Spiritualistic

Spiritualistic is an adjective that describes something related to spiritualism. Spiritualism is a belief system and philosophical movement that posits that the spirits of the dead can be communicated with. This communication is typically believed to occur through a medium, a person believed to be able to act as an intermediary between the living and the spirits. Spiritualistic practices often involve séances, automatic writing, or ouija boards, all aimed at receiving messages or manifestations from the spirit world.

The movement gained significant traction in the 19th century, particularly in the United States and Europe, often arising from personal grief and a desire for comfort or evidence of an afterlife. Spiritualistic beliefs often emphasize the continuity of life and the potential for spiritual growth beyond physical death. While proponents view spiritualistic phenomena as genuine interactions with disembodied entities, critics often attribute these occurrences to psychological factors, fraud, or misinterpretation of natural events. The adjective "spiritualistic" can also be used more broadly to describe anything pertaining to a belief in spirits or a spiritual realm, not exclusively tied to the historical spiritualist movement. It can refer to a general inclination towards spiritual matters or a non-materialistic worldview.