Genuine Medium Ship or Invisible Powers by Swami Bhakta Vishita
Genuine Medium Ship or Invisible Powers by Swami Bhakta Vishita
Genuine Medium Ship or Invisible Powers by Swami Bhakta Vishita
Bhakta Vishita
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Obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this text. For a complete list, please see the bottom
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Genuine Mediumship
OR
CONTENTS
PART I.
NATURE'S FINER FORCES
Knowledge versus Faith. Supernormal, not Supernatural. Supernormal, not Abnormal. The
Prevailing Ignorance. Prejudice Against the Unusual. Great Changes Impending. The
Naturalness of Occult Powers. The World of Vibrations. Super-sensible Vibrations. Unseen
Worlds. Interpenetrating Planes and Worlds. Manifold Planes of Existence. Planes and
7
Vibrations. The Higher Senses of Man. The World of Sensation. A Senseless World. The
Elemental Sense. The Raw Material of Thought. The Evolution of the Senses. Unfoldment of
New Senses. Discovery of New Worlds. We Sense Only Vibratory Motion. The Higher Planes of
Nature. An Appeal to Reason
PART II.
MENTAL VIBRATIONS AND TRANSMISSION
The Higher Forces. Chitta, or Mind Substance. What Modern Science Says. A Living Dynamic
Focus. Dynamic Correlate of Thought. Answer to Skeptical Critics. The World of Vibrations.
Unchartered Seas of Vibration. The Human Wireless Telegraph Instrument. A Great Scientist's
Theory. Human-Electro-Magnetism. Human Etherical Force. The Brain-Battery. A Peculiar
31
Organ. The Pineal Gland. Transmission of Thought. A General Principle. Transformation of
Vibrations. Example of Electric Light. Example of Wireless Telegraphy. Example of Light
Waves. Transformation of Mental Vibrations. Vibrational Attunement. In Tune with the Higher
Planes. Two Key-Words
PART III.
THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE
Involuntary Transmission of Mental Vibrations. Thought Waves. Vibratory Thought Force.
Mental Atmospheres. The Categories of Thought. Mental Whirlpools. Mental Tidal Waves.
Immunity to Thought Influences. Mental Attunement. Voluntary Transmission of Mental
Vibrations. Voluntary Mental Influence. White Magic. Black Magic. Base Use of Mind Power. 53
The Secret of Witchcraft. Modern Black Magic. The Explanation of Sorcery. The Power of
Fearthought. The Negative Pole. Voodooism Explained. Self-Protection. Repelling Adverse
Influences. Telepathic Phenomena. Scientific Investigators. How Experiments are Conducted.
Private Experiments. Development of Telepathic Power. "Mind Reading." Development
Practices. The "Willing Game." Formal Tests. Automatic Writing. Psychic Sensitiveness
PART IV.
CLAIRVOYANCE AND KINDRED PHENOMENA
Clairvoyance Defined. The Phenomena of Clairvoyance. Classification of Clairvoyant
Phenomena. Psychometry. The "Psychic Scent." Magnetic Affinity. Distant En Rapport. Psychic
Underground Explorations. Psychic Detective Work. How to Psychometrize. Developing
Psychometry. Varieties of Psychometry. Psychometric "Getting in Touch." Psychometric
Readings. Crystal Gazing, etc. Crystals and Bright Objects. The Care of the Crystal. How To Use
79
the Crystal. The "Milky Mist." Classes of Psychic Pictures. General Directions for Crystal
Gazing. Selection of Place, etc. Adjusting the Crystal. Time of Sitting. Other Persons Present.
Crystalline Vision. Physical Requirements. Determining Time of Fulfillment. Two Classes of
Visions. Time and Space in Crystal Gazing. Direct Clairvoyance. Trance Conditions. Clairvoyant
Reverie. The Dawn of Clairvoyance. Methods of Development
PART V.
CLAIRVOYANCE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Present Clairvoyance. The Human Aura. The Prana Aura. The Auric Colors. Thought Forms. The
X-Ray Sense. Microscopic Vision. Space Clairvoyance. The Psychic Telescope. Radio-Activity.
Sensing the Higher Vibrations. Viewing Distant Scenes. Time Clairvoyance. Past Time
Clairvoyance. The Mystery Seeing the Past. Analogies of the Physical Plane. Thousand Year Old
105
Light. Reading the Light Waves. The Akashic Plane. The Akashic Records. Degrees of
Clairvoyant Vision. "The Memory of Nature." Involuntary Clairvoyance. Future Time
Clairvoyance. Seeing What Has Not Yet Happened. Simple Prevision. The Nature of Time. The
Oriental Teaching. The Eternal Now. Absolute Time
PART VI.
MEDIUMSHIP
What is Mediumship? Ancient Mediumship. Mediumship and Religious Belief. The Ideals of
Modern Spiritualism. Immortality Demonstrated Through Mediumship. The Truth of Personal
Survival. The Gateway of Mediumship. The Mediumistic Character. Mediumistic Sensitivity.
The Higher Vibratory Forces. Psychic Attunement. The Development of Mediumship. 133
Unconscious Mediumship. Mediumship and Individuality. Co-operation of Medium and Spirits.
Mediumship Not Dangerous. Rational Mediumship. The "Home Circle." The Cure For
Fraudulent Mediumship. Warning to Young Mediums
PART VII.
MEDIUMISTIC CONDITIONS
Physical Phenomena. "Psychic Force." Human Magnetism. "Zoether." "Prana." Mental
Phenomena. The Value of Phenomena. Trance Condition Not Essential. Scientific Reports on
Phenomena. Phenomena Without Darkness. Test Conditions. Is Darkness Necessary? Developing
Circles. Impersonating Mediumship. The Proper Mental Condition. Proof of Spirit Identity. The 153
"Trance Condition." Spirit Impersonation. Spirit Suggestion. Psychic Attunement. Automatic
Writing. Inspirational Speaking. Gradual Development of Powers. Spirit Guides. No Loss of
Individuality. Mediumship Beneficial. Mediumship and the Bible
PART VIII.
HOW TO DEVELOP MEDIUMSHIP
Who are Mediumistic? The Mediumistic Temperament. Is Mediumship Desirable? Developing
the Natural Power. Mediumship and Genius. Spontaneous Mediumship. Mediumistic Flashes.
Systematic Development. The Development Circle. The Aspirational Attitude. Natural
Unfoldment. Persistent Watchful Waiting. Building Lines of Communication. Developing
Concentration. The Call for Illumination. The Jacob's Ladder of Communion. What a
173
Development Circle Is. Forming the Development Circle. The Sitters in the Circle. The Spirit
Communication Code. The Matter of Time Conditions. Opening the Seance. Developing a
Medium. The Personnel of the Circle. Changing the Sitters. Adding a Medium. Reasons for
Changes. Psychic Attunement. Pre-Test Manifestations. Premature Tests. Forcing Tests. Spirit
Directions. Questioning the Spirits. Substance and Shadow
PART IX.
MEDIUMISTIC PHENOMENA
The Part Played by the Sitters. Result of Bad Sitters. Mental Atmosphere of the Medium. The
Mediumistic Mind. Mediumistic "Stage Fright." The Psychic Telephone System. Interrupted
Communications. Some Difficulties of the Spirits. Difficulties Overcome. The Psychic Triangle.
Harmonious Relationship. The Discord Note. Antagonistic Elements. The Open Mind. Spirits
and the Sense of Humor. Rhythmic Harmony. Retarding Factors. Reasonable Demands of 200
Spirits. Harmonious Conditions. The Channel of Communication. The Role of the Spirits.
Difficulties Among Spirits. Disturbing elements. Impersonation Mediumship. True Purpose of
Mediumship. Gradual Development. Public Seances. Home Circle Development. Undue
Prolongation of Seances. Good Advice to Young Mediums. Self-Protection for Mediums
PART X.
EXPERIENCES IN THE CIRCLE
Signs of Spirit Presence. Spirit Rappings. Table Tippings. The Spirit Signals. Flashes of
Communication. Spirit Code-Signals. Ouija Boards. A Homemade Ouija Board. Trance or
Inspirational Mediumship. Symptoms of Trance Conditions. The Entranced Stage. Trance
Phenomena. Entering the Trance. Advice to Trance Mediums. Speaking Mediumship. Public-
229
Speaking Under Control. Spirit Advice and Counsel. Impersonating Manifestations. Incidents of
Impersonation. Incidents of Inspirational Mediumship. Value of Identification. Fraudulent
Claims of Identity. Guarding Against Fraudulent Spirits. Spirit Jokers. A Typical Case of
Identification. Recalling Past Incidents. Identifying Property. Identifying Historical Personages
PART XI.
HIGHER SPIRIT MANIFESTATIONS
Spirit Psychometry and Clairvoyance. Spirit Psychic Assistance. Writing Mediumship. Incidents
of Writing Mediumship. Developing Writing Mediumship. Stead's Method and Results.
Automatic Writing vs. Inspirational Writing. Use and Abuse of Automatic Writing. Advice to
Writing Mediums. Drawing Mediumship. The Planchette. How to Use the Planchette. Healing
Mediumship. How To Heal by Spirit Power. Materialization Mediumship. The Spirit Cabinet Is
251
Necessary. How To Make the Spirit Cabinet. How To Use the Spirit Cabinet. Spirit
Phosphorescence. Appearance of Materialized Substance. Materialized Spirit Forms. Scientific
Proof of Materialization. How To Conduct a Materializing Seance. Trumpet Mediumship. Spirit
Playing on Musical Instruments. Independent Slate Writing. The Slate Writing Circle. Spirit
Paintings. Practical Advice to Developing Mediums
7
PART I
NATURE'S FINER FORCES
One of the most common mistaken conceptions of the average student of the occult sciences, and of so-
called "psychic phenomena" in general, is that which may be expressed by the term "supernatural."
This term, as you know, is used to express the idea of "that which is outside of the realm of Nature, and
of Nature's laws."
Super-Sensible Vibrations.
Moreover, as every text book on science informs us, there are sounds too low as well as 15those too
high for the human ear to register, but which are registered by delicate instruments. Again, there are
colors beyond the place of red, at one end of the visible spectrum; and others beyond the place of violet
at the other end of that spectrum, which the human eye is unable to register and detect, but which our
apparatus in the laboratory plainly register. The ray of light which registers on the photographic plate,
and which causes sunburn on our skin, is too high a rate of vibration for our eyes to perceive. Likewise
the X-Rays, and many other of the finer rays of light known to science are imperceptible to the unaided
human vision—they are actually "dark rays" so far as the human eye is concerned, though man has
devised instruments by means of which they may be caught and registered.
Unseen Worlds.
Listen to what careful thinkers have said concerning the possibility of entire worlds existing in the
same space occupied by us, but of which we are unconscious by reason of our failure to sense their
vibrations: One says, "All our sensations are due to the impact upon our sense-organs of vibrations in
some form. Variations in the strength and rapidity of these vibrations constitute the difference in our
perceptions. Our range of response is but a limited one. Some vibrations are too rapid and some too
slow to affect our senses, and therefore we have called to our aid various mechanical contrivances
which enable us to recognize existences which would otherwise remain unknown. But it is still
conceivable that there may be, and doubtless are, conditions of vibratory energy that escape us, and
which, if we could develop finer senses, would yield wonderful results and extensions of our power and
knowledge. Today, indeed, we are coming into contact with forces, possibilities, and personalities
which amount to a revelation of a new universe of things."
A Senseless World.
A writer on the subject has said: "Psychologists have pointed out to us the fact that if a human being
were born without sense organs, no matter how perfect a brain he might have, his life would be little
more than that of a plant. Such a person would exist merely in a dreamlike state, with only the very
faintest manifestations of consciousness. His consciousness would not be able to react in response to
the impact of sensations from the outside world, for there would be no such impact. And as
consciousness depends almost entirely upon the impact of, or resistance to, outside impressions, his
consciousness would be almost entirely inactive. He would be conscious of his own existence, but
would probably never realize the fact fully, for he would have nothing else with which to compare
himself, and his self-consciousness would never be aroused by contact with things outside of himself.
Such a person would not have even the memories of previous sensations or experiences to arouse or
heighten his consciousness or thought, and consequently he would have no imagination to use. He
would be, to all intents and purposes, a living corpse. Helen Keller has only two doors of sensation
closed to her—the sense of sight and the sense of hearing. Touch, taste, and smell, however were left to
her; and each was quickened and heightened in order to help so far as possible to perform the world of
the defective senses. The reaching of the consciousness 24of this girl is considered by science to be
akin to a miracle—yet only two senses were missing. To appreciate the full meaning of the importance
of the senses, one has but to think of Helen Keller as having been also deprived of the sense of touch."
Transcendental Senses
Another writer has drawn an interesting picture, which is based upon a conjecture which is
28scientifically valid, as follows: "The late Professor James once suggested as a useful exercise for
young students a consideration of the changes which would be worked in our ordinary world if the
various branches of our receiving instruments happened to exchange duties; if, for instance, we heard
all colors, and saw all sounds. All this is less mad than it seems. Music is but an interpretation of
certain vibrations undertaken by the ear; and color is but an interpretation of other vibrations
undertaken by the eye. Were such an alteration of our senses to take place, the world would still be
sending us the same messages, but we should be interpreting them differently. Beauty would still be
ours, though speaking in another tongue. The birds' song would then strike our retina as pageant of
color; we should see all the magical tones of the wind, hear as a great fugue the repeated and
harmonized greens of the forest, the cadences of stormy skies. Did we realize how slight an adjustment
of our own organs is needed to initiate us into such a world, we should perhaps be less contemptuous of
those mystics who tell us in moments of transcendental consciousness they 'heard flowers that sounded,
and saw notes that shone'; or that they have experienced rare moments of consciousness in which the
senses were fused organs is needed to initiate us into such a world into a single and ineffable act of
perception, in which color and sound were known as aspects of the same thing."
An Appeal To Reason.
Concluding these statements, let us say that the student of this book will find nothing contained within
this book which is contrary to Nature's laws and principles. He will nowhere in it be asked to suspend
the exercise of his reason, and to accept as facts things which violate all of Nature's laws. Instead, he
will find at each point full natural explanations of even the most wonderful phenomena; and the appeal
to accept same will be made always to his reason, and not to his blind faith or unreasoning belief. The
student is urged to build his knowledge of this important subject upon this solid rock of natural law and
fact, and not upon the shifting and sinking sands of mere dogmatic assertion and appeal to assumed
authority ancient or modern.
31
PART II
Mental Vibrations and Transmissions
In the category of Nature's Finer Forces must be included that class of manifestations which are
generally known as Telepathy, Thought Transference, Thought Force, etc., all of which are based upon
the fact that there is present in all such mental states as Thought, Emotion, Desire, etc., a certain rate of
vibratory motion, which motion is capable of being radiated from the mind of the person manifesting
them in such power and force that they may be registered with more or less distinctness upon the minds
of other persons are at a greater or less distance from the first person. In the more common forms of its
manifestation, such mental force or power is known as Thought Force, Mental Influence, etc., and in its
more pronounced and less common phases it is known as Telepathy, Thought Transference, etc., but the
basic principle is precisely the same in all of such cases, simple or complex though their manifestations
may be.
The Higher Forces.
We may say here, frankly and plainly, however, that the advanced occultists regard this class of
phenomena as comparatively simple and elementary, and therefore not fully entitled to be included in
the same category with the higher phases of Nature's Finer Forces, such 32as, for instance,
Clairvoyance, Psychometry, Communication with the Higher Planes, etc. But notwithstanding this, we
are of the opinion that any and every one of the finer forces of nature, i.e., any of the forces which are
over and above the plane upon which the ordinary senses of man, normally developed, ordinarily
function and operate, should be placed in one general category of the Higher Forces of Nature,
particularly in a work of this kind designed for the instruction of the general public upon these
important subjects. Accordingly, these lesser manifestations of the finer forces in the natural world shall
be carefully considered in this part of this book, so that the student may become acquainted with the
scientific principles upon which they are based, and may be enabled to develop the power of
manifesting such powers if he choose to do so; and that he may understand the nature of such forces
and powers when they are manifested by other persons.
