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Friday, May 16, 2008

Séance Pt 1


Séance Part 1




We are all familiar with the old stereotype of a séance –a darkened room, people holding hands in a circle around a crystal ball, lots of good spooky fun.

But this is of course a stereotype. It is not completely inaccurate –many Spiritualist séances of a century ago did look and feel a lot like that. But today a real séance is likely to be a lot more mundane, with few if any aspects of the old stereotype present.

The term “Séance” is French and means “a sitting” –in the sense that one “sits” for spirit communication. Actually today “sitting” is the more common term for the practice, but we will use séance here because everyone immediately recognizes its basic meaning.

In a séance we seek to communicate with spirits –either the spirits of people we have known, spirits who are in need, or Spirit Guides who are there to aid and guide us.

Obviously this practice is based upon the belief in the immortality of the soul, and the ability of the living to develop the psychic abilities to communicate with the spirits.

A séance works through the clairvoyance of the sitters. It works best if at least one is of the sitters is a developed medium, but all people have and can develop clairvoyance. We have conducted weekly séances during the course of which people who had no previous experience of clairvoyance became quite skilled at receiving messages.

Whenever several people are together they amplify each other’s abilities. A developed clairvoyant will amplify the abilities of anyone working with them.

Spirit messages are received when the medium is in trance –either light trance in which the medium retains consciousness, or deep trance in which the medium looses consciousness and has no knowledge of what is happening.

A séance can be conducted with only the medium(s) in light or deep trance, or with everyone present in light trance, depending upon the people’s abilities.

Although the term “séance” was popularized by Spiritualists, the practice of receiving spirit messages is quite ancient, having been practiced by many ancient peoples through a variety of techniques.



Conducting a séance

To conduct a successful séance, or any kind of spirit work, it is absolutely essential to have the right attitude. The emotional and spiritual vibration are of paramount importance, and if they are off then nothing will work correctly.

Working with spirits is not a game, it must be taken seriously and engaged in for the right reasons –a genuine desire for communication, for personal spiritual growth and understanding.

It is not “spooky” or “scary” and should never be practiced with that expectation or desire –because the universe will tend to give you what you ask for. If you are looking for a scary experience you may get one even if only because it is the only one you are in a state to receive.

One also should refrain from being judgmental or skeptical during a séance. It is fine to analyze and even be skeptical of the information received AFTER the séance is over, but it is important to avoid this DURING the séance as it will tend to shut down the process.

Nor should you ever work with spirits while intoxicated, as this will both tend to warp any communications you receive and may also offend the Spirits. Some people do like to take a small glass of beer or wine before sitting for spirits, but just enough to relax slightly, never enough to intoxicate.

Instead have a reverent attitude and positive expectations. It is the spirits own decision whether they speak to you or not. Be respectful and remember that the spirits are not there to serve you, though your Guides are there to help you –your Guides being those spirits who are your specific guardians and helpers.

Generally however if you are drawn to spiritual work it is because your Guides have drawn you.

It is best to conduct a séance in a fairly quiet and peaceful atmosphere where there will be no distractions. A skilled medium can communicate anywhere regardless of what is going on, but beginners can be easily disrupted.

The stereotype that a séance must be conducted only in a darkened room is rather silly and always was. However some people are more able to relax in low light, and relaxation is important to the process, so you may prefer to eschew really bright light –though for an advanced medium this is irrelevant.

One should avoid having too much metal around as metal tends to conduct energy and may tend to absorb the energy needed for communication. Some people go so far as to remove metal jewelry, though this is not really necessary.

It is good to light one or more candles, as these will augment the natural energies. It is also good to create energy constructs to act as batteries for the same reason –imagine four columns of white light in the corners of the room, and a ball of light at the center. Advanced energy workers can refine this to personal taste, perhaps creating energy constructs specifically suited to the energies of the participants.

Many people imagine that they need elaborate protections to conduct a séance. This is not so. You should ask your Guides to admit only appropriate spirits who wish or need to communicate, and they will see that this is the case. Having asked your Guides to do this you should have trust in them and know that only those spirits they have approved will speak.

It can be good to cense (“smudge”) the space where the séance is to be conducted with cleansing herbs such as sage or rosemary. This will help to cleanse the energy of the place.

It is good to pray and meditate at the opening of the séance to establish a spiritual tone. It is also good to make a statement of purpose stating that you have come together to speak with the spirits and are willing to speak only to spirits of good will or who are in need of your help.

The séance should begin at the time that has been set for it. If a series of séances is planned, they should ideally be set for the same hour each time. This builds a pattern for both the sitters and the spirits, and is more important (especially when learning) than one might think.

Once the séance begins it should not be interrupted –very like a ritual. Interruptions will break the mood and make the process much harder. Phones should be turned off, and people should not be coming and going from the room.

People should think of the bathroom BEFORE the séance –though allowances should of course be made when necessary. The “potty dance” does not help build concentration for anyone.

A séance will work best when conducted by people with an established relationship: either pre-existing or built up over the course of several séances. Successful séances can and are done with strangers, but tend to have less striking results because the rapport is less. Receiving messages in this way is a skill which is built up through experience.

4 comments:

Wind Whisperer said...

I enjoy your blog - I'm learning from it!!!
Thanks for the link to me, I will put up one on my blog to you later today

WindWhisperer - www.windwhispers.co.za

Unknown said...

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johnyymathew
Opinion Leader

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful..

Hyla said...

Your writig is very soothing! I will be back!

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