Dear Julia:

I have been interested in psychic matters for a number of years now, and have had a few experiences of connecting with loved ones in Spirit. About five months ago I joined a weekly development circle for spirit communication. There have been some amazing messages and experiences in this group, and lots of psychic development. At the same time, however, I sometimes feel like I'm losing control of my mind. That's the best way I can describe it. I have some very dark thoughts, things I can't believe I'm thinking and that I've never thought about before. I'm too ashamed to even describe them here. It took me a while to realize that this might be connected to joining this circle. Have I opened up to something dark here, or am I digging up my own shadow in order to heal it? Am I just not ready for this sort of thing?
- Lynn

Dear Lynn:

I feel you found that circle because you were ready for it. Where there is power, there is also danger, especially for those who are just entering new levels of experience. Your discomfort is a natural side effect of new challenge and growth. Whenever we attempt new skills, at first we are unsure, uncomfortable and perhaps even overwhelmed. Things get easier as we learn and grow, and if we hang in there long enough, we become "masters," after which we either teach or get bored and move on to new challenges, where we're overwhelmed all over again.

While sitting in a development circle is a wonderful opportunity because of the power of synergy, the group dynamic also holds some cons. The bigger and more diverse a group gets, the harder it is to control its energy. This is why circles should be "closed" and moderated by an experienced medium. Participants of lower vibrations (or those who are just having a bad day) can attract lower entities to the circle, where newcomers will tend to be indiscriminately open and also susceptible to fear and doubt. When our vibration is low and we're open, it's easy for non-physical entities to attach themselves to our auras, which is what I feel you're dealing with. In other words, you're not the thinker of these thoughts; they're coming from an astral "parasite."

We might compare the attachment of astral entities to "catching a cold." A well-educated nurse will know that washing her hands, taking vitamin C, sterilizing equipment, etc. will help her remain healthy. She will also have developed immunity to many germs. A seasoned nurse is to contagious diseases as a seasoned medium is to astral parasites, in that the medium will have learned how to filter out lower energies and how to recognize and deal with it if she does accidentally pick something up. As a newcomer, you're still in the process of developing such knowledge and a strong "psychic immune system."

We all know that our physical immune systems are weakened when we're very tired or struggling with stress (negative mental energy), and the same is true of our psychic immune systems. This is why we should never engage in psychic work when we're feeling run down or emotionally negative.

A classic symptom of psychic "infection" is thinking thoughts that are shocking to us. These may be sexually perverse in nature or dark and violent. They may be urges to indulge in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, overeating or using drugs, especially when we've not had those habits before. They may include obsessively worrying and imagining horrible things that could happen to us or those we love. Sometimes they are fantasies of revenge against someone who has wronged us. Any shocking thoughts that seem to come from out of nowhere are red flags. If they only happen once, they're probably random encounters with thought forms, but when they're obsessive, they may be prompts by an outside entity trying to feed off our energy.

I have dealt with this myself, and I've never let things get beyond this stage. As soon as I found myself thinking nasty thoughts, I affirmed that this was not me, and I purged my being of all energies not in harmony with my highest intentions. The thoughts immediately stopped and I felt different: clearer, lighter and freer. This confirmed that the thoughts were indeed from outside myself.

Those who fail to catch an "infection" at this early stage are in danger of beginning to act on these impulses. Many alcoholics who fall off the wagon are acting on impulses from astral entities. Schizophrenics may recognize thoughts as coming from outside entities, but they don't know how to get rid of them. Let's stop this before it goes any further.

First, it is important that you don't get caught up in loathing yourself for having these thoughts, for that will only lower your vibration and make you more "susceptible" to outside influences. As simple as it sounds, the remedy is love, compassion, faith and forgiveness, and you have to begin by loving yourself and affirming that you are good and deserving of peace, happiness, well-being, etc. This will boost your personal power and your vibration, which boosts your "psychic immune system" and also shifts your energy from "junk food" to "health food" quality, thus making you far less appealing to lower astrals.

Similarly, you'll want to create vibrant physical health. If you're chronically sleep-deprived like the typical modern American, you have to get more rest. Before you go to sleep, pray for your guides and angels to purify your energy field of all lower influences. You have only to ask to summon powerful divine help. Also, get outside and exercise and eat real food (raw fruits and vegetables). All of this will raise your energy and boost your "immune system" on all levels.

Cleaning, clearing clutter and other "feng shui" tasks will also help you to reclaim control of your physical life and energy and get all the psychic grime (including parasites) unstuck so you can release it. Please don't try to "save" those entities that are attached to you. Trying to "save them" is akin to trying to transform germs or bacteria into something that they are not. There will always be lower astrals naturally evolving toward something higher, just like we are. Worry about your own well-being for now. Don't participate in circle until you're feeling strong and centered, and if you're ever feeling low, for your sake as well as others', skip it for that night.

Whenever you recognize that you're being influenced by undesirable entities, immediately affirm that those thoughts and energies are not yours, and then clear your aura by radiating your own higher self/ inner light from within. Instead of "conquering" the germs, just purge yourself of them by replacing all that is NOT of you with all that IS. It's quick and easy. You don't need to summon an exorcist or shaman to chase the demons out of you (at least not until you first try simpler methods). If you do decide you need some help, I recommend you seek out an established medium/energy healer. A Spiritualist minister will be able to help you shed unwanted astral influences and realign with your own center. I encourage you to learn how to do this yourself, however, for it's an important skill for anyone working with spirits.

Once you're feeling like yourself again, the best way to stay psychically "healthy" is to follow the advice above regarding raising your own vibration, and to scrupulously live by your own highest values. If you're pure of heart and mind and living from your spiritual center, lower astrals won't want to feed off your energy any more than a junk food junkie would want to feast on spinach and broccoli!

- Julia