The Scientific Truth Behind Ouija Board, Tarot Card Reading, and Crystal Ball Astrology.
Exposing Famous Divination Techniques Worldwide
The desire to foresee the future and fate is a common yearning among us all. Throughout history, numerous divination methods have emerged to satisfy this longing. Notable examples include the Ouija board, Tarot cards, and astrology with crystal balls.
But are these divination methods merely superstitious beliefs or do they have a solid scientific basis? Let’s uncover the truth behind them in the following article.
1. Ouija Board – A Product of the Ideomotor Effect
The Ouija board, derived from the words “yes” in French “oui” and German “ja,” is one of the earliest tools used for communicating with spirits (dating back to the 19th century).
The Ouija board consists of a large wooden panel with letters, numbers, and the words “yes” and “no,” along with a small heart-shaped piece of wood known as the planchette. The planchette has a small hole for users to place their fingers.
To use the Ouija board, participants place a finger on the planchette and, through various mysterious rituals, they spell out letters that the planchette unconsciously points to, forming meaningful sentences. Many believe that this is the message that spirits convey about the future.
However, after numerous scientific studies, it has been concluded that Ouija board readings are essentially the result of the ideomotor effect.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia conducted an experiment to debunk this form of divination. They blindfolded volunteers and used the Ouija board to answer questions unconsciously. Later, the same questions were asked, but volunteers were required to answer on a computer.
The results showed that the accuracy rate when using the Ouija board was as high as 65%, while answering on the computer yielded only 50%. From this, experts concluded that the subconscious mind holds knowledge of the correct answers, and the Ouija board merely helps individuals express that intuition.
2. Crystal Ball Reading – Illusions of Future Insights
We are all familiar with images of female seers gazing into magical crystal balls, providing accurate predictions about the future in films. However, if you believe in this divination method, you may be gravely mistaken. As of now, no scientist has confirmed the accuracy of this future-seeing tool.
Conversely, many experts from paranormal research associations point out the lack of evidence supporting crystal ball astrology. They demonstrate that the images seen in the crystal ball by the seer are mere illusions created by the brain.
These illusions occur when we focus our gaze on a transparent surface, such as a crystal ball, mirror, or water for too long. A similar case is that of the seer Nostradamus in the 16th century, who often gazed into a bowl of water to predict the future. According to scientists, by looking at the water’s surface for an extended period, Nostradamus also encountered illusions and merely imagined the future.
3. Tarot Card Reading – A “Game” for Future Guidance
In recent years, Tarot card reading has become a trend greatly supported by the youth in Vietnam. However, when viewed from a scientific perspective, does Tarot truly reveal the future?
It is challenging to provide a definitive answer. However, looking back through history, we find that Tarot cards were originally not intended for divination. According to historian Tom Tadfor Little, Tarot originated from Islamic culture and was brought to Europe in 1375. By 1530, the first Tarot deck was created as a game.
Tarot was originally played like a card game!
The deck consists of four suits with cards numbered from 1 to 10, along with royal cards like Queen, King, Knight, and Page. Additionally, the deck includes 22 symbolic cards that do not belong to any suit. This deck is known as triumph, and Tarot card games quickly spread throughout Europe, where it began to be referred to as tarocchi (derived from the French word tarot).
It wasn’t until over 200 years later that Tarot started being used as a divination tool. Many people at that time realized that the symbols on the Tarot cards were not merely for play but also reflected images of life and the future.
Since then, many different types of Tarot decks have been produced for divination purposes. However, regardless of the deck, they share a common trait: Tarot does not provide specific answers to future questions but mainly offers life guidance, helping individuals face potential challenges.
