The Radical Origins of Spiritualism - Revolutionary Communication with the Dead

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

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[@She_Nanigans]

I'm so loving the Halloween episodes.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@She_Nanigans When isn't it Halloween episodes around here?

[@She_Nanigans]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Truth.

[@Sub-Life666]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Dr. Sledge, I love the idea of making Cora Hatch's life into a movie. I am willing to do the research. I've found tons of information about her fascinating life. Her story is the kind of tale that inspires me to do a deep dive of her famous life.

[@Valdagast]

So they turned from Calvinism to galvinism?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Bingo

[@lionelchan1601]

Anything as an alternative to truly reckoning with ancestral error in doctrine. Multipolarity truly as a spiritual war then. Keep your spiritual possession and (understandable) female resentment powered social upturning to yourselves, oh Light on the Hill.

[@durnsidh6483]

​@@lionelchan1601 ???

[@lionelchan1601]

@@durnsidh6483Basically, the spirit of American liberalism has roots in stuff like this, and makes sure it doesn't let itself or those it attempts to transform in its own image know it. Aggravated.

[@durnsidh6483]

@@lionelchan1601 I'm not even going to argue with you about this. If you anything about liberalism, then you know that it goes back to before the American revolution with thinkers like Locke, Hobbes, Kant, etc. And I'm someone who isn't a fan of liberalism, but at least get the history right.

[@pmgn8444]

Another obscure part of history revealed! Thanks! Loved the captions! I guess the modern Zoom call is a kind of seance: "Marci? Marci, can you hear me? Are you there Marci?"

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

"Pazuzu, hey, you have to unmute yourself"

[@f4rnsworth138]

​@@TheEsotericaChannel would that make the ouija board knocking sort of like the text feature in chat? Either way, be sure to check your connection speed and use the VPN if you're working from home

[@Darisiabgal7573]

@@f4rnsworth138It’s a super chat.

[@pepelemoko01]

I am getting a "B" from someone with a name starting with "B." Is it Betty, Brittany, Beryl...? The lady in the audience says, "Mary"? That's it! Mary says from the side that she doesn't hate you.

[@Darisiabgal7573]

@@pepelemoko01 belzebub?🤣

[@Parmenza]

I suspect the link between cobblers and mysticism has some to do with soles

[@heatherstargazer]

😂

[@lionelchan1601]

😢

[@peterswales1955]

@@Parmenza You beat me to it!

[@BloodWolfXZ]

I gotta get faster with my pun game.

[@Darisiabgal7573]

Flatfish?

[@Buckydhu]

In the past Cobblers and shoemakers also bound books, especially those you might not want to take to more conventional bookbinders ;)

[@Bildgesmythe]

Great point! I never thought about that.

[@rebeccabedford9855]

Interesting

[@titab]

Side note: spiritualists in Mexico were heavily involved in kick-starting the Mexican revolution

[@spikesspikesspikesspikesspikes]

neeeeed dr. sledge to cover liberation theology

[@marishistorycorner]

just in time for dinner! cant wait to watch, I recommended your channel to my medievalist professor with a special interest in witchcraft and spirituality. he now shows your stuff in our class :))

[@aNerdNamedJames]

Thank you deeply, Dr. Sledge -- my boyfriend is a Spiritualist, yet I'm someone who grew up Quaker then in adulthood discovered that much of my worldview lines up with Scientific Socialism, which means that material like this is a particular blessing in terms of helping to bridge our ontological perspectives. Deep thanks.

[@ErickaVernon-w8s]

I. Love. Esoterica. ❤ You don't get this type of knowledge anywhere else

[@Bildgesmythe]

Absolutely!

[@bertroost1675]

It is interesting and I like the way he presents it. No drama, just education.

[@Axis_Mundi_Design]

Thank you Dr. Sledge for covering this fascinating period in American history. The Metropolitan Museum had an amazing exhibition in 2005, with a truly stunning catalog - “The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult,” which I cannot recommend highly enough. Please consider doing a lecture on the uber fascinating Pascal Beverly Randolph (1825-1875).

