Gathering more in 2025
*blinks at the new calendar*
Does that really say 2025?
My two wall calendars and two planners assure me that it is, in fact, about to be 2025. Even though in many ways it feels as if 2020 just arrived.
I cannot be alone in wondering where five years went, though if I think about, I know: worldwide pandemic, accelerating political chaos, and (in my case) a bunch of health issues and the deaths of both of my parents in 2023.
Maybe you were dealing with other issues, like the births of children or grandchildren, or graduations, or caretaking for someone who was ill. Maybe that someone was you.
Whatever happened, somewhere in the past few months I’ve started feeling called to more gathering. And what better way to start the year than by gathering together (apart—by zoom) to talk about something fun and interesting?
I am planning a year of salons, séances, and soirées.
I am planning a year of salons, séances, and soirées. In fact, those are going to be my plan going forward unless or until I get sick of doing them. I’m choosing them because I am leaning into JOY, and into community.
In fact, my spirit guides decided for me that my word for this year is going to be COMMUNION. Nothing to do with church, mind you: It is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the state of sharing or exchanging thoughts and feelings; the feeling of being part of something.” Elsewhere, it is defined as “the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.”
Doesn’t that sort of communion sound absolutely delightful?
Yes, it’s about getting together in community, both online and in person, but it’s about making true connections with like-minded people. More of that, please.
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. They were super popular in the 18th century Europe, then again in the early 20th century among groups such as the Bloomsbury Group (Virginia Woolf and friends) and people like Gertrude Stein. Consider it a meeting of minds, where us smart folks get together in order to chat about important topics and issues of the day.
Here’s the best part: We get to say what is important.
A salon is a great place for communion, to be honest. The getting-together of like-minded folks to talk about things that they find important or interesting 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).
Us, hanging out at a salon. Dibs on the velvet gown.
séance? Sounds like a scam.
Hang in there with me for a minute. First off, this is not a staged thing with a group of us sitting around a table while someone hides underneath and knocks.
“For my purposes, it is a sitting or session for the purpose of a spiritual interaction.”
I’m using a slight modification of the French term séance, meaning “a sitting.” While it has been used to mean “a sitting specifically for the purpose of communicating with the dead”, it is also “an attempt to communicate with spirits.”
For my purposes, it is a sitting or session for the purpose of a spiritual interaction. That could mean anything involving ancestors, spirit guides, guardian angels, or even things like your intuition or higher self. Are we reading tarot cards? That involves asking people’s spirit guides to get involved and help choose cards. Are we doing a guided meditation to allow us to meet and interact with our higher self or one or more spirit guides or angels? That’s still a séance under my definition. Are we communicating via mediumship? That is for sure interacting with spirits.
I am hoping to do some in-person séances, as well as hosting online ones. Because, of course, energy isn’t limited by proximity, so we don’t always need to be in person. I’m hoping to have some guest psychic mediums now and again, in addition to other activities listed above.
I should note that if you don’t believe in spirit communication, that’s fine. You don’t have to believe, and of course you don’t have to attend a séance. For my part, I’ve become more open to it over the past several years, after interacting with some friends who are mediums, and receiving information from departed loved ones. I’ve even been contacted myself by some other people’s departed loved ones on occasion during tarot or coaching sessions.
I will say that for me, I do not “channel” spirits, even when I hear from them. The information is communicated directly to me, without anyone “taking over” my body in any way. There’s no weird voices involved—just small bits of information that the spirit wishes to communicate. Without exception, this information has been delivered as a means of expressing love toward the intended recipient. Maybe it’s a departed parent with an apology, or an acknowledgment of something. Maybe it’s a deceased friend who wants to let you know that they are at peace now, and not to worry that you should have done something differently.
What I have experienced, and heard from other mediums, is that people on the other side tend to be free of the angst, anger, and pain that they might have held during their lifetime. They are usually there to be helpful in some way. (Those that aren’t willing to be helpful usually don’t bother to turn up.)
Anyhow, I’m psyched about hosting some séances as we move forward. (Pun intended.)
Voulez-vous attender un soirée?
What is a soirée? Well, it’s an evening party. Specifically, a fancy evening party where folks dress up, with a focus on conversation and perhaps music.
Doesn’t that sound like huge fun?
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. A soirée is at a somewhat different level, if only because it’s only in the evening, and involves getting dressed up.
Maybe one time it’s wearing evening gowns, just because we can. But I am planning on a Practical Magic soirée, where we dress like a favorite character from the movie (or the upcoming sequel). And maybe a soirée where we dress like our favorite movie or TV witch. An Addams Family-themed one. A magical outdoor dinner party. You likely get the picture.
I even have a not-quite-formed idea for a retreat in Salem, Massachusetts, which would include a salon, a séance AND a soirée. Because how fun would that be?
The common thread: communion
What all these ideas have in common—Salons, Séances, and Soirées—is the gathering of like-minded people for a fun, specific purpose, with a focus on real connection. My spirit guides tell me my word of the year is communion, as I said, and I plan on leaning into it, both online or in person, depending on the event.
So what do you think? I will continue to coach 1:1 and to read tarot. But are your ready to commune with me and maybe some spirit friends in 2025? Drop me a comment and let me know.
