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| The History of Spiritualism |
History of Ancient Spiritualism
From prehistoric times, humankind has always had an understanding that in some way, the personal identity of an
individual would survive after the end of the physical lifetime and would somehow continue in a nonphysical form.
Excavated remains of prehistoric man show evidence that the dead were buried with personal possessions; not only
tools and weapons but also mementos of their life, as if to send these items with them into the afterlife.
From prehistoric times, humankind has always had an understanding that in some way, the personal identity of an
individual would survive after the end of the physical lifetime and would somehow continue in a nonphysical form.
Excavated remains of prehistoric man show evidence that the dead were buried with personal possessions; not only
tools and weapons but also mementos of their life, as if to send these items with them into the afterlife.
The Egyptians had a much more complex expression of
this concept, with their royal tombs filled with barges,
furniture, and even mummified pets. The Greeks,
Romans, Celts, Chinese, and indigenous tribes of Africa
and the Americas all accepted that in some way, there
was an afterlife. The ancient priests, mystics, and
shamans were revered for their abilities to commune with
the spirit world. Spiritualism sees its ancient roots in their
common acceptance and belief that man came into being
from spirit, and when physical life was over, would return
to spirit.
this concept, with their royal tombs filled with barges,
furniture, and even mummified pets. The Greeks,
Romans, Celts, Chinese, and indigenous tribes of Africa
and the Americas all accepted that in some way, there
was an afterlife. The ancient priests, mystics, and
shamans were revered for their abilities to commune with
the spirit world. Spiritualism sees its ancient roots in their
common acceptance and belief that man came into being
from spirit, and when physical life was over, would return
to spirit.
Forerunners of Spiritualism
Spiritualism recognizes several significant individuals whose gifts of prophecy and wisdom began to open people's
minds of that era, in preparation for the advent of spiritualism. One of the earliest forerunners was Emmanuel
Swedenborg (1688-1772). Much of Swedenborg’s early life was devoted to study, engineering, finance and
politics, however, in the later years, he began receiving communications from what he called the “One Spirit of
All”. He transcribed these communications, and many of the revelations explained how the individual continues
to evolve in spirit after physical death.
Other forerunners of Spiritualism include: Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), whose studies of animal magnetism
led him to discover methods for inducing a trance state, today known as hypnosis; as well as Mother Ann Lee
(1736-1784) who founded the Shaker movement in upstate New York during which spirit manifestations
occurred regularly during their meetings.
Spiritualism recognizes several significant individuals whose gifts of prophecy and wisdom began to open people's
minds of that era, in preparation for the advent of spiritualism. One of the earliest forerunners was Emmanuel
Swedenborg (1688-1772). Much of Swedenborg’s early life was devoted to study, engineering, finance and
politics, however, in the later years, he began receiving communications from what he called the “One Spirit of
All”. He transcribed these communications, and many of the revelations explained how the individual continues
to evolve in spirit after physical death.
Other forerunners of Spiritualism include: Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), whose studies of animal magnetism
led him to discover methods for inducing a trance state, today known as hypnosis; as well as Mother Ann Lee
(1736-1784) who founded the Shaker movement in upstate New York during which spirit manifestations
occurred regularly during their meetings.
Our most prominent forerunner, Andrew Jackson Davis (1826-1910) is considered
the “John the Baptist of Spiritualism”. Known as the “Poughkeepsie Seer”, A J Davis
came from a very meager, uneducated upbringing. In his early life he began to
experience multiple episodes of clairvoyance and was able to use this information to
bring healing to himself and others. With the aid of a hypnotist, A J Davis would
enter into an altered state and begin to channel knowledge that was far beyond his
uneducated upbringing. From this information, he published several books and
defined concepts into what he called his “Harmonial Philosophy”. He had natural x-
ray clairvoyance, and was able to see illness in a person’s body. In his later years, he
went to medical school so he could use his gifts of healing as a licensed medical
doctor in Boston, Massachusetts.
One excerpt from his notes states, “About daylight this morning, a warm breathing
passed over my face, and I heard a voice, tender and strong, saying ‘Brother, the
the “John the Baptist of Spiritualism”. Known as the “Poughkeepsie Seer”, A J Davis
came from a very meager, uneducated upbringing. In his early life he began to
experience multiple episodes of clairvoyance and was able to use this information to
bring healing to himself and others. With the aid of a hypnotist, A J Davis would
enter into an altered state and begin to channel knowledge that was far beyond his
uneducated upbringing. From this information, he published several books and
defined concepts into what he called his “Harmonial Philosophy”. He had natural x-
ray clairvoyance, and was able to see illness in a person’s body. In his later years, he
went to medical school so he could use his gifts of healing as a licensed medical
doctor in Boston, Massachusetts.
One excerpt from his notes states, “About daylight this morning, a warm breathing
passed over my face, and I heard a voice, tender and strong, saying ‘Brother, the
good work has begun – behold a living demonstration is born.’ I left wondering what was meant by such a
message.” The date was March 31, 1848.
message.” The date was March 31, 1848.
Advent of Modern Spiritualism
According to affidavits witnessed and signed by Mrs. Margaret Fox and Mr. John Fox, the family tried to retire
early on the evening of Friday, March 31, 1848. For the last several nights, persistent knocks and raps
pervaded their Hydesville, New York, home, disrupting their sleep and leaving them exhausted. The parents
had investigated everywhere but could find no trickster or natural cause behind the noise. Nevertheless,
despite their hopes for rest, as soon as Mrs. Fox’s head hit the pillow, the rappings began again. On this
particular evening, while sharing the room with their mother, her youngest children – Margaretta (Maggie), age
14, and Catherine (Kate), age 12 – heard the raps and tried to imitate them.
From the affidavit of Mrs Fox: “My youngest child, (Cathie), said ‘Mister Splitfoot, do as I do.’ clapping her
hands. The sound instantly followed her with the same number of raps. When she stopped, the sound ceased
for a short time. Then Margaretta said, in sport, ‘Now, do as I do. Count one, two, three, four,’ striking one
hand against the other at the same time, and the raps came as before. She was afraid to repeat them.”
According to affidavits witnessed and signed by Mrs. Margaret Fox and Mr. John Fox, the family tried to retire
early on the evening of Friday, March 31, 1848. For the last several nights, persistent knocks and raps
pervaded their Hydesville, New York, home, disrupting their sleep and leaving them exhausted. The parents
had investigated everywhere but could find no trickster or natural cause behind the noise. Nevertheless,
despite their hopes for rest, as soon as Mrs. Fox’s head hit the pillow, the rappings began again. On this
particular evening, while sharing the room with their mother, her youngest children – Margaretta (Maggie), age
14, and Catherine (Kate), age 12 – heard the raps and tried to imitate them.
From the affidavit of Mrs Fox: “My youngest child, (Cathie), said ‘Mister Splitfoot, do as I do.’ clapping her
hands. The sound instantly followed her with the same number of raps. When she stopped, the sound ceased
for a short time. Then Margaretta said, in sport, ‘Now, do as I do. Count one, two, three, four,’ striking one
hand against the other at the same time, and the raps came as before. She was afraid to repeat them.”
When Mrs. Fox realized that the raps were intelligently responding to
her children’s game, she began to pose questions. When she asked the
spirit to rap the ages of her children, it correctly knocked out each
child's age, from eldest to youngest, including a child that had been lost
in infancy. Mr. Fox brought in their nearest neighbor to witness the
events. The neighbor thought it was a joke being played on the
children, but suddenly realized the seriousness when she found the girls
on the bed terrified, clinging to each other in fear. As the rapping sound
continued to answer questions, rapping once for ‘yes’ and twice for
‘no’, more and more neighbors came to the house to witness the
happenings. As questions were answered, it communicated that it was
the spirit of a man who had been murdered in the house and been
buried in the basement. Over the days and weeks that followed, the
news of the event brought hundreds of people to their home to witness
the rappings and pose questions. As the investigation continued, a more
sophisticated code was developed that allowed the rapping to indicate
letters of the alphabet. From this new code, the rapping spirit
communicated that his name was Charles Rosna, and he was a peddler
who had been killed in the home by one of the previous owners for money.
