Imagine you’re at a party with a few friends. One of them whips out a Ouija board that was made by Hasbro (ages 5 and up, of course). You take your seat and form a circle, unknowingly about to perform a séance. The planchette glides slowly across the board as your friends ask questions, and then…

You’re summoning a spirit from their resting place. Congratulations, you and your friends are messing with the dead. Surely there are no consequences to that, right?

The Strange and Dark History

“Ouija, the Wonderful Talking Board.” This is one of the few advertisements that made the newspaper back in February 1891 in Pittsburgh. It was listed at the low price of $1.50 and was catered towards children. The Ouija board was promised to give “never-failing amusement.” It could be used to answer your questions, predict the future, and most importantly communicate with the dead. People had a different relationship with death back in the 19th century. It was more of a curiosity than a reality, therefore the Ouija board became popular.

Robert Murch, the world’s foremost collector and historian on Ouija boards, even agreed with how odd the history is. He said, “For such an iconic thing that strikes both fear and wonder in American culture, how can no one know where it came from?”

The Rules of the Board

There are five concrete rules you MUST abide by while using a spirit board.

1. Never use the Ouija board alone. Even if you’re curious one night and want to take a shot at talking to a spirit, don’t chance it. Using one alone can leave you vulnerable to evil spirits coming from the Other Side.

2. Never use the Ouija board in a graveyard. The last thing you want to do is bring about spirits you weren’t aware of. Being in a graveyard is bone-chilling enough, there’s no need to start summoning all of the dead from their resting places.

3. Never ask if God is real. Curiosity killed the cat, and satisfaction won’t bring it back. Asking the dead about higher powers could anger them and cause their negative energy to filter right into you. Some questions are best left unanswered, especially when it comes to risking your own life.

4. Never use the Ouija board if you are a non-believer. While it’s important that this blog caters to believers as well as non-believers, it’s advised that you think about the potential consequences of using a spirit board.

5. Never leave the planchette on the board without saying goodbye. It’s only polite! In all seriousness, not saying goodbye after a session with the dead can leave you filled with dread and waking up with night sweats. Say goodbye and thank you, then wait for the planchette to move towards goodbye on the board. If the spirit doesn’t say goodbye back, repeat it, then pass the planchette through the flame of a candle. It helps to cleanse the area (but please, be careful if you do this).

There are other rules that also apply while using an Ouija board. Learn more here: https://thoughtcatalog.com/erin-cossetta/2018/03/21-ouija-board-rules-everyone-needs-to-know-before-they-start-playing/.

“I Can See You Through the Window”

Let’s take a look at a real experience someone had with a Ouija board.

Many people use Ouija boards and have real experiences with them. Having those experiences has become a bonding point for people on social media. User no-springs from Reddit shared an experience ten years ago that they had with the paranormal. “Just kind of scaring ourselves for fun, not taking it very seriously.” According to their story, they were only 12 or 13. “…we got the message ‘I can see you through the window’ and then ‘I can see you through his eyes.’” Incredibly freaky, but it somehow gets worse. This Reddit user then goes on to say that they asked a few questions, to which the board replied with ‘I’m under the car.’ Being curious children they - of course - went outside with some flashlights and checked beneath the vehicle. No spirit was there, but there was a black cat that seemed quite agitated. It hissed at the kids and they ran back inside….

Then the power went out.

A few blood-curdling screams later, the power flickered back on. No-springs says they haven’t touched a Ouija board since.

The Validity of It All

It’s ultimately up to you if you want to get involved with Ouija boards, but I can say for me personally that I’m good not knowing what lies beyond.

Just don’t forget to say goodbye.

Wraith

Wraith is a ghostly soul that enjoys investigating the truth behind paranormal affairs. There are secrets and discoveries to be made within the pages of history, and Wraith intends to find out the chilling truth. From ancient to current practices of communing with the dead, Wraith will use his quick wit and keen determination to investigate the sincerity of paranormal records.