Séance

A séance is the process by which an assemblage of people attempt to communicate with a spiritual entity. A séance is typically presided over by a medium, who is usually gifted with some measure of spiritual affinity. The medium acts as both a conduit and an arbitrator, allowing discourse between the spiritual entities and individuals who wish to communicate with them. At one point, the practice was considered to be one of serious undertaking. Séances became quite popular amongst the upper-class in Victorian-era England. By modern standards, séances have come to be regarded as a form of entertainment. Most people who consider themselves rational thinkers are skeptical as to the legitimacy of such practices.

In film

 * Count Yorga, Vampire: A woman named Donna attempted a séance in order to commune with the spirit of her recently deceased mother. The medium for the séance was a Bulgarian mystic named Yorga, who turned out to be a vampire. During the séance, Donna went into a fit of hysterics.