HOW TO FORM A CIRCLE—PRACTICAL
LESSON
The following rules and directions
were given to Stainton Moses,
the eminent professor, and most wonderful medium. Little more can be
added:
Form a circle of from four to eight
persons, half, or at least two, of negative, passive temperament and
preferably of the female sex, the rest of a more positive type. Sit,
positive and negative alternately, secure against disturbance, in
subdued light, round an uncovered table of convenient size. Place the
palms of the hands flat upon its upper surface. The hands of each sitter
need not touch those of his neighbor, though the practice is frequently
adopted.
Do not concentrate attention too
fixedly on the expected manifestation. Engage in cheerful but not
frivolous conversation. Avoid dispute or argument. Skepticism has no
deterrent effect, but a bitter spirit of opposition in a person of
determined will may totally stop or decidedly
impede manifestations. If
conversation flags, music is a great help, if it be agreeable to all,
and not of a kind to irritate the sensitive ear. Patience is essential,
and it may be necessary to meet ten or twelve times at short intervals,
before anything occurs. If after such a trial you still fail, form a
fresh circle. An hour should be the limit of an unsuccessful seance.
If the table moves, let your pressure
be so gentle on its surface that you
are sure you are not aiding its motions. After some time you will
probably find that the
movement will continue if your hands are held over, but not in contact
with, it. Do not, however, try this until the movement is assured, and
be in no hurry to get messages.
When you think that the time has
come, let someone take command of
the circle and act as spokesman.
Explain to the unseen Intelligence that an
agreed code of signals is desirable,
and ask that a tilt may be given as the
alphabet is slowly repeated, at the
several letters which form the word that the Intelligence wishes to
spell. It is convenient to use a single tilt for No,
three for Yes, and two to express
doubt or uncertainty.
When a satisfactory communication has
been established, ask if you are rightly placed, and if not what order
you should take. After this ask who the intelligence purports
to be, which of the company is the
medium, and such relevant questions. If confusion occurs, ascribe it to
the difficulty that exists in directing the movements at first with
exactitude. Patience will remedy this. If you only satisfy yourself at
first that it is possible to speak with an Intelligence
separate from that of any person
present, you will have gained much.
