Doug Dillon's Blog, page 182

St. Augustine, FL:The Castillo de San Marcos Photo Gallery, Part 2

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp – Book Signing # 2

Saturday August 11,  2012

 

Cassadaga Camp Book Store and Information Center

in the Andrew Jackson Davis Building,

1112 Stevens Street, Cassadaga, FL 32706

 

Hours:

My wife Barbara and I will be there  from 2-5 PM

signing copies of:

 

An Explosion of Being: An American Family’s Journey into the Psychic (the paranormal nonfiction book Barb and I wrote together)

 

and

 

Sliding Beneath the Surface: Book I of The St. Augustine Trilogy (my paranormal/historical novel for young adults and adults young at heart)

 

For information on the bookstore, click here.

 

For more information on the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp and how to get there, click here.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not, St. Augustine, FL – Book Signings 1 & 2

July 14 and 15, 2012

 

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum

 

19 San Marco Avenue

St. Augustine, FL 32084

 

Hours:

My wife Barbara and I will be there on . . .

 

Saturday evening, July 14  from 7 PM ‘til close (When Ripley’s Ghost Train is running)


Sunday, July 14 at the museum from Noon to 5 PM

 

 

. . .  signing these books:

 

An Explosion of Being: An American Family’s Journey into the Psychic   (The nonfiction paranormal book Barb and I wrote together)

and

Sliding Beneath the Surface: Book I of  The St. Augustine Trilogy  (My paranormal/historical novel for young adults and adults young at heart)

 

For information on Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure, click here.

 

For information on Ripley’s Museum, click here.

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp – Book Signing # 1

Saturday July 7, 2012

 

Cassadaga Camp Book Store and Information Center

in the Andrew Jackson Davis Building,

1112 Stevens Street, Cassadaga, FL 32706

 

Hours:

My wife Barbara and I will be there from 2-5 PM

 

We will be signing copies of:

 

An Explosion of Being: An American Family’s Journey into the Psychic                                (the nonfiction paranormal book we wrote together)

and

Sliding Beneath the Surface: Book I of The St. Augustine Trilogy (my paranormal/historical novel for young adults and adults young at heart)

For information on the bookstore, click here.

For more information on the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp and how to get there, click here.

Paranormal Investigations: The Cassadaga Medium

In our book, An Explosion of Being, my wife Barbara and I tell about our long journey investigating the paranormal many years ago. Chapter I, “An Encounter with a  Medium,” is reproduced here in its entirety because it gives a very close look at an initial effort by two people seeking some of life’s answers. We hope it may be of use to others who find themselves in that same position. In our book, Barb and I rotate the perspective between the two of us for most of the chapters. This one happens to come from Barb.

The road into Cassadaga from I-4

THE SPIRITUALIST COMMUNITY of Cassadaga, Florida lies just thirty miles or so from our home. While most of the Sunshine State is notoriously flat, the hills and winding roads surrounding that tiny hamlet give it the quaint appearance of having been transplanted directly from the New England countryside. The homes are older, but unlike their counterparts in New England, many sprout signs advertising the certified mediumistic abilities of the residents. Our decision to visit Cassadaga had been prompted by a developing need to investigate first-hand the phenomena of “spirit communication.” Supposedly, the local mediums could see beyond the physical world in ways that might help us in the widening search for answers to our spiritual puzzle.

It was early afternoon on a cold October day in 1977 when we parked the car in front of a small house with a little screened porch. Doug’s mom had been there before, and had returned to Orlando amazed at the accurate information given by the medium, Mae Graves Ward. Spurred by Muriel’s positive reaction, as well as by our intensifying desire to go beyond an academic approach to psychic investigation, Doug and I decided to have a go at a reading by an honest-to-goodness Spiritualist. What could we lose?

Cassadaga's official name and welcome sign

Mae Ward came to the door and asked if we were the two o’clock appointment. After introducing ourselves, Doug and I were ushered around the porch to a side room where the readings were given. Mae is no youngster, but maintains a tremendous sharpness of wit. Her personal opinions are strongly stated, but with humor and honest conviction. With a fifty-year involvement in the Spiritualist movement, she had numerous stories. Explaining how she once had rankled a group of visitors with an accurate description of a very personal situation, Mae raised her voice with a warm laugh and said, “Hell, if they didn’t want to know things, why did they ask?”

It seemed strange sitting there with this obviously good-natured woman, wondering if indeed she had a special linkage to the world of spirit or if she was simply a clever fraud. Could she see and hear things in that room that actually existed beyond the normal senses, or did she live with a series of daily hallucinations? Whatever the answers, our doubts left us with feelings of uneasy anticipation and some discomfort.

