All You Need to Know About Ouija Board Before Contacting Spirits This Halloween

The famous Ouija Board is a well-known cultural phenomenon that was a key component of the horror movie starter pack. It has also earned a bold reputation as a pop culture phenomenon. Ouija boards are often called talking boards because of their strange and sometimes unsettling ways of communicating with spirits. But are they as scary as they sound? Beckie Ann Galentine is an embalmer and ghost hunter by day. She has used Ouija boards for more than a decade. We talked to her to find out everything you need to know about the Ouija world.

“I believe I was in college when my first Ouija Board experience occurred. The 1990s Ouija was given to me with the cover still on the hands. We tried it as we had never used one before. Although it didn’t work, I tried to use it with college friends who lived in an extremely modern apartment. Because I was “edgy”, I had been carrying the board around for shock value and eventually tried to use it. We lit some candles, turned on the lights and hoped for big production. But nothing happened.”

A History Lesson

Technically speaking, “Ouija” is the trademark name for a spirit communication device known as a talkingboard. It is directed at people aged eight and older. It is made up of two parts: a planchette, which is nearly heart-shaped and has an eye, and a rectangular, flat board with the alphabet. They promote the idea of asking questions and getting intelligent answers from Ouija. Although it isn’t the only talking board out there, the mysterious name draws the most attention.

Ouija was founded in Baltimore, Maryland. There is some discussion about spiritualist communities and talking boards. However, the patent is credited to Baltimore in the 1890s. It was not as well-known at the time with its campy graphics and battery operated planchettes. The first boards were made of beautiful stained wood with stencilled letters. There was a huge explosion in talking boards after the introduction. You could keep all of them for a lifetime, but not every piece.

Think about the 1940s. There were tons of novelty companies that got involved with the game, with names like “We-Ja Girl” and “Sphinx Oracle Board”. These names had brilliant and unique artwork. They all revolved around the same design: letters placed in a certain way on a sliding planchette on which you can call upon spirits to move or spell messages. William Fuld is often credited with inventing Ouija and patenting it. He sold the trademark to Parker Brothers, which later became Hasbro. The trademark is still owned by Hasbro today.

It’s one thing to decide to use a Ouija board for the first time. But for those who have never used paranormal communication before, it can be difficult to grasp the essential terms and phrases necessary for a safe and smooth experience. These are just a few of the many terms you will need to add to your vocabulary sheet for your Ouija Board. Now, it’s time to explore the paranormal realm.

1. Planchette – The heart-shaped piece that goes with Ouija. It has an eye or viewing window where the message is seen.
2. Necromancy – Magic or practice that aims to communicate with the dead
3. Seance – An event in which people plan to communicate with the dead, usually with a medium or another spiritualist.
4. Conjure – To “call upon an spirit” using magic
5. Eye – This is the clear plastic or glass portion of the planchette that displays the message.
6. Divination – The practice of seeking out knowledge, often in search of answers about future events, by supernatural means
7. Soothsayer – A person who predicts what the future will look like

The best tool for someone who is just starting out is your phone. Many people are afraid to start “ghost hunting” due to the high cost and show that you can spend thousands on expensive equipment. Your phone doesn’t require a monetary commitment so anyone can attempt a paranormal investigation. If it is not for them, they don’t have to pay anything. The basic equipment for paranormal investigations is provided by a mobile phone, which includes an audio recorder, flashlight, and a camera. You probably already have most of the essential items for paranormal investigations in your house.

Beckie Ann also recommends The Talking Board Historical Society. They “focus on the facts – not just Hollywood rumors, and if you feel particularly boujie book yourself a flight from Boston to visit Salem Witchboard Museum. This museum offers a historical approach to all matters Ouija. It’s thorough, fascinating!”

Let’s get down to the details. What does it take to move a planchette across the board? Is it as scary as it sounds?

