Lady Spiritualists & Mediums of 19th Century America
Oct 11, 2018
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Guests involved in the Spiritualist movement in Victorian America discuss the rise of spiritualism, the connection between invention and spirit communication, the impact of spiritualism on women, and the fascinating life of Cora, a renowned medium in the 19th century.
The Spiritualist movement in 19th-century America empowered women by giving them a prominent role as mediums and challenging societal norms.
Spiritualism offered comfort and reassurance to Victorian Americans who had an intimate relationship with death, by suggesting that the souls of the departed could be reached through mediums.
In a time of rapid societal change and skepticism towards traditional religious institutions, spiritualism provided answers, comfort, and proof of an afterlife, especially during the prevalent death of the Civil War.
Deep dives
The rise of spiritualism in 19th century America
Spiritualism swept through America in the 19th century, offering solace, entertainment, and a new voice for women. The movement exploded with the Fox sisters, teenage mediums who claimed to communicate with the dead through rapping sounds. Spiritualism gained popularity during a time of intense grief and loss, such as the Civil War, as it offered the hope of reuniting with deceased loved ones. The movement empowered women, giving them a prominent role as mediums and challenging societal norms. While some mediums were eventually exposed as frauds, their impact on American society and the progress of women's rights cannot be denied.
The relationship between spiritualism and the Victorian obsession with death
Victorian Americans had an intimate relationship with death due to high mortality rates and the prevalence of diseases. The fear of being buried alive was a common phobia, and mourning rituals were elaborate and strict. Spiritualism emerged in this context, offering comfort by suggesting that the souls of the departed were not gone, but could be reached through mediums. The movement provided hope and reassurance that death was not the end, and that loved ones continued to exist and evolve in the afterlife.
The appeal of spiritualism during times of societal change
Spiritualism gained popularity in a time of rapid societal change, when traditional religious structures were being questioned. The movement appealed to those seeking answers and comfort in a fast-changing world and offered a bridge between the spiritual and physical realms. It also attracted those who were disillusioned with traditional religious institutions, as spiritualism emphasized individual sovereignty and personal connection with the divine. Furthermore, spiritualism addressed the longing for proof of an afterlife, which was especially prevalent during the Civil War when death was so prevalent.
The influence of women in the spiritualist movement
Women played a central role in the spiritualist movement, serving as mediums and driving the movement's popularity. Spiritualism provided an opportunity for women to escape societal constraints and have a voice in public as they communed with spirits. It recognized the power and sensitivity of women, presenting them as the conduit through which spirits could communicate. Female mediums became significant figures, challenging traditional gender roles and paving the way for women's rights activism.
Controversies and debunking of spiritualism
While spiritualism captivated many, there were skeptics and debunkers who exposed fraudulent practices by some mediums. The Fox sisters, for example, eventually confessed to using tricks to produce their famous rapping sounds. Magicians and skeptics like Harry Houdini and Adelaide Herrmann sought to differentiate between true magic and illusory spiritualist performances. However, the impact and enduring popularity of spiritualism cannot be dismissed, as it provided comfort, hope, and empowerment to countless individuals in an era of immense change and loss.
Season 1, Episode 8. Victorian America was a very haunted place, and by mid-century the Spiritualist movement was sweeping through it. People went in droves to see mediums - who were mostly women - to try and reach the spirits of their loved ones just beyond the veil. They made tables levitate, answered philosophical questions in front of huge crowds, and found a kind of fame and attention that suffragists would have killed for.
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