Spirit Pond in Cassaga - photo by Marla Chirnside

As the initial small talk continued, Mae’s breathing became labored, and a cough shook her body. My immediate thoughts were that this session just might be cut short It was becoming difficult for her to communicate, when suddenly in a clear voice she asked, “Do you know anyone who died of a chest ailment? I feel someone very close to you who was unable to breathe.” Doug sat bolt upright and stammered that his grandfather had passed away in just that manner many years ago. Continuing rapidly, Mae pointed to Doug and indicated that his grandfather was with us, and that he wanted Doug to know how proud he was of the work that Doug was doing. Then, holding up her hand, Mae said that she could see Doug’s grandfather holding up his hand and pointing to his Masonic ring. “He’s letting me know that you come from a good family,” Mae said nodding toward Doug.

Without allowing us time to react, Mae kept the perceptions rolling at an incredible rate. Not hesitating for a moment, she described the intensive care unit at the Naval hospital where Doug’s father had died. Supposedly in communication with Doug’s father, Walt, at that point, Mae explained that he too was proud of the work that Doug was doing. Intrigued, Mae asked if he was a teacher. When Doug answered, “Yes,” Mae explained that somehow she saw his students as being big, like adults. Of course the description was perfect, since Doug was working only with adults in his capacity as the training director for the school system.

Swinging her attention to me, Mae asked if I knew Henry. I could hardly believe her words. My great-uncle, Henry, had died just weeks before, and here was this woman giving me a message of greeting from him. As if that weren’t enough, she went on to describe the number, ages and sexes of our children. Then, quizzically, Mae looked at me and said, “I see medicine all around you.” With my father, cousin, grandfather, great-grandfather, and four great uncles all physicians, I could only agree that her visions were quite correct.

My dad, Walt Dillon, during WWII

She now asked both of us, “Do you know William?” Mae went on to explain that Doug’s father was telling her that he had brought William with him. We were both puzzled until Doug, remembering, said, “Of course, William was Dad’s father. He died when I was a year old. I never knew him.” At her usual breakneck speed, Mae then explained, “Doug, your father says that your brother isn’t doing too well. Is something wrong with his head? Your dad says that he spends a lot of time near your brother and that sometimes he wishes your brother could join ‘them’ on the other side. Now, why would he say that?” My heart went out to Doug.

My brother Wally

His admission that, recently, his severely retarded brother had been near death on more than one occasion must have cut through him like a knife. Doug’s depth of feeling for his brother usually remains unstated, but his eyes and the silence that surrounds the subject tell a story all their own.

On and on went the intonation from Mae Ward. Most of it made perfect sense with only small portions that didn’t seem to fit. Finally, the session came close to ending with Mae saying, “Well, I don’t see any big problems with you kids. Things will be even better in three years. I see you two selling your house, and Doug, I see you changing jobs. Yes, a step up in fact. I see you selling something, Doug.” Now, that was a laugh. The last thing in the world Doug would be involved in would be sales.

As we stood up to go, Mae stopped me and said, “Lettie says to take good care of that little girl. She says especially to keep her out of drafts and to watch out for her ears. There’s some problem in that area. Oh, and also you’ve got a clock that isn’t working. Look for it to start again soon.” With that final admonition, we bid goodbye to a very interesting lady and began our short trek back to Orlando.

“Who is Lettie?” Doug asked as he started the car. “Lettie was my grandmother,” I replied, “Grandpa Hill’s wife who died in 1955.” Two years after that brief conversation, we would have cause to remember the words of caution from Lettie when Nicole developed a chronic ear infection that eventually led to surgery. Mae Ward had been a virtual whirlwind of surprise information. The first few minutes on the road were very quiet as our minds tried to adjust to all that had occurred. Finally, Doug broke the silence to ask if I had given Mae our names, phone number or address when I made the appointment over the phone. I reminded him that Mae had not asked for any information. Obviously, he was referring to the history of certain fraudulent practices whereby fake mediums carefully research their clients ahead of time and charge exorbitant fees for their services. In this case though, there was absolutely no way that Mae could have researched us. Even if it had been possible, the time and effort required to find out such detailed information would have far outweighed the small amount of money that we literally had to press upon Mae at the end of our session.

Then again, we could have been witnessing a classic example of telepathy. Doug’s reading on that subject had left him halfway convinced that Mae could have been picking information out of our conscious minds, genuinely believing that she was in touch with a spirit world. Suddenly, Doug remembered that his grandfather’s Masonic ring lay carefully packed away in a box at home. Even with telepathy, how could Mae have seen something that Doug had forgotten? Perhaps as another theory goes, telepathy might be a subconscious activity as well. Then again, even if we had been witnessing telepathy, that in itself moved our understanding of communication into a new and exciting realm.

The many notes that Doug took during our trip to Cassadaga were carefully rewritten and filed away for future reference. It was obvious that going beyond the telepathic explanation could be done only by validating some of Mae’s predictions. If future events were to occur as she had said, then perhaps some other phenomenon was at work. In fact, this didn’t take long. One day, a few weeks later, an old wall clock that had refused to run suddenly sprang to life and kept perfect time for two years. It wouldbe three years, however, before verification of the other predictions came about.