The planchette is a piece that looks somewhat like a heart and has an “eye”. It moves around the board with your hands, stopping at certain letters to allow you to record them, and ending with a message. The board can work in different ways depending on who you ask. Some believe that it is an “ideomotor effects,” which means that the users subconsciously move the planchette. It is more frightening to be aware that you are causing something to move than it is to believe otherwise. Some people believe that the former. Spirits are capable of manipulating their environment, whether it be radio noise, recording static, light or hands-on with a planchette. This allows them to communicate. It is the spirit that guides the users to relay their messages.

As far as misinformation, there is more than just jump scares from Paranormal Activity movies. “I would say that there is more misinformation out there than useful stuff! It’s often due to the interplay of various spiritual beliefs and faiths. For example, Catholics may have very different views on Ouija. Witches and atheists might disagree. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone is wrong. I won’t judge anyone for believing what they believe. The myths seem to be perpetuated by social media. It sparks interest and allows people to discover spiritualism while scrolling. This is something I find valuable. Stick to mentors and books in the long-term. When it comes to spiritual subjects, I recommend reading lots, drawing from many ideas and sources, and creating your own path (so long as you aren’t being too appropriative of other cultures).”

You may be interested in paranormal investigations that take place in the field. Local investigators may be open to you participating in a few investigations. You can also start your investigation by visiting local ghost tours. First, build a solid foundation of factual history – that’s your backbone. Some of the TV ghost hunters are also not recommended. Many things are embellished and unethical, not done with the intention to help people.

The Exorcist (1973), White Noise (2005) and Witchboard (1986), The Conjuring (2016) are just a few examples of Hollywood movies that have been inspired by the “never f*ckwith a Ouija Board” sentiment. However, Beckie Ann says that the movie portrayals of talking boards are greatly exaggerated when compared to what most people experience in real life.

Let’s get started – has anyone ever been possessed by a Ouijaboard? There are some real-life cases in which people have been killed or suffered serious consequences from using a Ouijaboard. These cases are not common outside of Hollywood. The person felt something already, or the entity was already there, and Ouija was just a catalyst. Correlation is not always causal.

Aside from the fact that Hollywood seems to not have an issue with talking boards generally, Ouija is the one who takes the beating. People consume content meant for entertainment and accept it as fact. “A meme that was circulating a decade ago about how one should never play with another is no longer reliable.”

They might not seem as frightening as the world of cinema, but there are some basic rules to follow if you want to explore the worlds of spirit communication. “I try to treat them with respect. Each person is different, but I would not call anyone if they were intoxicated or laughing at me. I also view spirit communication the same way. You can mock anything from the beginning. Your energy will be matched.”

You should not poke, prod, or make fun of spirits. Nor should you expect them to prove anything to you. You should not use them in active graveyards – it isn’t because you are disrupting spirits but because it’s disturbing for mourners. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, we don’t recommend any form of spirit contact. Being in a highly active area can cause you to feel overstimulated or exhausted. The planchette should not be kept on the board as it can potentially open the possibility of spirit contact. Most boxes have a place for it under the board.

Would be great if you light white candles. However, this is more tradition than anything. Some believe that lighting white candles will protect you. Some people use prayers and crystals for protection. It all depends on the person’s spiritual practice. It is best to use the Ouija when you are feeling relaxed or in an area with ambient music. This is common for any paranormal investigation. It’s a common practice in paranormal investigations of any kind.

When you first meet a haunt, it’s a good idea to get the facts. Ask them their ages, their names, where they are in life, and what stage they are at. Also, ask about their thoughts on the company. Pay attention to your Qs and Ps. If you get great responses, say thank you. What you shouldn’t ask is a question that people sometimes think is inappropriate. Respected investigators in the community aren’t keen to provoke spirits or ask them for “prove something”. If you receive any communication from the spiritual realm, you should be thankful!

It’s unlikely that you will accidentally summon Zozo, get possessed, or be tricked into selling off your soul to Satan. It’s best to treat it like a board game. If you view it as a tool for spirit communication, you will get the same.

You don’t have to “forget” to say goodbye. It’s rude. Close by saying that the conversation is over and that the invitation is closed. However, mistakes can happen, especially in fast-paced investigations. This statement will be criticized, but it is based on years and years of research, not because we are naive.