A pagan's beliefs refer to the spiritual and religious practices followed by individuals who identify as pagans. Paganism is an umbrella term that encompasses a broad range of diverse beliefs and practices. Paganism is often associated with pre-Christian religions, such as Celtic, Norse, Greek, and Roman traditions. However, it also includes contemporary earth-centered and nature-based spiritualities. One of the core beliefs of paganism is the reverence for nature and the recognition of its inherent sacredness. Many pagans believe in the interconnectedness of all living beings and view nature as a manifestation of the divine.
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An enterprising DIY magician might even connect it to their smartphone so a prerecorded name could be whispered into the assistant s ear to match the secret name on the spiritphone s display. Do-it-yourselfers nostalgic for the simple but clever magical props popular nearly a century ago can still follow Greene s detailed spiritphone instructions.
Many pagans believe in the interconnectedness of all living beings and view nature as a manifestation of the divine. The concept of deity in paganism is characterized by a wide variety of beliefs. Some pagans worship multiple gods and goddesses, while others might focus their spiritual practice on a particular deity.
This gadget from 1930 let people ‘talk’ to the dead—with a magic trick
How a Popular Science tutorial for building a ‘spiritphone’ tuned into the hype of the Golden Age of Magic.
By Bill Gourgey | Published Aug 15, 2023 9:00 AM EDT
MAGIC FIRST TOOK SHAPE from the occult—from unseen forces once more popularly believed to flow from the spirit world to alter the course of mortal events. Throughout history, magicians were seen as aloof figures mysteriously granted secret knowledge to channel numinous power. In some cultures and times, magicians held sway as oracles and shamans; in others, they were shunned as sorcerers and witches—or worse. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that magic made a break from its mostly mystical roots. Interest in magic grew exponentially into the 20th century when it became a popular performing art, sparking decades of fantastic feats of illusion, conjuring, and escapology known as the Golden Age of Magic.
Given magic’s history, it is particularly apt that in 1930, in the midst of magic’s heyday, Popular Science offered readers do-it-yourself instructions for building a “spiritphone”—a gadget capable of making prophecies by dint of its apparent radio connection with “the land of the departed.”
“The spiritphone,” wrote George S. Greene, “is easy to construct and still easier to operate, and is one of the most effective tricks for the amateur magician.” The trick’s premise is to guess the name of a famous person secretly picked by a member of the audience.
Slips of blank paper are handed out, and each audience member jots down the name of a “departed hero or famous [person]” of their own choosing. The folded slips are then collected in a hat. A member of the audience is chosen at random to select a folded slip, without peering at the name. The magician hands that volunteer the spiritphone, but not before barely turning a fake screw at its base, which brings the name of a famous person into view on the spiritphone’s dial. The volunteer is then instructed to ask the spiritphone, via a receiver, what name is on the slip of paper. The spiritphone “responds,” and the volunteer announces to the audience what they “hear”—which really means what they see on the spiritphone’s display. To everyone’s delight, the spiritphone’s answer matches what’s written on the folded slip of paper. That’s because when the slips of paper are collected from the audience, with sleight of hand, the magician tucks them into the hat’s interior sweatband and replaces them with slips that all bear the same name, preselected by the magician. The spiritphone has the same name imprinted on the rotating display in its interior mechanism, which Greene’s instructions explain how to build.
The cover of the February 1930 issue features home projects and asked if we should abolish speed laws. Popular Science
Greene was a longtime Popular Science contributor who covered the magic beat, regularly explaining how tricks worked. One such article, written in January 1929, “Famous Magic Tricks Explained,” garnered protest from readers who didn’t want the magazine to reveal what was behind the curtain and spoil the charm of mainstream magic’s spell.
For instance, Greene explained how escapologists, like the legendary Harry Houdini, could vanish from an enclosed tank filled with water. Such tanks, it turns out, had a concealed trap door connected to a man-sized tube that deposited the performer backstage. “To perform the feat,” Greene explained, “one must, of course, have the ability to stay under water for the minute or two required.” Houdini could definitely hold his breath, but did he possess supernatural abilities? According to Greene, the trick is in the prop. Magicians are “specialists in woodcraft and metalworking, electricity, and psychology, and the ideas worked out are, in many cases, equal in cleverness to the products of our modern inventors.”
