How To Go To A Medium: A Manual of Instruction

“Should be widely read by all who are interested in the subject of Psychical Research, and it is especially to be commended to those who are thinking of taking up the study of mediumistic phenomena.” -Maurice B. Wright, M.D. This fascinating book, long a classic in the fields of psychic phenomena and spiritualism, by providing practical advice about what to do and what to expect when consulting a medium, speaks directly to today’s awakened interest in the occult. Throughout history there have been people, usually women, able to convince themselves and others that they can communicate with the dead. In modern times these mediums have differed in their technique in many ways, but almost all of them agree in passing out of their normal consciousness into a state which is called the mediumistic trance. “Mr. Dingwall's book is written in order to try and obviate some of the dangers; to try and ensure that those who from any motive wish to investigate physical or mental mediumship should have some knowledge of the pitfalls which will surround them during their investigation. The book will render a very real service if it reaches the public it deserves. In these matters-as in all scientific inquiries -the difference between hypothesis and dogma cannot be too strongly insisted upon. The serious investigator may start with the hypothesis that supernormal faculties exist, or even with the hypothesis that discarnate intelligences may communicate through mediums; but throughout the inquiry these must remain working hypotheses until or unless proof is obtained which will satisfy the canons of scientific evidence. To start the inquiry-however scientific the setting and the apparatus-with the dogmatic belief in supernormal faculties or discarnate intelligence, is to court disaster and to open the door to the abuses and cruel frauds which are now so rampant.” -Maurice B. Wright, M.D.
CONTENTS FOREWORD PREFACE INTRODUCTION I. MENTAL PHENOMENA Clairvoyant Descriptions Automatic Writing Inspirational Messages Crystal Gazing Psychometry Sealed Letter Reading II. PHYSICAL PHENOMENA Table Tipping Raps Lights Movements of Objects Without Contact Materialization Apports Trumpet Phenomena Spirit Photography Experiments in Photography Slate Writing CONCLUSIONS APPENDIX I: THE CONTROL OF PHYSICAL MEDIUMS APPENDIX II