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Randolph for sure

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

World War 1 was a major catalyst for the popularity of spiritualism in Europe because of all the grieving families.

[@GeistInTheMachine]

Yeah, and Seances became popular in the USA after the Civil War.

[@KristenKras]

In any case, the spirit world has always been there, very close by, just a whisker away or behind the "veil."

[@agxryt]

​@@KristenKras Or it's just not real, and entirely an imaginative process for healing

[@Dovahkiin0117]

@@agxrytwith our senses being limited as they are and physicists talking of multiverses is anything off the table?😂 I take the Socratic stance no one knows anything 😅

[@voidwalkersystem]

We had one of the most profound spiritual moments of our life in Lilydale, NY, over a decade ago, during a public mediumship demonstration. I still struggle to wrap my head around it.

[@phillipbernhardt-house6907]

In all of the discussion of spiritualism I've seen before now, there has never been a nod to the radical social reform messages that have often come through. In modern spiritualist circles (with which I don't have direct contact; I've only seen documentaries or heard about certain aspects of them, and have met a few spiritualists semi-casually), I haven't heard about much of a carry-over of this aspect of the tradition, either...which is a great pity. Considering where it was happening and when, it shouldn't be a surprise; and yet, in the History textbooks that I've used in the college classes I used to teach, the Second Great Awakening's connection to some of these more radical ideas is not always emphasized, outside of ideas like the Oneida community's free love and so forth...and spiritualism doesn't get much mention at all. :( Also: as ever, your jokes in the captions are always fantastic...that password was brilliant! ;) And I seriously hope folks around our age get the "Yo! Fox Sisters Raps" reference as well...!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I was also pretty surprised to learn all this given that spiritualism is something that makes the rounds, even in normie documentaries. But, this stuff is never mentioned! And, yes my age really shows in the "jokes"

[@fgcbrooklyn]

Simply spectacular. This lecture should appear as required material in every women's study course and curriculum. I was vaguely and indirectly familiar with Sweddenborg through his influence on the artistic movement known as the Hudson River School. Now, suddenly, I have discovered the existence of an entire socio-political phenomenon that accompanied one of the most original and completely autoctonous artistic and poetic forms of knowledge and expression in America. Thank you, Dr. Sledge. This was a real treat. Somehow related, I wonder if you would consider giving a lecture discussing the apparent similarities between the Spiritualist movement you described and the Theosophical Society of Helena Blavatsky and her followers.

[@joshuasheets9236]

That “Boo.” was terrifying. Please don’t do it again

[@johnmargetts-b1c]

great video as usual from Dr Sledge. I can listen to him all day and never get bored.

[@rainofflame]

This is a part of history I did not know related to social and political reform. Very cool video!

[@youngimperialistmkii]

Sylvia Browne, oof that brings me back. I remember being furious with her. At how she would exploit peoples grief, on the Montel Williams show. Back in the day.

[@johndemeritt3460]

"May her memory be erased." _That_ is one of the most quintessentially Jewish statements one can make! And leave it to Dr. Sledge to say it in this context. It is well deserved, and said with an authentic disdain for the individual whose memory should be no more.

[@lucyjane3803]

Actual demon, it bothers me so much that she is now strongly related to "gnosticism" 😬 Her only religion was money and exploitation.

[@shanesullivan460]

Fun Fact: My hometown of Whitewater Wisconsin was the location of the world's first spiritualist college. It closed its doors in the 1930s, and the property is now the site of a phone company, but it left in its wake a series of urban legends about witches still used to freak out students on the nearby UW campus.

[@fgcbrooklyn]

What a weird coincidence. One of my best friends lives in Whitewater and I am heading that way for a visit (I live in VT, graduated from UW Madison) on the occasion of my 70th birthday, on October 31 (born at 11:30 PM).

