ENERGETIC “OLGA”

Drags Table and Throws Wastepaper Basket

AN AMAZING SEANCE

“Amazing phenomena,” produced at a seance on Monday night, arranged to test the powers of Rudi Schneider, the young Austrian medium, were reported by Mr. Harry Price, of the National Laboratory of Psychic Research, South Kensington, where the test took place. Schneider and a number of other sitters were connected by a specially arranged electric circuit, which caused a red lamp to glow if the slightest movement were made, and the medium was further controlled by being held by two of the sitters.

Describing the seance, Mr. Price said: Hope, a member of our council, and Professor Lord Rayleigh. At first we were not able to get any manifestations. Lord Charles Hope and Lord Rayleigh agreed that the electric control was perfect.

“We continued the séance, those personally controlling the medium being Mr. T. H. Peerson, secretary of the American Society of Psychical Research, and myself. We got the most amazing

phenomena. Rudi went into a violent trance, with paroxysms of choking, and then ‘Olga,’ his trance-personality, spoke through him.

“She dragged a table into the curtained recess about five feet from us, and threw down a waste-paper basket. She asked how many raps we would like, and when we said “Five,” gave them. She asked for gramophone music to be played, and when this was done twanged a small harp in tune with it. She asked for a handkerchief to be put on the table, and this was picked up and thrown at our feet.

“Then ‘Olga’ said ‘1 will show you my hand,’ and a perfectly formed woman’s hand came through the curtains. A pencil and paper were asked for and taken into the recess, and the paper was marked. The handkerchief, too, was taken in and knotted. Just before she finished ‘Olga’ said: On Wednesday I will promise you a phantom.’

“Rudi came out of his trance and the seance ended. The conditions were irreproachably scientific.”

– Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 16 April 1929

A gust of luminous lavender, the spectral skin musk of a gently curving ghostly hand, a melodic twang of wisteria and ylang ylang, and a murmur of myrrh-touched vanilla husk.