The Fascinating Phenomenon Of Table Turning

Table turning, also known as “table tipping” or “table tilting,” is a fascinating form of spirit communication that occurs during séances.

It involves participants sitting around a table and placing their hands lightly on its surface to communicate with spirit. The table then moves or tilts, or in exceptional cases floats or rotates, in response to questions posed to spirit.

Table turning became popular in the mid-1800s, a time when Spiritualism was quickly gaining popularity in Europe and North America. People were intrigued by the idea of communicating with the afterlife, and séances became a common social activity.

People in those days didn’t have the resources or easy access to mediums and channelers that we have today. So, small groups of family and friends would gather and communicate with the spirit realm.

Table turning was also considered a wonderful way to entertain guests at social gatherings and was even considered a parlor game. Even President Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, is said to have attended and even hosted séances at the White House.

Other well-known spiritualists of the time, such as the Laurie family and Nettie Colburn Maynard, reportedly attended séances with the Lincolns. Mrs. Lincoln was deeply interested in spiritualism and mediumship, especially after the deaths of her sons, Edward and later Willie.

Although records of table turning phenomena can be traced as far back as the second century, its rise to popularity in the 19th century is attributed to the famous Fox family in Hydesville, New York, where in 1848 poltergeist activity caused strange knocking and table movements.

The uses for table tipping are rich and varied, opening up a whole new wondrous, potential-filled world — one in which this connection with spirit benefits not only you, but oftentimes others you know who aren’t even at the table with you ~ Teresa Lally

By the 1850s, table turning had become a widespread phenomenon in America, capturing the imagination of many, and in 1852 two American mediums, Mrs. Hayden and Mrs. Roberts, introduced the practice to England.

Within a year, the activity had gained immense popularity across the country, leading to fashionable gatherings known as “tea and table turning” parties. Even Queen Victoria and Prince Albert attended table-turning séances.

There was, however, religious backlash, with clergymen attributing the phenomenon to demonic activity and many scientists dismissing it as nonsense or a hoax.

Table Turning Skepticism & Research

Michael Faraday, a British scientist who made seminal contributions to the fields of electromagnetism, electrochemistry, and parapsychology, sought to apply scientific principles to understand supernatural phenomena. He conducted experiments to test table turning phenomena and ultimately concluded that the movement of tables was due to the ideomotor effect — unconscious muscle action that caused participants to push the table without realizing it.

But Faraday’s theory didn’t explain all the cases that were investigated over the years. There have been scientific reports of tables tilting and even floating without anyone touching them. One famous case was observed in 1853 in Valleyres, Switzerland. Count Agenor de Gasparin, a French scholar and paranormal researcher, documented the extraordinary movement of a heavy table without any physical contact. Remarkably, even when buckets of sand and heavy stones were placed on the table, it lifted several times before finally breaking apart.

The following year, Marc Thury, a professor of physics at the University of Geneva and a friend of Gasparin’s, conducted his own investigations. Thury reported witnessing a piano move seemingly of its own accord, an event he attributed to psychokinetic forces emanating from a young boy nearby. The boy had neither the physical strength nor the opportunity to move the piano himself.

The London Dialectical Society established several committees of scientists, clergymen, and members of the public in 1869 to investigate spiritualist phenomena, such as table turning and spirit communication. Sub-Committee No. 1 specifically reported several cases of table movement and levitation that occurred without physical contact. Some of the committee members, who were initially very skeptical, became believers after witnessing the phenomena firsthand.

Research in the early 20th century documented further evidence. Mediums such as Iceland’s Indridi Indridason and Ireland’s Kathleen Goligher, for example, were the subject of detailed scientific investigations. Several observers reported impressive and unexplained table movements during their séances.

As recent as the 1970s, researchers such as Kenneth Batcheldor and Colin Brookes-Smith conducted experiments showing that tables could move under controlled conditions — some even floating several feet in the air! Their work remains a significant part of parapsychological research history.

