If you're anything like most people, the thought of holding a seance may be a little scary. Of course, you may also be like those who love the thrill of the unknown and enjoy getting goosebumps. Whatever camp you are in, there is always just the teeniest bit of interest in connecting with a ghost, usually one from your own past.

People who hold seances do so to contact someone, or a few related people, who has passed on.  They usually have very specific questions to ask these spirits but they don't feel that they can contact them without help. 

The following is a basic primer for people interested in holding a seance. You don't need any fancy gadgets, but you do need someone who has had some experience at being a medium, preferably a happy one.

If you're interested in throwing a seance, there are a few basic "ingredients" that you need before doing this. While there will be some variations in everyone's approach, the following are necessary for the success of a seance.

1. Choose a medium with some experience with holding a seance. Since you'll never know "what" will come in, an experienced individual will be prepared whatever may happen.
2. Know what the purpose of the seance is for.  It should be to contact a specific person or persons, not some random spirit.
   
3. Choose the people attending the seance carefully. Don't invite someone who is easy to scare or thinks seances are in need of being debunked. The right mind set of everyone involved is tantamount to the success of the evening.
4. There should be at least 3, but not more than 12 people in attendance.  It is considered helpful to have a mix of both men and women in the group, though it is not absolutely necessary.
5. Create the right mood for the event.  The room should be comfortable, but not too hot or cold.  Candles are believed to attract spirits, but avoid using heavily scented ones- for the comfort of your guests.  Quiet music may be played before the event, to set the proper tone.
6. If there are questions to be asked, the medium should be asking them, not the entire group of people.  Think of what you want to know before the seance and write the questions on paper for the medium or discuss the questions with the medium before the seance.
   

For those that haven't attended a seance before, the unexpected can sometimes stop the event dead in its tracks, if you'll pardon the pun. The following are a few of the things to expect during a seance.

1. Not all seances are successful in terms of contacting a spirit. If a medium has been unable to contact a spirit within 15-20 minutes, it is time to break up the event for the evening and try again another time.
2. With luck, a medium may be able to contact a spirit at your seance. If that happens, acting shocked, standing up, talking or squealing can end the seance because it breaks the concentration of the medium and everyone else.
3. Holding hands is traditional, but not always used in modern seances. It is hard to hold hands with someone for an extended period of time, especially if everyone is anxious or has sweaty palms! Ultimately it should be up to the medium on how everyone will try an "connect" with eachother prior to the seance.
4. All mediums are different. Some can channel spirits while others simply talk with them to ask them questions, like you were talking to a friend. Hearing a person talk with another voice can make many people nervous, especially if it is a woman medium suddenly talking like a man with a baritone voice. Try to take it in stride if this happens; it is a truly unique experience if it does.
5. Sometimes a spirit other than the one you're trying to contact, comes through. Who knows? Maybe they'll have some important information to impart to the group. Just go with the flow and let the medium handle it.
   
6. Some mediums use a ouija board or crystal ball at seances. Again, this is purely a matter of taste. If you have a problem with ouija boards, be sure to discuss this with the hostess will in advance of the event so he or she may invite another guest in your place.
7. Seances usually last less than one hour. It is physically exhausting to be a medium, especially if the spirits are especially talkative at your seance.
   

The old addage is true, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!"  The same is true of a seance.  As long as you're willing to try, doing so isn't going to hurt anything. 

Some suggestions before re-trying a seance.  Consider changing the energy in the group by inviting different people than you did the first time.  Often, just a change in a group's dynamics can be the difference between success and failure.  Alternately, consider bringing in a different medium.  Finally, while a seance can be held anywhere, consider holding one in a house or building where the spirit you're trying to contact has ties.  This can also help in your efforts, though it isn't absolutely necessary.

Above all, keep a positive attitude.  Positive energy always attracts good things, and good spirits.