<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Levitation occurs when gravity is negated by paranormal means and as a result a person rises into the air.

Unlike the way flight is shown as an ability in Sci Fi works, levitation is usually very limited, often only horizontal, and may be spontaneous rather than willed.

The ability to levitate is often credited to religious piety. Some Christian saints have been witnessed to levitate, particularly St. Joseph of Cupertino (the "Flying Friar"). Yogis have also been credited with the ability. In the Western case, it may happen during prayer and appears not to be controlled. In the Eastern case, it is usually thought of as a learned skill.

The famous psychic, D.D. Home, was well-known for his levitations. One particular account has him floating out of a window well off the ground and floating back into another one.

Magicians often simulate this ability in their acts. David Blaine incorporated street levitations in his first television special.

Related Terms and Topics

• Telekinesis is the ability to move objects with the mind. A levitating person is possibly using telekinesis on themselves. While the term levitation has been used when an object raises off the ground under the influence of a telekinetic, they are usually treated as separate topics...people who levitate do not commonly have telekinetic abilities as well

• Levitation has also come to be appled to technological processes, such as a magnetic levitating (maglev) train

Fiction

While many superheros have the full power of flight, which could be considered "super-levitation", other characters have had a more typically limited ability.

On the series Charmed, Phoebe Halliwell gained levitation as one of her active powers as a witch. She later lost the ability due to her misuse of magic.