In her short life, Frederika Hauffe (1801–1829), known as the ‘Seeress of Prevorst’, provoked a resurgence of interest in the world of spirit communication and gifts of the spirit. Like many sensitives, she was frail in health. In the last seven years of her life she was all but bedridden.
     For most of her adult life she was cared for by Dr. Justinius Kerner, who faithfully recorded her utterances and made sure that her writings and drawings were kept for further study. Many of the best-known clairvoyants and spiritualists of the 19th century have had much to say about this remarkable young woman. Among her spiritual gifts were dreams and visions, prophecies, and healings, but most arresting of all were the automatic writings and precise drawings she produced when in a clairvoyant state.
     These were rendered or spoken in what she named the ‘inner language’ or the ‘Language of the Spirits’ with whom she communicated. She produced circular diagrams that she called her ‘inner’ circles, seven were life circles and one was a sun circle.
     However, Frederika Hauffe was not just an interesting ‘case’. She was able to use the revelations she was given from the spiritual world to recommend healing remedies, and give forth prophecies for the individual as well as the community.
     The author of this work has drawn the disparate threads of 19th century spiritualism together with modern research to give a fascinating insight into the life and work of the Seeress.
     Dr. John DeSalvo, himself a biophysicist and long-time researcher into the Turin Shroud as well as the Great Pyramid of Giza, examines the main elements that characterised the unique gifts of the Seeress. Among his published works are Andrew Jackson Davis: The First American Prophet and Clairvoyant and Decoding the Pyramids.
     While focusing on the Seeress, the book also examines a number of related issues that call for qualification. The first of these is the Language of the Spirits. This language has variously been called the Primal Language, magical script or the Celestial Script.
     Dr. DeSalvo reveals how the existence of such a language is shown in ancient texts and manuscripts. It is implied that this language was the first language that humans learnt and has since deteriorated and proliferated into the many languages humanity speaks today.
     The second issue is that of magic. The concept of magic is discussed in the same way as the Primal Language and a pattern begins to emerge. Magic can be a way for mortals to control their world by the manipulation of the elements surrounding them. This can be by visual or auditory means, or by ritual and learning. This is the operant magic of the alchemists.
     Dr. DeSalvo unfolds and explains all the elements that met together in Frederika Hauffe. His style is clear, concise and he informs the reader when he is speculating, rather than presenting researched facts. The reader will learn of magic and magicians, alchemy and alchemists, angelic scripts, Kabbalah, and arcane texts such as the Voynich Manuscript (an old illustrated text that has defied interpretation to the present).
     Much of the biographical material on the Seeress is quoted from Dr. Kerner’s own book on her life and work, published in 1829 after her death. Notable experts on spiritualism visited her and concluded she was a genuine clairvoyant who did indeed enter the spiritual world and communicate with spirits. Dr. DeSalvo includes many illustrations of the Seeress’ writings and drawings as well as reproductions from the Voynich Manuscript, which has a chapter of its own.
     The author has provided us with a look into the life and times of the Seeress and speculations on the magical or angelic scripts that have been known as the Primal Language since Jacob and Enoch spoke to the angels. The precise diagrams will tickle the minds of numerologists and code-breakers alike.
     A feast for those who love an esoteric mystery tour.