Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European SavantsFlammarion, Camille
Philosophy
Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
Flammarion, Camille
Parapsychology -- Investigation; Spiritualism
On the evening of September 21 one of us several times saw the image,
not of one, but of _two hands at once_, thrown upon the glass panes of
a feebly illuminated window (outside it was night, but the darkness
was not complete). These hands exhibited a rapid tremulous motion, but
not so rapid as to hinder us from seeing the outline clearly. They
were wholly opaque and were thrown upon the window as absolutely black
silhouettes.
This simultaneous appearance of two hands is _very significant_, for
they cannot be explained on the hypothesis of a trick of the medium,
who would not have been able in any way to free more than one of her
hands, owing to the surveillance of those who sat beside her. The same
conclusion applies to the clapping of two hands, one against the
other, which was several times heard in the air.
_The Levitation of the Medium to the Top of the Table_
We regard this levitation as among the most important and most
significant of Spiritualistic achievements. It took place twice, on
September 28 and October 3. The medium was seated at one end of the
table, uttering deep groans, and was lifted up with her chair and
placed upon the table, not moving from her position, those next her
still holding her hands as she rose.
On the evening of September 28, while her two hands were held by MM.
Richet and Lombroso, the medium complained of their grasping her under
the arm. Then, in a state of trance she said, with the changed voice
which she usually has while in this state, "Now I bring up my medium
upon the table." At the end of two or three seconds the chair, with
the medium seated in it, was not thrown, but lifted with precaution
and placed upon the table. MM. Richet and Lombroso are sure they did
not assist her in this ascension. After she had spoken, being all the
time in a state of trance, the medium announced her descent, and (M.
Finzi being substituted for M. Lombroso) was placed upon the floor
with care and precision, MM. Richet and Finzi following her movements
without at all assisting them.
Moreover, during the descent, both gentlemen felt a hand touching them
lightly several times upon the head. On the evening of October 3 the
same phenomenon was repeated in similar circumstances.
_Touchings_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account