Brief History of Witchcraft

Readers will be familiar with the image of some old crone flying through the sky on a broom or perhaps standing over a cauldron casting spells. The truth, as always, can be quite different. Before Christianity took hold and established itself in this Country, other pagan beliefs were in place. The practise of any belief other than its own being regarded as possible heresy, opened the door to the intimidation and punishment of anybody found to be involved in such alleged sorcery. It is the view of many that a number of groups were identified for possible involvement in such ‘dark deeds’. For instance, without effective access to effective medical treatments, many would seek out the herbalist within the community, or ‘wise one’. Needless to say, these people could then become convenient targets for those looking for ‘witches’.

The persecution of witches reached its height in Europe between 1580-and 1660. Nobody knows the true death toll. In South Germany alone, more than 3000 witches were executed between 1560-1680. In England, hanging was the punishment if a person was found guilty, whereas in Scotland, the preferred method was being burnt at the stake.

Modern witches through the rules of Wicca are actually against all suffering and most, if not all, present day witches are vegetarians for that very reason. This code also forbids any practises where the intention is harmful. These would be regarded therefore, as White Witches as opposed to the other group, which seems so popular in books and films. Unfortunately, the mere word witch has come to be identified with evil. However, anybody who takes the trouble to examine their belief system would find this to be far from the case.

Nostradamus (1503-66) - The Great Seer

Talk to anybody about psychics who have claimed the ability to see into the future and one name will inevitably come up-Nostradamus. Although he is remembered for his predictions, he was also a skilled physician too.

In 1555, he completed his now famous work called the Centuries, a book of more than 900 predictions about the fate of France, the World and other famous persons of his time. It has been estimated by his own calculations that his prophecies will include the period up to 3797.

The book was written in four-lined rhymed verses (quatrains) in language critics have argued could be applied to any number of events that has taken place since. However, it should be also remembered that Nostradamus wrote them in a period of our History not known for its tolerance and therefore their publication, could in a different design, have cost him his life too.

Those that do believe in his abilities would argue that amongst his successful predictions were the Great Fire of London in 1666, the rise of Hitler and the attack on the Twin Towers in New York.

Psychic Abilities and Remote Viewing

It is my view that we all have intuitive abilities that in past times may have enabled us to be aware of possible dangers or food sources in order to survive. They are more likely to be active in those people who meditate and shut out the outer world. Experiments using gantzfeld techniques have shown indications that abilities such as ‘remote viewing’ are possible when our awareness of the physical world is removed.
See image where the subject’s vision and hearing have been ‘blocked-out’ thereby allowing ‘inner world’ impressions to form such as images etc.

The United States Government had a select team of ‘remote viewers’ as they were called who used this technique for intelligent purposes during what was known as the ‘Cold War’. Millions of dollars over many years were spent on this programme. Its highly unlikely that this would have continued for the time it did if it brought no effective or useful results. Modern surveillance technology, however, may well have made its use obsolete.

Many mothers will tell you that they seem to ‘know’ when their child is ill for instance. To have this ability makes every bit of sense, since it helps humans to protect their offspring. People who are closer to ‘nature’ also seem to have active sixth sense abilities.

Although the whole subject of psychic abilities attracts a great deal of interest, in my view, such channels are put to their best use when bringing hope, light and comfort into this World. Spirit communicators will use these psychic abilities to make themselves visible and pass-on information. A medium when working might make use of any of them such as Clairvoyance (clear-seeing), Clairsentience, feelings or Clairaudience-hearing.

The image of the crystal ball is well known and uses what is known as ‘scrying’. With this method the psychic will stare into the ball and may see it become cloudy and then images form, which can be then interpreted as to their meaning. Other forms of ‘scrying’ can be looking into mirrors or water. It is alleged that Nostradamus used this technique when compiling his predictions of the future.

