Psychomanteum Gazing To Communicate With Spirit

There are many approaches to communicating with spirit, all of which ultimately lead to the same result. Among the many mystical tools used to connect with the spirit realm, the psychomanteum stands out as an intriguing method.

A psychomanteum, also known as a mirror gazing chamber, is a small, enclosed space used to facilitate communication with the spirit realm, equipped with a mirror angled to reflect only darkness.

The process involves gazing into the dark mirror to facilitate deep concentration, sensory deprivation, and an altered state of consciousness.

This practice, known as scrying, has its roots in ancient Greek traditions, where similar methods were used for divination, prophecy, and communication with the afterlife. Scrying involves gazing into a reflective surface to see psychic visions or gain insights into the future while in a trance-like state.

Nostradamus, the famous French mystic, used a scrying bowl filled with water in his divination practice. He would place the brass bowl on a tripod and gaze into the water to perceive psychic impressions for his prophecies.

In traditional scrying, practitioners use crystal balls, bowls of water, or even polished stones, but the mirror in a psychomanteum provides a uniquely immersive experience. As the participant looks into the reflective surface, the mirror acts as a mental portal between realms.

The term “psychomanteum” comes from the Greek word psyche, meaning “soul” or “mind”, and manteion, meaning “oracle” or “place of divination”. It essentially means “oracle of souls” or “place of communication with souls.”

The wish once again to see and to be in the presence of a loved one who has died is among the most poignant and deep-seated of human desires. This wish is sometimes fulfilled in the form of visions or apparitions of the deceased ~ Raymond A. Moody, Jr.

Devices like the psychomanteum has been used for centuries by those seeking to reach beyond the physical realm to connect with deceased loved ones, spirit guides, and angelic beings. The modern revival of psychomanteum scrying was inspired by Dr. Raymond Moody, a near-death experience researcher, who explored it in his book Reunions: Visionary Encounters With Departed Loved Ones. He is best known for his ground-breaking work on near-death experiences and what happens when we die.

Moody found that psychomanteum encounters with deceased loved ones had a powerful therapeutic effect, helping the bereaved to resolve grief and emotional loss. He conducted experiments with several hundred people, documenting their experiences and the therapeutic benefits they reported. Moody’s work has contributed to a deeper understanding of after-death communication and its potential for emotional healing.

Setting Up Your Psychomanteum

A traditional psychomanteum is a constructed chamber designed to increase the likelihood of spirit communication through sensory deprivation. It is essentially a specialized scrying room, with the mirror serving as the focal point for visions and messages.

It is typically a small, enclosed area lined with dark, light-absorbing materials such as black cloth or wood. A simplified version can easily be set up in any quiet, dark space in your home, such as a large closet. If you use a room where there are windows, use blackout curtains to block out any light.

The centerpiece is a comfortable chair placed in front of a large, angled mirror. Some practitioners also recommend using a dim red light, similar to that found in photographic darkrooms, to create an atmosphere conducive to entering a trance state.

You can find detailed instructions for setting up a psychomanteum in various sources online. They offer a comprehensive guide on creating a psychomanteum experience, including setting up the space, lighting, and tips for relaxation. There are also online course offering step-by-step instructions on how to build a psychomanteum, including materials needed and setup instructions. Additionally, there are informative videos available, such as one by Dr. Raymond Moody himself, explaining how he built a psychomanteum in his home.

Psycomanteum gazing is similar to the modern ganzfeld technique, a method used in parapsychological research to test for extrasensory perception (ESP) or telepathy. The term “ganzfeld” comes from the German word for “whole field,” referring to the technique’s goal of creating a uniform sensory field to induce a state of mild sensory deprivation.

In a ganzfeld experiment, participants also sit in a comfortable chair in a dimly lit room, but instead of looking into a mirror, they wear halved ping-pong balls over their eyes to block out visual stimuli and create a uniform field of view. The participant, known as the “receiver,” also listens to “white noise” through headphones to block out all auditory stimuli. A second participant, the “sender,” attempts to mentally send images or information to the receiver from a separate location.

Incredible as it may seem, for many centuries in ancient Greece there were institutions known as psychomanteums, or oracles of the dead, where people journeyed to consult with the spirits of the deceased ~ Raymond A. Moody, Jr.

The Process Of Mirror Gazing

The process of using a psychomanteum is known as mirror gazing or catoptromancy. It involves looking intently into a mirror to achieve an altered state of consciousness and facilitate spirit communication. The term catoptromancy comes from the Greek words katoptron (mirror) and manteia (divination).

Preparation is an essential part of a successful psychomanteum session. Before entering the trance state, it is helpful to prepare specific questions for the spirit world. This focus provides direction and intention and helps to guide the experience. However, it is equally important to remain open and receptive to whatever unfolds.

When using the psychomanteum, you sit comfortably in the chair and gaze into the mirror, allowing your mind to relax and drift into a light trance. As with other forms of scrying, success with the psychomanteum depends on the ability to enter into a relaxed, receptive state of mind. The more relaxed and calm you are, the more open you will be to subtle energies and messages from spirit. Conversely, trying too hard or forcing the experience often leads to frustration and minimal results.

As you enter an altered state of consciousness, the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds become blurred, making it easier to see visions, hear sounds, or experience other forms of spirit communication. Patience and persistence are key to achieving results with mirror gazing. Trust the process, let go of expectations, and allow spirit to communicate in its own way and time.

Trust and belief in the process is also essential. Approaching the experience with fear or skepticism can create mental barriers that hinder communication. Relaxing into the trance state and allowing the process to take its natural course often produces the best results. Trust that whatever happens is for your highest good, and that spirit communication is rooted in love and a desire to connect.

The mirror gazing procedure termed the “psychomanteum” was designed to facilitate reunion experiences with deceased individuals, as a means of addressing the feelings surrounding bereavement ~ Alejandro Parra & Jorge Villanueva

Typical Psychomanteum Experiences

One of the remarkable aspects of psychomanteum work is the variety of ways in which spirit communication can manifest. In Moody’s experiments, participants had vivid sensory experiences such as seeing bright lights, feeling a presence, or hearing comforting voices. Many saw and interacted with deceased family members or friends, often bringing them a sense of peace and closure. One in four participants reported encountering a spirit other than the one they had intended to contact.

In about 10% of experiences, spirit apparitions appeared to emerge from the mirror, sometimes creating the sensation of physical touch. Some particpants described instead feeling as though they had stepped into the mirror, crossing over into another realm. Around half of the participants engaged in conversations with the apparitions, either audibly or through mental communication. Interestingly, in a quarter of cases, the spirit encounter occurred not during the session itself, but within 24 hours afterward.

Nearly all of Moody’s participants perceived these afterlife reunions as genuine, asserting that they were real experiences rather than imaginings or fantasies, and they felt confident they had connected with departed loved ones. Much like near-death experiences (NDEs), these encounters with the departed profoundly impacted the participants, often transforming their understanding of reality and the meaning of life.

Spirit communication through the psychomanteum is self-contained, with a clear beginning and end. It is important to respect the natural flow of the session. If the experience feels complete, do not push for more. Spirit knows when it is time to step back, and there will always be future opportunities for further communication.

For this reason, keeping a journal is highly recommended. Record every detail, from visual impressions and sounds to physical sensations and emotional reactions. Over time, patterns and insights may emerge that deepen your understanding of the spirit world.

The psychomanteum offers a profound and transformative way to connect with spirit. Its simplicity and effectiveness have made it a valued tool for seekers of spiritual truth throughout history. By creating a relaxed, focused environment and approaching the experience with trust and openness, anyone can use this method to venture beyond the veil.