GennaRose Nethercott, a talented writer, joins forces with researcher Cassandra de Alba and composer Chad Lawson to explore humanity's obsession with the dead. They dive into the fascinating history of the Ouija board, tracing its transition from spiritual tool to pop culture icon. The narrative highlights women like Pearl Curran and Emily Grant Hutchings, who channeled spirits to create literature, while also introducing the mysterious Juanita Clavette, a reincarnated poet. The mix of creativity, rivalry, and ghostly inspiration makes for an enthralling listen!
The preservation of Lenin's body exemplifies humanity's profound desire to maintain a lifelike connection with the deceased.
The rise of Ouija boards from serious spiritual tools to commercialized toys illustrates the changing attitudes towards communication with spirits over time.
Deep dives
The Preservation of Lenin's Body
After the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1924, his body was preserved to remain on display for an extended period due to cold temperatures. Soviet scientists aimed to keep Lenin's appearance lifelike rather than mummified, employing a lengthy and intricate embalming process. This included injecting his body with suitable fluids and encasing it in a rubber suit filled with preserving agents. Such meticulous efforts allowed Lenin's body to remain visible to the public, showcasing humanity's fascination with maintaining a connection with the deceased.
The Origins of Ouija Boards
Initially, Ouija boards, known as Spirit Boards or talking boards, emerged from the 19th-century spiritualist movement rather than being mere toys. These boards were used by adults seeking connections with the dead, and the mechanisms employed, like the planchette, facilitated communication with spirits. Over time, these boards gained popularity, particularly during periods of loss, such as wars, as people sought to communicate with lost loved ones. The commercialization of the talking board ultimately transformed it into the familiar Ouija board we recognize today, frequently associated with playful superstition rather than serious spiritual inquiry.
The Literary Phenomenon of Patience Worth
Pearl Curran, a housewife in the early 1900s, gained notoriety by channeling a spirit named Patience Worth through a Ouija board. Patience, believed to be a Puritan girl from the 17th century, purportedly dictated several works of literature, which received widespread acclaim. Pearl's success allowed her to transcend societal limitations placed upon women at the time, as her writings were attributed to a ghostly author, giving her authority and recognition. However, the relationship complicated itself with tensions arising between Pearl and her seance partner Emily Grant Hutchings, who felt overshadowed by Pearl's fame.
Juanita Clavette: The Child Prodigy Reincarnated
Juanita Clavette, also known as Little Sappho, claimed to be the reincarnation of the ancient poet Sappho. From a young age, she exhibited knowledge of Sappho and began writing poetry inspired by her supposed past life. This phenomenon attracted attention and led Juanita to seek her reincarnated love, Phaon, resulting in a series of newspaper articles exploring her life and poetry. The story raises intriguing questions about reincarnation versus the storytelling abilities of her father, who was a magician and known for promoting her as a child prodigy, leaving the truth ambiguous.
Our deep desire to connect to the world of the dead has taken humanity down some fantastic roads, but few compare to the stories that came out of the early 1900s in America.
Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by GennaRose Nethercott, research byCassandra de Alba,and music by Chad Lawson.
Stamps: Never go to the Post Office again. Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com/LORE.
Quince: Premium European clothing and accessories for 50% to 80% less than similar brands, at Quince.com/LORE for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
BetterHelp: Lore is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/LORE, and get on your way to being your best self.
To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads@lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.