One of the most fascinating elements of Spiritism is its view on spirits—who they are, where they come from, and how they communicate with the living. In The Spirits’ Book, Allan Kardec presents a clear and logical explanation of the spiritual world, based on information provided by enlightened spirits.
Let’s explore what Spiritism teaches about the nature of spirits, their forms of communication, and what this means for us in daily life.
What Are Spirits?
According to Kardec, spirits are the intelligent beings of creation. They are:
- Immortal: Spirits do not die; they evolve.
- Preexistent and Postexistent: They existed before this life and will continue after.
- Non-material: Though they can take on appearances, they are not made of physical matter.
- Individualized Consciousnesses: Each spirit is a distinct being with memory, personality, and will.
In simple terms, we are all spirits, temporarily inhabiting physical bodies. After death, we return to the spiritual realm, which is our true home.
The Spirit Hierarchy
Not all spirits are at the same level of evolution. Kardec explains that spirits exist along a moral and intellectual scale, with varying degrees of purity and knowledge.
Three Main Orders of Spirits:
- Imperfect Spirits
- Dominated by pride, selfishness, or ignorance
- Still influenced by material desires
- May cause disturbances, but are not inherently evil
- Good Spirits
- Morally upright and supportive of good causes
- Seek to help, guide, and comfort human beings
- Communicate with responsibility and wisdom
- Pure Spirits
- Have reached spiritual perfection
- Possess complete understanding of the universe
- Rarely communicate directly, but inspire higher spirits
This classification is not eternal. Every spirit evolves over time through learning, moral growth, and successive incarnations.
How Do Spirits Communicate?
Spirits can communicate with the living through mediums—people who are sensitive to spiritual influence. The process is called mediumship, and it takes many forms:
1. Psychography (Automatic Writing)
A spirit guides the hand of the medium to write messages. This was the primary method used by the spirits who communicated with Kardec.
2. Psychophony (Speaking Mediumship)
A medium allows a spirit to use their voice to deliver spoken messages.
3. Intuitive Mediumship
The medium receives impressions, thoughts, or feelings from a spirit and interprets or transmits them.
4. Visual Apparitions
In rare cases, spirits may be seen visually, either as images in the mind or actual visual manifestations in the environment.
These methods rely on the perispirit, the semi-material envelope that connects the soul to the body and allows interaction between spiritual and physical planes.
Why Do Spirits Communicate?
Spirits communicate for various reasons, depending on their level of understanding and moral evolution:
- To Teach: Enlightened spirits aim to educate, console, and guide.
- To Reconnect: Spirits may seek contact with loved ones to offer comfort or advice.
- To Evolve: Spirits still tied to earthly concerns may need help understanding their new state.
- To Warn or Correct: Some messages aim to alert people to moral dangers or encourage change.
However, not all spirits speak the truth. Kardec warns that some may lie, joke, or mislead—especially if they are morally imperfect. That’s why Spiritism emphasizes discernment and critical thinking in spiritual communication.
What Makes a Good Spirit Message?
According to Kardec, a reliable message from a spirit should have:
- Clarity and coherence
- Moral depth
- Consistency with Spiritist principles
- No contradictions with known truths
- Humility and love
If a message promotes fear, ego, or division, it likely comes from a lower-order spirit and should be disregarded.
Can Anyone Be a Medium?
All people have some degree of mediumistic sensitivity, but only some are natural or developed mediums. Mediumship requires:
- Spiritual and emotional balance
- A commitment to ethical use
- Practice and understanding
- Protection through prayer and good intentions
Spiritist centers offer safe environments for the development and use of mediumship, always based on service, humility, and education.
The Role of Mediumship in Spiritism
Spiritism does not treat mediumship as entertainment or spectacle. Instead, it is:
- A tool for spiritual growth
- A means of learning and healing
- A channel for charity and comfort
All mediumistic activity must be guided by Kardec’s principles of reason, respect, and responsibility.
Final Reflections: A Bridge Between Worlds
In the Spiritist view, spirits are not ghosts to be feared or worshipped—they are our brothers and sisters in different stages of life. Communication with them is not mystical but natural and purposeful, as long as it is approached with love, humility, and discernment.
The Spirits’ Book provides a blueprint for understanding these interactions, allowing us to build a life guided not by superstition, but by truth, clarity, and compassion.
Learning to dance through life’s challenges 🦋 | Crafting stories, sharing light ✨. Transforming lives with purpose and clarity.
