Spirit Boards Connecting with the Paranormal

When Samhain approaches, the veil between our physical world and the spiritual world will become thinner.  For many magic practitioners, this is a special time of year when they are able to (a) become stronger in their magical abilities, (b) conduct magic on an easier level, and/or (c) more easily speak to Spirits/Ghosts/beings who are in the spirit world.  Going with this theme, I thought a fun post would be to learn and explore a popular method of communicating with the deceased: The Ouija (pronounced WEE-juh or WEE-jee), which is also known as a Ouija Board, Spirit Board, or Talking Board.  So let’s explore this unique tool of practicing magic together, shall we? 

What is Ouija?

Some people believe that spirits of the deceased can communicate with the living.  And one way to provide direct communication between the living, physical world and the deceased, spiritual world is by utilizing a Ouija as the common link or spiritual gateway between the two realms.  The Ouija is a flat board that has the alphabet letters, numbers 0 – 9, words “yes” and “no,” and some have the phrase “goodbye,” too.  These boards oftentimes come with different images or symbols, as well.  During a séance, one moves a planchette (a small piece of wood or plastic in the shape of a triangle or heart with a hole or glass near the center) with their fingers to reveal a letter, number, or word at a time.  This process will spell out information to the user.  So, for example, if someone asked if there’s a ghost present, the planchette could drift over to and reveal the word “yes.”  If someone asked the ghost’s name or what year its from, it could spell out its name or provide the year’s numbers through the planchette.  Technically, the toy/game company Hasbro has trademarked “Ouija,” but the term is used generally for any such Spirit Board.  There’s a common belief that the name “Ouija” originated from the French and German words for “yes,” but that’s not actually the case. In fact, the same came from the Spirit Board itself.  Its inventor asked a supposed Ghost what to name the board, and “Ouija” was spelled out.  

History

Spiritualism, the belief that the dead can communicate with the living.  The Ouija Board use an automatic writing method to relay messages from the deceased.  The first evidence of the usage of automatic writing can actually be traced all the way back to historical Song Dynasty documents in China around 1100 A.D.  Back then, it was called fuji (or “planchette writing”) when was the writing instrument for necromancy and spirit-world communion.  At that time, it was a central, big practice of the Quanzhen School and only conducted under authorized supervisors under special ritual circumstances, until it was banned during the Qing Dynasty.  Many, many years later, Spiritualism became quite popular in the United States in the 1800s.  During this time there were more frequent deaths and shorter life spans because of disease, war, and childbirth and people really wanted a pathway to connect with their deceased loved ones to answer questions, address unresolved issues, and gain a sense of closure.  

The notion of communicating with Spirits/Ghosts came into the spotlight in 1848 when young sisters Maggie and Kate Fox said they could receive Spirit messages through tapping that heard on walls.  This captivated the public’s attention and further sparked interest into Spiritualism and connecting with the deceased.  As one can imagine, as a result, many Mediums and Spiritualism-themed businesses thrived with the demand during this time.  In 1886, Spirit Boards super common that they were reported to have “taken over” spiritualist camps in Ohio, United States.  In 1890 in Baltimore, Maryland, businessman, attorney, and inventor Elijah Bond wanted in on the trend and patented a planchette that was sold with a Spirit Board and, as a result, is credited for the Ouija Board’s invention.  Thus, in 1891, “Ouija: The Wonderful Talking Board” game became available for sale for only $1.50 at the time.  In 1901, Bond’s employee, William Fuld, took control of the Spirit Board production and made/sold his own Spirit Boards under the name “Ouija.”  The Ouija became a huge cultural staple of the time, with family/friends gathering for a fun yet intriguing séance night session.  People’s intentions of the time were pure by nature, with no ill will, and the Ouija provided a way to escape the turbulent times (war, The Great Depression, etc.).  And while over time not nearly as many people have or use a Ouija Board and the board itself carries great negative stigma by some, it’s still a popular method by many to try to communicate with the deceased.

Popular Culture

n regard to pop culture, Ouija has made many appearances in various horror genre media platforms.  Typically, the Ouija is shown briefly while the horror-themed ambiance is the primary focus.  After all, in modern times, the idea of speaking with the supernatural/paranormal and the general unknown can be scary, right?  Here is a list of just some Ouija appearances that can be found in popular culture.  If there are any that I missed that you would like to add or share, please let me know in the comments!

