ABSTRACT
In Chapter 2, the author performs the role of a researcher-observer and closely follow an assistant to a Taoist spirit medium, paying attention to his functions as interpreter, actor and godson of the spirit medium. Unable to be possessed by a deity, this assistant still performs a spiritual function. He connects the often imperceptible possessed spirit medium to a devotee who cannot understand the verbal or physical language of the spirit medium. This gives rise to a chain of signification that is personal as well as traditional, for the religious practice must rely on the personal interpretation of a bodily tradition and the translation of language in order to communicate the deity’s message to the religious community. The assistant also blogs and posts his observations online, relating his experience of his practice. This way, he is more than just an assistant to a spiritual practice – he re-contextualises a sacred practice for a public domain, which many others in Singapore are now doing for popular Taoism. Hence this chapter will begin to show the entangled nature of media in religious practice.
