Spirit Boards

Spirits Boards are tools used to contact and communicate with spirits. Synonyms include *witch board* and *talking board*. *Ouija boards* are a type of spirit board. *Ouija board* is sometimes used as if it were a synonym for *spirit board* (and it is often the only kind of spirit board many have ever seen), but *Ouija board* is a trademarked name for a specific spirit board currently marketed by Parker Brothers game and toy manufacturers. Ouija boards are found wherever games are sold. other spirit board variations may be harder to find.

The standard modern spirit board is a flat board (or other flat surface) printed with letters, numbers, words, and symbols. A movable pointer rolls over the board and points to this printed material, usually in response to questions. The big question is: *how* is the pointer moving? Are people's hands moving it? Is it the force of gravity, a tiny breeze, or some other scientific explanation? *Or* are spirits responsible?

Spirit boards originally came into prominence in the nineteenth century as tools associated with Spiritualism. No need to wait for an invitation to a séance or pay a medium's fee. Spirit boards enabled an individual or small group to contact spirits independently in the privacy of their own home. Spirit boards achieved great popularity and were sold as novelty items as well as serious spiritual tools.

The standard American spirit board is based on the planchette. *Planchette* is a French term meaning "little plank." It is a small board supported on wheels or castors that moves in order to spell out messages or answer questions. A pencil or other writing implement may be attached so that words or letters form, or the planchette may be rolled over words, letters, or symbols. The American spirit board is a simplified version. (To confuse matters, the rolling pointers of American spirit boards are also called planchettes.)

Although these spiritual devices first achieved mass popularity in the nineteenth century, they are based on ancient divinatory techniques. Chinese variations, known as spirit or sand writing, have been documented at least as far back as the Tang era (618-907 CE). They remain popular today, This is the basic method:

* A question is written on a piece of paper, which is then burned.
* A stylus, suspended over a shallow tray filled with sand, is operated by mediums until a character, letters, or word(s) may be deciphered.

Spirit boards have accrued something of a bad reputation, possibly because they are commonly operated by those with little or no metaphysical or spiritual training, the equivalent of children playing with matches. Spirit boards are sold in toy stores, but they are real, genuine, divinatory devices.

When working with spirits, it is always best to be as clear and specific as humanly possible. Ouija or other spirit boards are an excellent communications device should you have an appointment with a spiritual entity whom you already trust. When summoning spirits, ask for the spirit you seek by name; don't just put out a general call. Herein lies the danger of the Ouija board: spirits sitting around with nothing to do tend to be the ones no one else has called for and probably for good reason. (And always remember, fear attracts the fearsome.)

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes