Spirits, Seers & Séances

Victorian Spiritualism, Magic & the Supernatural

De: Steele Alexandra Douris

Narrado por: Elizabeth Wiley

Spiritualism in the Age of Sherlock Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe

A woman wearing a black veil convenes a seance. A magician puts a volunteer into a trance. A fortune-teller leans over a crystal ball. Everyone knows what Victorian mysticism looks like because our modern imagery, language, and practice of magic borrows heavily from the Victorians. But we have little understanding of its spiritual, cultural, and historical foundations.

What made the Victorians turn to mediumship, hypnotism, and fortune-telling? What were they afraid of? What were they seeking?

This book explores the history of automatic writing, cartomancy, clairvoyance, and more. It reveals how Victorian belief in ghosts, fairies, and nature spirits shaped our celebrations of Halloween and Christmas. With historic examples and hands-on exercises, you will discover how spiritualism in the time of Jack the Ripper, Jane Eyre, "A Christmas Carol," and Dracula left such a profound impact on both the past and present.

©2023 Steele Alexandra Douris (P)2023 Tantor

A comprehensive history.

This is the most comprehensive history of this era that I am aware of. I learned about the history of the people as well. Overall, this was a deeply fascinating book that sheds light on modern new age beliefs.

Wonderful information from the past

The Victorian Era and the people that populate it are intriguing to me. If you love all things spooky, scary and old timey- give this audiobook a listen. Great narration and love the ideas that it shows and exercises for you to test your own heritages out with small things for you to actually do- like reading or holding an interesting Halloween party.

Hope others enjoy this book as much as I did.