Psychic powers and mediumship are very similar in that both involve the acquisition of knowledge by non-physical means, ie other than passing through the physical senses. The difference lies in the source of that knowledge. The distinction is a nebulous one with both psychics and mediums switching between faculties, often without realising.

In mediumship knowledge is received from distinct Spiritual entitles, often (but not necessarily) those that have previously lived on earth.

In psychism knowledge is received from other incarnate Spirits (as in telepathy, or mind reading) or by the seer using their own Spiritual part to reach out and obtain otherwise hidden knowledge of the physical realm.

The distinction doesn’t usually matter, as the information obtained is likely to be equally accurate. It should be noted that as the purpose Spiritualism is to offer evidence of survival (of the consciousness over physical death), mediums should aspire to employ only mediumship when operating in Spiritualist contexts.

Spirit encompasses all that is, including the physical realms, which are a particular product of Spirit.

When Spirit incarnates into physical form it is inevitably distant or distinct from its pure Spirit source. We are like islands sticking out of the sea, unique individuals on the surface, but all interconnected on the ocean bottom. Perhaps this is so it may better fulfil the purpose of it incarnation. A living entity that knew with certainty of its Spiritual nature might desire an instant return home without facing the growth producing challenges of physicality.

Human beings are Spirit temporarily clothed in flesh. We are not bodies, with - maybe - a Spiritual bit attached. Our essence is Spiritual, and the capacities of mediumship and psychism are natural.

However, being alive is hard work. Coping with the material world takes most of our efforts and attention. Additionally, societal pressure discourages the use of our natural, psychic talents. After all, science and technology have put men on the moon without need for such “mumbo jumbo”. So for most of us our psychic faculties are kept firmly under wraps.

Like all abilities some of us are born with a stronger psychic or mediumistic potential than others. As with other abilities, practice helps us realise our own particular potential.

People often seek consult psychics and mediums, or attempt to use their own psychic faculties, to discover what the future holds for them. This is necessarily an inexact science because the future does not exist until we, and other living entities, create it. What can be picked up psychically is greater knowledge of present potentialities than may be available through physical means. Additionally our psychic faculty may offer greater processing power o extrapolate those potentialities forwards. But if we do not like what we see, we may have the power to change it through exercise of our free will.

Note that I say, “may”, because although we have free choice we are also born to experience certain things and to learn certain lessons - choices we ourselves made before birth. How we are presented with those experiences and lessons is not pre-determined, but that we shall meet them in some shape or form is pretty well inevitable.