Book Report: How to Converse with our Spirit Friends by Alexander (Alexr) Vernon

 Alexander (Alexr) Verner is listed as the "founder and Principal of the British Psychological Institute." I have not been able to find much information about Verner or the British Psychological Institute (there is a British Psychological Society, but apparently unrelated). Verner appears to have been an author of a number of small, straightforward booklets on metaphysical and New Thought topics including, "How to Converse with Spirit Friends," "Table tapping and Spirit Writing," "Medical Hypnotism and Suggestion." He appears to have been British, writing at the turn of the 20th century, around the height of the New Thought Spiritual movement. His booklets were sold in America through William Walker Atkinson's Yogi Publication Society. I can't help but wonder if Verner is actually one of Atkinson's many Pen-names. 

Since the release of the movie The Exorcist in the 1970s, popular media has regaled us with cautionary tales of a world of malevolent spirits all around us, and care must be taken lest they turn our lives into an endless Halloween double feature. But a century ago, people were very anxious to mane friends "on the other side" and learn about the disincarnate world. This book hales form that time, when seances to talk to the dear departed were a common experience. Perhaps the fact that TV and Radio didn't yet exist had something to do with it. 

In yet another of Verner's practical little guides to otherworldly topics, the author outlines everything you need to know to get started hearing voices. Interestingly, he starts of with his theory of the way the spirit world world, based on the latest scientific findings of his time. He proposes the physical world is made up of atoms and molecules, but the driving force that gives them shape and motion is the spirit, and since science believes that beings are continually changing their atoms, it's only the spirit that maintains the form,. He further surmises that, in the case of celestial and disincarnate beings like angels and ghosts, they have physical bodies in some other realm, but when they are called to travel to Earth to deliver messages, the spirit can separate from the physical and travel to Earth, where they can mobilize molecules here to incarnate long enough to say what they have to say, then their physicality dissolves and their spirits travel back to their home somewhere else in the universe. He even surmises that the universe is full of Heavens all occupied by different sorts of incarnated spirits. Neat. 

He outlines a basic method for solo exploration using a small table as a communication tool. He advises sitting in a small room with your palms on the table and focusing on the table until you begin to feel the signs of a spirit present. Then ask it to knock on the table and begin to set up rules for communication. You know these from old movies: rap once for yes and twice for know, etc.). If you seer a light or "star" floating around the room, keep your eyes on it and it may develop into a face. It may deliver a message to you. 

He Describes "Elementals" which seem to be simple basic spirits that appear as insects, objects or small animals that indicate a good or bad situation. These appear to be omens of or premonitions, and not strictly spirit communication. He describes seeing animals on people shoulders that predict death or illness, seeing wedding rings on girls' hands who are not yet married, and even stripes on a policeman's uniform before he won a promotion. 

He includes a very weird experiment which reads as if taken from some medieval grimoire, which involves mashing up a plant, sealing it in a jar to ferment in a dungheap for six months, distilling it through a complicated alchemical process and then heating the resultant fluid over a candle, and a vision of the plant will gradually appear, which is the essence of the plant, looking exactly like it did before you tortured it. 

He discusses seeing apparitions and what they might mean, and also goes into working with spirit guides, who are generally eager to help you, but if you do get a bad one, just banish him firmly. Also be sure to lead a good and proper lifestyle because bad guides like bad people and hate working with good ones. He touches on guides as taking control of the medium, but doesn't provide near enough information on that tantalizing fact, aside from the medium making noises and gestures motivated by the guide's control. 

towards the end of the booklet, he touches on the argument of whether the spirit messages are actual spirits or just information picked up telepathically, a reasonable question. Because the nature of a lot of spirit communication is in the form of premonitions that no one could possibly have known, he reasons out the possibility of telepathy. 

The book is replete with examples of the author's own experiences in seeing signs and getting spirit messages. Unfortunately, many of the deal with predicting death and injury --though not all-- so it makes some cautionary reading. I'm not sure I want to practice a skill so full of visions of doom!

Anyway, it's a lot of fun information in a small 34 page booklet! 

 It's worth noting that while  his other books lack copyright dates or any indication of the period in which he's working, except what can be divined by the current trends and fashions in the author's writing, This one dies have several dates specific to phenomena he observes. He mentions doing a reading in September1917, Seeing howling dog signs in 1916 (a harbinger of death!) and discusses perceiving a lot of deaths in the "South African War" which would be the Second Boer War 1899-1902. Of special note, he mentions the howling dog phenomenon before his father died in 1881, when he was 12, which would mean he was born in 1869. Interesting stuff if anyone wants do do a little detective work. 