• 1973:  An early part of the horror film, The Exorcist, Regan, a young girl, using a Ouija Board with what seems to be initially harmless communication with a being named “Captain Howdy.”   Regan later becomes possessed by a demon.  Many claim it was this first movie featuring the Ouija that changed the public’s attitude towards Spirit Boards into one being more fearful or simply more negative.

• 1976:  Osibisa released a song and album named Ojah Awake, which is based on Ouija.

• 1986:  The American supernatural horror movie Witchboard and its 1993 and 1995 sequels centers around the use of Ouija.

• 1989:  Morrissey, the British singer, released a single titled Ouija Board, Ouija Board, which mockingly plays with the notion of contacting supernatural Spirits of the deceased.

• 1991:  And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird is a science fiction family film where an Ouija Board is featured in an important scene near the beginning.

• 2000:  A horror film staring Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer called What Lies Beneath includes a scene of a séance being performed with a Spirit Board.

• 2007:  Paranormal Activity is a very popular horror film and in it, a couple experiences violent, haunty events in their home and the supernatural entity becomes more powerful when the Ouija is used.

• 2007:  A Philippine horror-thriller movie called Ouija shows a group using the Board, which in turn causes a murderous supernatural entity to follow them. 

• 2012:  The film I Am Zozo shows five friends using Ouija on Halloween, which results in a demon (which is based Pazuzu) appearing.

• 2014:  Ouija is a horror movie that centers completely around the use of the Spirit Board.  As a result of using it, it causes a series of deaths.  The 2016 prequel called Ouija: Origin of Evil also focused on the use of it. 

• 2015:  The Natural Geographic show called Brain Games featured an episode in Season 5 called, Paranormal.  In this episode, it is clearly revealed that the Spirit Board did not work when all of the show’s participants were blindfolded.

Tales of its Powers

Many, many, many people have stories to tell about their personal experiences or the tales of others when using a Ouija Board.  There are also legends or lore that involve Ouija.  You can find a ton of these tales online.  Here are just a few of some interesting tales/events I found that involve the use of a Ouija Board: 

• 1930:  There was a woman named Lila Jimerson who was having an affair with a man who was married to his wife, Clothilde Marchand.  Lila also had a friend named Nancy Brown, whose husband had previously passed away.  Using Ouija, Lila convinced Nancy that Clothilde was in fact a “Witch” who caused Nancy’s husband’s death.  In the end, Lila murdered Clothilde Marchand and both Lila and Nancy pled guilty to manslaughter.

• 1991:  There was a person was in the United States Marine Corps and in a 4-man room with 2 friends at the time.  The person was reading a book and one of those friends had plugged an old cassette Walkman to some speakers and Phil Collins’s song “In The Air Tonight” was playing.  The 2 friends were using Ouija to talk to a benign Spirit when it suddenly started spelling out the message: “Demon is coming”.  As soon at the planchette highlighted the last “g,” the song slowed and slowed down until it stopped, which alone sounded like “the devil incarnate.”  The person jumped up saying, “Fuck this, I’m leaving,” and left.  Looking back the person thinks that the Walkman batteries just happened to die at the perfect timing.  However, it still freaks them out to the current day.

• 2013:  A person posted online that once their cousin set their grandmother’s basement on fire and at the time all of their board games (including Ouija) were stored underneath the basement sofa.  As a result of the fire, everything was incinerated with the sofa and board games burnt down to ash.  However, the Ouija Board including its box was not even singed.  It had been over 23 years since that event and everyone is still too afraid to use it since. 

• 2014:  There were 35 students in Bolivia who played with a Ouija Board.  Afterwards, they were hospitalized due to trances, including profusely sweating and having rapid heartbeats.

• 2015:  there was a viral game called “Charlie, Charlie,” where players would create a Talking Board with a piece of paper that had “Yes/No” written on it and using 2 pencils to communicate with a demonic Spirit.   During this time, there were many stories of people in Mexico experiencing Spirit possession and mass fainting events.

When coming across them online, at some point one wonders if they are true or not.  If someone uses a Ouija Board and claims to have experienced something that felt real to them, does that make it true then, for them?  But that’s another conversation or debate that can be applied to any form of magic practice.  

How to Use Ouija

So you’ve learned about Ouija and want to try it out for yourself.  You can absolutely do so if you wish!  Different people approach using a Ouija Board in different ways, depending on who you ask.  In general, many magic practitioners do not recommend people who are nervous/scared about using Ouija Board to do so.  But when you’re ready to try it, look at these steps or tips for some general guidance.

