A few evenings ago I attended my first ever seance. I had been invited along by one of my friends who was heavily into sitting around a table, holding hands and listening to voices from, what he believed, were from beyond the grave. I was intrigued about such an event. He called me on the phone and gave me the directions to a location on the North Yorkshire Moors. And so, on the appointed evening I set off and drove for about two hours to a pre-determined meeting place on the North Yorkshire Moors. I parked up my car by the side of a small windswept copse and was met by my friend and two other people neither of whom I had seen before. For reasons of security and secrecy I was led to another vehicle and blindfolded.
Once I had settled into my seat I could hear the car engine being turned over. My friend asked me if I was okay. I responded in the affirmative.
After what seemed to be a very short drive the car came to a sudden halt. I was still blindfolded and escorted from the cold night air and into the warmth of a building. I was led into a room where my blindfold was removed.
I blinked for a while and could see that the curtains had already been closed. There were a number of lit candles which offered some light. An oval shaped table stood in the middle of what could be described as a chintzy parlour which was furnished by antique furniture and ornaments. This table had been draped with a heavy ruby coloured material, possibly velvet. As well as my friend and two travelling companions there were two elderly ladies stood in the room. The two women were hovering near the hearth where a log fire illuminated that side of the room. One of the ladies walked over to where I was standing. She took my hand and introduced herself as Miss Esme and told me that her sister was called Miss Mimi.
Where was I? I wondered.
I stopped my wondering when Miss Esme spoke and invited us all to take a seat around the table. I noticed then that there were seven seats at the table but only six people present in the room.
I recently had my boys birthday party (well it was about 4 weeks ago to be more precise). I left all the planning to my Wife. She likes to plan and be in control, while I am happy to let her, because it is on balance best all round. Its not to say I dont have some reservations about this dynamic in our marriage, but I am also learning that my difficulties in allowing are a reflection of my own control issues. For this reason I can let go as not only does it make common sense, but it also means that in effect I am in control. Like much about life its a paradox from the outside , but it makes perfect unifying sense from the subjective point of view.
However, it was a football party and if I am honest my resolve was fraying at the seams for quite a few days. My son is not as yet much of a football addict, and he is a sore loser and not very focused. I know other boys would be more in tune with the beautiful game. I felt responsible. I tried the mirror gazing but I was consumed with my own need to control things and couldnt see past my own narcissistic reflections and so spent the next hour trying to make sure everyone was happy. It was a hopeless task, especially as one small young girl had turned up (the other 8 invited had seen sense). She ran her heart out and got hurt several times without ever touching the ball. I was mortified.
Then thank God it came to an end. We all piled in to the party room for food, cake and presents. It was then that I noticed the time! It was only 12 o'clock and my wife had told all the parents to come back at 1.30! Now anyone that has ever had one of these parties will know what I am talking about. I was flawed. How are we going to entertain 30 mad kids for 90 minutes in a little room?
A few evenings ago I attended my first ever seance. I had been invited along by one of my friends who was heavily into sitting around a table, holding hands and listening to voices from, what he believed, were from beyond the grave. I was intrigued about such an event. He called me on the phone and gave me the directions to a location on the North Yorkshire Moors. And so, on the appointed evening I set off and drove for about two hours to a pre-determined meeting place on the North Yorkshire Moors. I parked up my car by the side of a small windswept copse and was met by my friend and two other people neither of whom I had seen before. For reasons of security and secrecy I was led to another vehicle and blindfolded.
Once I had settled into my seat I could hear the car engine being turned over. My friend asked me if I was okay. I responded in the affirmative.
After what seemed to be a very short drive the car came to a sudden halt. I was still blindfolded and escorted from the cold night air and into the warmth of a building. I was led into a room where my blindfold was removed.
I blinked for a while and could see that the curtains had already been closed. There were a number of lit candles which offered some light. An oval shaped table stood in the middle of what could be described as a chintzy parlour which was furnished by antique furniture and ornaments. This table had been draped with a heavy ruby coloured material, possibly velvet. As well as my friend and two travelling companions there were two elderly ladies stood in the room. The two women were hovering near the hearth where a log fire illuminated that side of the room. One of the ladies walked over to where I was standing. She took my hand and introduced herself as Miss Esme and told me that her sister was called Miss Mimi.
Where was I? I wondered.
I stopped my wondering when Miss Esme spoke and invited us all to take a seat around the table. I noticed then that there were seven seats at the table but only six people present in the room.
One empty seat. What was going to happen next?
PART TWO
After a few minutes a man entered the room. Miss Esme smiled in the direction of the newcomer. Miss Esme stood up and introduced the newcomer to the group.
'This is Emmanuel', she said.
Emmanuel beckoned Esme over and whispered something very quietly to her.
At that point Emmanuel led Esme from the room. Emmanuel Ledesma?
It got me thinking. And the seance hadn't even begun.