The Black Horse Pub

The photograph above shows The Black Horse Pub in Limbrick, Chorley. When visiting, I found it to be a wonderful place with an atmosphere all of its own. Like many licensed buildings, previous drinkers from the past who are now in spirit, also pay the occasional visit to see how things are, no doubt.

When talking to the licensee, one spirit gentleman walked right through the wall where we were standing. I still find myself standing to one side to let him through even though I know he could walk right through me with no harm being caused.

Situated on a winding village road near a waterway, its well worth a visit with its delicious food, coal fires and charm. If you do see a spirit visitor, just give them a smile, I did!

Angels

This is a fascinating subject that virtually everybody has some memory of even if it is only a story from childhood.
My own view on this is that we all receive guidance from those in the higher realms in very subtle and yet meaningful impressions. Depending on the importance of the subject, an angel may well be assigned to try and provide balance and help. For instance, the concern for the environment and treating animals with more respect, does partly I feel, come through these heavenly beings.
Whatever the topic, their wish is to see God’s work applied within the World. This is why they are often referred to as ‘God’s Messengers’. Alas, unfortunately, humans can often take darker routes and the wars and suffering that litter our history on this planet bear testimony to that fact.

Depending on the spiritual source you select, angels can be ranked into different responsibilities. Some will never deal direct with humans but others will. Interestingly enough, there are very few references to angels having wings in the Bible. With respect, this is probably more of an image thing since heaven does not require such physical assets to transport  someone from one place to another. From what we know, angels are a different class of beings that have never taken human form.

However, there are views within this field that believe that we can receive support from the ‘other world’ from people who are now in spirit but used to live in our world. A medium, for instance, has what is referred to as guides who help them in their work. Stage mediums can have quite a number of guides who may all specialise in working with the medium in a particular way but co-ordinate their efforts to pass-on the right piece of information at the correct time.

As we are in an area that there is no definite proof, only views, spiritual references, opinions and personal experiences can be cited.  However, my view is that spirit people are assigned to us depending on what paths of life we walk. This guidance comes in more of an advisory way since our free will is a sacred principle that cannot be avoided.

People who are involved in the caring professions receive special help. I have known many in this type of work who have confided in me to say that they seem to ‘just know’ when a patient needs help or for that matter when they are going to ‘pass from this world’. For my own part, I often sense very compassionate spirit beings, who I feel, are at least partly responsible for this inner knowing.

Whatever your point of view, the opinion that Heaven takes an active interest in our affairs can bring great comfort to a world that seems, in part and at times at least, to have lost its way in the divine plan of things.

Ghost Visitors?

The series of images that follow show how spirit presences can make themselves visible when the circumstances are just right. It has to be appreciated, however, given that they don’t possess a physical body as we do, this materialisation is no easy business for them. You can see how the images vary in either being an almost complete apparition to those that are only partial.

It has surprised me in my work as a medium of how many audience members at my shows have witnessed part or full apparitions of so called ‘deceased relatives’. I usually get told of these appearances by spirit communicators when performing and they will often both reveal their identity and tell me when and where the visits occurred. Up to that point, the people viewing these ghostly forms may have kept such matters secret for fear of being ridiculed. However, when a medium such as myself verifies that the materialisation took place, they know then that it was unlikely to have been there imagination. This can bring great comfort to them and in my opinion the staggering significance of the event should not be overlooked.

The type of energy spirits draw around themselves to become visible often has this whitish appearance. This inevitably makes them look even spookier. The faces of most of the photographs are at least partially visible. Spirits, we are told by communicators, can change their appearance in the heaven world by thought alone. Many choose cloaks or garments that wouldn’t necessarily conform to styles of clothes on our side of the veil.

A willed thought also enables them to move from one place to another without the use of physical leg movement. This gliding effect has been reported by many of those who have been fortunate enough to witness these presences.

Note the figure in the back seat of the car photograph. Apparently, the gentleman in question was unaware of her presence until the film was developed. The view, is apparently, of a ‘deceased’ mother-in-law. In my work I receive many reports of travellers sensing as though spirit people are in the car with them! Why not? Wouldn’t
Such actions be perfectly normal if those relatives were still on ‘our side of life’.

