Walking in the local woodlands, I came around a corner and spotted a bunch of fly agaric, recognized as the magical toadstools of fairy tales, myth, and folklore. This magical mushroom is bold in colour, usually scarlet or orange with white warty spots, and is hard to miss, but really a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as she is highly toxic, and can cause psychotic reactions when ingested, so that’s not a good idea!

Her name derives from her historical use as an insecticide. She is a sure sign that Autumn is underway. She is seen solo or in small clusters around Birch and other trees, and she helps the trees obtain the nutrients in their roots. Her spiritual symbolism is of transcending the physical plane to higher levels of spiritual awareness.

Well, we aim to do that every time we gather, and last night was no exception, as the lovely Eve Cowell was in the house. Eve shared a little about what and how she perceives when giving mediumship and a little about her history, which was so interesting, and then went on to share some lovely messages! Thank you so much, Eve! We loved having you! Thank you to Alison Keogh, who chaired our evening.

We also thank our family for sharing readings and prayers from the heart. We thank Sue for our hospitality, Carole for our cake, Julie for running our music, our wonderful healers for standing by after our gathering, and all those who set up, break down, and wash up each week!

Prayer of the week

Please pray for Spiritual courage for ourselves and our brothers and sisters across the world, in horrendous situations. We live in a fear-based world, and that fear can affect the quality of life. May we be blessed with new courage as we tackle the experiences on this physical plane.

Calendar up next.

Take a moment. Meditate on good things.

There are so many.

Well, summer is back in full force, and she is glorious. May we relish every drop of her. The nights have not disappointed either. The Sturgeon Moon, our August moon, became full on Saturday, August 9th. She was so named by the Native American fishing tribes after the freshwater fish so abundant at one time in the Great Lakes of North America. The colonists adopted the name, and it has remained ever since. She did not rise far above the horizon and so created an almost magnified effect of a larger and very orange moon as the sunlight illuminated her.

Not to be outdone, the Perseid meteor shower is still in full force, peaking on the 13th of August, and we also have a spectacular planetary lineup right now. We are indeed blessed by day and blessed by night.

And last night, we were blessed as Sarah Norris came to visit, bringing the energy of Spirit in such abundance. Sarah shared some wonderfully inspired and uplifting thoughts and then went on to also bring our lovely messages. What a lovely night of upliftment. Thank you so much Sarah! Alison Keogh chaired our evening.

Thank you to our readers, who stepped up when some folks were unable to be there. Thank you to Sue, our Hospitality. Thank you, Carole for cake. Julie, we thank you for the music, as well as all ‘washer uppers’ and those who set up and break down each week. And thank you always to our wonderful healers on hand.

Prayer of the week

Please pray for a massive Spiritual awakening for this planet, especially for those who wage war and greed, and who have such power. May they feel a shift in their being. May they understand that the consequences of their hate legacies will not disappear with death. Change always starts with the heart.

Calendar up soon.

Have a wonderful week.

Get out and breathe in the fullness of this season!!

We have just passed the midsummer mark, or the summer solstice. Due to the mystery of the sun appearing to stand still since Neolithic times (10,000 years before Christ), the imaginations of cultures throughout the centuries stirred, creating many traditions. St John’s Day, celebrated by many Christians on the 24th of June, is also thought to deliberately coincide with the midsummer mark.

We have enjoyed absolutely glorious weather in this neck of the woods, and so with flowers in full bloom and the beauty of the natural world, it has indeed been fitting for this time. The days, alas, will shorten now by two minutes every evening, but the symbolism of this midsummer time prompts us to think of joy and abundance during the fullness of this season in this hemisphere.

Joy and Laughter were abundant last night in Chawton. Lesley Knight was in the house, and how we love having her visit us. Lesley gave us laughter, shared beautiful thoughts that we all needed to hear, and then brought some lovely messages for us. Thank you so much, Lesley!! Alison Keogh chaired our evening

It was also Mr Shackleton’s birthday, and so we enjoyed cake and a bit of singing to ring in another year for him. Happy Birthday Les!! It is your birthday week!!

Thank you to The Family who brought lovely readings and prayers. Thank you, Julie, for running our music. Thank you, Carole, for the cake. Thank you hospitality, and a special thanks to our healers. And of course, light work is made of set up and break down because all of those who do it diligently every week.

