Allison Dubois - a very non-mystical medium

[James S]

Hi All,

Last night I went to see Allison Dubois at a nearby arts centre, as she's down here at the moment doing the rounds for the release of her new book - Dont Kiss Them Good-Bye.

She gave a bit of a bio of herself, and then answered questions from the audience.  I wanted to share with everybody some of what I learned last night about Allison, and some of her views and experiences about mediumship, as there are a few of us here with mediumistic skills.

The show Medium, though it is a characterisation, is definitely based on her real life (we met her husband Joe), and based on real cases she has worked on for both the Phoenix DA and the FBI. She currently has about 30 cases she's looking at, and another 200 waiting her attention. She does pick up names and details from photo's or letters (psychometry), and she does "head tap" (as she calls it) people accused of crimes to gain information about what they did and what their motives were. She finds it easier to get information from the perpetrators rather than the victims because their emotional and mental states are typically a lot clearer.

When Allison does communicate with the victims of a crime, they don't present her with gory horrific details. She says that people who have passed over always appear as their "perfect" selves - healthy, fit, happy. They do present her with feelings and information of what did happen to them, how they were killed, not the graphic detail.

The one thing that impressed me the most was how down to earth she is. There is absolutely nothing mystical about her whatsoever. She's not at all your typical pseudo-gypsy type psychic, she's an unpretentious, every-day person who just sees and speaks with spirits - people who have crossed over after death. In fact she sometimes has to walk around listening to her iPod just to tune out to them.

Allison didn't learn to be a medium through reading books. From early childhood she's always seen and spoken to spirits, the first that she remembers being her grandfather just after he died. She doesn't put on any show, she isn't be-decked in crystal jewellery, and wears jeans and a simple top rather than provincial semi-gothic velvet dresses. No crystal balls, no Tarot decks or pendulums, no "channeled messages for the masses", she just listens to what the spirits who come to her have to say and acts on it.

She has increased her skills greatly through four years of "training" and research at the University of Arizona with professor Gary E. Schwartz, who is scientifically approaching research into the validity of psychic phenomenon.

In an interview with professor Schwartz (one can be found at - http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/dailystar/57187.php) he has said about Allison -

"Many people claim to do this, and there are clearly frauds out there. Allison was repeatedly tested and passed every test.

"As a scientist, I approach all this as an agnostic - I don't believe it; I don't disbelieve it. After testing her under conditions that ruled out the possibility of fraud, I came to the conclusion she's the real deal."

She gave a few answers that I found particularly amusing. One lady asked Allison if she has seen her guardian angel. The question was asked by someone who was so sure that we all absolutely must have one. Allison replied that she often has her late father and uncle around her for support, but no angels. She said a couple of things that come straight from her wealth of experiences that tended to put holes in a lot of the mystical confusion that many popularist psychics are selling.

She believes the  mediumship abilitiy she has is genetic - her grandmother was very psychic, she is, her three daughters are. She's currently working with researchers to try and establish this link. She did say though that most people have the ability, though there are some people who,  I quote "are thick as bricks", that can't even communicate with living people properly let alone the dead.

One positive message she did have for us all, after a few people asked about it, is that we all have loved ones around us, we all have a "support network", of relatives (or close friends) in spirit who care about us and wish to give us all the guidance and encouragement they can. People might see them as angels, but for the most part they are the spirits of every-day people who have passed on. If you often dream of a deceased relative, chances are it is that person coming back to visit you. If you feel the presence of a deceased relative around you, pay attention to it. Chances are it will be who you think it is.

Blessings,
James.

[laiana]

James - thanks for that post, I was quite curious about the real Allison Dubois after watching the TV show.

[Nay]

Wow James how great that you got the opportunity to see Allison!  

I enjoy the show and was hoping that it was based closely on the real thing.  I also give a thumbs up to Patricia Arquette for her portrayal of Allison.

Thanks  James

Nay

[James S]

Do you normally expect psychics to wear velvet?

I know more than just a few who do.
It's either neo-gothic or the medieval maiden (aka busty tavern-wench) look that seems to be considered something of a uniform, especially among those of wiccan persuasion. Such outfits seem to be right up there with the "my arch-angel guide's bigger than your arch-angel guide".

Not that I object to the busty tavern-wench look.

Patricia Arquette does portray the part very well in the show, though the producers have definitely over-dramatised some of the creepier aspects of what Allison does. Someone did ask about what it might be like seeing "dead people" with lots of nasty wounds and that kind of stuff. Allison made the point that when seeing the spirit of someone departed, you onlysee their "perfect self". They fill her in the nasty bits without her having to experience it herself.

For the females here on the Pulse, my wife and the other ladies in my group have all pointed out that Allison's real husband is much better looking than the actor. My wife spoke to him breifly, and I think she rather quickly developed a bit of a crush. Apparently he's a really nice guy.


James.

[Heather B.]

That's so cool.  It's nice to hear about genuine mediums.  I have been feeling tempted to meet or talk with one, but  all the charlatans out there are so discouraging...

I believe that at least in some cases, psychism is genetic.  My father's father's family has been full of them, including some well-known mediums and a priest who was reputedly a gifted exorcist.  My father and my sister have always had some wild experiences and abilities.  But I've been one of the "thick as brick" ones... until very recently, when my fiance died... since then I've become much more aware and receptive... I think it's because of the strong connection I have with him, as well as the great need and desire to still have him in my life.