Since the beginning of civilization, we have sought the help of shamans, seers, wise women and mystics to interpret the metaphysical nature of the universe. Our ancestors lived a much more spiritual life than we do today, they watched the stars, revered nature and worshipped gods and goddesses.
For a time in history, supernatural phenomena integrated effortlessly into daily life. Ancient Egyptians were the original believers in the immortal the soul. They strived to become worthy of immortality by working hard in this life to prepare for the next. The Greek masters also accepted this concept, and eventually, early Christians adopted the belief into their scriptures.
The bible is abundant with miraculous stories illustrating the psychic powers of it’s most prominent figures, including Jesus himself. Despite this, practising psychics, are misrepresented and vilified in the scriptures. Today many orthodox preachers still testify to the danger of psychics, warning their flock away from them.
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.”
However, there is a glaring contradiction in the bible. The word of God may be received by the devout. They may hear voices, have visions or speak with angels and are celebrated so long as that individual is an instrument of the church.
“And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”
“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.”
There is a strong possibility that the interpretation of the bible, specifically it’s opinion of mediums and psychics was a political move by Greco-Romans asserting control through religion. Many scriptures are adaptions of pagan beliefs which were absorbed to make the bible more palatable for the newly converted.
The views espoused by the educated did not necessarily reflect that of the proletariat. Unfortunately, history is not told by the illiterate masses but by the educated elite who to often use it to push their agenda.
Psychic misrepresentation is evidenced in the story of King Saul, who seeks out the aid of a medium to speak with his brother. 1 Samuel 28 in the New Living translation recounts the tale as this;
Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.”
His advisers replied, “There is a medium at Endor.”
So Saul disguised himself by wearing ordinary clothing instead of his royal robes. Then he went to the woman’s home at night, accompanied by two of his men.
“I have to talk to a man who has died,” he said. “Will you call up his spirit for me?”
“Are you trying to get me killed?” the woman demanded. “You know that Saul has outlawed all the mediums and all who consult the spirits of the dead. Why are you setting a trap for me?”
But Saul took an oath in the name of the Lord and promised, “As surely as the Lord lives, nothing bad will happen to you for doing this.”
Finally, the woman said, “Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?”
“Call up Samuel,” Saul replied.
And so she does, and Saul receives a message from his late brother. From the text, it’s apparent that Saul has gone to visit an anonymous medium for guidance. However, the most well-known account refers to the woman not as a medium but as The Witch of Endor. Medieval drawings depict her as we traditionally see witches, haggard, old and crooked.
The bible itself is overwhelmed with stories of individuals who displayed supernatural abilities. There are tales of contact with angels, visions, prophetic dreams, clairaudience and telepathy.
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John detail the incredible supernatural gifts of Jesus. The bible, however, is careful to separate those who were with the church from those who were not.
Psychics and mediums within the church could perform ‘miracles’ and be called prophets. Anyone outside the curch who threatened the political agenda of the powerful was slandered as an instrument for the devil.
What’s most unfortunate is the way the actions of those who wrote and interpreted the bible did not always reflect the true nature of its spiritual beliefs. Inside the many stories, it’s evident the bible revers spiritual gifts as a blessing from God. It’s clear that Moses was clairaudient, and he is one of the most celebrated figures in the scriptures, trusted to bring down the law of God himself.
The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus illustrate the potential for open lovingness in the bible with a different interpretation of the teachings. Divine consciousness is reached by journeying deep within yourself. A psychic must make contact with their highest selves to help those who have come to see them.
In the Gnostic texts, Jesus says ‘ If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don’t bring forth what is within you what you do not bring forth will destroy you’.
To connect with your gifts, whatever they may be, is to be of service to yourself and others. To seek healing and guidance is to prevent suffering for yourself and others.