The Salem Witchcraft, the Planchette Mystery, and Modern Spiritualism: With Dr. Doddridge's DreamStowe, Harriet Beecher
History
The Salem Witchcraft, the Planchette Mystery, and Modern Spiritualism: With Dr. Doddridge's Dream
Stowe, Harriet Beecher
Spiritualism; Upham, Charles Wentworth, 1802-1875. Salem witchcraft; Witchcraft -- Massachusetts -- Salem
Here the interview ended. It was a part of my original plan, after
reviewing various theories on this mysterious subject, to propound one
of my own; but this interview with Planchette has changed my mind.
I confess I am amazed and confounded, and have nothing to say. The
commendable motive which the invisible intelligence, whatever it may
be, assigned in the last paragraph for refusing to give its name,
also prompts me to withhold my own name from this publication for the
present, and likewise to abstain from the explanation I intended to
give of certain particulars as to the manner and circumstances of this
communication. On its own intrinsic merits alone it should be permitted
to rest; and as I certainly feel that my own conceptions have been
greatly enlarged, not to say that I have been greatly instructed, I give
it forth in the hope that it may have the same effect upon my readers.
HOW TO WORK PLANCHETTE.
We have received letters from different persons who have tried
Planchette, but failed to make her work. Our correspondents wish to know
the reason of the failure, and what conditions must be complied with on
their part to remedy the difficulty. We reply by the insertion of the
following rules, which should be read in connection with the descriptive
paragraph near the commencement of this pamphlet:
=RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN USING PLANCHETTE.=
For some persons (strong magnetizers), "Planchette" moves at once,
and for one such person it moves rapidly and writes distinctly. With
such a person it is not necessary for another to put their hands on;
it will operate alone for them, and better than with two persons.
It has been noticed that one pair of male and one pair of female
hands form a more perfect Battery to work "Planchette" than two
males or two females would do.
It has also been noticed that one light and one dark complexioned
person are better than two light or two dark persons would be
together; also, that two females, with their hands on together, are
better than the hands of two males would be.
If, after observing these rules, "Planchette" should refuse to
write, or move, different persons must try until the necessary
Battery is formed to make it operate. (It is here remarked that the
average number of persons able to work "Planchette" is about five
to eight; but it is still possible, but improbable, to have an
assemblage of eight persons and not any be able to make "Planchette"
go.) After it is ascertained who are the proper persons to move
"Planchette," no end of fun, amusement, and possibly instruction,
will be afforded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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