I should state once again that the reader should form their own view on these matters, as unfortunately, other than through my own mediumship identification, without the correct witnesses or equipment being present, it is seldom possible to verify this material as being totally genuine. It is, nevertheless, a fascinating area to consider.

Haunting Case Studies - Case Study 2

Situation and Phenomena

This involved a public house and a number of strange atmospheres were being sensed by the staff who worked there.

Findings

The main spirit I became aware of was a man who passed by violence and who wished to get a message to his loved ones this side of life about his continued existence. He supplied some quite specific information which the staff member at the property confirmed was true. There was also a darker entity for which I recommended they enlist the services of a sympathetic member of the clergy to bless the building.
Other presences, were harmless and included a lady who used to walk the full length of the bar leaving a rather unpleasant aroma in her wake and a past customer of the pub who had his favourite ‘speck and sensitive customers and staff would notice him still standing there.

THE ETERNAL JOURNEY

The following represents information from spirit communicators and people who have been brought back to life after some physical trauma (near death experiences). Depending on the type of passing (some can be very sudden, such as a heart attack, for instance) and the level of consciousness, the last stages of life in this world can involve a growing awareness of spirit loved ones visiting the person who is about to cross over. Sometimes they just make their presence known which can be in itself be very comforting. At other times, conversations can take place, which partly helps to explain why stories abound of deathbed visions. If a medium is present they will often perceive spirit people around the bed. Mystical writings will point out that when the  appointed time  is approaching the spirit will start to loosen itself from its physical connections ready to make its final journey. At the time of passing, and depending on the circumstances involved, there can be a temporary loss of conscious awareness. This is soon regained and many report travelling along a tunnel of light free of all pain and suffering. At the end of this passageway are beings of light that seem to radiate peace and love. Some of these individuals are normally deceased relatives who are instantly recognised. Mental thoughts and feelings of reassurance are communicated to the arriving spirit. Reports seem to indicate that the feelings of bliss are impossible to put into words. If the person has died before their allotted time, they are usually told that there is unfinished business on our side of life and they must return. Others are given the choice to either stay or come back.

Some people have reported experiencing a life review where the significance of the events in their lives and how their actions have affected others is played out before them like on a cinema screen. The difference being, that they both ‘feel and realise’ the significance of these images. The comparison with writings of being judged at the end of one’s life cannot be lost here. However, reports indicate that nobody judges you, this is something you might do to yourself as the full impact of past actions make themselves known. It is all done in an atmosphere of love and compassion.

From this point, spirits are usually guided to their allotted home in the renewed companionship of exiting inhabitants of the heaven world. If their passing involved a lot of suffering or trauma, there can be a period of rest and adjustment. Those who have committed suicide receive spiritual counselling to help them come to terms with the consequences of their actions.

Depending on their spiritual beliefs or acceptance of life after death issues, some adapt quicker than others to their new surroundings. There can often be a desire to try and get in touch with loved ones on our side of life. Many of these efforts fail because of the problems associated with communication. This partly explains why there are common beliefs about spirits staying near their former homes for a few weeks or more. This can also be a period of significant psychic phenomena caused by people trying to make themselves known to their loved ones on our side of the veil. In the course of my work I have investigated or been present when many these events have occurred.

Haunting Case Studies - Case Study 1

The identities of the following investigations have been disguised for reasons of confidentiality. They represent my findings which may or may not vary from the investigation of others in this field. They represent a small selection and have been printed for reasons of interest by others, who might also take an interest in this fascinating subject.

Two spirit children made themselves known to me and indicated that they had passed through miscarriages. Clearly moved by this information, the householder confirmed these facts and felt very reassured that her spirit offspring lived on. Other messages were mentioned which will not be stated here.

Following a further request for both advice and help, I visited this same property and established the following.

