mesmerists
They entrance audiences
Mesmerists are practitioners of mesmerism—an early form of hypnotism named after Franz Mesmer, who believed he could manipulate an invisible force to heal patients.
The term now applies broadly to anyone who hypnotizes or captivates others: The mesmerists of old gave way to modern hypnotherapists.
Figuratively, a mesmerist is anyone with a spellbinding presence.
Semiconscious, unresponsive condition
- inductionFormal admission process
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- susceptibilityLiability to influence
- somnambulismWalking during deep sleep
passes · fixation · rapport · deepening · awakening · posthypnotic · subconscious · receptivity
Authority to direct
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- swayRock back and forth
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
captivation · spellbound · entranced · beguiled · compelling · charismatic · domineering · persuasion
Raised performance platform
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
- spectacleVisually striking event
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- volunteersUnpaid willing workers
theatrics · vaudeville · cabaret · parlor · demonstration · illusion · entertainment · performers
Years 1701-1800
- salonsGrooming establishments
- ViennaAustrian capital
- ParisFrance's chief city
- séancesMeetings to reach spirits
rapport · crisis · somnambulism · medical history · quackery · pseudoscience · charlatans · placebo effect
Those who contact the dead
- mediumsThose who contact spirits
- clairvoyantsThose claiming supernatural perception
- psychicsClaimed mind readers
- mysticsSpiritual insight seekers
seers · occultists · paranormal · supernatural · telepathy · mind-reading · second sight · magnetizers
trance
Semiconscious, unresponsive condition
- inductionFormal admission process
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- susceptibilityLiability to influence
somnambulism · passes · fixation · rapport · deepening · awakening · posthypnotic · subconscious · receptivity · relaxation
control
Authority to direct
manipulation · captivation · spellbound · entranced · beguiled · compelling · charismatic · domineering · persuasion · willpower
stage
Raised performance platform
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
- spectacleVisually striking event
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
volunteers · theatrics · vaudeville · cabaret · parlor · demonstration · illusion · entertainment · performers · acts
18th century
Years 1701-1800
séances · rapport · crisis · somnambulism · medical history · quackery · pseudoscience · charlatans · placebo effect
spiritualists
Those who contact the dead
- mediumsThose who contact spirits
- clairvoyantsThose claiming supernatural perception
- psychicsClaimed mind readers
mystics · seers · occultists · paranormal · supernatural · telepathy · mind-reading · second sight · magnetizers · healers
mesmeristsempiricists
Philosophers favoring sensory knowledge
skeptics · debunkers · scientists · rationalists · clinical researchers
mesmeristsdeprogrammers
Those who reverse indoctrination
liberators · awakeners · skeptics · emancipators · disenchanters