“The Esoteric and Occult Representation of Animal Magnetism in Spanish Fiction: The Case of Emilio Carrere (1881–1947)”

Abstract

From its very beginnings, the phenomena associated first with animal magnetism and later with hypnosis were closely tied to the occult, the mysterious, and the esoteric. Spirits, the devil, and natural magic were among the theoretical frameworks used to explain the paranormal events reported during magnetic or hypnotic sessions. Concepts such as “magnetic magic” or “magnetic spiritualism” shaped these interpretations, which, by the late nineteenth and into the twentieth century, gave way to literary appropriations of animal magnetism in relation to the occult and the esoteric. This study traces the hidden and esoteric connections of animal magnetism from its origins, highlighting the most representative and influential texts and authors. It then turns to the realm of fiction, focusing specifically on the occult and esoteric image of animal magnetism in the work of Emilio Carrere (1881–1947).