A Lesson from the Crossroads

Students of Psychic and Mediumship Discovery (PMD) and Mediumship (PMD2) often share the most fascinating stories about their relationships with spirits. There are so many kinds of spirits, and the ways people encounter them can be deeply personal. Some of the most meaningful relationships in my own practice are with spirits.

Lately, I’ve been leaning into my best “wood witch” life—working with the land, spirits, and my spells. So when a significant problem arose at work, my instinct was to turn to spellwork. I cast a series of spells and they helped somewhat, but they didn’t quite move the situation where it needed to go. I found myself feeling stuck, uncertain, and a little desperate.

Then I remembered one of my favorite classes: Orisha. During that course, my fellow students and I had all reached out to Eshu, the Orisha associated with crossroads, movement, and communication.

To our delight, he responded to every one of us.

I realized that although I appreciated that experience, I hadn’t reached out since. So, I pulled out a bottle of good whiskey, poured him an offering, and asked for help opening the road ahead of me. As I prayed, I heard a deep male voice say simply, “Do not worry.” I wasn’t entirely sure if that meant yes or no—but the very next day at work, the metaphorical road had opened.

That experience left me reflecting on a couple of lessons. First, it reminded me not to be too proud to ask for help from a more powerful source when I truly need it.

Second—and perhaps more importantly—it reminded me that relationships with spirits, like relationships with people, deserve care and reciprocity. If I am going to ask for help, I should also take the time to cultivate the connection: bringing offerings, offering prayers of gratitude, or simply acknowledging the spirit without needing anything in return.

After all, it isn’t polite to approach a spirit—or a human—only when you want something. Is there a relationship with spirit in your own life that might benefit from a little more attention?