Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Psychomancy: Spirit-Rappings and Table-Tippings Exposed

Psychomancy: Spirit-Rappings and Table-Tippings Exposed

Written by Charles Grafton Page

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it
SpiritualismTable-moving (Spiritualism)

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"Psychomancy: Spirit-Rappings and Table-Tippings Exposed" by Charles Grafton Page is a critical treatise written in the mid-19th century. The work delves into the phenomena of spirit communications and table movements, dismissed by the author as illusions rooted in human deception rather than genuine supernatural occurrences. Page argues against the credulity of society in regard to these practices, asserting they are little more than frauds perpetuated by charlatans for profit. The opening of the text sets a provocative tone, as Page challenges the widespread belief in spirit-rappings and table-tippings. He provides vivid descriptions of his own investigations into these practices, denouncing them as mere tricks executed by fraudsters, particularly the Fox sisters, who were among the first to popularize spiritualism in America. Through a series of experiments and observations, he strives to uncover the mechanics behind these phenomena, consistently attributing their origins to human agency rather than otherworldly forces. Page's writing is impassioned, urging readers to critically evaluate such miraculous claims through the lens of logic and science.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Psychomancy: Spirit-Rappings and Table-Tippings Exposed, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 5 hours
  • intermediate
  • Skeptical
  • Investigative
  • Didactic

Charles Grafton Page's "Psychomancy: Spirit-Rappings and Table-Tippings Exposed" is a critical treatise from the mid-19th century that vehemently refutes the widespread phenomena of spiritualism. Page, through detailed accounts of his own investigations, asserts that spirit communications and table movements are not genuine supernatural occurrences but rather elaborate deceptions. He systematically exposes these practices as frauds perpetrated by charlatans, specifically targeting figures like the Fox sisters, who popularized spiritualism in America. The book serves as an impassioned call for critical thinking, urging readers to evaluate such claims through the lens of logic and scientific inquiry rather than succumbing to credulity.

“The true spirit of inquiry demands that we scrutinize all claims of the miraculous, lest we fall prey to the cunning of charlatans.”

Key themes

Skepticism vs. Belief
This is the central ideological conflict of the book. Page champions skepticism and rational inquiry, urging readers to question claims of the supernatural and demand empirical evidence. He contrasts this with the widespread, often uncritical, belief in spiritualism, which he attributes to human credulity and a desire for comfort in the face of loss or the unknown.
Scientific Inquiry and Empirical Evidence
Page positions his work as an exercise in scientific methodology. He emphasizes the importance of observation, experimentation, and logical deduction in understanding phenomena. He argues that only through rigorous investigation and the demand for reproducible results can truth be ascertained, contrasting this with the subjective and unverifiable nature of spiritualist claims.
Deception and Human Gullibility
A core theme is the ease with which people can be deceived, especially when driven by hope, grief, or a desire for the extraordinary. Page dissects the methods of charlatans like the Fox sisters, highlighting their manipulative tactics and the psychological vulnerabilities they exploited. He presents human gullibility not just as an individual failing but as a societal problem that allows fraud to flourish.

Worth discussing

How does Page's approach to debunking spiritualism reflect the scientific and intellectual climate of the mid-19th century?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!