When the Departed Speak: Understanding True Spiritual Communication

 

A dimly lit spiritual altar arranged for mediumship, featuring candles, sacred objects, and symbolic items used for connecting with the spirit world and understanding energetic shells and true spiritual communication.

When the Departed Speak

Understanding True Spiritual Communication

Most people assume that if a loved one has crossed over, they should still be standing close by—showing signs, visiting dreams, or leaving messages. It’s comforting for some to think that way.

But the majority of spirits do not linger simply because we miss them.

Most souls continue their journey back to the Creator God. They don’t stay stuck in emotional traffic trying to comfort the living or live through them. When genuine communication happens, it’s because the contact is purposeful and aligned with both spirits involved.

Can mediums reach your departed? They will connect to what’s with you—a shell holding on to the essence of your loved one, infused with your memories of them. In most cases, that is what responds first because it sits closest to the living and is easiest to access.

Before continuing, it’s important to understand that there are three very different forms of spiritual presence that people often confuse with one another:

    1. The energetic shell or imprint
    2. The soul that has moved on
    3. The soul that chooses not to leave the earth plane

Mediums often connect with the first because it remains within reach. The second continues on its spiritual path. And only a small minority fall into the third category.

As a spiritual healer, I originally understood the term lost soul to refer to spirits who linger. Over time, through direct healing experience and later through a vivid dream, I came to recognize a deeper truth: there are no lost souls.

There are souls who choose to remain in this dimension. The phrase lost soul implies confusion or aimless wandering, when in reality some simply do not wish to leave the earth plane entirely. Because of this, I could only assist in liberating the ones who were spiritually ready to move on.

Many assume these souls stay out of fear or attachment to the life they once lived.  But in practice, the majority are willing—sometimes even eager—to return to the Creator God and continue their journey beyond this world.

Why Would the Departed Stay Behind?

This is an honest question.

A soul that has completed its earthly work moves on. What remains is not the soul itself, but the emotional tether created by those who are grieving.

Love, grief, and longing can hold energy in place, and that attachment must be released. Releasing a loved one is not forgetting them. It is letting go of the emotional cord, so healing can begin, allowing memories of love and joy to remain without being trapped in grief.

ask the flame keeper about spiritual matters; dreams, spirit, destiny, healing

A Spiritual Science Reflection by Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns,  President & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society.

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What Is a Spiritual Minister?

spiritual ministers in washington dc and baltimore maryland

Understanding the Role Beyond Religion

 


When You’re Called to Divine Service

Spiritual callings don’t always come through formal ordination, initiation, ancestral rites, or being told by a spiritual leader. They often arrive through a dream, a strong inner knowing, vision, or a profound moment of awakening — guided by the soul.

In 1997, my own calling came in a dream—one that left me in tears and full of questions. Not knowing where to turn, I reached out to a cousin I trusted — a devout Christian woman, passionate about her faith. She pointed me toward a church her godson pastored.

But what I experienced there didn’t align with the inner truth stirring within me.

The leaders practiced a form of “healing,” but something felt off. I wasn’t even a spiritual scientist at the time—I was still walking a Christian path. That experience, however, marked the beginning of my transition.

He preached, saying those seeking positions just wanted to be “superstars” — implying folks had to start at the bottom and earn their place. I truly believed the church would be welcoming, but I quickly learned that Christian churches often weren’t. What he said reflected how many churches operate — you don’t grow because you’re called, you grow by playing into hierarchy and favoritism. Perplexed, I didn’t know what my next move would be, so I left it to my inner God.

And that week, Spirit answered.

A newsletter arrived from a metaphysical church I had previously visited. It listed a class: Platform Healing. I read the description and said to my inner God, “It’s a start.” That newsletter became my confirmation.

I enrolled, completed the course, and served in that church as a spiritual healer for 1+ years. Eventually, like all souls called to grow, it was time for me to walk my own path.

What Is a Spiritual Minister?

