Rules for Conducting a Victorian Séance
The following is a list of general rules and notes for the conduction of a séance during the Victorian Era. It is not meant to serve as an instruction guide for hosting one; nor does it mean that everyone who did a séance followed these points.
Disclaimer: This list is for informational purposes only and we ask that you please be respectful of the information provided. We are not asking or suggesting that one should hold their own séance. Anyone who performs one does so at their own risk and well-being.
The Guests:
All guests should arrive promptly for the séance. Once it has begun, they should not be moving in and out of the room. The guests should number between three and twelve, with eight being considered the ideal number. There should be a mix of personalities within the room in order to form a basis of positive and negative; in other words, those involved should be of opposite dispositions.
It is considered unwise to invite those who are or have: overly magnetic personalities, violent tempers, diseases, bad habits, or who, for any reason, may not be able to mentally handle the event.
The Setting:
The room should be cool, airy, and bright. The table should be round or oval. Finally, paper and pencil should always be on hand. Other items can be included per the host’s preferences, these can include an Ouija board or talking board.
The Séance:
Begin with a song or a prayer.
Length: No more than two hours, unless the spirits state otherwise.
There should be a purpose in mind, a reason for the contact. Do not barrage the spirits with a pile of questions, it is impolite.
Be prepared for anything to happen. The spirits may wish to give you answers through writing, tools such as a spirit board or pendulum, if either is provided, or through knocks. Guests may also feel the urge to sing, pray, dance, or write. Such urges should be given into in these instances.
Finally:
Keep in mind that mistakes in information can happen and one should not automatically blame the spirits. It is important to be respectful to those who have passed on and to not upset them; otherwise, they may no longer come and visit.
References:
Paterson, Henry. “How to Conduct a Séance.” Ghost Theory. N.p., 02 Jan. 2014. Web. 07 Oct. 2016.
Pearsall, Ronald. The Table-Rappers: The Victorians and the Occult. Sutton, 1972. Print. 42
A Victorian Ghost Story 