later by a soldier patrolling the area. Searches failed to provide an explanation. It has been suggested that the screams may have been the harrowing death agonies of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury. The Countess was over 70 years of age and had been condemned to death by Henry VIII after her son – safe on the continent – had attacked the king’s religious policies. The Countess refused

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

down the central aisle were a number of ladies and knights. They were led by a female whose features and dress resembled portraits of Anne Boleyn. The figures repeatedly paced the chapel and then, along with the light, suddenly vanished.

At least one soldier has died as a result of his experiences in the Tower of London. In January 1815, a sentry suddenly saw the shadowy shape of a bear near the door of the Martin Tower. He lunged at it with his bayonet but the weapon passed harmlessly through the creature and smashed into the door. The sentry died of shock two days later, but only after telling his comrades of his terrifying encounter. It’s interesting to note that the Tower once housed a royal menagerie, including bears. One was even led out on a chain and allowed to catch fish in the Thames. So did the soldier witness the phantom of a former royal pet? The Martin Tower was also the scene of the most baffling haunting – if indeed it was a haunting – in the whole history of the Tower. But more about that next month!

”

John West is an author and radio presenter. He hosts a monthly paranormal chat show for Radio Castle in Suffolk and has presented a number of programmes on ghosts for internet TV. He has recently completed a TV pilot on ghosts for East Media Productions. John can be contacted via his blog: www.eastanglianghosthunters.blogspot.co.uk

BANYAN RETREAT Lake House, Maidstone Road, Ashford, Kent TN26 1AR Tel: 01233 714155 E: info@banyanretreat.com

www.banyanretreat.com www.physicalmediumship.org.uk Monthly demonstration of Mediumship Physical Mediumship Mental Mediumship Development Workshops Trance and Physical Mediumship Development Workshops Spiritual Healing and Reiki Courses Retreat Days SoulQuest Service on 1st Sunday each month at 3pm

JOURNEY INTO THE LIGHT (incorporating Rescue Work) by Iris Wright

Bill and Iris Wright have been working mediums for 30 years and during that time have had experience of many home circles. Eventually, in 1996, Spirit Guides advised them that they were now ready to do some ‘Rescue Work in circle’ should they wish to do so. This was agreed upon by all present. Many came through to be helped, and conversations with lost spirits were taped as they were helped over into the Light of the Spirit World. These were then copied down by Iris to be put in book form along with the medium’s own experiences. Many different personalities came through. This makes interesting reading for the layperson or for those who wish to know more as understanding becomes their own.

Priced at £8.99 + £1 p&p. Order from: Iris Wright, Rainbows End, 5 Harbour Hill Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3PX

CRYSTAL SKULLS Talk by Shane Darbey FRIDAY 13th MARCH 7.15 p.m. ~ Subscription £2 At: Chesterfield Community Centre, South Place, Chesterfield, DERBYSHIRE S40 1QU

www.cpsg.co.uk Explanation of the use of crystal skulls in mediumship

Published by Con-Psy Publications. P.O. Box 14, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 0UF

ISBN 9781898 680529

GRANTS The Spiritual Truth Foundation helps Spiritualists in need, or with unexpected expenditure, by financial grants. Last year we made grants totalling £15,000 Apply with spiritual background and reasons for request to: Grants Secretary, STF, c/o Box No 010, Psychic Press Ltd, Suite 6, Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 7WE

www.silverbirchpublishing.co.uk

WOMBWELL NATIONAL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Kelvin Grove, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S73 0DL

Enquiries: 01226 792831 Email: wombwell-spiritualistchurch@hotmail.co.uk

Website: wombwellsnuchurch.zohosites.com Follow us on Facebook

Sunday Divine Service at 6.30pm Wednesday Healing at 6.00pm Wednesday Open Circle at 7.15pm Special Events As Advertised

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Your Spiritual Art This month we’re pleased to exhibit some of the work by psychic artist Tony Katz. Tony is well known in Spiritualist churches and centres in the UK and regularly demonstrates with his wife Beverley. Two other artists also make a return appearance to the ‘Your Spiritual Art’ pages, Pam Popkins and Colin Hall. DON’T FORGET: Please do keep your artwork coming so we can display them in the magazine and with our followers on Facebook and Twitter. If we print your work in the magazine you will receive a surprise spiritual book or gift.

Paul Brett

‘The Temple of Peace and Harmony’

‘The Peacemaker’

Through a medium, the spirit world told me to do a painting featuring religious symbols. During a meditation in circle this picture took form. A print of this was sent to Mother Teresa by an eye specialist who had worked at her clinic.

This picture symbolises “What you give you shall receive”. The smoke from the pipe is prayers for peace rising up to the light of the Great Spirit and the Native American man is being blessed by the rays of light shining down on him.

Tony has fourteen different pictures in postcard and print formats which can be purchased by contacting him through email at: tonykatz1943@hotmail.co.uk 42

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

‘Doves of Peace’

sp irit ev ual FRE ery bo E art ok o ist we r gift sho for w

‘Wolf Spirit’ by Pam Popkin

A prayer for universal peace in picture form.

‘Cascade of Spirit’

‘Sunflower Queen’ by Colin Hall

Tony says he feels this waterfall scene is a picture for healing and meditation. The painting took form during meditation.

Send your art to: Psychic News, Suite 6, Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 7WE or email to: pnadverts@gmail.com PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

SPIRITUALISM

THE WORLD WOULD BE

A BETTER PLACE. . . In recent years I’ve got used to reading subtitles when my wife and I watch TV programmes of Scandinavian origin shown in the UK. A ‘favourite’ has been a police series about an unorthodox policeman called Wallander, set in the area where my wife, Mayne, grew up. Wallander’s favourite eating place is where she used to do her homework while waiting for the train back to her village, so I can ask if she recognises particular towns or buildings, and she will respond by telling me about the area. We have even seen shots of the village inn in which she grew up and once saw the window of her old bedroom! So what is the relevance of all this? Well, these programmes are set in southern Sweden and often show links with the large city just across a strip of water – Copenhagen, in Denmark. Mayne knows Copenhagen well and has numerous friends living there. One lives just about half way between the café and the synagogue that were attacked so recently, not far from either. As Mayne has stayed with her numerous times it makes you realise just how close to attacks like this any of us might find ourselves. Travelling, sitting having a coffee, walking along a street – there’s nowhere we can say is absolutely safe. My last article was based on events in Paris. This month my ‘planned’ article

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

by David Hopkins was to be totally different but has changed because of the similar events in Copenhagen. Yet again, freedom is under attack. Yet again, we are forced to question so many aspects of our lives. Yet again, the links between religion and politics are thrust into the spotlight. As Spiritualists, we have been (and sometimes still are) subjected to prejudice and persecution, thus the activities of vocal and vicious minorities of hard-line extremists are not totally outside our experience. No doubt some of you will have heard stories from earlier days of organised Spiritualism, when meeting

places were attacked or ‘laid siege to’ by banner-waving zealots, claiming that we were in league with Satan and other farfetched fantasies. So to think that narrow-minded prejudice is something that happens to other faiths may be to close our eyes to possible developments in the future – and not necessarily the distant future. Spiritualists haven’t been shot at or bombed, but with these lunatics, who is to say that one will not realise that Spiritualists teach equality and justice for all, freedom of expression, tolerance, respect and individual rights, including the right to dissent. Clearly such values would not find favour with the insular, restrictive interpretations of extremists. This, then, is of real and immediate relevance to our faith group; to think otherwise would be masking the truth and pulling down a blind on the outside world. Recently, representing the main UK Spiritualist group, I attended a meeting of representatives from many faith groups. The planned agenda was overtaken by events in France and Germany and great concern was expressed at the escalation of violence and hatred shown to those of various religious backgrounds. Jewish

SPIRITUALISM representatives made clear the fears and uncertainties of people in their societies but Islamic groups also spoke of the backlash being felt by groups of ordinary, sincere people who were being tarred with the same brush as the tiny minorities who perpetrate the kind of horrors we have seen in recent years. Such statements might seem to indicate a despondency for the future but this was counterbalanced by other aspects of the discussion, where it was made clear that, even in the face of great challenges, there has been a coming-together of faith communities in mutual support. There was a realisation that knee-jerk reactions would divide communities and would only bring about what murderous fanatics want – increased suspicion, greater fear, more separation between people of faith and no faith in all levels of society. It’s often said that war brings out both the best and the worst in humanity. We all know the stories of the camaraderie, bravery, determination and love that emerged during the horrors and destruction of the Second World War. Am I wrong to suggest that we are now in a war – a battle for the hearts and minds of millions across the globe? Is this the time when humankind reaches a turning point in its history? What will the historians write about the first half of the twenty-first century – if, that is, there are still historians and others allowed to write freely and openly at all? It used to be said that one never talked about politics or religion, in order to prevent argument and disagreement. Today, it seems that unless we talk about politics and religion our future will be very gloomy. They cannot be divided in the modern world, where so many base their political pronouncements upon theories and tenets, quoting their particular religious texts as authority for their actions and intentions. Humankind works best in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. I would be the last person to suggest we should all think and behave the same or live our lives in identical ways. The diversity of humankind gives it its value. We often hear the word ‘harmony’ used, but isn’t harmony when a range of different notes or colours come together to form something pleasing to the ear or eye? It is in combining our individual talents, abilities, aspirations and capabilities that we produce our best results. We are all so different yet at the same time so alike. Most people like music, but think of the enormous range of music that exists. The Wagner-lover may not be too keen on country and western, or the opera buff

to be said that “oneIt used never talked about politics or religion, in order to prevent argument and disagreement. Today, it seems that unless we talk about politics and religion our future will be very gloomy.

