But, isn't that exactly what a spiritualist medium is doing when giviing a reading? Doing all the work bar spirit? The idea would seem to be all about offering confirmation, proof of the afterlife, and by doing that the only participation by the seeker is sitting quietly, listening?

I believe that the medium and his or her client are working together co-operatively in a close relationship. Although the sitter may not consciously be doing work as such, their presence is an important factor in helping the medium to make the initial contact and to bring personal details through to confirm that the communicating spirit is who he or she says they are.

There is a common mistaken idea that mediums can simply call up spirits as and when they wish to. I feel that unless there already exists a bond of love between the spirit and the sitter, then even if it is not impossible it is going to be an uphill struggle to communicate.

If nobody is there who can personally confirm what the spirit says as ringing true, what purpose is there for giving a mediumship reading in the first place (even if done over the internet)?

Psychic energy is also drawn by the medium and their guide from the sitter, in order to help to maintain the connection over an extended period, much the same as many entertainers and performers claim to feel positive energy coming towards them from their live audience. This may temporarily make members of the audience feel as though they have been de-energised. This can be hard work for them, and potentially exhausting if it goes on for too long at a stretch.

The sitter is therefore I feel definitely "working" within their relationship with the medium and guides, although not obviously in the same way as does the spiritualist medium.

eye_of_tiger

There is a common thought that a voice vibration (like a personal signature) can aid in the attunement.  The process is invisible to be sure - but all in synchronicity can certainly aid the reading.  

A medium can read a sitter without any co-operation at all - I know - I have encountered such people.  The best connection is a co-operation among the participants - sitter with medium, medium with spirit, spirit with spirit loved ones of the sitter - full circle.

I also had a reading one time where I was attuned to spirit and felt the cord getting tenuous at best, so I asked if they understood the reading.  The response was - its your reading go ahead.  Lack of co-operation in any way - body, mind, spirit - cuts any cords of communion.  (BTW I refunded money and got rid of her - that is not a reading - that was a challenge at best).

Thanks for all your replies, they are certainly very helpful.

I certainly agree that the reader and the sitter should work together in a reading. Giving yes and no answers to the reader simply won't work.  However, there seems to be way too many 'readers' telling personalities from date of births to make sitters believe they are psychics, or asking many questions which I feel that they are simply deriving an answer from the situation of the sitter.

Yes, Jewel, its a fine line a reader walks in getting response, without plumbing the sitter for information.  Proof of spirit (whether bodily spirit or spirit realms) is the important aspect and the reader must be capable of bringing something on their own.  

I was working with a cheap psychic who could pick up energies around another being - to what effect has yet to be shown effective or valid.  They were busy starting their own business of readings....using everyone and everything in sight.  They were invited to demonstrate in a church service one Sunday and on the way in talked to and gleaned a lot of personal information from 3 people.  Then they got up to demonstrate by regurgitating only the information they had plumbed - then said their energy was done and another had to fill in.  Cheap tricks are obvious to everyone witnessing it and soon wear thin with the clients.