planchette
Noun: A small, typically heart-shaped or triangular platform mounted on two casters (small wheels) and a vertical pencil. It is used in séances or spirit-writing, where participants lightly rest their fingertips on it, and its movements are believed to spell out messages from the supernatural or the unconscious mind.
The word "planchette" is used specifically to refer to the physical instrument used in occult practices like ouija or automatic writing. It is a countable noun.
Examples: * The medium placed her fingers on the planchette and asked a question. * They bought a vintage planchette at the antique store. * The movement of the planchette across the board spelled out a name.
- As a tool for ideomotor effect: In psychology, the is often cited as a classic example of the ideomotor effect, where unconscious minor muscle movements cause the object to move without the participants' conscious intent.
- The psychologist explained that the messages from the planchette were likely a result of the ideomotor effect, not spirits.
- Ouija board (noun): A trademarked board game that incorporates a to point to letters and numbers.
- Automatic writing (noun): The process of writing produced without conscious thought, often associated with spiritualism, for which a can be a tool.
- Spirit pointer
- Talking board indicator
The core meaning of "planchette" is the physical instrument. Its use is almost exclusively associated with spiritualism, the occult, or parapsychology. In a modern, skeptical context, it is discussed as a psychological phenomenon rather than a supernatural one.
- a triangular board supported on casters; when lightly touched with the fingertips it is supposed to spell out supernatural (or unconscious) messages