spiritualism

Spiritualism is a philosophical and religious movement that emphasizes the existence of spirits and the communicability of information from the spiritual realm to the physical one. The movement gained prominence in the mid-19th century in the United States and Europe. It is based on the idea that all human beings possess a soul or spirit that exists separately from the physical body and can survive physical death.

Spiritualists believe that the spirit world is a realm of consciousness that can interact with and influence the physical world. They also believe that they can communicate with spirits, known as the deceased, through various means such as mediumship, séances, and trance writing. The movement's leaders, including women such as Emma Hardinge Britten and Lily Dunn, further developed the concept of the medium and the importance of gender in mediumship.

The movement was characterized by its emphasis on the importance of scientific evidence for the existence of spirits. Many Spiritualists conducted experiments and collected data on alleged spirit manifestations, such as table-tipping and clairvoyance. While the movement's methods were often criticized by the scientific community, Spiritualism played a significant role in the development of modern psychology and the psychological study of mediums.

Spiritualism has continued to evolve and influence various forms of spirituality and occultism. Its legacy can be seen in contemporary movements such as channeling, energy healing, and consciousness studies.