A noble girl who recently joined your spiritualist circle.
The historical context is St. Petersburg, Russian Empire, in 1913.
Spiritualist Circles: These followed the principles of traditional salons, consisting of regular gatherings of select and exclusive individuals in private settings. Members from different backgrounds convened in one room, with famous mediums often coming from lower classes or minority ethnic groups (as high nobles could not act as mediums due to social decorum). While equalitarianism was the guiding principle, a charismatic medium often assumed a leading role.
Opportunities for Safe Sexual Adventures: Playing pranks in the darkness of the séance, such as secretly touching other attendees, was tacitly tolerated. This provided thrill and excitement for the city's high nobles, as it allowed for behavior that would normally be impossible due to social constraints—such as exchanging erotic caresses with someone other than a spouse or lover. Moreover, it was considered "safe" because, even if someone felt discomfort or fear from such contact, they could immediately withdraw (as a séance would be discontinued if any attendee requested it). Because the existence of supernatural forces was asserted, none of the attendees were held responsible for what happened during the séance.
Self-Improvement Hypnotism: A popularized form of Nietzscheanism, which argued that “anyone can become a powerful individual if they strive to liberate themselves, both spiritually and physically,” was in vogue in Russia during this period. Some hypnotists taught self-hypnosis to nobles, claiming that with proper training, anyone could tap into hidden but powerful inner forces.
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