The Spiritist spiritual pass is one of the most well-known practices in Spiritist houses, and also one of the most misunderstood. In a few words, it is the transmission of energies, the fluids, from a prepared passista to the recipient, always in an atmosphere of prayer and with the assistance of the good Spirits. It is the name that Spiritism gives to the ancient laying on of hands.
This guide explains what the spiritual pass is in the doctrine of Allan Kardec, what it is for, how it works in practice and, equally important, what it is not. Without promises of healing, without mysticism, based on Spiritist literature itself.
What is the Spiritist spiritual pass
In the Kardecist doctrine, the spiritual pass is the transfer of fluidic energies that rebalance the person who receives it. The one who applies it is the passista, a worker of the Spiritist house who serves as a channel. The one who provides the healing impulse, ultimately, are the benevolent Spirits who act alongside them.
The historical root is in animal magnetism studied by Mesmer in the 18th century, an idea that Kardec collected and reinterpreted. For Spiritism, it is not just about human magnetism: there is also the direct action of the Spirits. The spiritual pass is, therefore, at the same time a practice of energy and an act of charity, described by Kardec in works such as The Genesis and The Book of Mediums.
If you are still getting to know the doctrine, it is worth reading what Spiritism is first to understand where the spiritual pass fits in.
What the spiritual pass is for (and what it is not)
The spiritual pass serves to rebalance. It acts on the physical body as well as the emotional, mental, and spiritual, helping to relieve fatigue, anguish, discouragement, and the feeling of heaviness. It is a support, a rejuvenation, offered for free to those who seek the spiritist house.
But here is the most important point of this article, and the spiritist literature itself insists on repeating:
The spiritual pass does not replace medical treatment. It is a complement to medicine, never a substitute. Anyone with a health problem should seek a doctor, and can also seek the spiritual pass as support. The two things go together.
Therefore, be suspicious of any place that promises guaranteed cure or a "spiritual pass that cures such disease." Kardec himself, in The Genesis, classifies instant cure by the imposition of hands as something exceptional, not as a rule. The spiritual pass is not magic, it is not a miracle on demand, and it is never charged for.
The fluids: magnetic, spiritual, and mixed
To understand how the spiritual pass works, it is necessary to know the idea of fluid, central to the doctrine. The spiritist literature describes three situations:
- Magnetic fluid: is the fluid of the passist themselves, human magnetism. Its strength depends not only on the quantity, but above all on the moral quality of the one who emits it.
- Spiritual fluid: is the fluid poured directly by the superior Spirits, without an intermediary. Its quality comes from the elevation of these Spirits.
- Mixed spiritual pass: the combination of the two. The Spirits pour their fluids over the passist, who serves as a vehicle, and the spiritual fluid perfects the human fluid. It is the most common form in spiritist houses.
This is why the moral preparation of the passista is so important. Technique is not enough: prayer, concentration, and good intention are what give quality to the transmitted fluid.
How the passe works in practice
In the routine of a spiritist center, the passe is discreet and fast. See how it usually happens:
- Who applies it: the passista does not need to have a special "gift". It is a person of good will, connected to a spiritist house, with study, preparation, and commitment to charity. Healing mediumship develops with work, it is not born ready. To better understand this point, see what mediumship is.
- Generally without toque: contrary to what many people imagine, the passe is usually given without touching the person. The passista makes gestures with their hands over the head and shoulders, at a short distance. The toque is not necessary.
- In a prayerful atmosphere: everything happens in silence or with a prayer, with the passista's mind turned toward good. Concentration is an essential part.
- Fast: the passe lasts a few minutes, generally one to three. It is not time consuming.
All this occurs in the house's passe room, normally next to the public meeting, and is completely free of charge.
Types of passe and the conversation about "techniques"
Based on the origin of the fluid, we have already seen the three types: magnetic, spiritual, and mixed. Besides this doctrinal classification, there is technical literature on the subject, with the work Passes e Radiações, by Edgard Armond, being the most well known reference in Brazil, widely used in training courses for passistas.
An honest caveat: there is divergence within the spiritist movement itself regarding standardizing gestures and "techniques" of the passe (longitudinal, transverse, and similar). Some federations understand that this level of detail goes beyond what Kardec taught, and that what truly matters is moral harmony and prayer, not the choreography of the hands. Therefore, there is no single "right way": each house follows the guidance of its federation, such as the Federação Espírita Brasileira.
