Ouija Board Dangers

Some people believe that the Ouija Board itself is haunted or evil or that the Board opens doorways through which spirits or demons may enter. But the Ouija Board really acts more like a magnifying glass than a gateway. The spirits are attracted to the energies of the living human beings in the room. The Board focuses those energies and provides the spirits with a way to communicate. The same thing could be accomplished with a diagram on a piece of paper.

People were communicating with spirits long before the first Ouija Board was born, using all types of devices to magnify their energy. Candle flames, crystal balls, pendulums - all of these devices helped the medium to focus and concentrate her energies so that spirits could more easily penetrate the veil between the living and the dead and pass on their information.

Prior to the invention of the first Ouija Board, mediums had been using Table Turning or Table Knocking to help spirits communicate. This tedious process involved counting the number of times a spirit knocked on the table and then associating that number with a letter. As you can imagine, it took a long time for a spirit to complete a thought. Not to mention the fact that the people attending these seances quickly became bored.

Next, mediums created a writing device that resembled the Planchette which is currently used with the Ouija Board. This small table had a small hole into which a pen could be inserted. The participants placed their hands on the planchette and the spirits could now communicate in writing. However, these spirit writings were most often difficult to read.

From that idea, then, the Ouija Board was born.

No one knows for sure the exact date the Ouija Board was first used, nor under what circumstances it was created. In fact, in the beginning it wasn't even called a Ouija Board. The first official reports of this new 'Message Board' appeared in the July 1886 edition of the (Oakland) Carrier Dove. At that time, people all across Ohio were going crazy over this new method of communicating with the spirit world and the word quickly began to spread.

The original patent for the message board was shows Elijah J. Bond as the inventor and Charles W. Kennard and William H. A. Maupin as the assignees. All three were from Baltimore, Maryland and it was Kennard who actually named the Board.

Kennard and Maupin were getting their marketing plan together when Kennard realized the Board needed a name. Apparently, the Board had already helped with several other decisions, so Kennard and his sister-in-law decided to ask the Board what it should be called. The new message board spelled out the word O-U-I-J-A (pronounced wE-ja) and when Kennard asked what the word meant, the Board replied 'Good Luck'. It just so happened that Miss Peters, the sister-in-law, was wearing a necklace with a small charm. On the charm was the small figure of a woman and printed at the top was the word 'Ouija'. Kennard asked Miss Peters if she'd been thinking of that word while they were consulting the Board and she replied in the negative. Apparently, the spirit behind the board that day had very good eyesight.

Eventually, in 1966, the Ouija Board was sold to Parker Brothers. Their marketing slogan is - "It's only a game...isn't it?"

Over the years there have been many competitors come and go and people even create their own unique board designs. The Ouija Board has been called The Mystic Oracle, a Witchboard, a Talking Board, Mystic Trays and a few other choice names, too. But we'll always know it best as the Ouija.

The Ouija and other similar boards are marketed in the games category and the last time I bought one there were no rules in the box. Everyone knows how to use a Ouija Board and it's not like you're trying to compete. So there really are no rules to follow.

However....

Whether you're using the board as a source of laughter and merriment or you're seriously trying to communicate with spirits, the fact remains...

'Things' happen when you use a Ouija Board. No matter what your reasons for opening that box, there are certain steps you should take to protect yourself.

Never Laugh At The Ouija Board

You may or may not believe it's possible to contact spirits. But the fact of the matter is, when something does happen and the planchette starts to move, you really have no idea if it's just one of your friends fooling around, an actual encounter with a spirit, or a demon from Hell coming through to latch on and haunt you for all eternity. For that reason, it's important that you never laugh at or make fun of a Ouija Boad. You never know who you might be offending.

Always Treat Your Ouija Board With Respect

For the same reasons you should never laugh at your Ouija Board, you should also always treat it with respect. Don't try to argue with the spirits or push them to respond faster. Be polite when you ask questions and if they don't answer the first time, ask it again, politely. If they still don't answer, move on to the next question. But never curse the entity who is communicating with you, never call them names or threaten them. Remember, they're coming through to you from the other side - you can't touch them, but they can touch you!

Always remember to thank the spirits for taking the time and making the effort to communicate with you. Because, for them, it is an effort and they don't have to come through if they don't want to. They're doing you a favor each time they answer a question, so remember to thank them for it every single time.

Be Of Sound Mind And Body

People with emotional, spiritual or psychiatric problems should never use a Ouija Board. Should an evil or malicious entity appear they may not have the mental strength to ward of attack. Spirits recognize these people as easy targets.

You should also never be under the influence of alcohol or drugs when using the Ouija Board. This even includes marijuana and nicotine. Persons with diminished mental capacity, for whatever reason, are more easily possessed and terrorized, even if it is only by their own imaginations.

