The difference between the terms "channel" and "medium" is largely based upon what country
and what time period you are from.
"Channel" is a relatively new term. Prior to the 1970's, channels were probably referred to
as mediums (or oracles in some more ancient cultures).
Because of the huge success of the relay medium John Edward (who we like) and his television show
"Crossing Over with John Edward", most people in the USA in this time period probably think of mediums in terms
of what John Edward does so well on his television show.
We refer to this type of mediumship as "relay mediumship" because the medium "relays" his or her
impressions of symbols and feelings to convey a message from someone who has physically "died".
When you ask a question, in this example, you are asking John Edward. When you talk to him,
you address him by his name, because he is fully conscious and there.
These communications are usually one-way... that is from the other side to the physical side.
Because we know and work with this type of relay medium in our own work we often generalize the term
"medium" to mean the kind of thing that John Edward, for example, does. It's just easier that way given the
many kinds of mediumship.
What April Crawford does is completely different. However, in many cultures and in many time
periods, April Crawford would be referred to as a "deep trance medium" and not a "channel".
As a point of reference, the entities that speak via April Crawford, always refer to April in the
third person either as "The Channel" or as "April". They have never in my memory referred to April as
"The Medium".
THERE ARE MANY KINDS AND MANY LEVELS OF CHANNELING
Here are some ways to think of the different kinds of channels. Note that in other countries
(the UK in particular) different labels may apply to these categories:
1) A "Closed Channel": This term refers to a channel that only channels, or primarily
channels, a single entity or guide. The term "closed" is probably inappropriate, because one must be very open to do
any type of channeling. Some of the very best information has come from (and still comes from) so-called "closed channels".
This is due to the fact that with many closed channels, they have a very deep and trusting relationship
with a highly evolved teaching entity that has probably known them for many physical lifetimes.
This level of trust that is developed over "time", reduces any fear of "letting go" and
often allows a closed channel to get more out of the way and thus allow communication to take place with relatively
less distortion or "coloring".
2) An "Open Channel": These channels can and do allow not only many different non-physical
beings to speak, but also many different kinds of beings.
What different kinds? Examples are Teaching Entities, individuals who have recently "died"
physically, Aspects of the Teaching Entities that may serve as individual "spirit guides", and other kinds of beings who may
never physically incarnate.... to name a few.
There are many levels of "getting out of the way"... or in other words, many levels of the trance
state necessary for most forms of channeling:
1) Deep Trance: By most accounts (and we may have a bias in this regard) Deep Trance
offers the most clear channel. In Deep Trance, the individual who is the channel "leaves" and allows another non-physical
being to fully control his or her body, including the vocal chords, eyes, and body language.
In the case of April Crawford, she is able to allow the entities to open her eyes (and look you in
the eye), eat, drink, and move around the room or even walk through a busy airport and interact with ticket agents and
airline attendants, for example.
There are therefore various levels of even deep trance channeling. The level of fully
integrated full body deep trance channeling that is done by April Crawford is very rare in relative terms.
When the fact that she is an "Open" channel that is able to do this with many different non-physical
entities is added into the mix, it is much more unusual to experience. There are probably on a few every few centuries
who are able to do this at this level.
One way to often tell if a trance channel is an adept "deep" trance channel is if the entity is able
to continue in the trance state and still open the channel's eyes, remain in the trance state if a dog barks, the phone rings,
or someone knocks on the door suddenly.
In a ture deep trance, the entities have full control over the body and rarely get "knocked out"
of the channeling experience until they are ready to go.
2) Light Trance: As the name implies, the channel goes "out", just not as far and often
there can be a considerable variation in the level of trance state even with the same channel from session to session.
3) "Conscious and Semi-Conscious Channel": Here, the channel does not "leave" but instead
allows another to speak in a stream of conscious flow of conversation. A lot of great music is written in this state
and conscious channels can allow much valuable information to come through.
Jane Roberts who was a highly adept deep trance channel after many years of experience was
at first a conscious channel, then a light trance channel.
When Seth (the entity that spoke via her) started dictating books on his own, Jane Roberts had moved
into Deep Trance Channeling, something by the way that at first neither she nor Seth knew for sure that she would be able
to achieve.
PHYSICAL MEDIUMSHIP
In the UK in particular, Physical Mediumship is a popular term. This refers to something quite
different than either relay mediumship or even deep trance channeling (although a deep trance may certainly be used).
Physical mediumship refers to the practice of manifesting something called "ectoplasm". This
ectoplasm is used to create sound... often spoken words.... or other physical effects, seemingly out of thin air and under
the control of a non-physical being.
This is often done in complete darkness or under a "red light".
While we have not personally experienced this, we have friends who have and they relate that it is
quite amazing to witness. The voices by the way can be tape recorded and there are reportedly videos and photographs
of the process available as well.
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