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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
I've never really paid much attention to "spooky" magic, so this is pretty new to me. But I'm curious as to what type of effects, in general terms, are usually done in a seance-type performance. For instance, message readings, levitations, find the photo of a dead person, slates, and so on. I know about the various book tests, Lun@ and such. Or if you can point me to previous threads or other material, that'd be great too. Thanks much.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
YitzhakNoDice Special user Portland, Oregon 517 Posts |
I'm sure there are better answers to your question. However, I took this as an opportunity to spit polish my own script-building outline, enclosed below. It is not specific to a seance, per se, but my seances do have these elements. Please realise this is my outline tailored to my style and the type of performances (which are infrequent) I do. The outline isn't complete (lots of things are in my head) and it has notes to myself so I remember to do certain tasks. When they say "you should create a magical character for yourself, to go with what you know"; I took this literally. I am an advanced(?) student of the Jewish Occult, Midrash and Talmud, Kabbalistic writings, demonology, divination, and Jewish magic. My performances include these aspects. With these disclaimers, I hope those reading this will enjoy, laugh at, be amused by, critique, and otherwise be entertained by my outline.
1) Pre-Invitation Preparations - Planting Seeds This may be starting or retelling stories or rumours such as "The Old Bradford Home is Haunted", sending photographs, or sending old newspaper clippings relevant to the story to be told. Sometimes, it is useful to subtly pre-introduce the medium, for instance have the medium show up at a regular party of the host. This seed-plantings are aimed at those who will be invited hopefully days, weeks, or even months in advance of the performance. (I like long-range planning and am in the position where I can let the sitters brood on it over a longish period.) During the seed-planting meeting(s) with the host, judge on how many and the degree to which the sitters are 'believers'; adjust accordingly. If host may be a stooge or not; determine this at the first meeting. Look over the space and adjust the performance accordingly. Plan the post-sitting meeting. 2) Invitations The formal invitations are sent to the sitters. The content is much up to the host, however I suggest a disclaimer such as "If Tarrot cards, Ouija boards, and books from the Occult disturb you, you may elect to decline this invitation." There may also be legal disclaimers. Be sure there is an invitation to the post-sitting meeting as well. 3) Greeting & Mood Setting Subdued lighting and sombre music (or as appropriate to the story) are key elements. If being held at a host's house, changing the furnishings around completely or added a canopy to the room is useful - guests familiar with the host's house immediately know something unusual is in store for them. Setting the sitters is an important ritual. The medium is only introduced after the sitters are seated. 4) Demonstration of Ability (I may change around the order of this step with the story introduction.) The type of demonstration depends on the performance; it might be showing unusual sensitivity to the Divine, demons (Shedem), to spirits of the deceased, etc. Examples might be a psychic reading, aptitude with mind reading or clairvoyance, or magical familiarity (for me, a Kabbalistic-related demonstration - NOT a magic trick). If a Spirit Guardian is to be used, now is the time to introduce said. For a seance, I might choose Living or Dead tests. It is important to involve the sitters. (I am still trying to learn how to use non-stooge sitters as mediums or 'psychic helpers', but it is the direction I'm heading.) 5) Introduction to the Story Now the storytelling begins with the background. For example, introduce the characters and their situations. I like to introduce (faked, modified, or real) old newspaper clippings, photographs, or personal effects of the character in the story at this point. Leave room for plenty of discussion. 6) Contact the Spirit Control to Advance the Plot This might be a Shedem summoning or contacting my Spirit Guardian to do some bidding or to obtain information to advance the plot. Use the sitters to reveal parts of the plot. Demonstrate the presence of the Spirit Guardian entity; questions of the entity may be asked or it might show a sign. There may be one or several 'exercises' to real parts of the plot in order to involve the sitters. This is a time when really spooky things should begin to happen, preferably without gimmicks and with mood-setting. More of the plot is revealed during this time, but there will be missing elements preventing the a conclusion of the story. 7) Directly Contacting the Main Character or Revealing the Missing Element(s) This is the final revelation of the story line and the climax of the performance. This may involve a blackout situation, a Ouija board or my own Kabbalah board, Tarot or other cards, forming of a circle, candle reading, or a spirit box. Ritual is very important here. Contact of the main character may include a violent reaction or may be subtle depending on the story. Gimmicks or queuing may be used to extract the missing story element. Again, it is important to involve all or many of the sitters. Thank and bid the main character good bye. 8) Denouement Armed with the all the puzzle pieces of the story, let the sitters finish the story. If too timid, help them along. There is no right ending other than what the sitters decide upon. It is okay if the miss clues - they may very well realise them later and talk about it more amongst themselves. The is the most rewarding part of the performance. Release or bid farewell to the Spirit Control. 9) Retreating Adjourn the sitting (gradually). Let the medium retreat (allowing questions or not, depending) and allow the host to take control of the sitters. There is a long list of items to do afterwords that I call 'after care'. It might be a few minutes cooling the sitters down and becoming less serious. It might include calling them over a few days after the sitting to check up on them and talk about the experience. The medium need not be invited to this post-sitting meeting (but should be on hand to monitor and step in to be consoler if needed).
