Table Tipping

Table tipping, also known as table-turning is a form of spirit communication during séances known as “physical phenomena.”

Table tipping became popular during the rise of the Spiritualist movement in the mid 1800s. It was consider a great way to entertain your guests at social gatherings, and was even considered to be a parlor game. Even President Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln had such goings on in the White House. Many people of that era had neither the means or easy access to professional psychic mediums as we do today. Small groups of people, family and friends, would get together and try to communicate with the spirit world themselves. Patience and the singing of lively songs of the day, to raise the vibration in the room, ensured some sort of physical phenomena to happen.

There are times when wisdom cannot be found in the chambers of parliament or the halls of academia but at the unpretentious setting of the kitchen table ~ E.A. Bucchianeri

Participants typically sit around a small table, usually made of wood. I feel a wood pedestal table works best. The participants sit with each person resting their hands lightly touching the surface of the table top.

Initially sitters perceive rappings or knocking noises, but with time and patience the table might vibrate and eventually begin to move. It could begin to rock and be very spirited, depending on who the spirit was that is coming through. Sometimes participants need to stand to easily move with it. Sometimes it will do a little dance or move right across the room with the participants having to keep up with it, in order to keep their hands on the table.

After a few minutes the participants would have to ask that the table settle down. Most spirits comply and usually want to get down to business. Others may need to be asked several times. After the table settles down, one person would be the facilitator and ask, one at a time, who the spirit coming through would like to communicate with. Or the table would move to the person.

When it is established who the spirit is there for, the fun begins. The sitter might then ask, “Are you my grandmother,” or aunt or cat or dog. The table may respond by lifting one side up off the floor, once for yes, twice for no, and so on, until it is established who it is for. This is why it is also called “table tipping.”

I have had many experiences with table tipping. The table can make many different movements. It can move an inch off the floor, back and forth, and then move right straight up to a standing position all by itself, with hands still lightly touching it. I have never seen a table top hit the floor, but we have had some come unglued or crack a bit from all the paranormal activity. Not a good thing for antiques!

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, and, albeit almost unbelievably, the whole world! ~ Teresa Lally

Sometimes the table will tip into a sitter’s lap. I like to call this a “hug from spirit.” It can be very emotional. Sitters may laugh or cry, but most of the time sitters feel blessed to just experience the physical phenomena.

In my experience all tables will move no matter what the size. Of course, I just had to have an elaborate antique for my first table. I looked long and hard to find it and spent lots of time, effort and money. As time went on and I started to teach classes on how to table tip. But it was not realistic to use antiques. One day I found myself at a Christmas tree shop. They had several sweet little wood, octagon pedestal tables at a very reasonable price – just the right size to work comfortably with. They work like a charm.

I have also had the opportunity to sit with a group of medium friends, working with a legendary table once owned by a well-known medium, Harrison D. Barret. He was the founder of the organization known as the National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NSAC) in the late 1800s.  Harrison’s old table is quite large, has wheels on the legs and moves up and down, and back and forth. It moves quite easy in spite of its size.

Some tables rock back and forth – once for “yes,” twice for “no.” Some have a nail that attaches the top to the base in the center. They spin around and point to the sitter that spirit would like to communicate with.

To begin a session participants usually start by setting the intention with a short prayer or simply asking spirit to come. Our voice and intent are prayer to spirit. It is always important to remember that all spirits want to speak. It’s best to ask for the highest and best information that will be helpful to all. In closing a few words of gratitude are spoken, always saying goodbye and closing the session.