seance

A séance is a meeting or gathering where people attempt to make contact with the spirits of the dead through a medium. Typically, participants sit in a circle around a table, often in a darkened room, and hold hands. The medium acts as a conduit between the living and the spirit world, facilitating communication. This communication can manifest in various ways, such as knocks, raps, messages dictated by the spirits through the medium, or even apparitions.

The practice of séances gained significant popularity in the 19th century during the Spiritualist movement, which believed that spirits of the deceased could communicate with the living. Various techniques were employed during séances, including automatic writing, table-turning, and channeling. Historically, séances were often conducted in private homes or dedicated spiritualist churches.

Skepticism surrounds the practice of séances, with many attributing the perceived phenomena to psychological factors such as suggestion, delusion, or outright fraud. Scientific investigations into séances have generally found no credible evidence of supernatural communication. Despite this, séances continue to be practiced by individuals and groups who believe in their efficacy.