”

share the tastes of the punk musician, but brows are not high or low, just different. Some of us (perhaps most of us) are ‘crossovers,’ able to enjoy more than one genre without being too concerned about the ‘label’. Would that this attitude could spread to most or even all aspects of life, allowing personal choice to be respected. Intolerance is not just confined to those who shoot or bomb. It seeps insidiously into our society when promoted by those who seek to divide rather than unite, and when accepted by those whose fears have been preyed upon by insular isolationists who see their ‘kind’ as being different (usually ‘better than’), not part of the same religious or cultural club. In a little while we in the UK will have the opportunity to use one of our most important rights and responsibilities – the chance to vote in an election. We know there are many powerful voices in the background holding enormous sway in making choices about our future, but at least an election gives us a level of freedom of expression that many in the world envy. There is the freedom of choice not to vote. Yet when that freedom is threatened – in France, Germany, Denmark and many other places –how can you justify not being part of a process for which so many have given so much? This year we celebrate 800 years since the signing of Magna Carta. This began a chain of events spread over hundreds of years, bringing us to the point where we, citizens of what is still a wonderful country, can offer tolerance, respect, freedom of speech and the right to be different as cornerstones of our multi-faith and multicultural society. Don’t let anyone tear down the achievements of hundreds of years.

the Middle East, on the African continent and elsewhere could signal a new style of ‘Inquisition’ where those outside a narrow belief system are pilloried and sacrificed on the altar of extremism and fanaticism. How we respond to this challenge may reverberate for decades or even centuries. Tolerance and respect are fundamental to my personal philosophy but they have to be reciprocated. One problem with having values is that unless others share them and are prepared to allow them to exist and be abided by, then every individual has to balance what is right with what is best, possible, desirable and achievable at any given time. World peace is an ideal we all (well, nearly all) share, yet it must be a peace with honour, not based on capitulation or domination, not based on fear and hatred, nor on the imposition of the will of the few on the many. We stand at a crossroads. Our spiritual values, our spiritual purpose as we understand it, and our spiritual future, are in our hands. Do we let Paris and Copenhagen become the standard by which we live our lives or do we summon up our physical, emotional and spiritual strength and come together to defeat the darkness that threatens to engulf us? Spiritualism is a philosophy that brings light to darkened minds and souls. Stop thinking that Spiritualism is preparing you for some afterlife. It is preparing you to seek, reach and hold on to what is best in this life. We may not bring heaven on earth but we can help make earth a little more heavenly. Now is the time for every individual, particularly every individual Spiritualist, to find their truth deep within their heart and soul. If we are true to our principles we can help prevent a potential world disaster. Don’t just preach love – live love; don’t just preach brotherhood but extend the hand of friendship across barriers of colour, race, gender and background; don’t just talk about an all-wise God of compassion but spread that wisdom and compassion. Spiritualism is our faith, our religion, our politics, our life. It is we who practise it, who can help make the world a better place.

David Hopkins is a Spiritualists’ National Union minister, author and broadcaster.

What we see unfolding across Europe, in PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

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LETTERS

Letters In each issue we will give £10 to the author of the letter we find the most interesting.

DON’T JUST TAKE THINGS AT FACE VALUE!

This £10 issue’s le winn tter er

The article about previously respected trance medium Lilian Bailey made for uncomfortable reading (PN Dec 2014). She had clearly lied about her personal background and about having received the OBE for her service during the First World War. However, the fact that no trace can be found in official records of her ‘spirit guide’ William Wootton, who claimed to be a Grenadier Guard during WW1, did not really surprise me. This does not in it itself prove that her mediumship must also be false.

imagination”. She then stated that Wootton materialised through the mediumship of Helen Duncan not once but twice. Furthermore, on the second occasion he gave not only his full name but also the address of his surviving mother who was said to be living in Boston, USA.

Many trance mediums have ‘guides’ such as North American Indians or Chinese Mandarins who claim to have lived on earth centuries ago and whose existence must basically be taken on trust.

It is also claimed that Bailey had written to Wootton’s surviving mother and received

Psychologists who worked with genuine trance mediums have suggested that at least some of these ‘guides’ may actually be secondary personalities within the subconscious mind of the medium; they have no objective existence but nevertheless can transmit genuine messages from the other side. The famous trance medium Eileen Garrett worked with researchers for years and suspected that her own guides were such secondary personalities. However, when this point was made to her guide ‘Uvani’ he insisted that he was a genuinely discarnate spirit but had to use a secondary personality within the medium’s mind in order to communicate through her. Readers will have gathered that trance mediumship can be a much more complicated subject than it at first appears! Browsing through William Neech’s biography of Bailey, Death is her life, I discovered yet more problems. Bailey claimed her husband had suggested that her guide was a “figment of her

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

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This whole episode reminds us that just because a medium appears to go into a trance and speak with a different voice, it does not necessarily mean he or she is genuine.

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a reply stating that her son “never dabbled in Spiritualism!” If Wootton never actually existed, then clearly this claim must also be a lie, perhaps thought up to silence her husband’s criticism and anyone else who might doubt the reality of her ‘guide’. It is often stated that Spiritualism is a science as well as a religion. Well, where is even a suggestion that anyone ever attempted to confirm any of Bailey’s claims – surely the most basic requirement of a ‘scientific’ approach? Did no one ever ask to see her OBE or the letter she claimed to have received form her guide’s mother? And if not, why not? Also, it appears to have taken decades before anyone actually attempted to verify Wootton’s existence from official record. Why did it take so long? This whole episode reminds us that just because a medium appears to go into a trance and speak with a different voice, it does not necessarily mean he or she is genuine. Perhaps all Spiritualists should be more scientific in their approach. I believe that at least two guides of present day mediums claim to have lived in Victorian times. If that is this case then those persons should appear in birth, death or census records. So come on Spiritualists – let’s start to put the science into Spiritualism, attempt to verify claims made from the ‘other side’ when possible and don’t just take things at face value!

Ian Drever Newcastle upon Tyne

LETTERS

A QUESTION OR TWO FOR DR STEVE JEFFERY – AND SOME BIG ONES FOR SILVER BIRCH, TOO! One wonders whether Dr Steve Jeffery (Spiritualism comes to BBC Radio 4 – PN January) gave any real thought to his comments that Spiritualism offers an “undemanding” belief in a God who is “indifferent to the things we see in the world around us”, and that it offers “no comfort at all” in the face of the injustice in the world. Tell me, Rev Jeffery, which belief is more love determines the survival of animals. in keeping with your It is the love that concept of justice exists between – the traditional the animal and the Spiritualist person that enables belief, that all the animal to obtain Shouldn’t we concentrate men and women the temporary our efforts on the one thing are personally consciousness that responsible for that makes Spiritualism exists beyond the their own spiritual grave of matter.” different from every other development, and religion or philosophy: that will reap in the next “Temporary we alone offer PROOF, world the moral fruits consciousness”, they have sown in Silver Birch? Matter not faith or hope or this one? is matter, and spirit speculation, that human is spirit, my friend. (and animal, too!) identity Or the traditional An animal - or a Christian belief that survives the death of the person, for that the soul of a lifelong physical body? matter - either moral monster who dies with the body, makes a deathbed because the body repentance will soar is all it is, or it straight into eternal possesses a spirit bliss, but that the soul of a paragon of consciousness that is eternal. There is virtue who dies outside of the Christian no “temporary consciousness that exists faith will endure eternal torment? beyond the grave”. And to say that it is the love of a human master that determines On another matter entirely, Silver Birch whether an animal has an eternal spirit, is is quoted in the February issue (Animals in every bit as preposterous as the platitude The Spirit World) as saying “You know that

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that “our beloved family members are never really ‘dead’ so long as we think about them” : as if they lived on only in our thoughts. Regarding dogs and cats, and “sometimes the monkey”, “awaiting the next stage in their evolution, which is incarnation as humans” – I don’t see that happening at all. I believe that dogs and cats and monkeys and humans always remain what they are. But all this leads to a more important point. As Spiritualists, we frequently argue about side issues: whether we reincarnate or not, and if so why, and how many times; whether Jesus was Divine, or a perfected human being. . . Is all this really necessary? Shouldn’t we concentrate our efforts on the one thing that makes Spiritualism different from every other religion or philosophy: that we alone offer PROOF, not faith or hope or speculation, that human (and animal, too!) identity survives the death of the physical body?