The medium, Mae Graves Ward, died many years ago but her gifts to Barb and me will last forever. A fascinating coincidence relating to this wonderful woman involves her home. In the fall of 2011, Barb and I found out that a friend of hers from long ago had bought Mae’s house in Cassadaga. Only after the purchase, did Barb’s friend learn that we had once been in her residence getting a psychic reading from its previous occupant.

Click on any of the items below for more information on Cassadaga:

A Cassadaga Photo Gallery

Cassadaga, A Spiritualist Community

Coincidences as Paranormal Events: Cassadaga, FL

The Cassadaga Bookstore and Information Center

 

4th of July Fireworks in old St. Augustine, FL

Want to enjoy a wonderful old fashioned 4th of July? If so, then St. Augustine, Florida is the place for you.

 

Bring the kids, bring a blanket and chairs, bring food and drink.

 

Every year for this celebration, the City of St. Augustine places a barge loaded with fireworks out in Matanzas Bay. When darkness falls, you can view the show by boat or on shore while listening to patriotic music.

 

It’s spectacular viewing in this historic city to see those fireworks exploding over the old Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Marcos.

 

 

No doubt about it, this is a summer family outing that you and yours will long remember. Best to get there early though. Parking and places to sit fill up mighty fast.

 

What is Mediumship?

Spiritualism? Mediumship? Ah, the paranormal possibilities in those two terms tantalize the mind, don’t they? That’s why I’ve asked the pastor of the First Spiritualist Church of Quincy, Massachusetts, Rev. Rita Straus Berkowitz, to discuss this realm with you directly.

Rita is a certified medium who has appeared on numerous radio and televisions shows. Known also as The Spirit Artist, she has the amazing capacity to draw the portraits of loved ones who have passed on for her clients. Rita is the author of, Empowering Your Life with Angels, and co-author of, The Complete Idiots Guide to Communicating with Spirits.

 Thanks, Rita, for sharing this article with us and some of your wonderful drawings:

“A medium is a person whose senses are so acute that they register the presence of beings belonging to the non-physical world; and interpret the wishes and information which such beings desire to impart to people still in the body in this physical world.”

There are various happenings that may result from contact with the spirit world, feelings such as cold or draughts, transportation of objects, seeing of colors or floating lights or even the apparition of the deceased person.  Sight is known as Clairvoyance or sometimes referred to as second sight.  Clairaudience means clear hearing, which can come as an audible perception of music, voice or calling of a name.  Mediums may go into trance-state and speak other languages.  It is also possible for the medium to write, paint pictures, diagnose illness, or send healing energies (similar to Reiki).

It is important for the developing medium to remember that the spirit messages are interpreted by the medium’s consciousness.  Therefore the spirit entity will use the mental facilities that the medium possesses.  As one continues to develop, the new medium will realize the different qualities of the spirit messages and will learn to develop a more acute state of awareness to decipher the difference between the message from spirit and their own mind.

The blended aura of the group serves to create a protective power for all of the developing mediums.  Therefore it is recommended that developing mediums start in a circle, be it a home circle or a church circle.  There are no age limitations to becoming a medium, however; there are certain illnesses that might prevent one from being a good candidate for development.  Depression or any illness in which the new mediumistic student might have lowered energy would be reason to withdraw from a circle.  There should never be use of any mood elevating drugs or alcohol before a circle. This does not refer to prescribed psychotropic medication. Bodily ailments, which do not affect vitality, do not cause any problem.

The Circle

A circle should be held in a clean, quiet, well-ventilated space.  If possible the room should not be used for anything else for a few hours before except meditation, healing and quiet music. The room should be kept free of arguments and obtrusive thoughts associated with the mundane parts of life.  Spirit helpers will cleanse the room before the circle.  Chairs should be upright to maintain a state of mental alertness.  The room should be comfortably warm.  It is not advisable to have any strong smelling perfumes, which can indirectly effect emotions.  There is some debate as to whether the use of incense is or isn’t advisable.

In the past, sitters would bathe and wear clean clothes to a circle.  This is not always possible in today’s society.  Make sure that the clothing is comfortable and does not restrict breathing.  Small bodily discomforts can be accentuated when the psychical powers sensitize the medium.

There are various ways to begin a circle.  Some will use music or singing.  Healing is a way to relieve the tensions of the day.  The leader will use prayer (invocation) to invite Spirit in.  The amount of light in the room is subject to personal taste.  Subdued light is preferred, absolute darkness is not necessary and in some cases mediumship circles are held in total daylight.

Controlling Thoughts

Now the potential medium is seated in the circle and wondering (sometimes fearfully) what is going to happen and what he/she is supposed to do.  The sitter should be working to quiet the mind, which is usually difficult for most beginners.  There is sometimes an inrush of thought, which feels uncontrollable.  Do not make the mistake of trying to create a vacuum in your mind.  Acknowledge any thoughts that come and release them.  Meditation is thinking of one thought to the exclusion of all others until the mind is saturated with the subject of the meditation. This required concentration and it might be advisable to work with a simple visualization.

