A seance is a gathering where individuals try to communicate with spirits or the dead. It is closely associated with spiritualism and has been a popular practice for centuries. Alternate names for seances include spiritualist meetings, medium sessions, ghost gatherings, and spirit summons. Other terms that are synonymous with seance are spirit-calling, divining, necromancy, and necromantic summoning. These names all describe the same process where individuals try to make contact with the spirits of the deceased. Whether you call it a seance or use one of these alternatives, the purpose is the same- to communicate with those who have passed away.