Digest

This podcast delves into the fascinating and often controversial world of the afterlife, exploring various historical and cultural phenomena related to death, communication with spirits, and reincarnation. The first chapter examines the Soviet Union's efforts to preserve Vladimir Lenin's body after his death in 1924, highlighting the unusual methods employed to achieve a lifelike preservation. The podcast then shifts its focus to the Ouija board, tracing its origins back to the spiritualist movement of 19th-century America, where it was used as a serious tool for communicating with spirits. The chapter explores the evolution of the Ouija board from a serious esoteric tool to a popular children's game. The podcast then introduces Patience Worth, a spirit who allegedly communicated with Pearl Curran through a Ouija board, dictating poems, stories, and plays that gained significant popularity in the early 20th century. The chapter explores the unusual relationship between Pearl and Patience, including the adoption of a child named Patience Wee. The podcast then examines the rivalry between Pearl Curran and her friend Emily Grant Hutchings, who both claimed to channel spirits through Ouija boards. This rivalry led to a legal battle over copyright and highlights the complexities of claiming authorship when spirits are involved. The podcast further explores other instances of alleged ghost writing through Ouija boards, including books attributed to Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and a spiritual messenger from the New Testament. The chapter suggests that the phenomenon provided disempowered women with a platform for their voices. The podcast then reveals a rare story written by Pearl Curran under her own name, "Rosa Alvaro Antrante," which suggests a possible hoax confession. The story explores a woman's transformation through a spirit, but ultimately reveals that the spirit was a fabrication. The podcast concludes with the story of Juanita Clavette, also known as Little Saffo, who claimed to be the reincarnation of the ancient Greek poet Sappho. Juanita exhibited knowledge of Greek history and wrote poems from a young age, attracting attention in Greenwich Village. The podcast explores Juanita's search for the reincarnation of Feyon, a man she claimed to have loved in her past life as Sappho, and the role of her father, a magician and vaudeville performer, in promoting her story.

Outlines

00:00:00

Preserving Lenin's Legacy: The Eternal Body

This chapter explores the Soviet Union's efforts to preserve Vladimir Lenin's body after his death in 1924. They aimed for a lifelike preservation, employing various techniques like embalming fluids, rubber suits, and chemical baths. Despite the unusual methods, Lenin's body remains on display today, a century later.

00:01:56

The Ouija Board: From Spiritual Tool to Children's Game

This chapter delves into the history of the Ouija board, tracing its roots back to the spiritualist movement of 19th-century America. It discusses the use of spirit boards as serious esoteric tools by adults, contrasting with their modern perception as a children's toy.

00:08:24

Patience Worth: The Ghost Writer and Her Literary Legacy

This chapter explores the story of Patience Worth, a spirit who allegedly communicated with Pearl Curran through a Ouija board. Patience dictated poems, stories, and plays, becoming a literary sensation in the early 20th century. The chapter examines the unusual relationship between Pearl and Patience, including the adoption of a child named Patience Wee.

00:23:00

Reincarnation and the Poet Saffo: The Story of Little Saffo

This chapter focuses on the story of Juanita Clavette, also known as Little Saffo, who claimed to be the reincarnation of the ancient Greek poet Sappho. Juanita exhibited knowledge of Greek history and wrote poems from a young age, attracting attention in Greenwich Village. The chapter explores Juanita's search for the reincarnation of Feyon, a man she claimed to have loved in her past life as Sappho, and the role of her father, a magician and vaudeville performer, in promoting her story.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did the Soviet Union preserve Vladimir Lenin's body after his death?

  The Soviet Union employed a complex process involving embalming fluids, rubber suits, and chemical baths to preserve Lenin's body in a lifelike state. This unusual method aimed to keep his body on display for future generations.

• What is the origin of the Ouija board?

  The Ouija board originated in the spiritualist movement of 19th-century America, where it was used as a serious tool for communicating with spirits. It has since evolved into a popular children's game, but its history reflects a fascination with the afterlife.

• Who was Patience Worth, and how did she become a literary sensation?

  Patience Worth was a spirit who allegedly communicated with Pearl Curran through a Ouija board. She dictated poems, stories, and plays, gaining significant popularity in the early 20th century. Her writings were attributed to a 17th-century Puritan girl, adding to her mystique.

• What was the controversy surrounding Patience Worth?

  Pearl Curran's friend, Emily Grant Hutchings, felt she was unfairly excluded from Patience Worth's success and began channeling Mark Twain through a Ouija board. This led to a legal battle over copyright and highlighted the rivalry between the two women.

• What is the significance of the story of Little Saffo?

  Juanita Clavette, known as Little Saffo, claimed to be the reincarnation of the ancient Greek poet Sappho. Her story raises questions about the nature of memory, identity, and the possibility of past lives. It also reflects the social and cultural context of the early 20th century, where women's voices were often marginalized.

Show Notes