Recognition of Mediumship

Clairvoyance

Some mediums see spirits as physical forms, but it is necessary to know that it is not the physical eye that is the center of psychic vision.  It is within the forehead referred to as the third eye and usually (but not necessarily) seen when the physical eyes are closed.

A clairvoyant vision is generally discerned when ordinary consciousness is at rest.  Sometimes it will be seen as a complete figure or the face of the spirit or it may be a nebulous form that seems to be hidden in a cloudy substance.  Many times it is beautiful scenery and intensely colored symbols that seem to be swirling in the head of the medium.  This experience of inward consciousness may seem to be merely imaginary, but when the sitter acknowledges it, the medium knows that he/she has experienced spirit communication.  As the medium continues to work, the subtleties between imagination and clairvoyant communication are recognized.

Symbols

Each medium will develop a personal vocabulary of symbols.  Keeping a journal of definitions would be advisable. The medium will experience different feelings than other mediums with certain symbols or colors.  Examine your own feelings as a symbol or color reveals itself.

Clairaudience

Mediums do not always recognize when they are awakening the facility of hearing.  They are expecting to hear an audible loud voice.  Sometimes this will happen; occasionally it will be musical and other times it will be impressions.  A name or a word will keep coming to mind or music that is symbolic of a particular occasion such as The Wedding March.  As the medium becomes increasingly sensitive there will be a distinct feeling coming into consciousness.  Mediums will be able to develop discernment between memories and spirit messages.

Mediums should learn to explore this gift more fully.  If you receive a name such as Fred, ask which Fred.  Begin a dialogue with the communicator.  Find out as much information as you can to prove the identity of the spirit.  Mediums should be aware of their posture when clairaudience is flowing and try to repeat this posture to alleviate difficulty.

Transfiguration

You will feel the strong impression of your face taking on the features or expression of another being.  You may feel as if cobwebs are flowing around you face.  Avoid rubbing you face with your hands.  You must remember that this form of mediumship depends on others in the circle.

A good transfiguration mask of ectoplasm covers the medium’s face and the features of the spirit entity appear.  There are times when the medium’s face will fade and the face of the spirit will appear.

When developing this form of mediumship a soft light should be used have a minimal amount of shadow. The other members in the circle should be commenting on what they are seeing.  This will build a firm cooperation with the spirit workers.

Clairsentiance

Mediums will get sensations throughout their bodies as if they are experiencing the phenomena as the deceased person did.  One might feel the sensation of height by having their bodies feel as if it is growing taller or the sensation of stooping over as possibly osteoporosis.   A medium may feel the sensations of the personality by the mood expressing itself within medium or possibly feel a twinge in the part of the body representing the cause of death.

Clairsentiance is also an inner knowing.  The thought just crosses the medium’s mind and it feels like a fact.  It would feel like you just know or that it feels right.

Clairaroma

A wave of a scent of roses fills the air or the smell of chocolate fills the room.  The medium is being given a message by the communicator that is helping to identify his/herself by creating a scent within the medium’s faculties.

Clairgustance

During the sitting the medium will experience the taste of Grandma’s meatloaf or Grandpa’s scotch.  The medium will be able to taste some of the loved ones favorites.

Writing

Automatic writing requires great patience to develop.  One begins by writing and allowing the power to flow into the hand and continues to move the pen until the power has diminished.  The medium should endeavor to fix their mind on something other that the writing.  One possibility is to read a book while the hand is moving so that the spirit operator can become accustomed to moving the medium’s hand without engaging the medium’s mind.

The medium should patiently wade though illegible writing and drawing while building their skills.  The hand should be kept loose and avoid muscle tension.  Plan regular times for sitting as in setting an appointment for the communication.  Although if a writing medium feels urged to write at other times he/she should do so.

Inspirational writing is quite different because the center of activity is the medium’s mind.  There is a link between the medium’s hand and brain and the communicator.

Psychometry

Many mediums are unaware that psychometry is an integral part of all mediumship.  A medium, who understands the psychometric sense, can use it to reveal the hidden soul of the person.  The medium will hold an object in his/her hand, or enter a house or a place of work and feel the vibration.  This may be apparent as when one feels a headache and finds that another person in the room has one.  If you shake hands with someone, you may instantly know that there is a problem in their life.  These are all psychometric senses.

Psychometry is linked to tan impression left upon a thing or on the world.  The telepathic link can be extended through time both past and future.  Mediums should not be discouraged it impressions feel senseless at the beginning, they will learn to interpret these impressions.

You must also be aware that your mind is giving back previous impressions.  This can be a subtle pitfall.  The communicator will show the medium impressions to try to relate information that is already in the medium’s mind to prompt the medium to give information i.e., using symbols that are recognizable to the medium.

