Even back in its colonial days, America developed a reputation as a safe harbor for people with unusual or radical religious beliefs.

When spiritualism dawned, suddenly women who wanted to engage in the civic and religious and political culture were becoming transmediums.

There are some people in occult history who warned against using the Ouija Board, who said: "This is a dangerous door to the unconscious. Don't approach this thing."

America became a special source of attraction to people who were fleeing the aftereffects of the 30 Years War and the religious persecution that began to sweep through Europe in the period between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. And when people got here, very often they succeeded.

I think spiritualism, mesmerism, the mental healing movement, provided some people with the most meaningful experiences of their lives.

Even back in its colonial days, America developed a reputation as a safe harbor for people with unusual or radical religious beliefs.

Once the social and spiritual opening was created for women in the form of spiritualism, suddenly ambitious women who wanted to participate in the culture had a kind of a voice.