Spiritist passe and passe in Umbanda: the difference
Since Joia Mística brings together audiences from different traditions, it is worth clarifying a common confusion. The spiritist passe is not the passe of Umbanda, although both use the hands and energy.
| Spiritist passe (Kardecist) | Passe in Umbanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies it | Passista, without spirit incorporation | Medium incorporated by the spirit |
| Resources | Prayer, hand gestures, sobriety | Smoke cleansing, candles, herbs, pontos cantados (sacred songs) |
| Base | Fluids and prayer, Kardec doctrine | Action of the spirit (caboclo, preto-velho) |
| Atmosphere | Sober, collective, fast | Ritualistic and individualized |
In Spiritism, the passista remains conscious and does not incorporate orixás (orishas) or spirit guides. In Umbanda, it is the spirit itself, incorporated in the medium, who works. They are distinct traditions, each with its own richness, and none is superior to the other.
And the fluidified water?
Along with the passe, many houses offer fluidified water, water magnetized by the fluids of the passista or of the Spirits. It is taken as a complementary resource, to prolong the effect of the passe at home. The same golden rule applies: it is a support, not a medicine, and does not replace any health treatment.
How to prepare to receive the passe
Receiving the passe does not require anything special, but some simple precautions help to make the best of the moment:
- Go with tranquility. Arrive a few minutes early and try to quiet the mind before entering the passes room.
- Have a sincere intention. It is not necessary to "ask" for anything out loud. Just open your heart and be willing to receive whatever is for your well-being.
- Breathe and relax. During the passe, keep your eyes closed, breathe calmly, and avoid staying tense. Relaxation favors the exchange of fluids.
- Do not expect sensations. Some people feel heat, lightness, or chills; others feel nothing immediately. Both cases are normal. The effect of the passe is not measured by physical sensation.
- Take care of yourself afterward. Drink water, rest, and maintain good thoughts. And remember: the passe accompanies, but does not replace, your health treatments.
Attending regularly, studying the doctrine, and practicing charity expand the benefit of each passe, because rebalancing is also the result of an internal change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Spiritist passe in a few words?
It is the transmission of energies, called fluids, from a prepared passista to the recipient, in an atmosphere of prayer and with the help of the good Spirits. It is the form that Spiritism gives to the laying on of hands, with the objective of rebalancing the person on the physical, emotional, and spiritual planes.
What is the passe for?
It serves to rebalance and relieve, helping with fatigue, anguish, discouragement, and emotional weight. It is always a complement to medical treatment, never a substitute. It does not promise a guaranteed cure: it is a spiritual support offered with charity and for free in Spiritist houses.
Who can give a Spiritist passe?
It is not necessary to have a rare gift. Anyone with good will who studies the doctrine, prepares themselves, and is connected to a Spiritist house can be a passista, assuming a commitment to charity. What makes a difference is moral preparation and prayer, more than any technique.
Does the passe need a touch on the hands?
In most houses, no. The passe is usually given without touching the person, with hand gestures over the head and shoulders, at a short distance. Touch is not necessary, and centers usually avoid it precisely to avoid misunderstandings.
What is the difference between a Spiritist passe and a passe in Umbanda?
In the Spiritist passe, the passista does not incorporate: they transmit fluids in prayer, in a sober manner. In Umbanda, it is the spirit incorporated in the medium, such as a caboclo or preto-velho, who works with smoke cleansing (defumação), herbs, and pontos cantados (sacred songs). These are practices of different traditions, without hierarchy between them.
Where to find spiritist and support items
At Joia Mística Laroyê, you find items that accompany the spiritual life of those who attend the spiritist house:
- Doctrine books: works by Allan Kardec and spiritist authors
- Cups and moringas: for fluidified water at home
- White candles: for moments of prayer and concentration
- Soft incense: to harmonize the study environment
Visit our shop in Extrema, Minas Gerais or talk to us via WhatsApp and we ship all over Brazil.
References
- Wikipedia: entry on the spiritist spiritual pass and animal magnetism
- AEFC: article on the spiritual pass from a spiritist vision
- Brazilian Spiritist Federation: official page on the spiritual pass
