While the title is Conducting a Séance, which indicates you’re the facilitator of it, this post is also about participating in a séance. It’s intended to be relatively practical, including the second part of the title: (What could go wrong?). That said…

What you’ll also find here are a couple examples of scenarios that are best avoided and, in the instance of their actualization, how to get out of them safely.

Ignorance is bliss (or not)

I have vivid memories of gathering with my cousins in the TV/rec room at Uncle John’s house. Our parents would be in the livingroom of the split-level ranch, and we’d be downstairs; out of sight and out of mind - mostly.

In addition to creating dance routines to The Beach Boys’ “California Girls” and belting out “Delta Dawn” with my female cousins, prank-calling Uncle John’s house from the downstairs phone and sneak-watching episodes of Love, American Style on the TV, we liked to conduct séances.

Now, when I say, “we liked to conduct séances,” I mean we felt it was a cool thing to do. Because at that point in our lives, it really was “a thing” among our peers. “Everyone” was doing it. How could we not?

For us, conducting a séance meant, first, setting the tone. We turned off all but one light or, if we dared, all the lights, leaving only the glow of the street lamp outside to offer illumination. We allowed ourselves to get all goosebump-y with a lot of anticipation, a little fear and a sometimes-uncontrollable fit of giggles followed by shushing and stage-whispered “This is serious!”

Once we had the ambience and our nerves under control, next came reciting the phrase “light as a feather, stiff as a board” (or was it “stiff as a board, light as a feather”?) while we each slid the index and middle fingers of our hands underneath our tribute of the moment and supported them to attempt levitation.

Sometimes, we’d actually attempt a “real” séance, too. We’d sit in a circle on the floor, link hands, close our eyes and someone would intone something intended to raise spirits.

Did it work? No, on both counts. And yet it succeeded in its ability to both thrill and chill us, so… mission accomplished, I suppose.

Ignorance was bliss, at that time. If we had a sense that we could actually summon a spirit or entity, I like to think we might have chosen to play Trouble or Concentration or Go Fish, instead.

We may have had a half-hearted wish to connect with something otherworldly, and yet I feel confident saying not one of us was fully committed beyond the levitation attempt. We were too scared - er, smart to go all-in.

Thank all that’s holy for that.

Conducting a séance

If you fancy conducting a séance, you can get all up in the ambience of a “real” séance with your set-up, if you wish. Fact is, neither the amount or type of light in the room nor the objects placed in the middle of the circle or table truly have any impact on the session’s success. It’s best to consider comfort levels, instead.

It’s very (very) strongly suggested you make sure everyone participating - including you as the facilitator - is grounded; as above, so below. Goal: Make it near-impossible for a rogue spirit or entity to attempt possession of you or a participant. (And if that gives you pause, that’s a good thing.)

Your non-negotiable primary mission is to hold a very clear intention around the purpose of it.

• Is your intention to connect with a specific healthy ancestor? Include their name in your incantation.

• Is your intention to receive a sign or feel a touch or channel a message? Be clear about that as a way of setting boundaries.

• Is your intention to connect with any spirit or entity that may be available, regardless of whether you knew them or not? Specify that whoever or whatever that may be is purely for the highest and best of all present - at the very least.

When you’re ready to get into the nitty-gritty of a séance, keep a clear sense of your intentions as you call in your first spirit. Also, consider that everything is something; everything that occurs is part of the experience. Pay attention to all sounds, sensations, emotions, etc. This will help offer clues about the various connections made.

What could go wrong?

The foremost thing that could go wrong is forming a connection with a spirit or entity with an intent that doesn’t align with the highest and best of those present. In that instance, it’s imperative to have a plan in mind for safely and successfully removing the spirit or entity from the space.

An energy healer and/or worker can typically facilitate such a removal. However, it sometimes happens that a spirit or entity proves themselves to be more than a healer/worker can handle on their own. In that instance, there needs to be quick thinking around calling for back-up. And by “back-up,” I mean calling in Archangel Michael.

If there’s need to call in Archangel Michael, be sure the request is clear: Please remove the spirit/entity from the space and restore it to the all that is. Michael will take care of it.

Another thing that could go wrong is that connection with a loved one in spirit results in such an emotional reaction for a participant that they seem unstable. In this instance, it’s best to close the séance, give the participant some water and encourage them to take slow, deep breaths.

Hopefully, they’ll respond to those basic supports and regain their equilibrium. If not, and if they don’t have someone with them who can get them help, you may need to call a mental health support line and get help that way. You just never know how people will react in what can be an intensely emotional experience such as connecting with a loved one they’re grieving.

Final words

Those are very basic strategies to get you started if you feel called to conduct a séance. Please remember that while connecting with spirits can be exciting and even healing, the intention for that to happen must be clear and powerful.

Unlike what we thought as kids, séances (and Ouija boards, by the way) are not fun and games.

Blessed be.