Communicating with the Dead Can Seances makes contact? Written By Katie Neimand for january 2007 xpress magazine Photo By Hanna Christa Matthews     Seven people sit at a round wooden table. The dancing flame of a single candle is the only light illuminating the black room. As the participants take hands, a woman's voice penetrates the silence. Speaking on behalf of the group, she asks the spirit to join them. After giving a brief introduction about the spirit, the woman begins to ask questions. The participants are anxious; their palms are sweaty. A knock on the table is heard. Was that just a noise, or is the spirit trying to communicate?     Most people would recognize and attribute this situation to scenes and images they've seen in books and movies. But seances, which are an attempt to communicate with the spiritual world, aren't just a fixture in spooky tales and Halloween stories. For centuries people have been attempting to communicate with the dead. The reason for holding a seance varies, whether it's to try to communicate with a deceased relative or celebrity, or just to have fun.     Since the beginning of time, man has been curious about an alternate reality or "the other side." For some people, seances are a tool to try to prove their suspicions and belief in other entities besides just physical human beings.     While seances can be traced back to the third century, what is considered to be the modern seance, the type most people think of today, wasn't developed until the 1800s with the creation and rise of the spiritualist movement. This movement encouraged the belief that spirits of the dead can be contacted, and is the distingnishing feature of Spiritualism.     In a traditional seance, a medium leads the group in their attempt to communicate with a spirit. Seances are usually conducted in complete darkness; it's said that spirits respond better to that environment. Mark Edward, a professional mentalist specializing in magic of the mind, has participated in over 300 seances, as well as written numerous books and appeared in multiple television specials about the subject. According to Edward, the darkness was used to hide tricks done by the medium to play up the supernatural. Furthermore, when it's pitch black, the mind creates all sorts of things. Creaks in the house suddenly become signs from a deceased relative; a cold breeze is more than just a change in the weather-it's a sign a spirit is in the room. "The mind will see things the eyes can't see," says Edward.                                                                              But Andrea Morese, a psychic medium located in San Jose, disagrees with Edward. She says that complete darkness isn't necessary; semi-darkness is sufficient enough. As long as the room is relaxing, the level of darkness doesn't matter; if the participants are relaxed, they are much more likely to have a successful experience.     Hand contact is also an important element of seances. Participants should hold hands or touch fingertips. This connection forms a circle, which symbolically represents strength and protection. Hand holding also connects the energy of the participants, which is believed to boost psychic forces that encourage paranormal activity and manifestations.     Before beginning a seance it is important to examine the motives for communication. "The reason for communicating with the spirit world should only be for good; the intentions of the group should match the intentions of the person you're trying to contact," says Morese.     Andrea Morese works as a psychic/medium, which includes activities such as tarot card readings and communicating with the dead.                                                                              Also, all sitters, or participants, must want to be a part of the seance. Bringing people into the environment that don't want to be there can lead to dramatic experiences, as well as interrupt the flow of energy in the room. It's important that everyone involved takes the seance seriously, as well as be psychologically balanced and sensible. A lack of the aforementioned can cause the outcome and the experience to take a turn toward the negative. Furthermore, when the seance is taken seriously, there is a better chance of getting an honest reading.     According to Edward, the traditional seance had 12 sitters and the 13th person was the medium. The idea of 13 people corresponds with the idea that 13 is the number of magic. But Morese believes that to be almost superstitious. In her opinion, three to six is a good amount to have for a seance. "The more people you have the more energy there will be, and the less control you will have over that energy," says Morese. It's also important that all the sitters are focusing on the same thought. In most traditional seances, a candle is used to help the group focus their attention. Being able to block out personal or distracting thoughts is necessary in order to maintain a single energy. Because of its mysterious nature, and ties to magic, many people are skeptical of seances.     "I do believe (seances) can work. But there is a fine line between intuitive insight and deductive reasoning. Unless you're used to psychic insight, people can fool themselves," says Morese.     Edward on the other hand, is still skeptical. "I have an open mind but in 35 years of searching for the real thing I haven't experienced it. I mean, if I could actually speak to a dead person, that would change reality," says Edward. "Is there a spiritual world? I don't have a solid answer. But I would say I'm 95 percent skeptical, and five percent believer." "It's that five percent that keeps me going," says Edward. Contact Neimand at Kneimand@sfsu.edu   Copyright 2007 Andrea Morese