What is a Seance?

Séances are carried on as a part of the regular practice of Spiritism. Although the organisation of Spiritist centres may vary wildly from place to place, most of the time there is a basic core of elements shared by them.

Spiritist séances are quite different from the most frequently pictured scene mostly because they do not involve one medium, but several of them, and the conditions do not allow any of them to show-off more than the others. Moreover, it is often thought that it is the centre that is "strong", not a given medium. The other form is more theatrical as they raise tables, audible noises and voices are heard, and ectoplasm materializes.

As a consequence of the difficulties experienced in the past, Spiritist mediums will not evoke whom whose identity they can't be sure of and will not invoke vaguely some presence, which can be evil. They instead remain receptive to any spirit willing to communicate and will then incorporate those who wish to speak to the living attendants. Evocation may be sometimes done, in special meetings, but only when a medium "feels" that a given spirit may be willing to communicate.

Evocation of spirits, especially those of recently deceased people, was frequent in the beginning, but nowadays most Spiritists regard this practice as bothersome both to spirit, who is most likely still suffering, to his family, who may share some of the anguish experienced by him, and to the medium, who will probably face a much worse conflict and power loss. 

Many times those who watch over the people in the room; either a spirit guide or a love one will come through. Sometimes they are relaying messages for the lazy as well, 'By the way your mother wants me to tell you...' When you attend a seance, you will not always receive a message though. Just because you have a phone does not mean a friend will call in that hour. When you do, they will probably be short and to the point. For more in depth time with those on the other side you should book an appointment for a private mediumship reading. 

When you have a room full of friends who have been together communicating with the other side for quite sometime who share their ability to be open to their senses, that is when odd things can manifest like images of spirits, flickering of lights, sounds, and many other things. One last thing about spirits that can change one seance from another; spirits are still people with tastes and dislikes. They will only feel comfortable with people they would of felt comfortable with in life. If they do not like the president in the room leading the seance, or they make them feel nervous, they will keep quiet. If they do not like another spirit or person in the room, they will keep quiet. So if you don't get a message the first time, feel free to try again. Just don't get carried away.

For more questions about Seances, visit Angelica of the Angels at 192 Essex Street in Salem MA. We offer various classes and are available for informal questions within our shop. Also if you like to book a seance you can do so by visiting www.salemloveangels.com.

With the Love of the Angels,
~Chris
www.salemloveangels.com