Can Science See Spirits? (Spirit Mediumship: A Complex Phenomenon)

Journal of the Society For Psychical Research, 2011

Anthropological approaches to the study of spirit mediumship groups, and related practices, have usually tended to focus on social-functional interpretations, arguing that spirit mediumship groups function as a means to enable female practitioners to protest against their traditional roles as "mothers, wives and sexual partners" in oppressive maleoriented societies (Boddy, 1988; Lewis, 1971; Skultans, 1974). Such approaches, however, have failed to address the experiential core of these groups: members believe that they are able to make direct contact with the world of spirits, whether through communicating with spiritual entities channelled via entranced mediums, witnessing ostensibly paranormal phenomena in the context of séances, or through falling into trance themselves and experiencing direct communion with the "numinous" (Otto, 1958). The experiential element cannot be removed from an analysis of mediumship, as it represents the primary motive for séance attendance as the members themselves perceive it. To ignore it would be to detrimentally reduce the complexity of the phenomenon. In addition to providing an overview of a variety of anthropological approaches to the issue of spirit possession and mediumship, this paper will detail the experiences of an anthropologist exploring this experiential component while conducting fieldwork for his undergraduate dissertation (Hunter, 2009a). The fieldwork itself was conducted at the Bristol Spirit Lodge, a centre established specifically with the aim to promote and develop trance and physical mediumship. The fieldwork methodology was one of immersive participant observation informed by the work of Edith Turner (1993, 1998, 2006), who has advocated the necessity of complete immersion in ritual if its functions and effects are to be adequately understood. In an attempt to understand the role of experience for the members of the group, participant observation was carried out in séances and mediumship development sessions as a means to gain an appreciation of the types of experience encountered by both sitters and mediums. This paper will present the research findings and describe the experiences of the researcher while engaged in the field.

The New Alexandria Library of Texas & Boston: Colby & Rich, 9 Montgomery Place., 1879

This Supernatural Rare Book of old is a comprehensive exploration of spiritualist thought and metaphysics in the late 19th century. The book systematically examines the existence of spirits, their hierarchical organization, their interactions with the material world, and the philosophical underpinnings of spiritualism. Crowell, a physician by profession, combines empirical observations with testimonies from mediums, historical accounts, and theological perspectives to construct a coherent narrative on the spirit realm. The book delves into various aspects of spiritual existence, including the nature and function of spirits, the conditions of the afterlife, and the progression of souls. It argues for a structured spirit hierarchy, suggesting that spirits evolve through moral and intellectual development. Crowell also discusses mediumship, clairvoyance, and spirit communication, providing detailed case studies to support his claims. The text further engages with religious interpretations, particularly Christian and ancient esoteric traditions, to contextualize spiritualist doctrines. From a philosophical standpoint, The Spirit World presents a synthesis of scientific reasoning and mystical insights, advocating for a rational investigation into the unseen dimensions of life. It critiques materialist skepticism and offers evidence to support spiritual phenomena. The book was influential in the development of 19th-century spiritualist movements, contributing to the broader discourse on life after death, the soul’s immortality, and the mechanisms of divine justice. Crowell's work remains a significant reference for scholars of esoteric traditions, spiritualism, and historical approaches to metaphysics. Tags **Spiritualism, Spirits, Afterlife, Mediumship, Séance, Ghosts, Clairvoyance, Occult, Esoteric, Metaphysics, Paranormal, Supernatural, Psychic, Divination, Telepathy, Astral Projection, Etheric Body, Spirit Communication, Death, Reincarnation, Soul, Higher Planes, Channeling, Automatic Writing, Spirit Guides, Mysticism, Theosophy, Hermeticism, Occult Science, Esoteric Knowledge, Etheric Realm, Phantasms, Near-Death Experience, Psychometry, Energy Healing, Vibrational Energy, Spiritual Evolution, Spirit Hierarchy, Out-of-Body Experience, Astral Plane, Spirit Possession, Ghost Hunting, Demonology, Angelology, Theology, Divine Justice, Sacred Texts, Spiritual Philosophy, Ancient Wisdom, Arcane Knowledge, Ritual Magic, Hermetic Science, Astral Light, Cosmic Consciousness, Akashic Records, Karma, Cosmic Order, Spirit World Realms, Divine Intervention, Prophecy, Spirit Photography, Shadow People, Necromancy, Occult Phenomena, Higher Consciousness, Subtle Realms, Unseen Forces, 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Mechanics, Karmic Law, Spiritual Knowledge, Ancient Mysteries, Higher Dimensional Planes, Spirit World Exploration, Divination Arts, Celestial Realms, Metaphysical Cosmology, Paranormal Science, The Great Beyond, Hermetic Doctrine, Ritualistic Practices, Spiritual Awareness, Life After Death, Supernatural Encounters, Spiritist Philosophy, Psychic Awareness, Akashic Insight, Spiritual Principles, Hidden Knowledge, Astral Wisdom, Ghost Realms, The Other Side, Mystical Disciplines, Spiritual Manifestations, Occult Prophecies, Divine Consciousness, The Mystical Path, Sacred Realities, Thought Vibration, Energy Work, Astral Encounters, Unexplained Phenomena, Spiritual Mechanisms, Celestial Insights, Paranormal Mysticism, The Great Work, Ancient Occultism, Divine Frequencies, Theosophical Studies, Spiritual Research, The Afterworld, Mystic Metaphors, Occult Evolution, Paranormal Psychology, Spirit Plane, Conscious Projection, Mystical Communication, Spiritualist Science, Mystic Symbols, Divine Archetypes, The Invisible World, Energy Matrix, The Light Body, Universal Mysticism, Psychic Mediums, The Beyond, Occult Physics, Hidden Energies, Spirit Matter, Subconscious Projections, Soul Journeys, Trance Work, Vibrational Realities, Paranormal Investigations, Astral Mechanics, Karmic Understanding, Psychic Sensations, Spirit Realities, The Mystic Order, Paranormal Perception, The Cosmic Mind, Spiritualist Ideologies, Occult Studies, Spiritual Quest, Psychic Insights, Spectral Evidence, Mediumistic Practices, Secret Sciences, Divine Cosmology, Mystical Phenomena, Paranormal Mediumship, Higher Self, Mystical Awakening, Mystical Forces, Soul Transition, Ritualistic Magic, Arcane Wisdom, Transdimensional Travel, Paranormal Encounters, Esoteric Traditions, Metaphysical Science, Mystic Journeys, Paranormal Documentation, Ancient Spiritual Teachings, Supernatural Laws, Celestial Orders, Spirit Analysis, Divine Philosophy, Spiritualist Ideals, Hidden Esoteric Truths, Paranormal Testimonies, Soul Science, Psychic Sight, Mystical Existence, Energy Signatures, Occult Energetics, Sacred Spirituality, Superconsciousness, The Hidden Universe, The Veiled Reality, Mystic Doctrine, The Subtle Universe, Ethereal Visions, Divine Spiritism, Paranormal Laws, The Mystic Sciences, Esoteric Energies, The Spirit Network, Higher Awareness, Transcendental Knowledge, Psychic Exploration, Sacred Esoteric Teachings, The Esoteric Order, The Spirit Web, Occult Currents, Spiritual Unfoldment, Spiritual Mediums, The Veiled Worlds, The Secret Realm, Esoteric Studies, The Soul’s Journey, Paranormal Portals, Mystical Psychology, Ancient Psychic Traditions, Metaphysical Psychology, The Alchemical Spirit, Divine Order, Occult Structures, Mystic Portals, Spiritual Maps, Supernatural Pathways, Occult Resonance, Paranormal Frequencies, Celestial Knowledge, Spirit Spheres, Transcendental Theories, Paranormal Pathways, The Occult Blueprint, Astral Systems, Occult Formulas, The Spirit Network, Spiritual Currents, Divine Blueprint, The Soul’s Blueprint, Sacred Alchemy, Supernatural Networks, The Mystic Web, Paranormal Mechanics, The Secret Sciences, Metaphysical Pathways, The Arcane Grid, Hidden Pathways, The Occult Mind, Esoteric Mechanisms, The Spirit Code, Celestial Harmonics, Vibrational Fields, The Etheric Grid, Esoteric Resonance, The Subtle Fabric, The Occult Path, The Sacred Code, The Divine Spectrum, Mystical Harmonics, Celestial Pathways, Spirit Synchronization, The Divine Spiral, Paranormal Synchrony, The Hidden Currents, Secret Grid, The Spirit Formula, The Esoteric Code, Spirit Frequencies, The Mystic Frequency, Paranormal Blueprints, The Arcane Spectrum, The Spirit Pathway, The Cosmic Spiral, The Divine Formula.Certainly! Spiritualism, ghost lore, spirit communication, mediumistic phenomena, paranormal investigation, spectral encounters, divination techniques, psychic phenomena, afterlife exploration, the soul’s journey, spirit realms, spirit interaction, spiritual mediums, transcendental

