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IDEOMOTOR PHENOMENON

by Abbott's Magic

Our tale begins nearly 200 years ago. As Spiritualism grew at a phenomenal rate in the mid 1800's, seances became of interest to the scientific community. Could communication beyond the grave be real? If so, is there a scientific explanation for it and can it be reproduced in a lab under test conditions. While a close examination of many of these methods brought about simple scientific explanations, two of these methods mystified the scientists of the mid 1800's. These two methods for answering questions beyond the grave were "table rapping" and "planchette writing boards".

In both these methods the medium's hand is on the object so its an easy matter for the medium to "move the table" or "move the planchette". However when the scientists reproduced these effects, without a medium and under test conditions, both the table and planchette would move with regularity. The investigation led to what would become known as the "Ideomotor Phenomenon".

In a nutshell, the "Ideomotor Phenomenon" is an involuntary reaction in humans. Here is a thought experiment for you to try. Imagine biting into a sour item such as a lemon. Imagine the juice being released from the lemon into your mouth. If you imagine this for a few seconds your body will react and begin producing saliva in your mouth. This is a completely involuntary act by your body as it is reacting to something that is imagined.

Michael Faraday conducted tests on this phenomenon which demonstrated that "honest, intelligent people can unconsciously engage in muscular activity that is consistent with their expectations". This proved that many psychic phenomena that were once credited to mediums and spiritual forces are rather because of this ideomotor phenomenon that most human beings possessed. In addition, scientist have also concluded that mediums who perform automatic writing are doing it subconsciously and therefore automatic writing would be classified as part of the ideomotor phenomenon family. This also means that certain youtubers, curse removers, and other spiritualist who use devices like "table rapping", "spirit writing" and "planchette writing boards" during their curse exorcism may truly believe that they are speaking with the curses and spirits.

Once the phenomenon was understood, "planchette writing boards" were manufactured and marketed for home use under the name "Ouija" which is the Egyptian word for "Good Luck", which is why people today try to remove the curse with their "good luck Ouija boards".

So if you would like to contact the curse, your table may rock, your auto writing may write, and your Ouija board may move, but you are not going to be talking to Houdini.