talkmagic.co.uk

Just to add to what Mandrake said, all the rooms are remarkably well put together. Lit by candlelight, even on a cold Saturday afternoon in January to show me what it's like, the main seance room is the business. There are some pictures on Selly Oak Seance's Facebook page, but they don't really do the place justice.

There's a website - http://www.seance.me.uk/index.html - just light the candles...

And don't forget that me and a certain Mr. Carter are presenting CSI: Psychic there on the 24th April. www.voodiniandcarter.co.uk

By a strange co-incidence, when Bertoneski posted his query I’d already made arrangements to attend one of these séance nights - apologies for not saying anything before but I wanted to approach the evening with an open mind – and last night was the night!

Obviously I can’t be too specific about what went on as a) it would spoil things for others and b) there’s no guarantee that what I experienced would be capable of being repeated. The evening starts at 9.30pm, if the attendees aren’t there by 9.40 the doors are locked and no further admittance is possible. Notably, attendance is limited to 10 people at a time.

As has been mentioned, The Shop itself is a thing to gaze at and breathe in – imagine a typical Victorian era terrace house with a small room at the rear where guests are received, this leads on to a scullery with a long washbasin sink on one wall cabinets and display cases over the other walls containing artefacts and documents of mystery and wonderment. This leads on to the main parlour where the action takes place and this room is half parlour, half museum as the walls are covered with display cases containing robes, caps, masks - some of the Masonic variety, some more tribal. There are literally hundreds of ornaments and objects adorning tables, cupboards and shelves. None of them are particularly worrying but there’s a sense of something being not quite right about many of them. Beyond the Parlour is a small front room area, in this case the ‘front’ room was the shop with a large Victorian picture widow looking out onto the main street. Set in the floor is a plate glass panel showing the cellar which is illuminated by small candles. There are more rooms upstairs but these are not yet ready to be seen by visitors.

On arrival names were checked off the list and we were all asked if we have any medical problems or phobias which might cause discomfort during the proceedings. After a short wait in the scullery whilst we marvelled at the displays and range of books on view, music was heard coming from the parlour – in the case of last night it was ‘In a Monastery garden’ courtesy of an old 78rpm record on a wind up gramophone player. Attendants were moving around, dressed in very appropriate strange apparel, formal clothes complete with top hat, a smoking jacket and cap, all quite fashionable but somehow 'odd'.

We were ushered through into the parlour and seated around a huge circular table, the room was lit by only a few candles but it was sufficient. Darrin then entered and gave a brief resume of the sort of things which may take place, not just psychic but based on a particular kind of magic and belief, nothing worrying, just at an angle as well as in alignment to other thoughts. We were asked to introduce ourselves to each other although it was suggested we use nom de plumes and say nothing about our work or daily activities. The mood was pitched sensibly somewhere between belief and non-belief and during the evening I suspect most of us changed course between one extreme and the other several times. Historical matters were explained, divination of cards and other warm up activities took place, various artefacts were passed round to examine and comment upon, tarot and palm readings were discussed and briefly done. Mulled wine was served and there were offers of more if anyone wanted. We certainly wanted and we certainly received!

Following this the full seated séance started, candles were lit, focussed upon, extinguished and then we were literally in the dark for 15 minutes or so experiencing what was typical of a Victorian Séance evening – lights, scents and other happenings. After the candles were relit, Darrin checked were all comfortable about what was happening and then asked if we wanted matters to go a little further. We all agreed that we would like to do so and... and.....






If I told you any more it would be very wrong of me but suffice to say I have already mentioned every aspect which became involved. Reactions afterwards from the other guests varied but each and every one of us went home with things on our minds yet to be resolved..

All in all a worthwhile event so if anyone’s likely to be in the area and would like to attend, call them and see if they have any vacancies on forthcoming evenings.

The Shop
www.unknowing.co.uk
25 Oak Tree Lane
Selly Oak, Birmingham, West Midlands B29 6JE
0121 471 1616

However, you must all understand I can't be held responsible for what you may or may not experience.......

Was it frightening / spooky / obvious?

Several of the guests were well and truly spooked.