Sun 7 Feb, 2010
My friend Shirley MacLaine many years ago wrote a wonderful book called Out on a Limb. The book chronicles her spiritual journey into the world of psychics, mediums and even extra terrestrials. The book was turned into a mini series that is still available on DVD. I am often asked if psychic ability or the ability to be a medium is inherited. I would most definitely have to say yes. When I thought about writing a short blog on this subject, Shirley’s book title came to mind. I often find myself climbing my family tree, researching family history and piecing together, along with the help of a few dedicated cousins, the historic gene pool that I call family.
Each time I turn up a new relative or generation in my family tree, I bring to light a piece of my family’s past that makes me ask the question, “I wonder if they were psychic?”
I think psychic ability runs down family lines. Most people who have “the gift” will admit they can think of at least one relative who also possesses the same abilities. In my case, I had always been told my Great Grandfather Carl Johan Horneij, who emigrated here from Sweden in 1894, was very psychic. He was a mathematician, author and member of the Royal Guard in Sweden before he moved with his wife, son and daughter (my Grandmother) to New Haven, Connecticut and then to New York City. My cousin told me the family knew he was very psychic, but they did not talk about it.
My Great Grandfather (pictured in 1923 with his second wife Helga, left) was a very talented man. As a new immigrant to the USA, he could not find work as a math teacher here. White he had written several books on the subject and taught at Upsala college in Sweden, no one wanted a Swedish speaking math teacher in Connecticut. Carl Johan went into his other love, wood carving. He took a job with the Ansonia Clock Company and carved clock cases. He eventually relocated to New York City where he worked as a carver for Kranich and Bach pianos. I still have in my possession one of his hand carved piano benches. One dark winter morning in 1927, as he was heading in to work, a milk truck struck him down as he crossed the road. He died several days later. He had such a love for life, he lingered in the hospital bed for almost a week before he finally let go. I wish I had the chance to know him.
When I was young, his Grandson, my Dad, would ask me to write down a number on a piece of paper and then envision it in my mind without revealing the number to him. Each time, as I would picture a black number on a white background or vice versa, he would guess the same. Never a miss. When I was young I thought it must be some sort of parlor trick, but as I got older I realized there was only one way he could have done it. He was psychic. His first cousin, who told me about my Great Grandfather’s gift, also revealed that she was a psychic medium as well and had worked in a tea shop doing readings. Who knew? She said she did not talk about it because people would think one is crazy. I know that feeling well. Although it’s getting better in the world for psychics.
Like many people, my Dad never mentioned it again after those early years in my life. Today he is in a Veterans Home and suffers from dementia. He often tells me people come to visit him. I believe he does see people, just dead ones. When he was in the hospital a few years ago he told me Dr “X” had given him a clean bill of health. Alarmed that Dr “X” was not his regular physician I inquired to the nurse who told me that was the name of a doctor who used to work in that wing…who had died a few years ago. At 95 my Dad is still channeling…may I be so good at his age…although I would like to skip the dementia.
Thinking my Dad’s family was the source of my psychic prowess, I was quite shocked to learn Mom had some ability as well. On my cousin’s advice, I never spoke of my gift publicly. A few close friends knew, but that was it. One day my mother happened to spy my picture on the cover of Exit Zero magazine. I had been writing a column on ghosts for a few years and had left an issue at her house by mistake. She broke up laughing and called my sister to see if she “knew.” She did not. Mom’s always continue to surprise us and my Mom is no different.
“When I was young my mother used to attend a medium circle in the neighborhood with her sister,” Mom recalled. I had not realized my Grandmother was into such things. “A woman named Mrs. Branaire was the medium and one day I went along with my mother. Mrs Branaire put her hand over my head and said ‘this girl could be a great medium some day…she has the gift!’” Mom told me she ran out of the house they were at and ran home screaming and hid under her bed for hours. She opted to become a housewife instead of a medium, but still has the uncanny ability to worry about things that have not yet happened…and then they happen. Psychic and Mediumistic abilities definitely make their ways down a family tree. I also think many people havesome form of psychic or intuitive ability. How about you?
My mother’s Great Aunt Lillie read cards and her Great Grandmother talked to ghosts…did I leave anyone out? Isn’t my family tree starting to look like one of those trees in the haunted forest from The Wizard of Oz? I am sure there are many (dead) relatives I am leaving out of this story. They should feel free to comment. As for the rest of you, I would like to hear about your psychic gene pool. Feel free to comment below!
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