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Theory Glossary of Terms Related to Phenomena
Please Select a Letter to Access a Term MMagic: The practice of using charms, spells or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature. Most primitive peoples practiced magic. White magic is magic undertaken for beneficial purposes. Black magic is magic exercised for evil intention. Psychic phenomena are supernormal; in other words they work in accordance with natural laws and are not supernatural. Magnetic Healing: Some individuals possess a superabundance of energy or vital force. This energy can be passed on from the healer to those with low amounts of vital force and a healing can take place. Magnetic Phenomena: Mediums influence compass needles and magnetized items in experiments. Materialization: A form of physical mediumship where temporary ectoplasmic forms are observed in diverse phases of completeness and solidity. This may be the most difficult phase of physical mediumship. A large abundance of ectoplasm is necessary. The ectoplasm is a substance, normally invisible, which flows from a physical medium and is added to by the sitters who are present. The spirit entity is able to use the ectoplasm to manifest a body, which is a replica of the physical body that they had when they were on the Earth Plane. The spirit entity manifests apart from the Medium and can be observed by everyone present. In the best cases of Materialization the entity walks, moves and has even been able to speak. This phenomenon has been investigated many times under laboratory conditions and proved to be genuine. This form of mediumship is rare and there is a need for discernment as this phenomenon usually is demonstrated in darkness. Events of fraud surrounding this type of phenomena in the past have done great harm to the true cases where this phenomenon has taken place. Matrixing: Please see Etheric Studies nomenclature pareidolia for the definition. Possibly the television-based ghost hunting group: TAPS, but certainly Ace Starry, Creative Genius At Work used the term instead of pareidolia, but to mean the same thing. Also see Suite 101. What is Matrixing?. In the interest of maintaining communication with people outside of the hauntings investigation community, pareidolia is the recommended term. Matter Through Matter: This phenomenon has been produced on many occasions with a variety of items being removed or introduced into sealed jars and locked containers. Clothing that has been sewed up has been removed from mediums. Rings of wood, leather, iron and other matter have been linked together. Items have been reported passing through tables and in and out of closed séance rooms. (See apport and Asport) Medium: One whose organism is sensitive to vibrations from the Spirit World and through whose instrumentality intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce phenomena. (NSAC definition) There are two kinds of mediumship, mental and physical. Some of the phenomena included under mental mediumship are clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, trance, inspirational speaking and writing, spiritual healing, prophecy, and psychometry. Some of the phenomena included in physical mediumship would be materialization, apports, transfiguration, direct or independent voice and writing, trumpet, audio and visual forms of trans-etheric influence including Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), spirit photography, rappings, levitation, and luminous appearances. Mental mediumship is considered subjective in nature as it appeals more directly to the intellect. It is felt that the spirit control operates the medium’s subconscious mind as an instrument of expression. Physical mediumship is described as objective in nature because it generally affects physical objects and can be observed by one or more of the five physical senses. Mediumship: The ability of a person to serve as an intermediary between the Etheric and the "normal" or "physical" world.8 Mediumship may involve many different phenomena, but in the context of ITC (EVP) it is hypothesized that the medium (the experimenter) has an etheric body which acts as an intermediary between the etheric and physical world. It is generally thought that mediumship is essential for ITC. Mesmerism: Early form of hypnotism discovered and used by the German physician Anton Mesmer. This was also called “animal magnetism.” Mesmer had success in his healing methods, but was branded an impostor by the orthodox medical community. Medical doctors now sometimes use hypnotism. Metaphysics: In Philosophy, the examination of the nature of reality, including the relationship between personality (Self) and the greater reality. Models used to describe a set of metaphysical concepts are referred to as a cosmology. There is no single set of metaphysical concepts, as the term can be applied to the fundamental beliefs of any system. In Etheric Studies, the term, "concepts," is used rather than the more generic, "metaphysics," to avoid confusion with traditional, belief-based usage. Mind Reading: See Telepathy Molds, Psychic: Molds have been obtained by the materialized form dipping its hands into molten wax, then water and then dissolving to leave a thin glove like impression behind. Duplicates of these are impossible to reproduce by normal means. Other kinds of molds, or impressions, have been taken of materialized forms during séances. Movement of Objects: Movement without contact of a physical being. The preferred term is telekinesis while parapsychologists use psychokinesis. Parakinsesis is movement with contact insufficient to explain it. Both of these are common phenomena. Movement can be very slight to the actual levitation of heavy objects and people. Complicated apparatus have