In Religion, Mythology and Popular Culture
See also: List of superhuman features and abilities in fictionThere are written accounts and oral legends of events fitting the description of psychokinesis dating back to early history, most notably in the stories found in various religions and mythology. In the Bible, for example, Jesus is described as transmuting water into wine, an act some have described as an example of psychokinesis, healing the sick, and multiplying food.
Mythological beings, such as witches, have been described as levitating people, animals, and objects. The court wizard and prophet Merlin in the King Arthur legend, is said to have used his power to transport Stonehenge across the sea to England from Ireland.
Psychokinesis has been an aspect in movies, television, computer games, literature, and other forms of popular culture, often presented as a superpower. An early example is the 1952 novella Telek by Jack Vance. Notable portrayals of psychokinetic characters include Sissy Spacek as a troubled high school student in the 1976 film Carrie, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, Ellen Burstyn in the healer-themed film Resurrection (1980), and by high school seniors Andrew Detmer, Steve Montgomery, and Matt Garetty from the 2012 film Chronicle. Psychokinesis is also commonly used as a power in a large number of videogames and role playing games.
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