Does A Mediums Interpretation Of Spirit Communication Change The Message?

Does a Mediums interpretation of Spirit communication change the message? By Psychic Medium Kristian von Sponneck

Introduction: Is The Message Filtered?

One of the most common questions I am asked, both at my live shows and during private sittings, is whether the message from Spirit is ever altered by the medium delivering it. It is a fair and intelligent question. If communication from the spirit world comes through a human mind, with human language, personality and belief systems, does that mean the message is filtered? And if it is filtered, does that change its meaning?

As someone who works without reliance on spirit guides and instead depends purely on my own senses—clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience and claircognizance—I can say with honesty that interpretation is part of the process. But interpretation does not automatically mean distortion. Understanding the difference is essential if we are to have an informed conversation about how mediumship truly works.

How Spirit Communication Is Received

Spirit communication does not arrive like a perfectly scripted letter read aloud in clear English. It rarely comes as full, grammatically structured sentences. More often, it comes as impressions. I may see an image in my mind, hear a single word, feel a sensation in my body, or simply “know” something without knowing how I know it.

For example, I might feel tightness in my chest. That could indicate a passing linked to heart issues. I might see the image of a pocket watch. That could represent someone punctual, someone who collected watches, or even someone who died at a particular time. I might hear the name “Tom,” but it could relate to Thomas, Tommy, a middle name, or even a surname.

This is where interpretation begins. The raw impression must be translated into language. The medium becomes, in effect, a translator between two different states of existence. Translation always involves choice. Words are selected. Tone is applied. Emphasis is decided.

The key question is whether that translation changes the essence of the message.

The Human Filter

Every medium is human. We have personality traits, life experiences, education, biases and emotional responses. All of these form part of our internal framework. When Spirit communicates through us, it must pass through that framework.

If two mediums received the same impression—say, the image of a rose—they might express it differently. One might say, “I see a red rose, very romantic energy, someone who adored you.” Another might say, “There’s a rose here, possibly linked to remembrance.” Both could be correct. The difference lies in interpretation and emphasis.

Does that mean the message has changed? Not necessarily. The core symbol remains. What changes is the way it is articulated.

The real danger is not interpretation itself but assumption. If a medium assumes too quickly what something means, rather than presenting it neutrally and allowing the sitter to confirm, then yes, the message can become distorted.

Yes, Mediums Can Get It Wrong

It is also important to say something that not every medium openly states: mediums can get it wrong. We are not infallible. We are not omniscient. We work with subtle impressions that require translation, and translation can occasionally miss the mark.

There are moments where what I am shown does not immediately make sense. There are times when I may interpret an image in one way, only to later realise it represented something slightly different. That does not mean the spirit communication was false. It means the human processing of it was imperfect.

I think honesty about this strengthens mediumship rather than weakens it. When a medium claims to be one hundred percent accurate one hundred percent of the time, that should raise more concern than reassurance. Authentic communication requires humility.

When The Psychic Side Takes Over

Another aspect that needs addressing is the difference between psychic ability and mediumship. They are not identical. Psychic ability involves tuning into energy around a person, reading patterns, personality traits, emotional states and potential outcomes. Mediumship, on the other hand, is specifically about connecting with those who have passed.

Sometimes, a medium’s psychic side can unintentionally take over their mediumistic side. This is especially likely when there is pressure to maintain flow or when the connection feels subtle. Instead of staying purely with the spirit communicator, the medium may begin reading the sitter’s energy more strongly.

When this happens, the information may still feel accurate, but it shifts in origin. It becomes about the living person’s present circumstances rather than the spirit world communicator. If the medium is not self-aware, they may blend the two without realising.

That blending can alter the perceived message. The tone might shift from evidential mediumship to intuitive guidance. The sitter may believe it is all coming from their loved one, when in reality part of it is coming from the medium’s psychic reading of them.

This is why discernment is essential. In my own work, I am constantly monitoring whether I am describing evidence from Spirit or reading the emotional state of the person in front of me. The two feel different. One carries a distinct external presence. The other feels like tuning into an energetic field around the living.

The Balance Between Description And Meaning

In my practice, I focus heavily on description before interpretation. If I see a pocket watch, I will say exactly that. I will not immediately jump to what I think it represents. I allow the recipient to respond. Often they will say, “That was his favourite possession,” or “He always worried about being late.”

When the sitter provides context, the meaning becomes collaborative rather than imposed. This reduces the risk of altering the message and also keeps the communication anchored in evidence rather than assumption.

The moment a medium over-interprets, embellishes or fills in gaps with guesswork, the purity of the communication weakens. That is where distortion creeps in. Discipline is what keeps interpretation aligned with the original impression.

Emotional Tone And Delivery

Spirit communication often carries emotion. I may feel deep sadness, humour, pride or apology. How I express that emotion will inevitably reflect my own personality.

I am direct by nature. My delivery is clear and grounded. Another medium may deliver the same emotional impression in a softer or more dramatic way. The emotional core may remain consistent, but the atmosphere shifts.

This does not necessarily change the message, but it does shape the experience. The sitter’s perception of the message can be influenced by tone. A reassurance delivered calmly feels different from one delivered with theatrical intensity.

Cultural And Personal Influence

Belief systems also play a role. A medium with a strong religious framework may interpret certain sensations through that lens. Another with a counselling or psychological background may interpret similar impressions differently.

In my case, having previously worked in counselling, I am naturally aware of emotional projection and trauma patterns. That awareness helps me differentiate between what feels like genuine spirit communication and what may be coming from the living person’s unresolved emotion.

But no one is entirely free from influence. Awareness is the safeguard.

The Role Of Language

Language itself is limiting. Spirit communication feels layered, multidimensional and fluid. Translating that into linear speech inevitably simplifies it. Something of the texture is lost in translation, not because of dishonesty but because human language cannot perfectly mirror non-physical communication.

However, simplification does not mean falsification. The essence can remain intact even if the wording changes.

Does Spirit Adjust For The Medium?

In my experience, Spirit appears to communicate in ways that align with the medium’s strengths. If a medium is highly visual, more imagery may be used. If they are more feeling-based, emotion may dominate. This suggests that interpretation is not an accidental flaw but part of the mechanism itself.

Communication is dynamic. It adapts. That adaptability does not invalidate it. It simply acknowledges that the human component is essential.

Conclusion: It’s About The Evidence

Does a medium’s interpretation of spirit communication change the message? It can influence the wording, tone and emphasis. Mediums can get it wrong. Their psychic side can sometimes take over their mediumistic side. Interpretation can drift if ego, pressure or assumption interfere.

But when handled with integrity, self-awareness and discipline, interpretation does not have to distort the essence of the message. The core of spirit communication—reassurance, evidence, continuity of consciousness—can remain intact.

Mediumship is not about claiming perfection. It is about striving for clarity while acknowledging humanity. We are the bridge between two worlds. A bridge must have structure, and that structure will always reflect the materials it is built from. The key is not eliminating interpretation, but mastering it.

You may like my last post, click the following to read Was the Annabelle doll really possessed by a spirit?