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Why did spiritual healing become important in Spiritualist practice?

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Houdini poster for an anti-Spiritualism show — Spiritualism A Harry Houdini poster promoting a theatrical performance to discredit Spiritualism.

In Spiritualist practice, spiritual healing is considered a natural result of communicating with the spiritual world. Its importance is rooted in the movement's core belief that communion with spirits is both possible and desirable.1

Historically, Spiritualism absorbed many assumptions from the Magnetist movement, which had been influenced by the magnetic-healing theories of Franz Anton Mesmer. While Magnetists focused on magnetic power, Spiritualists maintained that healings were specifically the result of spirit influence.1

Beyond its historical origins, spiritual healing serves as a fundamental practice for those seeking comfort or a sense of connection. For individuals who have lost faith in traditional Christianity or those struggling with grief after the death of loved ones, Spiritualism offers the possibility of contact with the deceased and a new hope of immortality. By acting as intermediaries between the spirit world and the recipient, practitioners aim to channel energies to encourage physical and mental well-being.12