Alpheus, A.

About the author

A. Alpheus was an American writer and self-styled researcher of hypnotism, mesmerism, and related esoteric practices at the turn of the 20th century. His best-known work, Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spiritualism: How to Hypnotize, blends practical instructions with broader reflections on the mysteries of human consciousness and suggests that these techniques could unlock hidden potential or strengthen moral self-control. The volume arose at a time when popular fascination with spiritualism, séances, and ‘magnetic healing’ was flourishing, and Alpheus sought to position himself as an accessible guide to these phenomena, bridging the gap between sensational claims and scientific inquiry.

Although Alpheus never attained the academic standing of figures such as James Braid or Pierre Janet, he was adept at synthesizing available literature—both serious psychological studies and less rigorous occult tracts—into a cohesive text for general readers. Throughout Complete Hypnotism, he maintained an instructive tone, offering step-by-step suggestions on inducing trance states: from establishing rapport and minimizing distractions, to using verbal suggestions that encourage deep relaxation or post-hypnotic recall. He also described variations in hypnotic approaches, such as the so-called ‘rapid induction’ for more susceptible subjects, while cautioning amateurs against careless or unethical manipulation.

Alpheus’s interest, however, extended beyond mere technique. He waded into controversies about mind-reading and spiritualism, acknowledging the skepticism that formal scientists and many clergymen expressed. Yet, rather than dismissing these domains outright, he viewed them as potential frontiers in understanding consciousness. By presenting anecdotal evidence—such as demonstrations of telepathy or accounts of mediumistic trances—he hinted that the human mind might bridge realms that orthodox science had yet to fully explore. At the same time, he insisted on the importance of personal ethics, emphasizing that hypnotic or mediumistic powers carried serious responsibilities and moral pitfalls if misused for exploitation.

This blend of cautious optimism and moral framing helped Complete Hypnotism gain traction among readers who craved a practical introduction that did not dismiss mystical claims as mere superstition. Many turn-of-the-century enthusiasts, from parlor-room mesmerists to budding stage performers, found Alpheus’s balanced stance appealing. His writing style, grounded in anecdote and plain language, also stood in contrast to the jargon-laden approaches found in some academic monographs. While modern psychologists dispute some of his broader assertions, Alpheus remains a noteworthy figure in the popular history of hypnosis, mesmerism, and mind-reading: an era when Western culture flirted vigorously with unorthodox knowledge, and authors like Alpheus strove to make the line between science and the unknown accessible to the curious public.