Learn the history of Ouija boards, how they are used, and whether or not they are evil or magical.
We have all seen horror films that show terrible demonic situations unfolding after an unsuspecting group of teenagers summons diabolical evil through a Ouija board. Some people are so afraid of Ouija boards that they won't even walk in the room if they think there's one in there. Other people say it is an inanimate object that can't hurt you. Which is true? Join SpiritualBlossom to learn once and for all the real truth about Ouija boards. Find out their fascinating history, how people use them, and whether or not they can truly open a portal for evil or if they're just used to communicate with spirits.
What’s a Ouija Board?
In 1890 Ouija boards were first manufactured in the US. The Ouija board was considered to be a talking board and was used for spirit communication. In 1890 the boards were first manufactured in Baltimore MD by Charles Kenner and Elijah Bond after a séance. A year later somebody else named William Fuld recorded a patent and bought the rights to the game he had a brother named Isaac, who in 1901 had his license revoked by a company called Ouija Novelty. A court blocked him from continuing to make the game. In 1920, after a long nineteen year fight in court, it was decided that only William Fuld could manufacture the Ouija boards and his brother Isaac had to pay court costs.
Initially, the Ouija board was started as a board game. A Spiritualist named Pearl Curran changed that during World War One. She claimed to channel the spirit of a Patience Worth in 1912 with the Ouija board. In the communications, it was said that the spirit of Patience Worth told them that she lived from 1649 to 1694 ”across the sea” Somewhere in England. Experts consider this all to be a fabrication of Worth’s, but some people back then were convinced. Spiritualism had been revived and had a strong following in both the UK and the United States, and people were very interested in stories like Worth’s. Read about the spiritual practice of Rebirthing here: All About Rebirthing
Before Ouija boards, there were planchette divinations that people did. Planchette is French for “little plank” and the planchette was originally a piece of wood with two wheeled casters and there was a mechanism to hold a pencil. It was believed that these could be used to practice automatic writing. This is a psychic ability that allows people to write words without using their consciousness. It's believed that spirits tell you what to write or they move your hand for you with automatic writing. In 16th century Europe automatic writing it was practiced with the magical Enochian language. Read about using magic with Norse Runes here : The Magic and Meanings of Norse Runes
Before that, in ancient China, automatic writing known as “fuji” was practiced. This was first recorded back in the Li Song dynasty 420-479 CE. To do it, a stick was guided by a tray planchette and words were written either in the ashes of incense or in sand. Typically, two people would hold the planchette and one of them was believed to be under the influence of a g od or a spirit. They had assistants who helped them to smooth out the shapes and words formed and other people who decipher what the words were.
So, the idea behind the Ouija board is nothing new. It's just that the present form it takes has not been around for that long. Today, Ouija boards are known as spirit boards, talking boards, or witch boards. You can buy them online, or in shops. You can buy them new or you can buy them used. You can use them by yourself, or you can use them with other people. Ouija Boards are versatile, and they're basically a divination tool used for spirit communication. That's not the only way to communicate with spirits of course, and you may want to speak with the clairvoyant about that. Read about clairvoyant psychic abilities here: What is Clairvoyant Psychic Reading?
Do Ouija Boards Really Work?
That all depends. Some people swear by Ouija boards, and other people say they've got no results from them. Everybody who communicates with spirits does it differently. Some people have dreams about the spirits to communicate with them. Others just talk aloud to them just like they would with the person, and they say that they receive messages in their minds. Some people just get a feeling in their heart or their emotions when they say spirits are sending them a message. Ouija boards might work for you, but they might not. If you cannot use a Ouija board to communicate with spirits, you can always use a different method.
Are Ouija Boards Evil?
Regardless of whether Ouija boards work or not, some people swear that they are evil and should be avoided at all costs. Other people say that that belief is ridiculous and that Ouija boards are not evil at all. Read on to see what different people say and decide for yourself.
Why People Say They Are Evil
Christians are strictly against the use of Ouija boards or any other form of divination tools. This is because of a scripture in the Old Testament. In the book of Deuteronomy 18:10, it says “ There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter is an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortune or interprets omens, or a sorcerer.” In 2005. Bishops of the Catholic Church of the Federated States of Micronesia said Ouija boards should be banned and they told their congregations that they are talking to demons when using them. In 1995, the Dutch Reformed Churches told their church members to avoid them because they said using Ouija boards is ”related to the occult.” The Wisconsin Evangelical Synod said use of Ouija boards violates the Ten Commandments.
Some people believe it is dangerous to use things like Ouija boards and it is necessary to protect yourself by avoiding them. Some people believe that by practicing magic, the occult, fortune telling, or reading omens, it is opening yourself up to the influence of the devil. This is seen as spiritually very dangerous and not worth it. Some people believe that communications with spirits should only be done through their god, clergy, or their saints. Anything else is seen as unsafe. Read about how to protect your spiritual energies here: Protecting Your Spiritual Energy
Why People Say They Are Not
Some people say that this is misrepresented teachings of the religion, and those things were put in the Bible during the inquisition as a political ploy to have an excuse to kill innocent people. They say that you could accuse an enemy, or a political rival of practicing witchcraft, or divination to do away with them. So, a lot of people do not follow that scripture in Deuteronomy. Aside from television and films, the only people known to have consciously tried to summon evil spirits are people who do so outside of spiritual practice. Evil can be practiced with or without a spirit board, and spirits that are believed to be evil can be communicated with in any way.
