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A '''séance''' is a method whereby people attempt to communicate with [[Soul|spirit]]s.  The word ''séance'' comes from the [[French language|French]] word for 'session', 'meeting', from Old French seoir, 'to sit.'
{{Subpages}}
A '''séance''' is a [[ritual]] whereby people attempt to communicate with [[spirits]].  Although attempts to communicate with the dead probably predate recorded history, the English word ''séance'', first recorded in 1845, comes from the [[French language|French]] word for 'session' or 'meeting', which itself comes from Old French ''seoir'', 'to sit.' Most frequently associated with modern rituals whose aim is to contact the dead, the term is also applied generically in anthropological literature to describe the activities of [[shamans]] or their counterparts who seek to achieve the same goal.  For example, the shamanic séance among the [[Dolgans]], a small, Turkic-speaking ethnic group on the Taimyr Peninsula in northern Siberia, is called a ''kyyryy'' by the Dolgans, from the Yakut word ''kyyr'', "to hop."<ref>{{Cite journal
| volume = 4
| pages = p2394-2396
| last = Boris Chichlo
| title = Dolgan Religion
| journal = Encyclopedia of Religion
}}</ref>


In English, the word came to be used specifically for a meeting of people to receive spiritualistic messages (a sense first recorded in English in 1845).  
==Ritual==
The ritual most often associated with séances among Western cultures is said to originate in ancient Greece, with some later additions from Christian influence. Four, six, or more people sit around a wooden table.<ref>Séances with five people are avoided since [[Christ]] was crucified with five wounds, and five -– symbolized by the [[pentacle]] (the five-pointed star) -- is thought to draw sinister forces.</ref> 


The following séance technique is used by the [http://www.otherworldsociety.org/seance.htm Other World Society]:
A clear glass bowl filled with [[olive oil]] is placed at the center of the table with a drop of blood. To enhance the chances of attracting a spirit the bowl is surrounded by four objects placed at the compass points. The north and south sides hold candles, a [[Bible]] is placed to the west, and a lily flower to the east. The Bible is opened to 1 Samuel, chapter 28 (this chapter details communication with a spirit), and a single piece of quartz is rested on the pages. Outside the circle is a bell (this drives away spirits), a steel knife (steel, especially with an edge, repels spirits), and some rock salt (salt thrown into a fire drives away spirits, including demons). These latter objects are regarded as tools for defense against undesired spirits.  


== '''A Séance''' ==
Those participating in a séance place their hands flat on the table, with the little fingers of each hand touching the hands of the people on either side. During the séance, the participants focus on the bowl at the center of the table. Michel de Nostredame, the famous seer who was also called Nostradamus, sometimes used a bowl of water and this inspired the use of a crystal ball in the eighteenth century.


During the séance, the participants do not speak except for the medium. The circle of hands is maintained throughout and the participants focus on the central bowl.  When the medium is finished the Bible is closed and the candles extinguished. The following day a bell is rung throughout the house to remove any spirits that remain.


Ghosts are harmless. There is nothing to fear. If an entity is perceived, simply view it as evidence of an afterlife, that the dead are alive.  
==Conditions==
Séances are believed to be more effective under certain conditions. These include holding them at night when spirits are thought to be more visible, or within an ambient atmosphere such as moving water or rain.  Also in occult lore, the moon is believed to exert a powerful influence upon the dead.


It is thought that strong emotions such as anger or terror attracts spirits.  Other attractants include fresh blood (menstrual blood is said to draw demons not spirits), quartz, or the presence of spiritually sensitive people, especially women and children.  Iron and steel, on the other hand, is thought to repel spirits.


== '''Contact''' ==
==Contact==
Contact may occur in various ways. Most commonly, if the procedure is successful, the ghost will appear in a dream of someone who sleeps in the house tonight.
Contact with a spirit during a séance is thought to occur in various ways, with sensory perceptions said to be the most common. Of these, smell is said to be most frequent, followed by touch (a cold spot may be perceived), then auditory, and finally visual, the rarest. Indirect contact in the form of a dream, a candle burning blue or an agitated animal is thought to be another possible manifestation of contact.
Sometimes, however, direct contact during the actual séance is possible. The spirit may be perceived through any sense. A scent (the sense of smell is the most emotive of our senses) is the most common contact. The next most common manifestation is through the sense of touch (a cold spot may be perceived, most commonly from the left side). The third most common manifestation is through the sense of hearing (a sound or a voice). The rarest contact is visual. We will see a light or an apparition.
Of course, a spirit may be present and be unknown to us. There are signs, however. When a candle flame burns blue, a spirit is present. Also, if a hound appears agitated, a ghost is present. (Dogs are sensitive to ghosts, whereas cats are sensitive to demons.)


==References==
<references/>


== '''Helpful Conditions''' ==
[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]
 
To contact a spirit, certain conditions are helpful. Spirits are most visible at night. In occult lore, the moon is older than earth and is dead. The moon is a giant luminescent corpse in the sky, and it exerts a powerful influence of death on the earth.
The presence of moving water–a stream or falling rain (especially with lightning)--is helpful. Strong emotions–especially anger and terror–draw spirits. A drop of fresh blood also draws spirits (in contrast, menstrual blood draws demons). Quartz attracts spirits (but metal–especially iron and steel–repels them). The presence of spiritually sensitive people–especially women and children–also helps open the portal to the other world.
 
