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Mrs. Hester Drowden, a famous medium, defined psychometry as "a psychic power possessed by certain individuals which enables them to divine the history of, or events connected with, a material object with which they come into close contact."
It is generally speculated the faculty existed in ancient times but it was first named and discussed in the modern age by J. Rhodes Buchanan, an American scientist, in 1842. The term is derived from the Greek words 'pschic' (soul) and 'metron' (measure) and signifies "soul-measuring", or "measurement of the human soul."
Buchanan's theory was based on the belief that every thought, action, and event that has ever occurred since the beginning of time has left an impression on ether. This impression will never be erased during what is considered as time. This is why many closely related the ability of psychometry to the Akashic Records . Buchanan also thought the impressions were not only left on ether but on more palpable objects such as trees and stones as well.
Many people, especially occultist, also believe that psychometry is connected to the belief of animism. They believe all objects possess an inner or psychological life which enable the objects to receive from and transmit impressions to other objects. In this way the impressions of an individual can be transmitted to an object which the person has in his possession, and the object can later transmit the same impressions to another individual holding the identical object in his hand. The object is therefore analogous to a television receiver and transmitter, in that, it receives and transmits impressions.
The late Arnold Crowther, witch and occultist, describes psychometry in "The Secrets of Ancient Witchcraft with the Witches Tarot" which he co-authored with his wife Patricia. He too held to the belief of animism, or that inanimate objects have memories of their own. This was especially true of stones, he thought.
But, Crowther also equally believed that psychometry was connected with the auras given off by all objects. He believed the success of ancient witches in healing people of their villages was due to their ability to translate these auras through touch. He tested his theory on a modern psychometrist and found evidence that it was probably true.
The connection between psychometry and auras is based on the theory that the human mind radiates an aura in all directions, and around the entire body which impresses everything within its orbit. All objects, no matter how solid they appear, are porous containing small or even minute holes. These minute crevices in the object's surface collect minute fragments of the mental aura of the person possessing the object. Since the brain generates the aura then something worn near the head would transmit better vibrations.
Crowther further describes psychometry as akin to the mind's eye, the "etheric eye" or the "soul's eye". Occultists have called it by all these names. It seems the mental faculty which receives the impressions or visions registers them in the same cerebral center where dreams are registered. The center is the area where the pineal gland is located in the middle of the brain at the level of the base of the nose. Some medical doctors have referred to this gland as the relic of the third eye which man had in the early evolutionary stages. This is why some have called psychometry "controlled daydreaming."
Crowther believed psychometry could help in many areas of life. The recovery from knowledge of the past was important to him. He thought stones were important in such endeavors and noted a psychometrist friend who psychometrized the stone circle called the Rollright Stones, in Oxfordshire. The man gained valuable information concerning ancient religious and magical rites once performed there. Portions of such knowledge Crowther used in the book previously mentioned.
Crowther did not believe psychometry is a special ability or gift. He held this idea from spiritualist mediums. He also differed with Dr. Buchanan, previously mentioned, who stated in his book "A Manual of Psychometry" that women are better adapt at the practice than men. Crother knew many male psychometrists. He thought everyone has the ability and can learn to use it if they have the patience and the will to do so.
Psychometry is presently practiced by occultists and witches. It is done with crystals and other stones. The person with eyes shut takes a stone in her or his hand. Carefully feeling it the individual tries to visualize its shape, texture, and color. Along with these physical features the person tries to reach an intuitive connection with the stone through which feelings and impressions are received from the stones. When done within a groups these inspirations may be shared with others. A.G.H.