Skotograph

Skotograph

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

Skotograph is from the Greek meaning “writing in the dark.” It is when writing is done by spirit on undeveloped film, so that it only becomes visible when the film is developed. The term was invented by Felicia Scatcherd as an alternative for the word “psychograph,” used by William Stainton Moses for all forms of direct writing. Harry Boddington (The University of Spiritualism, 1947) said, “In the majority of experiments, it appears that the only purpose served by cameras is to focus the material setting. The further result is that cameras are now frequently dispensed with altogether. Unopened packets or light-proof plates are merely held in the hands. To cover this aspect of psychic photography, Felicia Scatcherd coined the term ’skotograph,’ the literal meaning being ‘pictures obtained in darkness.'"

Sources:

Bletzer, June G.: The Encyclopedia Psychic Dictionary. Lithia Springs: New Leaf, 1998Boddington, Harry: The University of Spiritualism. London: Spiritualist Press, 1947 Fodor, Nandor: Encyclopedia of Psychic Science. London: Arthurs Press, 1933