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.
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.
Although speculation exists that the planchette was named after its inventor, the
French word "planchette" translates to
English as "little
plank."
*
Automatic writing*
Ouija*
Ideomotor effect*
Planchettes at the
Museum of Talking Boards