her children’s game, she began to pose questions. When she asked the
spirit to rap the ages of her children, it correctly knocked out each
child's age, from eldest to youngest, including a child that had been lost
in infancy. Mr. Fox brought in their nearest neighbor to witness the
events. The neighbor thought it was a joke being played on the
children, but suddenly realized the seriousness when she found the girls
on the bed terrified, clinging to each other in fear. As the rapping sound
continued to answer questions, rapping once for ‘yes’ and twice for
‘no’, more and more neighbors came to the house to witness the
happenings. As questions were answered, it communicated that it was
the spirit of a man who had been murdered in the house and been
buried in the basement. Over the days and weeks that followed, the
news of the event brought hundreds of people to their home to witness
the rappings and pose questions. As the investigation continued, a more
sophisticated code was developed that allowed the rapping to indicate
letters of the alphabet. From this new code, the rapping spirit
communicated that his name was Charles Rosna, and he was a peddler
who had been killed in the home by one of the previous owners for money.
Efforts were made to excavate the basement to find physical evidence to confirm what had been
communicated, but the basement was thick with water as the result of a very wet spring season. Later in
1848, however, digging in the cellar unearthed fragments of a skull.
The phenomena of the Hydesville home and the roles of Catherine and Margaretta Fox led to a series of public
debates, at which the legitimacy of these events was hotly contested. The girls were tested under conditions
that today would be considered abusive, but no discernible physical cause could account for the rappings and
knocks that would manifest in their presence. Targets of public hostility, the girls were tormented to explain
how they accomplished such “tricks”.
However, the Fox sisters also had a growing number of supporters… believers who witnessed the phenomena
and after exhausting their skepticism acknowledged that the source of the communicating raps must be from
spirits. Even as public committees investigated the girls for fraud, the press of the time eagerly communicated
the news that communication with those who had died could be proven.
communicated, but the basement was thick with water as the result of a very wet spring season. Later in
1848, however, digging in the cellar unearthed fragments of a skull.
The phenomena of the Hydesville home and the roles of Catherine and Margaretta Fox led to a series of public
debates, at which the legitimacy of these events was hotly contested. The girls were tested under conditions
that today would be considered abusive, but no discernible physical cause could account for the rappings and
knocks that would manifest in their presence. Targets of public hostility, the girls were tormented to explain
how they accomplished such “tricks”.
However, the Fox sisters also had a growing number of supporters… believers who witnessed the phenomena
and after exhausting their skepticism acknowledged that the source of the communicating raps must be from
spirits. Even as public committees investigated the girls for fraud, the press of the time eagerly communicated
the news that communication with those who had died could be proven.
The Pioneers of Spiritualism
In the years following the events of March 31, 1848, and in an environment of hotly contesting believers
versus debunker's, the numbers of those who supported the Fox sisters and the authenticity of their spirit
communication were growing. Amy and Isaac Post were among the very first who would shelter and defend
the family against public criticism. Horace Greeley, editor of the NY Tribune, publicly proclaimed the
authenticity of the girls’ ability in his paper.
In the years following the events of March 31, 1848, and in an environment of hotly contesting believers
versus debunker's, the numbers of those who supported the Fox sisters and the authenticity of their spirit
communication were growing. Amy and Isaac Post were among the very first who would shelter and defend
the family against public criticism. Horace Greeley, editor of the NY Tribune, publicly proclaimed the
authenticity of the girls’ ability in his paper.
