ABSTRACT
In the early 1850s when Allan Kardec began researching about Spiritualism, little did he imagine that his work would developed into a faith that transcended time and space. Kardec – born in Lyon, France, as Léon Dénizard Hippolyte Rivail in 18042 – was in his early 50s when he compiled the first questions about the spiritual world and set his mind into answering them. Kardec’s teachings – mainly expressed in his literary production – led to the formation of a new religious path, which, in order to differentiate it from other forms of Spiritualism, Kardec coined as ‘Spiritism’. His first book was published on 18 April 1857 and was already signed with the pen-name ‘Allan Kardec’. The title of that first work was simply The Spirits’ Book.3 Kardec was not alone in his quest to understand the meaning and the symbolism of the spirits’ realm. Throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and France, hundreds of seekers have begun the same pilgrimage. Among the many famous Spiritualists of the time we can mention Ann Leah, Margaret (Maggie) and Catherine (Kate) Fox – usually known as the ‘Fox
sisters’ – in New York, whose fame began in the 1850s-1860s.4 Paschal Beverly Randolph, who was also the founder of the Rosicrucian movement, was another famous Spiritualist.5 However, Kardec took his quest into a more systematized form, and his teachings and legacy continued in those who followed the way of Spiritism. Kardec’s faith soon extended throughout the world. Although its popularity decreased in France, Spiritism:
… flourished in South America – especially Brazil – and, to a lesser extent, in the Philippines. Kardec had adopted the terms “Spiritism” and “Spiritists” for his version of Spiritualism. These terms were used in South America along with the term “Kardecism” (Kardecismo).6
