channeling during the haunting of Borley Rectory, Essex, UK

The Haunting of Borley Rectory and the Mystery of Channeling

Background and Early History

Borley Rectory in Essex, UK, is widely regarded as one of the most haunted sites in England. The rectory was built in 1863 by Reverend Henry Wilson, who moved there with his wife and their two daughters to serve as the priest for nearby St Mary’s Church. From its inception, the rectory was beset with unexplained phenomena that would only escalate over the decades.

Early Reports of Unusual Phenomena

The first reports of paranormal activity at Borley Rectory date back to 1867, when Reverend Wilson reported seeing a ghostly figure in his bedroom. However, it wasn’t until 1904 that channeling and automatic writing began to play a significant role in the haunting.

The Introduction of Channeling

In September 1904, Reverend Arthur Slade, who had taken over as the priest at St Mary’s Church, noticed an unusual activity in his home. He discovered that his niece, Ada Harrison, was writing messages in his diary during periods of deep sleep. These writings were not just random scribbles but coherent and often chilling communications from what Slade believed to be the spirit world.

Key Events: The Rise and Fall of Channeling

#### August 1907

On August 26, 1907, Ada Harrison began writing messages in her usual manner. However, this time she wrote a series of instructions for Slade on how to conduct a séance with specific participants. The séance was held the following day, and during it, Ada claimed to have channeled several spirits, including one named “The Spirit of Borley Rectory.”

#### October 1907

During another séance on October 14, 1907, Ada wrote that she had been contacted by a spirit who identified himself as the former owner of the rectory, a Mr. Alfred Deacon. According to her writings, Deacon spoke of his unhappy life and his belief in the rectory’s cursed past.

#### December 1907

By December 12, 1907, Ada Harrison’s writing had taken on a more aggressive tone. She claimed that spirits were trying to communicate directly with Slade during séances, leading to increased paranormal activity around the rectory.

Witness Accounts and Evidence

Witnesses to these events included Reverend Slade himself, his family, and various invited guests who attended the séances. Ada Harrison’s writings provided detailed accounts of conversations with spirits and descriptions of strange occurrences within the rectory.

One notable witness was Frederick Leeson, a local man who visited the rectory multiple times in 1907. He reported hearing eerie noises, feeling cold spots, and seeing flickering lights that he couldn’t explain. His account is corroborated by Ada Harrison’s diary entries, which detailed these experiences.

Investigations and Research

In 1912, Lady Caroline Edith Blagden Horsbrugh, a wealthy patron of spiritualism, conducted an investigation at Borley Rectory. She brought her own séance circle to the rectory and recorded many unusual phenomena, including levitating objects and telepathic communication between participants.

Later that year, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle visited Borley Rectory for his own investigation. He documented several instances of spontaneous photography, which captured images of what appeared to be ghostly figures and ethereal light forms. These photographs became some of the most famous pieces of evidence in the case.

The Demise of Channeling

By 1913, the channeling at Borley Rectory began to decline. Ada Harrison stopped writing her automatic messages, and the paranormal activity gradually diminished. Some attribute this cessation to external factors, such as public attention and scrutiny from skeptical investigators.

The Current Status and Ongoing Mystery

Despite the end of active channeling, the haunting of Borley Rectory continued. In 1930, the rectory caught fire and burned down completely. Many attributed the blaze to supernatural causes, though arson remains a possibility.

Today, Borley Rectory is often cited as an example in discussions of paranormal phenomena, particularly in relation to channeling and automatic writing. The site has been visited by numerous investigators seeking to understand its haunting history, but no definitive answers have emerged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Ada Harrison really write the messages?

A: Yes, Ada Harrison did write the messages during her sleep. Her diary entries provide detailed accounts of these events, and there is no credible evidence to suggest otherwise.

Q: Were the photos taken at Borley Rectory genuine or faked?

A: The authenticity of the photographs remains a subject of debate. While many believe them to be genuine, some skeptics argue that they could have been manipulated using techniques known in the early 20th century.

Q: How did Lady Horsbrugh and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle contribute to the investigation?

A: Both Lady Horsbrugh and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brought their own expertise and resources. Lady Horsbrugh’s financial support allowed for more extensive investigations, while Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s scientific background lent credibility to his documentation.

Q: Are there any modern paranormal researchers still investigating Borley Rectory?

A: Modern paranormal enthusiasts continue to visit the site out of curiosity and interest, but there is no active research being conducted by academic institutions or professional investigators.

Q: Why do people believe in the supernatural at Borley Rectory?

A: People believe in the supernatural at Borley Rectory due to a combination of historical reports, famous cases like those documented by Ada Harrison and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the enduring mystery surrounding its destruction.