Physical Mediumship

Physical mediumship is a long painstaking process and should not be expected immediately.  Sitters in the circle should be aware that they should free the room of tension and expectation and allow it to happen in a natural process.  Rapping, table-tipping, and trumpet mediumship are all forms of physical mediumship along with spirit painting and spirit photography.

The first signs of physical phenomena would feel like breezes across the room or rapping or the feeling of a hand from spirit touching the face of one of the sitters. These signs should be acknowledged gratefully.  A suspicious attitude will lower the vibration and diminish the phenomena.  Many times a sitter will think that someone is blowing at his or her face or playing a joke, when in fact it is communication from a spirit loved one.

To find the book, Empowering Your Life with Angels, click here.

To find the book, The  Complete Idiot’s Guide to Communicating with Spirits, click here.

To visit Reverend Berkowitz’s website, click here.

Interview with a Medium

Psychic readings? Mediumship? Life after death? Spirits? If you’ve ever had questions about such things, listen up.

Denise Lescano is a gifted spirit medium and psychic who lives in south Florida. Author of The Messenger, Denise is also a medical intuitive, energy healer, and certified Reiki Master. A while back, she did an interview for the Medium Channel that I thought was very instructive in a lot of ways. When I asked Denise if I could reproduce it on my blog, she readily agreed. The transcript of that entire event is reproduced below. Thanks Denise.

Oh, by the way, Denise also works directly with law enforcement, private detectives, attorneys and families on investigation and criminal cases. Enjoy.

 MC: Do you remember the first time you had a valid psychic experience?  Can you tell me about it?

DL: My first experiences were in my dreams as a  young girl, before I had learned to “tune in to my abilities”.  I remember, to this day several very vivid dreams about current and future events.  I also had many, as my family referred to them, “imaginary” friends as young as 5 years old, that I now realize were spirit friends.  I actually preferred playing with my spirit friends more than my people friends which worried my family a bit.  As a young child, I also remember just “knowing”  things about people and events.  When I would tell my family about what I  “knew” they would normally get rather upset by it and tell me their was no way I could know that and that I should not say such things!  I had a reputation at home and in school as quite a precocious child because of that ability.   I learned very early on that it made the people around me very  uncomfortable!

MC: In  regards to psychic abilities, is it always a guide or angel passing  information, or do you have abilities of your own which are independent  of your guides?

DL: Yes.  I have the ability, as a Medium, to tune in to the  energy (aura) of people in spirit form, and will receive info from my  spirit guides & helpers, as well as, the guides and loved ones of the person  that I am reading for.  As  a psychic, I also have the ability to tune in to the energy (aura) of the  person I am reading for and gather information about that person “psychically”  through their energy field.  The medical information that I receive about  a  clients health, many times I am receiving by tuning  in” psychically”.

MC: What is the difference between a  psychic and a medium?

DL: All Mediums are Psychics…it is just that not all Psychics are Mediums.  In the same way that all Surgeons are Doctors but not all Doctors  will go on to be Surgeons.  A Medium is a specialist, so to speak.  A  Psychic tunes into the “aura” or “energy field” of the person that they are  reading for to gather information, while a Medium can also do  this…

A Medium is also able to tune into the energy field of a  person no longer in the physical body.  This is because once the physical  body drops away, the energy is much more subtle and of a much higher frequency  than the physical world.

I am actually able to connect with both “spirits crossed  over” and spirits still “Earthbound” or typically called Ghosts.  In most  cases, a Medium can usually only connect with those who have crossed  over.  A true Medium should be ble to communicate with your friends and  loved ones who are crossed over and deliver to you very specific and  detailed information from and about your loved ones and their lives,  who are now crossed over.

MC: Does  everyone have guides, how do you recommend people get in touch with  them.

DL: Yes, everyone has guides whether they are aware  of them or not.  Some people/books will tell you that their is a  certain number of guides for each person, in my experience I do not find  that their is one set number of guides for everyone.  I know that everyone has one “Life Guide” who  is with us from birth to death.  This soul is responsible for keeping  us on task in this incarnation and in accord with our souls purpose and  learning.  Loved ones who cross over will also become  guides and guardians to us to some extent.  Then we have a multitude of other guides  (different amount for everyone), who come and go at very specific points of our  life, to help us with very specific things we are doing or  learning.

The most important thing in connecting with your  guides is to learn techniques to become more “receptive to them” like doing  regular meditation and intuitive development work.  I always encourage  people to start a dialogue with our guide.  Talk to them regularly in  meditation or prayer..even if you cannot yet hear them.  Keep talking,  because they here you in thought and in words.  Ask for their help and  guidance and be open to receive it. Sooner or later with patience, practice and  persistence you will become aware of them.  Some people may “see” them  while others will “hear” them in thought, or maybe just “sense their  presence”.  Be open to receive them in what ever way they express themselves to you. It is not necessary to “see” them to know them and that they  are there.

MC: Why do you do this work?  What motivates  you?

