Art Magic

Slowly but surely the veil of mystery is again lifting, and again men see the Cyclops at work forging hemispheres and earths, Angels and Men, out of matter and spirit by the motor power of this same life-lightning. The revelation now so slowly yet surely stealing in upon human consciousness, has not been heralded by the roar of the tempest, the boom of the thunder, or the throes of the quaking earth.

Like the still small voice that spoke to the Prophet Elijah when the Lord passed by - it has come in the low whispers of two new sciences - the science of Life or magnetism, and the science of Soul, or psychology. Only the very first elements of these two magical revelations have as yet dawned upon our age, but they have shown us enough to be assured that when they are fully understood and scientifically applied, they will afford a clue to all the mysteries of the past, and enable man to achieve by natural law, all those phenomenal demonstrations which in ancient times were termed miraculous.

To trace the advent of these phases of spiritual science, it will be necessary to recall the bold claims of Paracelsus for the almost miraculous powers of the magnet, and though most of his followers were dreamy and impractical mystics, who failed to apply the comprehensive ideas which he suggested, they served to keep alive the flame of occult fire which he kindled, until the appearance on the scene of the noble and illuminated Swedenborg, who presented as a Seer of unequalled lucidity, that glorious element of psychological science, which completely supplemented the opinions of Paracelsus concerning magnetism. It remained for Anton Mesmer to combine these two supreme soul forces into their correlative relations, and demonstrate by the practical application of magnetism, the possibility of emulating the natural endowments of Seership, through the revelations of the magnetic sleep.

It must not be supposed that we attribute to that illustrious triad of modern philosophers, Paracelsus, Swedenborg and Mesmer, any new discoveries in nature.

They only rekindled lights of divine science which ignorance and superstition had sought to stifle if they could not extinguish them.

Magnetism the life principle and psychology the soul power of the Universe, had been as we have constantly alleged, the motors of all magical operations, and the knowledge of this fact, and an understanding of how to apply these sublime forces, constituted "the wisdom of the Ancients," and the arcanum of all their mysteries. But the master spirit of antiquity had been slain by the destroying demons of time, change and revolution. The Master's word was lost, and for ages the building of the grand Temple of Spiritual Science waited for the key-stone necessary to complete the arch of the entrance gate. The Alchemists of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries perceived the existence of a "philosopher's stone," but dared not declare that it was to be found only in the universal life force of magnetism. The Rosicruicians of two centuries later realized the true nature of the "Elixir Vitae" in the imperishable quality of Soul essence, but how could they venture to reveal to a scoffing, yet superstitious age, the stupendous fact that this Soul essence could be controlled, imparted, and utilized even without the agency of death to liberate it from the body? It was because Paracelsus bravely and openly taught of this philosopher's stone, giving its true name as Magnetism, and Swedenborg as fearlessly displayed the latent possibilities of spiritual communion and Seership in the human Soul, that these noble philosophers stand confessed as the Fathers of the new dispensation.

The position of Mesmer in this great unfoldment is not less triumphantly defined, but that the momentous revolution he effected in spiritual science may be the more clearly understood, we shall proceed to give a brief compendium of the theorems by which his methods of practice were explained.

It is from Dr. Justinius Kerner's clear yet reverential notices of his life of this inestimable man, so little appreciated in his own time, so ill understood even yet by the cold world upon which he opened up such a realm of spiritual sunshine, that we extract the following items:

Anton Mesmer first saw the light at Weiler, on the Rhine, May the 23d, 1734. As quite a young child, he is said to have exhibited a remarkable predilection for running water, delighting to follow up the course of streams and brooks to their source, and frequently neglecting his scholastic duties for the pleasure of hovering on the banks of the mighty Rhine, gathering stones, shells, and disporting, with a strange joy, in the falling rain, the wild wind, the howling tempest, and the balmy sunshine. He was passionately addicted to the study of nature, and an insatiable yearning led him to explore her recesses, even at an age when his childish mind failed to command language for the expression of the great thoughts that possessed him. During his initiatory studies for the medical profession, he noticed and his associates were accustomed to comment on the strange manner in which the blood of a patient under the operation of the knife or lancet would immediately change the course of its flow as soon as he approached. Sometimes, it is said, it would cease instantly, and where the flow was sluggish, its increase would be immediately promoted by his touch, receding or suspending altogether when he withdrew. A thousand petty incidents, commented on at the time as "very curious," but subsequently remembered as tokens of his ever-present and spontaneously magnetic influence, were constantly occurring from his early childhood up to the time when his unerring instincts led him into the arcanum of his great discovery.

