psychometry

The word psychometry was invented by American physiology professor Joseph R. Buchanan in 1842. It means "soul measurement", taken from the

Greek "psyche" (soul) and "metron" (measure). Psychometry inparapsychology should not be confused with the psychological discipline of psychometrics as this is concerned with testing and analysis of psychological traits. Psychometry works on the theory that all thoughts, events or actions are permanently impressed upon the spirit level of existence and these impressions are absorbed by objects such as stones or trees. Another theory is that inanimate objects possess a life force, and a memory of their own, that enables them to receive and transmit impressions.

Psychometry (also known as a form of scrying) is a combination of normal psychic awareness and the ability to read energy patterns that we all leave on the objects. Psychometry is another form of psychic divination but enables a psychic to see purely the past (retro cognition) rather than the future (precognition). It is the ability to read the history of objects by holding the object or placing it to your forehead. Psychometry also helps the psychic to tune in better to the person they are reading for. Most psychics who use psychometry tend to prefer metal objects, such as jewellery. Part of the reason for this is that jewellery is in contact with the person on a more regular basis and can retain more information. Other objects can be used. Some psychics are good with cloth, such as clothes, as these are also in close contact wit the owner so retain information. There are no hard and fast rules. It's a matter of what works best for the individual.

Psychometry is also the method that a lot of psychics use when working with the police, especially when trying to locate a person. The psychic or medium will be given an object which belongs to that person or a photograph of them. Using psychometry the psychic is sometimes able to connect with the owner of the object or person in the photograph and reveal their location.

It is thought that psychometry is a natural power of the human mind. Others believe that it is an ability controlled by spiritual beings. Some scryers feel that they act as an instrument and the spirits do the actual scrying. If you possess a talent for psychometry you probably already know it. It usually starts at an early age and seems to be a natural gift and not something that is learnt.

How does psychometry work?
Our bodies give off magnetic energy fields. When we handle objects we imprint information about ourselves on that object, a bit like recording something on to audio tape. As our bodies give off magnetic energy fields, metal objects appear to hold information better than non metal objects. One must remember that an object may have been owned or handled by more than one person. This means it may reveal things that are not relevant to the current owner. The psychic is able to pick p information recorded on objects and play that information back to the person being read for. The information is picked up by the subconscious mind. The `signatures` on objects are imprinted on the subconscious and then transferred to our conscious thinking. The way in which information is received can be explained by an example. If you are reading a book but have the radio on your conscious mind is focused on what you are reading. The radio will just be background noise. If a song is played that you like you will pause your reading and listen to the song. Your subconscious mind was continuously monitoring what was playing on the radio and registering it.

Through psychometry, a story unfolds that describes not only the events of a person's life but also how the person is feeling, thinking and reacting to these events. In order to receive clear information, the object should belong to and have been worn only by the person getting the reading. Strong emotions can be stored well on objects. Psychics are often able to pick up on these signatures. The imprints left on objects could relate to any information, a location, a time or a feeling. Sometimes a psychic will detect tastes, smells or scents. Images can appear to the psychic rapidly with no logical sequence. The visions can appear is single flat images, much like a photo, or as animations.

We also leave an imprint on the places that we inhabit. On some level, the objects record data that is emitted by our bioelectric field or aura. The higher the base material of the object is in density, the stronger the impressions that are left behind i.e. information will be stored easily on metal but not on plastic.

A psychic can scry in a normal state of mind and does not have to enter a trance like state in order to read objects. Sometimes a psychic may not be able to hold an object because of the history of that object. An example could be that of a knife used in a violent murder. If a person had been very ill or recently died of an illness, the psychic will display symptoms of the illness through holding an object that once belonged to that person. Sometimes the psychic experiences a loss of energy and an increase in body temperature while they are scrying. It has been known for some scryer’s to have an irregular heartbeat while scrying too.

A medium may choose to start with psychometry during a reading to help link in with the person. This will enable some basic details to be picked up about that person and help gain some trust from them. As the reading develops it may then become a `medium` reading, when spirit communicators come through to give a message.

Theories about psychometry
Joseph R. Buchanan, an American physiologist, claimed psychometry could be used to measure the 'soul' of all things. Buchanan also said that the past is entombed in the present. Buchanan experimented with some students from a Cincinnati medical school and found that when certain students where given an unmarked bottle of medicine they had the same reaction as if they had taken the medicine. He developed the theory that all things give off an emanation which contained a record of the history of the object. He believed that objects recorded senses and emotions and these could be played back in the mind of the psychometric scryer.

Buchanan hypothesised that an object contained some form of "memory" of its past. He said that objects had a sort of soul that psychics can read and interpret. Some people liken this to the theosophical concept of the Akashic record. Some have suggested that psychometry is in some way connected to aura reading. Another theory is that psychometry is unconscious extra sensory perception. Pseudo-psychometry is an effect often presented by mind

magicians (mentalists). There are many ways to achieve the effect of which the most well known is probably Theodore Annemann's. The fact that something can be faked does not mean that it is never genuine.

