Spiritism/Kardecism

The stranger at my fireside cannot see
The forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear;
He but perceives what is; while unto me
All that has been is visible and clear.

The spirit-world around this world of sense
Floats like an atmosphere, and everywhere
Wafts thro' these earthly mists and vapors dense
A vital breath of more ethereal air.

So prone the world of spirits there descends
A bridge of lightconnecting it with this,
O'er whose unsteady floor, that sways and bends,
Wander our thoughts above the dark abyss.
                                                       --Longfellow

Initially skeptical, Kardec attended a number of seances, and became convinced there was more to the phenomena than mere trickery. He conducted a series of mediumistic experiements, and after receiving similar answers from a variety of mediums, began to compile his first book on spiritism. The resulting text, called the Spirit's Book, is a compilation of questions on spiritual matters and the answers given by the spirits. This was followed by a number of other successful books, many of which were protested or burned by outraged Churhc officials.

Number of Adherents: Unknown. While many original spiritist churches still exist, spiritism owes much of its modern existence to its incorporation into other faiths, such as Afro-Brazilian Candomble, which incorporates African, Catholic, and spiritist beliefs. At peak near the turn of the century, Spiritism had over a mnillion adhertents in the US alone, a gigantic movement that was all but ignored in the history books.

Clergy: None

Requirements to join: Varies; spiritists have traditionally made up a number of societies, groups of practitioners who follow guidelines set out by Kardec. Most are groups run by constitutional principals.

Church/temple: None. Most societies gather in private homes, although dedicated space is not uncommon.

Scripture: Books valued by spiritists include the following books by Kardec: Spirit's Book, The Medium's Book, The Gospel according to the Spirits, Heaven and hell, and Genesis.

Required observances, dietary restrictions: None.

Code of Conduct: Spiritism has no set rules or behavioral guidelines, as these are left to the discovery of the individual. It is generally believed that bad behavior leads to suffering, confusion, and the reinforcement of material bonds. Meritorious behavior (unselfishness, forgivenes, contrition), on the hand, leads to higher states of awareness, freeing the spirit from material bonds.

Spiritism posits a doctrine of continual spiritual evolution, from a 'sleeping' state to one of perfect awareness, through individual spiritual effort. Enlightened spirits are freed from the body. No mere 'ghost,' the disincarnate spirit is an evolving being, who will continue the pursuit of enlightenment. Spiritist doctrine divides the spirits into a hierarchy of increasing purity, with three spiritual orders subdivided into ten classes, from the base and impure, poltergeists, etc., to the highest orders of pure souls, such as archangels. Good spirits act in various ways to aid the evolution and growth of lower spirits (including humans).

Symbols of Spiritism: There are no vitally important emblems of the faith, and believers tend to eschew the use of any. When a symbol is needed, however, it is invariably hte "vine branch," a small doodle of a grapevine which was transmitted to Kardec after he requested a symbol. According to the spirits, " "the stem represents the body; the juice, the spirit; the fruit, the union of body and spirit. Man's labour calls forth the latent qualities of the juice; the labour of the body develops, through the knowledge thus acquired, the latent powers of the soul."

Famous Spiritists: Avid spiritists include Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, (who attributed many of his own works to the spirits) , and many other notables were kinown spiritists. US President Abraham Lincoln was also rumored to have been a spiritualist.

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