Zhang Tao transformed the astrology board Severus had obtained from the "Hall of the Underworld God" into a spirit board.
In the East, this thing was called the "Dish Immortal." In the West, it was called a Ouija board, a compound word combining the french oui, meaning yes, and the German ja, also meaning yes. These days, it was sold as a toy, something even children could buy with their pocket money.
This kind of spirit board used a method known as "summoning spirits to seek an oracle." Usually, one would "invite" a passing spirit to possess them. In the game, there was a heart-shaped plastic piece that slid across the numbers and letters on the board like a mouse cursor.
The Church said this could cause trouble. Satan and his devils would not only use spirit boards to give false advice, but might even possess the diviner.
Eastern wizards said the same: do not play the "Dish Immortal," especially girls. Compared to boys, girls were more likely to attract such strange things.
Yet the merchants selling them grinned and said, "It's just a game." If it really were merely a game, no one would have been put on trial for using one to take part in treason.
Emperors were all afraid of being cursed to death. Valens, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, received a report that someone had used a spirit board to divine who would become the next emperor after his death. He flew into a rage. I'm not even dead yet! You're already rushing to curry favor with the next emperor?
In his fury, Valens had everyone involved in the divination executed.
It was not really the ministers' fault. Valens's predecessor, Jovian, had died suddenly in Asia Minor while traveling to Constantinople. Flavius Valentinian was proclaimed