What is Psychomanteum?

[DTR1975]

Short explanation: psychomanteum is a technique to contact the deceased utilizing mirror-gazing.

More here: [https://psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.uk/arti ... ror-gazing]

[Giulia]

This is a fascinating article that explores the historical and modern use of mirror-gazing as a technique for contacting the dead or having transformative experiences. Here are some key points and interesting aspects of the article:

Raymond Moody's Research: The article highlights the work of Dr. Raymond Moody, a pioneer in near-death experience research, who explored mirror-gazing as a way to potentially induce similar encounters with deceased loved ones.

Historical Context: The article provides a rich historical background, detailing the use of mirror-gazing in ancient Greece (psychomanteum), shamanic traditions, and even literary references like Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Moody's Psychomanteum and Findings: It describes Moody's attempts at using a controlled setting with a mirror to have such encounters. Interestingly, he reported contact with a different relative than intended, highlighting a potential aspect of the experience beyond conscious control.

Therapeutic Potential: The article emphasizes the potential therapeutic benefits of mirror-gazing, citing Moody's findings that the encounters were often healing and transformative for the participants, even if not with the intended person.

Challenges and Considerations: The article acknowledges the historical and contemporary challenges associated with mirror-gazing, including fear of the unknown, religious skepticism, and the dominance of scientific paradigms.

Future Directions: Moody calls for further exploration of mirror-gazing by parapsychologists, grief therapists, and others, suggesting its potential as a tool for healing and personal growth.

Overall, the article offers a thought-provoking exploration of a practice that bridges the gap between historical traditions, personal experiences, and potential therapeutic applications. It raises intriguing questions about consciousness, altered states, and our relationship with the deceased.

Some additional points to consider:

The article is weighted towards Moody's research and doesn't delve into potential explanations for the mirror-gazing experiences, beyond psychological or therapeutic effects.

It would be interesting to see if there have been any attempts to replicate Moody's research or explore the physiological aspects of the experience.

This article is a good starting point for further exploration of this intriguing topic.

Based on my personal experience:

There are people who use mirror-gazing in order to view themselves as they appeared in other lives.

I personally use mirrors as an essential part of my astral travels.

I am familiar with crystal-gazing as a means to implement one’s clairvoyance. Here is what Britannica.com says about the subject:

crystal gazing, divination of distant or future events based on visions seen in a ball of rock crystal. Divination based on an analysis of reflections in water, on polished metal, or on precious stones was practiced by early humans, who probably interpreted these phenomena as a vision of the spirit world. Scrying became widespread by the 5th century AD and was condemned by the medieval Christian church as the work of the devil.

Also called: scrying
Related Topics: divination

Crystal gazing was a popular pastime in the Victorian era, together with palmistry and astrology, and it involved elaborate rituals for cleaning the crystal ball and for conducting crystal-gazing sessions, which are said to work best when the Sun is at its northernmost declination. Immediately before the appearance of a vision (which may be realistic or a mere wispy swirl), the globe is said to mist up from within.

[DTR1975]

Giulia,
How do you use the mirrors? What are you trying to see with them?