Practical Occultism: A Course of Lectures Through the Trance Mediumship of J. J. Morse

Scarce 2nd edition of Practical Occultism - a collection of trance?mediumship lectures by Spiritualist J. J. Morse, offering guidance on occult principles, psychic development, topics like magic and witchcraft, and the nature of consciousness. ***NOTE: The first edition of 1888 is exceedingly rare, held in collection by less than a handful of institutions; it hasn't come to auction since the early 1900s. *** Overall condition: Very Good BOOK INFO Published in 1925 by Two Worlds Publishing Company Limited in Manchester, England. Second edition. Bound in its original paper softcover wraps with the portrait of the author on the front cover. Publisher ads on the inside covers and rear cover. Collated and complete: 112 pp. Contains the following contents: LECTURE I: The Trance at the Doorway to the Occult. Its Magnetic, Natural and Spiritual Forms of Induction LECTURE II: Mediumship: Its Physical, Mental and Spiritual Conditions LECTURE III: Mediumship (continued): Its Foundation, Development, Dangers and Advantages LECTURE IV: Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft LECTURE V: The Natural, Spiritual, and Celestial Planes of the Second State LECTURE VI: The Soul World; Its Hell, Heavens, and Evolutions LECTURE VII: Life, Development, and Death in Spirit-land APPENDIX: Answers to Questions ABOUT THE AUTHOR James Johnson (J. J.) Morse (1848-1919) was a prominent British spiritualist, trance medium, and occultist, widely known as 'the Bishop of Spiritualism'. Born in England, Morse became an orphan at age ten and had very little formal education, working briefly as a pub pot-boy before his mediumship was discovered. Morse's first encounters with spiritualism were skeptical, but after experiencing mesmerism without success, he began to accept his abilities. In 1869, he started speaking in trance as Tien Sien Tie, an ancient Chinese philosopher who lived during the reign of Emperor Kea-Tsing. His trance addresses were renowned for their erudition and eloquence, often discussing philosophy, psychology, and metaphysics, though he claims he could not recall them afterward. Morse also demonstrated physical mediumship, including the fire test and the phenomenon of elongation (appearing taller). From 1901 to 1902, he published The Spiritual Review and later edited The Banner of Light (1904) and The British Two Worlds (1906). He helped found the British National Association of Spiritualists in Liverpool, which later became the London Spiritualist Alliance. His seminal work, Practical Occultism (1888), is a guide to meditation, visualization, astral projection, and psychic development, aimed at beginners and occult practitioners. CONDITION REPORT The book is in Very Good antiquarian condition. Soiling and some stains to covers. Sunned spine with some chips at the head and foot. Front joint starting. A few creases. Some spots of foxing to covers and page edges. A blue mark on the fore-edge. Pages are generally clean and gently toned. Some light foxing throughout, heavier at extremities. All in all, a very scarce second edition of this work by one of the leaders of the late 19th century to early 20th century spiritualism movement by the 'Bishop of Spiritualism'. …