The Brain-Battery.
The same writer says: "All states of body and mind involve constant molecular and chemical change.
The suggestion arises that the brain, with 44its millions of cells and its inconceivable changes in
substance, may be regarded as a transmitting and receiving battery. The brain being a kind of battery,
and the nerves being conductors of released stored-up energy to different parts of the body, by a kind of
action similar to the actions of electricity and magnetism, it is suggested that, either by means of the
ether, or of some still finer form of matter, discharges of brain energy may be conducted beyond the
limits of the body. If the nerve-track corresponds to wires, this refined medium may correspond to the
ether-field supposed to be employed in wireless telegraphy. As electrical movements are conducted
without wires, or other visible media, so may brain-discharges be conveyed beyond the mechanism of
the battery, without the intervention of nerves—except as they may constitute a part of the battery.
Generally speaking, such discharges would originate in two ways, viz., by direct mental action, or by
mental or physical states—perhaps by a combination."
A Peculiar Organ
So much for the conceptions of modern western science, which agree in the main with those of the
ancient oriental occultists, although of course different names and terms are employed. But, we think it
worth while to call your attention to the fact that the western scientists have failed to note the
significant presence of a peculiar organ in the human body, which is regarded as most important in its
functions and offices by the oriental teachers, and which we believe has a very close connection to the
subject just discussed by the western scientists. We refer to that strange organ or gland known to
western 45science as the Pineal Gland. Let us see just what this is.
Transmission of Thought.
46
Many other facts set forth by modern western science could be cited in our consideration of the
question of the existence of any possible organ for the reception of thought vibrations, but it is thought
that sufficient evidence of this kind has already been submitted to your attention—sufficient to remove
any reasonable doubts, and to give the student at least a clear and open mind on the subject. Summing
up such evidence, we may say that modern science is fast approaching the position which is so well
expressed by Camille Flammarion, the eminent French scientist, as follows: "The action of one mind
upon another at a distance—the transmission of thought, mental suggestion, communication at a
distance—all these are not more extraordinary than the action of the magnet on iron, the influence of
the moon on the sea, the transportation of the human voice by electricity, the revolution of the chemical
constituents of a star by the analysis of its light, or, indeed, all the wonders of contemporary science.
Only these psychic communications are of a more elevated kind, and may serve to put us on the track
of a knowledge of human nature. What is certain is this: That Telepathy can and ought to be henceforth
considered by Science as an incontestible reality; that minds are able to act upon each other without the
intervention of the senses; that psychic force exists, though its nature is yet unknown."
A General Principle.
At this point we wish to impress upon the minds of the students of this book that what has been above
47said regarding that class of mental communications generally classed under the head of Telepathy
also applies to many much higher phases of occult phenomena and psychic manifestations. In fact, this
is one of the reasons why we have paid such close attention to the scientific evidence substantiating this
class of phenomena. It is not too much to say that in what has been said in the foregoing pages there is
to be found a scientific basis for the phenomenon of "spirit communication," at least in many of its
phases. It is but a step in thought—and a natural and easy step at that—from the matter of the
communication of thought from the mind of one person or the material plane of life to another person
on the same plane, on to the matter of the communication of thought from the mind of an individual
entity on a higher plane of life to a second person who is abiding on the lower material plane occupied
by us at this stage of our existence. It is seen that the difference consists largely in the matter of the
degree and rate of vibratory energy employed, and the preparation of a proper receiving instrument for
the reception and translation of such messages. This phase of the subject will be considered in fuller
detail in a subsequent portion of this book.
Transformation of Vibrations.
One of the things which seem to greatly puzzle the average student of the subject of mental vibrations,
and thought-transference, is that which may be called "thought waves." The student is unable to
conceive of a wave of "thought" being projected into the air, and then traveling along until it reaches
48the mind of other persons. The difficulty, upon analysis, is seen to consist of the inability to conceive
of "thought" as being a material substance capable of traveling in "waves." It is no wonder that the
student finds this conception difficult, for there is no such thing as "thought" traveling in this way. The
phenomenon of thought transference is accounted for scientifically in quite another manner, as we shall
see in a moment. The student is advised to carefully note this distinction, for upon its understanding
depends greatly the intelligent comprehension of the entire subject of thought vibrations and thought-
transference.
Vibrational Attunement
51
And here we find another startling correspondence between the phenomena of wireless telegraphy and
that of thought transference or transmission of mental vibrations. We allude to the fact that while a
wireless telegraphic sending instrument may be sending forth vibrations of the strongest power, its
messages are capable of being received or "picked up" only by those instruments which are "in tune"
with the sending instrument to at least a certain degree; to all other instruments, those which are not "in
tune" with the sending instrument, there is no message perceptible. Precisely this same state of affairs is
found to prevail in the realm of mental vibrations and thought transmission. The individual receives
only such messages as emanate from instruments with which he is "in tune"—to all the rest he is deaf
and unconscious. But once "in tune" with the higher vibrations of the mental realm, he will receive
every message traveling on that particular plane at that particular time, unless he deliberately shut them
out. We shall see how this works out in ordinary life, when we consider the general subject of
Telepathy and Thought Transference in the succeeding Chapter.
53
PART III
THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE
The most elementary and simple form in which mental vibrations are transmitted is that which may be
called Thought Transference. In the category of Thought Transference may be included two quite
general classes, as follows: (1) Involuntary Transmission of Mental Vibrations, and (2) Voluntary
Transmission of Mental Vibrations, commonly known as Telepathy. In this part of this book both of
these general classes of Thought Transference shall be considered in some detail.
Thought Waves
Thought-waves are manifested in various forms, modes, and phases, and in different degrees of power.
Some are emanated without any clearly defined desire or intent to accomplish certain ends, while
others are charged with strong desire focused to a definite point by clear-cut ideas of ends sought to be
accomplished. The latter, however, are usually entitled to be classed among the "involuntary" phases of
Thought Transference, because the senders are generally unaware that thought-waves have an actual
effect upon the minds of other persons; their thoughts and mental states arising in accordance with their
feelings, desires, and general aims. Where the individual has learned that thought is an active power, he
may deliberately send forth his thought-waves directed toward the person or persons whom he wishes
to affect and influence.
The student must remember, however, that there is a great difference in the power and effective activity
between thought-waves sent forth under different circumstances. Some are sent forth idly, and with no
focused power or energy of desire and feeling, and 55such naturally are weak in effect upon others.
Others are sent forth vitalized with strong desire and feeling, and focused with a clear ideal and mental
picture, and, consequently, exert a far greater degree of effect upon the minds of others with whom they
come in contact. The analogy of the waves of electricity holds good here, for just as the electric power
may be strong or weak, as the case may be, so may the mental force be strong or weak under different
circumstances, and in different individuals.
Mental Atmospheres
A well known American writer on this subject has said concerning this point: "There are many places
today filled with the thought-vibrations of minds long since passed out of the body. There are places
filled with the strong vibrations of tragedies long since enacted there. Every place has a 56mental
atmosphere of its own, the same arising from the thought-vibrations set in motion by the various
persons who have inhabited or occupied them. Every city has its own mental atmosphere which has its
effect upon persons moving into them. Some are lively, some dull, some progressive, some old-fogyish,
some moral, some immoral—the result of the character of the early settlers and leading spirits, of the
place in question. Persons moving into these towns are affected by the mental atmospheres thereof, and
either sink to the general level, or else, if strong enough, help to change the mental tone of the place.
Sometimes a change in conditions bring a large influx of new people, to a town, and the mental waves
of the newcomers tend to bring about a marked change in the local mental atmosphere. These facts
have been noticed by many observing people who often have not been familiar with the principles
underlying and producing the facts which the observers have so clearly discerned."
Mental Whirlpools.
The contagion of thought-vibrations is manifested by such vibrations coming into contact with the
minds of other persons within the field of mental induction of the first person, and there setting up
similar vibrations. We know that orators, actors, preachers and others addressing audiences of persons,
58send forth strong mental currents which tend to awaken corresponding vibrations in the minds of
their hearers. We weep, smile, grow angry, feel happy, according to the character of the thought-waves,
of the person on the platform or the stage, providing that we accept the same. And, according to the
same principle, persons scattered over large areas are influenced and affected in the same way by
whirlpools of mental vibrations set into original motion by some strong, masterful public man. A writer
has said concerning this point:
Mental Attunement
It should not fail to be noticed, moreover, that we habitually receive and accept more readily those
thought vibrations which are in harmony with our 60own average habitual mental states; and,
according to the same general principle, we tend to habitually reject and fail to receive those vibrations
which are inharmonious to us for the same reason. Here, you will notice, we have an illustration of the
principle of "attunement" which, as we have informed you, is operative on the plane of thought and
mental vibrations as well as on that of wireless telegraphy. Just as it is a psychological fact that we tend
to see and to hear those things which are in harmony with our beliefs and opinions, and our interest, so
is it a metaphysical fact that we tend to accept and absorb the mental vibrations which are in harmony
with our opinions, beliefs, and interest, and to reject those which are opposed thereto.
Moreover, the person who acquaints himself with the law of mental vibrations and thought-transference
acquires a practical knowledge which enables him to render himself immune to objectionable and
undesirable mental currents or thought-waves. We are not necessarily open to the influence of every
stray current of thought or feeling that happens to be in our immediate vicinity. Instead, by the proper
methods, consciously or unconsciously practiced and manifested, we may, and often do, insulate
ourselves so that these undesirable mental influences fail utterly to affect us; and, likewise, we may
actually attract to ourselves the desirable mental currents. These principles and methods will be given
later in this part of this book; they are mentioned here merely to acquaint you with the fact that they are
existent and known to those familiar with this subject.
Black Magic. It has well been said that there are always two poles to everything in Nature, and
continued experience and investigation seems to substantiate this statement. Whenever we find a force
or power producing beneficial results, we may usually feel assured that the same force or power, turned
in another direction, or possibly reversed in its action, will produce results of an opposite character.
And so it is with this subject of "Magic" which we are now considering. While we would be very glad
to pass over this phase of the subject, truth and duty to our readers compel us to state that White Magic
has its opposite pole—that opposite pole known as Black Magic, or the use of psychic force for selfish
and unworthy ends. There is no use trying to pursue the ostrich policy regarding these things—it is
always better to face them boldly, and then to take means to avoid the evil contained in them.
We prefer to quote from other writers on this subject, who have given this particular matter the most
careful attention and investigation, and who have set forth simply and plainly the result of their
investigations and discoveries. Here follow several quotations from authorities of this kind:
Voodooism Explained.
"Among the negroes of the South, in America, and among the Hawaiians, we find marked instances of
this kind. The negro Voodoo men and women work Black Magic on those of their race who are
superstitious and credulous, and who have a mortal fear of the Voodoo. Travelers who have visited the
countries in which there is a large negro population have many interesting tales to recite of the terrible
workings of these Voodoo black magicians. In some cases, sickness and even death is the result. But,
mark you this! It is only those who believe in, and fear, the power of the Voodoos that are so affected.
In Hawaii, the Kahunas or native magicians are renowned for their power to cause 68sickness and
death to those who have offended them; or to those who have offended some client of the Kahuna, and
who have hired the latter to 'pray' the enemy to sickness or death. The poor, ignorant Hawaiians,
believing implicitly in the power of the Kahunas, and being in deadly fear of them, are very susceptible
to their psychic influence, and naturally fall easy victims to their vile arts, unless they buy off the
Kahuna, or make peace with his client. White persons living in Hawaii are not affected by the Kahunas,
for they do not believe in them, neither do they fear them. Unconsciously, but yet strongly, they 'deny'
the power, and are immune. So you see the principle working out here, too. Once you have the master-
key, you may unlock many doors of mystery which have heretofore been closed to you."
Self-Protection.
The following quotations from writers on this special subject contain detailed directions for the use of
those who may have reason to believe that some other person or persons are trying to use psychic force,
or mental currents, upon them for selfish purposes, or otherwise. Of course the general mental attitude
of disbelief, and assertion of one's one immunity is sufficient for the purposes of general psychic
protection; but we have thought it proper to include the following special directions given by those who
have made a close study of this subject.
One writer says: "When you come in contact with people who are seeking to influence you by psychic
methods, either direct or indirect, you will find yourself able to defy their mental attacks by 69simply
remembering the strength immanent in your Ego, or Spirit, aided by the statement or affirmation (made
silently to yourself) 'I am an Immortal Spirit, using the power of my Ego, which renders me immune
from all base psychic attacks or power.' With this mental attitude you may make powerful even the
slightest mental effort in the direction of sending forth your own mental vibrations, and these will
scatter the adverse influences in all directions; it will often be found that the other person will show
signs of confusion in such a case, and will seek to get away from your presence. With this
consciousness held in mind, your mental command to another, 'Let me alone—I cast off your influence
by the power of my Spirit,' will operate so strongly that you will often actually see the effect at once. If
the other person be stubborn, and determined to influence you by words of suggestion, coaxing,
threatening, or similar methods, look him or her straight in the eye, saying mentally: 'I defy you—my
inner power casts off your influence.' Try this the next time that any one attempts to influence you
either verbally or by means of thought-waves, and see how strong and positive you will feel, and how
the efforts of the other person will fail. This sounds simple, but the little secret is worth thousands of
dollars to every individual who will put it into practice."
Telepathic Phenomena.
The second general class of phenomena in the general category of Voluntary Transmission of Mental
Vibrations is that known as "Telepathic Phenomena." In a sense, of course, all phases of Thought
Transmission, and particularly that of 72Voluntary Thought Transmission, may be considered as forms
of Telepathy; but for the purpose of classification and distinction we have in this book classed as
Telepathic Phenomena merely those forms and phases of Thought Transference in which there is an
agreement between the telepathic sender and the telepathic receiver, and in which the experiments are
conducted more or less along the lines of scientific investigation.
Scientific Investigators.
Scientific observers, for a number of years past, have been conducting careful series of experiments in
Telepathy, and many volumes of the reports of such investigations have been published by various
psychic research societies. Among the eminent scientists who have devoted much attention to this
subject are the following: Professor Henry Sidgewick, of Cambridge University; Professor Balfour
Stewart, of the Royal Society of England; Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, the eminent English statesman and
scientist; Professor William James, the eminent American psychologist; Sir William Crookes, the great
English chemist, physicist, who invented the celebrated "Crookes' Tubes," without which the discovery
of the X-Rays, Radio Activity, etc., would have been impossible; Frederick W. H. Myers, the celebrated
investigator of Psychic Phenomena; and Sir Oliver Lodge, the eminent English scientist. All these men
are of the highest international standing and reputation, and their acceptance of the phenomena of
Telepathy places the same on a firm scientific basis.
Private Experiments.
74
But, after all, the most convincing evidences of Telepathy are those which most of us have met with in
our own experience. There are but few intelligent, observing persons who have not, at some time in
their life, had experiences of this kind, in which the thoughts of others were perceived plainly by
themselves. Many persons have established such a close rapport condition between themselves and
friends or relatives that instances of remarkable thought-transmission between them are quite common
and ordinary.
"Mind Reading."
Perhaps the best plan for the beginner is to practice the popular "mind reading" experiment or game,
which is quite popular in some localities, and among persons interested in this line of thought. The
experiments of this kind are performed, generally, 75about as follows: The receiver leaves the room,
and during his or her absence the company in the room select some object, large or small, such as a
chair or a small penknife, etc., and the same is shown and named to the sender. Then the receiver is
called back into the room for the experiment, and is blindfolded securely. Then the receiver takes the
right hand of the sender and places it in his (the receiver's) left hand, holding it firmly there. The sender
then concentrates his mind upon the object to be "found," and mentally wills that the receiver move
toward it. The receiver then experiences a peculiar faint impulse in the direction of the object, and
accordingly moves toward it. After considerable practice, the receiver acquires the faculty of not only
finding large objects, but also is able to locate small objects, such as concealed rings, pins, etc.
