The rich history of spiritualism varies greatly around the world. Every culture has developed a traditional way to bridge the realm of the living with that of the dead, with animal and nature spirits, and with the soul of the earth, reaching out into the universe. This is most often done through individual and group ritual, trance, prayer, song and movement. Differences are cultural and geographic.

 

Spiritualism is a place where religious differences are overcome by our commonalities: our human needs and desires, natural curiosity about life and death, and our simple adoration of the divine. Spiritualist values are progressive. In the last two centuries the spiritualist agenda has coalesced into a persistent message. It began with labor reform, then spread to the vote, equal rights for all, an end to hunger, an end to slavery and human trafficking, prison reform, education for all, and now a new spiritualist eco warrior is emerging. Spiritualists are negotiators, reformers, educators, healers, artists, musicians, scientists, mechanics, bankers, builders, bakers, and chefs. All kinds of people say thank you to their ancestors every day.

 

In forging a personal relationship with Oneness, intermediaries can be helpful. In a certain sense we all want to be independent and to face the unknown with courage. Yet deep inside we know that we are never alone, that we are inherently connected to all things, and that even slow things, like rocks, have life. Angels, elemental sprits, animal and plant spirits, elevated ancestors, saints, archetypes, deities, or avatars may accompany us spiritually, occurring in unseen ways. Sometimes we conjure them, meaning we call and they answer. Other times it would seem that they find us. Developing fluency in symbolic language brings clarity and awareness to these ethereal relationships.

 

The more aware we become of how our beliefs shape what we create, the more agency we can develop in our daily lives. Spiritualism gives us a language with which to address our unconscious and inherited beliefs directly. Illuminated in the bright light of consciousness we see them for what they are: not demons, not lords, but a series of ongoing relationships - much more negotiable than one would think. Spiritualism can add to and strengthen an existing spiritual practice, or help you to design a personal practice and rituals relevant to your life, providing a sense of context and connection.