James McArthur United States PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

LETTERS

Letters A ‘TIME SLIP’ IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE? Having read John West’s articles (PNs Jan and Feb) concerning Romans at Wroxham Broad, Norfolk, I would be interested to know whether any Romans have been sighted in the Compton area of Northampton. Some years ago, following a week at the Arthur Findlay College, my sister and I had a rather odd experience. We were making our way back to Lancashire – it was a hot day so we decided to take a break. We pulled off the motorway in Northampton, noticing a sign to a stately home, which we followed. As it turned out, the house was closed to visitors on that day, but the café and garden were open so we took a stroll. As

We were back in the Roman era, walking side by side, my sister dressed in a white toga and I in the uniform of a Roman general. Not only had we changed gender, I had become the younger sibling. Needless to say, in this life we are both female and I am the elder. Perhaps someone with a historical interest could research this, as my sister did say at the time that she felt we were returning triumphant!

our feet crunched onto the gravel path, we

Joan King

were instantly aware of a time shift.

Lancashire

MAYNE’S ARTICLE BROUGHT NEW OPTIMISM I would like to thank you for the excellent article on a holistic approach to the debilitating condition Lupus (PN February). A dear friend of mine suffers from this most unpredictable of diseases and the words of Mayne SundewallHopkins, conveying something of her personal journey of improvement, brought new optimism and hope to my friend. As a firm believer in the efficacy of the holistic approach, I feel that so many systemic conditions could be improved with the philosophy adopted by Mayne. In western society we are sometimes almost unquestioningly rooted in traditional alopathic medicine, which, for all its undeniably good points, does not always have the answer to our physical problems. I hope we may read more about exploring

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

Send your letters to: Psychic News, Suite 6, Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM22 7WE or email them to: pneditorials@gmail.com The editor reserves the right to edit or shorten letters

the holistic approach to self-healing in future issues of Psychic News.

Daniel Lyon Via email

Opinions expressed are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team. Don’t forget to include a photo of yourself when sending us a letter (optional).

ARCHIVES

from the archives

Just as many of today’s celebrities have a strong interest in psychic, spiritual and holistic subjects, many of yesterday’s stars of stage and screen spoke publicly about their belief that there was much more to life than just this physical world. The legendary Hollywood actress Mae West, famous for her classic one-liners such as “I used to be Snow White but I drifted” and “I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it” featured in Psychic News many times. Enjoy this selection of cuttings from our archive. . . PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

FEATURE COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS RO

The end of an era Charles Coulston, General Secretary of the Spiritualists’ National Union, is to retire after 35 years of loyal service to the world’s largest Spiritualist organisation, writes Sue Farrow. Charles (pictured right) , who took on the role on 4th August 1980, has since become the longest-serving of any of the SNU’s eighteen General Secretaries. His interest in Spiritualism was kindled when, in 1960, he was required by his school teacher to investigate a particular religion as part of his study for Divinity ‘O’ level. He was allocated Spiritualism, and armed with copies of Arthur Findlay’s The Rock of Truth and Carl Wickland’s Thirty Years Among the Dead, he began to investigate this unfamiliar religion. Subsequent reading propelled him to Carlisle Spiritualist Church, and the rest is history. He later moved to Durham, where he had gained a place to read Classics at

university. Graduating with an honours degree, he embarked on a career in teaching, first at a preparatory school and later at Loughborough Grammar School, where he remained for ten years. In 1972 Charles began to attend Loughborough Spiritualist Church and became a member of the SNU. He was elected church president in 1979, following a period as minutes secretary. By this time, he had become a regular attendee at the Union’s annual general meetings and was eventually invited to join its Rules and Standing Orders Committee. Following the retirement of then General Secretary Harold Mayze, Charles resigned the presidency at Loughborough in July 1980 to take up his new position as Mayze’s successor.

Left to right: David Bruton, Charles Coulston, Eric Hatton, Judith Seaman

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

During his many years as General Secretary, Charles has served under five SNU presidents – Gordon Higginson, Eric Hatton, Judith Seaman, Duncan Gascoyne and, currently, David Bruton. Three of those presidents – Eric, Judith and David – were present together at a specially arranged dinner on 14th February, at which members of the Union’s National Executive Committee and other invited guests paid tribute to Charles, who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by David Bruton. He also received a gold watch as a further token of the Union’s gratitude and esteem. David Bruton told Psychic News: “In paying tribute to Charles I must reflect the dedicated and professional way he has always conducted his years of office, but above all things Charles is a true Spiritualist who applies his knowledge and spirituality in a caring and understanding way. Often he has been called upon to write letters or reports which have not been an easy call, giving people news of decisions they may not like or want to hear. But his dedication to duty, the Union and the wider movement always shines

COMMUNITY FEATURE NEWS

OUND-UP “Charles is a true Spiritualist who applies

his knowledge and spirituality in a caring and understanding way. Often he has been called upon to write letters or reports which have not been an easy call, giving people news of decisions they may not like or want to hear. But his dedication to duty, the Union and the wider movement always shines through in addition to his deep kindness.

”

through in addition to his deep kindness. “On behalf of the Union I wish Charles a very happy and well-deserved retirement. Things may never be quite the same again as we face our first NEC meeting in April without Charles sitting at the table on my left hand side. We are truly beginning a new chapter for the Union but every time we face a difficult decision I am sure many will recall the calm and wise counsel Charles has provided over many years. Charles – we will miss you, but thank you sincerely for all you have shared that has helped to build and shape the Union we have today, a Union of which I am proud to be a part.” For Charles, we can only imagine that retirement must be a bittersweet prospect after playing such a pivotal role within the Union for so long. But in his own words: “I am blessed to have been able to work for the religion which has been part of my life for the last 55 years. As I look back, I see the guiding hand of spirit, which, in a seemingly random way, brought me into Spiritualism, led me to become the president of my local church and pointed me towards my present post, all before I was out of my thirties. “It has been my pleasure to know and to work with wonderful colleagues over these years, and my privilege to serve under five SNU presidents, all of whom gave me tremendous support in my role, none more so than Gordon Higginson, who was infinitely patient and kindly in his

understanding. I am proud to have been a part of the Union in what I see as its years of expansion and its gradual emergence as a modern, forward-looking and worldwide organisation. “Now that same guiding hand of spirit has told me that it is time to hand in my byelaws and pass the baton to my successor, which I heartily do with my best wishes. It has been a hard road at times but it has been lightened by the goodwill of our voluntary workers in our churches, branches and committees, many of whom I know from personal contact. “I am now looking forward to new horizons and challenges in my forthcoming retirement but I shall always have my links with the movement: it is well said that Spiritualists never completely retire from the fray!” Charles Coulston’s retirement brings not only his own tenure to a conclusion, but the role of General Secretary itself. Following his retirement on 31st March – Hydesville Day, no less – the newly created post of Chief Administrative Officer will be taken by Shirley McGee. However, Charles’s involvement with the administration of the SNU does not end entirely with his retirement – he will continue to act as a consultant. We wish him and his wife Lynette a happy, healthy and well-earned retirement.

