In parts of his discussion on obsession in "The Medium's Book" (Ch XXII), Allan Kardec makes some points that refer most specifically to obsession in individuals who are endowed with the medianimic faculty (of an ostensive form) and who are actively exercising their mediumship. Two pieces that we wish to point out here, by quoting various passages from Kardec's writing are the stages of obsession in the medium, as described by the author, as well as signs that he lists as being indicative of the obsession at work.

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Three general phases or varieties of obsession- simple obsession, fascination, and subjugation- as they progress in a working medium- are described as follows by Kardec.

Simple Obsession: "Simple obsession exists when a maleficent Spirit imposes himself on a medium, mixing himself up, against the medium's will, with all the communications received by the latter, or preventing him from communicating with other Spirits, by substituting himself for those who are evoked." "A medium is not necessarily obsessed because deceived by a lying Spirit…. Obsession consists in the tenacity of the hold that has been taken by the Spirit, rendering it difficult or impossible to get rid of him." "In simple obsession, the medium is aware that he has to do with a deceptive Spirit, a fact which the obsessor rarely tries to conceal, for he usually does not attempt to hide either his evil intentions or his determination to be troublesome. The medium, in such a case, easily recognizes the deceit, keeps on his guard, and is rarely taken in. This sort of obsession is merely disagreeable, and has no other inconvenience than that of placing an obstacle in the way of the communication that is wished to be maintained with Spirits of higher degree, or with those who are united to us by affection. In this category may [also] be placed all cases of physical obsession, such as the obtrusive and obstinate manifestations of Spirits who spontaneously annoy people with the sound of blows and other noises."

Fascination: "Fascination is a much more serious evil. It is an illusion which is produced by the direct action of a Spirit on the medium's thought, and which paralyzes his judgement with regard to the communication he receives. The fascinated medium cannot believe himself to be deceived. The obsessing Spirit artfully inspires him with a blind confidence, which prevents him from seeing the absurdity of what he writes, even when this is clear to everyone else- a delusion which may go so far as to make him regard with admiration the most ridiculous nonsense." …. "In [simple] obsession, the Spirit who attaches himself to us is only importunate and annoying from his tenacity; he is a being we are impatient to be rid of. In fascination, it is quite otherwise, for in order to compass his ends, the evil Spirit must be adroit, cunning, and hypocritical, imposing upon his victim, and getting himself accepted, with the aid of a false semblance of virtue, and a lavish employment of words and phrases, such as "charity", "humility", "the love of God", etc., which men are apt to regard as credentials, though the tenor of his communications show a degree of inferiority which only the fascination he exercises over his medium can prevent the latter from perceiving. A Spirit of this class, therefore, dreads the presence of clear-sighted judges who would see through his deceptions, and directs his efforts, especially to inspiring his victim with the determination to avoid everyone who could undeceive him."

Subjugation: "Subjugation is a constraint which paralyzes the will of its victim and makes him act in spite of himself, reducing him to a state of absolute bondage. " "Subjugation may be moral or corporeal. In the first case, the subjugated medium is often drawn on to do things which are foolish or reprehensible, but which he is deluded into regarding as wise and proper; it is a species of fascination, but one which is exercised on the will as well as on the mind. In the second case, the Spirit acts on the material organs of his victim, provoking involuntary movements or acts, as is shown in the case of writing mediums, by an incessant desire to write, even at the most inopportune moments…. Corporeal subjugation sometimes goes still further and forces its victims to do the most extravagant things."

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In addition to the characteristics of obsession as described in the degrees of the process above, there are specific signs that all mediums and those who work with mediums should be on guard against, again demonstrating the importance of careful vigilance in this work.

Kardec writes, "we may recognize the existence of obsession by the following signs:

1. The persistence of a Spirit in communicating, whether he is wanted or not, by writing, by sounds, by typtology, etc., and his persistence in preventing other Spirits from manifesting themselves. 2. The illusion which, notwithstanding the intelligence of the medium, prevents his seeing the falsity or absurdity of the communications which he receives. 3. Belief in the absolute identity and infallibility of Spirits, who, under respected and venerated names, say false and foolish things. 4. The medium's confidence in the praises heaped on him by the Spirits who communicate through him. 5. A disposition to shun the presence of those who might give him useful advice. 6. Offense taken at criticism of communications received by him. 7. An incessant desire to write, etc., without regards to time and place. 8. Physical constraint over-ruling the medium's will, and forcing him to speak in spite of himself. 9. Persistent noises and other disturbances around the medium, of which he is at once the cause and the object. "

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Kardec warns, "Obsession, as we have said, is one of the worst stumbling-blocks of medianimity, as it is also one of the most frequent; we should therefore do our utmost to combat it, for, besides the personal annoyances to which it may lead, it is an absolute bar to the reception of truthful communications. Obsession being always the result of restraint, and restraint being never exercised by a good Spirit, it follows that every communication transmitted by an obsessed medium is vitiated in its origin, and is therefore undeserving of confidence."

For additional observations and explanations regarding obsession in mediums, please see this chapter XXIII in "The Mediums' Book".

Kardec, Allan. "Obsession." The Mediums' Book. 2nd ed (1st edition FEB). Trans. Anna Blackwell (translated 1876). Ed. Livraria Espírita Allan Kardec. Brasilia-DF, Brazil:  Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation}.1986. 277-282.