 
== '''Our Technique''' ==
 
The technique we will use is from ancient Greece, with some later Christian additions.
Four people–or six or more–will sit around a wooden table. We may not use five people, for Christ was murdered with five wounds, and five–symbolized by the pentagon and the pentacle (the five-pointed star)--draws sinister forces. (The victims of Jack the Ripper–in 19th century London–were positioned to form a huge pentagon in the city.)
The hands of the four must be placed flat on the table, with the little fingers of each hand touching the hands of the people on either side.
In the center of the table we will place a clear glass bowl filled with olive oil. A single drop of fresh blood–drawn from the finger of a volunteer--will be placed in the oil. During the séance, focus on the bowl of oil and blood. (Michel de Nostredame, the famous seer who was also called Nostradamus, used a bowl of blood and sometimes a bowl of water. The last was later replaced by an eighteenth century invention, the crystal ball.)
Two candles will be positioned on the north and south sides of the bowl. A bible opened to 1 Samuel, chapter 28 (the text details a communication with a spirit) will be positioned on the west side. (The west–the point of the setting sun and rising moon–symbolizes the land of the dead. By positioning a bible there we will draw good spirits). A single piece of quartz will rest on the open book. On the east side of the bowl, we will place a lily. (The lily is a flower of death, and the fresh scent will draw good spirits. Vile scents draw demons).
Outside the circle, we will position a bell (this drives away spirits), a steel knife (steel, especially with an edge, repels spirits), and some rock salt. (Salt thrown into a fire drives away spirits, including demons). These things will be used to defend ourselves from any mischievous apparitions.
 
 
 
== '''The Process''' ==
 
During the séance, do not speak. Only the medium will speak. Remain serious and respectful. Do not laugh. According to legend, the dead cannot laugh with joy and therefore levity offends them. Do not break the circle by moving your hands. Focus your attention on the bowl of oil and blood.
Remember, the spirit may be perceived through any sense. Be aware of scents, feelings, sounds, and sights.
If–at any point–any person present feels anxious–remember, we can protect you with the bell, the steel, and the salt in the fire.
 
 
== '''Closing the Séance''' ==
 
When the medium is finished, she will thank the spirit. She will then close the bible and extinguish the candles.
Tomorrow–in the light of day–a bell will be rung throughout the house. That will clear the area of all entities.
 
 
== See also ==
 
[[Other World Society]]
 
[[category:necromancy]]
 
[[category:spirit communication]]
 
[[category:Paranormal Studies]]

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A séance is a ritual whereby people attempt to communicate with spirits. Although attempts to communicate with the dead probably predate recorded history, the English word séance, first recorded in 1845, comes from the French word for 'session' or 'meeting', which itself comes from Old French seoir, 'to sit.' Most frequently associated with modern rituals whose aim is to contact the dead, the term is also applied generically in anthropological literature to describe the activities of shamans or their counterparts who seek to achieve the same goal. For example, the shamanic séance among the Dolgans, a small, Turkic-speaking ethnic group on the Taimyr Peninsula in northern Siberia, is called a kyyryy by the Dolgans, from the Yakut word kyyr, "to hop."[1]

Ritual

The ritual most often associated with séances among Western cultures is said to originate in ancient Greece, with some later additions from Christian influence. Four, six, or more people sit around a wooden table.[2]

A clear glass bowl filled with olive oil is placed at the center of the table with a drop of blood. To enhance the chances of attracting a spirit the bowl is surrounded by four objects placed at the compass points. The north and south sides hold candles, a Bible is placed to the west, and a lily flower to the east. The Bible is opened to 1 Samuel, chapter 28 (this chapter details communication with a spirit), and a single piece of quartz is rested on the pages. Outside the circle is a bell (this drives away spirits), a steel knife (steel, especially with an edge, repels spirits), and some rock salt (salt thrown into a fire drives away spirits, including demons). These latter objects are regarded as tools for defense against undesired spirits.

Those participating in a séance place their hands flat on the table, with the little fingers of each hand touching the hands of the people on either side. During the séance, the participants focus on the bowl at the center of the table. Michel de Nostredame, the famous seer who was also called Nostradamus, sometimes used a bowl of water and this inspired the use of a crystal ball in the eighteenth century.

During the séance, the participants do not speak except for the medium. The circle of hands is maintained throughout and the participants focus on the central bowl. When the medium is finished the Bible is closed and the candles extinguished. The following day a bell is rung throughout the house to remove any spirits that remain.

Conditions

Séances are believed to be more effective under certain conditions. These include holding them at night when spirits are thought to be more visible, or within an ambient atmosphere such as moving water or rain. Also in occult lore, the moon is believed to exert a powerful influence upon the dead.

It is thought that strong emotions such as anger or terror attracts spirits. Other attractants include fresh blood (menstrual blood is said to draw demons not spirits), quartz, or the presence of spiritually sensitive people, especially women and children. Iron and steel, on the other hand, is thought to repel spirits.

Contact

Contact with a spirit during a séance is thought to occur in various ways, with sensory perceptions said to be the most common. Of these, smell is said to be most frequent, followed by touch (a cold spot may be perceived), then auditory, and finally visual, the rarest. Indirect contact in the form of a dream, a candle burning blue or an agitated animal is thought to be another possible manifestation of contact.

References

  1. ↑ Boris Chichlo. "Dolgan Religion". Encyclopedia of Religion 4: p2394-2396.
  2. ↑ Séances with five people are avoided since Christ was crucified with five wounds, and five -– symbolized by the pentacle (the five-pointed star) -- is thought to draw sinister forces.
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