Essex Spiritualist group’s last act will save lives HOLLAND-ON-SEA Spiritualist Sanctuary held its last session in December, having met weekly for more than 20 years. There was still money in the bank account, which the 93-year-old founder and president, Millie Millington, has decided to donate to charity. It will go to the Essex Air Ambulance. She made this decision after reluctantly accepting that she could no longer run the sanctuary. Millie said: “The air ambulance does such a wonderful job, and they need so many collections and donations to keep them going. “It’s sad to have to stop the Spiritualist Sanctuary after so long, but I’m pleased to be able to do this. It benefits so many people.” In 2009 Millie and the Holland Spiritualist Sanctuary donated £30,000 to the air ambulance. The group had started raising the money for its own church building, but donated the cash when it became clear that the project was impossible. The remaining money in the group’s account has been collected over the past few years. PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

FEATURE COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS ROU New foodbank and soup kitchen for Darwen A NEW foodbank and soup kitchen opens in March in Darwen, Lancashire. Spirit in the Community will provide food parcels to needy people from its base at the local Café Lush. The café, owned by the charity’s joint founder, Mary Saward, will open to offer free hot meals, cooked by qualified caterers. Secretary Caroline Newell, who has been a volunteer at Darwen Food Larder for seven years, said the new charity would be solely for Darwen residents. “It is for anyone who is struggling, especially the homeless, elderly and military veterans. Food parcels will be available when the café is open during the day. But if there is a desperate situation at night and we get a call, then we will get somebody out. “We are hoping to make the Wednesday

soup kitchen a social event. These people get themselves stuck in a rut, so they end up depressed. Hopefully, this can help them.” Mrs Newell, who is also secretary of Darwen Christian Spiritualist Church, said there was a problem with homelessness and poverty in Darwen, which was getting worse. “People are going hungry, and I just don’t see how that can happen in this day and age. It is really sad. “We will look at getting the credit union involved to help people learn how to budget.” Darwen Town Council is considering donating £500 towards establishing a group to help the homeless in the town.

Photo: Lancashire Telegraph

Former church president cleared of theft A 65-YEAR-OLD former Spiritualist church president appeared in court in January, accused of stealing almost £15,000 of church funds during her term of office. Christine Ames (pictured), one-time president of Willington Spiritualist Church, Co. Durham, appeared before Teesside Crown Court, where she denied eight counts of theft and two of fraud by false representation. Prosecutor Ian West suggested that Mrs Ames, alleged to have taken £14,963 from the church between March 2005 and August 2011, had a sense of entitlement to the money after it was acknowledged that she did a lot of unpaid work. “I did not steal anything. I would never jeopardise Willington Spiritualist Church. Everything I did was for the benefit of the church,” said Mrs Ames, who is no longer connected with the church. She accepted

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

that it was her job to collect money for the church and pay it into its bank account. But she said she had not done this. Instead she kept the money at home, paying church bills with her debit card. This was because of hassle with the bank. She also said she made a mistake when she had her partner pay cheques into the church account in a bid to cover the shortfall. Carol-Ann Haikney, secretary of the Northern District Council of the Spiritualists’ National Uniion, was called in to investigate the financial shortfall. She admitted others at the church were also to blame for the state of the accounts because committee members did not question it at regular meetings.

She told the jury, “There were so many Photo: The Journal/Trinity Mirror omissions from the accounts it did not represent a true record of the accounts of the church.” Under cross-examination by defence barrister Chris Baker, Mrs Haikney said, “There was a persistent neglect of duty on the part of the president, who was suspended as a result.” When all evidence had been heard, the jury retired. After deliberating for more than four hours, and being given permission by Judge Tony Briggs for a majority ® verdict, the jury cleared Mrs Ames on all counts.

COMMUNITY FEATURE NEWS

UND-UP New Centre for Northern Ireland BANBRIDGE, Northern Ireland, opened a new spiritual centre with a Sunday service on 22nd February at the E2A Theatre. The Banbridge 21st Century Spiritualist Centre aims to give greater access to Spiritualism for local people who previously had to travel to Belfast to attend services. “It is our aim to gain affiliation to the Spiritualists’ National Union, the world’s largest Spiritualist organisation,” said spokesman Simon McCreedy (pictured). “From that point we hope to be only the second SNU Spiritualist church in Northern Ireland. Mr McCreedy explained that the centre’s priority is to be non-profit services rather than commercial mediumship. “Our centre will have to charge an entry

fee of £5, but this will cover the cost of the hall, and to cover expenses of the guest ministers, mediums and speakers. Anything else will go to charitable causes,” he told the Banbridge Leader. Services will include a talk on a wide range of spiritually-based subjects and finish with a demonstration of mediumship. Simon’s website states: “It is our hope that we can bring the knowledge of eternal life, or of life after death, to an area that has perhaps not seen this area of Spiritualism explored before.” Banbridge gained fame through the old song, The Star of the County Down. PN wishes it well in its new venture. For further details, visit: www.simon-mccreedy.co.uk

RECENT PASSINGS Ray Bennett (Bristol) Adrienne Hadfield (Devon) Ron May (South Wales) Carol Williams (Bristol)

Spiritual healing, whether contact or absent, can be enormously powerful for those who are ill, distressed, or about to make their journey to the next world. If you know someone who is in need of absent spiritual healing, you can contact the SNU Almoner Minister Marian Bishop by emailing marianbishop@talktalk.net. Marian will then send out that person’s name to numerous Spiritualists who will concentrate their healing thoughts upon that person.

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

BOOKS

A Good Read

Hay House Basics is a comprehensive new series being launched by Hay House. These introductory titles cover core topics in the areas of selfdevelopment and mind, body, spirit. Clear and concise, these highly practical books aim to de-mystify popular esoteric subjects so that anyone can understand them. They explore the benefits these techniques can have for the reader’s life, and provide recommendations and suggested next steps if they wish to study the topic on a deeper level. Look out for more titles in this series during 2015.

LUCID DREAMING A beginner’s guide to becoming conscious in your dreams By Charlie Morley RRP £8.99 216 pages Lucid Dreaming is an exciting new book that explores the ‘Wow! Why? How?’ of becoming conscious within your dreams and waking up to life. This book contains: -everything you need to start dreaming lucidly -cutting-edge research into the psychological benefits of lucid dreaming - exclusive contributions from the world’s leading lucid dreaming experts - exciting learning modules exploring creativity, nightmares, healing and lucid living

ANGELS How to see, hear and feel your angels By Kyle Gray RRP £8.99 200 pages A beautiful introductory guide that will show you how to start working with the angels, allowing their light to heal and support you.

MINDFULNESS How to live well by paying attention By Ed Halliwell RRP £8.99 240 pages In this comprehensive guide, mindfulness teacher Ed Halliwell makes this increasingly popular practice accessible to absolute beginners.

This book explores: - the purpose of the angels - how to see, hear and call on angels - how to work with angels for help in different areas of your life - how to meet your guardian angel - the power of the Archangels and how to connect to them - how to work with prayers and affirmations

This book explores: - key mindfulness practices - the science of mindful attention and neuroplasticity - how to cultivate a mindful attitude -seeing with awareness and approaching challenges - letting go - taking mindful action

CRYSTALS How to use crystals and their energy to enhance your life By Judy Hall RRP £8.99 272 pages This illuminating guide will show you how to sense the energy of these precious stones and choose the right ones to support you in different areas of your life. This book explores: - how crystals work - how to cleanse, charge and attune your crystals - how to work with the aura and the chakra system - working with crystals for meditation and healing - using crystals for self-protection and energy enhancement - how to connect with the crystal skulls and the crystal oversouls

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

PAST LIVES Discover and connect with your past lives to create positive change By Atasha Fyfe RRP £8.99 224 pages An accessible, authoritative guide to unlocking and working with your past life memories for healing and selfempowerment. This book explores: - how regression works - the secret clues to your past lives that show up in this life - the astonishing cases of children’s past life memories - how to discover your own past lives - the benefits of past life awareness - the positive messages that can come through during a regression

All titles are available from www.amazon.co.uk or www.amazon.com unless otherwise stated HEART OF MIRACLES By Karen Henson Jones RRP £10.99 240 pages Karen Henson Jones was on the conventional path to success in the corporate world when a sudden cardiac event at the age of 30 took her to the brink of death. During an otherworldly experience, she was presented with a choice to leave her body or to return to Earth. When her request to live was granted, Karen was forced to come to terms with the life she had been living. With warmth, wonder and wit, Heart of Miracles takes us with her on an inspirational journey through India, Italy, Bhutan and the Holy Land of Israel in search of a more meaningful life. Exploring the power of meditation, Western medical science, the transformative doctrines of reincarnation and the teachings of Jesus, Karen encourages us to embrace the full possibilities of our spiritual selves. Karen Henson Jones is a co-founder of Malibu Beach Yoga in Malibu, California. She also works as an assistant to Khen Rinpoche, the founder of the Siddhartha School and head abbot of the Tashi Lhunpho monastery in India. Karen is a graduate of Cornell University and London Business School.