In Greene’s time, carnivals were a popular venue for magic, and fortune telling was a cornerstone of traveling performances. Remember the crystal-gazing Omaha magician who becomes the Wizard in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (an American classic with magic and illusion at its core)? The rise of television after World War II offered magicians an opportunity to branch out from their vaudeville roots. Today, David Copperfield is perhaps one of the best-known practicing illusionists. The 2013 blockbuster movie Now You See Me took illusion to a whole new level with the assistance of magic consultant (yes, there is such a profession), David Kwong.
Do-it-yourselfers nostalgic for the simple but clever magical props popular nearly a century ago can still follow Greene’s detailed spiritphone instructions. Some woodworking knowledge is a prerequisite, and a few modernizations might make the trick more relatable for a contemporary audience. For instance, a Bluetooth earbud or headset could replace the tethered receiver. An enterprising DIY magician might even connect it to their smartphone so a prerecorded name could be whispered into the assistant’s ear to match the secret name on the spiritphone’s display. Oh, and you’ll want to bring your own hat. It’s not likely that anyone in a 2020s audience will be able to offer a 1920s-style felt hat equipped with a paper-slip-concealing interior sweatband.
Bill Gourgey is a Popular Science contributor and unofficial digital archeologist who enjoys excavating PopSci’s vast archives to update noteworthy stories (yes, merry-go-rounds are noteworthy).
Bill Gourgey is a Popular Science contributor and unofficial digital archeologist who enjoys excavating PopSci’s vast archives to update noteworthy stories (yes, merry-go-rounds are noteworthy).
The gods and goddesses in pagan traditions often embody different aspects of nature or specific human characteristics. Pagan rituals and ceremonies play an essential role in expressing spiritual beliefs and connecting with the divine. These rituals can include the observance of solstices, equinoxes, and other seasonal celebrations. Pagan rites often involve offerings, prayers, music, dance, and the use of sacred objects or symbols. Paganism emphasizes personal spiritual experience and connection with the divine, allowing individuals to develop their unique beliefs and practices. Many pagans value individual autonomy in matters of spirituality rather than adhering to a rigid dogma or religious hierarchy. Pagan beliefs also often include the recognition and celebration of diversity. This encompasses embracing different cultural, ethnic, and gender identities, as well as respecting various spiritual paths. Paganism encourages inclusivity and the acceptance of a variety of perspectives. In conclusion, a pagan's beliefs revolve around the reverence for nature, connections with deities, ritual practices, personal spiritual experiences, and embracing diversity. Paganism provides a framework for individuals to explore their spirituality in a way that resonates with their own values and understanding of the world..
Reviews for "The Concept of Good and Evil in PSGAN Beliefs: A Moral Philosophy"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I couldn't understand a single thing in "What is a psgans beliefs". The writing style was overly complicated and seemed to be filled with jargon that made it nearly impossible to comprehend. I feel like the author could have done a better job of explaining the topic in a way that was accessible to a wider audience. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the author's attempt to delve into the beliefs of psgans, I found the book to be lacking in structure and organization. The chapters seemed to jump from one topic to another without any clear progression or flow. This made it difficult for me to follow along and fully grasp the concepts being discussed. Additionally, the author relied heavily on anecdotes and personal experiences, which made the book feel more like a memoir than an informative piece on psgan beliefs. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book.
3. Michael - 1/5 stars - "What is a psgans beliefs" was a complete waste of my time. The author's arguments were weak and unsupported, often relying on personal opinions rather than factual evidence. Furthermore, the book lacked credibility and failed to provide any references or sources to back up its claims. I was left feeling unimpressed and unconvinced by the author's attempts to explain psgan beliefs. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-researched and intellectually stimulating read.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "What is a psgans beliefs" but was ultimately let down by its lack of depth and analysis. The author superficially touched on various aspects of psgan beliefs without truly exploring them in a comprehensive manner. This left me with more questions than answers and left me feeling unsatisfied. While the book did contain some interesting anecdotes and personal stories, it lacked the academic rigor I was expecting. Overall, I would say this book is a missed opportunity to provide a thorough examination of psgan beliefs.