[@shanesullivan460]

@@fgcbrooklyn Happy upcoming birthday, and I hope you have a nice visit!

[@atlaskomaneri8708]

Dr. Sledge didn't mention it, but the advent of Spiritualism is closely related to the invention of the telegraph, which became the base for phone cable networks. I am on Nikola Tesla on this one - be it phones or spirits, it's all a matter of frequencies and vibrations

[@jaapvander3787]

There is a spiritualist association in The Hague. Harmonia. I've been there 3 times in the 80's. The entrance fee was 3 guilders. Free coffee. Objects of deceased people were placed on a table, and a Medium took an object (ring bracelet necklace). And then talked to the people present through the deceased people. It was sometimes emotional and sometimes scary.

[@courtneybrown6204]

I was raised in the First Psychic Church of Brightmoor in Detroit in the 70s-80s. I got a great early education in occultism through my Aunt's library. Funny how I can relate to your assessment of how accidentally feminist people in that movement were, even generations after Blavatsky. It's how I got to be how I am. The book "Madame Blavatsky's Baboon" helped me make sense of things historically. Thanks for adding to my knowledge again! Cheers.

[@sweetstreetjustice]

@@courtneybrown6204 Your story sounds so interesting. I would love to hear more! Any chance that you.re still in the Detroit area?

[@courtneybrown6204]

​@@sweetstreetjusticeI'm not but my family is still there and I visit from time to time.

[@sweetstreetjustice]

@@courtneybrown6204 If you ever feel like telling your story, I would LOVE to hear it. I live in Flint and could easily meet you wherever you wanted me to.

[@courtneybrown6204]

​@@sweetstreetjusticeI could definitely write a blurb. It was a fun, funny, unique group of folks, very sincere in their beliefs. For instance, one year we had a Roaring Twenties theme party and psychic readings day, when I was about five years old. Good times.

[@zachmiller9175]

"the ghost communicated through rapping noises" the ghost: "Uh, summa-lumma, dooma-lumma, you assumin' I'm a human What I gotta do to get it through to you I'm superhuman? Innovative and I'm made of rubber So that anything you say is ricochetin' off of me And it'll glue to you and I'm devastating, more than ever demonstrating How to give a motherfuckin' audience A feeling like it's levitating Never fading, and I know the haters are forever waiting For the day that they can say I fell off, they'll be celebrating 'Cause I know the way to get 'em motivated I make elevating music, you make elevator music "Oh, he's too mainstream." Well, that's what they do when they get jealous They confuse it "It's not hip-hop, it's pop, "

[@TheHorror-rm2cw]

@@zachmiller9175 👏

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

Absolutely drooling in anticipation of your book recommendations at the end of this....

[@zbraal]

Once again, we reach into deepest, darkest history to model the contemporary. Fun to hear you talking about the “modern” in the spooky season 😁

[@ligiasommers]

I came from “Let’s talk religion” and loved it , thank you 🙏🏻🌹✨🙏🏻

[@NIMM_VOID]

it's so exciting to learn about this important aspect of spiritualism, thank you 🙏

[@ethanmctavish9551]

Perfect! This came out just as I was finishing up part 14 of Between Skepticism and Mysticism, and I'm delighted!!

[@deeann730]

aw man i was just hankering for more 19th century american heterodoxy, a birthday miracle 🥹

[@deeann730]

oh and this was before i even got to the radical quaker connection (which i totally should've seen coming), i'm Feasting

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Happy Birthday!

[@tommiefunk2099]

Your Christmas list must be a blast to read. 😂

[@elchoks]

The initiator of the mexican revolution Francisco I Madero was also into spiritualism, the spirits told him the date to start the revolution, November 20

[@williammabery5139]

I live 10 minutes down the road from the Spiritualist camp of Cassadaga, FL and this was quite a treat to hear. I've visited many times over the years and have been working up the nerve to attend a service which I may have to do now that you've brought them to my mind again. Thank you again for the great research and for putting out wonderful content!

