Psychometry – the Psychic Art of Reading Objects

by Pearl Blackthorn

Have you ever picked up an object and had a sudden impression of a place you have never been to before, or sat down on a bus and felt a strange sensation left behind by the person sitting there before you? If so then you may have had a spontaneous psychometric experience. Psychometry is the psychic art of receiving sensory impressions from an object simply by touching or holding it. Many clairvoyants have this gift naturally or have developed it as an additional facet of their other psychic abilities and it has a wide range of uses from finding the history of the people who have been in contact with the object, searching for missing persons, solving crimes and even prediction future events.

Reading Objects the Psychic Way

Whenever we come into intimate contact with inanimate objects that we use daily such as jewelry, clothes, a favourite pen or coffee mug, we leave upon it an energy signature that contains strands of information about our feelings and thoughts each time we use or wear it. This is also true of our home, personal workspace and locations in which we have had traumatic or strong emotional experiences. This happens when bioelectric energy is emitted by our aura and imprints upon objects in our possession. These energy forms a layered field of vibrations that may be perceived around the object. The material that an object is made from can affect its ability to record and retain our data. Metallic objects such as rings, watches and keys for example, are believed to retain more information than objects made of lighter materials such as plastics. When the object is touched or held by someone else, the bioelectrical information is triggered and released to the person holding the object.

Everyone has a certain amount of ability to perceive the information, but for most people psychometry is a latent talent that is only available at the subconscious level and even there it is often suppressed. Those who have honed their abilities, such as clairvoyants or trained psychometrists will be able to pick up a surprising amount of detail about the owner of the object even if he or she is not physically present.

Psychometrics is something of a passive process; this means that in order to practice it you do not have to focus too hard. Many clairvoyants agree that concentrating on the object too hard will actually obstruct the process. In fact, one of the reasons that many people are unable to use psychometry is because they are unable to block out all the ‘noise’ in their minds.

The History of Psychometry

The term psychometry was coined by Joseph Rodes Buchanan, an American physician and professor of physiology at the Eclectic Medical Institute in Covington, Kentucky, in 1842. He used it as part of his theory of emanation to describe a subtle energy that flowed from god and circulated throughout the physical realm both between people and objects. For Buchanan, psychometry was the science whereby this energy could be detected by the human soul and in some sense measured. His theory that all objects give off energy lead to the notion that objects carried within them a record of their history and that this could be tapped into by those who were aware of the correct methods. Buchanan believed that his particular branch of psychic phenomena would eventually supersede empirical science and lead to a major transition in theoretical thinking, social practices and the enlightenment of humanity. Buchanan promoted psychometry throughout his life and several scientists of the era, such as Stephen Pearl, used the theory of psychometry as a basis for theories of their own. During the later nineteenth century, psychometry became a popular part of séances and psychic stage acts. These days many professional clairvoyants use psychometry along with their other gifts for a number of purposes.

Psychometrist Profiles

A Natural-Born Seer

Elizabeth Joyce is a clairvoyant, medium and psychic healer based in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. For more than 25 years she has been assisting the police and FBI to locate hundreds of missing persons. Elizabeth first started using psychometry in 1979 after her step-son was tragically murdered. His body remained unfound for six months until Elizabeth tried holding some of his personal belongings – his eye glasses and some of his personal coin collection – and asking God to give her information about what had happened to him.

“I had a dream - a vivid dream - first I was lying in a shallow grave - could "taste" dirt and a dead leaf was on my nose - blowing in the wind.  Then I saw a blue car, I saw my stepson getting out of this car - someone was calling to him. He was going to see his girlfriend - but three boys wanted him to take a drive with them.  I knew exactly where the car was - that my stepson got in the car, and that they drive off.  I also knew that he had come to harm and was dead.  I did not know where or why.  This dream lasted from September1977 through March 1978.”

The police found Elizabeth’s step-son’s body buried in a shallow grave, as her dream had shown. Six months later she became a student of metaphysics. 

When Elizabeth practices psychometry she draws on her psychic energies and the strength of her intuition. She describes the process as being like “receiving directions from Spirit.” She is expert enough to use psychometry easily, sometimes without even holding and object but simply gazing at it or describing it to herself. She found this talent particularly useful on one occasion when she was returning from a trip to Canada.

“My car was at my son's apartment - near Newark Airport. He knew what day I was coming home but not what time. He was in Medical School - and I came back on an earlier flight than planned. I wanted to know where my car keys were. Did I have to drive all the way to Mahwah and come back for the car - or had Jeffrey found a way to get me the keys.  I closed my eyes and asked my body the answer.  I opened my right hand - and the keys fell directly into my hand. Of course - these keys were etheric - not the actual set.  I "knew" I could go directly to Jeff's apartment and I would be able to get my car.  I took a cab to his place and on the widow of my car there was a note.  "Mom-mailbox."

That's where the keys were.”

You can contact Elizabeth through her website at http://www.new-visions.com.

Learning the Art of Psychometrics

With some practice it is possible to develop your psychometric ability. Even though we seldom notice the brain’s constant input, it can overwhelm the perception of the subtle energies required for psychometry. One of the ways to train the mind to filter out all the mental distraction is to practice meditation on a daily basis, learn to be able to calm your mind and listen to your own inner voice.

Autogenic Training

Another method to help you remain calm and to tune in to your psychic sensitivity is known as autogenic training. This relaxation technique was developed in the 1930s by German psychiatrist Johannes Schultz. This technique involves a daily practice of three 15 minute sessions, conducted in the morning, at lunch time and in the evening. For each session there is a selection of recommended postures such as sitting meditation or lying down. During each session the practitioner repeats a set of relaxing visualizations such as imagining the limbs becoming progressively heavier. Autogenic training draws on techniques similar to those used in yoga and progressive muscle relaxation and can help to enhance psychometric abilities.