The Spirit Medium’s Incense Child: A Record of Supernatural Sensations

During the long, grueling years of opening the spiritual apertures, a swollen brow, ringing ears, and energy coursing through the body become everyday occurrences. Each kind of immortal visitor brings its own distinct sensations: when a White Immortal arrives, a gentle warmth spreads through the body, and they excel at warding off calamity and curing illness. When a Qingfeng Ghost Immortal comes calling, an icy chill seeps into the bones, and an inexplicable sadness rises in the heart, making you want to cry.

This book records the full set of traditional rules for spirit mediums: the rituals for offering incense on the first and fifteenth of the month, the ranks and hierarchy of the spirits in the altar, never casually revealing an immortal’s true name, never forcibly binding one, never shouldering another person’s heavy karma, and always examining your own character before acting.

From first learning to invite spirits and dispel yin disturbances, to dealing with rogue spirits from outside and resolving conflicts among the spirits of the same clan, a single incense burner connects the worlds of yin and yang. There are no exaggerated monster-slaying scenes. This is simply the hardship and resolve of a female spirit medium. Every physical reaction when a spirit possesses her and every ritual procedure and taboo are drawn from real-life spirit-medium experiences in Northeast China. The story lays bare the helplessness of those who bear incense on their heads, as well as their original wish to help others cross over.