Allan Kardec

"Allan Kardac is known as the divine messenger and man of supernatural powers. Happiness, good luck, and prosperity. Burn candle for happiness, good luck and prosperity." So says Wisdom Products selling their Allan Kardec candle.

As a teacher with little scientific background (he had never attended a university), Kardec -- whose real name was Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail -- decided to do his own research into the popular phenomenon of spirit communication. Not being a medium himself, he compiled a list of questions and began working with mediums and channelers to put them to spirits. Soon the quality of the communications, allegedly with spirits, appeared to improve. He is famous for writing The Spirits' Book, considered the first and most important book on the subject of spiritism.