How this occurred will be best rendered in the language of Kerner, who says:

"During his fifteen years' medical practice in Vienna, he came upon his new art of healing through observing the origin, the form, and the career of diseases, in connection with the great changes in our solar system and the universe; in short, in connection with what he termed Universal Magnetism. He sought for this magnetism originally in electricity and subsequently in mineral magnetism. He made use of the magnet for healing at first in 1772, led to this discovery by the astronomer, Father Hel; using the magnet, however, simply as a conductor from his own organism through his hands, and by this means brought forth remarkable cures. A year subsequently, experience showed him that without touching the magnet, through his hands alone, he could operate much more powerfully upon the human organism, and thus originated through him the discovery of Animal Magnetism, which he developed into a science.

"It was after this manner that Mesmer reasoned: 'There must exist a power which permeates the universe, and binds together all the bodies upon earth, and it must be possible for man to bring this influence under his command.' This power he first sought for in the magnet; he pondered upon it with regard to man, and immediately applied it to the cure of diseases. The remarkable operations which were produced, and the cure of the sick, would, in another investigator, have brought him to an end of his experiments. Mesmer, however, went forward. Ever accompanied by the idea of the primary power which must permeate the universe, and is ever active within it, the thought occurred to him that the influence must exist yet more powerfully in man himself than in the magnet; since, he argued, if the magnet communicates to the iron the same polarity which causes itself to be a magnet, and organized body must be able to produce similar conditions in another body. He thus perceived that he could not ascribe alone to the magnet which he held in his hands the effects which he had observed produced, since he also must in turn influence the magnet. Upon this he cast aside his magnet, and with his hands alone brought forth similar and unadulterated effects."

No great discovery has ever yet convulsed the world that has not subsequently brought forth its cloud of claimants to share in its honors. One says: "Why, this is nothing new! I always knew it, and have observed it a hundred times." This cry is echoed and re-echoed until a hundred, a thousand - aye, half the age, perhaps, insists they always knew it was so; it is nothing new. Nothing can be truer than this in relation to magnetism; yet, with all the wise world's perception of its truth, it required the genius of a Mesmer to practicalize, and above all, to reduce it to scientific theorems.

Kerner gives some narratives of Mesmer's methods of treatment in his earliest stages of magnetic practice, which, although very striking, are not sufficiently germain to our purpose to admit of quoting here; we, therefore, omit them, and proceed to present the conclusions they caused the narrator to draw from them. He writes this:

'He ascertained that the principal agent in his cures dwelt within himself, and that its power increased by use. Nevertheless, the idea was never combated by Mesmer, that persons upon whom animal magnetism exercises but a slight influence, are rendered more susceptible to this influence by the assistance of electricity and galvanism.

"Seifart remarks that he had observed that Mesmer wore beneath his linen shirt another of leather-lined with silk, and supposes that Mesmer sought by this means to prevent the escape of the magnetic field. He believes that Mesmer also wore natural and artificial magnets about his person, with the intention of strengthening the magnetic condition in himself.

"At all events it is certain that at a later period he employed for the strengthening of the magnetic condition, an apparatus, the Baquet, or, as he called it, the Magnetic Basin, or Paropothus. This receptacle, as it was originally formed by Mesmer, was a large pan or tub, filled with various magnetic substances, such as water, sand, stone, glass bottles filled with water, etc. It is a focus within which the magnetism finds itself concentrated, and out of which a number of conductors proceed; these conductors being bent, somewhat pointed parallel iron wands, the one end of each wand being in the tub, whilst the other end could be applied to the seat of the disease. This arrangement might be made use of by a number of patients seated around the tub. Any suitably-sized receptacle for water - a pond or a fountain in a garden - would serve a patient as a baquet so soon as the patient made use of an iron wand to conduct the magnetism towards him or herself." ........

