How to Play Light as a Feather

Setting Up

Lay the person you're going to lift flat on the ground, with their arms crossed over their chest. You may want to put blankets or pillows underneath them, both for their comfort and their protection in case they are dropped. The lifters should kneel or sit beside the liftee, preferably with one person at each shoulder and one person at each knee. If you have a fifth person, they should kneel at the liftee’s head.

Make one of the lifters the leader. This is usually the party host, but it can be anyone who knows the game well. They are in charge of guiding the group through the trick, so they must know how to do the trick from start to finish. It helps if the leader is a bit theatrical. The leader has to tell the group about the spooky, supernatural origins of the game, and it's much more fun if they really sell it!

Clasp your hands together. Release your two pointer fingers, which will be the only fingers you use to lift. The lifters should then place both fingers underneath the liftee’s shoulders or knees, depending on where they are seated. If there is a fifth lifter at the head, they can place one finger beneath either shoulder.

Perform a test lift. The leader should instruct everyone to give it a try but there should be no countdown or special set-up. Simply attempt to lift. You probably won’t be able to move the lift very high, if at all. They will feel too heavy to lift with just two fingers. At this point, the leader should tell the group that it isn't working because the liftee hasn't become "possessed" yet. Because the group hasn't performed they mystical chant yet, the spirits have not been summoned. Now, it's time to get serious.

Mastering the Trick

Prepare to lift again. Once you’ve established how difficult it is to lift the person, it’s time to employ some simple "mind over matter" tricks to increase your strength- or at least, increase the mystical nature of the game! This is also a good time for the leader to explain the concept behind the game. The leader can be creative with the explanation. For example, the leader can explain that the person’s body will be overtaken by the spirit of a deceased person, turning corpse-like and levitating. Make it as creepy or funny as you’d like! Dimming the lights and adding candles can add to the supernatural quality of the trick.

Place your hands over the head of the person being lifted. Hands should alternate so that each persons hands are separated by another persons. Press down on the liftee’s head- lightly, of course! The leader should tell the group that they are opening the liftee's body to supernatural influences with this step, and at this time the outside spirits are entering the body and making it light. Remove your hands from the stack and place them again under the liftee.

Repeat in unison, "Light as a feather, stiff as a board.” You may have also heard the variation, “Light as a feather, strong as an ox.” Together, repeat this over and over again. The liftee should be perfectly still, with their eyes closed. As you chant, slowly start to lift.

Lift the person while continuing to chant. This time around, they should lift with ease. Then, slowly lower them back to the ground as you continue to recite the words. The leader should command the “spirits” to exit their body and voila- you’ve completed the trick!