Thursday, October 07, 2010

Séance Controversy

There has been plenty of controversy over the Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw deciding to cancel a Halloween fundraiser that was intended to feature mentalist Jeff Richards. It was reported that he would conduct a so-called séance.

A séance is a type of ritual conducted to communicate with spirits or ghosts of the dead. It is usually presided over by a medium, a "sensitive" person through whom the spirits are supposed to communicate. A typical séance is conducted by a small group of people, often sitting around a table usually in the dark. The word séance comes from the French for "session" or "sitting." The séance was at its most popular during the Spiritualist movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries, during which many of the current aspects of the ritual were developed. The 1887 Seybert Commission report marred the credibility of Spiritualism at the height of its popularity by publishing exposures of fraud and showmanship among secular séance leaders.

In a recent interview, Jeff Richards indicated that all precautions would have been made to protect against any spiritual or physical harm. He suggested that there have been cases of physical harm, but not spiritual harm. It is more likely that someone tripped and hurt themselves in the dark or fell of their chair while gazing at the flickering candle in wind. Either way, how do you make precautions against something that does not happen?

Back in the days of Abraham Lincoln séances were held in the White House to communicate with the dead. All else has failed so maybe they should attempt a séance in the House of Commons. I have problems communicating with the living let alone the dead and especially as it comes to politicians. I find communicating with the living to be sometimes a challenge and I am not the least bit interested in any hoax to communicate with the spirits of the dead. Have a Great Day, happy Halloween and may the Force be with you.