Legend
Visionen in Wasserglase*
My spirit guides informed me that I had the gift of spirit sight without falling into a somnambulic state—this was clairvoyance. They said visions would appear in the following manner:—
I must take a glass filled with clear water, and gaze steadily into it, and they would show me fluidic pictures, or phantom exhibitions therein.
At the first trial I soon beheld some objects in the water: these resembled tiny bubbles and floating clouds. By-and-by a railroad, a dog, figures of men and women were developed. This was the beginning; then the water was disturbed, and the pictures glided off by the edge of the glass. I can only see in the evening when the light is dim, never by day, and must feel a strong inclination for the visions. I am invariably in my normal state, i. e., am fully conscious of what I see and hear. The wish or will of others that I should see some particular picture has no influence upon me.
I always experience with these representations their joys or pains, their despondency or cheerfulness, their gladness or displeasure, their conditions of purity, undevelopment, or disgrace. Now some high and noble spirit transports me with ecstatic joy; now some degraded spirit possesses me and fills me with misery. I look again and behold some sick person whose sufferings for the time are made my own. Should my eyes fill with tears, I am compelled to look again, when some picture is shown me which makes me laugh. Often the pictures unfold one after another, many remaining some short time, each being separate and distinct; others again vanish immediately. These visions often appear much larger than the size of the glass would allow. These exhibitions most resemble photographs, sometimes variedly and beautifully coloured, at others made up of lights and clouds.
When I look into the Wasserglase I dictate all that I see to my husband, Baron Eugen Von Vay, who takes notes; and afterwards I receive the explanation in automatic writing from my spirit guides.
November 9, 1869.—I see Professor W. L.: he has a black patch on his forehead. (Explanation in writing.) Professor W. L. will shortly suffer in his head and will come and consult you. (Fulfilment.) Professor W. L. who, at the time of my vision, was in excellent heath, shortly after commenced to suffer violently in his head. He consulted the doctors, and failing to get relief had recourse to my healing mediumship.
November 23, 1869.—I see Fanny B. dressed entirely in black; and now I see my brother E. writing. (Fulfilment.) In 1870 Fanny B. died: my brother E. wrote to me on the same day.
November 21, 1869.—Lawyer C. is here. He looks quite black: a wicked little gnome is choking him. (Explanation.) Lawyer C. is suffering from the effects of an evil obsession which may cause giddiness, deafness, and even blindness: morally also this spirit may do him grievous harm. (Fulfilment.) Some weeks after this the news arrived that Lawyer C. was suffering intensely, and that his case was a remarkably peculiar one, the chief symptoms being cramp in the neck and deafness.
November 21, 1869.—I see a triangle, in each corner of which there stands a pretty young girl. (Explanation.) This means that your sister R. will shortly be blessed with a third daughter. (Fulfilment.) At that time my sister had two little girls and was most anxious for a son; however, according to the prophecy, another daughter shortly presented herself.
January 3, 1870.—I see X. She is enveloped in a fur mantle; she smiles in resignation. Frau R. is here weeping. (This was a lady whom I had only seen once, and with whom I had but a casual acquaintance.) I see myself in a travelling dress going to meet my mother. (Explanation.) X. is resigned: her daughter L. will die this year. The husband of Frau R. is ill. You will go on a visit to your mother. (Fulfilment.) That year the daughter of Countess X. did die: also the husband of Frau R. In the following December circumstances necessitated my paying a visit to my mother.
* Translated from Studien uber die Geisterwell by Caroline Corner.
Editor's notes
Sources
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London Spiritualist, No. 387, January 23, 1880, p. 46