been maneuvered in a manner showing intelligent operation. See Telekinesis Mummification: This is an unusual form of mediumship where perishable objects are preserved due to contact with the medium’s hands or by passes made with the medium’s hands. Decomposition of plants and animals has been slowed and cut flowers have been preserved for many days. Bacteria of various types have also been destroyed with this same method. Music, Supernormal: Beautiful, unaccountable sounds of singing or instruments being played. Music from invisible sources has been reported being heard at religious revivals and at deathbeds. With mediumship it is rare without some sort of musical instrument being present. Instruments of various kinds have been played paranormally during the séances of many different mediums. Myopia: Lack of discernment or long-range perspective in thinking or planning.8 NNatural Law: Natural Law is defined as an “ascertained working sequence or constant order among the phenomena of nature.” (NSAC Spiritualism) Natural laws are simple statements of the orderly working of the universe and all that is in it. They represent the constant outward expression of what we can expect to happen in any given situation. In discussions, Natural Laws are generally referred to as "the Principles of Natural Law." Newspaper Tests: Ingenious experiments devised by spirit entities to eliminate the possible claim that telepathy was an explanation for spirit communication. Names and dates were given that would be published in certain columns of a newspaper yet to be printed. Astonishing results were obtained in this manner through the mediumship of Mrs. Leonard. Nonphysical: Not of this physical reality, which is sometimes referred to as the Physical Plane of existence. This is not simply a matter of something that has not yet been defined by science. The working hypothesis is that there are levels or aspects of reality that are energetically different from our aspect of reality. Some may think of nonphysical reality as:
However you think of it, the idea is that there is one reality, but that this reality has aspects. Our physical universe is one aspect of reality. Here, we are referring to the greater reality beyond our physical universe as "nonphysical" reality. See Etheric Numerology: The study of the occult meanings of numbers and their supposed influence on human life. OObjective Phenomena: Phenomenon that has external reality and that can be perceived and observed by others. In contrast to subjective phenomena, objective phenomena is considered the physical manifestation of a subjective influence via a trans-etheric influence. Ouija Board: A small wooden board with letters of the alphabet. A pointer is placed under the medium’s hand and on the board. Under control, messages are spelled out. See Planchette
PPalmistry: Divination through the configuration and lines of the hands. Not a mediumistic faculty. Parakinesis: The movement of objects with contact insufficient by itself to explain the motion observed. See Telekinesis Paranormal: Beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation; supernormal.8 The Principles of Natural Law are thought to be continuously applied throughout reality. As such, while something may be outside of "normal" experience, it is not outside of what is normal or natural in the larger view. Parapsychology: A frontier subject; the study of the evidence for psi phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis, which are unexplainable by mainstream science. These phenomena are forms of psi functioning. To distinguish between the study of trans-etheric aspects of reality (Etheric Studies), what parapsychology studies is referred to as "Psi Studies. See What is Etheric Studies Pareidolia: A form of apophenia (Seeing patterns where there are none) in which the person finds meaning in images and sounds when there is none. Both of these terms are used to describe a very real human tendency. An example might be the dear hunter. He looks so hard to find a buck in the forest that he finally sees one and shoots it, only to discover it is a cow that was standing by a tree. The hunter mistook the tree limbs for antlers. This is common enough that even people have been mistaken for bucks. Peer: In order to distinguish between kinds of experience and expertise, a peer is either an academic peer (trained in an accredited educational institution) or a practical peer (may be academically trained outside of the field but in any case, is self-trained in the field). Peer Reviewed: In the context of this work, "peer review" is the examination of a research report by others who are experts in the same field. "Peer review" is also known as refereeing. Because of the scarcity of people academically trained in this field, academically trained people are often used instead of subject matter experts--academically trained or not. The intention of such review is to examine assumptions and practices with the intention of giving constructive guidance toward a useful document. This is more like a process of vetting. From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vetting: ''to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.: An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.'' Pendulum: A body suspended from a short cord so that it swings freely back and forth. Dowsers use this instrument. Spiritualist would say that the results received are possibly due to the psychic powers of the operator, the pendulum simply acting as a focus of attention. Personality: All of the characteristics, which make up the physical and mental being and make us each individuals. The characteristics that distinguish one person from another incorporated into a stream of consciousness. The question of survival cannot be decided until the