Spiritualism | Magic and Medicines #21

Magic and Medicines is BACK - just like the ooky-spooky ghosts summoned up by believers in this episode's topic - Spiritualism!

As we discuss, philosophically speaking 'Spiritualism' is a big old tradition, involving any belief system rooted in concepts of souls, spirits, or supernatural forces.

In the 19th century however, during the Second Great Awakening in upstate New York, Spiritualist ideas from a range of Revivalist traditions combined to make something new.

Exploding in popularity following America's Civil War, then booming again in Britain after the Great War, new generations of 'Mediums' had come forth, channeling ghosts and cosmic forces in ways that would have been recognisable in Prophets, Holy Maids and Cunning Folk from the Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance eras.

Which is to say, Necromancy was back after a rebrand - and so were its enemies, in the forms of debunkers, prosecutors, and many a Society of Psychical Research.

From rapping tables to sudden splurges of ectoplasm, Spiritualist manifestos to Harry Houdini hunting severed hands hidden in delicate places, this one has it all.

So, turn off the lights, light some candles, and let's all hold hands...

Is there anybody there?!

About Three Ravens 🔮

Three Ravens is a completely independent English myth and folklore podcast where we share stories, celebrate folk culture, and fall backwards through the hedgerows of history.

Hosted by real-life couple Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux, and mostly recorded at our home in rural Sussex in southern England, Three Ravens is rated 4.8/5 from over 500 reviews and has grown by word of mouth care of our lovely listener community ‘The Conspiracy of Ravens.’

We release three episodes a week, on Mondays, Thursday and Saturdays, through which we explore folktales, folkways, fairy stories, folk songs, mythology, local heritage, seasonal customs and traditional beliefs.

Our research inspires our retellings of stories from across history and culture, with episodes standing alone but connected together across over 500 chatty, mostly light-hearted, swear-free installments driven by passion, kindness and curiosity.

Now ranked as an all-time Top 5 podcast across several categories by Goodpods, charting in the Spotify, Apple and Rephonic UK Fiction Top 10 across 2024, 2025 and 2026, if you’re interested in ghosts, monsters, regional beliefs, and the things that unite us all, then join us round the campfire and listen in…

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