Mediumship in Childhood

Allan Kardec, in chapter 14 of The Mediums’ Book (TMB), states that mediumship is a human faculty and that anyone who feels, to any degree, the influence of spirits is, by that fact, a medium. 

Rare are those who do not possess some rudimentary form of this faculty, so that it can be said that we are all mediums in the broad sense of the word. However, those who are usually qualified as mediums are those in whom mediumship manifests itself in a well-defined way and translates into obvious effects. These are, in fact, those who have the ability to serve as intermediaries between the discarnate and the incarnate – this is mediumship in the true sense of the word.

It is a commitment made before reincarnation, whose purpose is the medium’s evolution through the opportunities they have to practice charity.

It is a permanent faculty and its use is not limited to practical meetings in Spiritist centers or other institutions. There are various types of mediumship, with physical or intelligent effects, serving as a means of communication with spirits. They can range from simple sensitivity to phenomena of materialization. Currently, the most notable are psychophony, psychography, clairvoyance, and clairaudience.

Overt mediumship can arise at any time during reincarnation, but it usually occurs in time to provide the medium with effective work in helping incarnate and discarnate spirits, enabling their moral and spiritual growth. Kardec states that there is no way to affirm that someone is a medium, even if they show some physical signs, and that only through experimentation can ostensive mediumship be confirmed (TMB, chapter 17).

When discussing involuntary or natural mediums—those who are unaware of their abilities and consider what happens around them to be normal—the Codifier says that phenomena can manifest at any age, including in very young children (TMB, chapter 14).

In fact, some mediums have had this natural ability since childhood, especially clairvoyance and clairaudience, such as Francisco Cândido Xavier and Divaldo Pereira Franco.

However, any perceptions of spirits may not indicate mediumship, but rather stem from the child’s condition in their reincarnation process, since until around the age of seven, the fluidic ties that connect the perispirit to the physical body are looser, facilitating the emancipation of the soul and the visual and auditory perception of any spirits. Generally, if the child has no commitment to mediumship, these perceptions will disappear spontaneously.

On the other hand, it is possible that the child is the target of an obsessive process—which occurs in more severe cases—and this obsession may intensify spiritual perceptions.

Whether or not the child has a commitment to mediumship, their parents or guardians should receive some guidance on how to deal with them.

In chapter 18 of TMB – inconveniences and dangers of mediumship –, after obtaining some answers from the Higher Spirits regarding children, Allan Kardec states:

• That one should not force the development of this faculty in children and that, even if it occurs spontaneously, one should proceed with great caution, as it is not advisable to encourage it in weak individuals. 

• That children and young people are more vulnerable to falling victim to the schemes of deceitful spirits.

• That concentration is a necessary condition for communication with serious spirits, and that one cannot expect a child to have the seriousness required for such an act.

Furthermore, Allan Kardec teaches that all mediumistic practice must be preceded by the study of theory, so that the medium can begin safely, knowing how to behave and protect themselves from inferior spirits. However, due to their mental immaturity, children are unable to understand the particularities of the faculty, to comprehend the phenomena that occur to them, and even less to deal with them.

Brazilian Spiritist philosopher Herculano Pires, in his book Mediunidade (Mediumship), points out that in childhood, mediumistic manifestations are more of an animistic nature, with children receiving intuitions from their protectors, revealing the presence of spirits, and transmitting messages from familiar spirits, either directly or symbolically.

He adds that during adolescence, the body has matured and it is possible that mediumistic manifestations become more intense and positive. At this point, young people should be referred for more accurate information, but their development should not be attempted in sessions.

Based on these guidelines, it is clear that it is inappropriate for children and even adolescents to practice mediumship, even if they are mediums. Even if an adolescent has the physical constitution that allows them to practice mediumship, they will rarely have sufficient maturity to understand the responsibility of the task and even to devote themselves to it with the required regularity.

When faced with children’s reports, parents should treat mediumship naturally, without creating fear, overemphasizing, or ridiculing it. It is essential that they provide a welcoming and safe home so that the child can experience these spiritual experiences in a balanced way, without feeling threatened or misunderstood. In this regard, studying the Gospel at home and praying together is of great value, attracting the support of family protectors, who may even mitigate perceptions..

For its part, the Spiritist center offers an important contribution through the resources of spiritual healing, fluidized water, and, depending on the situation, evangelization classes for children and young people.