Author Archives: Spiritualism Philosophy & History

THE UNHAPPY MEDIUMS

March 31st 2023 will be the 175th anniversary of the beginnings of Modern Spiritualism.  While researching this historic event I came across an article, The Fox Sisters: Some Unsolved Problems, published June 24, 1943, in ‘Light’, the weekly journal of Spiritualism. The article raised several issues. First, that there appeared to be no properly researchedContinue reading “THE UNHAPPY MEDIUMS”

A Short Overview of Spiritualism’s Development & Principles

Part of working on a platform is educative, this is a talk I gave back in July 2012 which has been edited to add some source material and work alone for the forum. It has also been expanded to include new knowledge and ideas that have arrived over time. The original foundation of Spiritualism wasContinue reading “A Short Overview of Spiritualism’s Development & Principles”

1848 – 1850 From Rappings at Hydesville to Mysterious Knockings In Rochester November 1849

Of course an event like Hydesville was bound to catch the press and as the news reached the nearest major city, Rochester, the newspapers began to report on it. Sadly the Rochester newspapers for the period have not yet been digitalised so we must rely on the repetition of their articles in other papers. TheContinue reading “1848 – 1850 From Rappings at Hydesville to Mysterious Knockings In Rochester November 1849”

Why do Spiritualists say Modern Spiritualism began at Hydesville 31st March 1848

This is an important question to consider, especially as some people have always tried (even from the earliest days of the new movement) to legitimise Spiritualism by linking it with Christian Beliefs. In addition there are many books and newspaper articles which try to justify the 1848 events, together with the subsequent contacts with Spirit,Continue reading “Why do Spiritualists say Modern Spiritualism began at Hydesville 31st March 1848”

The Hydesville Peddler

“Occupational portrait of a peddler, full-length, standing, facing front, with two bags held at his sides by a harness, neck brace visible between legs] Daguerreotype by Myers, between 1840 and 1860. https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2017/12/profiling-portraits-occupational-portraits-of-the-19th-century/” Amongst the issues that have arisen from  poor research, about the original events at Hydesville, together with the general acceptance of books writtenContinue reading “The Hydesville Peddler”

Hydesville March 31st 1848

The events at Hydesville are key to the start of Modern Spiritualism but are sadly so mis-reported over history  that the actual facts have been misrepresented and distorted. It was not the youngest sister who asked the Spirit to do as I do and there was no mention of Mr Splitfoot. It was the eldestContinue reading “Hydesville March 31st 1848”

Background _ Where is Hydesville and why did it develop.

Well if we are to start a blog about Spiritualism it does seem important to place some context to the historical and social elements that preceded the events in Hydesville on 31st March 1848. One of the first things which may be of interest to people is the actual geographic location where the events tookContinue reading “Background _ Where is Hydesville and why did it develop.”

Background – Before the American War of Independence

For interest after the wars in Canada, which resulted in the capture of Quebec from the French, there was a peace treaty drawn up in 1763 in Paris. At this not only were the new British Territories in Canada and on the Eastern Seaboard of America defined but the Indian Nations were protected by reservingContinue reading “Background – Before the American War of Independence”