Physical Manifestations: Turning Tables

60. The name Physical Manifestations has been given to those shown by sensible effects, such as noises, the movement and displacement of solid bodies. Some are spontaneous, that is, independent of all will; others are evoked.

60. Physical Manifestations are those that produce perceptible effects, such as noises or the movement and displacement of solid objects. Some happen spontaneously, independent of any will. Others are evoked.

We shall speak at present only of these last.

For now, we will speak only of the latter.

The simplest effect, and the one among the first observed, consists in the circular movement given to a table. This effect may be produced quite as well on other objects, but the table being that on which it was most frequently exercised, because it was most convenient, the name of turning tables prevailed as the designation of this kind of phenomenon.

The simplest effect, and one of the first observed, is a table moving in a circle. The same effect can be produced just as well with other objects. But tables were used most often because they were convenient. As a result, the name turning tables became the common term for this kind of phenomenon.

When we say that this effect is one of the first that were observed, we mean in these latter times, for it is very certain that all kinds of manifestations were known from the most remote times, and it could not be otherwise; since they are natural effects, they must have been produced in all ages. Tertullian speaks, in explicit terms, of tables turning and speaking.

When we say this effect was among the first observed, we mean in recent times. All kinds of manifestations were certainly known in the distant past, and it could not have been otherwise. Since they are natural effects, they must have occurred in every age. Tertullian speaks explicitly of tables turning and speaking.

This phenomenon for some time supplied food for the curiosity of the drawing-room; then it was left for other amusements, for it was made but a subject of pastime. Two causes contributed to its abandonment—fashion for frivolous persons, who rarely consecrate two winters to the same amusement, and who—prodigious for them!—have given three or four to this. For grave and observant persons, something serious resulted and prevailed; if they neglected the turning tables it is because they were occupied with consequences otherwise very important in their results; they have left the alphabet for the science: there is the whole secret of the apparent abandonment on which our deriders place so much stress. However this may be, the turning tables are none the less the starting-point of the spirit doctrine; and in this respect we owe them some developments, the better, also, that, presenting the phenomena in their greatest simplicity, the study of the causes will be easier, and the theory, once established, will give us the key to the most complicated effects.

For a time, this phenomenon satisfied the curiosity of people in drawing rooms. Then they turned to other amusements, having treated it as nothing more than a pastime. Two causes contributed to its abandonment. For frivolous people, it was fashion. They rarely devote two winters to the same amusement, though they gave three or four to this one. What a remarkable feat for them! For serious, observant people, something important emerged and took precedence. If they neglected the turning tables, it was because they were occupied with consequences of far greater importance. They left the alphabet for science. That is the whole secret of the apparent abandonment on which our critics place so much emphasis. Whatever the case, the turning tables remain the starting point of the spirit doctrine. For that reason, we owe them some further discussion. They also present the phenomena in their simplest form, making their causes easier to study. Once established, the theory will give us the key to the most complicated effects.

61. For the production of the phenomena, the intervention of one or several persons, endowed with a special aptitude, and named mediums, is necessary. The number of coöperants is indifferent; only it may be, in a number, some unknown mediums may be found. As to those whose mediumship is naught, their presence is without result, and even more injurious than useful, from the disposition of mind they often bring with them.

61. Producing the phenomena requires the involvement of one or more people with a special ability, called mediums. The number of participants does not matter, except that a group may include some people who are mediums without knowing it. People with no mediumistic ability have no effect by their presence. Indeed, they do more harm than good because of the attitude they often bring with them.

Mediums often enjoy, in this relation, a power greater or less, and, consequently, produce effects more or less decided: often one person, a powerful medium, will alone produce more than twenty others united; it is enough for him to place his hands on the table to make it instantly move, stand up, be thrown over, turn somersaults, or turn round with violence.

Mediums often have different degrees of power in this respect, and their effects vary accordingly. Often, one powerful medium can produce more than twenty others working together. He only has to place his hands on the table to make it move instantly. It may stand up, topple over, turn somersaults, or spin violently.