[@Rolando_Cueva]

First time I'm early for an esoterica video. Nice.

[@Schrodingers_Cat557]

Nice

[@amberstillwater5878]

A radical spiritual freedom movement led by women!! Thank you for this thoughtful, insightful video.

[@plumblossomed]

I attended a Victorian seance reenactment and educational talk on Victorian Spiritualism at a local history society last Halloween season, and the woman acting as the medium (who also did the educational talk afterwards) touched on many of these topics, but not in this depth. I was fascinated then, and am incredibly grateful for the added depth of information you've added here. Much food for thought.

[@ysmit3582]

Fascinating! Truly educational. And it makes so much sense. I wonder in what other ways women in different historical times were able to shape the world around them within a male-dominated culture. Thank you, Justin, for illuminating this small pocket of history!

[@mehpeh2273]

Fascinating to hear about the social aspect of spiritualism. Can't say I can see much of the same driving current day new age practice which has apparently morphed into entrepreneurial mentoring pyramid schemes from what I see on social media. One of my favourite videos you've made. Thank you Dr. Sledge.

[@dmitrygaltsin2314]

A wonderful research by Julia Mannherz "The Occult in Late Imperial Russia" (2012) highlights the prominent role of Spiritualism for the making of Russian modern society in 1870s - 1910s.

[@susanmeyer7053]

THANK YOU for highlighting the historical impact of these women. It seems that even today women in the spotlight have to qualify their right to have an opinion worth listening to. I’m so grateful for women in the past who have chipped away at these stigmas over the years to allow for me to have a non passive life today.

[@gastonmarian7261]

8:50 perhaps the shoemakers become mystics because there exists that class of fairy tale gnomes who ever support the making of shoes. As the cobbler sleeps, the gnomes chat among themselves, and the long term exposure to that elfish osmosis sensitizes the shoemaker to the Other Side, they become aware of the existence of elfland and the secrets shared by spirits there

[@Gorboduc]

In case you're wondering, that black & white seance photo in the thumbnail is from Fritz Lang's 1922 film Dr. Mabuse The Gambler.

[@alainturbide5545]

I always enjoy and learn a great deal from you and your channel, Dr. Sledge. Thank you. Strangely enough, I am just finishing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Land of the Mist, which deals with Spiritualism. Although a devotee he tries to sound objective, and as though to prove the point he discusses many of the same points. I think even one of the mediums (a man) might even have been a cobbler 😅 Thank you so much. Keep up the great work

[@KristenKras]

Yes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle became very interested in spiritualism, despite his logical mindset previously. He really turned around there.

[@LarsPallesen]

Once again a very enjoyable and enlightening video from Dr. Sledge. Thank you very much, Sir, your work is much appreciated. Love from Denmark.

[@TheMarkRich]

Scared witless by that "boo". Still trembling in the corner rocking back and forth.

[@jokodrums]

Great lecture. Thank you Dr. Sledge

[@davidfwooldridge3430]

The directions religion took in America in both pre- and post Revolutionary times was wild.

[@EustassGambit]

Interesting

[@sylph8005]

And pre- and post-Civil War

[@marcionbruno8197]

This is the most interesting video about Spiritualism I’ve ever seen

[@inthetearoom]

thank you so much for this video. as someone into high strangeness and creepy stuff in general, I was aware of this movement but really didn't know any of this sociological bend to it. really appreciated it and shared with my husband and sister-in-law! love your content, love your mission!

[@thdraws]

Kate Bush has a poignant song, Houdini, from the viewpoint of his widow, seeking signs from beyond.

[@siobhanomalley1968]

Just... wow. This has opened a door into a side of Spiritualism i was not aware of at all. My understanding of it came wholly from the shysters capitalising on peoples grief and the sensationalist parlour tricks side of it. That it has such profoundly meaningful roots in giving a voice to women, promoting human rights and societal change, is truly fascinating. Thank you for this gift of deeper comprehension, Dr Sledge. A brilliant video.