"In vain did Mesmer endeavor to convince his medical contemporaries of the truth and importance of his discovery; in vain was his announcement of it to the scientific academies. With but a single exception, he received no answer from them. This exception was the Academy of Berlin, which passed the following judgment: - It would in nowise enter upon an inquiry into a matter which rested on such entirely unknown foundations.

"Upon this Mesmer brought all his discoveries into the form of twenty-seven aphorisms, which he sent to the scientific academies in the year 1775. These aphorisms contain Mesmer's doctrine clearly and briefly expressed, and it is important to become acquainted with them, since his ideas are here given in his own words:

"'1. There exists a reciprocal influence between the heavenly bodies, the earth, and all living things.

"'2. A fluid which is spread everywhere, and which is so expanded that it permits of no vacuum, of a delicacy which can be compared to nothing besides itself, and which, through its nature, is enabled to receive movement, to spread and to participate in it, is the medium of this influence.

"'3. This reciprocal activity is subject to the operation of mechanical laws, which until now were quite unknown.

"'4. From this activity spring alternating operations, which may be compared to ebb and flow.

"'5. This ebb and flow are more or less general, more or less complex, according to the nature of the origin which has called them forth.

"'6. Through this active principle, which is far more universal than any other in nature, originates a relative activity between the heavenly bodies, the earth, and its component parts.

"'7. It immediately sets in movement - since it directly enters into the substance of the nerves - the properties of matter and of organized bodies, and the alternative operations of these active existences.

"'8. In human bodies are discovered properties which correspond with those of the magnet. Also various opposite poles may be distinguished, which can be imparted, changed, distributed and strengthened.

"'9. The property of the animal body, which renders it susceptible to the influence of the heavenly bodies, and to the reciprocal operation of those bodies which surround it, verified by the magnet,, has induced me to term this property Animal Magnetism.

"'10. The power and operation thus designated as Animal Magnetism can be communicated to animate and inanimate bodies; both, however, are more or less susceptible.

"'11. This power and operation can be increased and propagaged through the instrumentality of these bodies.

"'12. Through experience it is observed that an efflux of matter occurs, the volatility of which enables it to penetrate all bodies without perceptibly losing any of its activity.

"'13. Its operation extends into the distance without the assistance of an intermediate body.

"'14. It can be increased and thrown back again by means of a mirror, as well as by light.

"'15. It can be communicated, increased, and spread by means of sound.

"'16. This magnetic power can be accumulated, increased, and spread.

"'17. I have observed that animated bodies are not all equally fitted to receive this magnetic power. There are also bodies, although comparatively few, which possess such opposite qualities that their presence destroys the operation of this magnetism in other bodies.

"'18. This opposing power permeates equally all bodies; it can also in the same manner be communicated, accumulated and propagated; it streams back from the surface of mirrors, and can be spread by means of sound. This is not alone occasioned by a deprivation of power, but is caused by an opposing and positive power.

"'19. The natural and artificial magnet is equally, with other bodies, susceptible to animal magnetism, without, in either case, its operation upon iron or upon the needle suffering the slightest change.

"'20. The system will place in a clearer light the nature of fire, and of light, as well as the doctrine of attraction, of ebb and flow, of the magnet, and of electricity.

"'21. It will demonstrate that the magnet and artificial electricity, with regard to sicknesses, possess simply qualities possessed in common with other active forces afforded by nature; and that if any useful operation springs from their instrumentality, we have to thank animal magnetism for it.

"'22. From instances deduced from my firmly established and thoroughly proved rules, it will be easily perceived that this principle can immediately cure diseases of the nerves.

"'23. Through its assistance the physician receives much light regarding the application of medicaments, whereby he can improve their operation, call forth more beneficial crises, and conduct them in such wise as to become master of them.

"'24. Through communication of my method, I shall, in unfolding a new doctrine of disease, prove the universal use of this active principle.