FICTION MOON SONG By Elen Sentier RRP £10.99 296 pages When Isoldé hears that her lifelong hero, Celtic folk singer Tristan Talore, has just committed suicide, it strikes home and makes the oppressive London, where she works just after “nine-eleven”, feel nearly as oppressive as the Belfast of The Troubles where she grew up. Fate intervenes when an ex-boyfriend offers her a job with him down in Exeter in the West Country. And so begins her enchanted journey to find the lost song of Tristan Talore, the Moon Song… Elen Sentier is a spirit keeper and taleweaver from a long family lineage. She was born in Dartmoor, grew up on the edge of Exmoor and now lives with her husband, cats and a host of wildlife in the Welsh Marches where she writes and teaches British native shamanism.

ORACLE CARDS GEOMETRIC ANGELS By Colin Hall RRP £3.50 inc p&p Set of 40 pocket-sized cards with instructions in English and German Available direct from the author at: www.colinhallart.com Theses cards have been created to help give a better understanding of the geometry of life that has been around and within us before the birth of the physical body. Entering the consciousness to the three dimensions helps us enter the realms of the fourth dimension where we can find and access the power and creativity of God. Every human that knocks on the door is allowed entry into this wonderful world. Great people like Buddha have discovered that to access this great and wonderful power we do not have to look outside ourselves, it all lies within our own being. The door to access this world lies within the heart and once we enter into this world we will be astounded by the wonder, beauty and intensity of the colours and the geometric shapes that translate all knowledge and understanding, the place where masters and angels look at us through the geometric bars of our self-imposed prison cages. Once we open the heart we find the release from our cages. Geometric angels and sacred geometry are very closely related, artists and scientists have had a fascination with the wonderful geometric patterns and shapes. The laws of sacred geometry take effect for example in cathedrals, musical instruments and works of art. The ancient Greeks understood the importance of geometry – you can see it in their architecture as well as their mathematical skills. PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

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VANESSA Psychic Tarot Readings Telephone Readings £15.00 Call: 07931 388537 JAMES - Medium Telephone Readings £15 by appointment Tel: 0780 4871 958 MELANIE HALLETT Medium and Teacher Telephone Readings: 1hr for £40 Call: 0778 635 5940 or email: melaniehallett@hotmail.co.uk DAVID SPENCER Spiritual Medium ~ Postal Readings Send brief letter and £25 to: Mr D. Spencer, 22 Skylark Rise, Tavistock, Devon PL19 9FT ADAM Natural Psychic Clairvoyant / Spirit Guidance Send letter, photo, questions, date of birth Postal Reading £20 Adam Lucas, 14 Greenstone Drive, Manchester, Lancashire M6 6RJ POSTAL TAROT READINGS by Experienced Clairvoyant Send brief letter and £20 to: Susan Collins, 145 Waverley Avenue, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 4RZ NICK PEASE SAGB approved. 30+ years’ experience. Private Sittings or Postal/Email. Gloucester. 07850 710125 PAM HODDY Psychic Medium Teacher Telephone Readings Available £25 per hour Paypal accepted TEL: 0797 1256 163 CLAIRVOYANT, PAUL offers spiritually guided consultations in Brighton and Eastbourne and also by telephone. My work helps those ready for change. Please telephone Brighton 01273 602929 for further details GENUINE, EXPERIENCED CLAIRVOYANT, PSYCHIC & TAROT READER! Accurate, detailed written readings £40 Please write to: KAREN KHOO That Psychic Place, 111 High Street, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9ET

60 20142015 60 PSYCHIC PSYCHICNEWS NEWS | | MAY MARCH

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PSYCHIC POSTAL READING £10 KELLY CUMMING 24 Baglan Heights Port Talbot SA12 8UF PETER DOSWELL Psychic Readings ~ Mediumship Readings Pay by card 020 7754 5367 Live Chat Readings www.peterdoswell.co.uk JENNY Clairvoyant Psychic Medium Telephone Readings £25.00 Call/Text: 07792 946 444 www.jennystelephonereadings.com CELESTIAL LINKS Private/Phone Readings with Sara (Medium/Clairvoyant/Tarot Reader) Over 28 years’ experience Rotherham, South Yorkshire For appointment text/phone 07588 454425 SPIRIT DESTINY Psychic, Clairvoyant Readings, Tarot Courses and Psychic Life Coaching Sessions Accurate, in depth genuine readings from £25 for 45 minutes Tarot Courses Beginners to Advanced Skills £15 per hour lesson Psychic Life Coaching sessions £25 per hour session Very experienced psychic reader, teacher and psychic life coach Contact Wendy Jarman on 01737 842634 or 07814 138354 or wendymjarman@aol.com www.spiritdestiny.co.uk

PERSONAL GROWTH ASCENDED MASTER TEACHINGS YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Reincarnation ~ Karma The Soul Healing Relationships and more Online bookstore/CDs/DVDs/ Conferences/Courses/Radio WWW.TSL.ORG ACADEMY OF ANGELIC HEALING Angel and Healing Workshops, Courses and Consultations in Harrow, London and RETREATS IN MENORCA with Jayn Lee Miller, Teacher, Author and Spiritual Medium since 1972 Email: info@healingangels.co.uk for Events Listing Tel: 020 8422 9308

COURSES HYPNOTISM EXPOSED Unique Three-Day Live Training Event Complete Mind Therapy (CMT), Mind Emotion Liberation Techniques (MELT) And Much More www.HYPNOTISMEXPOSED.com

TRAVEL JOIN ME ON A TRIP TO THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA INDIAN RESERVATIONS WOUNDED KNEE AND LITTLE BIGHORN Enquiries: greenlanes@mail.com

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WEBSITES www.snu.org.uk www.snui.org www.arthurfindlaycollege.org www.arthurfindlaycentre.org www.noumic.com Spiritualism www.sandyingham.co.uk www.adamjamesberry.com www.katysaunders.com www.spiritwriting.co.uk www.pennyhayward.co.uk www.ershamstar.co.uk www.artofspirit.co.uk https://sites.google.com/site/elthamspiritualistchurch

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qqqq SITTERS WANTED Closed Trance Group in Central London needs sitters to provide energy for physical developing medium. Call 020 7387 0358 qqqq SITTERS WANTED Development Circle on Mondays and Divine Healing Circle on Thursdays (evenings), North London. For details contact Hannah on 0750 849 1789 qqqq DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE WANTED Two ladies require a Development Circle, possibly intermediate. We are based in East London. Please phone Helen on 020 8985 0256

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SPIRITUALIST CHUR ENGLAND

CHESHIRE

BEDFORDSHIRE

NORTHWICH SPIRITUALIST CHURCH SNU Hadfield Street, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 5LU Sunday Service 6.30pm Wednesday Service 7.30pm open Circles and Awareness Classes Tuesdays 7.30pm Contact Details: 01606 301123 Find us on Facebook All Welcome

LUTON NATIONAL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 1A Grove Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 1QJ Tel: 01582 732657 www.lutonnationalspiritualist church.co.uk Find us on Facebook Sunday Service 6.30pm Open Circle Tuesdays - see website All Welcome

BERKSHIRE BURGHFIELD PIONEER CENTRE James Lane, Burghfield, Reading, Berkshire RG30 3RS Monday Evenings 7.30pm Divine Service Contact: Sharon Spence 0118 9456283

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AMERSHAM SPIRITUALIST CENTRE Amersham Common Village Hall, White Lion Road (A404), Amersham, Bucks. HP7 9JD President: Jean Sabatini Tel: 01494 866159 Website: www.amersham spiritualistcentre.org.uk Friday 6th March 7.15pm AGM Friday 13th March 7.15pm RAY PRINCE Friday 20th March 7.15pm BRIAN MULLEN Friday 27th March 7.15pm JANE MEAKIN Friday 3rd April 7.15pm Closed Friday 10th April 7.15pm ELAINE BELLENGER Friday 17th April 7.15pm JILL PICKETT There are healing sessions held after the meeting

PLEASE NOTE:

The advertising deadline for the April 2015 issue is th 8 March 2015 62

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

STOCKPORT SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, ROMILEY The Light of the World Christian Spiritualist Church Underhill Centre, Chichester Road, Romiley SK6 4BL President: Vera Lennie veraalennie@aol.com Tel: 07833 565412 www.stockportspiritualist centreromiley.org A warm welcome to our Sanctuary of Light WEDNESDAYS Healing 6pm – 7.10pm Meditation 7.20pm – 7.30pm Service 7.30pm followed by Open Circle MONDAYS Music, Meditation & Development Details on website

CORNWALL BUDE FREE SPIRITS SPIRITUALIST CHURCH The Parkhouse Centre, Ergue-Gaberic Way, Bude, Cornwall EX23 8LG www.budefreespirits.co.uk Every Thursday 7.30pm - 9.00pm BUDE HEALING CLINIC: Every Wednesday 7pm - 9pm Visiting mediums who would like to serve Bude Free Spirits please contact Carol on 01840 770057

