In this article I'm sharing a common question that I get asked by client and of course the curious minded. I've also included the fundamentals of how mediumship like any career requires an understanding of key skills that do evolve and get better with time and mentorship.
Dear Christie: Do you believe mediums are born with their gift, or can they be made? I'm confused about how this 'gift' is shared/given with some and not others?
Thank You. — Angela
Dear Angela: I cannot speak for everyone, but my mediumship was handed down through the generations on my mother's side of the family.
When I was just three years old, I remember walking around my family home or even outside the home and sensed spirit energy — seeing spirits and animals, just as if I was sensing/seeing the energy of a soul. I now know that this is called objective clairvoyance.
Clairvoyance means "clear seeing" and comes from two French words: claire (clear) and voir (to see). I have vivid memories of seeing loved ones just after they passed, as well as guides and animals.
It was never explained to me at any time growing up. However, my mother always told me I was sensitive. I remember clinging to my mom's legs while she cleaned the house. I was "attached at the hip." When I was younger, it never occurred to me that sensitivity would amount to the role it would play throughout my life. It wasn't until her passing that our connection and relationship would evolve into a spiritual one.
Fundamentally, psychic skills are defined by an innate ability to process sensory data — both tangible and intangible stimuli — on an extremely deep emotional, physical, or spiritual level. Of course, this is a rather broad definition. Because extrasensory gifts vary greatly in intensity and application, it’s best to imagine psychic skills on a spectrum.
One of the most common ways to see a spirit is called subjective clairvoyance — seeing mental images in your mind's eye, using the third-eye chakra. Clear seeing can be seeing people, pictures, or even clips, like a movie played before you. That's why you'll sometimes see mediums close their eyes as they try to get a better picture. It helps to focus on the details of what the spirit is presenting.
My greatest gift after my mother's passing was her mentorship in a way. She could see what I saw, a gift of its own (called linking in). I'm grateful for it all happening organically rather than all at once. I finally opened my heart and arms to it in time to help clients with their grief. I was so much alone at the time when my mother passed on. I wasn't allowed to grieve openly and cried in the car. So I understand THAT part and the loneliness that can follow a loss, anger, and anxiety from managing it all, including executing a will. Who is ever really prepared for it all.
I look to all the experiences, jobs - working in HR, a health coach, and heartaches that have helped me understand. I am also more than a Psychic or Medium. I am also a friend, a mom, an animal lover, a Reiki Practitioner, a teacher, a writer, and a painter.
As I got older, I learned who to talk to about spiritual subjects and when to be quiet, such as in school. With social media being a great connector to people from our past, I was recently approached through my high school Facebook group by a former classmate. He asked, "Were you always like this, even in high school?" No, I replied. I didn't know what it was that I was tuning into. I didn't ask anyone either for fear of what people would think. When I look back now. I knew that what I was seeing at the time, was people in Spirit. They were family members from a distant past visiting, checking in, and watching over me. This know to be true and often have visitors from family and friends popping in for a visit. Very often it's my mother.
I have to say I really quite admire many of my friends in this work who have been fully support by family and friends. Much like anyone whose considering courses, University/College or a career, having that support and knowing people have your back. Well, you can't put a price tag on that. We all want and need support on our life journey but there are those that pass judgement. Much like the stigma attached to an artist, or should I say, 'starving' artist. I know of many artists are thriving in many ways. Financially, and the fulfilment of a passion. Support is a key piece to a Medium or Psychic thriving. It may be your family, or a kind of family of friendships, mentors, or teachers you meet and learn from over time.
Most frequently, people develop psychic abilities during childhood. These gifts are either passed down through close individuals (who, directly or indirectly, teach us this language) or are cultivated in response to environmental conditions. As children, we notice more, see more, hear more, and feel more — these are basic survival instincts that enable us to safely move through the world. But as we mature, we are told to stop being so sensitive, that ghosts aren’t real, and that pain is always physical. Through this conditioning, we start to believe that emotions and intuition are antithetical to science and reason. We suppress our gifts, sneer at “clairvoyants,” and accept the physical realm as the full extent of reality.
But don’t fret, cosmic warriors: Your psychic gifts are never completely lost. Though it may require a bit of work to reignite these dormant skills, to help them open up and flow with ease.
Getting back to the question, I do believe that mediums are born; however, everyone is born with talents and gifts in their souls. Some people can unwrap and manifest their gifts more easily than others, as well as organically over time rather than literally quite openly as a child. To clarify for you, here's an example. It's like singing; anyone can sing, but not everyone chooses to sing or is good at it. We all have intuitive capabilities, but whether we choose to use them or learn how to hone them lies in our hands. Then there's the example of a child who is incredibly gifted as a pianist and can listen to a song, sit down at a piano and play the song exactly as it was heard. A person born as a medium can be viewed in the same way. It's all there unfolding quite quickly which can be overwhelming, even frightening, or even magically. I've never had a dark, scary experience... ever.
I know many mediums who say their gift was handed down to them, usually from a grandmother, so it seems natural to them. Others had told stories about being little and not having anyone they could talk to about seeing or hearing, so their gifts were pushed away and eventually forgotten until much later in life when they were ready to embrace them. This brings to mind the quote, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." - Lao Tzu
Mediumship versus Psychic Abilities
Also, being a medium and a psychic are two different things that often get lumped together. All mediums are psychic, but not all psychics are mediums. Everyone has the psychic ability — the ability to acquire information about the past, present, or future through the senses - the non-physical senses. We all have that sixth sense or intuition, that gut feeling when we know something is going to turn out good or bad, like when the phone rings and you know who is calling you before you answer, or that knowing feeling you had that saved you from being in an accident because you took a different route or turn-off, or by receiving knowledge in your dream state about a certain situation.
