It all started when…

Is it just me, or has being alone started to feel a bit lonely?

I want more people in my life. Specifically like-minded people, who want to help guide the tides so we can lift all boats. (Like-minded folks probably already know that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”)

Salons, séances, and soirées is designed to gather us together: sometimes in person, sometimes on Zoom. If all three words sound vaguely French, it’s because they, are. Like so many enjoyable things in life, each word was introduced to society by the French. And they are about finding your joie de vivre, or joy of living.

WHAT’S A SALON? WELL, I’M GLAD YOU ASKED.

A salon is a gathering of people in someone’s home, usually with an emphasis on conversation. Think of it as a sort of relaxed, fun-because-it’s-interesting party; it’s a sort of “show and tell” for grown-ups, with a featured presenter.

Historically, a salon involved a bunch of smart folks getting together to chat about important or entertaining topics and issues of the day. I see our salons as fitting that profile, and note that we get to say what topic or issue is important or entertaining.

As a practical matter, sometimes it will be us discussing a book (or at least something spurred by a book—I’m not giving out homework!). Sometimes it may be having a guest to present something, followed by a Q&A. With any luck, it may sometimes be a performance or a reading, followed by discussion.

Doesn’t meaningful conversation sound delightful? That’s what a salon is all about. Well, that and enjoying one another’s company, plus maybe some snacks and drinks (especially for any that are in-person events).

Our first Salon featured Rachael, a licensed clinical social worker and talk therapist who focused on “a ‘Back to Basics’ approach as a holistic means to support mental health.” For instance, in an interview, she said she often advises people to “prioritize [their] basic needs in order to support [their] system in the most optimal way.”

It’s for those reasons that she named her Instagram account Back 2 Basics Therapy. She regularly shares mental health tips there, including many on dealing with anxiety or depression, and on leaning into your strength.

What’s this about séances?

The French term séance simple means “a sitting.” In modern English usage, it often means something more like “a sitting specifically for the purpose of communicating with the dead.”

For my purposes, it is a sitting or session for the purpose of a spiritual interaction. Because while we might have a séance with a person who directly connects to spirits and passes along their messages, it could mean other things in my world. For instance, anything involving ancestors, spirit guides, guardian angels, or even things like your intuition or higher self. This could mean having guests who are mediums, tarot readers, or people who use other forms of divination. It could even include certain types of guided meditations, like the ones where you envision and/or interact with your future or higher self.

Energy isn’t limited by proximity, so we may be doing many of our séances online, though I am hoping to do some in-person séances as well.

Our first Séance features Andrew Barker of Tarot With Andrew, who will be speaking about and reading Angel Cards for our guests. Andrew has been a professional card reader for more than a decade, and has done tarot and angel card readings for me over the past few years. I can attest to him being extremely intuitive and spirit-guided, and to him knowing what he is talking about.

Please join Andrew and me on Wednesday, April 9th from 8-9:30 EDT via zoom for our first séance. I’m very much looking forward to hearing Andrew talk about the angels, and you will have your mind blown by how good his readings are. The energetic exchange for this séance is $55 per person. (55 is the angel number meaning change and transformation)

What’s a soirée?

Simply put, a soirée is an evening party.

It sure sounds like fun to me. I love the idea of getting together in person for an evening party where we get all dolled up, just for ourselves, because we want to, and enjoy some food and drinks and sparkling conversation.

If it sounds a lot like a salon, you aren’t wrong. But salons can be any time of day, from brunch to tea time and beyond, and usually have a focal point: a reading, an artist, some music, a topic of discussion. A soirée is different because it’s only in the evening, and involves getting dressed up, and while there might be a theme for the evening, it’s more of a party vibe.

Soirées will take place in person, and may include fund-raising for a charity on occasion. It’s about being in community with good folks.