Development Practices.
This class of experiments, while open to the objection that there may be more or less muscular
direction consciously or unconsciously given by the sender, nevertheless tend to develop proficiency in
both sender and receiver. In fact, such experiments are perhaps one of the very best methods of
developing projecting or receiving power along the lines of occult or psychic forces. This because the
persons become familiar with the psychic processes involved, and their efficiency becomes increased
by practice and experiment. This plan is like that of teaching a child how to walk by means of holding
its hand, allowing it to rest on chairs, etc. In practicing such experiments, the receiver will soon
76become conscious of receiving the thought message in what may be called a "wireless flash," instead
of by the slower, and less clear process of transmission through the physical body of the sender, and
thence through his own nerves. When the sender begins to experience these flashes of consciousness,
he is ready to proceed to the next stage.
Formal Tests.
The third step in telepathic development is that of conducting experiments similar to those originally
conducted by the Society for Psychical Research, previously mentioned. That is to say, the sender may
select cards from a pack, coins from a pile, small objects from a collection, etc., and then endeavor to
transmit the impression of the same to the receiver—the latter then reporting his flashes 77of
impression received. This may be rendered more complicated by having the sender in one place, and
the receiver at another, the time having previously been agreed upon between them. In experiments
conducted at long range, it has been generally found better for the receiver to write down the word,
thought, or mental, picture which has been transmitted to him by the sender; and for the sender to write
down the name or picture of the thing the idea of which he has transmitted. These memoranda serve not
only as scientific proof of the experiment, but also serve as a barometer of progress being made during
the experiments.
Automatic Writing.
In this connection it may be stated that many investigators and experimentors along the lines of
telepathic phenomena have met with considerable success in the direction of Automatic Writing from
living persons, which of course is merely a special form of Telepathy. In some cases the
communications received in this way were at first thought to be from disembodied entities, until later it
was discovered that the thoughts were actually transmitted (in some cases unintentionally) by living
persons. The late W. T. Stead, the London editor and famous investigator of psychic phenomena, who
was lost on the "Titanic" several years ago, was remarkably successful along this special line of
telepathic transmission, he being one of the most efficient receivers of this kind of which those familiar
with the subject have any knowledge. His written records of these experiments are very interesting, and
form a valuable contribution to this subject. In this class of experiments, the sender concentrates
fixedly upon 78the thought—word for word—and wills that the recipient write down the word so
transmitted; the receiver sit passively at the time agreed upon, and allows his arm and hand to be
moved by means of the psychic currents beating upon him, and which are then unconsciously
transformed into muscular action—the process being similar to that of ordinary writing, except that
instead of the activity of the brain of the writer being behind the muscular motion, that of the sender
performs that task.
Psychic Sensitiveness.
The student of this book will find in the succeeding portions thereof, from time to time, certain general
instructions regarding the cultivation of psychic receptivity and sensitiveness. These general
instructions are also applicable to the cultivation of telepathic power, and may be properly applied to
that end. There is really but one general principle involved in all the many forms of psychic receptivity,
namely that of (1) shutting the senses to the ordinary impressions of the outside world, and (2) opening
the higher channels of sense to the impressions coming in the form of vibrations of the higher forces
and finer powers of Nature. At the last, it is simply a matter of "getting in tune," just as truly as in the
case of the wireless telegraphy. These things are difficult to explain in ordinary words to one who has
had no experience along these lines; but when one begins to actually experiment and practice, the way
opens out gradually and steadily, and then the person can grasp the meaning of the little "hints"
dropped by others who have traveled the same path. So, after all, it comes down to the matter of
Practice, Experiment, and Learning by Trying!
79
PART IV
CLAIRVOYANCE AND KINDRED PHENOMENA
A very large and very interesting class of occult or psychic phenomena is that known under the very
general classification of "Clairvoyance," which term we have thought it advisable to employ in this
sense in this book, notwithstanding the technical objections urged by some against such a general
usage. The term "Clairvoyance" really means "clear seeing," or "clear sight," but its special meaning,
established by long usage, is "A power of discerning objects not perceptible to the normal senses."
When it comes to the technical use of the term by students and teachers of psychic research and
occultism, however, there is found a confused meaning of the term, some employing it in one sense,
and others in another one. Accordingly, it is perhaps as well to explain the particular usage adopted and
followed in this book.
Clairvoyance Defined.
The English Society for Psychical Research, in its glossary, defines the term as follows: "The faculty or
act of perceiving, as though visually, with some coincidental truth, some distant scene; it is used
80sometimes, but hardly properly, for transcendental vision, or the perception of beings regarded as on
another plane of existence." A distinguished investigator along psychic lines, in one of her reports to
the English Society for Psychical Research, has given the following definition of this term as employed
by her in her reports, viz., "The word 'clairvoyant' is often used very loosely, and with widely different
meanings. I denote by it a faculty of acquiring supernormally, but not by reading the minds of
persons present, a knowledge of facts such as we normally acquire by the use of our senses. I do not
limit it to knowledge that would normally be acquired by the sense of sight, nor do I limit it to a
knowledge of present facts. A similar knowledge of the past, and if necessary, of future events, may be
included. On the other hand, I exclude the mere faculty of seeing apparitions, which is sometimes
called clairvoyance."
The last stated definition agrees almost perfectly with the views of the writer of the present book, and
the term "Clairvoyance" is used here in the particular sense indicated by such definition. The student of
this book, therefore, is asked to distinguish Clairvoyance, on the one hand, from the phenomena of
Telepathy or Thought Transference, and, on the other hand, from the phenomena of communication
with entities on other planes of existence, including the perception of apparitions.
Psychometry.
In Psychometry, the clairvoyant establishes the en rapport connection with objects, persons or scenes,
removed in space or in time, by means of some physical object associated with the distant object,
person or scene; for instance, the physical objects may be a piece of clothing, a bit of stone, a coin, a bit
of jewelry, etc., which has been closely associated with that which the clairvoyant desires to sense
psychically. The distinctive feature of this class of clairvoyant phenomena is this connecting link of
physical objects. A writer has cleverly compared this connecting link with the bit of clothing which the
keen-scented bloodhound is given to sniff in order that he may then discover by scent the person
sought, the latter having previously worn the bit of clothing presented to the dog's sense of smell.
The "Psychic Scent."
Occultists have elaborated a technical theory to account for the phenomena of Psychometry, or rather to
account for the action of the "connecting link" of the physical object employed to establish the
connection between clairvoyant and distant object, person, or scene. But we do not think it advisable to
enter into a discussion of these elaborate, technical theories, which are apt to confuse the 83beginner,
and to distract his attention from the important facts of the case. We think it is sufficient to say that the
"connecting link," or physical object, seems to carry along with it, in its inner substance or nature, the
vibrations of its past environment; and that the clairvoyant, coming into receptive contact with such
vibrations, is enabled with comparative ease to follow up the psychic "scent" until he establishes
clairvoyant en rapport connection with the distant object, person, or scene associated with the physical
object. When it is remembered that the physical "scent" of anything is merely a matter of the detection
of certain vibrations, the illustration is seen to be not so very far out of the way after all.
Magnetic Affinity.
A somewhat celebrated investigator of psychic and occult phenomena has said concerning this phases
of Clairvoyance: "The untrained clairvoyant usually cannot find any particular astral picture when it is
wanted, without some special link to put him en rapport with the subject required. Psychometry is an
instance in point. It seems as though there were a sort of magnetic attachment or affinity between any
particle of matter and the record which contains its history—an affinity which enables it to act as a kind
of conductor between that record and the faculties of anyone who can read it. For instance, I once
brought from Stonehenge a tiny fragment of stone, not larger than a pin's head, and on putting this into
an envelope and handing it to a psychometrist who had no idea what it was, she at once began to
describe that wonderful ruin and the desolate country surrounding it, and then went on to picture
84vividly what were evidently scenes from its early history, showing that the infinitesimal fragment
had been sufficient to put her into communication with the records connected with the spot from which
it came. The scenes through which we pass in the course of our life seem to act in the same way upon
the cells of our brain as did the history of Stonehenge upon that particle of stone. They establish a
connection with those cells by means of which our mind is put en rapport with that particular portion of
the records, and so we 'remember' what we have seen."
Distant En Rapport.
One of the most familiar instances of the production of clairvoyant phenomena by means of
Psychometry is that illustrated in the above quotation, namely the production of the en rapport relation
with distant scenes by means of the connecting link of some small object which had at some time in the
past been located at that point. In such cases the psychometrist usually presses the small object up to
his or her head, and then induces a passive, receptive psychical condition; then, sooner or later, the
clairvoyant experiences a "sensation," or a "dream picture" of the scene in question. Often, once the
picture of the scene is obtained, the clairvoyant may manifest more marked past-time clairvoyance, in
the direction of running back over the history of the scene itself. The instance related in the above
quotation is a case of this kind. Similar cases are frequently met with by the investigator along these
lines, in which the clairvoyant is able to give the history of certain places in ancient Egypt, from the
connecting link of a piece of mummy-cloth; 85or else to give a picture of certain events in antediluvian
times, from the connecting link of a bit of fossil substance. The history of Psychometry is filled with
remarkable instances of this kind. Bullets gathered from battlefields also serve very effectively as such
psychometric connecting links. Old furniture, old pictures, and old jewelry also are common objects
serving to produce wonderful phenomena of this kind. In fact, any physical object having past-time or
far-distant space connections may be employed effectively in such experiments.
Psychic Underground Exploration.
Psychometry is frequently employed to describe underground or "mine" conditions existing at the
present time at the particular place from which a particular piece of ore or mineral has been taken,
which ore or mineral has been handed the psychometrist to be used as the connecting link. As many
practical miners know from actual experience, many valuable coal, zinc, lead, silver and gold mines
have been successfully located in this way. In such cases the psychometrist has been able to follow up
the psychic "scent" given by the piece of mineral, and thus to describe the strata or veins of the mineral
lying underground and unopened by the pick or drill.
How to Psychometrize.
The following general remarks concerning Psychometry, given by a writer on the subject, will be found
interesting and instructive. The writer says: "There are no special directions to be given the student in
psychometry. All that can be done is to suggest that each person should try the experiments for himself,
in order to find out whether he has, or has not the psychometric power in some degree of development.
He may be able to develop his psychometric powers by the general methods given for psychic
development; but, in any event, he will find that actual practice and experiment will do much for him in
the direction of experiment. Let the student take strange objects, and, sitting in a quiet room with the
object held to his forehead, endeavor to shut out all thoughts coming from the outside world, and forget
all his personal affairs. In a short time, if the conditions be right, he will begin to have flashes of scenes
associated with the history of the object in question. At first these impressions may be somewhat
disconnected and more 87or less confused, but before long there will be noticed a clearing away of the
scene, and the mental picture will become quite plain. Practice will develop the power. The student
should practice only when alone or when in the presence of some sympathetic friend or friends. He
should always avoid discordant and inharmonious company while practicing his psychic power. Many
of the best psychometrists keep their physical eyes closed when practicing this power, thus allowing the
inner senses to function without distraction from the outer senses.
Developing Psychometry.
"You have doubtless heard of the sensing of sealed letters spoken of as pure clairvoyance. But this
phase of phenomena properly belongs to the realm of Psychometry. Letters frequently prove to be very
excellent connecting links in psychometric experiments. I advise the student to begin with old letters.
He will be surprised to discover how readily he will begin to receive psychic impressions from the
letters—either from the person who wrote them, or from the place in which they were written, or from
some one connected with their subsequent history. One of the most interesting experiments I ever
witnessed in Psychometry was that in which a letter that had been forwarded from place to place, until
it had gone completely around the globe, was psychometrized by a young Hindu maid. Although
ignorant of the outside world of foreign lands, the young women was able to picture the people and
scenery of every part of the globe in which the letter had traveled. Her report was really an interesting
'travelogue' of a trip around the world, given in tabloid form. The student may obtain 88some
interesting results in psychometrizing old letters—but let him always be conscientious about it, and be
careful to refrain from divulging the secrets that will become his during the course of these
experiments. Let him be honorable on the psychic plane as well as on the physical plane—more so,
rather than less so, in fact."
Varieties of Psychometry.
Another investigator along these lines gives the following instructive comments regarding the practice
of psychometric power: "Persons of a highly-strung nervous organization, with large perceptive
faculties make the best psychometrists. Phlegmatic people seldom psychometrize clearly, and usually
lack receptivity to the finer forces. Letters, clothes, hair, coins, ornaments, or jewels—in fact, almost
any article which has belonged to, or has been worn by, its possessor for any length of time, will suffice
to enable the psychometrist to relate himself to, and glimpse impressions of, the personal sphere of that
individual. Some psychometrists succeed better with certain kinds of objects than with others. Metals
and minerals are not good 'conductors'—if we may use that term—to some operators; while they are
very satisfactory to others. In the same way, some psychometrists are very good character readers,
others are very successful in the diagnosis of diseases; some can read the book of Nature, while to
others it is a sealed book, or nearly so, but they are able to gauge the mental qualifications of their
visitors, while others realize their moral and spiritual states. Again, some read the Past, and enter into
the Present states or condition of their clients, while others are successful in exercising prophetical
prevision. 89These differences may be modified, and the boundaries of the perceptive power may be
extended by self-study, experiment, and culture; but every psychic has his qualifications and his
limitations; one will succeed where another may fail; hence it is well and wise for each one to discover
what he can do best, what sphere he can best occupy, and then endeavor to fill it.
Time of Sittings.
97
"(3) Commence by sitting comfortably with the eyes fixed upon the crystal, not by a fixed stare, but
with a steady, calm gaze, for ten minutes only, on the first occasion. In taking the time it is best to hang
your watch at a distance, where, while the face is clearly visible, the ticking is rendered inaudible.
When the time is up, carefully put the crystal away in its case, and keep it in a dark place, under lock
and key, allowing no one but yourself to handle it. At the second sitting, which should be at the same
place, in the same position, and at the same time, you may increase the length of the effort to fifteen
minutes, and continue this period during the next five or six sittings, after which the time may be
gradually increased, but should in no case exceed one hour. The precise order of repetition is always to
be followed until the experimenter has developed an almost automatic ability to readily obtain results,
when it need no longer be adhered to.
Crystalline Vision.
"(5) When you find the crystals begin to look dull or cloudy, with small pin-points of light glittering
98therein, like tiny stars, you may know that you are commencing to obtain that for which you seek,
viz., crystalline vision. Therefore, persevere with confidence. This condition may, or may not, continue
for several sittings, the crystal seeming at times to alternatively appear and disappear, as in a mist. By
and by this hazy appearance, in its turn, will give way quite suddenly to a blindness of the senses to all
else but a blue or bluish ocean of space, against which, as if it were a background, the vision will be
clearly apparent.
Physical Requirements.
"(6) The crystal should not be used soon after taking a meal, and care should be taken in matters of diet
to partake only of digestible foods, and to avoid alcoholic beverages. Plain and nourishing food, and
outdoor exercise, with contentment of mind, or love of simplicity of living, are great aids to success.
Mental anxiety, or ill-health, are not conducive to the desired end. Attention to correct breathing is of
importance.
Direct Clairvoyance.
The third of the three general classes of the methods employed to obtain the manifestation of
clairvoyant phenomena is that known as Direct Clairvoyance. In this class of methods the clairvoyant
directly establishes the en rapport connection with the past or present, near or distant, objects, persons,
scenes, or events, by means of raising his or her psychic vibrations so as to become "in tune" with the
finer vibrations of Nature, without the aid of the physical objects required in the methods of
Psychometry and Crystal Gazing, respectively.
Trance Conditions.