2005

Spirituality has had a profound effect and influence upon all of humanity since the beginning of time. Primitive cave dwellers who looked at natural phenomena (like thunder and lightening) as being godly signs from a force much greater than themselves, wondered, ...

2020

windbridge.org

Spirituality Matters! The ASPSI e-Newsletter, 2012

Science, the paranormal and spirituality form a spectrum of sorts, ranging from the physical world and the logic that science uses to describe and probe it, to consciousness and intuition where the roots of the paranormal and spirituality can be found. The paranormal mediates between our scientific and spiritual worldviews, just as consciousness seems to bridge the enormous chasm between our internal mental image of self and the external material world. Therefore, a scientific study of paranormal phenomena seems the best way to understand spirituality at a higher level of physical reality than just our normal intuitive feelings for the world in which we live, our purpose in the world and how we interact with it. Within this context, the scientific study of the paranormal can be broken down into several historical periods. Each period coincides with specific developments and advances in scientific worldviews that are sometimes separated by paradigms shifts, both large and small. This fact is important because a new change in scientific worldview has recently begun to emerge and it coincides with new advances in the scientific study of consciousness which will greatly enhance and alter our worldview of the paranormal and spirituality.

2008

Annual Review of Anthropology, 1994

Anthropology of Consciousness, 2001

The recruitment and socialization (enculturation) of spirit mediums in the United States is investigated through ethnographic interviews, participant observation and library biographies in Lily Dale, New York. Spirit mediumship, alleged transfer of information from departed souls to the living through another living human (the medium) is a deviant way of knowing in this society. Most children with signs of mediumistic ability are discouraged by family and community. Moving into the role requires positive definitions and social support, such as in Spiritualist Church classes. Given general scepticism about intuition in Western society, even mediums themselves look for "confirmations" to validate their nonrational communications. Thus, the dominance of scientific rationality is accepted to an important degree even by this group that practices an alternate way of knowing.