Then the table began to rise from the floor, until it reached a height of some of some twelve or eighteen inches, and remained thus suspended and quite level. We were allowed … to go beneath the clasped hands of the sitters into the circle and try to force the table down. This both of us found it impossible to do ~  William Barrett

How To Do A Table Turning Séance

Preparation: Ambience is important. Set up your table in a quiet, dimly lit room with no distractions. Use candlelight or soft lighting to create a calm, receptive environment. You can also play soft music or use incense to enhance the mood.

Gathering: Sit or stand around a suitable table, such as a card table or a small wooden table. Table turning works best with a small group of at least two and no more than seven participants. Everyone should be open, calm, and centered. Place your fingertips lightly on the surface of the table — do not press down. Keep your arms relaxed, forming a light and connected cycle of energy.

In my experience, all tables move — no matter what size, but I find that a wooden pedestal table works best. I started with an elaborate antique for my first table. I searched long and hard, invested time, effort and money, but when I started teaching table turning classes, I realized that antiques just weren’t practical. One day I found myself in a Christmas tree store where I spotted several cute little wooden octagon pedestal tables at a very reasonable price — just the right size to work comfortably. They work like a charm.

Invocation: Begin with a brief grounding and protection prayer, meditation, or ritual, such as visualizing a circle of light or shield of energy, calling upon spirit guides or ancestors, or invoking a protective circle of angels. It’s important to remember that all kinds of spirits want to speak, so it’s best to ask for the highest and best information that will benefit everyone present. Set a clear intention to allow only loving, high vibrational energies to come forward. Spend a few minutes in silence or guided meditation to raise the energy of the group.

Invitation: Ideally, only one person should speak on behalf of the group. Invite spirit to come forward and communicate. Keep the invitation clear, respectful, and in alignment with your intention. Remain still, attentive and patient.

Activation: At first, you may notice a tapping or knocking sound. With time and patience, the table may begin to vibrate and then gradually move. Eventually, the table may begin to rock, tap, or lift on one side. Sometimes people have to stand up to keep up with it. It may do a little dancing or even move around the room — with the group following closely behind to keep their hands on the table. In these cases, you may need to ask the table to calm down. Most spirits are happy to comply and are ready to get down to business. Others may need to be asked several times.

It may take several minutes or several sessions to initiate spirit activity, so it is important to be patient. Keep the energy high and avoid skepticism or distraction. Always ensure the emotional and energetic safety of all involved.

Communication: Once the table activity has settled down, establish communication rules, such as, “Spirit, please tilt the table once for yes, twice for no.” Ask clear, respectful questions. Watch and feel for movement responses. Don’t force it — table movement should be spontaneous, not forced.

You can also go around the table and ask who the spirit wants to communicate with. Sometimes the table will just move directly to that person without being asked! Once it’s determined who the spirit is for, the conversation begins. The sitter might ask, “Are you my grandmother?” or perhaps a relative, a friend, or even a pet cat or dog, and so on. It is also very helpful to write down a few questions from each participant before the session begins.

Closing: End the session by thanking spirit and closing the circle in a calm, respectful manner. Keep sessions short at first (no more than 20 to 30 minutes).

I’ve had many memorable experiences with table tipping. The table can move in many ways — an inch off the floor, back and forth, and sometimes to a full standing position. I’ve never seen a tabletop hit the ground, but we’ve had tables come loose or develop cracks from all the paranormal activity. (Not a good outcome for antiques!)

Sometimes the table will tip gently into the sitter’s lap. I like to think of this as a “spirit hug”. It can be very emotional. The sitters may laugh or cry, but more often than not they feel blessed to have witnessed this incredible phenomenon.

I’ve even had the opportunity to sit with a group of medium friends at a legendary table that once belonged to the renowned spiritualist Harrison D. Barrett. He was a key leader in the Spiritualist community of the 1800’s and served as President of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NSAC) in the United States and Canada. He sought to establish Spiritualism as a legitimate religious philosophy, combining scientific inquiry with spiritual beliefs.