In spiritual science, a minister is not simply a title — it is a role of service grounded in universal principles, personal development, and conscious spiritual alignment.

A spiritual minister does not represent a single religious tradition. Instead, they serve from a place of inner attunement, metaphysical understanding, and respect for the God within each soul.

We recognize that people are gifted in many ways:

    • Clairvoyance (clear seeing)
    • Clairaudience (clear hearing)
    • Clairsentience (clear feeling)
    • Prophecy, spiritual healing, intuitive knowing, or divine wisdom

These gifts are sacred inheritances entrusted by God — carried through the bloodline and safeguarded by the Divine and ancestral angels.

When trained and developed consciously, these gifts are used with integrity, responsibility, accountability, and always harmlessly.

Why Traditional Religion Often Suppresses Spiritual Gifts

Religious institutions may preach about gifts of the spirit, but often limit them to what’s sanctioned by hierarchy. When spiritual gifts appear outside of that control — in independent healers, dreamers, seers, and intuitives — they are sometimes dismissed, demonized, or labeled “dangerous.”

But spiritual gifts are not meant to be contained by dogma.
They are assigned by the Divine before birth — and they require only discipline, humility, love, and discernment.

Why the World Needs Spiritual Ministers Now

As people walk away from traditional religion, many are not rejecting God — they are reclaiming their spiritual autonomy.

Spiritual ministers serve those who:

    • Are spiritually gifted but misunderstood
    • Seek metaphysical healing and growth
    • Desire sacred rituals rooted in spiritual science
    • Wish to walk their path without fear or guilt
    • Want teachers and guides who see beyond doctrine

Spiritual ministers meet people where they are and help them connect with their higher self and inner God.

A Note on Labels

Though I’ve sometimes used the term “non-denominational” for familiarity, it doesn’t truly represent what I do. Spiritual ministry is a path of service, soul development, and conscious alignment — not a label for convenience.

Many Expressions, One Source

Spirituality has many expressions. The Science of the Spirit teaches that God is within all things, and that spiritual growth is personal, evolving, and eternal.

As spiritual ministers in the metaphysical tradition, we honor that diversity — and encourage each soul to develop its gifts with purpose, responsibility, and love.

Close Reflection

There are places the soul can visit that no plane, boat, or footpath can reach. The temple in Spiritland is one such place — existing in the unseen, reachable only through meditation, stillness, and divine alignment. It is not a physical sanctuary, but a sacred vision available to those who seek truth, knowledge, and wisdom on the astral plane.

🕊️ If you’ve ever felt called, gifted, or disconnected from traditional religion, you are not alone — and you are not lost. Your gifts are real. Your path is sacred. And your journey is valid.

 


 

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A Spiritual Science Reflection by Rev. Starlene Joyner BurnsPresident & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society

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Spiritual Hygiene and Energy Clearing with Rev. SJ Burns

A spiritual hygiene bath setup with herbs, sea salt, and baking soda for energy clearing and healing

Spiritual Hygiene and Energy Clearing

Certain emotional energies carry a vibration that lingers—and if not cleared, they can build up in your home, your healing space, and even around your body. These vibrations can impede—and even block—your progress when you’re trying to improve your life spiritually, or physically.

You may find yourself repeating the same thoughts over and over again, not realizing how they’re affecting your life.

They linger. And over time, they settle into our homes, our healing spaces, and even the fields around our bodies. These vibrations will even transfer into the things you touch, cook, drink. That’s why it’s so important to think good thoughts when you’re cooking. No one wants the energy of anger, fear, infused into their food or drinks.


Emotional Vibrations That Can Affect Your Healing

    • Feeling sick or unwell
    • Chronic stress
    • Deep grief
    • Long-term unhappiness
    • Feelings of abandonment
    • Loneliness
    • Anger or resentment
    • Fear
    • Helplessness
    • Rejection

These aren’t just emotions—they’re frequencies. They become part of the energetic environment around us. And over time, that stagnant energy can make it harder to heal, harder to focus, harder to feel spiritually aligned.


