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In Supernatural Entertainments, Simone Natale vividly depicts spiritualism’s rise as a religious and cultural phenomenon and explores its strong connection to the growth of the media entertainment industry in the nineteenth century. He frames the spiritualist movement as part of a new commodity culture that changed how public entertainments were produced and consumed. Starting with the story of the Fox sisters, considered the first spiritualist mediums in history, Natale follows the trajectory of spiritualism in Great Britain and the United States from its foundation in 1848 to the beginning of the twentieth century. He demonstrates that spiritualist mediums and leaders adopted many of the promotional strategies and spectacular techniques that were being developed for the broader entertainment industry. Spiritualist mediums were indistinguishable from other professional performers, as they had managers and agents, advertised in the press, and used spectacularism to draw audiences. Addressing the overlap between spiritualism’s explosion and nineteenth-century show business, Natale provides an archaeology of how the supernatural became a powerful force in the media and popular culture of today.

Excerpt from The Use of Spiritualism I Printed this letter in 1863; in 1871 I reprinted it, with many additions. In 1876 I print it again; and I again add to it. My motive in referring to previous editions is to show that my belief in Spiritualism has undergone no change. I have as entire conviction of its truth as I had thirteen years ago. But I have far less joy in it now than I had then. It is, at this time, not only enveloped in mystery, not only confused, and conflicting, and contradictory; but many of its public professors subject it to the vilest influences, while some of the spiritual publications uphold the filthiest doctrines: taught to them, as they say - and probably say truly - by Spirits who have lived in earth-life. Spiritualism is none the less a fact - a solemn, impressive, and instructive fact. I attribute the decadence in spirit, while the number of "believers" is largely increasing, to this: Those who might guide it, and ought to guide it, keep aloof from it, and leave the workers for its propagation to their own often - wicked devices. They are not encountered, or are insufficiently encountered, by the good and able men who are public advocates of the Spiritualism that upholds the cause of God and promotes the welfare and happiness of man. There are comparatively few ministers of the Gospel who "take up" the cause: few who enquire, and the few who do lack the courage to avow belief. Yet Spiritualism progresses, and will progress. There are now millions where, twenty-five years ago, there were scores. To "stop" it is impossible: as easy would it be to stay the inflow of Ocean by a wall of shingles. Our pastors and teachers leave the mighty power for good - or for evil - in the hands of those who will use, to abuse, it - who do use, and do abuse, it. I solemnly warn, therefore, such as are enquirers, neophytes, or acolytes, to avoid, as they would contact with a plague-spot, fellowship and communing with mediums who, under the sway, influence, and dictation of spirits, low or base, or evil, inculcate principles repugnant to natures that are good, - and sometimes teach "Doctrines of Devils." The purpose of this letter is first to prove that Spiritualism is reasonably, rationally, and scripturally True; and next, that it is intended to be, and may be, a holy safeguard - a "whole armour" - a source of incalculable happiness, a powerful means of strengthening and disseminating the teachings of the New Testament - that is to say, Christianity. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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