Our Spiritualist Past
The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art has just opened a exhibition of rare photos documenting the interest in spiritualism during the late 19th century. Called “The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult”, the show (which is broken into three sections) highlights photos of “ghosts” by photographers like William H. Mumler, Frederick Hudson, and ?douard Isidore Buguet, the second section deals with “vital forces” aka ectoplasm, fluids, and other physical manifestations of the spirit world, the third section deals with documentation of mediums such as Eusapia Paladino.
photo by Frederick Hudson
Spiritualism was an important element in the birth (or rebirth if you prefer) of modern Pagan Witchcraft. As Ronald Hutton lays out in “Triumph of The Moon” the spiritualist movement, and famous spiritualists like Madam Blavatsky (founder of the Theosophical Society) revived a sense of pre-Christian mysticism, gave women an empowering role (as mediums), and paved the way for later movements (like Wicca). Many of the “fam-trad” Witches around today most likely engage in habits and practices passed down by spiritualist relatives.
One response so far
What a fabulous exhibit! I recently read about the Fox sisters. It was intriguing and definately thought provoking. It fascinated me to be able to go back in time and experience that with them.