Costumes Of A Spiritualist By Jamie Linn Saloff

 I recently began offering live online gatherings and invited my younger son to join me. I asked him to monitor the technical backend, including messaged questions, noises that required muting and admitting late arrivals. This would allow me to focus on the task at hand. Although he had a general idea of my methods and beliefs, he’d never seen me in practice. I wasn’t sure what his reaction might be. After the first event, I asked him for his evaluation. One of his answers surprised me.

“Your video background…” he began, “You need crystals and cards, and other spiritual symbols. And your clothing… You need to dress the part, not a costume, but an outfit like some of the ladies wore at that psychic fair you took me to. You know, they had long skirts, flowing scarves, sacred jewelry… You need to dress the part. It will create a better presence.”

I pondered his comments. We had indeed noticed the female mediums at the psychic fair wearing their best finery. Their close-knit tables were decorated with beautiful tablecloths, candles, crystals, and other art objects. Yet, I thought of all the mediums I knew or had been read by. Most dressed in normal clothes. If you saw one at the local grocery store, you’d never guess they were psychics. They don’t dress up. Don’t put on airs. While some may have colorful hair or wear jewelry, that is often the exception, not the rule. However, I have seen some wild getups on TikTok; as far as I can tell, their appearance has no effect on the quality of their gifts.

I actually like dressing up. When I graduated from Fellowships of the Spirit in Lily Dale, NY, I sewed an elaborate Star Wars Jocasta Nu Jedi outfit. The Jocasta character is an elder and the keeper of the “books” of knowledge (actually some kind of crystal-based storage), and, as a writer and a book designer, her persona seemed appropriate for me.

Her costume’s tabards served as a perfect substitute for the priestly stole we were asked to wear for ordination. Based on the tabard’s elaborate design, it took me hours to machine embroider, but it turned out great. Sadly, as only a minor character in the movie, no one knew of her. I was referred to as “the ninja” by the church elder until I explained.

I also spent hundreds of dollars to create a Professor Trelawney costume (Harry Potter’s disoriented tea leaves reader) for a past Halloween, keeping it as movie accurate as possible. I startled my unsuspecting neighbor when she caught a glimpse of me in the driveway. She didn’t know me in a blond curly wig. I had a lot of fun dressing up as Trelawney, but can’t imagine showing up for my live readings wearing her garb—at least not on a regular basis.

Would it really carry more credibility if I wore heavy eye makeup, large hoop earrings, and a headscarf? Should I allow the smoke of dark colored cigarettes to swirl around my head and pretend I’m Madam Blavatsky? I wonder what my clients would think?

I did dress up once as—what I referred to as—a Louisiana gypsy witch. With an hour’s notice, my neighbor invited me to do readings at her annual Halloween Witch party. Having just visited New Orleans, that was the quickest thing I could throw together. However, I doubt that my clients would buy into that. No one at the party seemed impressed, and it really isn’t my jam.

I’ve indicated to my son that I could turn my computer 45° so people could see my crystals and collection of tarot and oracle cards. I’m pretty sure that has little to do with how well I receive messages from spirit. On the other hand, I’m reminded of how I dislike seeing blank walls behind speakers on Zoom meetings. I find the speaker loses credibility when they claim to be rich but are broadcasting from what appears to be an empty spare closet. (I broadcast from my eclectic office.) Maybe those background visuals ARE important. I guess that’s why, when performing rituals, many people wear a costume or sacred clothing. So, maybe there is something to the energy and essence beyond the person there? Does my son have a point?

When it comes down to it, I do take pride in looking presentable. I have a tendency to wear more jewelry than a Christmas tree has ornaments, and I try—and I say try because I often forget—to wear lipstick. One of my mentors insisted that, for the mouth to be seen, lipstick was vital, so I dab a little on my mouth before going live. I hope my attendees will be more interested in what I say and the messages and healing I offer, rather than the outfits I wear. What do you think?

Jamie Linn Saloff’s Books

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ROC Metaphysical Youtube Interview With Jamie