Many clairvoyants, manifesting their powers by means of the methods of Direct Clairvoyance, produce
in themselves the condition of trance, or semi-trance condition. Many students believe that these
conditions are absolutely necessary for the production of this kind of phenomena, but they neglect, or
are actually unaware of, the fact that many of the highest forms of this class of clairvoyant phenomena
are manifested by clairvoyants who are no more in a trance condition, or that of semi-trance, than those
following the methods of Psychometry or Crystal Gazing, respectively. All that is required is that the
clairvoyant maintain a quiescent mental attitude, shutting out the sounds, sights, and thoughts of the
outside world, and concentrating the 101full attention upon the clairvoyant work before him or her.
Some, it is true, pass easily into the semi-trance, or even the full trance condition, but the latter are not
absolutely necessary states.
Clairvoyant Reverie.
A writer on the subject of Clairvoyance says: "The best authorities instruct their pupils that the state of
clairvoyant reverie may be safely and effectively induced by the practice of mental concentration alone.
They advise positively against artificial methods. All that is needed is that the consciousness be focused
to a single point—become 'one pointed' as the Hindu teachers call it. The intelligent practice of
concentration accomplishes this without the necessity of any artificial methods of development, or the
production of abnormal psychic states. You easily concentrate your full attention when you witness an
interesting play, or listen to a beautiful rendition of some great masterpiece of musical composition, or
gaze at some miracle of pictured or sculptured art. In these cases your attention is completely occupied
with the interesting thing before you, so that you have almost completely shut out the outer world of
sound, sight, and thought—but you are, nevertheless, perfectly wide awake and conscious. The same
thing is true when you read a very interesting book—the world is shut out from your consciousness,
and you are oblivious to the sights and sounds around you. We frequently witness the sight of two
lovers to whom the outside world is non-existent for the time being, and to whom there is nothing in
the world except themselves. Again, persons often fall into a 'brown study,' or 'day dream,' in which all
consciousness of the outside 102world seems to be shut out, yet the person is fully conscious and wide
awake. These mental states are very much akin to that of the trained clairvoyant, and is the state which
should be sought after by all clairvoyants, whether they are following the methods of Psychometry,
Crystal Gazing, or that of Direct Clairvoyance—for the principle is one and the same in all of such
methods."
Methods of Development.
The same authority, after warning students against attempting to develop their psychic powers by
unnatural and harmful practices, such as self-hypnotism, self-stupefication, etc., gives the following
excellent advice concerning the normal development of clairvoyant and other high psychic powers and
faculties: "There is one practice which if adopted carefully and reverently can do no harm to any
human being, yet from which a very pure type of clairvoyance has sometimes been developed—and
that is the practice of Meditation. Let a man choose a certain time every day—a time when he can rely
upon being quiet and undisturbed, though preferably in the daytime rather than at night—and set
himself at that time to keep his mind for a few minutes entirely free from all earthly thoughts of any
kind whatsoever; and, when that is achieved, to direct the whole force of his being towards the highest
ideal he happens to know. He will find that to gain perfect 104control of thought is enormously more
difficult than he supposes, but when he attains it this cannot but be in every way more beneficial to
him, and as he grows more and more able to elevate and concentrate his thoughts, he may gradually
find that new worlds are opening before his sight. As a preliminary training towards the satisfactory
achievement of such meditation, he will find it desirable to make a practice of concentration in the
affairs of daily life—even in the smallest of them. If he writes a letter, let him think of nothing else but
that letter until it is finished; if he reads a book, let him see to it that his thought is never allowed to
wander away from his author's meaning. He must learn to hold his mind in check, and to be master of
that also, as well as of his lower passions; he must patiently labor to acquire absolute control of his
thoughts, so that he will always know exactly what he is thinking about, and why—so that he can use
his mind, and turn it or hold it still, as a practiced swordsman turns his weapon where he will."
105
PART V
CLAIRVOYANCE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
As we have said in the preceding chapter, in our consideration of the general subject of Clairvoyance,
there is possible a general classification of clairvoyant phenomena according to general distinctions, as
follows: (1) Present Clairvoyance, in which the objects perceived by the clairvoyant are present in
time and in space, although invisible to normal sight; (2) Space Clairvoyance, in which the clairvoyant
vision includes objects and scenes removed in space from the normal perception of the clairvoyant; and
(3) Time Clairvoyance, in which the clairvoyant perceives objects or scenes removed from him in past
time, or future time.
While the general methods of manifesting these various forms of clairvoyant power are practically the
same, yet the nature of these several forms of phenomena vary considerably, as we shall see when we
come to consider them in detail in the following pages: this is particularly true in the case of the
distinction between past-time clairvoyant phenomena, 106and future-time clairvoyant phenomena—the
difference between the perception of what has been, and that which has not yet been.
Present Clairvoyance.
In what is called Present Clairvoyance the objects perceived by the clairvoyant are present in time and
in space, at the moment and place of the perception, although invisible to normal sight. It is seen at
once that if the object seen clairvoyantly is present in time and in space to the clairvoyant, and yet is
incapable of being perceived by the normal sight of the clairvoyant, then that object must be capable of
being perceived only through vibrations above the normal range of the human senses. Perhaps the
precise nature of this class of clairvoyant perceptions will be better understood by a more detailed
description of the objects actually perceived by clairvoyant vision of this mode of manifestation.
Microscopic Vision.
Another phase of clairvoyant power of this general class, but one not nearly so common as those
111above mentioned, is described by a well-known occultist as follows: "Another strange power of
which the clairvoyant may find himself in possession is that of magnifying at will the minutest physical
particle to any desired size, as through a microscope—though no microscope ever made, or ever likely
to be made, possesses even a thousandth part of this psychic magnifying power. By its means the
hypothetical molecule and atom postulated by science becomes visible and living realities to the occult
student, and on this closer examination he finds them to be much more complex in their structure than
the scientific man has yet realized them to be. It also enables him to follow with the closest attention
and the most lively interest all kinds of electrical, magnetic, and other etheric action; and when some of
the specialists in these branches of science are able to develop the power to see these things whereof
they speak so facilely, some very wonderful and beautiful revelations may be expected."
Space Clairvoyance.
In what is called Space Clairvoyance the objects, persons, scenes, or events perceived by the
clairvoyant are removed in space from him—often being located at points in space thousands of miles
distant, in fact. The pages of works upon occultism, and those devoted to the recording of proved
instances gathered by the societies for psychical research, are filled with the most interesting cases of
this form of clairvoyant vision. Instances are recorded, upon the very best possible authority, in which
persons with clairvoyant powers have been perfectly cognizant of events occurring on the other 112side
of the world, or across the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. In fact, it would seem that distance and space are
practically wiped out in this form of clairvoyant phenomena, and that it is just as easy to see
clairvoyantly over the space of a thousand miles, as over that of a hundred feet—the principle involved
being precisely the same.
The Psychic Telescope.
Space Clairvoyance, or Distant Clairvoyance, is manifested in the form of Psychometry, Crystal
Gazing, or Direct Clairvoyance, as we have said. We do not consider it necessary to record here any
typical instances of this phase of phenomena, as the many books on this subject are chiefly devoted to a
recital thereof, and every student is more or less acquainted with the same. The whole matter may be
summed up by saying that in this form of clairvoyant vision, there is manifested what might be called a
"psychic telescope with an X-Ray attachment," thus enabling one to see at any distance, and through
any intervening objects. This gives you a mental picture of the process.
Radio-Activity.
In the theory of vibratory forces, as set forth in the earlier chapters of this book, we have the only
scientific explanation of the phenomena of distant clairvoyance. Modern science, in its teachings
regarding the radio-activity of physical objects, has thrown much additional light on this subject, and
has corroborated the ancient occult teachings on the subject. These rays of higher vibratory power are
like the rays of light or heat, although 113of a much higher rate of intensity and vibratory motion, and
though the most delicate scientific instruments are able to register some of these, it is still practically
admitted by science that the highest of these radio-active vibrations are beyond the scope and field of
even the most sensitive instrument yet known to science. This is saying much when we remember that
some of the delicate instruments of science are so sensitive that they are able to register the heat waves
of a candle at the distance of one mile; while others are able to record the presence of certain chemical
elements in the most distant of the visible stars, by means of the light waves carrying certain forms of
vibration.
Thousand-Year-Old Light.
But we have a much more striking illustration and correspondence in the case of the transmission of
light from the distant stars, which we will do well to carefully consider. Light travels at the rate of
117186,000 miles per second. A "light-year," as known to astronomers, means the distance traversed by
a light wave (at the stated rate of travel) during the period of one of our earth years. Some of the distant
stars are estimated to be fully one thousand light-years distant from us; or, in other words, the light we
now perceive as coming from them really is the light that left them one thousand years ago. If one of
these stars were to be destroyed, observers on this earth would not become aware of it for a thousand
years. The star whose light we may now perceive may actually have been destroyed nearly one
thousand years ago. Other stars are only one hundred light-years removed from us in space; others only
a few years; others only a few hours. But the principle is just the same in all cases, namely, that we see
the stars not as they are at the present moment, but as they were when the light left them, perhaps many
years ago. Thus, as you see, we may actually perceive events long after their happening.
Involuntary Clairvoyance.
"The psychometrist, who needs an object physically connected with the past in order to bring it all into
life again around him; and the crystal-gazer who can sometimes direct his less certain astral telescope
to some historic scene of long ago, may both derive the greatest enjoyment from the exercise of their
respective gifts, even though they may not always understand exactly how their results are produced,
and may not have them fully under control under all circumstances. In many cases of the lower
manifestation of these powers we find that they are exercised unconsciously; many a crystal-gazer
watches scenes from the past without ever realizing that he is in effect psychometrizing the various
objects around him as he happens to touch them or stand near them. It would be well for all
122students to bear in mind that occultism is the apotheosis of common sense, and that every vision
that comes to them is not necessarily a picture from the Akashic Records, nor every experience a
revelation from on high. It is far better to err on the side of healthy scepticism than that of over-
credulity; and it is an admirable rule never to hunt for an occult explanation of anything when a plain
and obvious physical one is available. Our duty is to keep our balance always, and never to lose our
self-control, but to take a reasonable, common-sense view of whatever may happen to us."
Simple Prevision.
There is a phase of prevision, or prophecy of coming events, however, that is not true clairvoyance at
all, but simply the subconscious workings of the mind along the lines of a supernormal perception of
the laws of cause and effect. Give the active subconscious mental faculties the perception of a strong
existing cause, and it will often reason out the probable effect (the almost certain effect, in fact) of that
cause, even though that effect lies in the mist of the future. The subconscious mind works upon the
principle that "coming events cast their shadows before." But this, at the best, is not true clairvoyance
—it is merely the statement of "probable" results, and effects of existing causes, wonderfully exact and
clear though the deduction may be in some cases. But a thousand-and-one unforeseen things may arise
to completely upset the prediction, or deduction, for it is never actually true until it occurs. We must
look further for real instances of Future Clairvoyance.
Absolute Time
126
The daring flights of metaphysical fancy have resulted in the general acceptance, on the part of
advanced metaphysicians, of the postulate of the existence of an Absolute Mind, independent of Time
and Space, to which everything exists HERE and NOW. To such a mind the entire sequence of events
in the life-history of a universe would appear as a single unit of conscious experience—an infinitesimal
point of time in Eternity. The human imagination staggers at the idea, but logical thought finally posits
it as an unescapable conclusion of extended thought. This, possibly, is the secret of Future Time
Clairvoyance, Prevision, Second Sight, etc.
The Occult Hypothesis.
But it must not be supposed that the oriental occultists hold for a moment the theory that the
clairvoyant actually obtains access to the Divine Mind or Absolute Mind, when he experiences this
vision of future events—their idea is very different from this. These occultists teach that the
phenomena of each plane are reflected with more or less clearness upon the substance of the planes
beneath it. This being so, it is readily seen that the seer who is able to contact with any of the higher
planes of being might thereupon see the reflection, more or less clear, or more or less distorted, of that
which is present in its completeness on the highest plane of all. This is a mere hint at the quite
complicated occult teaching on this subject; but the capable 127thinker will be able to work out the full
theory for himself in his own way. The important fact is that Future Time Clairvoyance is a reality—
that it is a matter of actual experience of the race, and one that has been authenticated by the
investigations of such learned bodies as the Society for Psychical Research, of England, and other
societies of the same kind in different lands. Future Time Clairvoyance, Second Sight, Prevision, etc.,
are facts as fully accepted by such societies as are the facts of telepathy.
The Illuminatus.
"One only of the guests had not taken part in all the joyousness of this conversation, and had even
gently and cheerfully checked our splendid enthusiasm. This was Cazotte, an amiable and original man,
but unhappily infatuated with the reveries of the Illuminati. He spoke, and with the most serious tone,
saying: 'Gentlemen, be satisfied; you will all see this great and sublime revolution, which you so much
desire. You know that I am a little inclined to prophecy; I repeat, you will see it.' He was answered by
the common rejoinder: 'One need not be a conjurer to see that.' He answered: 'Be it so; but perhaps one
must be a little more than conjurer for what remains for me to tell you. Do you know 129what will be
the consequences of this revolution—what will be the consequences to all of you, and what will be the
immediate result—the well-established effect—the thoroughly recognized consequences to all of you
who are here present?'
133
PART VI
MEDIUMSHIP
Among the higher categories of Nature's Finer Forces is included that which is popularly known as
"mediumship." Although this term has suffered more or less by reason of its misappropriation by
certain charlatans and the unprincipled exploiters of sincere investigators of the phenomena of the
higher planes of existence, and also by reason of a certain prejudice against the term arising from
misrepresentation and general misunderstanding, the term still remains a perfectly legitimate one and
one clearly indicating the nature of the general class of phenomena sought to be embraced within its
limits. Therefore there is no valid reason for its rejection in our consideration of the subject of Nature's
Finer Forces in this book; and, accordingly, it is used here in a general way, although the more
scientific term "higher plane communication," or similar terms, are employed herein in some cases.
What Is Mediumship?
Let us see just what is meant by the term "mediumship." The term "medium" is defined as: "That which
lies in the middle, or between other 134things: hence, that through which anything is conveyed from
one thing to another." In a special sense, a "medium" is "a person serving as the channel of
communication between decarnate entities and human being still in the flesh," in "spiritualistic
phenomena." The suffix "ship," of course, denotes state or office; and in the case of "mediumship" it
indicates that the designated person possesses the state or office of a "medium," the latter term being
used in the special meaning above defined.
Of course, the term "mediumship," as above defined, lacks a clear meaning unless the term
"spiritualistic," or "spiritualism" be defined. The term "spiritualism" (or as many of the best authorities
prefer to state it, "spiritism") is applied to "a system of communication with the unseen world, or with
the inhabitants thereof, the latter being usually known as 'spirits,' through persons called 'mediums,'
which has attained popular favor in Europe and America since about 1850." Or, as another authority
states it, "Spiritualism is a term employed to indicate the belief that departed spirits hold intercourse
with mortals by means of psychical phenomena, commonly through a person of special susceptibility
called a 'medium.'"
Ancient Mediumship.
It is, of course, unnecessary to state in detail the fact that communication with decarnate entities has
been known and practiced by the human race from the earliest days of recorded history, and probably
long before that time, and is far from being a modern discovery. Moreover, such communication has
been known and practiced by races of human beings 135other than those inhabiting Europe and
America—particularly in the oriental countries. In the oriental lands such communication has been well
established for many thousand years, and the most ancient records give evidences of it. The Hebrew
Scriptures contain many instances of such communication, showing that the same was an accepted fact
of the life of the race at the time and in the places at which these records were written.
Mediumistic Sensitivity.
Emma Hardinge Britten said: "Whatever that force may be which constitutes the difference between a
'medium' and a non-medium, it is certainly of a mental and magnetic character—that is, a combination
of the subtle elements of mind and magnetism, and therefore of a psychological and not of a purely
physical character. Whilst the spiritualists of this generation have had no one to teach them either what
spiritual gifts are, or how to use, or how to abuse them, experience has shown that the conditions under
which spiritual phenomena are produced through mediums are not only helped or hindered by their
mental states, but also by the will, magnetism, and mental states of those who surround them." E. W.