"'25. Through this knowledge the physician will be enabled to judge of the origin, the progress, and the nature even of the most intricate diseases. he will be enabled to prevent the increase of disease, and bring about the cure without exposing his patient to dangerous effects or painful consequences, whatever be the age, sex or temperament of the patient.

"'26. Women during pregnancy and in childbirth receive advantage therefrom.

"'27. The doctrine will, at length, place the physician in such a position that he will be able to judge the degree of health possessed by any man, and be able to protect him from the disease to which he may be exposed. The art of healing will by this means attain to its greatest height of perfection.'

"Thus deeply convinced of the truth of his doctrine, it was natural that Mesmer should feel keenly pained by the misconception and contempt of men, for whom, in other directions, he entertained esteem. He expresses his bitter sorrow in various of the writings left behind him.

"'This System, which led me to the discovery of animal magnetism,' he writes, 'was not the fruits of a single day. By degrees, even as the hours of my life accumulated, were gathered together in my soul the observations which led to it. The coldness with which my earliest promulgated ideas were met filled me with astonishment as great as though I had never foreseen such coldness. The learned (and physicians especially) laughed over my system, but quite out of place, however, for although unsupported by experiment, it must have appeared fully as reasonable as the greater portion of their systems, on which they bestow the grand name of principles.

"'This unfavorable reception induced me again to examine my ideas. Instead, however, of losing through this, they gained a higher degree of manifestation, and, and in truth everything convinced me that in science, besides the principles already accepted, there must still be other, either neglected or not observed.'" ....

As our work is imply an attempt to elucidate philosophy from facts, we shall pursue the history of Mesmer no farther. His followers, some few of whom were indeed worthy successors to so great an original, added many valuable experiences to his, but failed to evolve any ideas more thoroughly comprehensive than those given in his twenty-seven aphorisms. To show why the mine of rich treasure opened up by Mesmer has been so slowly and reluctantly transferred to the mint of national currency in human practice, we have only to remember the bitter persecutions, cruel ingratitude and misrepresentation, which followed the good and amiable Anton Mesmer through his life, and pursued his followers after his decease.

The narrow conservatism of the age, too, and the pitiful jealousy of the Medical Faculty, rendered it difficult and even dangerous, to conduct magnetic experiments openly in Europe within several years of Mesmer's decease. Still such experiments were not wanting, and to show their results, we give a few excerpts from the correspondence between the famous French Magnetists, M. M. Deleuze and Billot, from the years 1829 to 1840. By these letters, published in two volumes in 1836, it appears that M. Billot commenced his experiments in magnetizing as early as 1789, and that during thsi space of over forty years, he had an opportunity of witnessing facts in clairvoyance, ecstasy, spiritual mediumship, and Somnambulism, which at the time of their publication transcended the belief of the general mass of readers. On many occasions in the presence of entranced subjects, Spirits recognized as having once lived on earth in mortal form - would come in bodily presence before the eyes of an assembled company, and at request, bring flowers, fruits, and objects, removed by distance from the scene of the experiments.

M. Deleuze frankly admits that his experience was more limited to those phases of Somnambulism in which his subjects submitted to amputations and severs surgical operations without experiencing the slightest pain, also they could disclose hidden things, find lost property, detect crime, predict the future, speak in foreign languages, and describe distant places with great eloquence and power.

In a letter dated July, 1831, M. Billot writing to Deleuze, says:

"I repeat, I have seen and known all that is permitted to man. I have seen the stigmata arise on magnetized subjects; I have dispelled obessions of evil spirits with a single word. I have seen spirits bring those material objects I told you of, and when requested, make them so light that they would float, and, again a small boiteau de bonbons was rendered to heavy, that I failed to move it an inch until the power was removed."

Alfonse Cahagnet, to whose invaluable work, the "Celestial Telegraph," allusion has already been made, published a series of experiments with a vast number of lucid subjects who by virtue of his magnetism became Clairvoyants.

At first their lucidity only sufficed to discover the things of earth, and trace earthly scenes and persons. As the magnetic sleep took deeper hold on their senses, however, it became apparent that a new world opened up before them.

