Mediumship in Umbanda: what it is, how it works, and why everyone has it

After understanding who the Orixás are, the role of the spiritual Entities, and the difference between them, a new question naturally arises: how does communication between the spiritual world and the material world take place? The answer lies in mediumship.

In Umbanda, mediumship is not seen as a privilege, a supernatural gift, or a sign of spiritual superiority. It is understood as a natural human faculty, present in everyone, which manifests in different degrees and forms.

What mediumship is in Umbanda

Mediumship is the ability to perceive, feel, and interact with the spiritual dimensions of life. This perception can express itself in many ways: through intuition, emotions, dreams, inspiration, energetic sensitivity, and, in some cases, incorporation.

In Umbanda, mediumship is understood as a tool for spiritual evolution, never as spectacle, curiosity, or personal power. Its true purpose is service, learning, charity, and moral growth.

Is everyone a medium?

Yes. In the Umbanda view, everyone has mediumship, even if not everyone manifests it in an obvious way.

Some people have subtler perceptions — premonitions, deep empathy, emotional sensitivity, spiritual dreams, ease in prayer and connection. Others present more evident mediumship, such as incorporation, psychophony, or clairvoyance.

The difference is not in “having or not having” mediumship, but in the degree of sensitivity, the type of manifestation, and the purpose of each spirit.

Incorporation: only one form of mediumship

One of the greatest misconceptions is thinking that mediumship is limited to incorporation. Incorporation is only one among many forms of mediumistic manifestation.

In Umbanda, there are mediums of:

• incorporation,

• intuition,

• hearing,

• clairvoyance,

• healing,

• inspiration,

• energetic support,

• spiritual guidance.

  
  

Each medium contributes according to their characteristics, emotional balance, spiritual preparation, and commitment.

Mediumship is not a sign of evolution

Having overt mediumship does not make anyone morally superior. Mediumship is a tool, not a certificate of enlightenment.

It increases responsibility and demands discipline, humility, study, emotional balance, and inner reform. Without these pillars, mediumship can become a source of illusion, vanity, and suffering.

In Umbanda, spiritual value lies in conduct, not in phenomena.

Mediumship as a path of growth

When well guided, mediumship helps individuals to:

• develop sensitivity and empathy,

• better understand their emotions,

• assume spiritual responsibility,

• practice charity consciously,

• and accelerate their own maturation process.

  
  

It does not distance us from material life — on the contrary, it teaches us to live with more balance, awareness, and love.

Conclusion

In Umbanda, mediumship is a call to self-knowledge and service. We are all mediums, each in our own way. Some work incorporating, others sustaining, others feeling, others praying — but all participate in the same process of evolution.

To understand mediumship is to understand that spirituality is not distant: it manifests in the way we think, feel, choose, and act.

In the next post, we will talk about mediumistic development: why it is necessary, how it happens, and what care Umbanda teaches along this path.

Axé!

Pai Pequeno Bruno Pereira