The Zwanenhof

Following a now much talked about documentary on the subject of #survivingdeath – now seems a very good time to re-share my account and experiences at the Zwanenhof – the college featured throughout episode 2 and 3 of the new #Netflix docu-series.

In 2018 I spent a week there, I attended 2 sèances with Nicole de Haas (one private and one for students who attend the college), I observed trance twice, I gave 2 private trance sittings of my own as well as a presentation for the students about the Monarchy and their mediums which was really well received.

**** my original report below ****

The Zwanenhof
Europe’s leading centre for Mediumship Studies – by Warren James – www.trancemedium.wordpress.com

On Saturday 21 April I departed from Birmingham International Airport on route to Amsterdam and for the next 6 days I shall do what I have never felt at all inspired to do – I shall embark upon a mediumship course.

Now, I must stress that I have no issues with such courses, but the idea of spending just short of £1000 at the Arthur Findlay College or the Zwanenhof has never appealed to me – especially when my own evidential trance mediumship has been unfolding perfectly well outside of view within the privacy of my own home circle for many years now.

Experiencing some of the “accredited tutors” over the years has rarely filled me with an ounce of confidence – from their teachings I’ve always been of the opinion that development alone, in a closed and harmonious circle, out of the sight of critical eyes and under the full supervision of the spirit people is “THE WAY”.

So why the change?

In October 2017 I was invited by the highly respected trance and physical medium, Stewart Alexander, to demonstrate at his own seminar in North Yorkshire, England. Stewart has become a friend and one that I would call a mentor during my own development. He has always been my first point of call for advice and never has he failed to respond and offer help where possible. He has followed my unfoldment with interest down the years and for this reason I agreed to give that demonstration – with a feeling of nerves inside me.

But a brief moment that changed everything for me happened on the Sunday of his seminar when another young medium came to me and thanked me for my demonstration. I trusted that she meant what she said because she herself was an AFC accredited demonstrator and tutor by the name of Nicole de Haas and it was her first time demonstrating clairvoyance at Stewart’s gathering. Nicole’s demonstration so accurate that is below me away and her sincerity shone through.

After the seminar, Nicole and I remained in contact and I discovered that she was a trance medium and that she had developed a very good standard of physical mediumship and that materialised people where now walking within her own séance room.

We also realised that there where more things in common with each other than we first considered – many of the commonalities related directly to the interaction between the spirit people themselves who work with us.

My own spirit team began showing up in Nicole’s circle in Holland and reporting to my home circle all that they saw taking place there whilst her own spirit people began reciprocating this.

I sensed a greater purpose and made the decision to take the step and attend the Zwanenhof.

ARRIVAL AT AMSTERDAM

I arrived at Amsterdam and was collected by a private vehicle arranged for me by the Zwanenhof team and I was greeted with true kindness by my driver as well the Zwanenhof staff who are unbelievably courteous beyond what I expected.

Meeting with my friend and course leader Nicole – she showed me around the college and we had lunch together.

My room was basic and contained everything that you truly need – bed, wardrobe, bathroom, desk, towels etc.

Following this I enjoyed meeting Nicole’s circle members and later that evening they all very kindly sat for my development.

After this – and a few drinks at the bar – we retired to bed and awaited Sunday, the official start date of the course.

Sunday afternoon I met the tutors, Libby Clarke from the UK and the Awakened Mind Coach, Suzanne Temple, whilst I myself participated as a guest speaker during the week (upon Nicole’s invitation to do so).

The Sunday afternoon was an opportunity for students to meet the tutors and to get to know each other. Following this we had the pleasure of hearing a lecture by Awakened Mind Coach Suzanne – she showed us many slides and images surrounding her research into the brain wave patterns of the more than 100 trance and physical mediums that she has studied.

It is without question that her presentation will have inspired people to considered how trance is taught and how people look at their own development.

MEDITATION & LECTURES

Suzanne’s own talk was an extended version of a similar presentation that she gave on the Facebook group – Sacred Dance with Trance – a few months back when she was interviewed for the group, I would urge you to seek out the 2 part video within the group or on You Tube.

Monday to Friday morning: Breakfast was served between 8am and 9pm – following this was a 30 minutes period to relax before meditation.

Meditation was daily between 9:30am and 9:55am and each day at 10am we commenced with a different lecture by one of our experienced tutors.

Monday’s lecture was by Suzanne, Tuesday by Nicole, Wednesday by Libby and Thursday by myself during which I presented, with pictures, my “Monarchs & Their Mediums” talk.

Nicole’s lecture discussed healing and touched upon those historic mediums that healed in the trance state and whose guides could materialise, such as Alec Harris.

Libby’s lecture was concerning trance healing, an area that she is very passionate about and is a fine demonstrator of.

During this talk she explained about the healing nature of the tiny sub atomic particles known as Neutrinos and the healing knowledge passed to her by the spirit people which explained how they worked with them – information that was given and delivered in a very evidential way when she visited Switzerland.

WORKSHOPS

Between 11:30am – 13:00 and 14:30 – 16:00 all students would enjoy workshops with the tutors.

