Pneumatographic Mediums
177. This name is given to mediums suitable to the
obtaining of direct writing, which is not given to all
writing mediums. This faculty is, as yet, extremely
rare; it is, probably, developed by exercise; but, as
we have said, its practical utility is limited to the
patent verification of the intervention of an occult
power in the manifestations. Experience alone can
prove its possession : a person can try, and also ask it
of a protecting spirit, through other means of communication. According to the degree of power possessed
by the medium, simple marks, signs, letters, words,
phrases, and even whole pages are obtained. It suf-
fices, ordinarily, to fold a piece of paper, put it in
some place designated by the spirit, for ten minutes,
or a quarter of an hour, or sometimes longer. Prayer
and concentration of thought are essential conditions ;
this is why it may be looked upon as impossible to
obtain anything in a reunion of persons but little
serious, or who might not be animated by sympathetic
and benevolent sentiments. (See Theory of Direct Writing, Chapter VIII., Laboratory of the Invisible World, No. 127, &c., and Chapter XII, Pneumatography)
We shall treat, in a special manner, of writing medi-
ums in the following chapters.