(1) Basic Introduction

You can purchase a Ouija Board online at various sites or in many game stores.  As far as I could tell, there’s not really an emphasis on how one should attain a Spirit Board.  So feel free to purchase any Board that speaks or calls out to you.  You should also become familiar with the parts and terminology that are associated with Ouija:

• Planchette – Also called a “pointer,” the heart-shaped plastic or wooded piece that has an “eye” in the center.  One’s hands guide it one letter or one number at a time to reveal a message.

• Eye – The glass or plastic center of the planchette, which displays the one letter or number.

• Séance – A meeting of people with at least one medium or spiritualist with the intention of communicating with a deceased Spirit.

• Soothsayer – Someone who predicts the future.  Some Psychics, Mediums, and other types of magic practitioners can predict the future.  Generally the term “soothsayer” is used specifically for séance purposes.

• Necromancy – The magical practice with the intention of communicating with the dead.

• Divination – The magical practice of seeking knowledge (especially one seeking answers about the future) through supernatural means.

• Conjure – To “call upon a Spirit” by using magic.

(2) Advice Before You Start

• What’s your purpose?  
  • You can use a Ouija Board lightheartedly by yourself or with others.  (Some people say that two people is ideal for too many friends can make the session too hectic.)  
  • Some people use one for spiritual work and/or to help others in sessions.  Many magic practitioners don’t necessarily use Ouija to speak with the deceased, but rather use it for general spiritual connection. 
  •  Some use it as another form of visually revealing one’s inner contemplation or subconscious thoughts/feelings.  Think to yourself how you wish to use Ouija.  

• Many magic practitioners suggest that those who are nervous or fearful over the use of Ouija should not do it.  
  • It doesn’t help that pop culture and mainstream media constantly feature horror stories involving one.  Instead of being fearful, one should be respectful, cautious, and simply use common sense.  In fact, the Ouija’s official description includes the sentence: “Handle the Ouija board with respect and it won’t disappoint you!”  
  • While many think Ouija can be used for dangerous purposes with the wrong intentions, it can actually provide a deep sense of spiritual connection, spiritual enlightenment, and answers that lie either within yourself or with those who reside in the spiritual realm.  

(3) Physically Preparing Your Sacred Space

• Set the mood and time for the occasion.  
  • Dim lights, burn candles/incense, and remove all distractions!  Have no interruptions and make sure your phone is turned off, too.  
  • Many say that Ouija is all about timing and sometimes the Board is hyperactive and sometimes it seems asleep.  Many Ouija Board users say that the early morning hours are best.

• Optionally, you can protect yourself and your sacred space before using Ouija.  
  • You can (a) smudge by burning certain herbs,
  • (b) asperge by using water to purify the space,
  • (c) sprinkle salt or use salt crystal lamps,
  • (d) light a candle or sprinkle cooled ashes around the space perimeter, or
  • (e) place Crystals designed for protection, such as Obsidian, Black Tourmaline, Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, and/or Pyrite. 

• Take a comfortable seat.  
  • The original instructions suggest the ideal position is a “lady and gentleman” sit on their knees, with their knees touching, and with the Board placed on top of their laps.  But please don’t take that too literally.  Of course, it’s ok for anyone to sit in a chair at a table or whatever makes you most comfortable.  
  • The point is for everyone to be able to clearly see the Board and keep their fingers on the planchette.  Ideally people should be placed on opposite sides of the Board, for if the planchette reveals letters/number quickly, it can be difficult to read the message if everyone is looking at the Board upside down.

(4) Mentally Preparing Yourself

• Always be polite.  
  • Whenever speaking to a spiritual entity, be sure to always maintain a level of politeness and friendliness.  Afterall, they may be more likely to cooperate and communicate with you.  
  • Sometimes you may not get all of the answers you seek or desired.  That’s ok.  It’s not Ouija’s or the Spirit’s fault.  So try not to get angry or violent, as a result.  It will just contaminate the overall ambiance and vibe.  Plus, you don’t want to accidentally upset any Spirits!

• Be patient!!  
  • This is probably the hardest for most people. There may be times when you don’t get an answer right away.  But don’t be discouraged!  Sometimes a Spirit may need a bit of time to “warm up.”  
  • Also, many new Ouija users think that by manually moving the planchette to “warm it up” will help move things along.  No.  The Spirit will give you the answers and some Spirits reveal letters/numbers slowly while others reveal move quickly.  So if things seem slow, wait and don’t get upset.  
  • You can wait it out or simply close the Board and try again a little while later.