62. There is no index to the medianimic faculty; experience alone can show it to us. When, in a reunion, a trial is desired, it is necessary simply to be seated around a table, and hold the hands flatly above it, without pressure or muscular intensity. In the beginning, being ignorant of the causes of the phenomenon, several precautions were indicated, since known to be absolutely useless; such as, for instance, the alternation of the sexes, or the contact of the little fingers of the different persons, so as to form an uninterrupted chain. This last precaution appeared necessary while it was attributed to the action of a sort of electric current; but experience has since demonstrated its inutility. The only prescription which should be rigorously obligatory, is concentration of thought, absolute silence, and, above all, patience, if the effect has to be awaited. It may be produced in a few minutes, or it may be a half hour, or an hour; that depends on the medianimic power of the co-participants.

62. There is no sign by which to recognize mediumistic ability. Only experience can reveal it. When a group wants to test for it, participants need only sit around a table. They should hold their hands flat above it, without pressing down or straining their muscles. At first, the causes of the phenomenon were unknown, and several precautions were recommended. These have since been found completely useless. For example, participants were told to alternate men and women or touch little fingers to form an unbroken chain. The unbroken chain seemed necessary when the effect was attributed to a kind of electric current. But experience has since shown that it is useless. The only requirements that must be strictly observed are concentration, complete silence, and, above all, patience if the effect takes time. It may occur within a few minutes, or it may take half an hour or an hour. That depends on the mediumistic power of the participants.

63. Let us say, still further, that the form of the table, the substance of which it is made, the presence of metals, of silk in the garments of the assistants, the days, the hours, obscurity or light, &c., are as indifferent as rain or fair weather. The size alone of the table is of some consequence, but only when the medianimic power may be insufficient to overcome the resistance; in the contrary case, a single person, a child even, can make a table of a hundred kilometres rise; though, under less favorable conditions, a dozen persons could not make the smallest stand move.

63. Let us add that several things make no difference. These include the table’s shape and material, the presence of metals, and silk in the participants’ clothing. The day, the hour, darkness or light, and so on matter no more than rain or fair weather. The table’s size matters only when the mediumistic power may be too weak to overcome its resistance. Otherwise, one person, even a child, can make a table a hundred kilometres in size rise. Yet under less favorable conditions, a dozen people could not make the smallest table move.

Things being in this state, when the effect begins to be manifested, there is usually heard some slight cracking of the table, which continues to be moved in various ways without contact.

In these conditions, when the effect begins, a slight cracking sound usually comes from the table. The table continues to move in various ways without contact.

Under some circumstances the table rises and stands, sometimes on one foot, sometimes on another, then gently resumes its natural position. At other times it is balanced, imitating the movement of pitching and rolling. At other times, again,—though this requires considerable medianimic power,—it is entirely detached from the floor, and maintained in equilibrium in space, without support; sometimes rising to the ceiling, so that persons may pass under it, then descending slowly, balancing itself like a sheet of paper; or it sometimes falls violently to the ground, and is broken, which proves very decisively that it is from no optical delusion.

Under some circumstances, the table rises and stands on one leg, then another, before gently returning to its normal position. At other times, it rocks back and forth, imitating pitching and rolling. At still other times, it rises completely off the floor and remains balanced in the air without support. This requires considerable mediumistic power. Sometimes it rises to the ceiling, allowing people to pass underneath. Then it slowly descends, swaying like a sheet of paper. Or it may fall violently to the ground and break. This proves very decisively that the movement is not an optical illusion.

64. Another phenomenon, very often produced, according to the nature of the medium, is that of raps in the very tissue of the wood, without movement of the table; these raps, sometimes very weak, at other times very strong, are heard as well in the other furniture of the room, against the walls and the ceiling. We shall return to this presently. When they take place in the table, they produce in it a vibration very perceptible to the fingers, and very distinct when the ear is applied to it.

64. Another phenomenon occurs very often, depending on the nature of the medium. Raps are heard within the wood itself, without the table moving. These raps are sometimes very faint and at other times very loud. They are also heard in other furniture in the room, and against the walls and ceiling. We will return to this shortly. When the raps occur in the table, they cause a vibration that can be clearly felt with the fingers. The vibration is especially distinct when the ear is pressed against the table.