Mediums of physical effects

We present in this issue the topic #104 from the Systematized Study of the Spiritist Doctrine, that is being presented weekly, according to the programme elaborated by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB), structured in 6 modules and 147 topics.

If the reader uses this program for a study group, we suggest that questions proposed be discussed freely before the reading of the text that follows. If you would like to study alone, we ask you to try to answer the questions at first and only then read the text that follows. The answer key can be found at the end of the lesson. 

Questions

1. In how many groups can we classify the mediumship?

2. Is the nature of communications related to the ability of the medium or to the nature of the Spirit?

3. What is essential in the occurrences of phenomenas of physical effects?

4. Mention five varieties of mediums of physical effects mentioned by Kardec.

5. The automatic writing - which is produced through the pneumatografic mediums - is classified as a phenomenon of physical effect or as a phenomenon of intellectual effect?
 

Text

The mediumship provides an infinite variety of shades

1. As we have studied before, mediumship can be classified into two major groups: mediumship of physical effects and mediumship of intellectual effects.

2. Mediums of physical effects, so common in the time of the Codification of the Spiritism are probably fewer today, when the most common are mediums of intellectual effects. But it has been arising, from time to time, special varieties of mediums such as musician mediums, painters, poets, surgeons etc. Predominated at the time of Kardec, regarding the varieties of intellectual effects, the psychographic and psicofonia.

3. Mediumship presents, as we see, an infinite variety of shades, from which arise the called special mediums, gifted with particular skills that vary from individual to individual, regardless of the qualities and knowledge of the Spirits that manifest.

4. The nature of communications guard, however, relationship with the nature of the Spirit that brings the character of their elevation or inferiority, of their knowledge or ignorance. There are Spirits who have predilection for the physical manifestations, and among those who give communications of intelligent character, there are the poets, the musicians, designers, the wise etc. Obviously, along with the ability of the Spirit, there is the ability of the medium, which will be for him a more or less comfortable tool, more or less flexible.

5. For the occurrence of phenomenas of physical effects is necessary that the medium is able to supply the ectoplasm or exteriorized plasma that the Spirits use for the production of the phenomena that attest their survival.

Mediums of levitation can levitate themselves

6. Physical phenomena such as bangs, noise, displacement of furniture and objects are so common that it is not enough to impress the human creature that for sure, would be enchanted with some beautiful and amazing physical effects, such as materializations and transport, unfortunately so rare in the era in which we live.

7. The special varieties of mediums of physical effects that Allan Kardec included in the Chapter XVI of The Book of Mediums are:

Tiptological Mediums - those under whose influence produce noise and blows vibrated in furniture and walls. This variety is very common and the phenomenon is given even when the medium has no desire to produce it. It was with the cooperation of tiptological mediums - the famous Kate and Margaret Fox – that the Spiritism was born, which the date is commemorated on March 31, the day that, in the distant year of 1848, the Hydesville phenomenas were marked in the history.

Motor Mediums – those who produce the movement of inert bodies, which is also very common.

Mediums of translation and suspension – those who produce the aerial translation and suspension of inert bodies in the space without a support. Some of them can levitate themselves and are thus called as mediums of levitation, but they are, however, very rare.

Mediums of musical effects – those who provoke the execution of musical compositions in certain instruments, without having contact with them.

Mediums of appearances – those who can cause fluidic or tangible apparitions, all visible to the audience. They are very rare.

Mediums of transport - those who can serve as auxiliaries to the Spirits for the transport of material objects.

Nocturnal Mediums - those who can only obtain certain physical effects in the dark. This phenomenon is due more to the environment conditions than to the nature of the medium or Spirits.

Pneumatografic mediums - those who obtain the direct writing, a very rare phenomenon and, above all, easy to be imitated by cheats. In this type of phenomenon, say the Spirits, the action of the medium is entirely material, while in the psychography, even when the medium is purely mechanical, the brain plays an active role.

Healing mediums – those who have the power to cure or relieve the sick by the imposition of hands or simply by prayer. This faculty, teach the Spirits, is not essentially mediumistic; belongs to all true believers, whether they are mediums or not. In most cases, it is just an exaltation of strengthened magnetic power, if necessary, by the cooperation of the good Spirits.

Supporter Mediums - those who have the power of, by their influence, develop in others the faculty of writing. This case is actually more of a magnetic effect than mediumship itself.

Answer Key

1. In how many groups can we classify the mediumship?

A.: In two major groups: mediumship of physical effects and mediumship of intellectual effects.

2. Is the nature of communications related to the ability of the medium or to the nature of the Spirit?

A.: The nature of communications guard relationship with the nature of the Spirit and brings the character of their elevation or inferiority, of their knowledge or ignorance but along with the ability of the Spirit, there is the ability of the medium, which will be for him a more or less comfortable tool, more or less flexible.

3. What is essential in the occurrences of phenomenas of physical effects?

A.: For the occurrence of phenomenas of physical effects is necessary that the medium is able to supply the ectoplasm or exteriorized plasma that the Spirits use for the production of these effects.

4. Mention five varieties of mediums of physical effects mentioned by Kardec.

A.: Mediums of transport, tiptological mediums, motors, promoters and pnematographic mediums.

5. The automatic writing - which is produced through the pneumatografic mediums - is classified as a phenomenon of physical effect or as a phenomenon of intellectual effect?

A.: Kardec considers it as phenomena of physical effect because the action of the medium is entirely material, completely different from what happens in the psicography, in which the brain plays an active role.
 

Bibliography:

The Book of Mediums; by Allan Kardec, items 61, 74, 75, 80, 96, 97, 98, 100, 104, 160, 177, 185, 186, 187 and 189.

Mechanisms of Mediumship; by André Luiz, psychographied by Chico Xavier, Chapter XVII.