USE-OPTION TWO: THE HEAR FROM THE DEAD GAME
On this game board, you’re only going to be moving one or two spaces at a time, so you need either a single die, or your yes-and-no stones. If using a single die, then rolling an odd number means move one space, rolling an even number means move two spaces. If using your yes-and-no stones, then drawing your’ no’ stone means move one space, drawing your ‘yes’ stone means move two spaces. You’ll need a game piece for the board, so you can use your third stone (if you have one) for this purpose, or a coin, a glass bead from a vase, or even a monopoly piece. The game board, the game rules and the game cards are included in the download below:
Unlike the previous approach, each player will not be allowed to ask a whole series of questions during their turn. Each player is restricted to doing exactly what is specified in the square their game piece lands on. This helps the game move along more quickly and keeps things lively. I designed the accompanying game card with the intention that it be printed out double-sided, then cut up into separate slips. I recommend having a number of these on hand, and pens or pencils available, so players can keep track of messages from the Dead.
The first time I played using the game board, I found it both an eerie and heartwarming experience. I heard from my mother, a deceased sibling, a cousin-by-marriage who committed suicide this past summer, and my paternal grandfather whom I hadn’t seen since 1967. One of the above told me he regretted the way we left things, which triggered immediate compassion, forgiveness and understanding on my part. I found it healing, and I hope he felt reassured too. Playing alone, I found the game went quickly, and it’s easy to go a fast two or three rounds. I quickly filled four game cards (I like to use a separate one for each spirit, but you can double-up).
At the end of play, tell the dead out loud the game is over, and thank them for having come to visit you. If you wish, tell them you hope you hear from them again!
SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS
My primary motivation for designing the Polyhedrons of the Dead and the Hear From the Dead game is to help you heal and to enable you to spend time with important people in your life–even if they’re no longer here in conventional terms. A few answers may bring laughter, some may bring tears, but I hope it ends in good feelings for all concerned. Whichever approach you take to using the Polyhedrons of the Dead, with or without the game board, it might be a good idea to keep a box of tissues on hand. Some responses can hit you right in the tear ducts.
If at any time you feel malice present, or something not-right, absent yourself from the game. End it there. Quit immediately and tell the Dead the game is over. It’s both a good idea and good manners anyway to inform the Dead out-loud the game is over, to thank them for visiting you, and to wish Them well. If you’ve had problems in the past with malicious or seriously-twisted spirits, you may want to skip this whole thing. This game, by my own admission, is a form of necromancy. Many religions frown on necromancy, and I think it’s mainly a safety issue. A malicious spirit can easily masquerade as a beloved relative, suck you in, then by the time you realize you’re in serious trouble, you need a professional exorcist.
All that having been said, I have deliberately designed these polyhedrons so that only spirits of a loving and fundamentally-benevolent nature are inclined to come through. The dead are limited to safe responses. May they bring you years of laughter, healing tears, and good times with the dead!
