The Book on Mediums, or The Mediums' Book (Le Livre des Médiums in French) is a book by Allan Kardec published in 1861, one of the five Fundamental Works of Spiritism -- the religious philosophy Kardec had been publishing. This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Allan Kardec was a pseudonym of Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail (October 3, 1804 - March 31, 1869), systematizer of the Spiritism. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Spiritism is a philosophical doctrine established in France in the mid 19th Century by the French educator Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, under the pseudonym Allan Kardec. ...

It is intended to be handbook for would-be mediums, containing doctrine and practices that one must master in order to become a medium. In spirituality, a medium or spirit medium (plural mediums) is an individual who claims the ability to receive messages from spirits (discorporate entities), or claims that he or she can channel such entities — that is, write or speak in the voice of these entities rather than in the mediums...

The Book on Mediums set the bases and the terminology that guided Parapsychology and Paranormality for quite sometime. In its pages one will find a classification of paranormal phenomena, with a special focus on those capable of communicating messages, and thorough descriptions of the mechanisms that -- according to spritism -- were involved. It also contains serious warnings against unguided use of the gift of mediumship, especially without the necessary seriousness. Parapsychology is the study of the evidence of mental awareness or influence of external objects without interaction from known physical means. ... Spiritualism may refer to a variety of modern religious ideologies , primarily active in the United States and Europe. ...

The book's signature is it focus on theory instead of practice: not a single line of ritual is given (Spiritists believe all rituals are deviations), unless you consider recommendations for prayer (without giving formulae) as "ritual".

In its first part, there is an overall introduction to the beliefs of Spiritism. For this reason, and considering the overall lighter reading, this book can be recommended to be read before even The Spirits Book. This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

External links

• The Spirits' Book codified by Allan Kardec (PDF file, use Adobe Reader); or click here if you want to see the book in a common web page
• The Book on Mediums by Allan Kardec (PDF file)