When You Know Something Isn’t Right

I had sent a ring to be resized. When I got the ring back, it was infused with some offensive vibrations. I couldn’t even wear it out of the store. I took it off in the car and smudged it with sage—yes, back then I kept some in my car. I visualized clearing it. I put it in a bag with concentrated salt, and I finally tried something I remembered from my childhood, when it was used for medical purposes.

I’ll tell you in my book what I used.

I’m sharing this to let you know—as in other stories—you have to search until you find what will work. And after a while, you’ll know what works for you. All solutions, like with medicine, may not work for everyone.

Don’t assume they do, especially if you have no way to gauge it.

Those who are able to discern if something worked or not can only validate it for themselves. They can never say, “This will work for you.” This is why I’m so apprehensive when I see people selling spiritual products like they are a sure thing—when in fact, they are often just a placebo.

When you find what works for you, you may never share it—because that was from Spirit to you. And when Spirit wants you to share those resources, you will be notified.

So I can’t give you my go-to solution.
But I can give you the ones I received along my journey, tried, and evolved—just as the inner teacher teaches.


Basic Spiritual Hygiene: How to Clear Stagnant Energy

I’m not going to go into a deep-dive cleansing ritual. This is about spiritual hygiene—a simple yet powerful energy clearing process that anyone can use.

✦ Sea Salt & Baking Soda Bath

This was the first spiritual cleaning solution I tried back in 1998.  A warm bath with equal amounts of sea salt and baking soda.  Great way to remove stagnant energy. You can also add herbs to the water, but only if you know their purpose. The herbs must correspond with your cleansing or healing intentions.

  • Think rosemary, rue, or agrimony.

  • Add a prayer to empower it, set your intention, and breathe deeply throughout the bath, affirming what you’re removing.


✦ Cleansing Basin (if a full bath isn’t possible)

Use a basin with warm water, a pinch of sea salt, and baking soda.

Dip your hands in the water and toss it on your face and body. If there are herbs in the water, be careful they aren’t concentrated or toxic. So use ingredients in small amounts.  Too much baking soda and sea salt can stain and appear blotchy when dried.

For now, stick with sea salt and baking soda in equal parts. If you are inclined to soak your feet with intention, do that.

As you do, breathe and release. Let your breath carry away the vibration.  When you pour the water out say a clearing affirmation aloud or silently.


✦ Space Clearing Spray

Steep dry herbs (like rue or agrimony) in boiling hot water. One herb will do. Let the mixture cool, then strain. Pray over your mixture and herbs.

Add the herbal water to a spray bottle.  Traditionally the mixture cures for 30 days before use.  But if you need to use it immediately, do so.

Spray corners of the room, around your altar, your bed, yourself, your car, or near doorways, everywhere.

Use it after arguments, illness, or when the space feels “off.” This mixture will not keep unless you add 50–100% Everclear alcohol.

You can use just one herb or a combination—simplicity is powerful.
I use only one herb with Everclear alcohol.


These are simple ways to keep your spiritual hygiene in check, especially when illness, grief, or stagnant emotional energy fills the space. As a spiritual healer, I’ve learned that what lingers in the field must be released. And what builds in the body can also block the goals.


🌿 If you recognize yourself in this post and feel ready to clear what’s been lingering, I invite you to explore distant spiritual healing through Free Healing USA.

Distant healing is free. Spiritual guidance is available through booked “Talk to Me, Rev” sessions.

🔗 Visit Free Healing USA to learn more.


 

Need a spiritual protection, follow our blog.

A Spiritual Science Reflection by Rev. Starlene Joyner BurnsPresident & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society

Note: To keep this space free of spam, comments are closed. If you’d like to respond, you’re welcome to reach out by email.


 

 Disclaimer: The information shared here is for spiritual and educational use only. Formulas and ingredients should be prepared safely and with awareness. Adjust, substitute, or omit as your own practice and intuition guide. The author assumes no responsibility for individual results or misuse.

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