To advertise your church or centre in Psychic News call 01279 874339 or email: pnadverts@gmail.com

CAMBORNE CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Former Registry Office, Roskear, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8DN Tel: 01209 612116 Divine Service Every Sunday at 6.30pm Healing prior to & after the service Development Circle 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month 7.30pm - cost £5.00 Healing courses available For special events view: www.cambornechristian spiritualistchurch.org PENZANCE CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Bread Street, Penzance, Cornwall Tel: 01736 368431 Sunday 6.00pm Service Followed by Healing Thursday 7.00pm Service Followed by Healing Saturday 10am - 12.30pm Private Readings All are welcome

DEVON EXETER SPIRITUALIST CENTRE AND HEALING GROUP York Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 6PF Tel: 01884 861012 Website: www. exeterspiritualistchurch.co.uk Sunday 6.30pm Service Wednesday 3.00pm Mediumship See website for details of special events and development group GUIDING LIGHT DAWLISH Spiritual Centre, Manor Gardens, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9AJ 7.30pm Mediumship (alternate Tuesdays) 6pm Sunday Service (last Sunday in month) We are affiliated to United Spiritualists Find us: lower main car park near the rear of the hospital at The Hedley Way Centre We welcome visiting Mediums Contact us: 01626 866192 Website: http:// guidinglightdawlish.webs.com

DORSET BOURNEMOUTH SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 16 Bath Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 2PE Tel: 01202 551751 www.bsnuc.co.uk MARCH Sunday 1st 10.45am JAN RIDGE Sunday 1st 6.30pm LAWRENCE COHEN Monday 2nd 7.30pm IRENE & DAVID JACKSON Wednesday 4th 7.30pm Meditation Thursday 5th 3pm SARAH BURCH Sunday 8th 10.45am & 6.30pm BRIAN OXLEY Monday 9th 7.30pm DARREN ORLOWSKI Wednesday 11th 7.30pm Philosophy Thursday 12th 3pm AL & GEOFF POTTS Saturday 14th 7.30pm Evening of Mediumship with COLIN FLAHERTY Sunday 15th 10.45am & 6.30pm COLIN FLAHERTY Monday 16th 7.30pm COLIN FLAHERTY Wednesday 18th 7.30pm Spirit Art Thursday 19th 3pm MARGARET CLAUGHTON Sunday 22nd 10.45am & 6.30pm HAZEL MCLISTER BREWER Monday 23rd 7.30pm HAZEL MCLISTER BREWER Wednesday 25th 7.30pm Open Platform Thursday 26th 3pm BARBARA BREEZE Sunday 29th 10.45am & 6.30pm ELAINE BEVAN Monday 30th 7.30pm ELAINE BEVAN Open Circle every Tuesday at 7pm Spiritual Healing: Monday 2pm - 4pm Tuesday 10.30am - 12.30pm Wednesday 10.30am - 12.30pm Thursday 7pm - 8pm Friday 10.30am - 12.30pm & 2pm - 4pm KINSON SPIRITUALIST GROUP Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Kinson, Bournemouth BH10 7LH Tel: 01202 715754 www.facebook.com/ KinsonSpiritualistGroup Sunday 6.30pm Divine Service 2nd Monday in month at 8.00pm Clairvoyance Demonstration

R CHES AND CENTRES ESSEX BRIGHT ANGEL LODGE CANVEY SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 57 Point Road, Canvey, Essex SS8 7TD We meet EVERY MONDAY at 7.45pm (doors open at 7pm) for an Evening of Clairvoyance with all profits going to local charities Admission £3 on the door Healing at 9pm (donation) For more info telephone Philip on 0792 200 1433 / 01268 691922 We are also on facebook: Bright Angel Lodge EPPING SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Thornwood Village Hall, Weald Hall Lane, Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6ND Enquiries: Ruth 01992 576677 or Teresa 01992 812650 (Registered Charity 284561) Tuesday Healing: 1pm to 2.20pm Tuesday Service: 2.45pm Last Friday of every month at 8pm Evening of Clairvoyance £5

HAMPSHIRE TRULY SPIRITUAL SCHOOL OF PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT Promotions of holistic and spiritual events and businesses Portsmouth, Hants. Development Courses, Workshops, Demonstrations of Mediumship and Trance Monthly Meditation Classes and Talks ~ Psychic Fayres All welcome Contact Kate on: 07800 734911 www.trulyspiritual promotions.co.uk www.trulytarot.com

HERTFORDSHIRE HITCHIN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Whinbush Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1PZ Tel: 07581 492507 www.hitchinspiritualist church.co.uk Sunday Service 6.30pm Healing Tuesdays 2pm & 7.30pm Demonstrations and workshops as advertised on website All welcome

CARPENDERS PARK CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALISTS Bushford Scout Hall, St Georges Drive, Carpenders Park, Watford, Hertfordshire WD19 5HD (Hall cannot be seen from road – go up drive between numbers 37 and 39 St Georges Drive) Contact Chris Palmer: 01923 221918 Sundays 10.30am Divine Service Healing available All are welcome ~ An activity table is provided for children LETCHWORTH SPIRITUALIST CENTRE Vasanta Hall, 6 Gernon Walk, Letchworth, Herts. SG6 3HW Tel: 07825 685029 www.letchworth spiritualistcentre.org.uk A Divine Sunday Service is held throughout the year at 6.30pm, followed by Healing (The Healers of All Souls offer healing at the Hall every Wednesday at 2pm. For details visit their website: www.thecentreoflight.co.uk)

ISLE OF WIGHT VENTNOR SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 8 Victoria Street, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1ET Email: groving69@live.co.uk Website: www.ventnor spiritualistchurch.webs.com Contact: 07800 986288 Sunday 6.30pm Divine Service Thursday 12 noon - 2pm Healing Tuesday/Thursday 7pm Various Groups and Circles (Ring for details) Special Events: See website and local press

KENT KENT SPIRITUAL TEACHING GROUP Five Wents Hall, Swanley Lane, Swanley, Kent BR8 7LD www.kstg.org Tel 07982 653158 Email: info@kstg.org Meetings 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month 3rd March 8pm Evening of Clairvoyance with JUNE KAMARA-MARSHALL & TINA MUDDLE 17th March 8pm Numerology with JAMIE DICKIE

MAIDSTONE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (M.S.D.C.) meets at Madginford Hall, Egremont Rd, Maidstone, Kent ME15 8LH & Lower Hall, Tovil Workings Mens Club, Tovil Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6QS Tel: 01622 746249 or 07711 811066 Email: msdc@msdc.org.uk We run Psychic & Spiritual Development Mornings, Open Circles, Healing and Meditation Mornings with free student readings, monthly evenings of Mediumship, Workshops, Psychic Suppers, Psychic Fairs, Courses, Coach Trips etc. Download the programme from our website or ring us! www.msdc.org.uk THE SANCTUARY OF HEALING CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Mills Terrace, Chatham, Kent ME4 5NZ Tel: 01634-880039 E: george.mcqueen@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.sanctuaryofhealing.co.uk Sunday Service: 6.30pm Wednesday 10am - 1pm Healing Friday 4pm - 6pm Healing Friday 8pm Clairvoyance We also offer various workshops and special evenings of clairvoyance See website for further information

LANCASHIRE WHITE FEATHER SPIRITUALIST CENTRE Claremont Community Centre, Claremont Road, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 2QJ Tel: 01253 355595 Every Friday 6.30pm Healing 7.30pm Clairvoyant Evening followed by Open Circle

CHURCHES, CENTRES AND SUPPLIERS Is your free listing on our website up to date? Check it now at: www.psychicnews.org.uk Please email updates to pnadverts@gmail.com

LEICESTERSHIRE FRIENDS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIGHT RUGBY SPIRITUALIST CENTRE 5 Newbold Road, Rugby, Leicestershire CV21 2LQ www.friendsofthe spirituallight.co.uk Tel: 01788 536899 / 01858 881394 E: melsprason@gmail.com Sunday 6.30pm Divine Service Wednesday 7.30pm Clairvoyant Evening Thursday 4.00pm Healing Friday 7.30pm Open Circle Saturday 7.00pm Special Events (see website for details) LEICESTER PROGRESSIVE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE 4 St. James Street, Lee Circle, Leicester LE1 3RE President: Marian Sawczuk Services with Mediumship Sundays 6pm Divine Service Mondays 7.30pm Wednesdays 2.30pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: Special Demonstrations as advertised Development Groups and Circles held every day of the week Healing Saturdays 10.30am - 12.30pm Mondays 6pm - 7pm Wednesdays 1pm - 2pm For details of workshops and special events, visit our website: www.progressivespiritualist church.co.uk Email: info.leicesterprogressive @talktalk.net Tel: 0116 2536098

