Rise of Contemporary Spiritualism

<p>Talking to the dead and communication with 'the other side' is often presented as a taboo in an increasingly technological and medically advanced world. However practices of spiritualism and mediumship continue to remain popular and in high demand within contemporary Western societies. This book analyses the practices of today’s mediums who insist on standing at the threshold between life and death interpreting signs and passing on communications and asks how such concepts and practices are perceived by contemporary society. Using first-hand material gathered from alternative fairs mediumistic congresses séances and interviews with both practitioners and clients as well as thorough textual analysis Anne Kalvig provides a clear overview of the various forms of consumption of mediumship in Western society and places these within a socio-cultural religious and historical context. She also raises questions as to the controversies surrounding spiritualism and its representation and relationship with popular culture and the media. This book will be of interest to researchers in the field of sociology religious studies folklore media studies and anthropology as well as to anyone interested in the upsurge of contemporary spiritualism psychic phenomena and the paranormal.</p>