continuance of personality as a stream of consciousness is proved. Phantom: Something apparently seen but having no physical reality such as a ghost or an apparition. The evidence for this is overwhelming. Planchette: A small table-like device that can be easily moved over a surface containing letters, words or other information. In application, one or more participants lightly place fingers on the device. it is thought to move under the control of an etheric personality. A planchette might also have a pencil attached so as to mark a paper when it is moved. Phenomenon: An occurrence, a circumstance, or a fact that is perceptible by the senses.8 Phenomena: Any manifestation of nonphysical energy into physical reality. As a convention, "Phenomena" with a capital "P" is used for nonphysical phenomena. Otherwise, "phenomena" with lower case "p" refers to mundane or physical world manifestations of nature. Here, Phenomena is generally thought of as an intrusion of subtle energy--usually called spiritual energy in the Spiritualist church--into our physical awareness. This energy is sometimes referred to as etheric energy. Typical examples include:
Poltergeist: A mischievous entity who throws objects, makes noise, breaks things and has even been known to cause fires. This type of phenomenon is spontaneous and usually occurs around young people near the age of puberty. Practitioner: A person conducting a recording session for EVP or ITC; A person who applies principles intended to cause phenomena. Precipitation: In trans-etheric phenomena, the formation of physical material via psi function, presumably under the influence of an etheric personality. A physical person is usually thought to be the medium who enables the trans-etheric influence caused by the etheric personality--the person "in spirit" but remember the medium's personality is "in spirit" as is the personality of interested observers. The material in the precipitation process, such as paint for a "spirit picture" is believed to be of physical origin and the feat probably requires physical processes which are under the influence of psi functioning. The concept of "intended order" will soon be included in the ATransC Survival Hypothesis (written July 2010). In that concept, a specific pattern of order in a chaotic signal is intended by an etheric personality--the communicator or the medium. For this to be the case, physical material must be somehow apported to the intended location, and in the process, the physical substance of the apported object must undergo some kind of chaotic state of energy which is able to be influenced by intention as it is returned to physical substances--but now in the new configuration such as a painting. (This is theory) Precognition: Knowledge of something in advance of its occurrence, especially by extrasensory perception; clairvoyance. Prediction: The foretelling of any kind of future event; a prophecy. Premonition: A presentiment of the future; a foreboding. This is the lowest degree of prophecy, as in premonitions precise details of the event are not outlined. Prodigies: Infants who exhibit mature powers of technical or artistic perfection. Prophecy: A prediction of the future, made under divine inspiration. pseudoscience: A good discussion of what pseudoscience looks like is here. In essence, it is a claim to be scientific when basic science methodologies, empirical evidence and careful documentation is generally absent. While often deserved, the term is used as an insult by the skeptical community to discount any unpopular ideas. See Frontier Subject. Psi: Term coined by J. B. Rhine to represent the unknown force involved in Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis. Popularly used today to mean "psychic." Processes and elements in nature or in the human personality, which appear to transcend the accepted limiting principles of science. Psychic: That which is mental. Descriptive of supernormal phenomena. A person responsive to psychic forces. A Psychic is not necessarily a Medium. A Psychic may be able to foretell the future, excel in psychometry and be clairvoyant but would not say that this information was coming from a control or spirit entity. Mediums are most often psychic but it is possible for a medium to simply be an instrument for communications from the other side and have no psychic ability. Psychic Photographs: There are two types. First there are photographs produced by normal means for psychical research. These include pictures of ectoplasm, levitation, telekinetic phenomena, materialization, and other manifestations. Secondly there are pictures produced by supernormal means often called Spirit Photographics. This type of photo often shows strange lights, mists, orbs and entities. Psychograph: The supernormal appearance of some text or writing on photographic material. Psychokinesis (P. K.): The production or control of motion, especially in inanimate and remote objects, by the exercise of psychic powers. This is a term used in parapsychology. Telekinesis is the preferred term because it means to have an influence from a distance. The prefix, "psycho-" means "mind" or "mental," which is making the assumption that the person is the direct causative agent, when it has not been determined that such influence is not accomplished in cooperation with an etheric Self. See Telekinesis Psychometry: By touching an object, or an area, information is gained that was not known before about the object and/or the owner of the object. This information is often perceived through the palms of one’s hands. The article can also be held up to the forehead or against the solar plexus area to gain information. Objects that have been involved in an emotional trauma, or that have been used repeatedly, are most easily read. Psychometry does