LINCOLNSHIRE STARLIGHT AWARENESS GROUP The Pavilion, Wainfleet Road, Skegness, Lincs. PE25 2EL Contact Pat and Elsie: 01754 810680 www.starlightgroup.info Sunday Services 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 6.30pm - 8pm Also: Developing self-empowerment through meditation for elimination of past hurts creating a balance within self. Working with spirit and universal energies. Spirit healing training and qualification (Lincolnshire Association of Healers). Spiritual mediumship within its many forms. Spiritual philosophy. Trance communication. PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

LONDON HENDON INDEPENDENT SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Cheshir Hall, Foster Street (off Brent Street), Hendon, London NW4 2AA Enquiries: Lorraine on 020 8346 0289 www.hendonspiritualist church.co.uk Every Monday at 7.30pm (except Bank Holidays) Address and Clairvoyance Entrance: £3 inc refreshments & raffle 2nd Mar ANGELA MCDOWELL 9th Mar MICHAEL REDWIN 16th Mar VALERIE BROWN 23rd Mar PATRICK CARBERRY 30th Mar LESLEY TURTON LEWISHAM SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 65 Boone Street, Lewisham, London SE13 5SA Website: Lewishamspiritualistchurch.com Tel: 020 8852 7823 Mediums’ Secretary: 078 2672 3575 Sunday 6.30pm - 8pm Service Tuesday 12.30pm - 2.30pm Private Readings (Bookable with Mediums’ Secretary) Tuesday 1pm - 2.30pm Healing Thursday: 7.15pm - 8.30pm Healing 7.15pm - 9pm Group Readings All welcome WALTHAMSTOW NATIONAL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Vestry Road E17 9NH Tel: 020 8503 6942 www. vestryrdspiritualistchurch.com Sundays 6.30pm Service Mondays 7 - 9pm Healing Service Tuesdays 2.00pm Mediumship Thurs 7.30pm Awareness Circle All Welcome WOOD GREEN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH (Cnr of Maryland Road) High Road, Wood Green, London N22 5AR Minister in Spirit: Mrs Ida Stenning Enquiries: 020 8888 1992 Website: www.woodgreen spiritualistchurch.co.uk Sunday 6.30pm Service Wednesday 7.30pm Service Tuesday 7.30pm - 9.00pm Healing Thursday 2.00pm - 4.30pm Healing

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

WOODFORD SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 9 Grove Crescent, South Woodford, London E18 2JR Enquiries: 020 8989 6149 www.woodfordchurch.com Sunday 1st 11am - 4pm Workshop: ‘Courage & Confidence’ with HEATHER, ZOE & KATE (Call Heather for details on 020 8529 8097, mob: 07773 127178) Sunday 1st 6.30pm Divine Service with MICKY IVERS Mon 2nd 2pm JEANIE JACKSON Saturday 7th 11am - 4pm £10 Workshop: “Spring Clean with Spirit and Clear your Pathway to Progress: an all-day Spiritual ‘Spa’” with STEPHANIE BARROWS Saturday 7th 7.30pm ~ £3 CAROL WOOD Flower Sentience Sunday 8th 11am - 4pm £10 Workshop: ‘Developing Confidence in Inspirational Speaking’ with CAROL WOOD Sunday 8th 4pm - 5.30pm £3 Open Group Meditation: ‘Sitting in the Divine Power’ with ESTHER EMANUEL Sunday 8th 6.30pm Divine Service with PAULINE FIRKS Monday 9th 2pm ROBBIE BICKERSTAFF Saturday 14th 11am - 4pm £10 Workshop: ‘An Opportunity to Work with the Energy of Spirit and Guides within your Mediumship’ with SANDY WILKINSON Sunday 15th 12noon - 4pm £10 Workshop: ‘Inspired Spiritual Creativity’ with PAT MACNALLY and DANIEL NAUGHNANE Sunday 15th 6.30pm Divine Service with RICHARD NEVILLE Monday 16th 2pm SANDY WILKINSON Saturday 21st 1pm - 3.30pm Private Sittings for Church Charity £10 for 20 minutes Booking advised Sunday 22nd 11am - 4pm £10 Shamanic Workshop Sunday 22nd 6.30pm Divine Service with BECKS SAWYER Monday 23rd 2pm MICHAEL REDWIN Sunday 29th SUSAN GRIFFITHS See website for details Sunday 29th 6.30pm Divine Service with REG BALDWIN Monday 30th 2pm VAL BICKERSTAFF Tuesday 31st 1pm to 5.30pm £20 (inc. materials) Workshop: ‘Make Your Own Oracle Cards’ with PAT MACNALLY and DANIEL NAUGHNANE Weekly: Tuesday 7.30 - 9pm £3 Open Circle Wednesday 2 - 4pm & 7.30 - 9pm Healing Friday 7.30 - 9pm £3 Open Circle First Friday of the month at 7.30pm Open Circle for Platform Mediums

MIDDLESEX

OXFORDSHIRE

KENTON SPIRITUALIST CHURCH AND HEALING CENTRE 35 Churchill Avenue, Kenton, Nr. Harrow, Middlesex HA3 0AX Enquiries: 020 8621 3103 Sunday 6.30pm Service Wednesday 7.30pm - 9pm Healing Thursday 7.45pm Service

THE KARENZA SPIRITUAL NETWORK Cholsey Pavilion, Station Road, Cholsey, Wallingford OX10 9PT Tel: 01491 523822 Email: info@karenzaspirit.net Monday 2nd March 7.30pm An Evening of Mediumship with DARREN TURNER Monday 13th April 7.30pm An Evening of Mediumship with KEZ EGGLETON Everyone welcome Please find more information at: www.karenzaspirit.net

THE LIGHT ON THE HILL HARROW SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 1 Vaughan Road, Harrow, Middlesex, London HA1 1DP Website: www. lightonthehill.moonfruit.com Email: lightonthehill@live.co.uk Tel: 07528 348 432 Service Times: Sunday 7.30pm - 9pm Wednesday 7.45pm - 9pm Healing Services: Monday 10am - 12pm Wednesday 9.15pm - 9.45pm Sunday 7.30pm at start of Service HAMPTON HILL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Angel Close, Windmill Road, Hampton Hill TW12 1RG Enquiries: 020 8941 5177 www.hamptonhillspiritualists. webeden.co.uk Sunday 6.30pm Divine Service Wednesday 7.30pm Healing Thursday 7.30pm Midweek Service Monthly classes at 7.30pm: 1st Monday Open Platform 2nd and last Monday Open Awareness Circle 3rd Monday Mediumship Practice Circle 3rd Tuesday Open Healing Circle 4th Tuesday Speakers and Philosophy Class THE SANCTUARY OF THE SILVER CROSS Friends’ Meeting House, York Road (opp. Sainsbury’s), Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1QW Founder: FRANK MECHELLE President: LINDA CHANT Telephone: 07792 900194 www. sanctuarysilvercross.co.uk Sunday at 6.30pm Divine Service

SOMERSET ALCOMBE AND MINEHEAD CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Grove Place, Manor Road, Alcombe, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6EH Tel: 0783 110 4896 Winter Sunday Service 3.00pm (November to end of February) Summer Sunday Service 6.30pm (March to end of October) Healing groups, a monthly healing day, healing evenings, open circles, evenings of clairvoyance all available on various days during each month. See our website for the full day-by-day itinerary of what our church can offer you. www.mineheadspiritualist church.co.uk

SURREY CROYDON SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Chatsworth Road, Croydon, Surrey CR0 1HE President: Mrs Mollie McManus OSNU, LSSNU Contact telephone numbers: 020 8688 1827 & 07990 535942 E: alanpseymour@ btinternet.com For special events see our website: www. croydonspiritualistchurch.org.uk Sunday 11am Service Sunday 6.30pm Service Wednesday 7.45pm Service Thursday Healing 1.30pm - 3.30pm & 6.00pm - 8.00pm Open Platform third Monday of each month at 7.30pm

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KINGSTON NATIONAL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Villiers Road, Kingston upon Thames Surrey KT1 3AR Website: www.kingstonsc.org General Secretary: Mrs Gerrie Chaney Tel: 020 8401 6967 Sunday Services: 11am and 6.30pm Monday Evening of Mediumship: 7.30pm £3 (£2 Members) Monday Healing 8.45pm - 9.45pm (Donation). Wednesday Healing 2pm - 4pm Enter through side gate (Donation) Please visit our website to see all our events!