Book Report: Medical Hypnotism and Suggestion by Alexander (Alexr) Verner

 Alexander (Alexr) Verner is listed as the "founder and Principal of the British Psychological Institute." I have not been able to find much information about Verner or the British Psychological Institute (there is a British Psychological Society, but apparently unrelated). Verner appears to have been an author of a number of small, straightforward booklets on metaphysical and New Thought topics including, "How to Converse with Spirit Friends," "Table tapping and Spirit Writing," "Medical Hypnotism and Suggestion." He appears to have been British, writing at the turn of the 20th century, around the height of the New Thought Spiritual movement. His booklets were sold in America through William Walker Atkinson's Yogi Publication Society. I can't help but wonder if Verner is actually one of Atkinson's many Pen-names. 

This one was of particular interest to me as a hypnotist. While no copyright date is given, the work is clearly the product of the late 19th century. despite the title, it is actually an outline of Mesmerism, which is different. In the brief outline of the history of hypnosis, he indicates the three major schools of the 19th century: Liebault, Charcot and Mesmer. (Modern hypnosis comes principally from Liebsault and his Nancy school. In the 20th. century
Elman and Erickson would become the defining voices for hypnotism). He also refers to Phrenological term, a debunked science of brain anatomy based on the shape of the skull and brain underneath. 

The author claims to have studied with a number of 19th century experts in the field, including Dr. Herbert Parkyn of Chicago, a Dr. Dtayton of the Eclectic Medical College, and several other experts in New York and on the Ward's Island Insane Asylum (!) 

The book gives a concise outline of the procedure of Mesmerism, which includes making "magnetic passes" with the hands up and down the length of the subject's body. Passing downward puts people into trance and upward to dispel it. He recommends half-hour sessions several times a week until trance is achieved. (Other authors have indicated that Mesmerism is a slow process). Mesmerism is more akin to faith healing or Reiki healing, believing that the Mesmerist projects a "magnetic fluid" from his hands towards the subject to effect cures. 

He touches on the basics of induction, some applications for stage hypnosis, methods for diagnosing and treating medical conditions (He does caution to be sure client is also examined by a doctor). One of the odder things is directions for inducing a week-long trance, which was apparently something like a modern medically-induced-coma, Presumably for more rapid recovery form some trauma (The author acuatally doesn't indicate why you'd want to put someone in a trance for a week, but he does suggest the client consume certain substances that will cause constipation, so the need for a bathroom won't wake the subject up). 

There's a chapter on "autosuggestion" which is to say, using repeated affirmations in order to change one's bad habits and poor health. These are pretty basic.

For a little booklet of 37 pages it covers a lot of interesting elements of a now mostly-forgotten practice, but it's probably not enough for an aspiring practitioner to work with. 

Book Report: Practical Psychometry by Alexander (Alexr) Verner F.A.I.P.

Alexander (Alexr) Verner is listed as the "founder and Principal of the British Psychological Institute." I have not been able to find much information about Verner or the British Psychological Institute (there is a British Psychological Society, but apparently unrelated). Verner appears to have been an author of a number of small, straightforward booklets on metaphysical and New Thought topics including, "How to Converse with Spirit Friends," "Table tapping and Spirit Writing," "Medical Hypnotism and Suggestion." He appears to have been British, writing at the turn of the 20th century, around the height of the New Thought Spiritual movement. His booklets were sold in America through William Walker Atkinson's Yogi Publication Society. I can't help but wonder if Verner is actually one of Atkinson's many Pen-names. 

 Psychometry is the skill of psychically "reading" and object to perceive information about the object's history or it's owner. A psychometrist might handle a person's hat or gloves or watch chain (considering the period in which this booklet was written) and sensing information about that person's health, emotion and possibly even future. According the the author, medical psychometrists were very much in demand by the public.The book is very straightforward in it's approach-- he recommends the student to develop his sense of touch by handling many different items and noting the impressions. He elaborates on this very practical approach, and is very encouraging. 

There is also a "table of Impressions" suggesting the meaning of the sensations you might have when giving a reading. For example, a "Bouyant" read might indicate Hopefulness, while a sense of a sharp pain in the ankles can indicate Rheumatism, and so forth.

One interesting note is that he credits Professor J. Rhodes Buchanan for discovering psychometry and first demonstrating it in New York in 1842. (It's my impression that it's one of those classic psychic skills that goes back to antiquity). 

