“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(Break at 10:25. At last break 35 minutes ago, Jane had already said that she was exhausted. Her voice by now was even rougher, and now as then I suggested that we end the session. But she wanted to continue, mainly because Seth was coming through so well. Jane resumed dictating at 10:27.)

(Break at 10:37. I was concerned lest Jane’s voice give out. I urged her to call it a night although we were both eager to continue. We decided to take a short break and then resume briefly. Jane resumed pacing and dictating at 10:40.)

(Here Jane pounded on the desk for emphasis and began, surprisingly, to speak in a stronger voice. I had thought without becoming consciously involved that her voice had been strengthening and deepening since last break. Now, the deeper tone became unmistakable. As she talked it became even more pronounced, more formal and louder.

(As I looked down to write I now had the feeling that I was listening to someone else’s voice. If Jane was surprised or upset by this phenomena she gave no sign that I could see. Her manner with this more formal and strong voice was almost that of a lecturer. I said nothing to her about the voice change as she talked on.)

(Pause. Looking at Jane and knowing her natural feminine voice so well, I had to think twice to realize that this other new voice was issuing from her in such volume, and with no strain at all. I don’t know whether I was more surprised at the fact that Jane appeared not at all disturbed by it, or by the fact that it had a definite deep and masculine tone.)

I felt extremely pleased with your frames of mind this evening. I would continue if I did not have your physical limitations to contend with. For some reason I am able to come through very well, and when this happens I like to take advantage of the opportunity. After all, do you blame me? I admit that I miss you occasionally between sessions, dear friends; and Ruburt, your voice almost reminds me now of your old one.

(11:05 PM. Jane’s voice now was perfectly normal. As we laid the board aside she said, “He feels very affectionate tonight—I almost got a lump in my throat. He’s real sentimental. He’d go right on if we went back to the board, he’d go on for hours if we could stand it. He doesn’t want to quit.”

(Jane also said that Seth was quite pleased with the new voice, and that she now knows what he is thinking sometimes, even though he does not relay it to or through her as part of a message.

(Here again, Jane’s voice began to deepen.)

Previously we have been too concerned with other matters for any interchange of an emotional kind, and if Ruburt’s voice sounds rather dreary in this transitional phase I myself am in a very playful, I might say frisky, mood. By all means ask any questions and we will see what we can do.

The one thing that pleases me immensely is the way Ruburt can translate at least a few of my humorous remarks and inflections of my natural speech. It is difficult to carry to you at this point but I have hopes of doing better. Ruburt’s voice is an experiment. The immediacy of our sessions would be enhanced if more of my personality could come through. I could go on quite happily, you might say blithely, for hours but I shall not. I would if I thought I could get away with it.

(Jane, pacing back and forth and talking in her deep strong voice, touched the large begonia plant we have on a coffee table in the center of our living room.)

As a man’s voice I fear Jane will sound rather unmelodious. I do not have the voice of an angel by any means, but neither do I sound like an asexual eunuch, which is all I’ve been able to make her sound like all night. And incidentally, Ruburt, you were a good brother at one time. The so-called male aspect of your personality has always been strong, but by this I mean powerful. Without the loyalty that you are learning as a woman your character had serious defects. And there, I said I would not get into anything serious.

(We began talking in the living room. I mentioned being able to put myself in a dissociated state at the gallery when things got sticky, and said this saved lots of effort on my part. My voice seemed to get hoarse and husky as I spoke; I laughed and commented that I hoped Seth wasn’t going to start using my voice when he wanted to.