Who was Allan Kardec? Discover its history and works

Even if you don’t know much about Spiritism, you certainly know that Allan Kardec is totally related to this doctrine. The French researcher published works that grounded spiritist thought around the world, and inspires people to this day.

Next, learn more about the history of Allan Kardec and his main works, which became the canon of the Spiritist doctrine. And more: a special selection of spiritist films.

Who was Allan Kardec?

Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rival, renamed Allan Kardec, is considered the great spreader of spiritism in the world. Born on October 3, 1804 into a traditional French, noble and Catholic family, he decided to pursue a career as a pedagogue.

Kardec published several works on education and was a member of several academic societies, such as the Historical Institute of Paris and the Royal Academy of Arras.

Gifted with much wisdom, he decided to investigate, in 1854, an alleged supernatural event called “turning tables”, which took place in the salons of European aristocracy. Convinced that behind these events there was the intelligence of superior beings, he dedicated himself to the study of mediumistic messages.

Through his investigation, he found that in fact there was an intelligence of beings from other planes behind this mediumistic phenomenon. From that moment onwards, Kardec discovered the possibility of communicating with spirits and wrote several books with their help. Thus, he went from skeptic to the greatest spreader of spiritism in the world.

Allan Kardec died in Paris, France, on March 31, 1869, victim of an aneurysm. His remains were buried in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, also in the French capital.

The origin of Spiritism

It is not certain to state the date on the appearance of Spiritism, since since antiquity several elements indicate its existence. The manifestations of spirits are recorded, for example, in several passages of the Bible. Joan of Arc suffered and was thrown at the stake for not wanting to deny the spiritual voices that motivated her to free France.

The English and Americans indicate the initial date of modern spiritualism as 03/31/1848, the day on which the mediumistic episode in Hydesville (Fox sisters) took place.

Allan Kardec and the Spiritist Doctrine

In 1857, Allan Kardec wrote the Spirits’ Book, with revelations in which he claimed to receive from the spiritual world through mediums. This work is a milestone in the foundation of Spiritism.

The teachings spread by Kardec arise at a time when other religions went through ideological crises. This is because in the West, during the 19th century, scientific knowledge expanded and some individuals believed that faith should be explained by science.

So, this crisis awakened the need to have a new religion. Thus, Kardec, when researching the existence of other superior beings and their intervention in the corporeal world, presented tangible evidence of the existence of spirits.

From 1857 to 1869, Kardec dedicated himself to the codification of the Spiritist Doctrine, founding the Parisian Society of Spiritist Studies and disseminating his teachings through his works.

Spiritism is a science that deals with the origin and destiny of spirits, as well as their relations with the corporeal world. Estimates indicate that 15 million Spiritists worldwide, of which about 3.8 million are Brazilians.

In Brazil, spiritism gained strength with Chico Xavier, born in 1910, who had his first spiritual experiences at the age of 4. A Brazilian with a unique personality, Chico only studied until the 4th grade of elementary school, and was responsible for writing 458 books covering various genres. With more than 50 million copies of his works sold, Chico Xavier ceded the rights for his books to spiritist institutions to promote charity.

Main works by Allan Kardec

• Spirits Book: Written by Allan Kardec through mediums, with important revelations in which he claimed to receive from the spiritual plane. This is considered the main book of the Spiritist Doctrine, being divided into four parts: The Moral Laws; Spiritist World or of the Spirits; The Primary Causes; and Hopes and Consolations.
• Mediums’ Book: This work (15 A7) by Allan Kardec was published in 1861 and aims to explain, in a clear and objective way, the communicability of the reincarnated with the incarnate. Thanks to the Mediums’ Book, spiritism established itself as an Experimental Science.
• The gospel According to spiritism: Written in 1864, this work by Allan Kardec is very important for the Spiritist Doctrine. It consists of 28 chapters and offers the moral explanation of spiritism.

Spiritist Films: Which is your favorite?

Do you believe in angels? What about spiritual interference in our lives? This theme has already been extensively worked on in films, taking thousands of people to movie theaters around the world.

Below, check out our selection of unforgettable films with a spiritist theme:

• Ghost across the life
• City of Angels
• Our home
• Love Bigger Than Life
• Always by your side
• Sixth Sense
• The Mystery of the Dragonfly
• the last spirit
• Love beyond life
• Chico Xavier
• Joelma, 23rd floor

Did you miss a movie? Comment and leave your suggestions!

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