Victorian séances weren’t just candlelit gatherings—they were showcases of ingenuity. From spirit trumpets to planchettes, 19th-century mediums used a range of inventive devices to amplify their connection with the spirit world. Discover the tools and technologies that turned séance rooms into sites of supernatural science.

Spiritualism in Australia took root in the 19th century, blending imported beliefs with local movements. From the séances of Melbourne’s elite to the political involvement of future Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, this forgotten chapter of Australian history reveals a nation once captivated by spirit communication and the mysteries of the afterlife.

Victorian spirit photography offered grieving families a glimpse of the afterlife—capturing ghostly figures alongside the living in haunting sepia tones. Explore how 19th-century photographers like William H. Mumler used early photographic techniques to produce images that blurred the line between memory and mystery.

In the dim glow of Victorian séance rooms, witnesses claimed to see spirits take on tangible, human forms. Known as materialization, this phenomenon was the pinnacle of physical mediumship—where ectoplasm shaped the unseen into visible figures. Explore the most dramatic and debated events of Spiritualism's golden age.

In the golden age of Spiritualism, automatic writing emerged as a powerful tool for spirit communication. Mediums claimed their hands were guided by unseen forces, producing messages, prophecies, and spiritual teachings. Explore how this mysterious practice shaped 19th-century mediumship.

Trance mediumship captivated Victorian audiences with its dramatic blend of mysticism and message. In the 1800s, mediums entered altered states, allowing spirits to speak through them with startling clarity. Explore the figures, phenomena, and legacy of this powerful form of spirit communication.

In Victorian Spiritualism, mediums rarely worked alone. Behind every message was a spirit guide or control spirit—entities believed to direct, protect, and speak through the medium. Explore their roles, identities, and impact on 19th-century séance culture.

Step into the shadowy elegance of the 19th-century séance room, where spirit communication was as much about environment as it was about belief. Discover how Victorian Spiritualists designed these sacred spaces—complete with candlelight, spirit circles, and silence—to summon the unseen.

In the Victorian era, Spiritualists sought to make the invisible visible. Through ectoplasm and spirit photography, mediums claimed to offer tangible proof of the afterlife. This article explores the mysterious substance said to emerge from mediums during séances and the ghostly images captured on early photographic plates—practices that both fascinated believers and fueled skeptical inquiry. Discover how these visual tools shaped the spiritual landscape of the 19th century.