[@nentendomofo]

Leave it to Dr. Sledge to bring forth MORE details about Spiritualism in 2024. 👏👏

[@thegrizzlyfamily1374]

One of your best episodes, Dr. Sledge!!! Just so much fun to listen to.

[@damienwayne__]

Love the history of mediumship and I'm so grateful fornthe healing they can offer people. Suzanne Giessemann is one of my favorite modern .. honest mediums

[@KristenKras]

Yes, she was a very straight down the line marine, logic, logic, logic... good woman.

[@edgarjones6824]

Connections here of which I wasn't aware but on reflection make perfect sense. Thanks again to the good doctor❤

[@spicytrashmanda9860]

Oh man, I'm catching a premiere in the first half hour!? Score! So looking forward to this one.

[@BF-up5xw]

I'm really impressed just how much ground you covered here without diminishing the subject. This is a great introduction to the subject but also contains a distinctive perspective. Thank you!

[@Shadow298]

This was an exceptionally fascinating episode, since I view spiritualism through lens of a skeptic but found it interesting to learn of the radical ideas that were woven into the beliefs. I might follow up some study on it. Thanks, Dr Sledge.

[@Jvsouza-rt3oo]

Please make more videos about spiritualism, keep up the good work !

[@andreafranke8771]

I have always loved living in New York for its rich history, especially in the “burned over district.” I live in Wayne County, a nice rural county to the east of Rochester which is home to being the biggest apple producing area of NY but also known for being the birthplace of Mormonism with Joseph Smith the Hill Cumorah and Modern Day Spiritualism as the it was where the Fox Sister’s got their start in the home in Hydesville. I visit the memorial park on Hydesville Rd often and find it a place of peace and tranquility and a lovely place to meditate. Thank you for covering Spiritualism!

[@teachnola10]

The Fox sisters were an accident of history, but my parents tell me I was a historical accident and it’s a bad thing?

[@spiritorbz8215]

thank you for the recommended readings! this is one of my favorite subjects but i've had a hard time finding good books on the topic.

[@kayprice7800]

I am intrigued by the parellels (perhaps one of Mark Twain's historical rhymes) with bids for social reforms in our times-- too quick for some, not quick enough for many

[@trentlytle7289]

Shoe maker's are very concerned with your sole.

[@dumbguy1007]

I'm new to religious history stuff and spiritualism but every time i hear about the influence quakers had, they sound pretty cool. I'm supposing they had their flaws as all such organisations, but between that and the labour reforms in the uk with companies they owned, it sounds like we could do with that mentality today. Though I don't know much about their beliefs and I'm not looking to be converted so i don't want to advocate for something i have little insight into.

[@eldraque4556]

That's my password too, mad as biscuits

[@bambam007ism]

“Yes professor” We say in unison

[@encompass6857]

It makes total sense that higher spiritual consciousness would highlight personal freedom and individual worth!

[@fingerlakesWatcher]

GREAT episode! I teach at Hobart & William Smith Colleges in the heart of the Burnt Over District, Geneva, NY - not far from the Fox Sisters' home base. Hobart is (technically) an Episcopal men's college, founded in 1822 by John Henry Hobart, pioneering bishop of NY. William Smith College was founded in 1908 by a bachelor philanthropist as a non-religious women's college - explicitly non-religious. The women were NOT required to attend chapel, unlike the men (until 1968 they had various falling degrees of required chapel). William Smith was a Spiritualist and spirit-medium - I've seen his transcripts in the archives. He channeled Chief Tecumseh and an "Indian Maiden" named Rosebud. He tried to found a Spiritualist University, and offered the chair of Theosophy to Madam Blavatsky, but she turned him down. He and his family were deeply involved in the suffrage movement, too. I've got my own ideas about the Finger Lakes (verrrry deep lakes) - but it is an interesting place. Have you ever been to (I'm sure you've heard of) Lily Dale, NY?

