We sometimes hear people comment that they think they may be mediums or they want to know if they have a potential mediumship to develop, and they want to know what they have to do to communicate with Spirits.  It is important to understand that mediumship is a serious thing and should be taken seriously, with a sincere desire and commitment, together with the appropriate preparation through study .  As such, there is no one formula or book that one can follow and learn how to become a great medium. The exercise of mediumship is one activity in which the advice of that old, familiar expression "Do not try this at home" truly should heeded, even for experienced, developed mediums.  The study and development of mediumship should be done at a serious and responsible Spiritist Center, where one can receive the knowledgeable education in theory first, followed by guidance and mentorship throughout the development and exercise of one's faculty. Here, however, we do wish to point out some general statements on advice and teachings of the Spiritist Doctrine regarding this subject. 

1. As stated above,  the study and development of mediumship should be done at a serious and responsible Spiritist Center.  Even if one would read many books on the subject, this does not mean they are prepared to work as mediums.  The Spiritist Center is a place where mediums can work together and with the support and guidance of both incarnate and discarnate instructors and mentors.  Likewise, the Center itself works under the protection of superior Spirits and is an environment very different, for example, than one's own home. 

2. With the exception of certain cases, a person wishing to develop their mediumship should first have the appropriate background of a basic knowledge of the Spiritist Doctrine, and should then follow a course of study in mediumship, in order to have a good level of knowledge on the theory, before seeking to put his faculty to work. This is important for the protection of all involved, but mostly for the medium himself.  In addition to having acquired an appropriate level of Doctrinal knowledge, it's also important for the medium to show his level of commitment to the Spiritist Center in which he desires to work, by first becoming an active member, thus establishing a trusting relationship with the directors and other workers of the Center, and also demonstrating the sincerity of his dedication and discipline, as well as the moral quality of his character. 

3. The novice medium must understand that the development of his faculty is a process that will happen with time, demanding patience and perseverance.  The Spirit author Odilon Fernandes reminds us that as a sense, mediumship "remains evolving with the Spirit after death" and that "nowadays, the vast majority of Spiritist mediums are simply gathering experiences to put into practice, in future tasks which they would be called to fulfill."  Therefore, for the medium who is just beginning to employ this sense, his desired results should not be expected to happen overnight.  This same author tells us about medium's three phases.  He writes:

"We would say that mediumship itself has three phases;  the one which appears and manifests itself on the medium; another in which it is developed; and the last one, which is the productive phase.

In the development phase, the medium should devote himself in all senses, so becoming able to be utilized by the Spirits in the productive phase.

In a productive phase, we understand that this is where the medium, who is much more secure about his mediumship, does not vacillate.  Thus, he now works as an interpreter of the Spirits, being enlightened by messages from the mentors, or by Spiritual communications, revealing the suffering of the communicating Spirits.  From all these communications and messages, it will always be possible to us to learn about Life and the Laws which govern it.

The phase we call the development one, could last many years.  It depends on the level of assiduity of the medium, his dedication, his love for the work, discipline, perseverance, etc.

If the Superior Spirits realize that the medium is well-intentioned, then the development phase can be diminished.  At that time, the Superior Spirits will approach him, supporting his efforts, working with him in the Spiritual World when his Spirit disengages from his physical body by the action of sleep and, in short, they will organize intensively his faculties.

As Allan Kardec used to say, 'Impatience and a fanatic wish reveals immaturity of the medium and his lack of preparation for the task.'"

4. One part of the medium's development involves his learning to consciously tune in with the beings of the Spirit realm and to become accustomed with the sensations and emotions that he will undergo as a result of the fluidic interaction between himself and the Spirits, thus allowing him to act as their intermediary.  The other part, however, involves the establishment of affinity between the medium and the Spirits who will work with him. Odilon Fernandes explains that "even when there is a previous knowledge about it in former lives, the affinity between Spirit and medium needs time, in order to reestablish itself on a level of conscience.  The Spirits must know how far they can trust the medium and vice-versa" In other words, the medium must demonstrate his level of commitment and the selfless ends to which he desires their cooperation; the medium will be tested for these and other qualities over time, another reason why the he must maintain a consistent level of trust, patience, and determination.  

In addition to learning how to "activate" and exercise his mediumistic faculty at the Spiritist Center, the medium must also learn how to control the faculty and tune-out the Spirits' attempts to communicate through or influence him at times and places that are inappropriate (i.e. away from the center and outside of meetings specifically designated for working with mediumship). 