• Be careful what you wish for.  
  • Don’t ask a question of which you either don’t want the answer or you are not ready to receive the answer.  For example, if you wish to ask about your future, know that chances are the Spirit does not know the answer and may simply provide one they find amusing.  So if you ask, “When am I going to die?”, don’t take the answer seriously and don’t believe everything the Ouija reveals.  
  • Also, try not to ask silly questions or ones that may take a long time to spell out a response, such as “What did John Doe say about me to Jane Smith?”  
  • Plus, it’s generally suggested to not ask for physical signs that a Spirit is present.  While some Spirits may be ok with obliging, others are not.  Also, if a Spirit wants to “play along,” it could cause some trouble.  So try to keep your questions and answers within the Ouija Board.  

(5) Using the Spirit Board

• Choose a medium or spokesperson who will ask all the questions.  
  • If multiple people are asking the questions, it can be confusing or even chaotic.  Of course, everyone should be able to have their questions asked.  So take turns coming up and giving the medium/spokesperson your questions so they can ask the Spirit Board directly.

• Conduct an opening ritual.  
  • It can be setting up your sacred space while reciting a prayer, or welcoming Spirits into your space, or to simply place trinkets, Crystals, or other spiritually meaningful items around you.  
  • If there’s a specific Spirit of a deceased person to who you wish to speak, then many place something of theirs nearby so their Spirit is drawn to the items and, thus, more easily into the sacred space.  
  • The designated medium/spokesperson should be sure to welcome Spirits and encourage only positive vibes/energy in the sacred space.

• When you’re ready to begin, have the planchette rest on the Ouija’s letter “G” to begin and have all the users place 2 fingers (their index and middle fingers) on the planchette.  
  • What’s most important is to rest your fingers firmly on the planchette, but not too hard!  Otherwise, the planchette won’t move as easily with such force.

• Start with simple questions.  
  • Try not to overwhelm your Board “right off the bat” with multiple, complicated, long questions.  Start short and sweet, like most introductory conversations.  
  • Good questions to start asking include:  “Is there a Spirit present?”  “How many Spirits are in the room?”  “Are you a good Spirit?”  “What is your name?”

• After the medium/spokesperson asks the Board their question, have everyone concentrate on that question.  
  • Some people slowly move the planchette in gentle circles around the Board to encourage the Spirit or to warm up the Spirit Board.  
  • After getting a “feel” for the session with some simple starter sessions, you could start branching out into more specific questions based on what the Spirit has revealed.  
  • As the planchette moves to reveal the Spirit’s reply, if the answer is long, someone may need to serve as the designated writer to take notes on the revealed messages, especially if they are long.

• Watch the planchette as it moves.  
  • Sometimes the piece moves quickly.  Sometimes it moves slowly from one letter to the next.  Sometimes it doesn’t move at all, and that’s ok.  But if everyone in the room is focused and paying attention, the planchette should move at some point.  
  • Make sure no one is purposefully moving the planchette on their own.  If they are, they should not be involved in participating with the Ouija.  
  • Everyone should have an equal amount of weight placed on the planchette.  

• Remember, if the Spirit is being rude/mean, do not react similarly.  
  • It’s important to remain calm and polite.  
  • If someone in your group is not following the rule of maintaining a positive atmosphere or is reacting inappropriately, kick them out of the room.  
  • If you need a break, you can close the Board and return to the session again later.  
  • If a Spirit indicates that they’re bad/evil or if you get too scared at any point, simply say goodbye to the Spirit, close the Board, and quit.

• Close the board when it’s time.  
  • When you’re done with the session, thank the Spirit for their time and swipe the planchette over the phrase “Goodbye” (if available) and wait for the Spirit to reply in turn to complete the session.  
  • If the planchette is either (1) doing “figure eight” motions, (2) counting down from 9 to 0, or (3) counting down from Z to A, then the Spirit is trying to escape the Spirit Board, so it’s time to say “Goodbye” and end the séance.  
  • Before you put away the Ouija Board, be sure to rub it with a soft, dry cloth to keep it clean and dust/moisture free and then place it back into its box.