[@lilykatmoon4508]

This is one of most fascinating topics to me! I had no idea the women at the heart of the spiritualist movement. I hadn’t heard any of this. I’ve only heard of the fraud , and the women are always portrayed as these greedy, immoral people and spiritualism as a joke. I’m absolutely going to read more on this! Thanks again for such wonderfully informative and thoughtful videos! ❤

[@amandasutton3717]

What a masterful introduction!!

[@naomiseraphina9718]

Thank you for this marvelous look at Spiritualism! All of the morally ethical, honorable, progressive messages and movements made possible by Spiritualism in particular, and by the mystical/occult/religiously nonconformist world in general, really brings a tear of pride and gratitude to my eyes. I feel proud of the efforts made by all of the brave women and men, (and spirits,) who during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, worked bravely to better the world. With planchette in hand, they fought against the entrenched institutions of commonplace evil. Makes one proud to be a weirdo, don't you think?

[@soraxp1]

What a perfect time to have this show up in my notifications almost fits perfectly the drive between Auburn hills and Novi

[@pedrosampaio7349]

It's fascinating seeing the kind of stuff early mediums talked about, it came to me as pleasantly surprising even. My knowledge of spiritism until now was mostly limited to how mainstream spiritism in Brazil circa 1910 was too racist to talk with enslaved and indigenous spirits (as they were too "unevolved"), and thus Umbanda was formed as a mix of afro-Brazilian religions, catholicism and spiritism, iirc specifically Kardec because that was the main influence in that time and place. Even if Justin doesn't make a video about umbanda, I'd rly advise him and anyone else to look into it if you'reinto this kind of stuff, a very fascinating and interesting religion.

[@pedrosampaio7349]

I actually really wonder, if there was any similar interaction between african-american communities and spiritism in the USA?

[@aintlifegrand821]

@@pedrosampaio7349 look into masons and Shriners in the South at this time period.

[@foo_tube]

I love the work that you are doing, thank you for giving your videos to the world for free!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks for the support!

[@museumoflosttime9718]

As always, such a bright spark on intrigue and information, thank you.

[@donovan665]

Intriguing athropological perspective on that time. Huge respect for those girl's radically down to earth message.

[@TaraLyon8]

Boo back at you. I love you and your research. Emma Smith was the spiritual bridge of early LDS, with the use of a translator behind a curtain. I didn't know the father daughter bridge relationship but my father has been with me since his death. I believe he's learning will- power in that he had a 44 inch waist when alive. Again thanks for your work 🙏.

[@kathrynsmith3417]

Thank you for making this video & explaining the radical origins of spiritualism, the seances, the Ouija Board, increased interests during 1800s.

[@YourfriendRaymond]

9:39 maybe the real treasure was the angel friends we made along the way

[@spuntotheratboy]

This is wonderful. I think a lot of us - well, me at least - are used to thinking quite poorly of the spiritualist movement in general, as being best represented by fraud and manipulation. To see you re-cast it in radical and feminist or proto-feminist terms is just fascinating!

[@TPhreak]

I think this might be your best video.

[@michaelwhiteley9712]

Shoemakers do have an interesting correlation to subjects such as these and interesting occult and esoteric sources. Love the exploration of this subject. Thanks for your shared insights and knowledge here.

[@417hemaspringfieldmo]

I tried to research a little bit Spiritualism/Spiritist movement here in Springfield and Southwest MO...and to my surprise, all articles and publications dealing with it STOP dead on their tracks around the 1900s. For me was surprising because in Puerto Rico the movement extented well into de 1950s and even the 21st century.

[@h2ofallz]

4:58 - "The 1758 book .... " Your linguistic aptitude never ceases to amaze and delight . Wow !

[@camifbe5565]

I would love a sequel conversation with Heather Cox Richardson, in order to excavate more historical detail of the time - your mention of how this movement helped social transformation.

[@nickacca]

This was sooooooo good. More on this please.