With Libby, these workshops involved helping people to breakdown their psychological barriers, a major factor for developing medium out there. It was about understanding what we know and have learnt about the connection with the spirit people who choose to work with us. We looked at inspiration and understanding this so often over looked area of our minds. She also allowed time for us all to sit and learn to feel the spirit world, regardless of your stage of development, to try to feel the closeness via inspiration, to cross the bridge of the mind, to meet half way with these people who choose to develop us.

During Nicole’s classes we enjoyed many similar aspects, however, the focus was upon the sitting within circle, the development of circles, the development of trance and the progression towards physical mediumship.

As a Physical medium herself, Nicole certainly spoke from experience.

DEMONSTRATIONS

During each evening we were treated by our tutors to demonstrations by them and their own spirit people.

Libby Clarke: gave a remarkable demonstration of Trance Healing whereby Dr James, her principle healer, entranced Libby and proceeded to move and animate her around the patients. He would take their pulse whilst advising them of what medication they were currently taking (to incredible accuracy), he would then endeavour to administer his own treatment, to assist further.

I must say, ever the cynical person that I am, I was VERY impressed and within this limited space I cannot do DR JAMES justice, but he is truly a wonderful person to have met and I hope that our paths will cross again one day.

Nicole de Haas: invited students to attend an experimental séance on a separate evening.

I must stress here, I was given full control of the séance room during the day… I aided the set up, I arranged chairs, helped placing seating labels, positioned the cabinet, moved the mediums chair and was generally there at all times. I searched all of the male sitters and I was one of the few present when one lady became over emotional and expressed her desire not to sit during this demonstration of physical mediumship. So I cannot emphasise how involved I was – and this is important – many physical mediums of the past are slandered and accused and many of these are concerning the layout and preparation of the séance room itself.

I WAS THERE and I played that part – I am 200% certain that all was above board and correct.

Once all people where checked and seated, Nicole was strapped to her chair tightly at the wrists and ankles whilst the last fragments of day light where removed from the room and we sat in total darkness and opened with a short invocation.

After some joyful singing we were joined by Tommy, speaking to us through the entranced Nicole.

He commenced by offering a message to “the lady who decided to not sit with them tonight” – how on earth did Tommy know that? The message included specific details relevant to her and we duly noted them and transmitted them afterwards – to a very delighted lady who confirmed that all was entirely accurate. A lady who had flown from Australia to Holland, who had decided at the last moment to not attend and yet was still touched by the spirit world.

What followed was beyond question a most moving moment.

Tommy highlighted a father and daughter in the room – which was correct – both had travelled there from New Mexico, USA. He advised that they lost a young daughter / sister called Paige – CORRECT! “Well, in a moment she will try and walk from the cabinet and to touch you” Tommy advised… The room was charged with emotions by this point!

Music was played gently and during the moments the father spoke out that he was being touched by the hands of a little child – his daughter – and that he could feel her on his head, that he was being hugged and embraced.

Ever the skeptic, for a brief moment I wondered, is it possible that Nicole had left the cabinet?

My heart knew she hadn’t, but the brain is an evil machine at times. But in that moment, with the physical experiences happening between father and daughters just 4 feet to my right, out of the cabinet, loud and clear, Tommy spoke through Nicole and continued to speak to the two American visitors, who by which time where overcome with emotions.

FANTASTIC PROOF that the medium was exactly where she is supposed to be, that the materialised form was genuine and independent and that my heart was correct (and my brain was a cynical old goat).

Libby Clarke, sat in a separate cabinet during the event and was being used to aid the power, but during this next period an attempt was made to bring Neutrinos into the room and to send them into the world for healing purposes.

The room became colder, noticeably colder… like during the materialisation attempt… icey coldness

Libby’s guides gave information regarding the purpose of the healing and this was executed splendidly!

Afterwards, I saw Nicole and Libby, we sat for a time in a private room and I observed the noticeable exhaustion and drainage of the two ladies.

Nicole shared with me how she was not fully unconscious and was quite aware as the materialisation attempt of the little girl commenced – that she felt as if her intestines had been pulled from her body and stretched out across the room. At that moment a spirit person appeared at her side and took her down and out of conscious awareness.

If this is what happens then can you blame such mediums for keeping out of the public gaze?

I hope that the Zwanenhof realise and appreciate what they have. Even the AFC have never truly developed a resident physical medium and have done little to support it of late. I truly hope that the Zwanenhof cherish what they have developing under their roof – the jewel in the crown of mediumship!!!

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS

Midweek there was a demonstration of mediumship within the chapel at the Zwanenhof – this was open to the public and it was very much a full house.

Nicole, Libby and Suzanne demonstrated clairvoyance to a remarkable degree of accuracy and I’m not just saying that – it was PROFOUNDLY accurate – and many people present shared laughter, joy and the occasional tear – for myself it was a pleasure to chair and play MC to such an event and I will cherish it always.

After such a fun packed and wonderful week it is true to say that all good things must eventually come to an end – and that happened on Friday afternoon with a beautiful closing ceremony during which we all lit a candle and gave thanks for the wonderful experience before going our separate ways.

It was emotional – touching and truly AMAZING

To my good friends Nicole and Suzanne – and to my new friend Libby – the work that you do is truly wonderful and what you gave of yourselves, physically and emotionally, is even more so!

My thanks to you all!

Warren James
June 2018

www.nicoledehaas.nl

www.suzannetempel.com

www.trancemedium.wordpress.com