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Back in the 1700s Parlor Games were what TV is today. It provided more then Radio, and Television did though, it broke the ice socially. New towns meet as people rolled into settle. The parlor game was employed to introduce new faces to old.

Some games, become pranks (though done in good humor), others where adopted by people that posed as mystics, still commonly used in practice to appear as mediums.

Have you ever been a part of a group that used Parlor games?

have you ever been to a entertainer that used parlor games to appear as a medium?


Did you learn anything about the people you where in company with?

Would you consider learning Parlor games to build group dynamics.

During church socials they would use a variety of parlor games. They also used scavenger hunts to develop interactive skills used in witnessing, or to build confidence in sharing to strangers.

I have not been any part of this at all, but I agree that is a lost social tradition.

when you read some of the basic games, and the evolution of them. it is rather explanatory of some modern games, Role playing games included.

Card games are still quite popular in the military to pass time waiting for events to happen especially in areas where computers are not available. This is a very social event with much bragging and bluster.

The last time I was involved outside of the military with card games or dominos was over 30 years ago when I was a teenager. I learned these games from my grandparents and played them and learned much about my grandparents while passing time in these games.

Yea, i have lost a whole pay check to Between.

This subject is becoming tiresome. I have a friend who is 89 years old, When she was young, her family was Spiritualist. They would do the parlor games. They were serious and had the highest and best intentions.

This woman has dreams that comes true. People believe in their religion differently. I have had proff there is life after death. A good medium who never seen a person in their life, and is not even from the same state...can give closure to someone who has had one who they have lost. I have seen the tears of joy to know that their loved one is safe. What a closure. The Fox sisters gave spirituality a bad name. Parlor games yes, I have been a part of. The trumpet never risen off of the floor. The black box I did not care for. But do not many of us have seances? Does not many of us read tarot or runes? Of course tarot cards or runes are not allowed in a Spiritualist church. But seances are and they are not allowed in the Spiritualist Church on Halloween. People are now entertained with television,
computers and playstations. Even tho the parlor games are dying...more is coming upon us. Rekki Healing, crystal healing, so we do not stay in the 1700's but attune ourselves to the new.

Is it not then a matter of does one believe, or does one simply imagine?

Dabbler > It's not imagination that describes someone that has passed over to a person who is on this side of life lol

As for social traditions in churches, well as has been said before times have changed. More people work longer hours, cinema, tv etc.

My church has the odd social evening, usually around harvest and Christmas time.

Input on seances and mediums would be welcomed here. This thread quickly needs to turn in that direction or it will be moved. As it stands it is rather vague and seems to simply be discussing traditions of staying at home and playing games for the most part.

I am presenting the base of the tradition, as excepted by magicians, and performers of the craft. Thank you Svenn for pressing me for clarity. The Parlor Tradition, Including Literary readings and Critic Reviews is also popular in the Goth Culture.

This reminds me of the 'How to Host a Murder' role playing game :)

I did one of those back in high school, set in the 1920s. We had a kick ass time.

hmm. "parlour games" is not a specific term of which i am familiar.
does that term refer only to group entertainment with a paranormal slant or does it involve things like "The Minister's Cat" and "Analogies"?

but, i do get together with friends and relatives and play board games and such. we do in fact do this when one of our "crowd" has taken up with a new girlfriend or whatever. we do play some of those old milton bradley stand-bys, but Cranium is really good for a group and getting to know someone. Scruples is good for that, too, unless you're worried about finding out TOO much.

also, who here hasn't fooled around with a Ouija board at least once in their life?

I've never played a part in anything like this
pretty interesting though..

i think everyone has played with parker brothers ouija board at one point in their lives. Ya the older parlar games ya dont seem them around to much the quarter under the 3 cups guessing which its under reading palms ......

I have never done anything liek that but it sounds like a good idea to introduce new people to old and I don't understand why people stopped doing it.

A few of the clubs that I am in have Ice-Breaker type games to encourage social engagement. I have a great time meeting new people this way.

Rosenrot Those are all great examples, the evolution of games can be traced back to charades, Why people stopped having mixers.. I would venture it faded as vaudaville did, yet with the depression it had a hay day.

I am looking into another thing that gained popularity, and I open this thread to those who may know of such things, Noir Theater Troupes, Actors, and Actresses (European/French) when they where in between stage performances would rent them selfs out to do Live Action type performances for gathering.

The connection to Seances comes from The French as well, Seance is french for "Show Me" The groups would gather and learn what was transparent about them.

The Ouija Board is used in the same manner, sadly all the Hype has really created a whole other view of the board, but it is good to learn who the overly excited people are in a group, the Ouija Board is a way to do it. Here is a good trick to use (with stable friends) With a rubber band on your hand, place your hands on the plancett, then skillfully connect the rubber band to the point of the heart.. when your hand is "not visible" flick the tension and watch the Plancett fly across the room.

Notice how ever that all games are Ice Breakers, if the games are over played they become a source of Stagnation in group dynamics,
encourage people to bring fresh players is good. But their should be more then one new person, it adds a bit of bonding, but like matches which are good to start a fire, it is not a good idea to build a fire with matches alone.

When I first learned about mediums, I learned from a woman that taught me that the only spirit that is contacted during readings, and sitting is what is traditionly called Socialgeist. When beliefs,politics,philosophies, are used to attempt to build group dynamics, it is doomed to fall. Later after a foundation for a relationship (and perhaps a smaller sub grouping) to progress to more shared beliefs, etc..

Does this include when a bunch of girls would make one lie down and all place their fingers underneath her and chant "light as a feather, stiff as a board"?

Now that I just typed it, it sounded remotely sexual. LOL

You are correct. That is originated from a game used to build trust.