Prayer of the week

Please pray for the tense situation in Iran. Pray for the leaders, and all people and animals, let’s not forget them, affected by any fallout.

Calendar up soon.

Have a beautiful week. Summer is here. Let’s hope she stays for the Garden Party Saturday!!

COMING BACK ONE MORE TIME

There is a profound mystery in the way the soul journeys beyond the veil, and I have often encountered moments when those who have passed feel the need to return—just for a little while—before they can fully move forward into the next stage of their existence. This experience has occurred in many spiritual settings, whether within a training circle, during a reading, or while demonstrating in church. Time and again, spirits draw close to the earth plane, seeking a final connection before they continue their ascension.

I recall one particularly moving encounter with a young woman whose mother had been one of the most gifted mediums of her time. She had been a woman of great discipline, deeply rooted in her ways. Yet, three years after her passing, she returned with an intensity that was almost tangible. As she drew close to her daughter, I could sense the deep emotions that surfaced within her—perhaps unspoken words, perhaps a lingering attachment. After the reading, I felt a shift in her presence, as if the act of returning had granted her the peace she needed to move on to a higher plane.

Many years ago, while practicing trance mediumship with my family—who themselves were gifted in spirit communication—I observed how the first return to the earthly realm could be an overwhelming experience for some spirits. One gentleman, a World War II fighter pilot, came through with a rush of disoriented energy. His last earthly memory was the moment of his passing in a plane crash, and it was as if he had to relive that moment before he could speak. Yet, once those emotions were released, his soul found clarity, and he was able to communicate freely.

There is also something sacred in the way spirits of those I have helped move on sometimes return—not simply to express gratitude, but to step once more into the world they left behind, gathering their final memories before transitioning fully. I have witnessed this in homes where spirits, once bound to a place for decades, summon the courage to revisit, even if their memories there were difficult. In one instance, while demonstrating in church with two mediums I had been training, I sensed the presence of a woman standing beside the lady chairing. I recognized her as a spirit I had once helped cross over from a house where she had been trapped. She was hesitant but felt safe in the church’s sacred space, allowing herself this one last earthly moment before truly letting go. It was a stepping stone, a final embrace of what once was, before embracing what was to come.

All of this speaks to the vast and infinite nature of existence. We move from one realm to another, guided by unseen hands, carried by divine wisdom. For those of us still in our physical bodies, the fullness of these transitions may be beyond our comprehension, yet time and again, spirit shows us glimpses of this eternal journey. Particularly in circle, where souls find the courage to return, we witness the beauty of release—the spirit’s willingness to face the past and, with newfound freedom, step into the radiance of the next world. It is a testament to their strength, to their free will, and ultimately, to the ever-expanding journey of the soul.

Rob Harvey President

This video shows three mediums all working, sharing short messages.

Last Sunday, we had three mediums delivering short messages while Rob provided insightful explanations about how these messages were being conveyed and what the mediums were sensing around them. This is something we plan to bring beyond the Church setting soon. We’re looking to host events where Rob can discuss topics like ghosts, spiritualism, life after death, and answer questions from the audience. The second part of the evening will feature live demonstrations, similar to what you see in this video.

Rob Harvey Life After Death – Latest Blogs

Rob Harvey has written two more very interesting blogs, below is a little snippet on the topics but click the links below the snippets in order to read the full blogs:

Discovering the Continuity of Life Beyond Death
In The Importance of Understanding Life After Death, the President of the Alton Christian Spiritualist Church reflects on how spiritual awareness shapes our understanding of passing. Through poignant examples from funeral services, the blog illustrates how belief in the continuation of life can transform grief into a sense of connection and peace. Whether you’re exploring these ideas for the first time or seeking reassurance that loved ones remain close, this blog offers a profound perspective on how spirituality bridges the gap between this world and the next.

Spiritual Connections That Transcend Worlds
Those Who Come Back to Say Thank You shares the awe-inspiring moments when spirits reconnect to express gratitude. By creating a sacred atmosphere akin to a spiritual circle, the congregation experienced heartfelt reunions with loved ones, blurring the lines between the physical and spiritual realms. If you’ve ever wondered about the power of prayer, intention, and shared belief to foster extraordinary encounters, this blog offers a glimpse into the moving possibilities that await.