DL: I was initially, a very “reluctant” psychic and  medium.  I had no desire to be either, especially as a profession.   Although I was very open to my abilities and used them regularly, I had no  desire to share them openly with others or make a career out of it.  I came  from a family of origin that was not accepting or encouraging of my talents, so  unfortunately I learned very young to hide them and keep them to myself.  I  was afraid that people would think I was crazy or even worse a fraud.  I  found ways to get messages through to people “undercover” in more subtle ways  then coming right out and saying how I knew the things that I  knew.

I would often read for my friends and  by word of mouth.  However, I became increasingly aware over the years how  special, unusual and important these gifts were for helping others.  I had  a very specific event that occurred in my life when a friends son was murdered,  that changed my mind and set me on this course. It is a tremendous responsibility and sometimes  can be overwhelming in many ways.  It is not a path to be taken lightly or  with out serious consideration of the commitment and life “in service” it  requires.  I am motivated now by all of the people and spirits who’s lives  this work has touched in profound waves and who’s lives have touched mine.  I feel honored to have shared their experiences and be a voice for the  spirit world.  At this point, I feel, how could I not do  this??

MC:  Do you believe that criminals will some  day be prosecuted based on information given by psychics or  mediums?

DL: No, I do not, nor do I think they ever should  be.  Why?  For several reasons.  First off, we can all makes  mistakes, we are merely human, even the best of us.  Second, unfortunately  their are some people claiming to be psychics and mediums who are not, their are  frauds.  Also, as in any other profession, we all also have varying  degrees of psychic talent and ability.

I have worked on many missing persons, unsolved  homicides and accidental death cases extensively over the past  4 years.  What I am hired to do, and the best that I can do, is to  provide unknown information, validation and point detectives in the right  direction…. to find the evidence they need to support prosecution.  I  believe any prosecution must be based on evidence. A Psychic is just a tool, a  very valuable tool,  to help detectives find what they are looking for  and need.



MC:  Besides giving psychic readings, what other work do you do in  this area like seminars, radio, teaching?

DL: I do extensive work with non-profit  groups.  I read for Grief Support Groups who have lost loved ones by sudden  death, accidental death, homicide, suicide and overdoses.  Being a medical  intuitive, I also read for Alcoholics Anonymous and Over Eaters antonymous  Groups, for the purpose of giving the members insight in to their particular  addiction issues and how to proceed to over come them.  All of this work is  done with group counselors present, so that

any information can be validated and  assimilated in to the healing and recovery process of the  member.

I also teach classes and seminars on intuitive  development, personal growth and the spirit side of life all over the  country.  I have co- hosted a radio show “The Spirit Side of  Life” and am currently co-producing a TV Show which

we hope will air in  2009.  I have a DVD out with another medium, write a weekly Blog and am  working on a book.

MC:  Some psychics give predictions, some don’t.  How do  you feel about predictions, and why do you or do you not do them for  people?

DL:  Some of my clients are not  particularly interested in communicating with spirits but are wanting clarity  and insight into their lives here in the physical plane.  I am able to do  this and yes, to look into the future.  There is also much misunderstanding  about “predicting the future”  People always want to know “What is going to  happen” regarding some particular thing in their life.  First of all NO  Psychic, including myself,  can for see your future 100%

set in stone with  100% accuracy…if they say that they can they are not telling you the truth or do  not understand their own abilities.  What we see are;  probabilities,  possibilities and pathways into your future; opportunities and  obstacles, based on where you are at that particular moment of your life at  the time of the reading, the choices available to you, and sometimes the  decisions you or some one else are most likely to make.  In my work, I  may see

pathways that stand out very strongly to me and are most likely to  manifest, and I am told that I am very accurate, however, every one of us always  has free will, as do the other players in our lives, and can change  everything in

an instant. There is always an unpredictable element a “Wild  Card”.

Remember that you are writing your future every moment with your  thoughts and actions…you can change direction at any time.  Your life is  the result of a series of choices presented to you, and the decisions that you  make based on those choices.  My work is to provide insight in to those  choices that arise through the opportunities and obstacles presented to  you…but the choice MUST be, and always is your to make.

MC:  Have you ever been watching the news about a crime or case  and known information that could break the case?  Would you call  authorities?  If not why not?

DL:  Yes, occasionally I have. No, I do not call the  authorities.  Contrary to what we see on TV, unfortunately my personal  experience has been, that the vast majority of law enforcement is not open  or enthusiastic to working with psychics and mediums.

I have had many families over the years hire me  to work on a missing person or unsolved criminal case, because the police have  nothing and they are at a dead end.    In all of these cases I was  able to bring through previously

unknown information and validation.  I  have been able to fill in many missing pieces, verifiable pieces of information  such as; where bodies were discarded right down to street names. make/model  and color of cars involved etc.   It is

sad and discouraging to  find  that in most cases when the recording of the reading was offered to  police it was not taken seriously or even considered at all!  I work with  several agencies now who take referrals directly form law

enforcement  and I have been told by my own contacts in law enforcement that they cannot  endorse or comment on my work openly.  If I am contacted by a detective  directly, they are not able to even say they are working with me….it

has to  all be done very discretely.  I am hopeful that will change in  the future as more and more of us do very credible work.