Wallis says: "The same laws govern the relations between the sensitive and the spirit operator as
between the hypnotist and his subject. 142Therefore, mediumship is not necessarily spiritual; it may be
of all kinds; there may be psychical relationship of a high grade and of a low one. There may be
messages from beyond that prove the identity of spirits, and give evidence of the continuity of life, of
the survival of mind, and yet they may not minister to spiritual growth, nor awaken any exalted desire
to be of service to God and man. There may be psychical sympathy and not spiritual fellowship; there
may be spirit intercourse and not that sweet spiritual communion which should be the goal of all who
seek for evidences of life beyond the valley of death. It is no longer possible to regard mediumship as a
supernatural endowment. It is, as regards the psychic susceptibility upon which it depends, the common
property of the race, and is therefore as natural as are the 'gifts' of song or oratory, or the ability to paint
or construct. But as certain gifts and graces are more developed in some individuals than in others, in
like manner the sensitiveness which is called mediumship is more highly developed (or is capable of
such development) in certain peculiarly constituted persons who may be regarded as supernormally
gifted, yet as naturally so as are geniuses in other directions."
Unconscious Mediumship.
The student will do well, however, to remember that as a popular writer has said: "It must not, however,
be supposed that spirit influence is limited to, and exerted solely upon, those who are known to be
mediums; or that the spirits do not assist those who use their own psychic faculties. It is probable that
all people who are psychically sensitive and open to impressions are indebted to spirit helpers, whether
they are conscious of the fact or not. There is undoubtedly a greater degree of influx from the spirit side
than even spiritualists are aware. Many persons are indebted to spirit friends for spontaneous impulses,
which, while those persons act upon them and reap the consequences, they can neither explain nor trace
to their source. Spirits frequently associate with and serve their earth friends, although the recipients of
their benefactions are unaware of the fact. There would be very much more of this kind of guidance
from the unseen, if, instead of being frightened, or repellant in their mental attitude toward the spirits,
the great bulk of people were prepared to accept such assistance from the other side as perfectly natural
and to be expected."
Rational Mediumship.
Wallis says: "The rational course for mediums and inquirers to follow is assuredly that of avoiding the
extremes alike of credulity and sceptical incredulity, by letting the spirits do their best and then
collating the facts observed and drawing conclusions. Care, patience, and perseverance will save both
mediums and inquirers from many misconceptions and enable them to avoid the errors of others. Above
all, mediums should observe their own feelings, study their own experiences, try to understand and co-
operate with the spirits, but never yield servile or slavish service, nor permit themselves to be swayed
by flattery nor dominated by any spirit (in the circle or on the spirit side) who claims obedience, poses
as an 'authority,' or refuses to recognize the rights of others. No medium should remain ignorant, or
refrain from giving effect to his (or her) natural desire for knowledge and self-improvement under the
erroneous idea that he does not need to think, study, or learn, because he is a medium; and that the
spirits will provide and teach through him all that is required. On the other hand, while thoughtfully
observant of favorable conditions, and intelligent in self-study and culture, the medium should avoid
'getting up' certain subjects, or thinking along certain lines with the purpose and expectation that such
information will be employed while under control. Such action, proceeding from a wrong motive,
cannot fail to injure the psychic relations between the spirit and the medium, and 150will render the
work of control doubly hard, because such thoughts will have to be cleared away before those of the
spirit can be transferred to, and have free course through, the medium."
153
PART VII
MEDIUMISTIC CONDITIONS
Mediumistic phenomena, i.e., the phenomena by and through which spirits manifest their presence and
demonstrate their power, may be broadly classified under two heads, as follows, (1) physical
phenomena, and (2) mental phenomena.
Physical Phenomena.
Physical Phenomena cover a wide range of mediumistic manifestations, among which are movements
of tables, the production of "raps," the manifestation of spirit lights, freedom from the effects of fire,
the passage of matter through matter, direct writing upon paper or upon slates, direct voices, levitation
of the medium, spirit photographs, and the production of the materialized form of the spirit. While in
rare cases the spirits may manifest these forms of physical phenomena without the assistance of the
medium and the circle, nevertheless as a rule such phenomena are produced by the spirits only through
the assistance of a medium, and usually only when there is gathered together a circle.
"Psychic Force."
154
Various explanations of the power employed by the spirits, assisted by the medium and by the circle,
have been offered by the scientific investigators of the subject. The most generally accepted theory of
the western scientists is that the spirits employ what is called the "psychic force" of the medium, often
assisted by that drawn from the circle and focused in the medium. The medium is regarded as a psychic
storage battery which is freely drawn upon by the manifesting spirit. The degree and character of the
manifestations are determined largely by the peculiar quality of the psychic force, the capabilities of the
medium, the knowledge and powers of the spirits, and the influence of the sitters.
Human Magnetism.
Dr. Dean Clarke says: "Human magnetism, or nerve aura, is probably the most sublimated form of
ethereal matter, hence nearest in refinement to spirit substance, and therefore spirits use it as the vehicle
of their vibrating forces. Those persons who have an excess of magnetism, of the proper quality to
unite with both the psychic force of spirits and the forces inherent in natural objects, and thus form an
electro-magnetic connection of spirits with the objects they wish to act upon, are the persons chosen by
the spirits for physical mediums. The mind and brain of the medium are not often nor necessarily
controlled, and only his magnetism and psychic forces are used, through which the spirits transmit the
vibrations of their own power to mechanically produce concussions, or movements of material
objects."
"Zoether."
155
Hudson Tuttle (writing under control) gives the following statement of a spirit concerning the manner
in which physical phenomena are produced: "Zoether (psychic force) emanating from the medium
charges the object to be moved, and a band of spirits directs a current of their own zoethic emanation in
the direction they desire the article to move, and it passes along the current thus produced. The
charging of the object by the medium is necessary in order that it may be in a state of vibration
harmonious to the spirit current. If this current be directed against the table or other charged body, raps
or concussions are produced, as a positive and negative relation exists between the spirits and the
medium's zoether. One spirit alone cannot produce physical manifestations. If one purports to
communicate, assistance will be rendered by many others, who combine their influence."
"Prana."
The orientals account for physical mediumistic phenomena in a similar way, though their terms are
different. Instead of speaking of zoether, or psychic force, they always employ the term "prana." In the
oriental philosophies "prana" is explained as a subtle form of energy permeating the universe, but
manifesting in a special form in the organism of the human being. This subtle force, or prana, is held to
be capable of being transmitted from one organism to another, and is held to be the energizing power
by means of which many forms of occult or magic phenomena are produced. Prana is very much akin
to the "human magnetism" of the western occultists, 156and the properties attributed to the latter are
really those which the orientals for centuries past have held to be among the essential properties of
prana; so, at the last, there is found to be a practical agreement here between the oriental and the
western schools of occultism, respectively, in spite of their differing terminology.
Mental Phenomena.
Mental Phenomena cover another wide range of mediumistic phenomena, among which may be
mentioned the following, viz., involuntary or automatic writing and drawing, writing by means of the
planchette or "ouija" board or similar mechanical aid to writing, clairvoyant perception of spirits,
clairaudient hearing of spirit voices, prophetic utterances of spirits, impersonating and inspirational
control of the medium. Mediums are frequently so thoroughly "under the influence or control,"
especially in private circle seances, that they seem to have been transformed into another personality.
Sometimes the medium through which the spirit is manifesting will have his facial appearance changed
so completely that persons present will recognize in the changed appearance the looks of the spirit as
known when it was in earth life.
Test Conditions.
"During the whole of my knowledge of D. D. Home, extending for several years, I never once saw the
slightest occurrence that would make me suspicious that he was attempting to play tricks. He was
scrupulously sensitive on this point, and never felt hurt at anyone taking precautions against deception.
He sometimes, in the early days of our acquaintance, used to say to me before a seance, 'Now, William,
I 161want you to act as if I were a recognized conjurer, and was going to cheat you and play all the
tricks I could. Take every precaution you can devise against me, and move about and look under the
table or where else you like. Don't consider my feelings. I shall not be offended. I know that the more
carefully I am tested the more convinced will everyone be that these abnormal occurrences are not of
my own doings.' Latterly, I used jokingly to say to him, 'Let us sit round the fire and have a quiet chat,
and see if our friends are here and will do anything for us. We won't have any tests or precautions.' On
these occasions, when only my family were present with him, some of the most convincing phenomena
took place."
Is Darkness Necessary?
From the above it is seen that not only is the trance condition not absolutely necessary for the
production of striking mediumistic phenomena, but that, also, there is no absolute necessity for the
condition of darkness to be maintained as an essential feature of such phenomena. While many
mediums insist upon the condition of darkness at seances, it is thought by some careful thinkers that
this arises from the fact that such mediums have been accustomed to such conditions from their earliest
days of mediumship, and have grown to believe that the same are absolutely necessary. It is thought
that if such mediums would begin over again, practicing in full light in the company of a few
sympathetic friends, they would before long grow accustomed to the new conditions, and would then
be able to reproduce all of their most important phenomena in full light. Using the terms of modern
psychology, 162it would seem that such mediums are the victims of their own "auto-suggestion," and
fixed beliefs; and, as all students of the subject well know, the mental states of the medium have a most
important bearing of the quality of the phenomena produced, and form a very important factor of the
conditions governing the success of the seance.
Developing Circles.
The person who is developing mediumship will do well to surround himself with persons of a certain
type of psychical power, and to form circles of such persons. Such persons are invaluable in
constituting a "developing circle." Such persons need not be mediumistic themselves, nor are they
required to actually do anything. Instead, their service is that of being present as psychical reservoirs of
force upon which the spirits can draw for manifesting power. The medium, being sensitive to helpful
influences, and the reverse, will recognize such persons by the congenial and harmonious influence
they exercise upon him; and he will do well to encourage such persons to sit in his developing circles.
Impersonating Mediumship.
What is known as "impersonating mediumship" occurs where the medium is so completely under the
control of the manifesting spirit that he will exhibit, often in a marvelously accurate manner, the
personal characteristics and mannerisms of the spirit, and which are readily recognized as such by the
spirit's surviving friends in earth-life. Sometimes the medium will actually re-enact the dying moments
of the controlling spirit. In many cases such impersonations have been so nearly photographically
163and phonographically correct that they have afforded the most convincing proof to investigators,
and in other cases have been a great consolation to relatives of the spirit who have been thus assured
that their loved one was still in actual existence on a higher plane of being. These results, however, are
possible only when a very close rapport condition has been established between the spirit and the
medium. In cases in which such a close rapport condition is obtained, and a high degree of harmony
developed, the spirit will be able to positively establish his identity by causing the medium to utter his
exact words, and to give names, dates, and close details of incidents occurring in his earth life, and
often to employ his exact set phrases and verbal tricks of speech, so as to bring to the consciousness of
the sitters the realization that they are in the actual presence of the decarnate spirit friend.
Spirit Inspiration.
Wallis says, concerning the nature of a certain phase of spirit control: "In the case of speaking
mediumship, where general and philosophical ideas are to be transmitted, the control is of a different
order from that exercised for test manifestations. It is more frequently of the nature of 'suggestion.' The
spirit suggestionist suggests to the medium a certain train of ideas, and then stimulates the brain and the
organs of expression to do the work of dressing up the thoughts and giving them utterance. Unless the
subject is a scientific or a biographical one, 166in which specific terms are required and accurate data
are to be imparted, the relationship between the 'inspired' speaker and the spirit control partakes more
of the character of the engineer who feeds the fire and directs the movements of his engine, while the
machine does the work, than it does of the actual voicing of the exact words, embodying in a full and
complete fashion the ideas the spirit wishes to have expressed.
Spirit Suggestion.
"At first the operator may succeed by very imperfectly stimulating the brain of the sensitive and
causing the cerebration and expression of his thoughts. The utterances may bear but a slight
resemblance to what the spirit intended to express. The vocabulary is that of the medium, and the form
in which the speech is cast of necessity partakes of the mold familiar to the sensitive—but, by
continued close association and frequent control of the medium, the operator gains experience which
enables him to exert a more decided influence; and the sensitive, becoming attuned, responds to and
expresses the thoughts of the spirit with greater clearness and precision. Just as those who dwell
together unconsciously approach nearer to each other and acquire a similarity in their mode of thought
and of expressing their ideas (the more dominant personality impressing itself upon the less positive),
so the medium imperceptibly, and very often unconsciously, acquires facility and proficiency in
thought and elocutionary expression as the result of the co-operation between himself and his spirit
guide."
Psychic Attunement.
167
Those who have read the above carefully stated opinion, will begin to see the reason why certain
mediums who have attained the greatest proficiency in certain forms of mediumship, and who have
become what are known as "reliable mediums," almost always have some particular spirit guide or
guides with whom they have become in almost perfect psychic harmony and attunement. These
harmonious spirits are not only enabled to express themselves with a high degree of clearness and
power through their favorite medium, but are also enabled to assist in the production of the best rapport
conditions between other spirits wishing to communicate and the said medium. There is a certain
amount of spiritual and psychic co-operation between spirit and medium which is attained only by
practice and continued association, which results in a psychic attunement between them. The closer and
more harmonious the relationship existing between a spirit and his medium, the thinner is the veil
separating the two planes upon which they dwell.
Automatic Writing.
In that phase of mediumship known as "automatic or inspirational writing," there is manifested two
distinct forms of spirit control of the organism of the medium. In cases of pure automatic writing the
spirit controls the arm and hand muscles of the medium, and uses them to write out the message under
the direct and absolute control of the mind and will of the spirit. Cases have been known in which both
hands of the medium have been so used by the spirit control, each hand writing a distinct and separate
message, and both being performed without 168any consciousness of the nature of the message on the
part of the medium. In some cases of automatic writing the medium was engaged in thought about
other subjects, or even in reading or study from a book. This is true not only in cases of automatic
writing in which the hand is directly employed, but also in those in which some mechanical device such
as the planchette or the ouija board intervenes.
Inspirational Writing.
In inspirational writing, on the other hand, the spirit impresses the message upon the mind of the
medium, either as a whole, or else sentence by sentence or even word by word—in all of such cases, be
it noted, the medium is aware of the substance of what he is about to write, either the word, the
sentence, or perhaps the entire message. In such cases, of course, the medium retains control of his
writing muscles and their action, and the spirit control is merely a phase of higher telepathy, as it were.
When the message is impressed upon the mind of the medium word by word, or sentence by sentence,
the style is of course that of the spirit exerting the control; but where the entire message is impressed
upon the mind of the medium, the style is usually a blending of that of the spirit and that of the
medium, for the medium is not likely to remember the literal message as given him, but merely is
conscious of the general purport and meaning thereof, together with a few phrases or expressions
formed by the spirit mind. In such cases, of course, the personality of the medium enters largely into
the message, while in the case of pure automatic writing the personality of the medium plays no part
whatsoever, and the personality of the spirit is present in its entirety. 169This important distinction
should be noted and remembered.
No Loss of Individuality.
In concluding this part of our book, we would call your attention to the following statements made by
writers along the lines of spiritualism in the leading journals of that school of modern thought. The first
writer says: "There is no need for the medium to decline to be influenced or controlled, by spirit friends
for fear of losing his 'individuality,' any more than he should insist upon asserting his freedom and
refuse the aid of tutors, lest they should infringe upon his sacred 'individuality.' What are called the
unconscious phases of mediumship generally lead up to loving co-operation with the wise and kindly
souls of the higher life in efforts to establish the fellowship of man; to bring knowledge 171where
ignorance now reigns; to banish the darkness by the light of that spiritual communion which shall yet
be a blessing to the race; and reliance upon higher powers in or out of the body does not mean that we
sacrifice our own abilities, nor do we thus become exempt from responsibility. Quite the reverse. It is
the arrogance of individualism against which we protest. In fact, there is no abiding strength of purpose
apart from the dependence every well-ordered mind should accord to the Infinite Light and Wisdom
and the beneficial services which His wise and loving ministering spirits can render to us if we are
desirous and responsive."
