Spiritualism
When Talking to the Dead was all the Rage!
The Victorians were captivated by the supernatural, and nothing quite satisfied their curiosity like a séance. Imagine a candlelit parlor, a group of people holding hands, and a dramatic medium declaring, "I sense a presence!" It was the ultimate Victorian thrill—spooky, mysterious, and a bit theatrical. Tables would mysteriously levitate, ghostly knocks would echo, and sometimes ectoplasm (ghost goo!) would appear, leaving everyone in awe—or nervous laughter.
Even notable figures like Arthur Conan Doyle embraced spiritualism, while illusionist Harry Houdini loved debunking it. The Victorians didn't just stop at séances; they were all in on spirit photography, Ouija boards, and ghost hunting. For a society bound by strict etiquette, exploring the afterlife was a way to break free—just for a while—and indulge in a world where anything seemed possible, even chatting with Aunt Beatrice from beyond the grave.