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The Book : Séance.

Séance was a quarterly magazine devoted to spirit magic. As the introduction to the first issue states “…Talk about a special interest magazine ! ”. The book is a collection of all issues from 1988 – 1991. In total there are 12 issues and they are reprinted and presented as you would have seen them, including ads. Generally, in each issue, there are two effects, presented as such, the rest of each issue is made up of columns and features.

Cost – $75.00 ( £38 approx at current exchange rates ) from Magicproshop.com, although available elsewhere.

Difficulty – On a scale of 1-5, it is a 3 - 5. Thought, preparation and good performance skills are needed. Oh and did I mention preparation ?

Review –

Now, just where do I start ? The contributors ? Lee Earle, Eugene Burger. Jim Magus, Who writes in each of the issues a column called “ Necromancy 101 “ ( which is nearly as wonderful a title as one of his other works, “ Raising the dead for fun and profit “ ). Also included are Tony Andruzzi and Richard Webster, to name just a few of the contributors and in no particular order.

The material in each issue includes effects and their methods, and how to construct any props or devices involved. You will learn how to make things go bump and bang in the dark. Yup, you will have to do it yourself. Well, how else did you think you would get a working replica of “ Nelson’s spirit rapper “ ? There is advice, for instance, on creating smells, lights, apparitions and spirit writing. Ooh and stuff about candles ( I love stuff about candles ). There are interviews with people in the field, good advice, some scripts, tips, history ( did you know that there is an Akashic Records department in heaven, where all personal information is kept ? It’s lucky that sitters write down information that can be compared to these records by the spirits ) and lots more. This book is a real pot pouri of articles on the subject of spirit magic, which I really, really, enjoyed.

If you are interested in spirit magic or learning how to conduct séances, you would not go far wrong purchasing this book. It is a book to dip into and out of, there is just so much in it. With this book there are more than enough ideas and advice for you to conduct a good, believable and eventful séance, more likely a series of séances. At the end of the day, or should that be the beginning of the night, you will become the “ M.C. “ leading the proceedings. And as you will find with this book, less is more. The articles offer help in perfecting your ideas, your presentation of the evening, presenting yourself and what you are purporting to do.

If you are looking for a book with a series of effects to do instantly, this book is not for you…


… But this book offers, if you put in the time and effort, so much to make a successful séance. Offering help in what to do…and what not to do.

As a book, it is a little eclectic, a bit here and a bit there. Sometimes things are continued in the next issue. But after all, it is a literal reproduction, in hard back form, of 12 issues of a specialist magazine. You will not find an itemised listing of specific effects, rather there is a label of contents at the beginning of each issue, listing two effects and then the columns and articles and their contributors. In these columns and articles you may find additional scripts and methods or advice.

Much fun can also be had reading the ads for products for sale at that time, and who was selling them. Lee Earle, Doc Sheils, Phil Goldstein and a host of other names crop up. It’s also interesting to see the type pf products being sold. Maybe some one on this board bought a “ force-you-later “ calculator. Still some things never change, I think there are PK products for sale in every issue…and why not.

Overall - 9/10 Well, after consulting with my spirit guide, I’d say this book has quality contributions from talented, experienced people. It gives a wonderful overview of this specialist field. If séances and spirit magic are your bag, and you are prepared to put in the effort, this is one to buy. Now pardon me while I get back to some work on a couple of candles. Practice eh ! Oh, did I mention this book may make you obsessive ? But, hey, isn’t that true of any form of magic folks ?