Autographism

/ɔːtəˈɡræfɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The practice or condition of writing automatically without conscious thought, often associated with spiritualist séances or psychological states.

Etymology

From auto- (self) + graph (write) + -ism (practice/condition). This term emerged in the 19th century during the spiritualist movement when people believed spirits could guide their hands to write messages.

Kelly Says

Autographism became wildly popular during Victorian séances, where believers thought deceased spirits were literally moving their pens—but modern psychology recognizes it as a fascinating example of the unconscious mind's power, the same mechanism behind doodling while you're thinking.

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