Here's a nice little article about Lily Dale. Lily Dale is a hamlet in New York's Chautauqua County with an estimated population of about 275. It's been the home of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches since that organization's founding in 1893. Hence it's a real hub spiritual mediums' activity.
Do I believe in mediums? I guess it's a matter of degree. Supernatural phenomena are likely rare, which is why we can't tie them into the rules of nature. Still, there are things I don't expect to be explained in my lifetime.
But there's something to Lily Dale beyond whether its residents can get in touch with your departed grandmother. Despite its tiny size, it actually has an identity. From the look of the town, that's helped it escape the grip of hypermodernity. Considering where modernity is going and where it seems to be taking us, that's something other villages, small towns, and maybe even cities should study.
2 comments:
What a welcome surprise was this article about Lily Dale, I don't think I ever would have come across it myself.
Under ordinary circumstances it would be easy to dismiss the reliability of the mediums except for the limiting factors the town has put in place. First, you don't just get to walk in and declare yourself a clairvoyant - instead, it's a two year vetting process that's significantly demanding. The other part was that the Assembly has done away with table rappings and associated frauds that had made any hint of deceptive practice.
It's cool to know Mae West supported Lily Dale and the spiritualism practiced there. I agree there are many things that simply can't be known in our lifetime but who would want everything mysterious explained? That would take all the fun out of life.
The town is indeed very lovely.
Thanks for this one.
Interestingly, I found the article on The Daily Grail after you gave me a link to something else on that site. Turns out he has external links as well and that was one of them.
You're right that they do vet those who make claims of being a medium pretty well. Which does make it credible that something unearthly is happening there. That must make it an interesting place to live.
Mae West put out a very outsized, exaggerated image. That might be why she worked so well with WC Fields, who did much the same. But her interest in Lily Dale suggests there was another side of her. No, having everything explained in life would take a lot of the flavor out of it.
Does seem to be quite beautiful.
I'm glad you liked it.
Post a Comment