Mediumship Beneficial.
A second writer says: "There is no reason why the reactive consequences of frequent control by
enlightened and earnest spirits, even in the case of the 'trance' medium, should not prove extremely
beneficial to the sensitive, and this, we believe, has been the case with many of the speakers in the
spiritualistic movement. Where the medium is inspirational and ready to respond to the thought
impulsations of the control, it stands to reason that the transmitted ideas, and the stimulation of the
thought-faculties caused by the transference and expression of the spirits' opinions, will not be lost to
the medium. 'If you will take one step we can more easily help you to take a second than we could
compel you to take the first if you were unprepared,' said a spirit teacher to Mrs. Emma Hardinge
Britten, and there need be no loss of dignity or individuality, no injury to body or mind, but a gain of
strength and spiritual vigor, education of mind and stimulation of moral purpose, by intelligent co-
operation 172and temporary surrender on the part of the medium to wise and loving spirit helpers and
teachers."
173
PART VIII
HOW TO DEVELOP MEDIUMSHIP
Anyone is entitled to be considered a "medium" if he or she is psychically sensitive and capable of
receiving and responding to spirit control or influence. Likewise, anyone is entitled to the designation
who is capable of so generating freely a sufficient quantity of "psychic force," magnetism, prana, or
whatever other name we may choose to apply to the force which is generated in the human organism
and is capable of being employed by the spirits in order to produce mediumistic phenomena of the class
usually referred to as "physical phenomena." As we have seen, the spirits themselves are not usually
able to manufacture or generate by themselves this psychic required to produce the said phenomena,
but, on the contrary, must depend upon mediumistic individuals for such force.
Is Mediumship Desirable?
While it is true that a vast majority of persons possess the mediumistic power, latent and dormant, and
capable of being developed to a greater or less active power, it is but honest to say that in many cases it
is a grave question whether the person would be justified in undertaking the hard work, and long
176time, required to develop himself for the minor success which would attend his efforts. As a writer
has said: "Does the prospective result justify the labor involved to bring these powers into
efflorescence? My impression is, that in at least three cases out of four, the time and labor it would take
to develop this latent quality to its greatest efficacy would be far in excess of its value when so
developed." But, as we have already said, the best indication is found in the "call" to develop his or her
latent powers which the true medium always experiences.
Spontaneous Mediumship.
178
What may be called "spontaneous mediumship" is experienced by many persons not claiming
mediumistic powers, and not understanding the nature of the phenomena manifesting to and through
themselves. Such persons at times are conscious of the presence of spirit friends, and may even catch
glimpses of them either in the form of a mental image impressed upon their minds by the spirit friends,
or else by a more or less clear partial materialization. Sometimes raps manifest themselves in their
vicinity, and tables and light articles of furniture may manifest movement at their touch or approach.
Such persons, not understanding the laws of spirit manifestation, are frequently greatly distressed, or
even frightened, by such manifestations; and in not a few cases they experience considerable
annoyance and grief by reason of the attitude of their friends who are apt to consider them "queer," or
"spooky," and therefore to be avoided. Moreover, in the case of the physical manifestations such as the
movements of tables, furniture, etc., and the production of raps, these persons are frequently accused of
deliberate fraud in the production of such phenomena, whereas as a matter of fact they, themselves, are
quite in the dark as to the cause and nature of the phenomena in question. It is obvious that the placing
of the right information in the hands of such persons, and their instruction in the laws and principles of
mediumship would be a blessing to them.
Mediumistic Flashes.
A writer has the following to say concerning this class of mediumistic persons: "Those persons who
179are naturally sensitive sometimes experience strange and sudden impulses. Thoughts come to them
'in a flash,' so to speak. They say things spontaneously which they had not intended to say—the words
seem to burst from them and 'say themselves.' Others have equally sudden and fugitive clairvoyant
experiences; they see spirits where they least expect, and when they are absorbed in something else; but
when they strongly desire to 'see' or to receive guidance, they get nothing. This state of affairs, in all
probability, is due to the fact that their susceptibility is not sufficiently developed; their psychical
impressibility can only be reached and acted upon under specially favorable conditions, which are
disturbed and dissipated when the ordinary intellectual self is aroused.
Systematic Development.
"The remedy will be found in the systematic cultivation of interior repose and confidence. The psychic
must learn to regard it as a perfectly natural experience that the spiritual states and positive thoughts of
excarnate people should impinge upon his spiritual sphere, and while 'attentive to the holy vision,'
should calmly accept the fact and maintain the attitude or response; not anxiously nor demandingly, but
thankfully enjoying the spiritual communion and illumination thus afforded to him. It is only natural
that many people should desire to become mediums, and that they should wish to ascertain what
constitutes mediumship, and what is required to secure its development. But those who express these
desires should remember that in all probabilities months, if not years, of patient development have been
necessary for the success and 180efficiency of those celebrated mediums whom they admire and
probably envy." But, as we have said before, if the "call" to mediumship be felt, then it may be heeded;
though the person must be prepared to pay the price of toil and work, patience and perseverance,
required to attain the mountain top of mediumship.
Natural Unfoldment.
Again, the person wishing to develop his latent mediumistic powers must exercise patience and
perseverance, and must not insist upon a premature attempt at revelation on the part of the spirits. The
process of the unfoldment of the mediumistic powers should be akin to that of the unfoldment of the
bud of the flower, that is to say, it must be gradual, natural, and unforced. The writer above mentioned,
says on this point: "Too many people, instead of waiting until the spirits were ready to communicate
with them, have pressed for 'tests' before the connections were properly made. They have complicated
matters by their eager questionings, and have worried the operators until everything went wrong; and
then, because the answers were incorrect, inconsequent and misleading, or persistently negative, they
declared that the spirit was a deceiver, evil, or foolish, and, while having only themselves to blame,
gave up the sittings in disgust, whereas, had they 182been less impetuous, less opinionated, less
prejudiced, they would in all probability have eventually obtained satisfactory proofs of the presence of
their spirit loved ones."
Developing Concentration.
The following advice on this particular subject will be found helpful to those contemplating the
formation of development circles, and the unfoldment of their latent powers of mediumship; it is from
the pen of an earnest student of this subject, and one who is himself a competent medium. This person
says: "One of the most important prerequisites for success in the development of mediumship along
spiritual lines is the cultivation of the power of concentration. In the early days of the movement the
would-be medium was advised to be 'passive,' and passivity was often construed into self-effacement.
We are now learning to distinguish between receptivity and docility, between apathy and aspiration. A
medium is not, and should not be willing to become a mere irresponsible tool. For intelligent and
beneficial association with, and inspiration from, the people of the higher life, a certain degree of
abstraction is necessary. To cut one's self off from ordinary conditions, to retire into the sanctuary of
one's own inner consciousness, to 'enter the silence' as it is sometimes called, is helpful training for the
preparation of conditions favorable for the manifestation of spirit-power. The Quakers were true
spiritualists in this sense, and evidently realized the need for the concentration of the soul's 184forces
and their withdrawal from the outer plane, preparatory to the descent of the spiritual influence that
moved them to speak.
Developing a Medium.
If the circle be one devoted chiefly to the development of mediumistic powers in some one of its
members, then it will perhaps be best to have only that particular medium present. The remainder of the
sitters should be highly sympathetic toward the developing medium, and should assume the mental
attitude of help and aid toward him. While the early results of such a circle may not be so interesting as
those at which a fully developed medium is present, nevertheless the gradual unfoldment of the powers
of the medium will be found highly interesting, and the gradual evolution of the character of the
phenomena produced will be a liberal education in itself. In case that in the circle there are no
particular persons regarded as being mediums, and where there is a general desire to develop
mediumistic powers among many or all of the sitters, there must be carefully avoided anything
approaching a rivalry between the members of the circle; and at the same time a strong desire and
perfect willingness for the spirit power to manifest through whomsoever it may prefer, without regard
to the personal ambitions of the individual sitters. Most certainly there must be no spirit of
"competition" among the sitters in the circle.
Adding a Medium.
Sometimes there may result certain physical phenomena such as table tippings and movements of
furniture, in cases in which there is a sufficient amount of psychic force generated among the sitters;
but in such cases there may be an absolute failure to produce some of the higher forms of mediumistic
phenomena, 193such as, for instance, clear spirit messages by raps or otherwise, the failure being
caused by the fact that the circle did not include in its membership any person of sufficiently developed
mediumistic powers to be considered a "medium." In such cases the introduction into the circle of a
person possessing fairly developed mediumistic powers of the higher order may change the condition
of affairs at once, and almost immediately the higher manifestations may present themselves. In such
cases the soil is richly fertilized and highly cultivated, and all that has been lacking is the strong,
vigorous seed of true mediumship. In such cases when a true medium is discovered by means of his or
her introduction into the circle (for such discovery is often made in this way), it may be well for the
circle afterwards to devote itself to the development of that particular medium. And it must not be
forgotten that such development of the particular medium frequently also results in the development of
the other members sitting in the circle.
Psychic Attunement.
One of the most common faults of the sitters at a circle is to become unduly impatient, and to try to
force matters to a clear manifestation of phenomena almost from the moment of the start. This is all
wrong, and is frequently the cause of many failures to obtain the higher phases of mediumistic
phenomena. Sitters should remember this important point, i.e., that the first requisite of the circle
should be to secure perfect and free communication and flow of spiritual power—after this the more
elaborate phases of phenomena may be obtained with comparative ease. One should hold in mind the
illustration of a great wireless telegraph system, in which the sending and receiving instruments have
not as yet been placed in perfect attunement. In such a case it is of course necessary for the two
respective sets of instruments to be adjusted so that they may be in perfect attunement with each other;
and until this is accomplished, there can be messages sent or received properly—certainly none
received in this way. If this idea be held in mind, their circle will probably secure the psychic
attunement in a much shorter time than otherwise.
Pre-Test Manifestations.
195
Do not be in too much of a hurry to obtain "test" messages. Let the communications flow on in a
somewhat rambling manner at first, until the lines of communication are fully and firmly established,
and then you may begin to think about asking test questions of the spirits in order to establish their
identity. A writer says on this point: "Should table movements occur, or raps be heard, let them go on
for a little. Do not ask test questions just yet. Request repetitions, or ask for them to be clearer or
louder, so that they may be sharp and decisive. You may also ask for a certain number of movements or
raps. After that, you may proceed to ask questions as to whether the circle is sitting in the best
arrangement for success. If changes are desired, these should be made as suggested. It may happen that
one or more of the sitters may be requested to change places, or to withdraw from the table altogether.
In such a case the sitter should not take umbrage for it merely means that their psychical conditions do
not blend with those of the rest of the circle."
Premature Tests.
Regarding the matter of premature tests, or unreasonable demands, the same writer further says:
"Remember that the first requisite is to establish the channel of communication; and all personal
questions as to who and what the spirit is should be reserved until the initial difficulties are overcome.
It is at first most probable that the spirit operators will not be fully aware just what effect they are
producing, and the mind of the medium may not as yet 196be sufficiently passive, in fact it may be in a
sort of state of protest against being acted upon in this particular way; accordingly, it is extremely
unwise to attempt to obtain responses to test questions or to secure evidences of the identity of the spirit
under these imperfect conditions. Many mediums and inquirers have been deterred from further
development or investigation because such questions have been prematurely put and the answers
pressed for, with the result that confusing and contradictory responses were given, and the conclusion
was hastily drawn that it was all fraud, delusion, of the devil."
Forcing Tests.
Another writer has said on this point: "I then, in my anxiety, made a mistake which anxious inquirers
sometimes make. I wanted more—I pressed for another test, forgetting the difficulties of mediumship,
and the supreme effort which must have been made to give me what I had obtained. And this resulted in
failure after remarkable tests had been given." Another writer, commenting upon the last quoted
statement, says: "This is exactly how mediums are used; they give test after test, not to satisfy, but only
to produce the desire for more. Then when the power is weakened, comes the inability—or 'fraud,' as
the imperfection in mediumship is often called. This will be the case until they can have the only
condition which is suitable for spiritual communion—passive trust and confidence. Real tests cannot
come when sought with materialistic conditions. The tests come unsought, unasked for."
Spirit Directions.
Another point which should be borne in mind by the sitters in the circle is that the spirits should be
197consulted as to just what they wish to manifest at the seance. They should be asked to state plainly
just what order of phenomena they desire to manifest and demonstrate, and just what they wish the
circle to do in order to create the best conditions for the manifestation. And it will be found advisable to
heed the wishes and instructions of the spirits in such cases, and to conform as far as possible with the
same. In this way the intelligent co-operation of spirits and the circle may be obtained, and the most
desirable results be obtained. However, there is a limit to this acceptance and course, and in no case
should the limits of reasonableness be exceeded in the matter. As a writer has well said: "It may happen
that the conditions asked for by the communicating intelligence may seem to be ludicrous or
impracticable; and in such case representations to that effect should be made to the spirit, and if such
instructions are persisted in, except where, through long association, confidence is felt in the spirit, or
very clear evidence of knowledge has been manifested, the medium and sitters, exercising their own
reasoning powers, should quietly and firmly decline to do what is asked of them, and some other course
should be suggested. We do not advise either medium or sitters to blindly accept or follow what is
given to or through them. Reason should ever reign, but even reason will show that in experimental
work it is sometimes advisable to tentatively adopt and follow some course that may not, at first sight,
appear quite reasonable."
200
PART IX
MEDIUMISTIC PHENOMENA
Some students of this book who have noted in the foregoing pages certain references to the conduct of
the sitters in the circle may ask themselves the question: "Why are the sitters so important, when the
power is really exerted by the spirits through the medium?" In fact, such questions, often uttered in the
spirit of adverse criticism, are frequently propounded by sceptics to spiritualists, and it is well that the
answer should be correctly given. As a matter of fact the understanding of such answer will mean the
possession of some important facts concerning the phenomena of mediumship, and without which the
investigator will possibly wander far astray from the main road of truth concerning such phenomena.
Interrupted Communications.
It should not be forgotten, in this connection, that the spirits have their own difficulties to contend with.
In the current slang phrase, they "have troubles of their own" to overcome in the production of
mediumistic phenomena. Not only does the spirit wishing to communicate have to draw sufficient
psychic power from the medium and the sitters, not only has he to scientifically adjust the apparatus at
the sending end of the psychic telephonic line, but he has also to be sure that he is actually
communicating the message so that it may be received by the sitters. In such cases the spirit is placed in
a position similar to that of a person at one end of a telephone line, who after had an answer to his
opening "Hello!" talks away, thinking that the person at the other end is hearing every word he utters,
perfectly unconscious that the communication has been interrupted from some cause or other common
to telephone lines. How often do we, in our telephone conversations, interrupt our flow of talk to
anxiously inquire, "Are you still there?" or "Do you hear me?"
Difficulties Overcome.
"Even on this side, when we send telegraphic messages or use the telephone, mistakes and
misunderstandings are by no means uncommon occurrences, 206and our letters sometimes create an
impression in the mind of the reader which we did not intend to convey. Is it any wonder, then, that
messages from the other side are imperfectly impressed upon, and incorrectly rendered by, the
medium? Most persons who have attempted to transfer thoughts to mesmerized sensitives have realized
that general ideas can be transmitted much more easily than names, dates, or specific words can be
impressed upon or expressed by the subject. The wonder is, not that so few names, ages, and special
details are given by spirits to and through mediums, but that, considering all the attendant
circumstances, so many 'test' messages are continually being given, both privately and in public."
Harmonious Relationship.