It's your sixth sense or intuition when you feel certain things with your heart or your gut. When you sense or hear that voice in your head that says this is not a good time or, yes, take this job, pay attention and follow it. That is your intuition trying to guide you on this journey called life. If you would like to build your own intuitive muscle, there are some exercises you can do.
Take a Seat with Your Intuition - Exercises You Can Try
Here are a couple: Take a magazine and pick a page, without opening it, and try to guess what's on the page. Ask yourself if it's a woman or a man, their hair color, and age? Quiet your mind and see what comes to your thoughts. Go with your gut feeling, and then turn to that page. How did you do? Don't be too hard on yourself — it takes practice. Getting good at trusting and listening to your intuition takes time.
Another exercise is as easy as guessing the receipt total at the grocery check out. Or, when you are expecting a visit from someone, make a note of what you think they will be wearing - pants or jeans, shirt or blouse, shoes or boots. Jot down the colors too. In the three classes that I taught from January to March on the topic Intuition - The GPS of YOUR Soul, I discussed its importance, especially now as many people feel 'off,' compelled to make a change, and maybe you're feeling this; too... There's a pull from your Soul to do something more with your life than you are now. In each class, I tried to convey information differently and loved how the discussions opened up in the last class held on March 4th and the 15-minute meditation offered at the end to help ignite your intuitive edge.
For additional clarification, everyone is psychic, including you, but not everyone is a medium. The medium goes a step beyond and can have a conversation with your loved ones on the other side. Not all mediums are alike. Try finding one you trust and who resonates with you for the best reading possible. I've often heard clients or even friends that are mediums share how this or that medium didn't bring their loved ones through for them. But, I KNOW that spirits are people with a 'spirit' presence now trying to communicate in their way through a medium using their way of connecting. Not all mediums are compatible or a good fit, if that makes better sense. I am strong with clairsentience (clear-feeling), clairvoyance (clear-seeing), and claircognizance (clear-knowing), which spirits use to deliver information that will have meaning for the client.
As I sit here early in the morning, sharing some more insights I reflect back on my life as a child, my sensitivity to all that I've studied, the relationships that I shared over the years, and mistakes I've made. I have looked to those experiences, lessons, career choices, and mentors I've worked with and those I continue to meet. All of it, as difficult as some have been, others incredibly rewarding... I could NEVER think that I wanted to change it in any way because I know the challenges and lighter spots have contributed to my work in a very meaningful way. For that, all of it... I am grateful.
Define Yourself by What You DO Rather Than a Title
I know I am much more than the word Psychic, Medium, or Intuitive. I am a mother, a sister, an artist, a writer, a friend, a sister, and aunt. The list goes on and I think you get the picture. It's who you're helping along the way and visa versa. I have helped clients and friends through difficult losses for various reasons including when it's "okay" to go through their belongings or sell the family home. Or, answering questions about their passing. How to connect with loved ones on the otherside - well, they are people in an energy form that do visit to check in... To helping with life experiences, decisions made or about to be made. Past, present, and future questions. Then to even healing support and self-care.
Your Senses Help YOU!! - Stop waving them off when inspirational ideas literally 'drop-in"
Whether you're a psychic or a medium, or maybe you'll be okay with the title or associate more with being of an Intuitive... embrace your gifts, talents, abilities (known now and those that have yet to be revealed) to help yourself and others. Maybe even help this beautiful earth that is recovering from abuse and greed... So, for now to you I'd like to impart to you and share what I often say to my clients, friends, and people I get to meet along this great journey of life "What do you have to lose and what do you have to gain?"
The Senses Hang in the Balance, Waiting to Help.
Your senses, yes you have them... They do help you in your life. Whether it's about looking more deeply into your relationships, love, direction of your career, into a situation, or applying to finances - investing...Take some classes to build your self-confidence and knowledge of working together with the spirit world. One book I'll mention that I love. It's called The Infinite Quest by John Edwards. Books can be mentors as well.
Feel free to check out my event page from time to time to join a class (Connecting with your Spirit Guides is offered on Wednesday March 17th from 7-8pm through Zoom at www.christieflynn.com/event) or reach out if you feel you'd like personal mentorship in this area. My next mentorship group begins from June through to August 2021. To apply for details you can email to christie@christieflynn.com.
Thank you for taking the time to read this brief article that may have helped you achieve a greater understanding. I'm sure if we sat down for a chat, the conversation could go much beyond what is here and not enough hours in the day to explore the subject.
I will leave you with one of my grandfather's favorite poems by Rudyard Kipling. A wise few words of advice on life and learning. Age has zero limits for any topic. If you're not growing, learning, and expanding... then you're in a stalemate he'd often say to my brother and I. (He too drops in to share messages with me or visit as a bluejay.)
"If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it..."
Be safe, and take good care...
If you're curious and would like to reach out, email me at christie@christieflynn.com
Christie XO
Christie is available for private readings by appointment at www.christieflynn.com/booking. or through email at christie@christieflynn.com. Readings, coaching, reiki, and mentorship are available by video call, and phone call. In-person sessions may be limited dependent on current restrictions. www.christieflynn.com
A graduate of Carleton University studying International Trade Economics, Business, and Human Resources. With eyes on becoming a stock broker in the banking industry, she was approached to begin a career working with a large company in Ottawa in which she spear-headed the development of key departments in HR, Occupational Health and Safety, and Food Safety. Shortly after the passing of her mother, a new adventure opened up into the wellness field and became a fierce advocate of Health, Wellness, and the pursuance of Life Coaching while raising two boys. She regularly hosts and speaks for events online through zoom and social media. She continues to be a student in many aspects of spirituality, healing, and Mediumship (Arthur Findlay College of Mediumship - England).