Make Sure Everyone In The House Consents

Spirits and demons who come through via the Ouija Board can't tell the difference between the people who are actively using the board and those who are just present in the house. Make sure everyone in the house, even if they're not in the same room, knows you're using the Ouija Board and understands the potential for danger. And never force anyone to stay on the premises if they don't want to be there.

Never Use The Ouija Board Alone

Never, never, EVER use a Ouija Board unless there's someone else in the room with you. At the very least you'll want a witness to the events that occur. More important, you may come under some type of spiritual or even physical attack during the course of your spiritual communication. Even if everything that does happen is only because of your own over-active imagination, it's best to have someone who can help calm your nerves.

It's important to understand that you really have no control over who or what decides to communicate with you through your Ouija Board. You can ask all the identifying questions you want but an evil entity can easily trick you into believing you're speaking with the ghost of your great-grandmother if he wants to.

Many people think that because the spirit in the Board helped them find something they'd lost or helped them solve a difficult problem, then that 'spirit' must a GOOD spirit. And that's simply not the case. Most evil spirits and demonic entities understand that they best way to get to you is to first become your friend. They'll help you with little tasks and answer questions until they've gained your trust. And once you let them all the way in, then they reveal themselves for who, or what they really are.

It's important, then, to learn to protect yourself before you start using a Ouija Board. And always be on your guard!

Candles and Incense

Place a ring of white candles (some say that blue candles will work, too) around the table. Set the candles back far enough so that everyone sitting around the table is inside the circle of candle light. Be sure to place the candles on a fireproof surface and keep them away from draperies and other flammable items.

Burn Frankincense and Myrrh to promote purification, consecration, healing, exorcism and banishing evil.

Use Visualization

Visualize yourself and the members of your group being surrounded by an impenetrable, protective wall of pure, white light. Concentrate on this image before you start and make sure you have it firmly in your mind. Visualize this white light being strong enough to prevent demons and other troublesome spirits from getting through to harm you.

Prayers and Chanting

Some people choose to say a prayer or chant or spend a few moments in quiet meditation before they place their hands on the Ouija Board. Any prayer that makes you feel safe and protected, according to your own religious beliefs, will be fine.

However, if you don't have your own prayer, this one may be helpful: "I invite those spirits who are only for my highest good. Any spirits who come through who are NOT for my highest good are to be absorbed into the white light of protection, harming none."

Medallions, Crystals and Religious Icons

Feeling that you're protected, both physically and spiritually, is important. The more confident you feel, the more confident you'll appear to the spirits who enter through the Board. If you have special religious icons or medallions, place them around the room or in a pocket if they're small enough. Crystals, lucky pieces, charms and amulets are fine, too. Anything that makes you feel spiritually stronger is a welcome addition.

Always Close Your Ouija Board

Never leave the planchette lying on the Ouija Board and then just walk away and never lift the planchette from the Board until you're done. It's important to make sure you properly close the Board when you're finished so you don't leave an open portal, through which anything might enter!

To properly close your Ouija Board, tell any spirits who may be listening that you're grateful for their time and the energy it took for them to respond to your questions. Then, tell them you're leaving and ask the spirits to move the Planchette to the Goodbye position as an indication that they understand you're done for the evening. If nothing happens, ask them again, politely.

If still nothing happens, sternly tell the spirits 'Goodby!' and then tell them to 'Leave!' If you still feel their presence, lift the planchette from the board and slam it down on the table or pass it through the flame of a candle.

So far we've only hinted at the possibilities of what might happen when you use a Ouija Board. Let's get down to business and talk about some of the real dangers involved!

You Have No Control Over Who Or What Comes Through

Most people are under the mistaken impression that only invited spirits can come through and communicate but that's not true at all. You have no control over who or what comes through. That's why it's so important that you protect yourself. Most of the entities who do communicate through the Ouija Board are malicious entities, trapped and unable to move on. They're angry and jealous and vindictive.

Often, a group of people will settle down to an evening of 'play' with the Ouija Board. These individuals firmly believe the board is just another parlor game and they're surprised when they find it cursing at them, calling them names and spewing hateful, vile, disgusting remarks. Surely no one in their group is actually harboring these thoughts! And they're right. These types of communications indicate that a malicious spirit has come through the Board.

Asking to speak to your dearly departed Aunt Ruth is a grave mistake. For whatever reason, she may not be able to come through. Maybe she's not strong enough or maybe she's otherwise occupied. In any event, asking to speak to a specific spirit just gives that much more information to evil entities that might be lurking around. And they ARE lurking around! Now they know you're looking for 'Aunt Ruth' and it's easy enough for them to pretend to be her. They also know you're susceptible to the suggestion that you're speaking with 'Aunt Ruth' and you're willing to believe most anything they tell you.

These malicious entities will play on your weaknesses to gain your cooperation. For example, if you're a vain person, they may beg you for some type of help, stating that YOU are the only person who could possible help them. Be careful when speaking with ANY spirit who contacts you. Don't reveal any personal information about yourself and don't let down your guard.