MC:  Life after death…..  can you give me  your interpretation of what it is like?



“Death is not the end of life..but merely a  part of life”.  There are two great books that I recommend to people who  ask this question, that explain life on the spirit side very well.  In my  experience with the spirit world, and what the spirit world tells me about it,  these books depict very accurately what life is like  there. Journey of Souls and Destiny of  Souls, by Michael Newton PhD.

In short…It is in many ways a different  experience for all souls, I will give you are very brief glimpse.  I can tell you that I know…it is what ever we imagine or want it to be. You can live in the Mountains or at the beach, for example.   We will be met by and reunited with all  of our loved ones and pets there.  We have work that we all do  there.  All work is based on helping others grow and learn in some  way.  We can create or have what ever we desire by thought.  We go to school there and continue to grow and learn.  We plan our next life experience there based on the lessons that we still need to learn.

There are many different spiritual “levels” or “neighborhoods”- Where we reside  is based on our spiritual awareness, as well as, our likes and dislikes.    Just as we live in different parts of the world and neighborhoods here, so do we  there.  People of ALL religious faiths and beliefs go there, even  atheists.  You do not need to believe in God or life after death to go  there…all you have to do is die!

There is God…but God does not  exist in the limited and linear way that we imagine him to be while we are here  in human form.  God is much more expansive than what we are able to imagine  while here in the physical world. God is

Love.  The more you live your life  in the energy of love, the closer you are to God.   Where you end up  on the spirit side, what neighborhood and with which other souls you live,  depends on how you live your life here.  It has nothing to do with  prestige, power, success, money, race or religion.  Where you end up and  with who, depends on your spiritual awareness, how you treat others, your  priorities…how you “lived your life”.  Did you live your life in love and  compassion or anger, judgment and manipulation??

There is absolutely NO judgment, prejudice,  hate, anger, illness, punishment or fear in the spirit world. There IS  ONLY unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness for  everyone.

MC:  Do you prefer doing phone readings or in-person psychic readings, and why?

DL:  I do both, but I definitely prefer to read by phone.  It is easier to tune in to pure energy over the phone.  Some people can be more defensive and guarded when in person.  People tend to be  more comfortable over the phone, which

makes them more open and easier to  read.

MC:  Do you have any advice for people who have the gift of sight, but don’t  understand what is happening to them?

DL:  Most importantly do not be afraid.  Fear or misunderstanding of your own abilities can create a lot of problems, as well as,  shut down the ability.  Take some intuitive development classes from some  one reputable, or read some books ( I have some recommendations on my web site)  and learn about your abilities.  EVERYONE is born with these abilities to some extent.  They are as natural to us as all the other  senses.  Unfortunately Western Culture and religion

have demonized them out  of ignorance and a desire to control and have created fear about  them.

People always tell me that I have “a gift”, that they usually believe is from god.  I am a bit uncomfortable with that, as it implies that I am somehow “ a chosen one” or somehow elevated  above, or different from other people.  I prefer to say  that  “I don’t have ‘a gift’, but rather I am the lucky one who gets to deliver… “The  Gift’”.  “The Gift” is a message or a “last word” from your loved ones and  the spirit realm and is a small miracle here on earth and a brief glimpse into  the heavens.   I do believe that I am probably “ gifted” in  the amount of natural ability that I have, but I have also worked

very hard,  over many years, developing and fine tuning my abilities and talent as  any professional would. I would also say that everyone possesses the same  intuitive abilities that I do to some degree.

Every one of us has this  innate ability.  Many times we call it a “hunch” or “gut feeling” for example. Intuitive Sense is absolutely no different than the other physical  senses, talents and abilities that we all posses.   Take a Musical talent for example; you may be born with absolutely no musical  ability what so ever, but take some piano classes and you can learn to play  basic music.  You probably will not go on to be a professional musician,  but that is not the point.  On the other hand, you may be born with a lot  of natural musical ability, so you decide to train and practice and fine tune  your craft and you go on to become a professional  musician.



MC:  Can you explain the difference between earth-bound spirits and  spirits who have crossed over?

DL:  “Earthbound  Spirits” are spirits that may be seen or felt, and are still residing  on the physical plane. They are a complicated subject.   A “haunting” – as defined by  Webster’s; ‘reoccurring visits from a ghost or spirit’.  These are not usually the spirits that I am communicating with in a Reading with your loved ones, the majority of spirits I communicate with in a reading have already crossed over.    In understanding earthbound spirits, it helps to remember that spirits  who inhabit earthbound locations are basically “unstable people” who have left  their physical body and are now in “spirit” form.  In my experience, these spirits are  never “evil”, but more than likely are

confused  and existing in a state of mental,  emotional and/or spiritual imbalance, and as was usually the case, also while  they were here in their physical life.  In my extensive experience as a professional Medium working with

families  who have lost loved ones by murder, suicide, domestic violence and accidental  overdoses, I have encountered a lot of unstable and distraught spirits.

