email skeptika
WARNING: This is a description of how we did our séance. I do not claim that it will be successful when you try it, nor do I claim that it is necessarily safe.
When conducting a séance you should remember that you are, in effect, trying to contact something about which you know very little and over which you have little or no control.
If you are a skeptic, please remember that it is better to be safe than sorry. Assume that it is possible to contact something nasty and take precautions based on that. At the same time though, you need to ensure that you are free from the effects of autosuggestion and self-delusion.
Preparation
First I bought a large piece of white paper. I wrote all the letters of the alphabet and the numbers 0 to 9 inside small circles arranged in a rough elipse that was as large as the paper allowed.
Around the center of the elipse I drew three more small circles (using an upturned glass) in which I wrote 'YES', 'NO' and '?'. Then I made one more small cirle in the centre of the paper, as the 'home' position.
The last bit of preparation was a bit embarrassing for an atheist.
I drew some Christian symbols in the corners of the paper. Two crosses and two fishes.
I did this because I thought it wouldn't hurt if nothing happened and it might help if something did. I thought seriously about having a bible handy but finally drew the line at the symbols.
I don't think that the symbols by themselves would have any power in any circumstance anyway, they are symbols of faith, which I don't have. If you have some belief it may assist.
My beloved is not a heathen like myself and she refused to do the séance without a cross. She wore one around her neck.
Our last precaution was to hold the séance in a hotel room, not at home. If something does get 'released', it is better that it happens away from your own place.
If nothing happens, open a bottle of wine and enjoy!
The Table
There have been some people who say that you must have this sort of table or that sort of table. Because we conducted our séance on a sheet of paper really, the table was irrelevant.
It is worth noting, however, that our table was circular and made of glass. The shape meant that we were evenly spaced around the table and being of glass we could see under it.
Other people report cutting out letters and spacing them around the table. Our method removes some confusion because the glass moved onto the letters, not just near them.
Last word on the table, the glass actually slid around, so if you were to use a table top rather than a piece of paper, ensure that the table is reasonably smooth. Otherwise you will have to overcome friction.
Before you start
Decide on what you can and can't ask.
Agree with the other participants on who is going to ask questions first and then take it in turns.
I'd suggest that you don't ask questions about the future (do you really want to know that you will die in a horrible car accident? if not don't ask). I'd also strongly recommend that you be very, very polite.
And even more strongly, assume that you might get to talk to who you ask for. Don't ask to talk to high ranking demons. See the theory page about who you might be talking to.
Kicking it off
This was very simple.
We lit a candle and placed the glass over it for a few seconds (the glass was inverted). Then we put it on the table and moved the glass around the alphabet and other small circles.
Then my beloved asked "Are there any spirits there?"
At this point the glass moved to 'Yes'. If you try this, perhaps yours will too.