207
The sitters composing the circle should always remember that mutual harmony is a most important
factor contributing to the success of the manifestations sought to be secured. Accordingly, each sitter
should strive to bring himself or herself into a sympathetic and harmonious relationship with each and
every other sitter, so far as is possible. To accomplish this result the sitters should endeavor, so far as is
possible, to lay aside their respective prejudices, jealousies, and differences of opinion. These incidents
of their personality should be left, together with their hats and outer wraps, in the outer hall of the
house in which the seance is held. Differences of religion, politics, race and creed, all should be cast
aside at least temporarily, in order that the greatest amount of harmony should be manifested by the
group. A safe rule to follow is this: seek to find the largest number of points of mutual agreement, and
to set aside all the rest of the items of personal tastes, customs and habits of feeling and thought. Dwell
together on the plane of common agreement, shutting out the planes of respective disagreements. In
this connection we should state that the customary attitude of cold reserve, blended and colored by
suspicion, which too often is found between comparative strangers, is far from being helpful in
producing the best conditions for the seance. For the time being, at least, the sitters should try to
remember that they are all members of one great human family, and united by the bonds of common
origin and nature.
Antagonistic Elements.
209
Another incident of the kind is related by a writer, as follows: "On one occasion, when some
experiments were being made by a medium, under control, in the direction of psychometry and
clairvoyance, a lady expressed a desire to be the subject for delineation. After one or two efforts the
medium exclaimed, 'I am very sorry, but for some reason I am quite unable to get anything from you, or
for you.' Shortly afterwards the lady in question remarked to one of the sitters, 'I knew he would not be
able to give me anything. That is the third medium that I have knocked out.' The failure to obtain
results under such impossible conditions is a proof of the genuine psychic nature of the powers of the
mediums. If they were pretenders they would succeed in doing something under any circumstances and
in spite of such adverse psychic conditions." While we are far from holding that the sitters in a circle
should lay aside all ordinary caution and good judgment, and instead to assume the mental attitude of
utter and unquestioning credulity and acceptance, we do positively declare that the mental state of
preconceived distrust and suspicion is often almost fatal to the production and demonstration of the
highest manifestations of spirit phenomena.
Rhythmic Harmony.
The manifestation of rhythmic harmony often materially aids in the generation of psychic power, and
the consequent production of advantageous conditions at the circle. Many circles are opened by having
the several sitters indulge in harmonious rhythmic breathing for a few minutes—all breathing in unison
—in order to produce this condition of rhythm. Those who have never practiced this unison of
rhythmic breathing will be surprised at the consciousness of psychical harmony which may be
produced in this way among a number of persons gathered together in a circle. This principle of
rhythm is what is really involved in the call of many spirits for singing at the beginning of a seance. In
singing there is a certain unison and rhythm unconsciously 212observed, and it is this rather than the air
or words of the songs which produces the desire conditions. A writer states that upon one occasion a
manifesting spirit said: "It isn't noise that I want; it's harmony! If you cannot sing, you can at least
count out loud, and count altogether—that may give us the right vibrations." That spirit had the right
idea, and one which it would be well for all sitters to remember and put into effect. Vibration is the
secret of all things, and rhythm is the measure and spirit of all vibrations; therefore, the very harmony
of a circle may be said to be rhythmic. There is a great truth involved in these statements, and you will
do well to ponder over them.
Retarding Factors.
It should be almost unnecessary to state that haste, hurry and impatience are retarding factors in a
spiritualistic seance; but, alas, too many persons seem to be totally unaware of this important fact. We
call your attention to the following remarks concerning this point, the same having been made by a
writer on the subject who himself is a medium of extended experience. He says: "Impatience and
anxiety are disintegrating mental conditions. People who are all the time looking at their watches and
thinking, 'Oh! I wish they would hurry up.' 'Oh! do be quick, don't keep us here all night, we shall
surely miss our train,' etc., are disturbers of the peace, and break the conditions which require harmony
and repose. 'We have found out that we cannot hurry them,' said a lady who had enjoyed much
experience in circles; and consequently, when you are sitting for different phenomena, you need 213to
have plenty of time and be prepared to sit good humoredly for hours, if need be, to see it through; and
then results are likely to speedily ensue; whereas the more you try to hurry, the more anxious you
become, the less likelihood is there that you will secure results at all. You can surely realize that hurry,
impatience, anxiety, intense expectancy, fear and suspicion must of necessity disturb the conditions and
prove inimical to the efforts of the spirit operators to present clear and convincing demonstrations of
their power and identity."
Harmonious Conditions.
It is not an easy task to give specific directions for development of mediumistic power for the guidance
of one who is desirous of unfolding such powers 214after they have first manifested their presence in
him. In fact, as many of the best authorities on the subject agree, it is practically impossible to lay out a
course of cut-and-dried directions of this kind. This arises logically from the conditions present in such
cases, and from the special circumstances surrounding the subject of mediumship. In fact, it may be
broadly stated that at the beginning the medium can do but little in the direction of such development,
other than to present harmonious conditions through which the spirits may be able to manifest their
presence and their power.
Disturbing Elements.
"Frequently at the outset both spirits and sitters are ignorant of their powers, of the conditions
necessary for success, and the association that exists between them being affectional rather than
intellectual or spiritual, they have to grope their way towards each other. It follows, therefore, that
experiments have to be made on both sides. Sitters and young mediums often spoil the seances by
over-anxiety. There would not be half so much heard of 'evil spirits' (so-called) if more regard were
paid to the necessity of maintaining a calm, patient, and serene frame of mind. Some people become
excited as soon as phenomena commences; mediums not infrequently get nervous or timid when they
feel that they are being affected, and, although they desire to be controlled, they are afraid to submit to
the influences when they are likely to lose consciousness. All these are disturbing elements, and
naturally interfere with the flow of the forces that are to be utilized, and prevent the success that is
desired. A spirit without any very definite purpose, finding himself in the presence of a mediumistic
person, may seek to influence him, and spasmodic actions may result. Unless the control should soon
give evidence of clear thought and definite purpose, he should be requested, in a kindly and courteous
manner, to seek the assistance of some spirit who understands the methods to be employed, and induce
him to exert his power for the benefit of the medium and the circle."
Impersonation Mediumship.
217
One of the most interesting phases of mediumship, and the one perhaps most sought after by earnest
seekers of the truth concerning those who have passed over to a higher plane of existence, is that
commonly known as "impersonation mediumship," or perhaps "impersonating test mediumship," in
which the vocal organs of the medium are employed by the communicating spirit in order to speak
directly to those in the circle, or to the visiting friend of the decarnate spirit who comes into the
presence of the medium. Many mediums devote their entire time and attention to this phase of
mediumship, and place themselves at the service of those on the earth plane who wish to converse
directly with their spirit friends or relatives who have passed on. This is by far the most satisfying
phase of mediumship to those on the earth plane who are thus enabled to receive communications, and
perhaps even direct answers to specific questions made to them. The most convincing evidences of the
identity of the communicating spirit are also obtained through this particular form of mediumship. And
this affording of comfort to those still on the earth plane is one of the most satisfying features of
mediumship, and one which will do more than aught else to reconcile the medium to annoyances and to
the personal sacrifices so often made by the medium.
Public Seances.
219
A writer, himself a successful medium, gives the following good advice to young mediums: "I strongly
advise all mediums to wait and serve out their apprenticeship thoroughly before they undertake to sit
for sceptics or perform public work, either as test, impersonating, speaking, seeing, or healing
mediums; and the best place to secure the necessary experience, training and unfolding is in the home
circle. After a certain stage has been reached, however, the medium who has been used for
impersonations will in all probability begin to display the powers of clairvoyance and to receive vivid
impressions. Then will come, or they will be accompanied by, the efforts of the spirits to pass beyond
the purely personal and limited forms of expression associated with the affectionate messages and
greetings, to the consideration and explanation of the conditions and experiences of life on the other
side. Spirits who can teach and give more sequential and sustained addresses will in all likelihood
assume control, and under such conditions it will be found necessary to enlarge the circle and introduce
fresh sitters. The clairvoyant, or psychometrist, needs new subjects with whom to experiment, and the
speaking medium requires an audience to listen to his discourses, so that the next step beyond the small
private circle may well be a semi-public one, or an 'after circle' such as is frequently held at the close of
the public Sunday services in many towns, at which mediums who have reached this stage are afforded
the opportunities they need.
Mediumistic Auto-Suggestion.
Other authorities have pointed out the fact that in some cases hypnotism has resulted in a sort of
pseudo-mediumship, or bogus mediumship, in which the control is not that of a real spirit, but is merely
the result of the suggestion of the hypnotizer, or else the auto-suggestion of the would-be medium
himself. A writer on the subject has said of this: "In too many cases, only the power of auto-hypnotism
is manifested, and we have obsession, fraud and folly as the result. There is one sure method of
detecting the auto-hypnotic trance, and showing the difference between that and the genuine spirit
trance. Any competent magnetist or hypnotiser can throw off the spell in all cases of self-induced
trance, unless it has reached the condition of complete catalepsy. But if a spirit has induced the trance
and controls the medium, it will laugh at the hypnotist's efforts to restore him to the ordinary condition.
The most unfortunate feature of this sorry business is that the poor subject is self-deceived, and
imagines that he is a full-fledged medium; and when he has made some terrible break on the platform
or elsewhere he shields himself by laying all the responsibility upon some supposed spirit guide."
"Psychic Sponges."
226
A writer has also called the attention of young mediums to another undesirable class of psychic
hangers-on at seances, as follows: "There are some people who, when they sit in a circle, are extremely
helpful, and give off the right kind of force that readily blends with that of the sensitive; but there are
others who draw upon and appropriate the psychic forces which are needed by the medium, or by the
spirits through the medium. While they mean well, enjoy the seances, and feel 'so much better' after
them, the success of the circle is endangered so far as the object for which it was formed is concerned.
Such persons are 'psychic sponges,' and should be requested to sit outside the circle, or be asked kindly
to refrain from attending."
229
PART X
EXPERIENCES IN THE CIRCLE
When a circle of sensitive people has been formed, and the necessary preliminaries of the first sitting
have been completed, it is not at all infrequent that even at the first sitting there should be more or less
manifestation of spirit power. In many cases the sensitives among the sitters begin to experience a
peculiar sensation in their arms and hands, the latter being placed on the table in front of them.
Spirit Rappings.
At the first sitting, or one shortly following after the first, it is likely that raps will be produced, and
communication established in this way. In such case the leader of the circle (not the medium) should be
sure to inform the spirits just what communicating code is to be used in the circle, so that there may be
no misunderstanding concerning the same. In such case he should address the spirits as if there were
several present, for such will most likely be the case. It must be remembered, however, that the raps
will not always come from the table. They may also, for that matter, come from the wall, the ceiling, or
from some of the furniture in the room. The table raps come from the top of the table or under the table.
Sometimes they sound like ordinary raps, and then again they may give forth a peculiar hollow sound
which is difficult to describe or to definitely locate. The appearance of these 231raps give positive
proof that the conditions are being established more or less fully, and the success of the circle is almost
sure to follow.
Table Tippings.
Sometimes, however, in place of the raps being manifested by the spirit forces, there will instead be
manifested that peculiar tipping of the table which was the distinguishing characteristic of early
spiritualistic phenomena in the western countries. In this case the tipping of the table will proceed just
as in the case of the raps, so far as the transmission of messages is concerned. That is to say, the table
will tilt three times, one time, etc., in accordance with the code, just as in the case of communication by
means of the raps. In addition to this, however, the table may begin to manifest strange motions; it may
begin to raise itself, jump around, spin around on one leg, slide across the rooms, etc. In such cases the
hands of the sitters should be kept on the table, or if they slip off they should be at once replaced
thereupon. Sometimes heavy tables will manifest more activity than the lighter ones.
Flashes of Communication.
In some cases the circle will have to sit several times before the persistent though disconnected and
apparently meaningless raps or table-tilts will begin to show positive signs of intelligent signalling. The
same thing would probably occur were the inhabitants of the planet Mars to find themselves able to
flash signals to our earth—for a long time the flashes would seem meaningless to us, until at last they
would seem to manifest a definite intelligent purpose and rhythm. When this stage of the raps or table-
tilts has been reached, then the leader of the circle 233should acquaint the spirits with the code used,
and ask definite questions concerning the future conduct of the seance, the answers to which the spirits
are requested to give through the signal code of raps or tilts. When these answers begin to "come
through" plainly and definitely, then the seance enters a new phase.
Ouija Boards.
Of late years the sitters at circles have found a quicker method of obtaining "letter by letter" messages
by means of the apparatus called "the Ouija Board," which consists of a moving "Planchette" with an
indicator which moves over the letters marked on a board, the hands of the sitters (or certain of their
number) being placed on the table of the "Planchette." The indicator moves over the line of letters, and
indicates the letters of the message, one by one. The Ouija Boards are sold at a moderate price, and will
be found a valuable adjunct to any spiritualistic circle. During the past few years, public attention has
been strongly directed to this manner of obtaining spirit communications by reason of newspaper
notices concerning the same, and the fact that several books have been written under spirit guidance
imparted in this particular way.
Trance Phenomena.
Another writer has said: "In entering the trance condition of mediumship, you will probably become
semi-conscious, or perhaps almost completely unconscious. The influence will stimulate your
breathing, which will become rapid and irregular; your eyes will close and you will be unable to open
them, and your hands and body may twitch and jerk as if you were being subjected to a series of
galvanic shocks. The sitters should keep calm and sympathetic, but they should check any tendency on
the part of the medium to undue noise, or violence, or absurdity. You will be aware of what you are
doing, but will be unable to fully exercise the will to interfere or try to stop. You will most likely
become conscious of an impulse to do something, or to blurt out certain words. If you resist, you will
only make the task more difficult and hinder the attainment of the end you have in view. Your best
course is to hold your judgment in suspense; so do not be hostile or critical, but act out your
impressions.
Speaking Mediumship.
In that form of Trance or Inspirational Mediumship generally known as "Speaking Mediumship," the
communicating spirit assumes partial or complete control of the vocal organs of the medium, and the
spirit then directly addresses the circle or audience of listeners, just as he would do were he, himself,
actually in the flesh confronting them and using his own vocal organs. In such addressing the spirit
manifests many of the characteristics which distinguished him during his earth life. The medium's
voice is changed, and his manner takes on a quite different form, i.e., that of the spirit which he
possessed in his own earth life. In fact, in some cases, it has actually been observed that the very body
of the medium seemed to either shrink, or else enlarge, as if taking the form of the etheric framework
of the controlling spirit.
Incidents of Impersonations.
In a case such as stated above, the medium will probably find himself either partially or completely
conscious of what is being said and done by the spirit through his body or vocal organs. He will
naturally strive to escape the utterance of the strange cries, moans, vocal gasps and efforts, and the dead
cries and farewell words of the dying man or woman. Some mediums have felt at such times as if they
were losing their reason, and they have struggled to 242throw off the spirit control and influence in
order to regain their mental balance. The best mediums advise the young mediums to keep as cool,
calm, and collected as possible in such cases, and not to allow themselves to become panic-stricken. A
writer on the subject has said: "Trust to the sincerity of the spirit and the good sense of the sitters, and
throw off your fear. Yield obedience to your control, and neither help nor hinder it. Just do and say
what you feel you have to do or say, and leave the results. You cannot, or should not, be held
responsible for failure by the sitters, if there is no recognition; and by responding and giving free
course to the suggestion, which reaches you as an impulse or mental impression, greater success will
follow, and the development you seek will be promoted. If, however, you find that the impersonations
are untrue, and the sitters are unable to interpret or recognize what you do or say after you have
followed out your impressions a number of times, then resist them with all your strength of will, and
require from the spirit the proof of his identity in some other way."
Value of Identification.