A wise man's question contains half the answer. - Solomon ben Judah, Philosopher
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Godzilla Inner circle Tied & Untied Witches on 5316 Posts |
Nicely laid out, Yitzhak !
I love the disclaimer more and more, when it comes to Seance ! Not, for the legal aspect but to drive home you may be part of some unexpected or explained paranormal ! More, to add to the touch of Realism. (Fear Factor)
"If you watch Godzilla backwards, it's about a big ass lizard who helps rebuild a half burnt-down city, then moonwalks back into the ocean"
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Wow, Yitzhak!!!!!! That's far more than I expected, so thanks so much for taking the time.
As I said, this is pretty much new to me, so anything like this is great.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
Magical Dimensions Inner circle 5001 Posts |
Yitzhak,
Your post was really great.... George, The bigger book of BOO...... Is a good place to start. Ray |
Lo Pan Special user Haven't slept in weeks - but I now have 769 Posts |
I concur with Ray - Great post Yatzhak and buy the bigger book of boo! I just finished reading it and will be re reading it to highlight and make notes - that book is a treasure trove - Also you might pick up an issue of the Mystic menagerie publication at Lebanon Circle, its a on line magazine and is full of great articles and information, its also reasonably priced.
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Brynmore14 Inner circle The Séance Chamber 1815 Posts |
Yitzhak, buddy, you don't post often but when you do it is always worth reading. Good to hear from you and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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YitzhakNoDice Special user Portland, Oregon 517 Posts |
I am humbled by all your comments. Thank you!
I could have been more specific in my post citing the 'Seance' compilation as a main source of material I use. I've also gleaned material from out of print books from the late 1890's and early 1900's on 'modern' spiritualism (I recommend confessions of a spirit medium, in particular). I'm kind of old school that way. The ubiquitous spirit cabinet doesn't fit with my idea of involving the sitters. Instead, I sometimes make a 'cabinet' that fills the entire room, with the sitters inside (it gives that sense of 'something special' and makes the blackout conditions much easier to create) - think 'blanket fort' from your youth. I like any cards out by Lebanon Circle, Chris Gould, and others. I didn't mention slates. I love slates, gimmicked or not. I probably have 7-8 sets just because I like collecting them. Thanks again for all your encouragement!
A wise man's question contains half the answer. - Solomon ben Judah, Philosopher
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
Anyone know where I might find the bigger book of boo ?
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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Lo Pan Special user Haven't slept in weeks - but I now have 769 Posts |
I got my copy from Lulu.com - a little pricey but worth it.
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TEB3 Veteran user Texas 387 Posts |
Indeed The Bigger Book of BOO! and Traveler's Journal are both still available through Lulu.
Thanks for the nice plug guys. Something new in the works for 2015. Just staying very busy in "de Hidden Forest". Lary/TEB3/Traveler |
The Hermit Veteran user 301 Posts |
George: Get Making Manifestations by Lee Earle. It's full of great seance bits that can be used together or separately. It's his full length commercial seance. Some of the stuff is amazing.
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