It is important to note that as the Spiritualist movement grew in the
United States, many of the educated, rational, intelligent men and women
who investigated and witnessed spirit communication eventually became
believers. Professor Robert Hare was a scientist who was committed to
debunking fraudulent mediums, but after thorough investigations, he
became an avid believer. J.W. Edmonds, who served as a lawyer, a
U.S. Senator, and later a judge on the New York bench, became a
believer of spirit communication. Unfortunately, his own public support
of Spiritualism led to his removal from the bench. Nathaniel Potter
Tallmadge, a lawyer and Governor of Wisconsin, was instrumental in
bringing a Memorial of the Spiritualist movement to Congress. Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle, a physician and scientist who investigated spiritual
phenomena, and ultimately declared himself a Spiritualist, is know for his
later writing of the famous “History of Spiritualism”. These are only a
sampling of the people who became believers.
United States, many of the educated, rational, intelligent men and women
who investigated and witnessed spirit communication eventually became
believers. Professor Robert Hare was a scientist who was committed to
debunking fraudulent mediums, but after thorough investigations, he
became an avid believer. J.W. Edmonds, who served as a lawyer, a
U.S. Senator, and later a judge on the New York bench, became a
believer of spirit communication. Unfortunately, his own public support
of Spiritualism led to his removal from the bench. Nathaniel Potter
Tallmadge, a lawyer and Governor of Wisconsin, was instrumental in
bringing a Memorial of the Spiritualist movement to Congress. Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle, a physician and scientist who investigated spiritual
phenomena, and ultimately declared himself a Spiritualist, is know for his
later writing of the famous “History of Spiritualism”. These are only a
sampling of the people who became believers.
With the expansion of the spiritualist movement, thousands of home-circles and séances started cropping up
across the country. Thousands of people proclaimed themselves as mediums and capable of
communicating with spirit and manifesting spirit phenomena. Some of these individuals were authentic and
were sincerely working with spirit in bringing the proof of eternal life to our world. But many, however,
saw this popular movement as just another opportunity to manipulate and swindle the vulnerable and naïve.
Clever and entrepreneurial men and women devised tricks and devices that allowed them to fake spirit
phenomena. As these con-artists were exposed, the public view of Spiritualism declined.
This was compounded by the fact that in 1888, Margaretta Fox-Kane publicly denounced the spirit
phenomena that was attributed to her, explaining her career producing raps as attributed to snapping her
toes in a certain way against the floor. A year later, she recanted her confessions but by then the damage
had been done. Despite their best intentions, the circus side-show life that swept up Maggie and Kate had
taken its toll. The suffered unrelenting public scrutiny and dismissal, turbulence in their family affairs, and
recurring bouts of alcoholism.
In November of 1904, approximately 10 years after the deaths of Kate and Maggie Fox, a discovery was
made in the cellar of their original Hydesville home. The owner of the home unearthed a full human
skeleton, male, between the earth and crumbling cellar walls.
across the country. Thousands of people proclaimed themselves as mediums and capable of
communicating with spirit and manifesting spirit phenomena. Some of these individuals were authentic and
were sincerely working with spirit in bringing the proof of eternal life to our world. But many, however,
saw this popular movement as just another opportunity to manipulate and swindle the vulnerable and naïve.
Clever and entrepreneurial men and women devised tricks and devices that allowed them to fake spirit
phenomena. As these con-artists were exposed, the public view of Spiritualism declined.
This was compounded by the fact that in 1888, Margaretta Fox-Kane publicly denounced the spirit
phenomena that was attributed to her, explaining her career producing raps as attributed to snapping her
toes in a certain way against the floor. A year later, she recanted her confessions but by then the damage
had been done. Despite their best intentions, the circus side-show life that swept up Maggie and Kate had
taken its toll. The suffered unrelenting public scrutiny and dismissal, turbulence in their family affairs, and
recurring bouts of alcoholism.
In November of 1904, approximately 10 years after the deaths of Kate and Maggie Fox, a discovery was
made in the cellar of their original Hydesville home. The owner of the home unearthed a full human
skeleton, male, between the earth and crumbling cellar walls.
The Significance of the “Hydesville Happenings”
The events which began on that spring evening in 1848 were marked as the starting of what would
become the religion, philosophy, and science of Spiritualism. These events were significant proofs of spirit
communication in three ways:
1. They were demonstrable. The spirit rappings were witnessed by hundreds of people who came to visit
in the house in the days and weeks after the news became public. The rappings continued even after the
girls had been taken away to live in the home of their older sister… a fact that is often left out by skeptics
who claim the girls were the cause of it all.
