This is a very dense little work which is almost entirely comprised of notes and segments on African and Asian tribal groups and their use of physical objects in a ritual context, often as little charms or "fetishes" as they were termed then. Importantly, the modern (and sexual) use of this term does not here apply.
Some of the stories are outright humorous; most of them are fairly...
The notable L W deLaurence returns to this blog with another excellent work, this time compiling a laundry list of phenomena together (telepathy, spiritualism, somnambulism, mesmerism, and clairvoyance) to analyze them and draw them together while explaining, basically, their function and use. As usual, the notable (notorious?) author manages to remain collected enough to...
This work is a compilation of dialogue (mainly) between medium and spirit, designed to describe the afterlife, what it's like to be "dead", and similar subtopics of mortality. Written from a determined spiritualist perspective, the work reflects the opinions of the author that his own psychic investigations and seances have led to proof of a continued existence after the grave...
This work comes strictly from the rationalist camp of its era. Seeking primarily to discredit phrenology, dowsing, seances, and spiritualistic beliefs in general, Clodd managed to perform two tasks; first, to give a good cautionary warning to occultists, and second to categorize some interesting phenomena (including the legendary appearance of angels on WWI battlefields, aiding...
This is a rather nice work that primarily relates to demons and demonology, from the particular perspective of the fire and brimstone Methodist path that, in the 19th century, was at war with spiritualism. In the foreword, I had to make it clear to the reader that as an occultist I reject some of the anti-spiritualist materials here, although the first sections primarily deal with...
This book is a strange one even by my own standards; it should be duly noted that due to censorship (and the deplatforming raids which have become a hallmark of the last few years) I have redacted a section of the book begrudgingly. You can find the original scans here if you wish and view this taboo knowledge for yourself about the races of mankind.
This is an excellent work delivered in the form of multiple lectures rather than as a single stand-alone book. It is at once an early example of pro-spiritualist literature and a brutal attack on then-mainstream religious sentiment regarding seances, ghosts, and other similar topics. Refuting the concept of Heaven and Hell in favor of spiritualist explanations, this book is one of...
This is an excellent work delivered in the form of multiple lectures rather than as a single stand-alone book. It is at once an early example of pro-spiritualist literature and a brutal attack on then-mainstream religious sentiment regarding seances, ghosts, and other similar topics. Refuting the concept of Heaven and Hell in favor of spiritualist explanations, this book is one of...
This work is quite interesting and refers to various experiences and experiments performed by the author with regards to seances at the time for some years running. The main focal point is none other than the now infamous Anna Fay, was eventually outed as a fraud by Harry Houdini, among others- indeed not that many years after this work sought to use her as evidence of a spirit...
This short work is interesting for two reasons, neither of which has strictly to do with the stated main topic; it is all about how to develop the skill of mediumship, but the occultist has perhaps more use for it in its admonitions regarding self awareness and focus, and the literary buff will find it more of interest because it's an exceptionally good example of the specific...
This reasonably short work is a compilation of purported communications with spirits created by the notable Sophie de Meissner- whose own work stretched well beyond the spiritual and involved charitable work and many other literary forays.
Of significance here especially are several communications supposedly held with none other than the captain of the USS Titanic after its ill...
I figured it was about time for another update; as spring marches along I'm already requisitioning materials for my garden, so those of you who enjoy that series will get some new footage soon- along with massive improvements.
On the literary side, I am now about 75% complete editing DeLaurences' odd work "The Mystic Hindu Test Book"- this work covers astral bodies, spirits, crystal gazing,...
