Deirdre Meintelmy experience of Spiritualism is the same as that of other participants
is worth discussing, and I return to this issue later.
The Closed GroupThe closed group, or what the participants commonly call a “course
in spiritual development,” meets in the evening twice monthly, except
for one group led by Michel that meets weekly. Most groups gather
in the church, but several hold their meetings in private homes. All
are directed by a minister–medium who decides who can participate.
Groups are normally fewer than twenty in number, and some have
only half a dozen participants. Members pay a modest fee (eight dol-
lars, at this writing) for each class and commit to regular attendance
for the duration of the course, from September through mid-June. The
cost is kept low, according to Michel, so as to allow the unemployed
to participate. The students in these groups are taught clairvoyance
using various techniques; these include focusing on color, using ob-
jects (psychometry), using symbols (e.g., those associated with Christ-
mas, Easter, spring, etc.).
Though pleased at Michel’s invitation to join a closed group, I was
somewhat anxious as to what I would find there. Scenes of posses-
sion from the films of Jean Rouch came to mind. I was initially reas-
sured by what I saw. Members arrive on or before the group begins at
7 : 15 p.m., punctuality being de rigueur; the doors are locked unless
someone is expected to arrive late. Joking banter and friendly greet-
ings precede the opening prayers. Michel encourages these light mo-
ments as a way of shaking off the stress of daily life before entering
into the evening’s activities. Most group members try to arrive early,
in time to say hello to friends and, sometimes, to have a private word
with Michel. When someone mentions a personal problem, Michel
often promises to see what comes to him in the way of clairvoyance
over the course of the evening. Normally, I arrive early to have time
for some personal exchange with others in the group, a number of
whom are in my core study group, or, occasionally to do a short in-
terview with Michel. The first time, though, I felt ill at ease; I knew
no one there but Michel, felt unsure as how to enter into the conver-
sations around me, was a bit self-conscious about my dual role (as