Victorians and the paranormal

Between the 1840’s and 1920’s, the interest in spiritualism and divination was huge often made more fascinating by the fact that the mainstream church declared divination a crime against all that is holy. which only served to drive the practice into private homes and small gatherings. Before 1890 people made their own boards similar to modern day Ouija boards whereby a spirit might answer simple questions by using the piece of triangular wood known as a planchette to corresponding letters on the board. In mid May of 1890, a patent for the then well-known “planchette” and “talking board” was filed with the Victorians quick to jump on the new trend.

First brought to the market in 1890 it was seen as harmless pastime and a healthy interest was generated by victorians and their parlour games. The Victorians were pioneers in the paranormal and occult often using a evening get together as a good enough reason to indulge in Ouija board ,table tipping or spirit channeling all seen as devilish and worship of the antichrist in the Hollywood films yet both are effective forms of communication in the right hands.

Modern day ghost hunting and paranormal investigators use ouija boards, table Tipping and divination along side more modern pieces of equipment to communicate with those long since passed and they have had much joy in gaining an understanding of the other side. Used correctly the Victorian methods are not only eye opening but provide a thoroughly enchanting glimpse into the other side of the paranormal veil.

Table tipping another Victorian pastime is where a unassuming table with 4 legs not doctored In any way is either placed in a room or is already situated and those wanting communication would gather around gently placing fingertips on the table and would call out to spirit to move or affect the table in some manner. The photos from the 1800s show various states of the tables hovering in mid air seeming lifted by unseen spiritual hands, whilst this hasn't been seen by members of the team this would no doubt be an incredible occurrence.

Seances. A true Victorian seance is a sight to behold and one of my favourite things to do on an event. Each member of the group sots around a table with Pinky's touching and eyes closed and calls out to the spirit to use the energy of the circle, the group can often feel a brush or a breeze as spirit passes by the group, some may feel their arms moved or when eyes are opened you can often see the sight of a whirl of atmosphere as spirit start to try to manifest.