Planchette

What it is

The planchette serves as a mechanical aid for automatic writing within the context of spiritualist séances. It typically consists of a flat, often heart-shaped piece of wood equipped with wheeled casters and an aperture for holding a pencil. Participants place their fingers lightly on the device, which then moves across paper to spell out messages. While practitioners believe these movements are guided by spirits or subtle energies, scientists attribute the motion to the ideomotor effect, where unconscious muscle movements drive the action without conscious intent.

Where it comes from

The device emerged from the fervor of Modern Spiritualism following the Fox Sisters' communications in 1848. In 1853, Allan Kardec reported that a spirit suggested using a pencil attached to a small upturned basket to expedite message transmission. This concept evolved into a sturdy wooden plank in Paris. The technology crossed to America in 1858 via Robert Dale Owen and Dr. H.F. Gardner, who observed its use in European séances. G.W. Cottrell began large-scale manufacturing in Boston shortly after, capitalizing on the growing demand for do-it-yourself spiritual tools.

How it is done

During a séance, participants would rest their fingertips on the planchette while it rested on a sheet of blank parchment. As the group focused on contacting spirits, the device would glide across the paper, leaving handwritten messages. The process required minimal physical effort, relying on the belief that external forces guided the movement. Manufacturers often included esoteric instructions in the packaging, suggesting ways to charge the device or protect users from malevolent entities while engaging in this form of cooperative mediumship.

Tools and materials

Standard planchettes were crafted from hardwoods, though some manufacturers experimented with India rubber or glass. They featured brass casters and small wheels made of bone or plastic to ensure smooth movement. The central feature was a downward-pointing aperture designed to hold a pencil securely. Many sets came in lavishly illustrated boxes containing blank parchment, folding letter sheets, and pencils. Some versions included insulated casters or attachments intended to filter out negative spiritual influences during the writing process.

What it is for

Users employed the planchette to communicate with deceased relatives or spiritual guides. It offered a more efficient alternative to earlier methods like alphabet-calling or table-turning, allowing for detailed written correspondence rather than simple knocks. The device appealed to those seeking direct answers about personal matters, future events, or spiritual truths. It democratized mediumship, allowing amateur enthusiasts to conduct séances without relying on celebrity mediums or expensive professional services.

Who does it

The planchette was primarily used by amateur Spiritualists and devout séance circles. Unlike traditional mediums who claimed exclusive psychic abilities, planchette users engaged in cooperative communication, often involving multiple participants touching the device simultaneously. The rise of the planchette threatened the monopoly of established mediums, who sometimes warned against the dangers of amateur experimentation. Manufacturers targeted both men and women interested in spiritualism, selling devices through booksellers and toy stores.

Peoples and places

The practice originated in France and spread rapidly to Great Britain and the United States. American manufacturers produced heart- or shield-shaped boards, while British versions favored classical shapes with round noses and flat backs. The device became a cottage industry in Europe before exploding into a mass-market commodity in America. By the late 1860s, companies like Kirby & Co. sold hundreds of thousands of units, indicating widespread adoption across Atlantic cultures seeking spiritual connection.

What people believe

Spiritualists believed the planchette acted as a conduit for disembodied spirits. They held that the device facilitated communication through a subtle energy or direct spiritual intervention. Skeptics and scientists, however, explained the phenomenon through the ideomotor effect, where subconscious muscular movements produce the motion without conscious awareness. This psychological explanation contrasts sharply with the paranormal view that external entities guide the pencil, highlighting the divide between spiritualist faith and scientific inquiry.

When it is done

Planchettes were used during regular séances, which could occur at any time. Their popularity surged in the mid-to-late 19th century, particularly after 1867 when press coverage amplified public interest. The device remained a staple of spiritualist gatherings until the early 20th century, when it was gradually overshadowed by the commercial success of the Ouija board. Occasional revivals occurred, but consistent production declined significantly by the 1930s.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Anthropologists and historians view the planchette as a key artifact of the Victorian spiritualist movement. Researchers note its role in shifting mediumship from performance-based acts to participatory home rituals. Scientists cite the ideomotor effect as the primary explanation for its operation, emphasizing the power of suggestion and unconscious motor control. Critics argue that the device's design inherently encourages movement through its low-friction casters and light weight, facilitating self-deception among users.

Compare and confuse

The planchette is often confused with the Ouija board pointer, though they serve different functions. Early pointers were paddle-shaped and lacked pencils, focusing on pointing to printed letters rather than writing. The term talking board later eclipsed planchette in common usage. Both devices share roots in spiritualism but represent distinct technological evolutions: one for automatic script, the other for visual selection of pre-printed symbols.

Law and persecution

However, religious authorities, such as the Bishop of Viviers, issued pastoral letters condemning their use in 1853. These condemnations reflected broader theological concerns about unauthorized spiritual contact rather than legal prohibitions. The devices remained legal commodities sold openly by major retailers and toy manufacturers throughout their peak popularity.

Rites that involve Planchette

Questions people ask about Planchette

Good reading and sources

• Planchette on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data