The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-02-21
SPIRITUALIEM
How 10 Form Spirit Circles lt Home.
Lessons to Beginners.
Table TumbIing.-whO are Natural
Mediums, ana How 70 Gain the
Mysterious Power.

For the benefit Of those who wish 10 Try
their powers at home, we gather the fol-
lowing directions for forming spirit Ar-
cles:
Inquiries into the phenomena Of spirit
ualism should begin by forming circles in
their own homes, with no spirituallst or
professional mediums present. Should
no results be obtained on the first occa-
sion, try again with other sltters. One
or more persons possessing medal powers
without knowing It are to be found in
every household. Let the room be Of Q
comfortable temperature, but cool rather
than warm-let arrangements be made
that nobody shall enter Il, and that there
shall be no interruption for one hour dur
ing the sitting Of the circle. Let the cir
Gle consist Of four, FIVE or six individuals,
about the same number Of each sex. Sit
round an uncovered wooden table, with
all the palms Of the hands In contact With
It's top surface. Whether the hands touch
each other or not Is usually Of no import
ance. Any table will do, just large enough
to conveniently accommodate the sitters.
The removal Of o hand from the table for
few seconds does no harm. but when
one Of the sittes breaks the circle by
leaving the table II sometimes, but not
always. considerably delays the maniies-
tations. Before the sitting begins, place
some pointed lead pencils and some sheets
Of clean writing paper on the table, to
write down any communications that
may be obtained. People who do not like
each other should not cit in the same cir
Gle, for such want Of harmony tends to
prevent manifestations, except with well
developed physical mediums; IL Is not yet
known why. Belief or unbelief has no
influence on the manifestations, but an
acrid feeling against them Is frequently
found TO be weakening influence. Be
fore the manifestations begin II Is well to
engage in general conversation or In sing
ing, and 1t is best that neither should be
Of frivolous nature. The first symptom
Of the invisible power at work is often q
feeling like cool wind sweeping over the
hands. The first manifestations will
probably be table fittings or wraps. When
motions Of the table or sounds are pro-
duced freely, to avoid confusion, let one
person only speak; he should talk 10 the
table as an intelligent being. Let him
tell the table that three tllts or raps mean
Eyes" one means mo-" and two mean
doubtful" and ask whether the arrange
ments are understood. II three signals be
given in answer, then say, IF speak the
letters Of the alphabet slowly, viii you
signal every time l come TO the letter you
want, and spell us out a message?'
Should three signals be given, set 10 work
on the plan proposed, and from this time
an intelligent system Of communication Is
established. Afterwards the question
should be put, "Are we sitting In the right
order to get the best manifestations
Probably some members Of the circle will
then be told to change seats with each
other, and the signals win be afterwards
strengthened. Next ask, "who is the
medlumr When the intelligence asserts
itself to be related or known 10 anybody
present, well JGhosen questions should be
put to test the accuracy Of the statements,
as the alleged spirits are found to exhibit
all the virtues and all the failings Of hu-
manity.
A medium Is usually person Of an ini-
pulsive, affectionate, and genial nature,
and very sensitive TO mesmeric Influences.
Mediums are Of both sexes. The best
manifestations are obtained when the me
dium and all the members Of the circle
are strongly bound together by the Affect
ions, and are thoroughly comfortable and
happy. Family circles with no strangers
present are usually the best. Possibly at
the first sitting Of q circle symptoms Of
other forms Of mediumship, then tilts or
raps may make their appearance, while
by sitting regularly two or three times q
week the manifestations viii rapidly de-
velop. Among the varied phases Of the
phenomena already observed by investi-
gators may be noted the following: Move
ment Of physical objects, both with and
without contact with the sittes; direct
writing, drawing, and voices; entrance
ment; trance, and inspirational utterance;
temporary materilizations; Involuntary
writing, healing, visions, impressions, as
well as many phenomena observed In the
study Of mesmerism and clairvoyance.
Merit wins.