A Canadian archaeologist worked with a psychic who claimed to see cinema like images when he held an object. He believed that he was helped by Beings of Light. In the late 1970's the psychic went to Egypt and used psychometry to help to locate a buried city, Cleopatra's palace and Mark Anthony's burial chamber.

Can anyone do psychometry?
We have all used psychometry at some point even if we don’t realise it. When we sense things about people that are not physically present with us at the time or when we experience a highly intuitive moment we are using this ability. If you have ever walked into a house or building before and had a good or bad feeling about the place then you have probably utilized psychometry on a subconscious level.

For most people, psychometry remains an undeveloped talent that is only used subconsciously because many people never attempt to use it consciously. Psychometry isn't something that we were taught to do as children. In fact, it goes against nature of what we learn about how things work. Many people view such abilities as witchcraft, something supernatural, or a hoax so this hinders some people from learning about and practicing psychometry. The ability to scry becomes suppressed at an early age. This ability is more suppressed in some than others. This is why psychometry seems to come more naturally to some than others. Fear of the unknown also plays a part in keeping psychometric ability hidden.

Psychometry is a passive talent. This means that you don't really need to concentrate to perform it. Consciously thinking about, or concentrating upon an object, can hinder the process. Part of the reason most people don't realize they are capable of this ability lies in the fact that their minds are full of noise. For most people there is this constant chatter in the brain both consciously and subconsciously that drowns out the information received by their more subtle senses. In today’s society filled with multimedia cell phones, iPods, text messaging, email, palm computers and the internet there is no wonder that people are distracted from their natural abilities. Our minds are constantly being bombarded with more and more information. This then leads to an increase in the amount of mental chatter and a further suppression of abilities like psychometry. Noise pollution and stress are other negative factors to consider that impact upon our natural abilities.

A way of alleviating the mind from the noise of modern society is to quieten the mind by practicing meditation on a daily basis. In quieting your mind you will learn to listen to your inner voice. Once you have learned to still your thoughts you can try practicing psychometry by holding different objects that you are not familiar with. The older the objects are, the stronger the impressions may be. It depends on how much and how often a particular person interacted with the object.

Try psychometry for yourself
The following exercises are very basic in psychometry but they will help you learn to develop your psychometry abilities both individually and in groups. Everyone has this ability to some degree but most of us do not focus on it consciously. Only use your gifts for your highest good. Any attempt to intrude on someone’s life without their permission is not only inappropriate but also an invasion of privacy.

First you need to create an atmosphere of calm around you. Fragrant oils in a burner, blue candles and soothing music will help to set the scene. Use a favourite, comfortable place to sit whilst you tune in. If you're doing a reading for someone, sit opposite the person and spend the first few moments concentrating on your breathing.

Deep abdominal breathing will physically relax you and enable you to enter into a light trance state. The given object should be small enough to hold in one or two hands. It should be an object that has been in close proximity with the sitter, for example a ring or a watch that has been worn for a long period of time.

Which Hand To Use
The hand you use to get impressions from objects from is very important. Your dominant hand gives (or relays) information, while your non-dominant (or receptive) hand receives information. Your receptive hand is the correct hand to use.

The following is a simple test to find out which hand is most receptive. It is very important that you do this as you will always use this hand to receive impressions, at least until you have become so accurate that you can use either hand. For most right-handed people, the left hand is the receptive hand. For left-handed people, the right hand is likely to be the receptive hand. If you are in doubt, or were changed from a left-hander to a right-hander as a child, the following test can be used to discover which is which.

1. Hold both hands at chest level with fingertips pointing up and palms facing each other.

2. Rub hands together very lightly to stimulate the energy flow.

3. Move your hands closer together, then apart, feeling the flow of energy.

4. Whichever hand feels stronger, or that it is emitting stronger energy, that is your dominant hand. The other is your non-dominant or receptive hand.

When you are beginning your work in psychometry, always pick up or touch an object with your receptive hand. If you pick up the object with your dominant hand, you may inadvertently transmit an impression as you do. Form a habit of using your receptive hand to take things from others and to pick up something you may intend to use. This will be a challenge in psychometry as you are probably used to picking things up and holding things with your dominant hand but this practice will help you to remember to use your receptive hand for psychometric work.

How to Practice Psychometry
As we already know, all objects carry an energy frequency connected to the person they are most in contact with. You can learn to interpret these energies with the exercises that follow.

The first exercise in psychometry is for the individual but is best performed with a friend whom will give you feedback.

1. Sit relaxed with your eyes closed and your hands in your lap, palms facing upwards.

2. Instruct a person to place an object that they have had in their possession for a long time in your receptive hand.

3. Relate everything that you see in your mind, think of, hear in your head and any feelings that you have while holding the object. You may pick up some thoughts, feelings, and symbols that seem meaningless to you but keep talking as much as possible about what is in your mind and you may be amazed at how much is relevant to the owner of the object.

