Planchette

A planchette is a triangular or heart-shaped board supported by castors which, when lightly touched and moved by the fingers, is claimed to spell out supernatural or spiritual messages. A pencil would be attached to the planchette, printing letters or other designs on paper to be later interpreted by a medium.

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The most common use of the planchette is with a Ouija or spirit board. In this instance, it is sometimes referred to as an "indicator" or "pointer". Used since the beginning of the Spiritualism movement of the mid-nineteenth century, planchettes predate the invention of spirit boards.

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Although speculation exists that the planchette was named after its inventor, the French word "planchette" translates to English as "little plank."

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Supernatural: The supernatural (Latin: super- "exceeding" + nature) comprises forces and phenomena which are beyond the realm of current scientific understanding, and which may actually directly contradict conventional scientific understandings....

Spiritual: See:...

Pencil: A pencil is a handheld instrument used to write and draw, usually on paper. The writing is done with graphite (except for colored pencils), which is typically covered by a wooden sheath. Pencils may also have an eraser or "rubber" attached to one end. The pencil differs from most pens (other than e...