Without any mental direction from the magnetizers - they one and all persisted in describing the spirits of those whom the world deemed dead. They discoursed with them, sometimes personated them, gave truthful accounts of their lives on earth, and described their appearances so accurately that scores of enquiring mourners, attracted by the fame of Cahagnet's Lucides, came thither to find their dead restored to them. It was as if a gate had suddenly been opened into the realms of paradise, and poor, suffering, bereaved humanity might be seen crowding upon each other to gaze through these golden portals and discover there all they had loved, all they had lost, and as in a mirror behold the delightful panoramas of being where their own tired feet were to find rest when their bodies should sleep the last sleep of humanity.

To those who enjoyed the unspeakable privilege of listening to the "somnambules" of Billot, Deleuze, and Cahagnet, another and yet more striking feature of unanimous revelation was poured forth. Spirits of those who had passed away strong in the faith of Roman Catholicism, often priests and dignitaries of that conservative church, addressing staunch and prejudiced believers in the faith, too, always asserted "there was no creed in Heaven," no sectarian worship, no remains of dogmatic faiths.

They taught that God was a grand Spiritual Sun - life on earth a probation; the spheres different degrees of compensative happiness or states of retributive suffering; each appropriate to the good or evil deeds done on earth. They described the ascending changes open to every soul in proportion to its own efforts to improve.

They all insisted that man was his own judge, incurred a penalty or reward for which there was no substitution. They taught nothing of Christ, absolutely denied the idea of vicarious atonement - and represented man as his own Savior or destroyer.

They spoke of arts, sciences, and continued activities, as if the life beyond was but an extension of the present on a greatly improved scale. Descriptions of the radiant beauty, supernal happiness, and ecstatic sublimity manifested by the blest spirits who had risen to the spheres of paradise. Heaven, and the glory of Angelic companionship, melts the heart, and fills the soul with irresistible yearnings to lay down life's weary burdens and be at rest with them.

"O to be there!" must be the cry of every tired spirit who listens to these enchanting pictures of an enchanting hereafter; one, too, which so reasonably and harmoniously meets the aspirations of that human nature we yet bear about with us, which whilst longing for the unimaginable glories of Heaven, shrinks back appalled from the incomprehensible mysticism of theology. Such were some of the original and startling revealments poured forth by the French Clairvoyants, who, during the first half of this century, led in their somnambulic hands whole legions of arisen spirits and teaching angels, all eivdently builders, flocking into the great workshops of modern spiritual science, to take their places in the erection of the new Church of humanity. We cannot close this necessarily brief summary, without quoting a few words from that philosophic herald of Magnetism's new morning, Baron Dupotet. This brave and skillful Scientist says:

"No one can conduct magnetic seances with patience and fidelity, without coming to the conclusion which bursts upon my own mind, namely: that in Magnetism I rediscover the Spiritology of the ancients. Let the Savant reject the doctrine of spiritual apparitions as one of the great errors of the past, the results of the Magnetic seance re-affirms them all. They do more. They prove that the healing of the sick, the ecstasy of the Saints, all their miraculous works are ours. Is the knowledge of ancient magic lost? - we have all the facts on which to reconstruct it."

The learned Magnetist then recites a vast number of the phenomena produced through his own subjects and those of Puysegur, Seguin, Bertrand, and many others, which fully equal in marvel any of the magical histories of past ages.

And these discoveries multiplying in number every day, and increasing in marvel as the Adepts became more and more accomplished in their art, clustered to their meridian point before the year 1840, nearly ten years before the outbreak of modern Spiritualism in America, a movement from which many date the advent of spiritual revelation in this generation.

As a matter of phenomenal wonder, the latter class are right in their definition; but as the glorious triad of Masters through whom the lodges of ancient mystery are transformed into the temples of modern science, Paracelsus, Swedenborg and Mesmer take rank in unapproachable honor and unrivaled distinction. To their determined spirit of inquiry, to the patience, fidelity and acumen with which they conducted their extensive researched, and the unparalleled courage with which they dared to assail the prejudices of the age in which they lived, the generations to come will owe the fact that magnetism and psychology have rediscovered the lost art of ancient magic, and transmuted the visionary stone and elixir of mediaeval mystics into the pure gold of modern spiritual science.