In The Book of Séances, Claire Goodchild examines the history of speaking with the dead and our fascination with the afterlife while also detailing the different ways in which a person can build a connection and communicate with spirits from beyond.
I’m a bit of a fraidy cat when it comes to ghosts, so me purchasing this book was a shock even to myself. Despite warning myself about not being drawn in by beautifully illustrated books, I was, but luckily this time it paid off! If you aren’t interested in séances or connecting with spirits the book itself is gorgeous enough to be its own coffee table book or just to admire the beautiful pictures that Goodchild has created.
But honestly the content is fantastic. I’ve read a few witch-based spiritual books and some of them come off as a bit…well, everyone’s entitled to their own beliefs and opinions, but as I said in another review crystals won’t cure kidney disease. Luckily Goodchild never forces her beliefs, she’s not looking to convince anyone that an afterlife exists or that it’s possible to communicate with the dead. She explains that these are her beliefs, and the book is formatted as such, as a teaching and instruction manual to educate and teach about the history, interest, and practice of communication with the dead. The history was probably the most fascinating, I loved how Goodchild looked at different culture’s belief of the dead and how funeral rites were used as a way of communion with the afterlife. I also really enjoyed her writing on the Fox Sisters as I’ve found them fascinating, as well as the revelation that one of the sisters claimed that it was a hoax only after converting to Roman Catholicism.
I also enjoyed the different practices Goodchild gave detail too. While it’s called The Book of Séances, Goodchild also talks about how communication with spirits can be done through tarot cards, bibliomancy, pendulums, tasseography, and a variety of other divination techniques that were interesting to learn about.
While I don’t know if I’ll actually put some of Goodchild’s teachings into practice, I loved reading this book. It gave me a wealth of information and will definitely one I turn back to, to learn from and admire the beautiful illustrations!
Publication: October 25 2022
Publisher: Voracious
Pages: 304 pages (Hardcover)
Source: Library
Genre: Non-Fiction, Spirituality, Witchcraft
My Rating: ⛤⛤⛤⛤.5
Summary:
As long as people have lived, they have longed for wisdom and comfort from those who have died. In The Book of Séances, artist, author, and witch Claire Goodchild takes readers on a journey through the historical landscape of spiritualism and guides questers through safe practices for cultivating a connection with the other side.
The Book of Séances details the four types of spiritual encounters, teaches us how to protect ourselves, and breaks down the different tools — from spirit boards and tarot to dominoes and charms — that are essential for opening a bridge to the afterlife. Whether conducting solitary or group séances, this book offers a way to safely glimpse beyond the veil.
Through her evocative writing and singular art, Claire provides a comprehensive history of the séance, alongside an immersive guide to accessing and communing with the spirit world. The Book of Séances provides hauntingly lovely signposts into our own personal mythology as revealed through our conscious and unconscious lives.
Sarah O'Connor 