spiritualism

This term describes a specific belief system centered on the interaction between the physical world and a non-material realm. In a historical and occult context, it refers to the practice of attempting to communicate with deceased souls, often involving seances or mediums, which gained significant popularity during the Victorian era. In a broader philosophical sense, it denotes a worldview that prioritizes the spirit or soul over material existence. Unlike organized religion, this form of spiritualism may be an individualistic pursuit of transcendence or a general conviction that a spiritual dimension governs reality.