[@gunkwretch3697]

For more info see the book by Erica Lagalisse "Occult Features of Anarchism"

[@stevenjlovelace]

I recommend Jamie Loftus' podcast "Ghost Church" on history of Spiritualism.

[@marianatheschizoid5912]

Wow thank you for this lesson! I think this is so interesting because certain forms of spiritualism are still relatively popular here in Brazil. A lot of it is based on the writings of Allan Kardec who investigated many prominent mediums at this time (including the Fox sisters). These ideas became popular with abolitionists here in South America and combined African rooted spiritual traditions (like Candomblé and Santería). In fact I grew up a believing Spiritualist, my stepfather used to practice Umbanda. I’m no longer a believer but I still see the value in how these things were able to empower women and poc at a time when they otherwise wouldn’t be listened to.

[@koolaidserpent]

Love that you brought up Bradford. Ruth Doran supposedly had some messages from him, but I've never seen anything about it beyond, "she knew"

[@populuxe1]

Spiritualism, like other demimondes (bohemia, brothels, the theatre, camp) of the Victorian period, existed as a kind of parallel economy to the patriarchy where women and other subaltern groups could hold leadership roles, and indeed make money. The pattern of spiritualism being a locus of social reform follows a near-identical trajectory in Britain, Europe, and the British and Russian empires, as it did in the US. The seance was a safe space. Another important factor is that Spiritualist publishing was prolific and could reach larger audiences than some mainstream newspapers and weren't squeamish about publishing and paying women writers. There is probably more than a hint of Plato in the idea that an ideal democratic social equality existed on the other side that should be emulated on this side. Mind you, one might argue that otherworldly beings interfering in politics goes back to John Dee suggesting Elizabeth I create the British Empire. Another interesting tidbit is that asthma was sometimes called "the medium's disease" - not unreasonably because it was a niche invalids could support themselves in from home.

[@bryangraham7926]

this was a great subject, I'm still waiting for someone to discuss the American brotherhood of Luxor and Paschel Beverley Randolf and its influence on theosophy and the hermetic order of the golden dawn

[@maledictionwolf]

Shoemakers and mysticism probably go together for the same reason hatters and madness do--leatherworkers back in the day tended to get exposed to mercury and other fun substances. I don't know how likely it would be that a cobbler would tan their own leather, I imagine they'd get it from the tanner, which is why they'd only be exposed to a low level of the chemicals. Not enough to kill or make deeply sick, but definitely enough to make them a little loopy and hallucinatory. It would be interesting to see a map of where these guys lived, proximity to a tanner is a solid predictor of gnarly chemical exposure.

[@outerlast]

i actually want to see that experiment: you being hypnotized and then interviewed about the knowledge of otherworld. or better, knowledge of quantum physics and cosmology :p

[@Callmethebreeze902]

Good video. I found it fascinating to learn the history

[@edgeeffect]

Back in the 1980s, I had a "family tree" of Chaos Magick's influences which included Spiritualism as a major influence. I was very dismissive of this... it just wasn't "left hand path, spooky dookie" enough. But the free embracing of pseudo science and the radical social elements makes it's influence on Chaos Magick quite obvious. This is one of my favourite episodes so far. I'm on my second viewing now and a third will probably follow.

[@Frederic_S]

Just wanted to stop by to say: thank you.

[@kevinmulkerrins605]

A bucket list item that will never be checked off is to be the fifth wheel over some absinthe with you, Andy from Atun Shei, Dr. Puca, and Dennis Poisson

[@bertokleine280]

Thanks for once again a brilliant video.

[@arthurmoreira6151]

I love this topic! your view in any esoteric matter brings a new light to my thoughts, I was hoping you could talk a bit about Allan kardec and the renascence of spiritism that still grows to this day. thank you so much for your content ! its a beacon of power to this platform !

[@1cruzbat1]

Well that was fascinating. I will never look at American spiritualism the same again. And I will be doing some reading about this. Thank you!

[@geinikan1kan]

Really good lecture. A fascinating reading of a truly key moment in American history.