"When a medium's faculty is developed, it must not be unduly or unwisely exercised.  The pleasure it gives to beginners sometimes excites in them an enthusiasm that needs to be moderated; they should remember that the medianimic faculty is always given for sober use, never for the satisfaction of idle curiosity.  Mediums should, therefore only use their faculty under the most favorable conditions, and not all day long, for good Spirits not being constantly at their orders, they run the risk , by unduly prolonging the exercise of their medianimity, of becoming the dupes of inferior ones.  It is well to have fixed days and hours for medianimic purposes because the medium then brings  a more concentrated purpose to his work, and also because the Spirits who may wish to communicate through him, being thus notified and invited beforehand, are much more likely to be present."   ("Mediums' Book"  item 217)

5. Too often, mediums concern themselves with the names of the Spirits who communicate through their mediumship.  The Spiritist Doctrine teaches us an important lesson, however, which is that by giving such importance to names, one can easily fall prey to frivolous and deceptive Spirits, and that it is more important to concentrate on the quality and content of the messages, through which the Spirits always reveal their true nature.  Mediums learn how to make such an analysis through doctrinal study and with the help and instruction he receives at the Spiritist Center.

6. Novice mediums should be aware that initially, the Spirits who will work with them are very often Spirits of an ordinary level of advancement, who work as what may be though of as "training Spirits".  Just as highly-trained medical surgeons do not typically instruct first-year medical students, the Superior Spirits who work in mediumship-related tasks normally do not spend their time training novice mediums; instead,  they leave that responsibility to the Spirits of a lower rank.  For this reason, it is important for the medium to rely on the help of more experienced friends in the analysis of the messages he receives.  These "training Spirits" are not necessarily malevolent Spirits, but they do not have the level of moral or intellectual advancement that the elevated Spirits have acquired. 

This is not to say, however, that beginner medium's are not subject to the influence of Spirits of an even lower degree.  In fact, they are particularly susceptible and must remember to be vigilant of their thoughts in order to use the Law of Affinity to their favor. Allan Kardec writes:

"The greatest stumbling-block of the majority of beginners is, in fact, their liability to be drawn in to hold conversation with inferior Spirits; and they may usually consider themselves fortunate, if they only come into contact with Spirits who are merely frivolous and not positively wicked.  They should do their utmost to prevent all such Spirits from obtaining influence over them, for, when once they have been allowed to get hold of a medium, it is not always easy to get rid of them.  It is impossible to insist too strongly on the importance of such precaution, especially in the beginning; for, without it, the finest medianimic faculty may be thrown away."   ("Mediums' Book", item 211)

7. When receiving help  from more experienced friends and mentors with the analysis of the communications he receives, the medium should never become discouraged by the constructive criticism they may have to offer.  A quick, defensive nature and inability to accept such guidance is a signal of excessive pride and is not good for the medium nor his group. Also, every medium must always remember that the admiration or criticism of a message's content should never be taken personally, as this content comes from the communicating Spirit and not from the medium himself.

8.  The appearance and manifestation of mediumship does not discriminate.  Mediums are found among people of every race, sex, religion, and age.  That said, we'd like to point out things:

1. Though mediumship can be found naturally in some children, it is not advisable to work on developing the sense in them. A child's body is not completely developed; its organs and above all, its nervous system are still maturing.   We find the following questions posed to the Superior Spirits and their answers in "The Mediums' Book" (item 221):

Is it imprudent to develop the medianimic faculty in children?

'It is not only imprudent, but very dangerous to do so, for the frail and delicate organization of childhood would be too much shaken, and the youthful imagination too much excited by such attempts; parents should therefore keep these ideas from their children, or, at least should only speak of them in reference to their moral aspect."

Yet there are children who are mediums by nature, not only for physical manifestations, but also for writing and for visions; is there danger for such as these?

"No. Where a child's faculty is spontaneous, it belongs to his temperament, and his constitution is prepared for its exercise.  It is a very different thing when you attempt to develop medianimity artificially, and thus subject the child's nervous system to over-excitement.  It is also to be remarked that a child who is naturally subject to visions is generally but little impressed by them; they appear so natural to such a child, that he pays but little heed to them and easily forgets them, and in after-years, if these visions recur to his memory, he is not apt to be painfully affected by the remembrance of them."   

At what age may we attempt to develop the faculty of medianimity without danger?

" There is no rule in regard to age; it depends partly on the physical and still more on the moral development of the individual.  There are children of say, twelve years of age, who would be less affected by the attempt than many grown persons.  I am now speaking of medianimity in general; but physical medianimity is that which is most likely to cause fatigue to the organism.  Writing, however, in the case of a child, has another danger, owing to his inexperience, viz., the mischief which might result to his health if he took to writing when alone and thus made an amusement of it."
 

