Judy Humphreys says through channelling she is in touch with Balthazar. Picture / Nicola Topping

Judy Humphreys says through channelling she is in touch with Balthazar. Picture / Nicola Topping

Can ordinary people really communicate with entities in another realm? JILL MALCOLM investigates the phenomenon of channelling.

In a perfectly normal and pleasant Auckland suburban home a rather extraordinary event is taking place. Judy Humphreys, sitting in a brocade armchair with a print of Claude Monet's poppies in the field on the wall behind her, closes her eyes and turns her palms to the ceiling to try to summon the entity Balthazar.

There is nothing discernibly different about Judy. An attractive, slim woman, about 40-ish, with short, dark hair, a healthy skin and clear blue eyes, she is dressed elegantly as if she were a corporate marketing consultant heading for the office on a summer's day.

As Balthazar "comes in" her head jerks back, her right hand jabs the air, her voice changes pace and tone and the language becomes more formal.

"I am Balthazar and it is a pleasure to speak to you," says the voice. "I welcome you here. You may ask questions and we are happy to assist you."

I have a question ready. "Well, yes Balthazar," I say, feeling slightly foolish. "What would you like to say to the people who read the article I am about to write?"

"We would wish you to say that we are here to provide clarity and simplicity and impart much support, love and guidance to all. That channelling is part of going home to the Godself within."

Next question: "Can you tell me why the things that have happened in my own life have occurred?"

"All the things that you have experienced have been part of your learning in order to make you strong and clear so that you can do the work that is your soul's path.

"If you choose you will be able to work with us who are here to assist and empower individuals for change. We are here to help to take the people of this planet into a new awareness of multi-dimensional reality outside of themselves. If you choose we can assist you to write this article."

I was grateful for that.

Writing about such things is fraught with the possibilities of deception and misunderstanding. Was I really witnessing the breaking of the veil between this world and the next or was this pleasant woman sitting opposite me endearingly out to lunch?

It would be quite something to believe that higher beings have noticed me and offered to guide me. And also an enormous relief to know that my essential self will transport to other planes when I have shuffled off the mortal coil.