This technique in psychometry develops your gift of feeling. It gives you the experience of learning to tune into another person's vibrations to distinguish what you are feeling. Sometimes the feelings you get while scrying is vague and don't seem to be relevant to the owner of the object. On other occasions, the opposite is the case and intricate details can come forward. Some people are more relaxed and trusting and so they get many messages immediately. Some people are afraid they will say or do it incorrectly so they get nothing. Don’t worry. You can’t do it wrong!

Although you will be aware of the presence of your sitter, your attention should be mostly focused on the object that you are holding. You may not receive any impressions for a while, and if this is the case, don't despair. They will come with practice. With your eyes closed, visualize the object, be aware of the size and the shape and notice how the object feels in your hands, texture, temperature, and so on.

With an image of the object fixed in your mind's eye, allow your awareness to flow into the image until you're visualizing that you are the object. Imagine every aspect of being this object - for example if you're a ring, notice how it feels to be on someone's finger.

The more you try, the better you will become. You should start to see better results as your mind becomes used to 'seeing' the information. At first aim to pick up on things correctly. The next stage is to follow the pictures or feelings. There may be a lot more information than you can obtain. It might be best to start with the YES / No technique. This involves simply asking questions in your mind concerning what you 'see' or feel. Try asking is this person family? Do you get a positive or negative feeling? If you feel a negative response try something like; is this person a work colleague or social friend? Is there a problem here and so on. In time more information will come to you and you will begin to see a bigger picture. You will see how the images, thoughts and feelings connect and then you can suggest solutions. You should NEVER guess and NEVER make something up. Please take your time and don't try to become a psychic counsellor overnight. Always remember you are dealing with real emotions of real people, hold them in the respect you would demand for yourself.

The following exercise is for a group of people. Group practice is good because you can all put an object into a bowl without knowing which object belongs to whom. In a group setting try not to say anything that might make someone uncomfortable. Be tactful and diplomatic but as descriptive of your thoughts, feelings, or symbols as possible for feedback from the owner of the object.

1. As discreetly as possible, everyone puts an object of theirs in a bowl.

2. Each person then reaches in and takes out an object that it is not their own.

3. Hold the objects in your receptive hands until you receive an impression. You can start by asking specific questions such as, "Will this person change their job or career?" "Will he or she find love?" "If so when?", “What lesson does this person have to face at this time?”

4. Each person then it in turn to describe his or her impressions. Relate everything that you see in your mind, think of, hear in your head and any feelings that you have while you’re holding the object.

5. Everyone should give some kind of feedback. Feedback is what helps us to develop your skills.

Dermo-Optic Perception
Another area of psychometry is dermo-optic perception, or "sight through touch." It refers to ‘seeing’ by touching the skin’s surface. Some people have developed this sensitivity quite naturally; especially those who are sight impaired and must rely on touch.

Everyone emits electromagnetic energy. When we tap into this energy, we can see as well as if we were using our eyes. Regardless of continuing proof that such a thing as dermo-optic ability exists and is present in many people, there are still arguments that relate dermo-optics to telepathy and clairvoyance. In cases where dermo-optic perception ability was found evident in a person, that person was then separately tested for telepathic and clairvoyant abilities. In most of the cases no telepathic or clairvoyant ability was present.

Some people can distinguish colours and patterns through dermo-optic perception. Various colours have different feeling. Some have described black as "sticky" or "clinging" to the touch. Yellow was "slippery" and blue was found to be "more slippery but cool to the touch just like delicate ice." Red cause’s great, bold radiation and some say it is so hot that the subject immediately draws his hand away as though they have placed there hand in searing heat. It seems that small children are sensitive to colours and can easily distinguish them just by feel.

With practice, we can all master the ability to read by touch. Here is an exercise to help you develop your sense of touch.

1. Prepare a bowl of lukewarm water.

2. Close your eyes and gently dip your fingers into the water.

3. Repeat this exercise for about five minutes at a time. At first, you may have some difficulty knowing exactly when your fingers make contact with the water. After a short amount of practice you will feel the tips of your fingers becoming more sensitized.

Feeling textures is also a helpful means of developing dermo-optic perception. Place various specimens such as salt, sugar, sand, or other granular substances into small separate envelopes and touch each substance through the envelopes. Don’t reach in and touch the substance directly. Try to distinguish it through the paper of the envelope. At first it may seem impossible to detect exactly what your fingertips are touching through the paper as all granular substances are similar in texture. Here is the point of the test where you must not doubt! Trust your instincts. With patient and practice you will be able to sense through your fingertips what substances are in the envelopes.

Various objects have different feelings and not just differences in texture. Everything radiates its own energies and trained fingertips can sense all of these differences. Awareness of this speeds the process of your own development in dermo-optical attempts.

Feel the difference between wood and paper, plastic and metal, wool and silk, china and glass, or hair and fur. This method will help to enhance your sensitivity to feel the varying objects and textures.

By repeating these exercises you will raise your vibration so that eventually you will be able to "read" someone just by touching him or her. Again you must always ensure that you ask permission from the person you are going to read