2. Mediumship is a faculty that depends on the individuals physical organism.  So, in addition to manifesting in all races, sexes, religions, and ages, it also exists independent of someone's will (we may say "conscious will" for it is often a commitment that the individual made before incarnating).  For this reason, individuals who do not have an ostensive mediumship will never be able to force it's development (that is, without the help of Superior Spirits in making the needed changes, and these are exceptional cases).  It also explains why some individuals find that they present a mediumistic sensitivity even despite their own will. Author Suely Caldas Schubert writes, "Many individuals, having no previous knowledge of the subject, are very frightened at any signs of its manifestation.  Others fear the responsibilities that are inherent to the mediumistic exercise and refuse to acknowledge their faculty.  They avoid in every way any kind of conversation or situation related to the subject, but if the signs of mediumship are very evident, intense, and frequent, those people remain subject to grave problems that can result from the presence of Spirits at their side, the thoughts and energies of which they capture without knowing how to protect themselves against their negative influence."  Such individuals are advised to seek the help of a Spiritist Center.
 

9. You may wonder what the signs may be of an ostensive mediumship. Ms. Schubert lists some of the more common phenomena that could be a signal of an existing mediumistic faculty.  She writes:

There are indications that characterize the presence of mediumship in an expressive form.  The Superior Spirits provide their orientation throughout that process, helping the beginning medium and facilitating his exercise of mediumship in a balanced and serene manner, affording the medium a sense of well-being and inner peace.

Some of the indications of a blossoming mediumship can be identified.  They are:  

• volatile alterations in emotions [strong mood-swings]

• an accentuated emotional sensitivity

• visions of Spirits

• compulsive and inopportune need to write ideas that are not one's own

• chills, sensation of tingling in the hands and on the head

• negative physical sensations in certain environments or in the presence of certain people

• sensations of nonexistent illness/ physical problems

These are symptoms that can arise simultaneously, with a greater or lesser intensity being prevalent in one or another, or several, according to the spiritual condition of the individual. 

It must be made clear that some of these symptoms cited can occur without necessarily being a signal of one's predisposition toward mediumship.  Another point that must be emphasized is that mediumship is not an illness, nor should it be viewed as a privilege or in some other aspect, like a task of such heavy responsibility that only some people are able to accomplish it.

The blossoming of mediumship represents, for the human being, a new horizon that opens for  him.  It is a calling, an invitation to goodness, that awakens him to the greater realities of life.  It is a responsibility, yes, but when experienced with serenity, love, and discipline, it will always be a source of benefits, first and foremost for the medium himself.

10. Lastly, for those who wished to work as interpreters for the Spirits, yet find that they do not yet have such a mediumship, we leave you with this quote from Kardec:

"If, in spite of repeated trials, the medianimic faculty does not reveal itself in any way, the attempt must be given up , as the attempt to sing has to be given up by pupils who prove to have no voice.  He who does not understand a given language employs a translator;  those whose organism does not allow of their becoming mediums must follow that example, and have recourse to one who is a medium.  But, even though you should fail to find a medium, you must not imagine that you are left without the help of Spirit-friends.  Medianimity is a means whereby Spirits are enabled to express themselves to men; but it has nothing to do with attracting themselves to us.  Those who hold us in affection come to us as well without mediums with them. A father does not abandon his child because he is deaf, dumb, and blind, but tends to him nonetheless, carefully and lovingly, though not perceived by the child.  Our Spirit-friends do the same by us; they are always about us, and if they cannot transmit their thoughts to us ostensibly, they do so by inspiration."

Rigonatti, Eliseu. "O Desenvolvimento da Mediunidade" [Development of Mediumship]. A Mediunidade Sem Lagrimas [Mediumship Without Tears]. Sao Paulo: Editora Pensamento Ltda. 2000. ##. 

Fernandes, Odilon (Spirit Author) / Baccelli, Carlos (Medium). Chapters 1-3;11-12;14. We Are All Mediums.  Trans.Coelho, Públio Lêntulus Vicente. Votuporanga- SP, Brazil. Casa Editora Espírita "Pierre-Paul Didier". 2001. 10-19;46-53;57-60.                            

Kardec, Allan. "Mediums." The Mediums' Book. 2nd ed (1st edition FEB). Trans. Anna Blackwell (translated 1876). Ed. Livraria Espírita Allan Kardec. Brasilia-DF, Brazil:  Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation}. 1986. 223,227-228.

Schubert, Suely Caldas. "O Que É Ser Medium" [What Does it Mean To Be A Medium] Mediunidade: Caminho Para Ser Feliz [Mediumship: The Path to Happiness]. Sao Paulo. Casa Editora Espírita "Pierre-Paul Didier". 1999.  Place of Publication: Publisher. Year. 31-35.