The photograph opposite was taken of a young girl’s bedroom which is the site of certain paranormal activity. I have visited this home  before and it is my belief that she has a psychic sensitivity which will be  partly responsible for the knocks, raps and movement of objects that take place  in the home. At the time of my visit, I described a number of emotionally  charged events that had taken place which the householder confirmed. Such  happenings can be quite common when young females reach a particular age. The  mother of the female has a very open-minded attitude to the whole business  which I found to be highly admirable in the circumstances. Where people have a psychic sense they will often encounter  a variety of phenomena in different homes they may occupy. To some extent, that  applied here too.  Previous studies with young females in other situations have  revealed possible evidence of psychokinetic activity where physical objects can  be moved without anybody touching them ‘on either side of the veil.

Hauntings

As an established medium, and when not involved in other psychic activities, I can also be found investigating hauntings and connected paranormal events. Most of these, I maintain have either more ‘down-to-earth’ explanations or are the result of loved ones who have ‘passed-on’ trying to communicate with those they have left behind. Mediums,  act as instruments receiving information from the world of spirit, which for me comes in a combined form involving clairvoyance (images), clairsentience (feelings) and a sort of mental clairaudience (voices or sounds). The medium tries to make sense of what is being received before telling the person who is meant to be given the message.

Such events, can bring great comfort to the friends and relatives of those who have loved ones ‘on the other side.’ In addition, the psychic atmospheres of some buildings can be more susceptible to such phenomena than others. This is often influenced by the type of auric energies of the residents who live there. Interestingly enough, the nature of the spirit body can, in some circumstances, move objects, create sounds, make lights flicker or produce other attention seeking effects. One possible hope from the spirit world, I believe, is that a resident experiencing such phenomena will eventually seek out a medium who will then be able to reassure them that it is a loved one who is trying to say that they still exist and continue to visit them, albeit without a physical body as we know it.

Interestingly enough, there is also some evidence to suggest that alleged poltergeist activities are produced by the psychokinetic qualities of individuals reaching puberty, usually female. Intense emotional energies can, it would appear, move objects in these rare circumstances. The Society For Psychical Research has investigated many such occurrences.

If a spirit refuses to enter the normal heavenly realms, he or she can sometimes continue to visit or roam their old familiar favourite places. Often this can be where they lived or spent a great deal of their time. This is one explanation why so many pubs have reputations for being haunted. Those who have sixth sense abilities and work in such places will often become aware of their presence. Spirits of this type are often referred to as ‘earthbound’.

Buildings or places can also act as recording devices especially when tragic incidents have occurred. The visiting psychic will often detect these ‘recordings’ and gain a realisation of what took place there. These impressions can reveal events that happened many years ago.

The reader should understand that it is not a common event for the more darker entities to
wreak their havoc on persons or properties, and when this does happen specialist help should be sought at the earliest opportunity.  Regular and proper prayer (said with spiritual intent and free of purely selfish, materialistic requests) provides an enormous amount of protection. Why not start and end the day with a simple prayer, it doesn’t take long and can have very positive benefits.

When such unpleasant visitors are around, their intentions vary from the mischievous to far more serious aims. In the opinion of many, there is a view that they feed on atmospheres produced by unpleasant thoughts and seek to bring personal destruction on individuals, families and nations. However, this should not be seen as an opportunity to explain away why daily harm occurs between individuals within society. Reasonably ethical thoughts, words and actions are the true masters of our destinies not paranormal
influences.

It is always important to rule out ordinary and everyday explanations for activities or events rather than attach supernatural causes when they occur. This is particularly so with electrical appliances. To do otherwise, could be very risky if a faulty appliance or electrical circuit was involved. Furthermore, There are many support groups or advice centres available to individuals or families when they are going through testing times in their own lives. These should be sought out in order that a personal level healings can take place. These groups can play an excellent role in such difficult circumstances.

The above forms part of my viewpoint on this subject and may not agree with the opinions of others, the serious enquirer should seek also seek out other views.