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.

Related Topics:
Supernatural - Spiritual - Pencil - 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.

Related Topics:
Ouija - Spiritualism - Nineteenth century

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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."

Related Topics:
French - English - Plank

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