SUSSEX - EAST BEXHILL CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 6 Victoria Road, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN39 3PD Website: www.bexhillchristian spiritualistchurch.com Services: Sundays during November - March inclusive at 3.00pm Sundays during April - October inclusive at 6.00pm Clairvoyance:Every Wednesday at 3.00pm Clairvoyance on Saturdays as advertised Healing: Every Tuesday 9.30am - 11.00am followed by Healing and Meditation Circle from 11.30am - 12.30pm Workshops: Full details on the website

WARWICKSHIRE RUGBY INDEPENDENT SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Pennington Mews (Off Lawford Road), Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2RG Tel: 07854 833119 Email: rugbyspiritualistchurch @gmail.com Websites: www.rugbyspiritualistchurch.com and www.facebook.com/Rugby. Spiritualist.Church Sunday Services 6.30pm Clairvoyant Evenings twice monthly £4 Open Circle (Mondays 8pm) twice monthly £2 Private Readings (Saturday mornings)

WEST MIDLANDS

STH YORKS

SCOTLAND

DUDLEY SPIRITUALIST CENTRE Inc. Dudley & Great Bridge Spiritualist Church, Buffery Centre, Paradise, Dudley, West Midlands DY2 8SH Associated to the Spiritualists’ National Union Enquiries: Ms S. Whittle PAS Tel: 01384 75192 Charity Registration 261898 Sunday Divine Service: Last Sunday in month Doors open 2.45pm Healing, Philosophy, Demonstration Tuesday Healing 6.30pm - 7.15pm Members’ Circles & Development Group 7.30pm - 9.00pm Thursday 1st, 3rd & 5th weeks in the month Demonstration starting at 7.30pm Thursday Divine Service: 2nd & 4th week in month Starting at 7.30pm (Doors 7pm) Home Visits Private Sittings arranged by request Special events/services as advertised A warm welcome to all

DONCASTER NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Catherine Street, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN1 3PS Tel: 01302 855164 Follow us on Facebook Monday 7.00pm - 8.00pm Mediumship Thursday 7.00pm - 8.00pm Open Circle Sunday 6.30pm - 8.00pm Address and Mediumship All Welcome

THE LITTLE ROSE CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Barmulloch Community Centre, 46 Wallacewell Quadrant, Barmulloch, Glasgow G21 3PX President: Gary B. Gray Tel: 0141 347 0455 Mob: 07812 40 40 43 Email: gagr215@aol.com www.facebook.com/ thelittlerosechurch Service every Thursday at 7pm All welcome

STOURBRIDGE NATIONAL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Union Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1PJ Website: www.stourbridge spiritualistchurch.co.uk Tel: 01384 825060 or 01384 352082 Sunday 6.30pm Service Monday 2.30pm Service Occasional Saturdays 7.30pm Monday 1 - 2pm Healing Thursday 7.30 - 9pm Healing All welcome SUTTON COLDFIELD SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Kenelm Road, Off Manor Hill, Sutton Coldfield B73 6HD Website: www.scsconline.co.uk Tel: 0121 354 3266 Sunday 6.30pm Service Monday 1.30pm Service Occasional Wednesdays 7.30pm Thursday 8.00pm Healing Saturday 11.00am Healing

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WOMBWELL NATIONAL SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Kelvin Grove, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S73 0DL Enquires 01226 792831 Email: wombwellspiritualistchurch@hotmail.co.uk Website: wombwellsnuchurch. zohosites.com Follow us on Facebook Sunday Divine Service 6.30pm Wednesday Healing 6.00pm Open Circle 7.15pm Special Events as advertised

WALES HAFAN Y COED SPIRITUAL CENTRE / RETREAT Tel: 01639 730985 www.hafanycoed.com See our main advert in this issue SACRED HANDS SPIRITUAL CENTRE Lincoln Street, Llandysul, Ceredigion, Wales SA44 4BS www.sacred-hands.co.uk Tel: Sonia – 01559 362128 or Carol – 01559 384989 Monday 7.30 - 9.00pm Healing: Spiritual Healing & Reiki (Free of charge – donations welcome) Thursday 7.30pm Divine Service (Closed Christmas Day) Saturday 7.30pm £2 Open Meditation Circle For special events and workshops see our website All welcome WREXHAM SPIRITUAL CHURCH Quakers Meeting House, Holt Road, Wrexham Phone: 01978 354 568 Divine Service Mondays 7.30pm - 9.00pm Development Circle Thursdays 7.30pm

GUERNSEY THE GREETING PLACE FOUNDATION SPIRITUALIST CENTRE Douzaine Room, St Peters, Guernsey, Channel Islands Enquiries to: Margaret Phillips Tel: 01481 256629 E-mail: greetingplace@cwgsy.net Website: www.healingand spiritualcentre.com Our regular services are: Sunday 11.00am Address and Communication Monday 7.30pm Healing Group Saturday 10.30am Healing Clinic Other services as announced Everyone welcome

U.S.A. FIRST SPIRITUALIST CHURCH 3777 42nd Street, San Diego, CA 92105, USA Pastor: Rev Doris Horvath www.1st-spiritualistchurch.org Sunday 10.00am Healing Service Sunday 11.00am Worship Service Plus full itinerary

GREECE

SPIRITUALIST SOCIETY OF ATHENS “The Divine Light” Channelled Teachings from the highest authority of the Heavenly Kingdom. Various spiritual leaders, from Socrates and St. John the Baptist to Goethe and Newton teach invaluable lessons to humanity. www.divinelight.org.gr E-mail: info@divinelight.org.gr Address: 12 Niovis Str., Athens, Greece, 11252 PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

PSYCHIC HANDWRITING ANALYSIS

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Don’t miss

‘Two Worlds’!

Founded in 1887 by famous Victorian medium Emma Hardinge Britten, “Two Worlds” is Spiritualism’s 76-page independent monthly magazine. Now you can read it online for just £18.00 a year! To take out a digital or postal subscription, please visit our new website (where there are two FREE copies) at

www.twoworldsmag.co.uk If you would like a FREE copy sent by post, please write to “Two Worlds,” PO Box 55307, London SE16 6WW Alternatively, e-mail your name and address or give us a call.

Tel: 020-7064 8000

E-mail: tortzen@globalnet.co.uk

PSYCHIC NEWS | MARCH 2015

CONGRATULATIONS

FEATURE

TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS:

The winners of ‘The Shift DVD’ starring Dr Wayne W. Dyer featured in November’s sudoku competition are: Laina Hatcher from Coventry, Julie Hargreaves from Isle of Man, David and Linda Serlin from Hertfordshire, Miss Alison Foot from Dorset and Gillian Holt from West Midlands. The correct answer to the middle line of numbers in the sudoku grid is: 4,5,7,1,3,8,9,6,2

The answers to the Psychic News Christmas Quiz in the December issue are: 1. Who lived at this house? Answer: Harry Edwards

7. What is the pagan festival of Christmas called? Answer: Yule 8. This photograph shows a spirit ...? Answer: Orb 2. What was the name of Ivy Northage’s spirit guide? Answer: Chan 3. Energy centres in the body are called? Answer: Chakras 4. One of the original founders of Psychic News was a Fleet Street journalist. What was his name? Answer: Hannen Swaffer

The answer to the subject of the mystery handwriting analysis on page 23 of the December issue was LORD DOWDING The winner of the year’s online subscription is Fiona Bowie.

6. Who in the Bible discovered gushing water when he struck a rock with his rod during a serious drought? Answer: Moses

5. What is the saint’s name of the chapel ruin at the top of Glastonbury Tor? Answer: Michael

9. Ancient Celtic letters are called... Answer: Ogham 10. A substance which is exuded from physical mediums is called Answer: Ectoplasm 11. Which distinguished RAF officer spoke widely about his belief in the afterlife? Answer: Hugh/Lord Dowding 12. What was the surname of the J.V. Trust founders? Answer: Wandless

THE FIRST PRIZE of a residential course for two at the Arthur Findlay College goes to Carol Jonson from Derbyshire. FOUR RUNNER-UP PRIZES of a surprise spiritual book or gift go to Sue Burtenshaw from East Sussex, Phil Mortiboy from Hertfordshire, Ewan Irvine from Edinburgh and Michael Ladwiniec from Aberdeen

Never miss a copy of Psychic News™ Take out a subscription! 6 Months 1 Year United Kingdom £25 £48 Overseas £35 £68 Online pdf version £14 £26 For the app version with added video content, see page 47 for details Send your details or the attached form to: Psychic Press Ltd, Suite 6, Thremhall Park, Start Hill, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM22 7WE or call: 01279 874339 or email: subscription@psychicnews.org.uk For online subscriptions visit: www.psychicnews.org.uk

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