not provide information about the future, as this information has not been imbedded on the object. Q(Blank) RRadiesthesia: The theory that dowsing operates by the instrumental detection of subtle radiations from the hidden substance. Raps: A common feature of physical séances. Noises are heard as knocks, pops, cracks, and bangs. Coded communication is possible. The phenomenon is said to be produced by flexible ectoplasmic rods striking furniture, floors, walls or various objects in the room. Rapport: Relationship, especially one of mutual trust or emotional affinity. Spirit entities have advised of the importance of rapport within a circle wishing to develop physical phenomena. Reality: Everything. As such, "local reality" would be an individual's experienced reality. If a room has two people in it, the people would have two different local realities. "Greater reality" would be all of reality. The physical universe would be the physical aspect of reality. "The near locale" would be the region of reality that includes the physical and some indeterminate portion of the greater reality. This term becomes useful when one considers what happens to etheric communicators when they say they must "go on." These are all aspects of the one reality. Receptivity: A mental condition necessary for mediumship meaning, “capable of or qualified for receiving.” Only by becoming quiet and stilling one’s thoughts can one begin to hear the first beginnings of communication coming from those in the spirit realms. Reincarnation: The rebirth of the soul in another physical body. The belief that beings who have passed over and who have spent a period of time in the beyond, return. Spiritualists are divided on this belief. Many have difficulty in accepting this rigid law of return and favor the idea of a measure of personal free will. So what do those on the other side say? Surprisingly information brought through mediums from spirit entities also is split. Some say reincarnation is a fact. Others say that we make the decision once there, whether to return or not. And still others say that there is no such thing as reincarnation. Some of the evidenced advanced for the theory of reincarnation is memories of former incarnations, hypnotic regression before birth, prodigies and information from those in spirit. Research: Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry.8 Research Targets: In etheric studies, the best practices committee supplies general requirement to the research management committee which represent assumptions and/or recommendations included in candidate best practices that are not supported by experimental evidence. These research targets become the core of research grants. Researcher: While an EVP practitioner conducts routine recordings for the collection of information, a researcher conducts experiments following a protocol designed to provide verifiable data. Residual Energy: Living organisms are thought to emanate a form of subtle energy sometimes called auric energy. This is thought to be a form of etheric energy that is on "this side" of the etheric-physical interface, but not quite physical energy. The energy is believed to accumulate, and is thought to be emanated in greater abundance when the person expresses extreme emotions. Thus, locations with long-time human occupancy and especially hospitals and theaters are thought to have an abundance of this energy. It is thought that this energy is what is necessary for etheric-to-physical influences as found in hauntings situations. The actual nature and cause of this energy is not known. Residual Energy Entity: In some cases, residual energy appears to have been imprinted with some past event. It is not clear what triggers the playback. According to some accounts, events such as a man walking down a hallway or a woman walking along a path are usual. The entity is never responsive, as if it is unaware of the physically living witnesses. Retrocognition: Awareness or knowledge of facts of past events or persons acquired by means of psychic ability. Revelation: Something revealed especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized. SSacred Writings: There are many scared texts and books. Spiritualism contents that all scared texts are important and none are more important than any other. Revelation and inspiration can be drawn from many literary sources. Spiritual truth is not confined to one religion or to any particular set of writings. Science: The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena. b. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena. c. Such activities applied to an object of inquiry or study. 2. Methodological activity, discipline, or study. 3. An activity that appears to require study and method. 4. Knowledge, especially that gained through experience.8 Scientism: The belief that science, the scientific method and work product is the only way to validate reality. In practical terms, "scientism" holds that, if something is not recognized by mainstream science, then it is not real and is, therefore, impossible. Scientistic culture: promotes that application of quasi-scientific techniques or justifies the application of an inappropriate scientific. See Scientism for a more complete explanation. Scientific Method: A systematic approach to gaining understanding about a subject. See The Scientific Method. See also Scientific Method on this website. Scientist: A person having expert knowledge of one or more sciences, especially a natural or physical science. In the context of this discussion, a scientist is a person working in the field for which he or she is academically trained.8 Scrying: See Crystal Gazing Séance: Sitting done for the purpose of obtaining psychic manifestations or for establishing communication with the dead. The presence