In one chapter he suggests different specialties a psychometrist may have particular aptitude for in phrenological terms (Phrenology was the now-debunked science analyzing a person's temperament and abilities based on the shape of the head and brain). 

He closes with half a dozen examples of readings taken from his own practice. They are interesting ut somewhat depressing, since they mostly describe diagnosing illnesses and dangers. 

It's a fun, inexpensive little tutorial, apparently by an actual practitioner of the art, and currently in print.

Book Report: Light on the Path by Mabel Collins (c)1885/1970

Mabel Collins was a noted member of the British Theosophical Society, occultist, vegetarian, suffragette and anti-vivisectionist. She wrote a number of books on Theosophical topics but eventually left the theosophical society due to differences with some of the members, notably H.P. Blavatsky. As an interesting side note, she briefly lived with occult author Robers Donston Stephenson, suspected of being Jack the Ripper. 

Light on the Path is considered one of the classics of Theosophy. It's a brief booklet consisting of two parts, each  of which is divided into a series of aphorisms or rules to help students further their spiritual development. 

The aims of this practice include self discipline, mental development, intuition, inspiration and motivation. The booklet also includes a chapter on the nature of karma and how it relates to the student.

Theosophy was a sort of a New Age movement of the 19th century. It combines mysticism with Hindu and Buddhism. There's en emphasis on meditation and inner development for seeking spiritual wisdom.

This little book is a series of short ruled that, if followed and exercised should lead one to a higher wisdom. They are somewhat vague and general as one would expect, but it's been a classic for over a century. I imagine it's a practical guide for seekers of all sorts of disciplines. 

Book Report: Six Lessons in Crystal Gazing by Ra Mayne (R.A. Nelson) (c)1928

Robert Nelson, AKA Dr. Korda Ra Mayne was a pioneer in the performance art of Mentalism which includes mind-reading and fortune telling shows as well as doing magic shows. He was a radio personality and performed weekly for seven years. A prolific writer, he was one of the first to publish books on the "secrets" of mentalism and magic performance. 
Through his company, Nelson Enterprises, he sold equipment and courses for magicians, mentalist, astrologers and psychics. 
Much of this biographical information comes from around the internet and this tribute page: https://www.mevproshop.com/secret-domain-of-dr-ramayne/nelson-biography.html

This is another of the mail order booklets that Nelson produced and sold through the mail (see: Are You Mediumistic?). 

Though it's a small stapled booklet on Newsprint paper, it's seems to be one of the more thorough books on Crystal ball reading, and probably a good one to start with. Newer versions are paperback bound.

Some years ago, I got curious about the trance states involved in crystal ball reading and ended up reading a lot of books on the subject, even though I never actually wrote the paper. I suppose that may have been the origin of my collection of books on Mental phenomena!

One of the main points repeated several times throughout the book is that the Crystal ball is merely a tool for focusing the attention and the mind, and a glass of water or a spot of ink can be used just as well (but he did sell high quality balls at reasonable prices!). He also makes clear that the images you see will appear in your mind's eye not actually in the ball. Some other authors suggest you might see visions in the ball or in your head, but the minds eye seems to make more sense to me (not that I've had much practice). 

He lists a number of exercises that he recommends practicing. Interestingly, the first exercise is to ask questions in your mind, like "what did mother goose' house look like?" and see what images come into your head. This is clever and probably trains the mind for imagery better than just staring into it to see what comes up, which is the most common exercise in other books,. there are several other exercises. 

Since he is clear the the crystal ball is merely a tool to focus the mind, he also suggests using it to recall memories, work on self improvement, fight stress, and even find inspiration. He talks about how, while writing his books, he would stare into the ball while organizing his thoughts, and he felt it helped him focus and get inspiration. 

Of course he also suggests using it for telepathy and even gives some interesting experiments you can try with friends. 

The oddest part of the book is the final section which describes a "true Hindu method" for influencing people to feel great affection towards you. It sounds like something out of an early 19th century manual, and despite being give as "Hindu," (a popular appellation for all things exotic in the previous century), it stresses "proper Christian" behavior and values! 

Overall a worthy addition to any scryer's bookshelf. 