In impersonation mediumship, however, no matter how interesting the manifestation may be, it is of
prime importance that the identity of the spirit should be clearly established, providing that the spirit
himself claims positively to be some particular individual; this, of course, does not apply to instances in
which the spirit does not claim identity with any particular departed person, and where the
communications are given anonymously. It is this feature of identification that renders this phase of
mediumship so valuable and important. A well-known 244medium, in a trance state, once delivered the
following message from a spirit: "Impersonation mediumship is the most valuable that the world can
possibly have today. When by the aid of the impersonating medium, the inquirer is enabled to converse
with his beloved deceased friends, and they make themselves actually visible in the personality of the
medium, plain to consciousness and understanding, and tell him specifically points and facts of identity
and experience that are utterly beyond the power of any other intelligence to tell, then he has something
borne in upon him through the senses of sight, of hearing and understanding that appeals to him.
Therefore, the impersonating medium is the most valuable medium you can present to inquirers."
Another mediumistic writer has said: "This kind of mediumship carries conviction of the real presence
of the so-called dead, and your aim should be to get into communication with the intelligent operator at
the other end of the line, and elicit from him evidences of his identity and purpose. Table movements,
raps, materializations, writings, messages, or controls, are of comparatively little value unless by their
agency you can secure proofs of the personal identity and survival after death of your departed friends,
or some indications of a rational purpose on the part of the operator."
Spirit Jokers.
Another writer says, on this point: "That there are spirits who sometimes impersonate, and seek to pass
themselves off as friends of the sitters, cannot be denied; in fact, we have had personal proof of the
same on several occasions. But these troublesome and vexatious visitors invariably get 'bowled out' if
the investigators are observant and careful. In fact, such entities are neither as numerous, or as evilly
disposed, as many persons imagine them to be. There are spirits who 'play up to' the weaknesses and
flatter the vanity of those to whom they communicate. And it is equally true that there are spirits who
give glowing assurances of the good things that they will perform by-and-by, and profess to be some of
the 'great ones' of the past, is equally true. It is a well-known saying that 'people love a lord,' and this
amiable weakness is fully realized by the jokers on the other side—but the fault does not wholly rest
with them! Their too confiding and credulous mediums are too often in the main responsible for their
own mystification and misleading. They are often so anxious to be guided by some 'eminent' person
who will be to them an 'authority,' that they practically invite spirit pretenders to fool them to the top of
their bent. This does not apply to all cases of real or supposed deception, but it does cover a large
proportion of such experiences. In 247many instances there is an element of self-deception—or auto-
suggestion—and the 'wish becomes father to the thought,' and the sensitive medium's unrestrained
imaginative powers do the rest."
251
PART XI
HIGHER SPIRIT MANIFESTATIONS
We frequently hear of, and witness manifestations of, what is called "spirit psychometry," "spirit
clairvoyance," and "spirit clairaudience." In the earlier chapters of the present book we have spoken of
the psychic principles and laws underlying psychometry, clairvoyance, and clairaudience. We have seen
that all of these forms and phases of psychic phenomena are capable of being produced independent of
spirit guidance, control, or influence. In fact, most of such manifestations are so produced, even when
they are considered to be phases of spirit mediumship. But, outside of these manifestations, there are
found cases in which such phenomena are produced by the aid, influence, and assistance, if not indeed
the direct power of, the controlling spirits of the medium.
Spirit Psychometry and Clairvoyance.
In those instances in which the controlling influence of such phenomena is clearly that of disembodied
252spirits, we find two distinct classes of the same, as follows: (1) cases in which the spirits aided in
the establishing of the psychic rapport, and thus rendered more efficient, clear, and strong; (2) cases in
which the spirits exerted their own psychometric, clairvoyant or clairaudient power, and then
communicated the result through their mediums to the circle. In the first of above classes, the psychic
faculties of the medium really perform the work, although greatly aided by the addition of the psychic
power of the spirit. In the second of the above classes, the work is performed solely by the psychic
powers of the spirits, and the medium acts merely as the line of communication between spirit and the
circle. It must be remembered that the spirits who have passed out of the body are possessed of the
same order of psychic faculties as are those still in the body, and that, likewise, on both planes there is a
great variation of the degree of such powers between different individuals.
Writing Mediumship.
In what is known as "writing mediumship" the medium's hand is controlled by the spirit, and is caused
to write messages to those present, or to answer questions propounded by some of those present at the
circle. In some quarters such writing is called "automatic writing," but inasmuch as this last term is also
applied to cases in which the hand of the person writes a message telepathed by a living person, it
would seem that the old term "writing mediumship" is still the best one to use in the cases in which the
spirit control is using the hand of the medium for the purpose of communication. The following
statements made by different mediumistic writers on this particular subject will prove interesting and
instructive to the young mediums seeking development along the lines of this special phase of
mediumship.
Drawing Mediumship.
What is known as "drawing mediumship" is but a variation of writing mediumship, at least so far as is
concerned the nature of the manifestation. In both cases the spirit control moves the hand of the
medium, in one case forming letters and words, and in the other case forming figures, designs, etc. In
some rare instances, the spirit control operating through the hand of the medium has produced crayon
drawings, water color sketches, and even oil paintings, although the medium himself or herself, was
unable to even draw a straight line, much less to execute a finished drawing or painting. The principle
governing such mediumship, and the development, thereof, is precisely the same as that governing the
phase of writing mediumship previously described.
The Planchette.
From time to time, during the past fifty years, there have been invented or arranged various forms of
mechanical contrivances designed to assist in the development of writing mediumship. The most
popular of these has been the Planchette, which has enjoyed great popularity for many years past. The
Planchette is a little heart-shaped board, having two 260legs, with tiny wheels at the end, attached to
the board. Near the pointed end of the heart-shaped board is a hole, into which a pencil is inserted. A
sheet of paper of good size is spread upon a table, and the Planchette is placed thereupon. Then the
sitter, or two sitters, place their hand or hands upon the board—generally resting only the tips of their
fingers lightly upon it. The sitter or sitters then await results.
Healing Mediumship.
Some mediums seem to be particularly adapted to the work of healing by psychic force, and this phase
of mediumship is known as "healing mediumship." The healing medium is guided principally by the
spirit influence, so far as is concerned the choice of methods of procedure in his healing work. The
following directions, however, given by a mediumistic writer, will give the young medium a very good,
practical general idea of the procedure to be followed in case his spirit control does not indicate some
other method. This writer says:
Materialization Mediumship.
One of the rarest, and at the same time the most eagerly sought after phase of mediumship, is that
known as "materialization mediumship." In this 263phase of mediumship the decarnate spirit is able to
draw upon the vital forces of the medium, and those present at the seance, to such effect that it may
clothe itself with a tenuous, subtle form of matter, and then exhibit itself to the sitters in the same form
and appearance that it had previously presented in its earth life. Many of the most remarkable
testimonies to the truth and validity of spiritualism have been obtained through this phase of
mediumship, and it is the aim of all investigators to witness, and of most mediums to be the channel of
the production of, this remarkable phase of mediumistic phenomena.
In almost all instances of materialization phenomena in the record of modern spiritualism we find that a
cabinet was employed. There are two main reasons advanced for the necessity of the cabinet in this
phase of mediumistic phenomena. The first of said reasons is that in many cases darkness has been
found necessary for the preliminary work of the materialization, although absolute darkness is not
necessary in the general room in which the materialized spirit forms afterward appear. The second of
the said reasons is that there seems to be a psychic atmosphere created by the blending of the spirit
forces with those of the medium, which atmosphere must be kept apart from and unmixed with the
auras of the members of the outside circle or the general visitors at the seance.
Spirit Phosphorescence.
The first evidence of the presence and activity of the spirit forces striving to produce the phenomena
and materialization will probably be the appearance of peculiar hazy phosphorescent lights playing in
front of the curtain forming the front of the cabinet. These lights will consist of small globules or balls
of phosphorescent light that will dance about, like the familiar will-o'-the-wisp seen over swamps and
in damp, woody places. These lights will flit here and there, will alternately appear and disappear.
Sometimes they will appear as if a multitude of fire-flies were clustered in front of the curtain. When
these fire balls appear the circle may know that it is well on the way to perfect materializations.
Trumpet Mediumship.
269
In what is known as "trumpet mediumship," the sound of the voice of the communicating spirit is
increased in power by the use of a trumpet shaped arrangement of paper, card-board, tin, or aluminum.
There is no particular virtue in the material used, and anyone may make a serviceable trumpet out of
heavy paper or thin card-board. The principle of the use of the "spirit trumpet" is precisely that of the
well-known megaphone, i.e., it magnifies the sound, and increases its carrying power. A spirit speaking
in the faintest whisper through the trumpet is enabled to have its voice heard plainly by those present in
the circle, where otherwise nothing would be heard. Often the spirit force is so strong that it will pick
up the trumpet and carry it around the circle, tapping the various members thereof, and whispering
through it into the ear of some particular members. Weak spirits, therefore, who are unable to make
themselves heard in the ordinary way, often employ the trumpet with effect in seances. When the
trumpet is used, it should be placed on the table, awaiting the use of the spirits.
Avoid Cross-Magnetism.
A popular mediumistic writer has given the following excellent words of warning to young mediums:
"Do not go into public promiscuous 'developing circles.' There is always a danger of 'cross magnetism'
and disorderly manifestations in such gatherings. Owing to the mixed and inharmonious mental, moral,
and physical conditions which necessarily exist where a number of strangers and curiosity seekers are
attracted, you run the risk of being affected by undeveloped, unprincipled, frivolous, mercenary, self-
assertive, or even immoral spirits, who, being attracted to such assemblies, seek to influence incautious
and susceptible people who ignorantly 276render themselves liable to their control. The people 'on the
other side' are human beings of all grades; they are not morally purified by passing through the death-
change; and as we are constantly sending into their other state 'all sorts and conditions of people,' you
need not be at all surprised if you get into intercourse with the vain and foolish, the unreliable and
pretentious, or the selfish and sinful, if you indiscriminately open the doors of your psychic self and
give a free invitation to any spirit 'passer by.'"
Transcriber's Notes
Page 3: Interpretating amended to Interpenetrating; Tranformation amended to Transformation.
"Unchartered Seas" sic
Page 4: Varities amended to Varieties
Page 5: Full stop added after VII; Temperment amended to Temperament; It amended to Is
Page 6: Phosphoresece amended to Phosphorescence
Page 7: preceived amended to perceived
Page 9: "Subnormal" sic; Byond amended to Beyond; opening quote marks added to "supernormal"
Page 19: "subdivisions, and sub-divisions" sic
Page 20: occulists amended to occultists; terrestial amended to terrestrial. Missing closing quotes for
quotation added after 'radiant energy.' "Several great class" sic
Page 23: Kellar amended to Keller; duplicate "have" removed
Page 24: Kellar amended to Keller
Page 28: interpretating amended to interpreting; pagaent amended to pageant
Page 29: preception amended to perception
Page 30: duplicate word "of" removed
Page 34: One instance of Ochorowicz, one instance of Ochoriwicz. Left as is
Page 37: second comma in 400,000,000,000,000 removed; beyound amended to beyond; tremblngs
amended to tremblings; eough amended to enough
Page 40: wthout amended to without; phenoment amended to phenomena
Page 41: Roetgen amended to Roentgen
Page 42: senes amended to senses
Page 45: duplicate line of text removed
Page 50: menium amended to medium
Page 51: transfrence amended to transference
Page 54: thought-wives amended to thought-waves
Page 57: coldenss amended to coldness
Page 61: pheonmena amended to phenomena; beenficial amended to beneficial
Page 63: a amended to at
Page 66: resistence amended to resistance
Page 68: implicity amended to implicitly
Page 84: infinitessimal amended to infinitesimal
Page 85: antedeluvian amended to antediluvian
Page 92: Certain amended to Certainly; ont amended to not
Page 94: mainfested amended to manifested
Page 99: Symbollic amended to Symbolic; symbollically amended to symbolically; sudent amended to
student
Page 101: rendiiton amended to rendition
Page 103: self-stupefication sic
Page 105: very amended to vary
Page 109: occultist amended to occultists
Page 120: "There is ... many degrees" sic
Page 123: unforseen amended to unforeseen
Page 126: Section heading Absolute Time relocated from middle of paragraph; unescapable sic
Page 135: being amended to beings
Page 136: Spritualism amended to Spiritualism
Page 137: enlighted amended to enlightened
Page 138: adherance amended to adherence
Page 145: perseverence amended to perseverance; unconciously amended to unconsciously
Page 155: occulists amended to occultists
Page 160: produtcion amended to production
Page 170: genearly amended to generally
Page 174: Missing full stop added
Page 174: fundmental amended to fundamental
Page 182: "Materializations follows" sic
Page 185: parthway amended to pathway
Page 186: "modus operana" sic
Page 187: apostrophe added to others
Page 190: "personal composition" sic
Page 203: uninterupted amended to uninterrupted; Psyschic amended to Psychic
Page 210: meduim amended to medium; coures amended to course
Page 213: "finnicky" and "finnickiness" sic
Page 215: senuous amended to sensuous
Page 219: healings amended to healing
Page 223: phychic amended to psychic; "subject is" amended to "subject if"
Page 225: comma after auto replaced with hyphen
Page 232: showe amended to show
Page 235: super-senous amended to super-sensuous
Page 236: Condtiion amended to Condition
Page 243: himeslf amended to himself
Page 249: how amended to now
Page 252: "clear and," amended to "clear, and"
Page 256: indicte amended to indicate
Page 260: showly amended to slowly
Page 265: materilaization amended to materialization
Page 267: mediumsistic amended to mediumistic
Page 268: phemonea amended to phenomena
Page 269: accordian amended to accordion
Page 270: State amended to Slate
Page 276: ignoranty amended to ignorantly
Small inconsistencies between the Table of Contents and the section titles, such as spelling,
capitalization and hyphenation have been retained. In addition to these the following discrepancies are
here noted, but have been retained:
Page Part Note
In the Table of Contents Super-sensible Vibrations should be followed by The Higher
Vibrations. The Higher Senses of Man is The Higher Senses of Men on page 21. In the
3 I
Table of Contents Discovery of New Worlds should be followed by Transcendental
Senses.
III The Categories of Thought is titled The Contagion of Thought on page 56.
In the Table of Contents Repelling Adverse Influences should be followed by
4
Neutralizing Psychic Influences.
Classification of Clairvoyant Phenomena is Classification According to General
IV
Distinctions on page 81.
In the Table of Contents Absolute Time should be followed by: The Occult Hypothesis.
"The Prophecy of Cazotte." The Dinner of the Elect. The Illuminatus. The Beginning of
V
the Prophecy. The Shadow of the Guillotine. The Fall of the Great. The Fate of Royalty.
The Fulfillment of the Prophecy. Other Historical Instances. The Eternal Verities.
Spirit Impersonation is titled Spirit Inspiration on page 165. Inspirational Speaking is
5 VII
titled Inspirational Writing on page 168.
In the Table of Contents The Jacob's Ladder of Communion should be followed by The
VIII
Attainment of Excellence.
Difficulties Among Spirits is Differences Among Spirits on page 215. In the Table of
Contents Self-Protection for Mediums should be followed by: Danger in Indiscriminate
6 IX Magnetizing. Detrimental Magnetic Influence. Mediumistic Auto-Suggestion. "Psychic
Sponges." Investigate Your Spirits. Spirits Are Still Human Beings. Beware of
Domineering Spirits.
X Impersonating Manifestations does not appear in the text.
In the Table of Contents Spirit Paintings should be followed by: Fraudulent Slate Writing.
Practical Advice to Developing Mediums should be followed by: Need of Special
XI
Development. Advice to Discouraged Mediums. Avoid Cross-Magnetism. Avoid Psychic
Absorption. The Stewardship of Great Powers.
Section titles sometimes end with a full stop, and other times not: left as is.
Quotation marks and hyphenation have generally been standardised. Where a word occurs an equal
number of times as hyphenated and unhyphenated, both forms have been retained. Where two spellings
of a word have been used (for example, magnetiser/magnetizer; skeptic/sceptic) both have been
retained.
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