of a medium is required. Sitters need not have psychic powers but the phenomena will be stronger if they do. The sitters should be limited and well chosen. It is said that a number of sitters between six and eight are best. The establishment of a favorable environment is necessary for success and the rapport between the sitters should be the foundation for this environment. Most authorities say that there should be a balance between male and female energies. Skepticism does not prevent success but the presence of a hostile mind can be destructive. Second Sight: Clairvoyance Seer: A natural prophet or Clairvoyant. Self: The aspect of a person that is natural to the etheric aspect of reality. For a physical person, Self is an etheric aspect in a symbiotic relationship with the physical body, and is able to interact with the physical by virtue of the Self-physical body entanglement. In religion, Self is said to be who a person really is and is thought to be an immortal part of God. In practical application, “entity” and “Self” are synonymous. See personality Sensing: A term that is often used by mediums when perceiving information coming from a spirit communicator, or from a psychometry article. Sensitive: A person possessing psychic powers but who does not necessarily have the ability to establish communication with the departed. A sensitive may excel in clairvoyance, psychometry and telepathy, and be able to see the future yet they may not claim that the information received comes from those in the spirit realms. Sensory Leakage: Sensory leakage occurs when a person in an ESP test could have acquired the information by normal means. Such leakage is hard to prevent, and it is also difficult to know whether or not it has occurred. Thus, if the possibility exists, it is often assumed for experimental purposes to have actually occurred. Shaman: A member of certain tribal societies who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible Spirit World and who performs rituals for the purpose of healing, divination, and control over natural events. Sitter: The attendees of a séance or sitting, other than the medium. Sixth Sense: A power of perception seemingly independent of the five senses; keen intuition. Tardy de Montravel first put forward this theory saying that this sixth sense was the source and sum of all our senses. The theory has been advanced in the past as a convenient explanation for most phenomena and as an alternative to spirit communication. There may be some truth to our having a sixth sense, but there is also a wide variety of evidence that supports the evidence of spirit communication. Skeptic's Syndrome: Assumed knowledge, usually based on faith, belief or popular wisdom, seldom based on empirical evidence. Manifests as the assumption that one's own understanding of a subject is more correct than that held by others, no matter the evidence to the contrary. This attitude is maintained in the face of empirical evidence by making unsupported assumptions, belittling those who do not agree and attempting to associate the opposing view with previously discredited concepts. Slate Writing: Once a popular phenomenon in séances. Today it is rare. Two slates were sealed with a piece of pencil between them. During the séance a message would be written between the slates and disclosed after they were opened. Smells, Psychic: Many different kinds of smells have been reported that are of supernormal origin. They range from the wonderful smells of flowers and perfumes to the very unpleasant ones reported in haunting situations. Sulfur and ozone smells have been reported accompanying some phenomena. Solar Plexus: An area situated behind the stomach. It is associated with one of the chakras or psychic centers related to emotion. Thought of as the point in the human body at which cosmic energies are transmuted into usable physical energy. Sitters sometimes experience a curious pulling feeling in the solar plexus area during the production of phenomena. Speaking in Tongues: See Xenoglossis Spectral Flames: Lights that are supernormal and that are seen in cemeteries and around churches. See Luminous Phenomena. Specter: A ghostly apparition; a phantom. Spirit: The vital principle or animating force within living beings. The indestructible essence of self-conscious life. The word spirit is often used to describe a discarnate person; however, we are all spirits in that we are all formed of this energy as is every object of reality. The difference would be only in the type of body we presently inhabit be it physical, astral, etheric, etc. The more correct term for a person who has transitioned from a physical lifetime is a person "in spirit" or a discarnate person. The term, "spirit," is closely related to religious belief, and the understanding of the continuity of personality after "so called death" in Etheric Studies is based on empirical evidence. It is more precise to avoid the confusing use of traditional religious terms. When etheric energy is said to be derived directly from Infinite Intelligence (God) and undifferentiated by any other entity, it is said to be coming from Spirit. Here "Spirit" is written with a capital "S." In common usage, "spirit," written with a lower case "s," is a reference to subtle energy as applied in healing or formation of our local reality. See Etheric. Spirit Children: Children who have gone to the other side continue to grow and develop in the Spirit Worlds. Many children tell us about playmates that are in spirit. Spirit Communication or Channeling: Energy flows through a person from other dimensions to this one. This energy can be used for communication, healing or for other purposes. Information may be received through automatic writing, trance, clairvoyance, clairaudience, or by other means. In