Book Report: Are You Mediumistic? by Korda Ra Mayne (R.A. Nelson) (c) 1932

 Robert Nelson, AKA Dr. Korda Ra Mayne was a pioneer in the performance art of Mentalism which includes mind-reading and fortune telling shows as well as doing magic shows. He was a radio personality and performed weekly for seven years. A prolific writer, he was one of the first to publish books on the "secrets" of mentalism and magic performance. 
Through his company, Nelson Enterprises, he sold equipment and courses for magicians, mentalist, astrologers and psychics. 

Much of this biographical information comes from around the internet and this tribute page: https://www.mevproshop.com/secret-domain-of-dr-ramayne/nelson-biography.html

 This is a straightforward, no frills, outline for the budding medium or psychic. In a scant 20 pages it has basic information to get anyone started in seances and mediumship, Automatic writing, crystal gazing, telepathy and psychic healing, and more, but it's clear enough that it probably provides everything a person needs ot get started. 

The author's premise is that while everyone has the potential to develop psychic skills it takes a lot of work ond you never know which specialty you'll succeed in without practice and experimentation. And mediumship, the ability to communicate with spirits, is a gift that few possess, but is worth working on. 

This booklet appears to have been printed in many different formats with different cover art since the 1930, and one source says that Nelson Enterprises, the original publisher, also produced versions of the book without the author's name, that could be customized for other resellers. 

My copy, the one shown in the photo above, Lists the publisher (but not copyright!) as Stanray Industries 1971. The facing title page lists the author as "Anonymous," and the back of that page, in smaller letters at the bottom, says Copyright 1932 R.A. Nelson. 

The last few pages list several other publications to appeal to the aspiring psychic, including The Book of Forbidden Knowledge, Six Lessons in Crystal Gazing, and an offer for an astrological reading.  

Book Report: Entangled Minds --Extrasensory Experiences in a Quantum Reality by Dean Radin (c) 2006

Dean Radin, MS, PhD, is Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Science (IONS) and Associated Distinguished Professor of Integral and Transpersonal Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). His original career track as a concert violinist shifted into science after earning a BSEE degree in electrical engineering, magna cum laude and with honors in physics, from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and then an MS in electrical engineering and a PhD in psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. For a decade, he worked on advanced R&D at AT&T Bell Laboratories and GTE Laboratories. For over three decades, he has been engaged in research on the frontiers of consciousness. Before joining the research staff at IONS in 2001, he held appointments at Princeton University, SRI International, and other academic and industrial facilities.

He is author or co-author of hundreds of scientific, technical, and popular articles, five dozen book chapters, and five best-selling books.
(the above was taken from his bio at the Institute for Noetic Sciences https://noetic.org/profile/dean-radin/)

Most of the books I collect and write about are old 70s "mind science" books about mental or psychic phenomena, and they generally come in two varieties, either they're just a series of anecdotes, or they're sort of how-to guides. If there's any discussion of how these things might work, it's usually the traditional metaphysical talk taken from traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc. So when I heard about this book, I had to check it out.

The book explores the uncanny similarities between psychic phenomena like clairvoyance, telekinesis and precognition with observed phenomena of Quantum physics.

The book is very logically presented and entertainingly written, leading us through categories of "psi" that have been researched, methods of testing and statistical analysis, (and how to spot errors like accidental or deliberate omissions in data). Naturally he also describes the way the psychological tests are structured, both in order to get the purest data and also to avoid any kind of bias. 

The discussion of quantum physics is clear and understandable. One of the early scientists involved in Quantum research defined much of what he observed as "spooky action at a distance," and this is where the corollaries to Psi phenomena come in. Some of the more mind-blowing concepts in quantum physics include "nonlocality" whereby things can interact with each other even when separated by distance or time and the strange quality whereby atomic particles can be particles or waves depending on the way they are observed, and each state has very different qualities. 

Even the title of the book, "Entangled Minds" refers to "quantum entanglement, which is the strange way that, once particles have interacted, they continue to interact forever, no matter how far they're separated.   

The book is thought provoking and a fun read whether you're a true believer or a hardened skeptic or anything in between. and you'll also come away with a better understanding of Quantum Physics and statistical analysis.  

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I do feel the need to mention one of the other books I've reported on, Science and the Supernatural, by John Taylor. Taylor was a top scientist back in the 70s and 80s, and took the bold step of attempting to find a scientific basis for psychic phenomena. At the time he was writing, mainstream science was even more hostile to Psi research, and quantum physics was still mostly exotic theory. Unfortunately, he reasoned that telepathy and psi phenomena were a manifestation of radio frequencies, but never was able to get his theory to work. Nevertheless, his mere willingness to participate in the study ruined his career. How things have changed!