A Spiritualist is an individual who believes in and practices Spiritualism, a religious movement based on the belief that spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, often through mediums. Spiritualists hold that consciousness survives physical death and that spirits, existing in an afterlife, are capable of providing guidance, comfort, or knowledge to those still alive. This communication is typically facilitated through séances, automatic writing, or psychic mediums, who are believed to act as conduits between the physical and spiritual worlds.
The Spiritualist movement gained widespread popularity in the mid-19th century, particularly in the United States and Europe, with its roots often traced to the Fox Sisters, who claimed to have communicated with spirits through a series of rapping sounds in their New York home in 1848. The movement became closely associated with the practice of mediumship and the exploration of paranormal phenomena, attracting both followers seeking comfort from deceased loved ones and skeptics who questioned the legitimacy of psychic communication.
Spiritualism also embraces the idea of personal spiritual growth and development, often emphasizing concepts like karma, healing, and the evolution of the soul. While formal Spiritualist organizations still exist, the beliefs and practices of Spiritualism have also influenced broader New Age and metaphysical communities. Though regarded with skepticism by the scientific community, Spiritualism continues to offer a spiritual framework for those interested in the afterlife and communication with the spiritual realm.