The Seven Purposes: An Experience in Psychic Phenomena

by Margaret Cameron

"The Seven Purposes: An Experience in Psychic Phenomena" by Margaret Cameron is a non-fiction account written in the early 20th century. This work explores the realm of psychic phenomena through the lens of the author's personal experiences with a tool called planchette, which is often associated with spirit communication. The narrative centers around Cameron's attempts to establish connections with deceased individuals, primarily focusing on messages from a woman named Mary Kendal and her son Frederick Gaylord, as they seek to convey their continued existence and insights from the beyond. At the start of the book, the author introduces her long-standing curiosity about psychic phenomena, stemming from her early endeavors with planchette. Following the outbreak of war, a surge of interest in such topics leads her to revisit this method of communication. Cameron recounts her initial attempts to connect with the spirit world, beginning with ambiguous interactions that gradually develop into more coherent conversations. Eventually, she establishes contact with Mary Kendal, who urges her to pass messages to her husband, and Frederick Gaylord, who shares insights about his state after passing. The opening sets the stage for deeper explorations into themes of existence, unity, and the ongoing connection between the living and the deceased, while also overcoming skepticism about the authenticity of these communications.