Some people believe that spirits walk among us whether we summon them or not, and human beings are powerless to prevent that. Using Ouija boards or any other type of tool to communicate with spirits is considered no different than lighting a candle to talk to a saint or an ancestor by some people. Communicating with your deceased relatives and friends is acceptable spiritual practice to a lot of people around the world, and it's not considered evil. It doesn't matter what other people say. It depends on what you think and if you believe that Ouija boards and talking boards are forbidden, it's OK if you don't use them. If you believe that they are a good way to communicate with spirits it's OK to use them. The choice is yours. Read about communication with the dead during a sacred holiday called Samhain here: All About Samhain
How to Use Ouija and Spirit Boards
Ouija boards have a variety of uses. Some people use them just to communicate with ancestors and the dead. Other people use the images or entire Ouija boards for decorations. Some people use them as a regular divination tool.
For Ancestor Communication
Seances to communicate with ancestors using Ouija boards are done often. The way to do this is to have people gather who knew the deceased, and each call them. After taking seats around the table where the Ouija board is, each person can take turns speaking aloud to the ancestor and asking them to talk with them. Sometimes, each person puts their hands on the planchette, but other times, one person is entrusted with this task. Displaying a picture and belongings of the ancestor’s as well as giving the ancestor a gift like one of their favorite cigars and a glass of their favorite rum will help to make them feel more welcome. It will also make their presence felt more strongly by the attendees. Take your time and speak lovingly with your ancestor. Are there ancestors? Is there even an afterlife, or do we just die? Find out here: Is There Proof of the Afterlife?
For Decoration
Believe it or not, some people have Ouija boards just because they like the way they look. Jewelry, purses, throw pillows, and even coffee tables with Ouija boards on them are very popular. Ouija boards are also displayed in homes, businesses, and make quite an addition to home décor. Some people even collect antique Ouija boards and planchettes. They are available in shops and online in multiple colors, shapes, and styles. If you want Ouija boards to decorate with, get started shopping. They are out there!
For Divination
Questions can be asked of spirits the same way you would ask the powers that be in any Tarot, Rune, or pendulum reading. Just keep in mind that spirits do not have bodies so they will not move the planchette. They will let you know where to move it. You will feel an energy pull in the direction of where they want the planchette, or you might see in your mind’s eye where they want it to go. Some people just ask yes and no questions so the spirit does not have to spell out whole words, but some people keep pencil and paper handy so they can write the letters down to form words and sentences. Read about divination and meanings of Tarot cards here: A Quick Guide to Tarot Cards and their Meanings
A Word on Respect for Spirits
Not everybody knows how to communicate with spirits. It doesn't take years of intense study to understand the most important rule of communication with any spirit. That is to always treat spirits with respect. If you place demands on spirits it will upset them. If you are impatient with spirits the communication will break down. If you treat spirits in ways that you don't want to be treated it is highly disrespectful, so don't do it.
Make No Demands
Everybody wants help sometimes, and turning to an ancestor or a spirit that you know can help you is understandable. Just remember that spirits are not required to give us what we want. They don't owe us anything, and we hold no power over them. If they decide to give you what you want, they deserve appreciation. If they don't decide to give you what you want, that is their right. Even if you give a gift to a spirit, and it does not answer your requests favorably, that is okay. Ask, but don’t demand.
Be Patient
The thing that makes spirit communication difficult for some people is that they forget spirits don't communicate in exactly the same ways that we do. So, be prepared to wait. You might set up your Ouija board, and feel that you get no response from the spirit during the time that you're trying. Spirits don't necessarily answer through the Ouija board though. They might still hear you, and answers will come through in a different way. Pay attention to patterns that you see in Angel Numbers, the dreams that you have, and things like random words that you hear in public. This might be your spirit answering you.
Treat Spirits How You Want to Be Treated
Remember that time you were too busy to answer the phone, and the person calling you yelled at you the next time they talked to you because you didn't answer the phone? Pretty disrespectful and upsetting, right? Spirits feel upset and disrespected when we get mad at them for not answering the second we call them too. Spirits might not have bodies like human beings, but they do have feelings like us. Treat spirits with the same respect as you would want to be treated with by somebody else. If you remember that and nothing else, you will be doing very well communicating with spirits.
Demons, malevolent spirits, scary shows and movies. Talk about these things is enough to send you running from anything, but just because some people are afraid of something doesn't mean it's frightening. Some people say that Ouija boards welcome terrifying spirits and situations into your life, and other people say it's just an inanimate object that holds no power. Other people say Ouija boards are sacred objects used for divination and spirit communication. Who is right? Only you can decide. Just remember with or without a Ouija board for communication, spirits deserve respect. May you get the most out of your communications with the other side, and may the spirits and your ancestors smile upon you.
Not everybody does well communicating with spirits on their own, but that's where we come in. Reach out to get a reading started with one of our talented mediums to help you communicate with spirits and ancestors: Online Psychic Readings
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for The Green Egg Magazine and PaganPages.Org emag.
