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In 1963, a poet from Elmira, New York, sat down at her typewriter and began to write words she did not remember composing. Jane Roberts called it “channeling.” Across the Atlantic, a British publisher would have set the same word as “channelling.” The difference between channeling and channelling is purely orthographic: one L in American English, two Ls in British English. Both spellings refer to the same practice: receiving information from a non-physical source, often through an altered state of consciousness.

What Does the Spelling Difference Actually Mean?

What Does the Spelling Difference Actually Mean

The two spellings carry no difference in meaning. In American English, the verb “channel” drops the second L when adding -ing (channeling). British English doubles the consonant before -ing (channelling). Both derive from the Latin canalis (a pipe or groove), which entered Middle English as “channel” meaning a watercourse. The spiritual sense of being a conduit for information appeared in the late 19th century, and the spelling followed the regional conventions of the time.

If you are writing for a global audience, the choice is a matter of style. American publishers and most online platforms default to “channeling.” British and Commonwealth publications prefer “channelling.” The practice itself is identical.

Where Did the Term Come From? A History of Channeling

The word “channel” in a spiritual context first appeared in the writings of the Theosophical Society. Helena Blavatsky, in her 1877 book Isis Unveiled, described herself as a “channel” for messages from hidden masters. She did not use the verb form “channeling” directly, but the concept was set.

The term gained wider use in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of the New Age movement. Jane Roberts’ Seth Material (1963 onward) was explicitly called “channeling” in American editions. Roberts entered a trance state and dictated complex metaphysical lectures from an entity named Seth. Her husband, Robert Butts, transcribed the sessions. The books sold millions of copies and fixed “channeling” in the American lexicon.

In the United Kingdom, the same phenomenon was described as “channelling.” The British medium Grace Cooke (1892–1979) used the term in her work with the White Eagle Lodge, founded in 1936. Her books, published in London, consistently used the double-L spelling.

By the 1980s, channeling had become a recognized category in Western esotericism. The term appeared in academic studies, such as Jon Klimo’s 1987 book Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources, which used the American spelling. Klimo defined channeling as “the communication of information to or through a human being from a source that is said to exist on some other level or dimension of reality.”

What Channeling Symbolizes: The Conduit and the Source

The metaphor of the channel is deliberate. A channel is a passage through which something flows: water, electricity, voice. The practitioner does not claim authorship. They are the pipe, not the water.

This symbolism carries several implications. First, it implies a separation between the human receiver and the source. Unlike possession, where the entity takes control of the body, channeling often allows the practitioner to remain aware or to step aside voluntarily. Second, it suggests that the information is filtered. A channel narrows and directs. What comes through is shaped by the limitations of the receiver: their vocabulary, cultural background, and personal biases.

In many traditions, the channel is also a translator. The entity may speak in symbols or concepts that the channel must render into human language. This is why different channels reporting the same source often produce different texts.

How Channeling Is Practiced: Methods and Traditions

Channeling takes several forms. The most common are:

  • Trance channeling: The practitioner enters a deep altered state and loses awareness of their surroundings. The entity speaks through them. Jane Roberts worked this way. The voice, mannerisms, and even handwriting may change.

  • Conscious channeling: The practitioner remains aware and hears or sees the information internally, then repeats or writes it. This is closer to clairaudience or clairvoyance. Many modern channels use this method because it feels safer and less disorienting.

  • Automatic writing: The hand writes without conscious control. The channel may not know what is being written until they read it later. This method was popular in 19th century Spiritualism and is still used today.

  • Channeled art or music: Some practitioners produce paintings, drawings, or musical compositions that they attribute to a non-physical source.

The tools are minimal: a quiet space, a notebook or recording device, and a willingness to set aside critical judgment during the session. Many channels begin with a prayer or invocation, asking for protection and clarity. Some use a candle or a crystal as a focal point.

Channeling vs Mediumship vs Possession: Key Comparisons

Channeling is often confused with mediumship, and the two overlap significantly. A medium communicates with the spirits of the deceased. A channel typically communicates with non-human entities: ascended masters, extraterrestrials, nature spirits, or the collective unconscious. The distinction is not rigid. Many mediums also channel, and many channels also contact the dead.

Possession differs in that the entity takes control without the practitioner’s consent or awareness. In channeling, the practitioner invites the communication and can usually stop it at will. In possession, the person may have no memory of what occurred. Channeling is a cooperative act; possession is an invasion.

Common Misconceptions About Channeling

Misconception 1: Channeling is always a trance state. Many channels remain fully conscious. The term covers a spectrum from light inspiration to deep trance.

Misconception 2: Only special people can channel. Most practitioners believe the ability is latent in everyone. It requires practice, relaxation, and the willingness to set aside self-doubt. Some people are naturally more receptive, but training can develop the skill.

Misconception 3: Channeled information is always accurate. Channels are human. Their biases, expectations, and unconscious material can color the message. The same source may give contradictory information through different channels. Critical evaluation is essential.

Misconception 4: Channeling is the same as psychic reading. A psychic reader uses their own abilities to perceive information about a person or situation. A channel claims to relay information from an outside source. In practice, the line blurs.

FAQ

Is channeling dangerous? It can be if the practitioner has unresolved psychological issues or attempts to force a trance without grounding. Most traditions recommend protection practices, such as visualizing a shield of light, and setting clear boundaries before beginning.

Can anyone learn to channel? Yes, with practice. Many teachers offer courses in conscious channeling. The key is learning to quiet the inner critic and trust the first impression that comes.

What is the difference between channeling and mediumship? Mediumship specifically contacts the spirits of the deceased. Channeling often contacts non-human entities, though the methods overlap. A medium may channel a spirit, but not all channels are mediums.

Why are there two spellings? Regional English conventions. American English uses “channeling” (one L), British English uses “channelling” (two Ls). Both are correct in their respective contexts.

Closing

The spelling you choose says more about your audience than your practice. What matters is the act itself: the quieting of the self to let something else speak. Whether you write it with one L or two, the tradition is the same. For a deeper look at related practices, explore our guide to mediumship and the glossary entry on trance states. You may also find our article on automatic writing useful for understanding one of the most common channeling methods.