Controversy

Of course, with every method of magic comes its controversy and Ouija is no exception.  The controversy typically lies within two points of view: religion and science.  So here’s a brief exploration as to why Ouija is viewed as a controversial practice:

Religion

Many, if not most, mainstream denominations of Christianity are against the use of Ouija, with it being a form of divination (which goes against their beliefs/practices) and maybe even an “evil/sinful practice of witchcraft.”  In particular, Catholicism has warned against Spirit Boards because they could potentially involve communicating with demons/the Devil or even lead to demonic possession.  Even among Occultists and other magic practitioners there is some division on the topic.  Some agree that those who are inexperienced or fearful over the concept should avoid using Ouija.  On the other hand, others claim that it can be a tool for guidance, inner awareness, and overall positive transformation.  In the end, it depends on what YOUR personal beliefs are and what YOU’RE comfortable with!

Science

The scientific community has labeled Spirit Boards as a pseudoscience, with no evidence of one being able to communicate with deceased spirits or supernatural beings with its use.  As a potential explanation for the supposed uncontrollable movement of the planchette, there is a psychophysiological phenomenon known as “automatism” or the ideomotor effect.  Back in 1853, scientist Michael Faraday coined the notion of the ideomotor response while doing research on table-turning, a particular form of séance practice.  A 2012 study showed that when answering “Yes/No” questions, Ouija users would reveal significantly accurate replies.  Also, when a planchette was revealing a spelled-out reply, users tended to have that reply already on their minds before it was completely revealed.  This might suggest that the users’ unconscious minds may play a strong role.  So while users may be seemingly involuntarily or automatically moving the planchette, it’s probably explained by their subconscious minds inadvertently guiding their hands.  Of course, at the end of the day, if you enjoy Ouija and find it useful or insightful, then go right on ahead and continue using it!  Again, what you believe works best for you is what matters at the end of the day.

My dear friends, what are your thoughts on Ouija?  (I apologize that this post is sooo long, but I hope you’ve found it useful or entertaining!) Have you used Spirit Boards before and have any stories to share?  If you use it, what are some benefits you’ve experienced?  If you do not use Ouija, why not?  Do you practice magic in another way that better suits your needs?  Please share in the comments for I would love to learn from you!  I hope you have a great rest of your day and I look forward to communicating with you again!

“I am never alone wherever I am. The air itself supplies me with a century of love. When I breathe in, I am breathing in the laughter, tears, victories, passions, thoughts, memories, existence, joys, moments, and the hues of the sunlight on many tones of skin; I am breathing in the same air that was exhaled by many before me. The air that bore them life. And so how can I ever say that I am alone?” 

– C. JoyBell C.

• Image Captions (in order of appearance):
• Mystic ritual with Ouija and candles. Devil’s board concept, black magic or fortune telling rite with occult and esoteric symbols. Occultism. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user snow toy; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• ouija board isolated on white background 3d illustration. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user andrea crisante; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Two people conducting a seance using a Ouija Board, or Talking Spirit Board, with red candles. Shot from overhead. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Atomazul; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Seance. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Everett Collection; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Horror scary movie concept. Hand of ghost on screen of vintage tv in haunted house. 3d illustration. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Maxx-Studio; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• two young and beautiful women, one blonde and one African-American, doing the Ouija board in a corridor of an abandoned building. The women are invoking the spirits of the afterlife. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Jose_Escudero; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Ouija board and candles arrangement above view. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Artman96; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Talking board and planchette used on seances for communicating with the dead / high contrast image. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Fer Gregory; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Ouija Board on a bedroom floor. Image courtesy of Unsplash user James Fitzgerald; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Unsplash Inc.
• Using Ouija Board on Halloween. Image courtesy of Unsplash user Alexia Rodriquez; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Unsplash Inc.
• Bohemian hand drawn ouija that consists of pictures of the sun, moon, rays and Eye of Providence. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Tatiana Apanasova; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Ouija board. Communicating with ghosts. People conducting a seance using a spiritual board. Top view. Image courtesy of Shutterstock user Mar1kOFF; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.
• Black and White Playing Card. Image courtesy of Pexels user Pavel Danilyuk; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Pexels GmbH.
• Group of Women Using an Ouija Board on a Table. Image courtesy of Pexels user Pavel Danilyuk; not for commercial use. Signed property release on file with Pexels GmbH.

• References (in alphabetical order):
• Uilyc, Ceida. “How to Contact the Dead Using Healing Crystals.” AtPerry’s Healing Crystals, 4 Dec. 2019, https://shop.atperrys.com/blogs/healing-crystals-blog/how-to-contact-the-dead-using-healing-crystals.