Séance

George Catlin - Múk-a-tah-mish-o-káh-kaik, Black Hawk, Prominent Sac Chief - 1985.66.2 - Smithsonian American Art Museum

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Cardboard cut out with Eva C

Houdini as ghostbuster (performance poster)

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Séance is a term used to describe a meeting or gathering, typically involving a small group of people, with the purpose of communicating with spirits of the deceased. The concept of the séance has roots in various religious and spiritual traditions around the world, but it became particularly prominent with the rise of Spiritualism in the 19th century. Spiritualism, which emerged in the United States in the 1840s, posits that the spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. Séances are a central practice in Spiritualism, serving as a bridge between the material and the spiritual worlds.

History

The history of the séance is closely tied to the history of Spiritualism. The movement gained momentum with the Fox sisters in Hydesville, New York, who claimed to communicate with spirits via a series of knocks and raps. This phenomenon attracted widespread attention and led to the popularization of séances across America and later in Europe. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, séances became fashionable, especially among the upper and middle classes.

Practice

A séance typically involves a group of people, known as sitters, who gather around a table in a dimly lit room, often holding hands to create a circle. A key figure in the séance is the medium, who claims to have the ability to communicate with spirits. The medium may enter a trance state and convey messages from the spirit world, either verbally or through physical phenomena such as table tipping, automatic writing, or the production of ectoplasm.

Criticism and Controversy

Séances and the broader Spiritualist movement have been subjects of criticism and controversy. Skeptics and scientists, including Harry Houdini, have sought to expose séances as hoaxes, demonstrating how mediums could employ various tricks and techniques to simulate the presence of spirits. Despite this, many people continue to believe in the validity of séances and the possibility of spirit communication.

Cultural Impact

The séance has had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring numerous works of literature, film, and television. It has also influenced other spiritual and paranormal practices and beliefs, contributing to the broader New Age movement.

See Also

• Spiritualism
• Medium
• Paranormal
• Ghost