some cases the person may be tapping into the highest level of their own psyche, in others the communication can come from those in spirit or from energy coalitions that say they are from other dimensions. Those who say that their source is extraterrestrial are usually called contactees. Spiritual Healing: This is the form of energy healing in which the practitioner or community provides a channel through which a person in the etheric is able to provide healing energy to the sitter. Spirit Lights: see Luminous Phenomena Spiritual: Anything relating to Infinite Intelligence. In Spiritualism, God is generally thought of as Infinite Intelligence. A more analytical view might be that of a Prime Creator or First cause. It is reasonable and proper to refer to the purpose and origination of reality as spiritual. Thus, when etheric energy is considered as something that is managed by an intelligence outside of the Self, then it is often referred to as Spiritual in nature.
Spiritual Healing: This is another term for energy healing, in that etheric energy is thought to be made available to the sitter (one to receive help present or distant). The energy may be in the form of a sharing of the practitioner's vital energy, which is possibly better thought of as bioenergy or the energy of the aura. In what is often referred to as "spiritual healing," it Spiritual Maturity: Spiritual maturity can be defined as the understanding of Natural Law and living in accordance with those Principles. It is reasonable to say that people who are trying to understand the greater reality are seeking spiritual maturity. Thus, an "enlightened one" is a person with great spiritual maturity. In this application, "spiritual" is intended to relate to the Self's maturity or advancement in understanding the nature of reality and has nothing to do with religion or being religious. Story Telling: Claiming what was experienced is phenomenal by telling a reasonable story that seems to make the experience sensible. This is a way of leading a witness into believing even though the event was mundane. In EVP, something to the effect of: "I asked where my book was and recorded, 'ten ... other ...yes' The entity was telling me I was only ten feet from it and that it was somewhere other than where I was looking and that 'yes,' I will find it." In fact, the possible EVP had nothing to do with the question, but the story seemed to make it sound like a good answer. Subjective Phenomena: Phenomena which arises within the mind, exclusive of external observation. Information in the etheric aspect of reality is believed to be more subjective than objective or concrete as it is in the physical. Thus, information that is communicated as a trans-etheric influence is thought to begin as a subjective or conceptual form. It is sometimes described as a thought ball which is understood as a gestalt or complete concept. The physical person bringing the information or influence into the physical Subject Matter Specialist: A person who has more than average experience as a practitioner; may or may not be a researcher, but experience consistent with appropriate science should be considered; participates in peer review. Subliminal: Below the threshold of conscious perception. Inadequate to produce conscious awareness but able to evoke a response. Subtle Energy: Usually associated with the energy of life, life force, but also psychic or psi energy. In parapsychology, “psi” is a term used to generally mean the factor which enables thought transference, perception of objects not normally perceptible with physical senses, psychokinetic or telekinetic influence or the healing influence of therapeutic touch or prayer. In traditional metaphysics, subtle energy is variously described as vitality, human magnetism, spiritual energy or kundalini energy, and other terms depending on the system of belief. In Spiritualism, subtle energy is described as “spiritual energy” and is thought to emanate from a central intelligence known as “Infinite Intelligence,” and to be differentiated by incarnate and discarnate people as information or healing energy. As used in Etheric Studies, subtle energy is called a form of “etheric energy” and is described as the energy of life seen as the aura and which is not physical but also is not fully etheric. As such, subtle energy is a transitional energy that represents the etheric-physical interface. In relationship to etheric studies, subtle energy is part of psi studies while the study of the physical aspect of reality is described as physical studies. Supernatural: An event that violates the laws of nature. Spiritualism contends that all psychic phenomena are ruled by as yet unknown laws and rejects the term supernatural. Supernormal: Beyond what is known of physical laws. Paranormal. Survival: The continuance of the personality after the change called death. It is the fundamental doctrine of Spiritualism. Survival Hypothesis: A theoretical model designed to put current understanding about the continuation of personality after transition into a form that can be used to predict outcomes of future research. In effect, it is the theory intended to explain the nature of reality and our existence in it in a form that can be continuously refined. See the AA-EVP article, Survival Hypothesis Explained. Symbolism: The practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events or relationships. This is often the easiest way for spirit entities to convey information to the medium’s mind. Of course the problem with this is that the symbol may be misinterpreted by the medium. It takes practice and cooperation between the medium and the communicating spirits do develop a code so that this does not happen. Synchronicity: Coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related.
