A séance is a ritualistic meeting where participants attempt to communicate with spirits or the deceased, often led by a medium. The term comes from the French word “séance,” meaning “sitting,” referring to the gathering of people seated together to make contact with the spirit world. Séances have been practiced for centuries, and are often associated with the Spiritualist movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries, though their origins date back to much older traditions.
The History of Séance’s
Communicating with the dead through rituals dates back to ancient times, with records of similar practices in civilizations such as Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. However, the modern concept of the séance became popular in the mid-19th century, particularly during the rise of Spiritualism in Europe and the United States.
The Fox Sisters from New York played a pivotal role in the popularization of séances. In 1848, the sisters claimed to communicate with spirits through rapping sounds in their home. This event sparked widespread interest in the idea that the dead could communicate with the living, and soon, Spiritualist séances became a common social and religious practice. The movement attracted millions of followers, including notable figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was a strong advocate for spiritual communication.
Types of Séances:
- Table-Turning/Tilting Séances:
A popular form in the 19th century where participants would place their hands on a table and ask questions, awaiting a response in the form of movements or knocking sounds on the table. - Trance Séances:
In these séances, a medium enters a trance state, allowing a spirit to take control of their body to deliver messages to the attendees. The medium often speaks in a different voice or provides answers to specific questions posed by the participants. - Physical Phenomena Séances:
In these gatherings, spirits are believed to manipulate physical objects such as levitating tables, moving objects, or creating ectoplasm (a substance that is said to manifest during intense spiritual contact). - Ouija Board Séances:
Participants use a Ouija board to spell out messages from spirits. This method became particularly popular in the early 20th century as a commercialized way of conducting a séance.
Seance Procedure
Séances typically involve a group of people, including a medium, seated around a table in a dimly lit or darkened room. The participants may hold hands to create a circle of energy, and the medium will often call upon spirits to communicate with the group. The medium may receive messages in the form of spoken words, sounds, visual impressions, or physical sensations.
Some séances involve tools like Ouija boards, spirit trumpets, or automatic writing to facilitate communication. The medium may enter a trance state, allowing a spirit to speak directly through them, or they may interpret signs from the environment, such as temperature changes or unexplained noises.
Modern Séances:
Today, séances are still conducted by mediums and paranormal investigators, though they are often less formal than in the past. Some Spiritualist churches continue to offer public séances as part of their religious practice. Paranormal groups and enthusiasts also conduct séances in haunted locations to attempt contact with spirits associated with the site.