Emma Hardinge Britten's Rules For the Spirit Circle

HOW TO INVESTIGATE SPIRITUALISM; OR RULES FOR THE SPIRIT CIRCLE

by Emma Hardinge Britten

The Spirit Circle is the assembling together of a number of persons seeking communion
with the spirits who have passed from earth to the world of souls. The chief advantage of
such an assembly is the mutual impartation and reception of the combined magnetisms of
the assemblage, which forms a force stronger than that of an isolated subject—enabling
spirits to commune with greater power and developing the latent gifts of mediumship.
The first conditions to be observed relate to the persons who compose the circle. These
should be, as far as possible, of opposite temperaments, as positive and negative; of moral
characters, pure minds, and not marked by repulsive points of either physical or mental
condition. No person suffering from disease, or of debilitated physique, should be present
at any circle, unless it is formed expressly for healing purposes. I would recommend the
number of the circle never to be less than three, or more than twelve. The best number is
eight. No person of a strong positive [i.e., aggressive, active, forceful] temperament
should be present, as any such magnetic spheres emanating from the circle will overpower
that of the spirits, who must always be positive to the circle in order to produce
phenomena.
Never let the apartment be over-heated, the rooms should be well ventilated. Avoid
strong light, which, by producing motion in the atmosphere, disturbs the manifestations.
A subdued light is the most favourable for spiritual magnetism.
I recommend the séance to be opened either with prayer or a song sung in chorus, after
which subdued, harmonising conversation is better than wearisome silence; but let the
conversation be directed towards the purpose of the gathering, and never sink into
discussion or rise to emphasis. Always have a pencil and paper on the table, avoid
entering or quitting the room, irrelevant conversation, or disturbances within or without
the circle after the séance has commenced.
Do not admit unpunctual comers, nor suffer the air of the room to be disturbed after the
sitting commences. Nothing but necessity, indisposition, or impressions, should warrant
the disturbance of this sitting, WHICH SHOULD NEVER exceed two hours, unless an
extension of time be solicited by the Spirits.
Let the séance always extend to one hour, even if no results are obtained; it sometimes
requires that time for spirits to form their battery. Let it be also remembered that circles
are experimental, hence no one should be discouraged if phenomena are not produced at
the first few sittings. Stay with the same circle for six sittings; if no phenomena are then
produced you may be sure you are not assimilated to each other; in that case, let the
members meet with other persons until you succeed.
A well-developed test medium may sit without injury for any person, but a circle sitting
for mutual development should never admit persons addicted to bad habits, strongly
positive or dogmatical. A candid inquiring spirit is the only proper frame of mind in
which to sit for phenomena, the delicate magnetism of which is made or marred as much
by mental as physical conditions.
Impressions are the voices of spirits or the monitions of the spirit within us, and should
always be followed out, unless suggestive of wrong in act or word. At the opening of the
circle, one or more are often impressed to change seats with others. One or more are
impressed to withdraw, or a feeling of repulsion makes it painful to remain. Let these
impressions be faithfully regarded, and pledge each other that no offence shall be taken by
following impressions.
If a strong impression to write, speak, sing, dance, or gesticulate possess any mind
present, follow it out faithfully. It has a meaning if you cannot at first realize it. Never
feel hurt in your own person, nor ridicule your neighbor for any failures to express or
discover the meaning of the spirit impressing you.
Spirit control is often deficient, and at first imperfect. By often yielding to it, your
organism becomes more flexible, and the spirit more experienced; and practice in control
is necessary for spirits as well as mortals. If dark and evil disposed spirits manifest to
you, never drive them away, but always strive to elevate them, and treat them as you
would mortals, under similar circumstances. Do not always attribute falsehoods to “lying
spirits,” or deceiving mediums. Many mistakes occur in the communion of which you
cannot always be aware.
Unless charged by spirits to do otherwise do not continue to hold sittings with the same
parties for more than a twelvemonth. After that time, if not before, fresh elements of
magnetism are essential. Some of the original circle should withdraw, and others take
their places.
Never seek the spirit circle in a trivial or deceptive spirit. Then, and then only, have you
cause to fear it.
Never permit any one to sit in circles who suffers from it in health or mind. Magnetism in
the case of such persons is a drug, which operates perniciously, and should be carefully
avoided.
Every seventh person can be a medium of some kind, and become developed through the
judicious operations of the spirit circle. When once mediums are fully developed, the
circle sometimes becomes injurious to them. When they feel this to be the case, let none
be offended if they withdraw, and only use their gifts in other times and places.
All persons are subject to spirit influence and guidance, but only one in seven can so
externalize this power as to become what is called a medium; and let it ever be
remembered that trance speakers, no less than mediums for any other gift, can never be
influenced by spirits far beyond their own normal capacity in the MATTER of the
intelligence rendered, the magnetism of the spirits being but a quickening fire, which
inspires the brain, and, like a hot-house process on plants, forces into prominence latent
powers of the mind, but creates nothing. Even in the case of merely automatic speakers,
writers, rapping, and other forms of test mediumship, the intelligence of the spirit is
measurably shaped by the capacity and idiosyncrasies of the medium. All spirit power is
limited in expression by the organism through which it works, and spirits may control,
inspire, and influence the human mind, but do not change or re-create it.

And remember, kids. . .be careful out there!