Theodore Flournoy Books

Théodore Flournoy was a professor of psychology who delved into the mysterious realms of parapsychology and spiritism. He gained renown for his in-depth study of the medium Helen Smith, through whom he explored phenomena such as past-life recollections and the unconscious mind. Flournoy interpreted her outpourings as manifestations of cryptamnesia and the imagination of the subconscious, thereby refuting spiritist hypotheses. His work highlighted psychological explanations for mediumistic abilities, including suggestion and telepathy originating from the subconscious.

From India to the Planet Mars
A Case of Multiple Personality with Imaginary Languages
388 pages
14 hours of reading
Exploring the extraordinary experiences of medium Hélène Smith, the book delves into her claims of reincarnation as Marie Antoinette and a Hindu princess, as well as her alleged connections to Mars. Théodore Flournoy offers a psychological interpretation of her fantasies, highlighting the unconscious mind's creative and mythopoetic abilities. The introduction by Soriu Shamdasani contextualizes Flournoy's work within the cultural and intellectual milieu of the time, noting its influence on key figures in psychology like Freud and Jung.

From India to the Planet Mars