The 9 main types of known mediumship

Mediumistic meeting at dusk with three seated participants, where a bespectacled medium receives a laying on of hands from a luminous spirit standing behind him, transmitting energy as a clock shows the time on the wall.

Types of Mediumship: Discover How Spirituality May Be Manifesting in Your Life

Have you ever felt chills for no apparent reason? Thought about someone and suddenly they called you? Or had a dream so vivid it seemed like a message from another dimension? These subtle signs may indicate that your spiritual sensitivity is awakening — and that some form of mediumship may be developing within you.

In Spiritism, mediumship isn’t a gift reserved for a chosen few. On the contrary, it’s a natural faculty of the human being. Allan Kardec, codifier of the Spiritist Doctrine, brought forward a rational, profound understanding of these phenomena, helping us grasp their manifestations, challenges, and purposes.

In this article, you’ll dive into the different types of mediumship, understand how they work, and discover what they mean for your spiritual and personal growth.

What Are the Types of Mediumship in Spiritism?

Mediumship is the ability some individuals have to act as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. According to Spiritism, we are all mediums to some extent — but some possess this sensitivity more intensely.

It can emerge at any time in life and manifests in many ways: from a strong intuition to direct communication with disembodied Spirits. Everything depends on personal sensitivity and the surrounding spiritual influences.

Clairvoyant Mediums: When the Invisible Becomes Visible

Among the many types of mediumship, clairvoyant mediums are perhaps the most well-known. They can perceive Spirits, spiritual forms, or scenes from the spiritual realm — whether with open eyes or in trance.

This spiritual vision may happen occasionally or frequently. Not every vision is clear or reliable, making study and discernment essential to properly understand what’s being seen.

Tip: If you’ve ever seen something others can’t, don’t be afraid. It may be the beginning of a spiritual perception still developing.

Auditory Mediums: When the Spiritual World Speaks to You

Also called “audient mediums,” these individuals hear voices or sounds from the spiritual plane. Sometimes the voices are clear, as if someone is standing nearby; other times, they appear as powerful thoughts.

This gift requires emotional balance, as it can be confused with psychological issues. When properly guided, however, the auditory medium becomes a precious channel for spiritual and moral guidance.

Psychographic Mediums: Writing with the Soul

Mediumistic scene with a man writing with his eyes closed in the center, resting his forehead on his hand, while luminous spirits stand behind him guiding the work; around the table, other people watch silently and attentively.

Popularized by Chico Xavier, psychography is one of the most touching forms of mediumship, where a Spirit communicates through writing via the medium.

It may occur in two ways:

Mechanical: the medium is unaware of what is being written.
Intuitive: the medium perceives ideas and conveys them in their own words.

It’s a beautiful, comforting way to reveal spiritual truths and console hearts.

Speaking Mediums: Giving Voice to Spirit

Also called psychophonic, speaking mediums allow Spirits to use their voice to communicate — consciously, semi-consciously, or unconsciously.

Common in spiritual assistance and healing meetings, this type of mediumship is powerful and demands moral preparation, discipline, and ongoing study.

Intuitive Mediums: Guidance from Above

One of the most common forms, intuitive mediumship manifests through inspired ideas, which the medium expresses through their own intellect and emotions. Many people experience it daily — offering wise advice, having creative insights, or making wise decisions.

Have you had a strong intuition that proved true? It might be a sign of your mediumistic sensitivity at work.

Healing Mediums: Energy that Soothes and Heals

Healing mediums transmit beneficial energies that aid in physical and spiritual healing. It may occur through:

Magnetic passes
Laying on of hands
Focused prayers
Remote transmission of spiritual fluids

It requires faith, discipline, and sincere dedication to good. Many who possess this ability aren’t even aware of it.

Somnambulistic Mediums: Between Two Worlds

In this form, the medium’s spirit partially detaches during sleep or deep trance, visiting the spiritual realm, conversing with entities, and bringing back information. Rare and delicate, this mediumship requires specialized guidance due to the complexity of the contents accessed.

Physical Effect Mediums: When Spirits Touch the Material World

Marked by visible phenomena: noises, moving objects, lights, materializations, and more. Spirits use the medium’s and environment’s energies to produce physical manifestations.

More uncommon but highly impactful, this type requires a healthy, balanced medium and a spiritually prepared team.

Inspirational Mediums: Wisdom in Ideas

Similar to intuition but with a deeper ethical and uplifting signature. Ideas emerge serene, clear, and morally elevated.

These individuals are often used by the spiritual realm to offer valuable guidance in decisive moments — even if unconsciously.

Conclusion: Mediumship Is a Calling, Not a Status

Understanding the types of mediumship isn’t just spiritual curiosity — it’s a journey of self-knowledge, responsibility, and service.

Being a medium doesn’t make someone superior — it makes them committed. A true medium studies, serves, and strives to evolve every day.

If you recognize yourself in any of these manifestations, don’t ignore the call. Seek a serious Spiritist center, study Allan Kardec — especially The Mediums’ Book — and develop your gift with humility.

Remember: spiritual awakening isn’t about speed, but awareness. Well-guided mediumship is a light in service of goodness.