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From Matter to Spirit – The Result of Ten Years Experience in Spirit Manifestation – Sophia Elizabeth De Morgan

Each development, in whatever form it takes place, consists of stages or series, corresponding to the flowing and ebbing waves of influx, of which the regular fanning already spoken of is a miniature representation.

At the commencement of each series, or at the beginning of the whole, come visions or writings, in which are embodied, swathed up as it were, in simple and perhaps grotesque form, the whole of the series of revelations which are to follow.

It is as if the teacher should say in simple words, 'I am going to teach you on such a subject.' Then the outline or epitome of that subject is set forth; the chrysalis form is shown in rough and bold but undeveloped state. Gradually and in its own order, each portion is drawn out, and a series of pictures or writings, showing the forms and relations of all the parts, is made; and at length the most perfect tracery, the most delicate shades of which every touch has its meaning, form the whole into a symbolism as wonderful in its perfection and coherence as the grandest allegory ever composed.

 I do not mean to imply that either the execution or the imagery is always beautiful or perfect, but that, with reference to the medium's power, the coherence of the symbolisation and the relation of each part to the other is complete.....................

Often the process is more complicated and curious, and the unsuspecting artist is made to depict many forms, each complete in its kind, before he arrives at the last. And throughout the whole drawing every part, which has been traced, shaded over, and erased, till it assumes the last form given, contains within itself or has passed through a whole series of correspondential figures, rising from the lowest to the highest degree which is arrived at or which the medium’s mind is capable of transmitting.

It seems that in spirit manifestation nothing stands alone or without direct reference to its ‘antecedents and sequents’.

So we do not find any drawing or vision without meaning, or without the characteristics which mark its place in the scale. The different degrees must be passed through before the guiding influence can arrive at that one which is to be represented. Hence many drawings (and every phase of medium-ship partakes of the same character) are prophetic, rising from the present to the future state of the subject.

Some are retrospective, having their subject and origin earlier than this state and time, reaching it, gradually, and perhaps even passing beyond it.