Tag Archives: Tarot

History of the Ouija board — From Witchboards to Ouija

The Ouija board’s origins are deeply rooted in the Spiritualism movement of the 19th century, a period of intense spiritual exploration. To understand the history of the Ouija board, we must first travel back to the heart of the 19th century, when the Spiritualism movement was sweeping across America. Delve into the captivating history of the enigmatic Ouija board, a tool that has fascinated, terrified, and intrigued people for generations.

Seances and Talking Boards

In the wake of the American Civil War, the country was gripped by an overwhelming sense of loss and grief. Families were torn apart, and many were desperate for a means to reconnect with their departed loved ones. This despair led to the emergence of Spiritualism, a movement that claimed to bridge the gap between the living and the dead.

As part of the Spiritualism movement, seances gained immense popularity. Mediums would gather with those seeking contact with the deceased, holding sessions in dimly lit rooms filled with incense and mysticism. The movement was greatly influenced by the Fox sisters, who claimed to communicate with the spirit world through mysterious “knocks.”

The Talking Boards, also known as Witch Boards, made their debut during this period. These boards featured the alphabet, numbers, and simple “yes” and “no” responses. Participants would place their hands on a planchette—a heart-shaped or teardrop-shaped device with a window—allowing spirits to guide their movements to spell out messages.

The Birth of the Ouija Board

In the 1880s, E.C. Reiche, a Prussian immigrant and undertaker, began creating prototypes of these talking boards on the side. It was these prototypes that would eventually evolve into the Ouija board. 

Charles Kennard, an entrepreneur with a keen eye for opportunities, actively promoted what he claimed to be his invention of the talking board to potential investors. His persistence paid off when local attorney Elijah Bond took an interest. Bond, who had a sister-in-law with strong mediumistic abilities, saw the potential in the talking board. The Kennard Novelty Company was incorporated on Halloween, 125 years ago, marking the start of mass manufacturing of Ouija boards as we know them today.

Helen Peters and the Ouija Name

According to legend, Helen Peters, the sister-in-law of Elijah Bond, was using the Ouija board when she asked the board what it wanted to be called. The board, under the influence of unknown forces, spelled out “O-U-I-J-A.” Intrigued and curious, Helen inquired about the meaning behind this peculiar name. The board replied, “Good luck.” Though, in reality, the name was written on her necklace locket at the time

With a desire to protect their invention, Charles Kennard, Elijah Bond, and Helen Peters sought to patent the Ouija board. However, their journey faced a roadblock in the form of the patent chief, who was skeptical of their claims. He agreed to grant them the patent under one condition: they must use the Ouija board to reveal his name.

Helen Peters took up the challenge, and with the Ouija board’s guidance, she successfully spelled out the patent chief’s name, securing the patent for the Ouija board. This peculiar incident cemented the board’s mystique and added an extra layer of intrigue to its history.

Tim Kane

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Use Cledonism to Tap into the Whispers of Fate

Arkane Curiosities

In the realm of mystical practices, divination takes many forms. Among them is Cledonism or Cledonomancy, a lesser-known method drawing meaning from chance utterances and unexpected noises. Rooted in ancient times, Cledonism offers a unique way to seek guidance and tap into the whispers of fate.

Historical Glimpse

Cledonism traces its roots back to ancient Greece, where chance events and spontaneous words were considered messages from the gods or the universe. The term “cledon” in Greek means “omen” or “divine utterance.” In those times, people believed that these utterances held significant messages or warnings, and interpreting them correctly could guide their actions and decisions.

Examples from Antiquity

The Roman Cicero observed that even the utterances of men could bring ill luck. Simply mentioning the word incendium (meaning description) at a meal brought bad luck on all. Even the word prison was replaced with domicilim (simply “dwelling”). In other words, he invented the euphemism. 

Pausanias commented on the use of cledonism. After a person whispered their question in a god’s ear in the agora. , they plugged their own ears and listened for the god’s response from chance words and phrases overheard throughout the day. 

How to Practice Cledonism

Begin by cultivating a state of heightened awareness. Whether you’re facing a decision or seeking guidance, maintain an open mind and receptivity to the unexpected. Frame a clear and specific question or intention in your mind. This will help focus the divination process and invite meaningful responses.

Now, go about your day, paying attention to the environment around you. Whether you’re out for a walk, working, or simply going about daily tasks, remain attuned to any sounds, words, or snippets of conversation that catch your attention.

When you encounter unexpected words, phrases, or sounds, pause and take note. These could be snippets from conversations, radio, TV, or even a passing statement on the street. The key is their spontaneity and relevance to your question or intention. Consider how they may connect to your question or intention. Trust your intuition and the subtle whispers of fate to guide your interpretation.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you choose to delve into this ancient practice or simply remain open to the unexpected, may the whispers of fate guide you on your journey. Stay curious and attuned to the symphony of life’s chance utterances, for they may hold the keys to your destiny.

Tim Kane

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Twirl Till You Puke – the Art of Gyromancy

Arkane Curiosities

Imagine spinning around rapidly until you’re dizzy enough to take a tumble. That’s the essence of gyromancy. This age-old art has twirled its way through history, captivating curious minds and spinning seekers into new realms of insight. Take a spin down the memory lane of gyromancy’s history, followed by a twirl into the peculiar world of falling gyromancy. And remember, it’s not the future until you twirl till you puke.

Gyromancy Through the Ages

To truly appreciate the peculiar charm of falling gyromancy, we must first explore the roots of gyromancy itself. This ancient practice has been a part of human fascination for centuries.

Gyromancy derived from the Greek words “gyros” (meaning “circle” or “turn”) and “manteia” (meaning “divination”). The Greeks believed that spinning could unlock mystical insights into the future, making gyromancy one of their cherished divination methods.

Getting Dizzy for Divination

Before you start, draw a circle of letters on the ground or floor, preferable when the moon was in an appropriate astrological position. Then start spinning. You walk in circles or even stumble around. When you eventually fall, and you will fall, the letter you land on is indicated. These seemingly random characters are then pieced together to form words, phrases, or sentences, serving as the divination message.

Interpreting the results of falling gyromancy is where the true magic lies. With no standardized rules to abide by, interpretations are as diverse as the seekers themselves. It’s a mix of intuition, context, and symbolism, making each reading unique and personal.

Spinning Coins

Another method saves the puking and lets a coin do all the spinning. The set up is the same as before, only you need a much smaller circle of letters, something that could fit on a table or possibly even a ouija board. 

Make a nick on one edge of the coin. This will serve as a pointer. Then spin the coin as you concentrate on your query. Words are eventually spelled out by using the letters the coin “points” to.

The Final Spin

So, the next time you find yourself twirling in thought, perhaps consider giving gyromancy a spin – who knows what whimsical messages may await when you take a tumble in pursuit of ancient wisdom!

Tim Kane

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