May Anniversaries

3 May 1902
Maurice Barbanell (1902-1981) was born in London. A medium, author, founding member and editor of the Psychic News. Initially Maurice doubted the existence of life beyond death however after 6 months of his own investigations he became convinced. Before forming his own home circle he sat with Hannen Swaffer and in turn when Swaffer’s home circle disbanded he joined the Barbanell circle. Maurices’ Indian Guide, Silver Birch became a regular visitor imparting his knowledge and teachings with the group.

8 May 1891
Helena Blavatsky (1831-1891) passes into higher life. Born in Russia Helena was a medium and author and her sister was also an author of occult fiction. Helena travelled the world and was one of the co-founders of the Theosophical Society in New York and also at Adyar in India and was President of the Theosophical Society. The anniversary of her death is still celebrated by Theosophists and called White Lotus Day.

8 May 1987
Doris Stokes (1922-1987) passes into higher life. Doris could see and hear spirit from early childhood. She travelled the world with her mediumship bringing proof of life to bereaved relatives and she found she had a very special gift in working with spirit children. Doris appeared on television including the Don Lane Show in Australia. Toward the end of her life Doris became quite ill and died on 8 May 1987

8 May 1929
Jane Roberts (1929-1984) was born in Saratoga Springs, New York. Jane was an author, a poet and a medium. She is most remembered for channelling “Seth” described as a personality in spirit. Jane was first introduced to Seth in 1963 and she went on to publish numerous accounts of teaching and information received from Seth. With the assistance of her husband she was able to keep a record of all her trance information.

10 May 1889
Estelle Roberts (1889-1970) was born in Kensington London. She began hearing spirit voices when she was a young child and when she tried to explain what she was experiencing to her parents she was often punished due to their lack of understanding about the world of spirit. Estelle’s first husband died in 1919 and when he passed she tells of seeing two spirit entities sharing her vigil beside his bedside – they were his parents. Estelle also saw her husband’s spirit depart adn recalled other phenomena happening throughout the house at the moment of his passing. When Estelle eventually remarried she was introduced to spiritualism by a neighbour and thus began her life as a medium. Estelle Roberts is described by Maurice Barbanell as “one of the world’s greatest mediums adn the possessor of nearly every psychic faculity” Estelle passed into the other side of life in May 1970.

16 May 1883
Arthur Findlay OBE (1883-1964) was born. Findlay developed his interest in spiritualism after meeting the direct voice medium, John Sloane in 1919 and this sparked his interest into psychic research. Findlay meticulously recorded his findings for publication and authored many books on the subject. Findlay was a co-founder of Psychic News and found and Chairman of the International Institute of Psychical Research. Findlay’s home was Stanstead hall in Essex UK and at his death he bequeathed his mansion to the Spiritualists’ National Union and the Arthur Findlay College of Psychic Studies was established is still operating as a psychic education institution today.

22 May 1859
Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Scotland. A doctor and author, he was highly accomplished at everything he set his mind to. After WWI he championed the cause of Spiritualism at every opportunity. He travelled the world spreading the word that life continues beyond the grave. Amongst his many literary works is “The Wanderings of a Spiritualist” where he details his travels to Australia and New Zealand in 1920-21.

24 May 1951
John Sloan (1869/70-1951) enters the other side of life aged 82 years. Sloane was born in Dalbeattie Scotland. A very humble man with extraordinary mediumship capabilities, he was a direct voice medium. Arthur Findlay was so impressed with Sloane that he researched and wrote about him extensively. A stenographer would transcribe Sloane’s séances word for word and these transcripts have been published in numerous books. In fact, Findlay recorded 19 of Sloane’s séances in his book “Where Two Worlds Meet”. For over 40 years Sloane provided his mediumship services free of charge to people looking to reconnect with loved ones who had passed over.

28 May 1882
Gladys Osborne Leonard (1882-1968) was born. She was a highly respected trance medium who was submitted to numerous investigations for over 50 yours. Gladys worked with two main guides, Freda and her healing guide North Star. It has been recorded that her guide and other spirit friends could be seen in subdued light against the white walls “like clearly-cut shadows, which showed up perfectly against the light background”. In 1931 Gladys published her autobiography “My Life in Two Worlds”.

28 May 1932
The first issue of Psychic News was published. Psychic News was founded by Maurice Barbanell, Hannen Swaffer and Arthur Findlay. The Psychic News was formed following a message received from Red Cloud through the mediumship of Estelle Roberts.

29 May 1893
Harry Edwards (1893-1976) was born in Islington, Middlesex. Probably the best know spiritual healer of the 20th Century. Along with being an extraordinary healer, he was an author and a very vocal advocate for spiritualism. In 1954 Harry founded the Burrows Lea Healing Sanctuary in Shere Surrey that is still functioning today. Harry gave many private and absent healings and he would fill London’s Royal Albert Hall when he gave public demonstrations – some 5,000 people.
The Australian Spiritual Healer Association was founded in Melbourne in 1964 by Arthur Kendrick with the assistance of Harry Edwards.

Thanks Helen, we have some big shoes to fill this month hey birthdy girl.

thanks helen , I have Mrs leonards book siting on my chest at home lol!!! I think she was trying to let me know it was her birthday soon!!!