TOWARD THE LIGHT – RESCUING SPIRITS, TRAPPED SOULS, AND EARTHBOUND GHOSTS - review

Toward the Light – Rescuing Spirits, Trapped Souls, and Earthbound Ghosts, Amy Major, New Page Books, Pompton Plains, NJ, 2015,188 pp. $14.99.

Here’s a radical idea: ghosts and departed spirits are just like us. They went through a transition (death) and suddenly find themselves in a difficult situation. Now what?

       There’s another point to be made, and I’ll use a familiar phrase: “Fear not”. We don’t need to be afraid of earthbound spirits. Horror movies have done a major disservice by promoting fear, and we need to understand that the negative emotions an earthbound spirit may be dealing with (fear, anger, sadness) don’t mean you’re in danger. How much danger do you pose if you’re afraid, angry or sad?

     Understand that spirit rescue is not ghost hunting. Generally, ghost hunters come in after someone has called for help. Some groups show little respect for spirits, and as Ms. Major points out, “Ghosts were once people too and should be shown the respect they deserve.” Some paranormal teams on TV exaggerate events to get ratings. One group insists that nearly all of their hauntings are caused by demons, which is highly unlikely, and other teams taunt or provoke the spirits.

       Amy Major calls herself “a psychic, empath and medium”. As a spirit rescue medium, Ms. Major is a kind of psychologist for the deceased. How does this work? That’s exactly what is explained in Toward the Light – Rescuing Spirits, Trapped Souls, and Earthbound Ghosts.

       You can read about Ms. Major’s life and how, at a young age, she began seeing auras and communicating with her spirit guides, dreamed of past lives, experienced animal spirits around her, and had out-of-body experiences.

      The big question is: why do spirits remain earthbound? The reasons are probably as diverse as the spirits themselves: fear of death; religious, cultural or personal expectations; anger; grief; emotional pain; trauma; guilt; love; or even not realizing they’re dead. The emotions experienced at the moment of death (pain, confusion, anger, resentment) continue after death. Some spirits attempt to get attention from the living by flicking lights on and off, for example; a kind of “Hey! I’m here!”

      Where do spirits go? Some wander. Some stay close to home. Some stay near the physical body—perhaps wandering through a cemetery. Some go to a place where they felt comfortable in life.

      So, how do we help these earthbound spirits move on? Ah, that’s the meat of the book. How can you, as an individual, help? How can a rescue medium help? What is involved? How do you protect yourself while helping a spirit move on? How can you avoid (or clear) spirit attachment?

     Ms. Major discusses ways we might sense a spirit: visually, through sound (rapping or whispers), or sensory vibrations (nausea, hot/cold). Be aware that these can also be caused by things like electro-magnetic forces (check your “smart meter”).

    You can communicate with spirits with tools such as a pendulum or a Ouija board (though some people avoid the latter). When using a tool, understand how it works, how it’s used, and before using tool be sure to clear and protect your space with things such as salt, candles, crystals, smudging, singing bowls, incense, etc. Ms. Major also offers a helpful list of crystals.

    Might you encounter non-human negative entities? Yes, and Ms. Major covers that in Chapter 12. If, after reading the book, you decide you’d like to become a spirit rescuer, read the final chapters.

      I do have one issue with the book, and that is Ms. Major’s use of religion, which may be uncomfortable for some people on both sides of “the veil”. Praying to God or St. Michael, or reciting a psalm, might cause further anger, fear or other strong emotion in either helper or earthbound spirit. Take that into consideration when rescuing an earthbound spirit.

      Interesting? Indeed! Recommended? Certainly!

- Pat McCauley