The ouija (/ˈwiːdʒə/ WEE-jə), also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words "yes," "no," "hello" (occasionally), and "goodbye,” along with various symbols and graphics. Participants place their fingers on a small heart-shaped piece of wood or plastic called a planchette, and the planchette is then moved about the board to spell out messages.
The Catholic Church and other Christian denominations have warned against using Ouija boards, claiming that they can lead to demonic possession. In all fairness, most religious communities don’t want any communication with the spirit world for fear of demonic possession. Occultists, on the other hand, are divided on the issue -- some say that Ouija board use can bring about positive transformation, while others reiterate the warnings of many Christians and caution "inexperienced users" against it.
I am writing this blog to educate those who fear the Ouija. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. I don’t ask you to agree.
I can understand why the general public is afraid of the Ouija, but I struggle to understand why most of the paranormal community is afraid. As a paranormal investigator, I have used a Ouija along with the other devices. I recommend all paranormal teams have a Ouija as a part of their arsenal of equipment. Many times, the client’s paranormal claims originate from the use of a Ouija. To properly investigate those claims, you should have the Ouija.
The Ouija board is simply a communication device that is used to speak with spirits or loved ones that have gone before us. Paranormal investigators readily use other devices, such as the Ovilus, spirit box, or audio recorders, to ask questions of the spirits and ask them to express their answer through one of these devices. Isn’t that also what one does when asking a question through the Ouija?
So why does the Ouija get a bad rap over other modern devices? Isn’t the Ouija functionally equivalent to other communication devices used in paranormal investigation? The Ouija is not the problem. The problem lies with users who do not follow the proper process when using the Ouija to communicate with spirits. I maintain that it is the process of communication that matters, not the communication device.
Before attempting to communicate with spirits using any type of communication device, you should protect yourself. Do this by asking your higher power for protection; for me it is Jesus or God.
You should also ask for permission to speak with the spirit(s). Be specific! When you are about to ask questions, clearly state to whom you are speaking. If you want to speak to a family member, ask for that family member alone. If you want to communicate with the spirits of the home, be as specific as you can. Use names if you have them, or describe other aspects of the spirit you wish to contact (such as historic period, location in the home, details of the spirit’s appearance or behavior).
Once you are finished with your communication session, thank the spirits (even if you didn’t get any responses) and thank your higher power for the protection and the ability to speak with the spirits.
It is my belief that trouble arises when Ouija users don’t follow these steps. If you blindly ask for communication from the spirit world, you may not be prepared to receive the message that the spirits want to give. You certainly can get responses from a less-than-desirable spirit. Some paranormal investigators and even religious clergy believe that this is one of the best ways to get yourself a malevolent or demonic attachment.
Our goal is to educate. The Ouija has gotten a bad reputation over the years. So, if you as a layperson or a member of a paranormal team want to communicate with the spirit world, do it properly. It doesn’t matter which communication tool you use.
