Just here it is advisable to state that the would-be medium should not at first sit for the express purpose of cultivating any particular phase of mediumship. He may desire to obtain materialization, but unless he is naturally endowed in this matter, he might sit for ever and obtain nothing; whereas if he developed whatever phenomena presented themselves, he might very soon develop into a striking medium in some other line.

To return, however, to the early development of mediumship: Soon after these early impressions have been noticed, the subject may note for the first time that his mind is peculiarly susceptible to influences of all kinds. He feels as if his mind has been “skinned,” so to speak, and that he is now exposed to the psychic breezes from every direction ! He may become erratic and irritable and develop “moods” which he himself cannot understand. Peculiar buzzings in the head are sometimes heard, sometimes cloudlike masses seem to form in space before him, twisting and turning and moving up and down, and round about with a very irregular motion.
As a rule, these clouds appear to be of the consistency of vapour, though they may in time become more and more solid, until they become built up into definite forms. Of this however later.

At this phase of the development the subject may feel cool breezes blowing upon his hands and face from
various directions breezes whieh appear to be perfectly physical in character. He may also experience a peculiar sticky sensation on his hands and face as though cobwebs were applied over the bare skin which is exposed. This cobwebby sensation is very common, and is not limited, as many think, to mediums who obtain materialization.