All about Ouija

A Ouija board is a flat dais that has letters, numbers, and other signs on it. People ask a question to the Ouija board, and a movable piece on the board moves to the symbols, slowly spelling out an answer to the question asked. Referred to as a “spirit board” or “talking” board, the Ouija dates back to the late 1800s, when at the height of the spiritualist movement, it was a popular parlor game. Most people are familiar with the Hasbro style of Ouija board that can be picked up in any game isle at most stores. However, there are at least eight other styles of talking boards that work in a similar fashion, with a pair of hands resting on a planchette that points to words or spells out answers to questions asked.

There are many personal stories of weird events and paranormal phenomena that have taken place during and following Ouija sessions. This has led to the warnings that the Ouija is not a game at all, but rather, a dangerous tool. Ghost researcher Dale Kaczmarek, of the Ghost Research Society, elaborates in his article, Ouija: Not a Game:

“The board itself is not dangerous, but the form of communication that you are attempting often is. Most often, the spirits who are contacted through the Ouija are those who reside on ‘the lower astral plane.’ These spirits are often very confused and may have died a violent or sudden death; murder, suicide, etc. Therefore, many violent, negative and potentially dangerous conditions are present to those using the board. Often times, several spirits will attempt to come through at the same time, but the real danger lies when you ask for physical proof of their existence. You might say, ‘Well, if you’re really a spirit, then put out this light or move that object.’ What you have just done is simple, you have ‘opened a doorway’ and allowed them to enter into the physical world, and future problems can and often do arise.”

It is believed that Ouija board messages come from forces beyond our control. You contact or “channel” these entities through the board, and they are discarnate spirits, ghosts, or other ethereal beings who have a purpose for contacting the living. Many advocates of the Spiritualist Theory believe that there is no harm in contacting the other realm because most spirits are benign and have important information to share. Other Spiritualist Theory supporters believe that no one should ever use the Ouija board, as malevolent forces can masquerade as good, and cause emotional damage or death to the user of the board.