What is ectoplasm?
Derived from the Greek word ektos, which means “outside,” ectoplasm is a term that is used in two different manners. In terms of medical information, ectoplasm refers to the part of common cellular construction. The term designates that portion of the cytoplasm found on the exterior of a cell. More commonly, ectoplasm is understood to refer to the paranormal manifestation of spiritual energy related to ghosts. Serving as a physical medium of that spiritual energy, ectoplasm is said to be the more or less tangible plasma residue that helps to give ghosts some degree of physical presence. The designation of ectoplasm as a physical manifestation of the spiritual power or presence of a ghost is traced back to Charles Richet. While not understood to have a cell structure that is identical to human cells, ectoplasm is nevertheless considered to possess a small degree of weight and can be touched. Over the years, many persons have claimed to have come in contact with ectoplasm, and in fact ha
Ectoplasm was coined from the Greek words ektos and plasma, which together means “outside formed.” Ectoplasm is used to describe spiritual energy with substance. Charles Richet created the word ectoplasm to first describe physical manifestations that appeared from psychic mediums during the late 1800’s while in trances. Ectoplasm was purportedly secreted from the medium’s orifices, such as the ears, nose or mouth. However, ectoplasm of this type was more of a hoax during the rise of spiritualism and fraudulent mediumship. Today, ectoplasm has come to represent physical manifestations of mists believed to be ghosts.
Honestly, we can’t say for sure, anymore than we can say what orbs are! But, there are a few different theories/definitions of ectoplasm. Below, we will mention all of the possible theories and definitions that we are aware of to date: A Substance Omitted From Psychic Mediums ECTOPLASM (from theGreek ektos and plasma: exteriorized substance), a mysteriousprotoplasmic substance streaming out of the body of mediums by themanipulation of which, either by the subconscious self or bydiscarnate intelligences, phenomena of a super-physical order,including partial and complete materializations, are produced. Variations – Ectoplasm is said to be a cold and moist substance, responsible for the production of various materialisations outside the medium s body. According to Richet and Von Schrenk-Notzig the ectoplasm consists of white blood cells and skin cells. Ectoplasm is a synonym for Substance X and Teleplasm. – Ectoplasm is said to be the energy of a spirit that is present in a medium’s body
It is the name given to a form of dense energy liberated by living things which is believed to make possible the materialization of ghosts. In short, it appears in photographs like a fog, or mist, or vapor; and is spirit. We prefer to see orb vapor trails (such as in the above ghost picture), to determine conclusively that it is indeed ectoplasm. Vapor trail cannot be re-created through fog, breath or smoke. Many ectoplasm pictures are created by mistake, when the ghost hunter has not been careful. Moisture, fog, cigarette smoke and human breath in cold weather can produce some believable ectoplasm ghost pictures. Be sure to hold your breath before taking ghost pictures, and do not smoke during your investigations for positive results.
That is, what happens that has given rise to the invention of the term? For example, what was Dr. Charles Richet referring to when he invented and continued to use the word? About Richet one reads in The Guidebook for the Study of Psychical Research by the late Robert Ashby: Charles Richet, 1850-1935…President of the SPR, 1905. Richet was a cautious, sceptical investigator who had strongly criticized William Crookes’ acceptance of paranormal phenomena in the 1870’s. However, he undertook his own studies and became a leading figure in European psychical research. Especially interested in physical phenomena, he studied Eusapia Paladino, Eva. C. Kluski, Rudi Schneider, and other important mediums, coined the term ectoplasm for the quasi-physical substance supposedly used in materializations; with Geley is obtained what he considered fraud-proof evidence for the reality of ectoplasmic phenomena under laboratory conditions …and he held firmly to an anti-spiritualistic interpretation of