TTable Tipping or Table Turning: Sitters place their fingertips lightly on the top of a table. Supernormal energy makes the table tip and turn. A code can be established and messages can be spelled out. Telekinesis: The movement of objects without normal, obvious, or perceptible means. Usually related to psychic ability. See psychokinesis. Telekinesis is the preferred term because it means to have an influence from a distance. The prefix, "psycho-" means "mind" or "mental," which is making the assumption that the person is the direct causative agent, when it has not been determined that such influence is not accomplished in cooperation with an etheric Self. Telepathy: The communication between minds by some other means than normal sensory channels. It is the transference of thought without the use of speech, gestures or other physical means. Telepathy could be called mind-to-mind communication and is obtaining the mental state or thought of another person in the here or hereafter. F. W. H. Myers coined the term telepathy during research into the possibilities of thought transference. Myers defined telepathy as “transmission of thought independently of the recognized channels of sense.” Touches: Tactile sensations represent a correlated phenomenon to the movement of objects. This phenomena is usually present at séances were telekinesis takes place and would appear to be caused by a similar means. The feelings of being touched can be hard or soft, warm or cold. They are always intentional and sitters are never touched by accident. The touch is always meant for the one who receives it. Touches can imitate contact with any known substance. Trance: A spontaneous or induced sleep-like condition or altered state of consciousness that permits the subject’s body to be used by a discarnate entity for communication. With trance as with other phenomena it is important that there is evidence to show, without a doubt, that a discarnate being is in control and communicating and that it is not the subconscious mind or a separate or split personality of the person in trance. Trance may be of a very light type in which there appears little difference than in total consciousness. Or it may be of a very deep type in which the medium is totally unconscious of their surroundings or of the messages that they are relaying. Upon coming back the person so entranced remembers nothing of what has happened while in the trance. To all intents and purposes the entity speaking and the person in trance are entirely different. The personality of a person in trance is thought to "step aside" so that a different personality can temporarily use the body to communicate in the physical. This is an important difference from mental mediumship in that a mental medium remains in control and the communication occurs in the etheric as a mind-to-mind exchange. The mental medium must translate the etheric conceptual information into concrete terms using his or her library of concepts and language. One way this difference is seen is that a trance medium might speak in a language unknown to him or her, while a mental medium must use a known language. Trans-: Across, from there to here. Used here as across the interface from the greater reality to the physical aspect of reality. "Etheric" is used as shorthand to indicate the greater reality. All of these trans- terms can be used without the hyphen. Transcommunication: A trans-etheric influence that is intended to be communication; trans-etheric communication. Not all trans-etheric influences are considered communication. Some, such as residual energy phenomena may simply happen without regard to who is experiencing the event. The hyphon is not used because of convention. Ernst Senkowski coined the term, Instrumental TransCommunication or ITC, and since, transcommunication has been used without a hyphen. All of these trans- terms can be used without the hyphen. Trans-etheric: From the etheric aspect of reality to the physical aspect of reality. Trans-etheric Communication: Exchange of information from the etheric to the physical aspects of reality. EVP or visual ITC, for instance. Trans-etheric Influence: The impression of intention from the etheric to the physical. When an etheric entity communicates with a physical person or when a hauntings event occurs. A good definition might be: Information originated as a subtle energy influence on physical processes to produce objective information. The terms, EVP and ITC have become cumbersome because of our growing understanding of these phenomena. A more correct term might be "Audio Trans-etheric Influence" and "Visual Trans-etheric Influence." Also "Etheric-to-physical