We require to visit this citation, in which we find a detailed account:
A séance with 200 people is reported at the Rochester Square Temple, London on Saturday March 12th 1938 published in the Two Worlds (March 25th).
There is a photograph of a
levitation with two ladies standing on a chair, which describes a levitation process:
The two ladies seated one each side of the medium then announced that he was “going up.” He seemed to float upwards from his chair, while they held his hands, until they had to stand on their chairs and stretch their arms upward to retain hold of his hands, which were drawn slowly but irresistibly right out of their reach, so that they had to let go—and a moment or two afterwards, sitters in different parts of the circle at some distance felt his feet drop fairly heavily (Mrs. Jackie Kruze said very heavily—others, not heavily enough to hurt them, but heavily enough and long enough to be distinctly felt and recognised) on to their heads and then float upwards again.
The two ladies who occupied seats next to his, and who had been holding his hands till he “floated” up beyond their reach, were then made to take each other’s hands, while still standing on their chairs in order to strengthen the power by completing a circle of linked hands.
At this point an infra-red flashlight photograph was taken, which proved to be a picture showing him apparently about to be returned to his chair, but in the meanwhile “suspended” some distance above it in front of the two ladies’ linked hands.
Immediately after the flash, the medium was felt separating the ladies’ hands and taking their hands again himself and a moment later falling downwards gently into his chair again".
(End)
In his publication, Devin Knight suggests:
HOW TO LEVITATE IN DARKNESS
Have someone you wish to impress sitting on your left. Sitting on your right is a trusted friend (confederate). Get a good hold on the person to your left so that he cannot let go. The room is then plunged into total darkness.
While the spirits manifest, you get your right foot on the seat of your chair and then your left foot so you are in a squatting position. Everyone still thinks you are sitting in the chair.
From that position, you secretly stand up slowly so that it appears like you are levitating.
(...)
“Don’t let go of my hand whatever you do,” you say.
After you reach a full standing position, place your feet on top of the table and squat there. Then start to stand up again. Your trusted friend places your chair secretly on the table, noiselessly of course, and carefully. The chair is fixed with rubber pads under the legs so that it will not make noise or slip.
Return to sitting in the chair. When the lights are turned out, your chair is on the table with you in it, apparently put there by the spirits!
In a dark room, anything goes".
(End)
It seems a reasonable appraisal of the general idea.
Now, this is something we could all try at home...
Conversely, there is that well known phrase, 'don't try this at home'.
Speaking from experience, I would go with the latter... you will just end up falling off the table in pitch darkness.
Interesting that Knight states,
"Sitting on your right is a trusted friend (confederate)", particularly as
@EnolaGaia also observed:
"...the only mention of his personal life relates to an isolated claim one of the women sitting beside him (on one occasion) was his unnamed wife".
Word for today is 'subterfuge'.
