Les Neuf Passes e i Plexuses Magnetici (Szápáry)/en
The Neuf Passes (nine passes) and the theory of Plexuses or magnetic nodes form the core of the therapeutic system of Count Franz von Szápáry. The technique establishes that magnetic force is transmitted through the body following nine main nerve nodes, and that the magnetizer can guide, intercept, and "bind" it with precise passes. It is documented in Szápáry's Magnétisme et magnétothérapie in the form of a catechism (nos. 154–160).
The principle: nine nodes, nine passes
To the question of how many passes are needed to rebalance the magnetic force in the patient, Szápáry replies:
"Nine exactly executed passes are sufficient, because there are only nine main nodes of nerve plexuses." (no. 154)
The number of passes is therefore not arbitrary but anatomical: it corresponds to the number of nerve nodes. If the ailment is localized in the lower parts of the body, only as many passes are performed as there are nodes below the seat of the ailment: "if the patient has chest oppression and no headache, five passes suffice; if he has a sore throat, only seven are needed" (no. 155).
The nine magnetic nerve nodes
To the question "What are the nine magnetic nerve nodes?" (no. 156), Szápáry lists, with the corresponding Latin anatomical denomination:
- At the temples (Corpora quadrigemina)
- Behind the ears (Plexus cervicalis)
- Near the clavicle (Plexus brachialis)
- In the chest, horizontally with the vaccination point (Plexus cardiacus)
- A little above the stomach (Plexus solaris)
- A little above the hips (Ganglia lumbalia)
- In the groin (Ganglia sacra et plexus hypogastricus)
- Above the knee (Communicans tibialis)
- Under the soles of the feet (Ramus volaris)
The plexus solaris (fifth node) has a central role in Szápáry's doctrine: in the text it is identified as the seat of the Arkeos, and "one can think of somnambulism as a state of great activity of the Arkeos (solar plexus)."
How the pass works
Each magnetic pass conducts the fluid "only from one nerve node to another" (no. 157). This is why a maximum of nine are needed: the flow, not being able to be directed by a single pass except from one node to the next, reaches the last only at the ninth pass, "where one will always take care to bind and intercept the force" (no. 158).
Intercepting and binding the force
The two closing operations are the most characteristic technical point (nos. 159–160):
- Intercepting means "forcing the interrupted magnetic current of the patient to retreat to the nearest nerve node." To do this, "one closes the hand so that the tip of the fingers touches the palm and the nails rest against the flesh."
- Binding means "making the magnetic fluid remain in the previous nerve node"; it is fixed by intercepting the force in the described manner.
Szápáry emphasizes that this is "of the highest importance": the downward-directed force is thus forcibly held at one of the nodes, "something that could not be done with the ancient magnetic method" — it is precisely this control that distinguishes his school from traditional magnetism.
Connections with the system
This technique integrates with Szápáry's other two doctrines: the twelve passes (the opening sequence) and the correspondence of the fingers with the five senses (which determines which finger to use for the pass, according to the affected sense).
Primary sources
OCR text for instant verification of citations: Szápáry Magnétisme et magnétothérapie — OCR text (archive OCR_FONTI_WIKI).
- Franz von Szápáry, Magnétisme et magnétothérapie (complete text, ed. 2018), nos. 154–160 — Drive text
- Der kleine magnetische Katechismus (original catechetical source) — PDF Drive
- Folder: Szápáry — works and techniques