2. They were intelligent. The spirit rappings responded intelligently to questions posed, as well as followed
instructions as to how to rap in a code that could be understood.
3. They were verifiable. The spirit rappings correctly answered questions posed to it by Mrs Fox. The
claim that the spirit was that of a murdered peddler was corroborated by the discovery in 1904 of a
skeleton in the cellar.
The events which began on that spring evening in 1848 were marked as the starting of what would
become the religion, philosophy, and science of Spiritualism. These events were significant proofs of spirit
communication in three ways:
1. They were demonstrable. The spirit rappings were witnessed by hundreds of people who came to visit
in the house in the days and weeks after the news became public. The rappings continued even after the
girls had been taken away to live in the home of their older sister… a fact that is often left out by skeptics
who claim the girls were the cause of it all.
2. They were intelligent. The spirit rappings responded intelligently to questions posed, as well as followed
instructions as to how to rap in a code that could be understood.
3. They were verifiable. The spirit rappings correctly answered questions posed to it by Mrs Fox. The
claim that the spirit was that of a murdered peddler was corroborated by the discovery in 1904 of a
skeleton in the cellar.
Modern Spiritualism Today
The reality of Spiritualism today is very different from the images of spooky séances held in dark rooms,
misty forms materializing into bodies, and levitating objects, we experience when watching television shows
and movies. In this day, the majority of spiritualist mediumship is held in public view during church services,
often in broad daylight. During these platform demonstrations, a dedicated medium with years of work in
spiritual development, is able is communicate with the spirit of a deceased loved one mentally. The medium
will often provide many details and descriptions to help a person receiving the message recognize the spirit.
The loved one in spirit will often bring their support, wisdom, and love to the person receiving the message,
usually about specific events in the person’s immediate life. The specific evidence and the relevance of the
spirit’s loving message becomes the proof that life continues and their love never ends.
Those who have experienced authentic, sincere spirit communication with a trained medium can attest that
the knowledge that loved ones in spirit are still with us has healed grief and opened hearts in this modern
age. Messages from spirit bring a new hope of our own eternal, spiritual existence. Although the popular
movement has diminished in the beginning of the 20th century, the true believers and authentic mediums
continued to educate and demonstrate proof that the individual identity continues after the death of the
physical body. Spiritualism has spread over the world, into countries such as England and Brazil. As the
21st century begins, Spiritualists will continue to work to dispel the superstitions of its past, train a new
generation of sincere, ethical mediums and spiritual healers, and bring forth into the world the light and proof
of eternal life.
The reality of Spiritualism today is very different from the images of spooky séances held in dark rooms,
misty forms materializing into bodies, and levitating objects, we experience when watching television shows
and movies. In this day, the majority of spiritualist mediumship is held in public view during church services,
often in broad daylight. During these platform demonstrations, a dedicated medium with years of work in
spiritual development, is able is communicate with the spirit of a deceased loved one mentally. The medium
will often provide many details and descriptions to help a person receiving the message recognize the spirit.
The loved one in spirit will often bring their support, wisdom, and love to the person receiving the message,
usually about specific events in the person’s immediate life. The specific evidence and the relevance of the
spirit’s loving message becomes the proof that life continues and their love never ends.
Those who have experienced authentic, sincere spirit communication with a trained medium can attest that
the knowledge that loved ones in spirit are still with us has healed grief and opened hearts in this modern
age. Messages from spirit bring a new hope of our own eternal, spiritual existence. Although the popular
movement has diminished in the beginning of the 20th century, the true believers and authentic mediums
continued to educate and demonstrate proof that the individual identity continues after the death of the
physical body. Spiritualism has spread over the world, into countries such as England and Brazil. As the
21st century begins, Spiritualists will continue to work to dispel the superstitions of its past, train a new
generation of sincere, ethical mediums and spiritual healers, and bring forth into the world the light and proof
of eternal life.