influence." Trans-etheric survival: The survival of personality (Self) after the physical body is no longer able to sustain it in the physical aspect of reality. Survival of bodily death. See the Survival Hypothesis. Transfiguration: Recognizable portrayals of discarnate persons are built over the medium’s features. This phenomenon usually takes place in dim light as ectoplasm is used to produce the transformation. In good subjects the ectoplasmic material can be seen during the forming process. Transform: In EVP/ITC, available physical energy is transformed into words or images. Transition: A term used to describe the process of "dying" out of this physical aspect of reality (this lifetime) and returning to the more natural environment of the greater reality. Transition is a more accurate term for what is currently called "death." Transportation: The supernormal transfer of human bodies through closed doors and over a distance. It is a mixture of levitation and apportation. This is a rare phenomenon, but there are cases that have been well authenticated. Transposition of the Senses: A distinctive feature of some trance states where the senses of taste, sight, and smell can be experienced by the fingers, toes, ear lobes, forehead or pit of the stomach. Trumpet: A megaphone type instrument made of metal used for direct voice phenomena. The trumpet amplifies the voice. Voice phenomena without the trumpet is termed “independent voice.”
UUniversal Law: Principles that are necessary for the operation of this system of universes. They cannot be altered or done away with. All universal laws were created at the time of creation and are now in existence whether we have discovered them or not. Also known as Natural Law Universal Mind: A collection of all of the knowledge, experience, principles and objects of reality, either animate or inanimate expressed as a coherent whole. Thought to be accessible as a source of knowledge. Sometimes referred to as the Mind of God, Divine Mine or Cosmic Consciousness.
VVetted: In Etheric Studies, "peer review" will be used in the sense of vetting a manuscript, report or article. A properly vetted article will have had people with relevant experience and training review it for reasonableness of assumptions protocol design and conclusions. The reviewer(s) and relevant qualifications should be noted. See Peer-Reviewed Video ITC: Instrumental TransCommunication (ITC) using a video camera, most often arranged in a loop back circuit with a television set that is configured to "see" only the Video In signal. The video camera is aimed at the television set and the output of the video camera is connected to the television Video In. The resulting video loop produces considerable optical noise. See Trans-etheric Influence Vision: There are two classes of vision, objective and subjective. Objective can be said to be the perception of material objects in accordance with optical laws and from a definite point in space. Subjective vision is independent of optical laws, space and objective existence. Clairvoyance would be classified as subjective. Voice Box: Spirit operators create an instrument from ectoplasm so that the human voice can be reproduced. It has been photographed and is usually lying on the medium’s shoulder. It is also sometimes built inside a trumpet. Voices, Supernormal: Direct and independent voice as well as voices from materialized forms would be considered supernormal. When one hears voices that others do not hear it is called clairaudience.
WWorldview: How you experience life, your mental image of what is right and wrong, your perception of the world you live in is defined by your worldview. It is developed during your lifetime as you are taught by your parents, your culture, schools and churches. It is the filter through which you pass all of your experiences to determine how you will react and what you will learn. Your worldview tends to become fixed as you mature. The objective of seeking to become more "spiritual" is to understand your world and experiences so that your worldview is in agreement with reality. A measure of spiritual maturity is how well your worldview does agree with the operation of reality. XXenoglossy: Writing in tongues unknown to the medium. X-Ray Vision: Usually a power that is claimed by some healers. It is the ability to see affected organs within the body. Some sensitives also have claimed this ability and say it is how they read messages that are sealed in envelopes. Y-Z(Blank) These definitions have been adapted from the following references, with modifications and additions by Tom Butler.
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