Both blogs invite readers to explore the deeper mysteries of life, death, and connection—perfect for anyone curious about the unseen yet ever-present bonds we share.

Those who come back to say thank you

I am often amazed by those spirits who come back to say thank you. Despite experiencing it many times, it never ceases to move me. Last Sunday in church, we ventured beyond the usual clairvoyance and created a unique, spiritual atmosphere that bridged two worlds. I explained to the congregation the concept of a circle—where individuals gather, offer the right prayers, and come together with pure intentions. When like-minded spirits gather for the right reasons, the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds strengthens, and truly remarkable experiences can unfold.

This is exactly what happened that Sunday. By setting the right tone through prayer and understanding, we created an atmosphere within the church that mimicked the intimacy and connection of a circle environment. The results were incredible. Not only did clairvoyant messages flow freely, but many in the congregation—some of whom I have been training—were able to sense their own loved ones who had passed. It was as though the veil between worlds had grown thin, allowing beautiful reunions to take place.

One particularly extraordinary moment involved two spirits I had helped years ago to move on from the earthly plane. One was a young girl who had been trapped in a house for over 60 years, and the other was a woman who had similarly lingered for decades. Both of them returned that evening—not just sensed by me but by others in the congregation as well—to say thank you.

To understand how profound this was, consider their journey. These spirits had been confined to the earthly plane for decades, bound by their own free will or confusion. When the opportunity arose for them to leave their long confinement and move on to the next world, they courageously took it. I was privileged to witness their transition, and the beauty of where they went is indescribable—a place of peace and light, waiting for us all.

Now, for them to return to the earth plane—even briefly—required immense courage. When spirits draw close to the physical world, they often re-experience the emotions and memories of their time here, including the pain or confusion that kept them bound. Despite this, both spirits returned to express their gratitude. Their bravery and the beauty of the moment reminded me of the extraordinary interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms.

However, it’s important to recognize that my role in their journey was only a small part of a much larger process. Many spirits on the other side orchestrated their release, yet there is often a need for someone in the physical world to complete the final link in the chain. This highlights the significance of being open and willing to serve as that bridge.

Sunday’s service was a powerful example of what can happen when we gather with the right intentions, open our minds, and embrace the possibilities. For the spirits, it was an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and express messages that may have been waiting for years. For us, it was a humbling reminder of the strength of love and the reality of the spiritual world.

The atmosphere that evening was truly sacred—a perfect convergence of two worlds. It reaffirmed my belief that when we come together with open hearts and a willingness to help, anything is possible. For those in the spiritual world, it was a chance to draw near to their loved ones on the earth plane. For those of us here, it was a glimpse into the eternal connections that bind us all.

Let us all strive to keep our minds and hearts open to these possibilities. When we do, extraordinary things can happen.

Rob Harvey

Rob Harvey’s – Latest Blogs

Rob Harvey has been busy sharing his experiences on his new website Rob Harvey – Life After Death.

His two most recent blogs feature ‘Moving on a child spirit’ and ‘How do those in spirit contact us’. In this blog we will provide you with a little intro into these two latest blogs but to read the full blog be sure to follow the links we provide.

Moving On A Child Spirit

‘Coming to terms with the loss of a child is a process of healing that one would never wish to find oneself in, and yet a significant number of adults experience the death of a child each year. First and foremost, if you find yourself reading this article and resonate with some of the themes discussed, please remember that there is hope in the seemingly hopeless, and there is help out there for you should you need support: practically, emotionally, or spiritually. The conversation surrounding life after death should always be handled with sensitivity, particularly when discussing the spirits of children. Thankfully, in one of his latest YouTube interviews, Robert Harvey (an experienced medium and spiritual expert) unpacks what it looks like to enable a young spirit to move on.’

How Do Those in Spirit Contact Us

I often receive questions about how those in spirit reach out to us. What many don’t realize is that they are trying to connect with us all the time. When we pass on, we gain something called spiritual sight, allowing us to observe our loved ones and often see the next steps they need to take. Our desire to help them is profound.

However, making contact isn’t always easy. For most people, their minds aren’t open to these connections, and one primary way spirits communicate is by planting thoughts in our minds. While this may seem simple, how often do we actually notice these thoughts?