What does spiritism mean?
Spiritism is the practice of seeking contact with the dead, usually through a person believed to act as a medium. It can also refer to the movement developed in nineteenth-century France by Allan Kardec, whose followers understood spirit communication as a means of receiving moral instruction and learning about the afterlife, reincarnation, and spiritual progress. The term is often discussed alongside spiritualism, although spiritualism generally serves as the broader label for communication with spirits, while spiritism more specifically evokes the Kardecian tradition and related institutions. Spiritism has been influential in Brazil, where its religious and charitable practices include consultations, healing, and education. In British and American usage, the word also appears in discussions of nineteenth-century mediums, spiritualist movements, and the history of claims about communication with the dead.
nounSpiritism is the practice of seeking communication with the spirits of the dead, usually through a medium. The term also denotes the movement associated with Allan Kardec, which holds that such communication reveals moral truths and is connected with reincarnation and spiritual progress.
- The practice of communicating, or attempting to communicate, with the spirits of the dead, typically through a medium.
- The nineteenth-century movement associated with Allan Kardec that teaches the reality of the afterlife, reincarnation, and the possibility of moral improvement through spiritual communication.
"The lecture explored the history of spiritism and the ways mediums claimed to communicate with the dead."
"She became fascinated by spiritism after reading accounts of nineteenth-century mediums."
"The Brazilian denomination known as Spiritism maintains that spirits can be consulted to promote healing and moral development."
The plural is rare and may refer to different forms or expressions of spiritism.
"The scholar compared spiritisms developed in different countries."
Allan Kardec, the French author behind modern spiritism, presented his teachings through a book framed as messages from spirits; its title, The Spirits' Book, helped give the movement its distinctive identity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spiritism come from?
The word comes from French spiritisme, formed from esprit, meaning “spirit,” together with the suffix -isme, meaning “practice” or “doctrine.” It entered English during the nineteenth century as the movement associated with Allan Kardec developed a distinctive set of beliefs and practices. Its terminology reflects a broader family of words rooted in Latin spiritus, including spirit, spiritual, spiritualism, and spirituality.
Related word forms
How spiritism is actually used
In general English, spiritism often denotes the broader practice of spirit communication, though it can also refer specifically to the Kardec-derived movement. The capitalized form Spiritism is standard when referring to the Brazilian religious denomination inspired by Kardec.
Easily confused with spiritism
Spiritism often refers specifically to the French-originated movement associated with Allan Kardec, while spiritualism more broadly denotes the practice or movement of communicating with the dead.