Let me start by saying: being a psychic medium is a lot more than what people expect. Sure, I’m often asked if I can talk to dead people. But it’s way more complex, and trust me, it’s not always as glamorous as Hollywood makes it out to be. A psychic medium, especially in the metaphysical community, deals with different kinds of energies. These energies come in many forms. They’re not all from dead people, either.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through the three primary types of psychic mediumship. They all have their quirks, and yes, I use them all in my readings. Whether you’re pagan, witch, or someone just curious about the Craft, I hope this clarifies the strange world of mediumship for you. I teach classes, do in-person tarot readings (as does all our coven) at our physical store, come visit! We also have online readings available too, book an appt. Connect with us for more on Instagram, Facebook (Meta) or TikTok.
Clairsentient Psychic Mediums: Seeing & Hearing
Clairsentient psychic mediums receive data from the spirit world primarily through feelings. Yes, it’s not all about hearing disembodied voices. I’m sure some people expect me to just close my eyes and channel a spirit. But honestly, it’s a lot more subtle. For example, I might feel someone gently touch my neck (physical medium). Or I could feel a sudden wave of emotion (clairsentient medium or empathic). Sometimes I even experience what I like to call “the tingles,” like when someone is giving me a spiritual handshake. Clairsentient mediumship is more about receiving messages from spirits, seeing and hearing them. Hearing them is often referred to as clairaudient.
The funny part? These experiences almost always lead to something more. If I feel a tingling sensation on my ear, I know it’s time to listen. Why? Because that’s usually when the spirits are ready to deliver a message. It’s like their way of grabbing my attention. How kind, right?
Of course, the messages aren’t always rainbows and moonbeams. Sometimes I feel a deep sadness or a confusing mix of emotions. That’s when I know someone is grieving. You’d be surprised how often those who’ve passed on have unresolved feelings. It’s part of the healing process, for both them and the living. Sometimes they come through.
Non-Incarnate Psychic Mediums: Signs & Messages
Now, let’s talk about non-incarnate mediums. These are the psychics who don’t necessarily hear voices or feel spirits directly. Instead, they access data through signs and portents. As a witch who practices Wicca, I’ve often relied on the power of symbols and magic to manifest results.
When you’re using tarot cards, throwing bones, or reading tea leaves, the universe is talking to you through signs. I like to use crystal balls sometimes too.
The spiritual world doesn’t always communicate in obvious ways. Instead, they use what I call “spiritual shorthand”—things like animal behavior, cloud patterns, or even the way the moon seems to glow that night. In fact, during my tarot readings, I sometimes see spirits in flashes, almost like mental snapshots. These aren’t always complete images, but just enough to give a sense of who they were in life. And yes, it’s as strange as it sounds.
But here’s the kicker: Spirits have a weird way of coming through when they feel someone is grieving or struggling. You’d think the dead would be at peace, but no. They’re still working through things, just like the rest of us. As a result, messages often come through with powerful emotions. The spirits might even use your grief to make contact, helping you heal as you help them. I don’t do this on command in readings, but it happens.
Physical Psychic Mediums: The Body Speaks
Let’s move on to physical mediums. These folks are a special breed. They don’t just sense spirits in the mind; they feel them in the body. Think of it like this: spirits conjure specific sensations to get their message across. One moment, you could be feeling the pressure of a hand on your neck. The next, there’s a sharp pain in your knee. It’s like magic, but with a twist.
Physical mediumship can be intense. Some mediums experience strange sensations in their bodies, like someone is literally using their body to communicate. This is an aspect of mediumship that’s tied to energies. It’s all about how the spirit uses physical energies to make itself known. For example, I once felt a spirit tapping on my shoulder, as if to say, “Pay attention!” Sometimes sprits work through pendulums, I have many at this point.
What’s even more fascinating? These sensations can sometimes reflect how the spirit passed. If they had a sudden heart attack, you might feel pressure in your chest. If they died in a car crash, you could feel whiplash in your neck. Trust me, it’s not always pleasant. But again, it’s part of the process. There’s also Ventre Loquis, latin for “speak through the gut”. Spirits sometimes speak through the gut. Every go to cross a street and see someone and – oomph! A negative gut feeling and you choose to go another way? Yep, and that’s also the origin of the word ventriloquist.
Blending All Three: One Psychic, Many Gifts
Here’s where it gets interesting. While you might expect each psychic medium to specialize in one particular type of communication, I use all of them. In my practice, they blend together. Sometimes, I’ll throw bones for a reading. Then, while reading the tarot cards, I’ll feel a sudden wave of grief. That’s when a spirit usually comes through. I’m not exactly sure why, but when emotions get involved, everything opens up. It’s as if the grief makes the channel between this world and the next clearer.
It’s like magic—but not the kind you read about in witchcraft books. Well, maybe it is, but not in the way most people think. The Craft doesn’t just involve casting spells or working with lunar energies. It also involves tuning into the spiritual forces all around you. Mediumship, to me, is a kind of magic. It’s not about “conjuring” spirits for fun; it’s about finding a way to manifest healing, closure, and connection.
What I’ve noticed, especially when working with clients, is that these different types of mediumship reinforce each other. One doesn’t operate independently. They overlap. For example, while I’m reading tarot cards, I’ll get physical sensations that help confirm the messages. Or, while connecting with the energies of the deceased, I might see symbolic signs in the environment—like an animal suddenly acting in a peculiar way.
Why Mediumship Isn’t Just for the Dead
You’re probably thinking, “Okay, but why should I care about all this?” Well, I’m here to tell you: Mediumship isn’t just for communicating with the deceased. It’s also about understanding the spiritual energies that are around us—those that influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Whether you follow Wicca, are a practicing pagan, or just dabble in metaphysical practices, mediumship is a way to tap into deeper knowledge.
It’s like this: I’m not just talking to spirits. I’m talking to the universe. I’m listening to the moon, the lunar cycles, the natural world. It’s all connected, and spirit communication is one way to access that. Whether I’m conjuring a message from beyond the veil or interpreting a sign from the physical world, it all matters. It’s a metaphysical web that ties everything together.
In the end, being a psychic medium isn’t about living in a world of ghosts. It’s about being tuned into the spiritual energies that shape our lives. It’s about manifesting connections, whether they’re with the living or the dead. So, next time you hear someone ask if I can talk to the dead, I might just tell them, “I’m too busy listening to the universe.” Trust me, it’s a full-time job.
