Six Ways Victorian Séances Were Not Like the Movies

If you watch a lot of supernatural horror or read many gothic novels, you've probably encountered your fair share of séance scenes. In modern stories about supernatural terrors or paranormal adventures, a scene with a séance often marks a crucial turning point in the narrative. The séance might result in a terrifying possession, reveal a long-held secret, or unleash an undead evil into the realm of the living. We inherited séances from the Victorians, who, despite their reputation for rigidity and prudishness, also had a voracious appetite for melodrama, mysticism, and the gothic. The Victorians founded modern spiritualism, collected reports of ...

Hold a Traditional Spirit Circle

For readers who want to conduct an experiment in Victorian-style spirit communication, I've provided guidelines for a traditional spirit circle. The guidelines are an amalgamation of what I've learned reading countless spiritualist publications, but they draw particularly heavily from Emma Hardinge Britten's wonderful instructional booklet: Rules to Be Observed When Forming Spiritual Circles, which was published in 1887. Note: Modern practitioners of spirit communication advise that anyone attempting a séance begin with a ritual or request for protection (setting the intention that only benevolent spirits will come forth) and finish by bidding the spirit-realm farewell, dismissing ...

Meditation for Ancestral Connection for Mediumship

It is staggering to think about the sheer number of ancestors who came before us. When my students or clients struggle with the concept that anyone in their family line looks out for them, I always suggest they do some math. Two parents means four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, sixteen great-great-grandparents, and so on. This gives us a sense of how big our families are on the other side. With that many ancestors, you better believe you have supporters in your corner about whom you couldn't possibly know. Exercises in later chapters of Talking to Spirits cover how to communicate with specific spirits, but this meditation is designed to help you connect with ancestors who are ...

3 Ways Talking to Spirits Can Improve Your Life

When I first realized that I was sensitive to the presence of spirits, I was both intrigued and frightened. My supernatural experiences showed no signs of stopping, so I eventually decided that I had two choices: remain small and scared, or figure out how to work with these abilities. I chose the latter, and it changed my life for the better. Practicing mediumship and spirit communication should be done with care. That said, communicating with spirits can expand your world and improve your life in unexpected and joyful ways. Here's how. 1. Talking to spirits can bring closure and healing.Let's first talk about spirits of the dead. It is my belief that a new journey awaits all of us once ...