Many of these “earthbound” spirits are  existing in a state of fear and misunderstanding.  They can be afraid to cross over in to  the spirit realms for fear of judgment or that they will go to “hell”  especially, if they have taken actions in their physical life that resulted in  hurting others or even suicide, for example.  Many of these spirits have left  unfinished business with the living who they are often times desperate to  communicate with and get through too.  In their sometimes desperate attempts to connect with us, they may be  mistakenly perceived as malevolent but in my experience have no ill will or  intention to scare us. Let me be clear, that seeing a loved  one around you does not necessarily mean that they are earthbound.  A loved one, who has crossed over in to  the spirit realm, can “visit” us at any time.  The majority of spirits that I  communicate with in a “Reading” have already crossed over in to  the spirit

realms.  I would estimate  a very small amount, of maybe 3%, are actually in an earthbound state, which  many times is only temporary.

Some spirits will remain earthbound for a short  period of time after leaving the body, before crossing over to the spirit  realms.  Some spirits will cross  over immediately after leaving the physical body.  There are also many places, widely known  to be “haunted” which are frequented by rather friendly and harmless spirits, as  well, who may hang around for many years.

When people speak of a “Haunting”,  they are most commonly referring to malevolent spirits of a very low vibrational  energy and spiritual awareness.  These spirit experiences are many times random in the fact that the  spirits have

no personal connection to the people that they are “haunting”.  These types of spirits may have a distinctly dark, negative or ominous “feeling”  when they are around.  **It  is important to know that these types of spirit experiences are very rare and  not as common as we or Hollywood would like to  believe.  Again, I must mention that these spirits are usually  ‘mistaken’ to be dark  or evil, but are really just existing in a very low level  of spiritual awareness or are seriously unbalanced.  Many psychics who  are not experienced in dealing with spirits on these lower energy/spiritual  levels, may often times also mistake them, for being bad or evil…which is  simply not true.

To find Denise’s book, The Messenger, click here.

To visit Denise’s website, click here.

Paranormal Experiences: The Ghostly Goodbye

This is the third of three events reported by my friend, Patrick Delsaut, a writer and paranormal explorer from France. This event took place in 1994.

 

Night had long since fallen and I was washing before going to bed. All of a sudden, when everything was calm and quiet, I experienced something that had never happened to me before.

I heard a crystalline voice but it was inside my head. Even though I didn’t hear it through my ears, that voice was even clearer than if it had been spoken aloud. The feeling was really very special, very strange.

This voice said only three words: “Are you there”? That little sentence was heavy with meaning for me because it was something Lucette, my sister’s best friend, always said. Lucette had just died of septicemia after a kidney transplant.

There is no doubt in my mind, my sister’s friend came to tell me goodbye in her own way before ascending to heaven on the astral plane. But why me and not my sister? She was her friend?

I believe it was simply because she felt my connection to the sensitive spheres of beyond. I could hear her telepathic message while my sister could not. Lucette knew that I would hear her farewell words and I did.

To see Patrick’s website, click here.

To see a previous post on Patrick, click here.

 

 

Paranormal Experiences: Cries in the Night

This is the second of three events reported by my friend, Patrick Delsaut, a writer and paranormal explorer from France. This one occurred in 1989.

 

It was dark and all was quiet in my house and in the neighborhood. I wasn’t asleep and my mind was very clear.

This event happened just as I went into a hallway where the stairs led to the bedrooms. That’s when I thought I heard something. So I stopped breathing  to listen better and, indeed, sounds were coming from above. Slowly, I walked to the foot of the stairs.

When I got there, I heard something I never wanted to hear—little plaintive cries coming from my father’s old bedroom. He had died in 1987. That was the same bedroom where, years before, my mother sister and I had heard strange footsteps.

Icy chills invaded my body. Something told me to save myself but I wanted to be sure I was not dreaming. So I stayed at the bottom of the stairs alone, shivering and listening to those horrible cries.

No, I was not dreaming. Those chilling sounds were coming out of my late father’s room and they were not coming from his ghost.

I say chilling, because those plaintive cries were not human or animal.  They were both sweet and powerful, lightweight and violent, bass and treble— a wild and weird mixture I had never heard before. I became very afraid.

In fact, I was so scared that I did not go up the stairs and look in my father’s old room. No, I felt much too much negativity coming from those sounds to explore the situation any further. The negativity seemed so strong I would even call it evil.

At the height of my fear, the cries suddenly stopped and I never heard them again.

To see Patrick’s website, click here.
To see a previous post on Patrick, click here.