Page 6 - Demo

realm of dark and shadow, and the absence of light is required to invoke them.) With everyone seated, usually holding hands, the medium would then go into a trance, and convey messages from deceased relatives of the participants. Techniques such as automatic writing, rapping, levitation of the table, the moving of objects, disembodied voices, even the sudden presence of odors might be used to enhance the experience. Sometimes musical instruments would seem to play by themselves or even fly around the room.Some mediums used an ethereal substance called ectoplasm, which would be mysteriously exuded from their body. Then a spirit would drape it over its nonphysical body, enabling it to interact in the physical world. One psychical researcher defined ectoplasm as %u201cvariable in appearance, being sometimes vaporous, sometimes a plastic paste, sometimes a bundle of fine threads, or a membrane with swellings or fringes, or a fine fabric-like tissue.%u201d Ectoplasm was proven to be fraudulent on many occasions. In reality, a medium would swallow and regurgitate something like paper, cheesecloth, or butter muslin, any of which would be coated with potato starch or egg whites.An even more personal s%u00e9ance was, and still is, a reading between a medium and a single person. This might be done in the subject%u2019s own home, a medium%u2019s parlor, or at a psychic fair, and it could involve a trance, or be accompanied by fortunetelling techniques such as palm reading or interpreting Tarot cards. The specific format of a s%u00e9ance can vary greatly, and most Spiritualists simply do what works the best for them.Today, very few mediums use the flashy or bizarre techniques of the past. Instead, they simply rely on talking, rather than physical manifestations such as tapping, the sudden appearance of disembodied hands, or ectoplasm.Harry Houdini, the famed escape artist, was one of Spiritualism%u2019s chief critics, and he used his knowledge of magic to expose the tricks used by mediums%u2014tricks he himself employed early in his career. Sometimes, Houdini would attend a s%u00e9ance in disguise, accompanied by an undercover policeman, and when the deception became obvious to him, he would leap up, use a flashlight to expose the deceit, and cry out, %u201cI am Houdini! And you are a fraud!%u201d He even published his experiences in a 1924 book, A Magician Among the Spirits.Interestingly, Houdini was part of a committee created by Scientific American magazine that promised a reward to anyone who could demonstrate paranormal powers. A medium from Boston named Mina Crandon, who used the stage name Margery, convinced some committee members that she was authentic, and Scientific American ran an article praising her abilities. However, Houdini then demonstrated how she had deceived them all.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was a friend of Houdini. Unfortunately, their friendship grew tenuous due to Conan Doyle%u2019s deep commitment to Spiritualism. His