The fear, of course, is that once these entities have gained your trust and cooperation it's just one more small step before they can begin to take over your thoughts and complete possession isn't far behind.

First, the victim begins to spend an excessive amount of time with the Ouija Board and it eventually becomes their main focus. They become argumentative and moody and they begin to develop a negative attitude about everything. They may spend a lot of time sleeping, stop eating and start to complain about feeling chilled. These are signs that a demonic possession is taking place.

Generally, the victim doesn't even realize he's on the brink of full possession. People who come near him though will start to experience discomfort and maybe even feel the beginnings of possessions themselves - the chills, the moodiness, etc. When this happens, they tend to stay away from the possessed person, causing him even more isolated and making it even easier for the demon to break down the last of his defenses and claim total possession.

Sound implausible? Not really. Even if no spirit contact occurs when using a Ouija Board, even if it is all just pure imagination, it's easy to see how someone might with mental health issues or even just a vivid imagination might convince themselves they've made contact From there, it's also easy to see how one could quickly spiral downward into the belief that they've been possessed by a demon.

So, you see, the simple act of 'playing' with a Ouija Board can have dire effects, even if you believe it's just a parlor game.

Spirits or demons don't always come through to communicate every time someone uses a Ouija Board. In fact, in most cases, the users just end up spooking themselves. It takes a certain amount of concentration, focus and belief to be able to communicate with these entities and not everyone has that capability and not every setting is welcoming.

However, in more cases than can possibly be counted, 'things' have happened which make it abundantly clear that the Ouija Board is NOT a toy and it's use should not be taken lightly. Here, then, is one of the most famous cases where the use of a Ouija Board ended in tragedy.

It All Started With a Ouija Board

The year was 1941 and 13-year old Robbie and his parents lived in Cotton City, Maryland, on a nice, quiet, tree-lined street. Robbie's aunt, a medium of sorts, visited frequently, often spending days or weeks at a time, and she taught the young boy how to use the Ouija Board. Robbie frequently played with the board and was often alone with it for long periods of time. However, nothing strange happened until after his aunt passed away. It was then, without her protection, that a demon was able to enter Robbie's body and take possession.

At first, it was just little things - scratching noises in the walls, a chair that moved a few inches when no one was there to help it. But the strange occurrences grew more frequent - and much more alarming.

Robbie became withrawn and he began to use foul and disgusting language. Tables were being overturned, chairs thrown against the wall and Robbies bed would shake and levitate at night. Yet no one could determine the cause of these disturbances.

The family contacted their pastor and he, suspecting Poltergeist activity, had Robbie come and spend a few days under observation at the mental health clinic at the University of Maryland. A full round of tests were run twice but again, nothing was found.

Robbie was then taken to see a Catholic Priest, Father Hughes, in Mount Rainier and, during an attempt at exorcism, the bed began to shake and Robbie began to swear at the priest, spitting and projectile vomiting all through the ritual. The interview ended when Robbie managed to remove a spring from the bed and use it so slash the priest's arm from shoulder to wrist. It took more than 100 stitches to close the wound.

Not long after that episode, Robbie's parents noticed that the word 'Louis' had been scratched into the skin over his stomach. His mother asked if that meant 'St. Louis' and the word 'YES' mysteriously appeared. The family immediately headed for St Louis. There, they were introduced to 2 priests who would finally be able to help, Father Bishop and Father Bowdern of St. Francis Xavier Church.

It was now March 1949. Robbie had been suffering at the hands of a demon all this time and no one had been able to help. The 2 priests witnessed chairs scooting across the floor, a large bookcase was turned completely around and strange scratchings appeared on Bobbie's skin. They took their findings to the Bishop who immediately authorized an exorcism.

During the exorcism, which lasted more than 3 weeks, Robbie howled and growled, he spit and cursed at the priests, he vomited and screamed the most violent profanities. And then, on Easter Monday, things finally came to a climax.

The spirit of Michael the Archangel appeared in Robbie and ordered the demon to depart - Now! Now! NOW! On the third 'NOW' a shot, like a gunshot, was heard throughout the hospital where Robbie was being kept and the demon had left Robbie's body. When Robbie awoke, he remembered nothing about the entire ordeal.

Of course, those of you who recognize this true story also realize that it's the story upon which the movie 'The Exorcist' was based. Written by William Peter Blatty, the movie was one of the most controversial movies ever released.

Was it true demonic possession or was it simply a case of a young, impressionable boy being influenced by the teachings of his aunt? We'll never know for sure but it's reasonable to assume it was truly demonic possession. The Catholic Church does not grant permission for exorcisms to be conducted without strong evidence to indicate the presence of demons. No matter how emotionally or mentally troubled a person may be, if there's not firm evidence of demons, no permission is granted. It's just too risky, both for the church and the supposed victim.

Should you or shouldn't you? Will you or won't you? And IF you do....what will happen?!

Ouija Superstitions and Rumors

~ If the planchette goes to all 4 corners of the Ouija Board it means you've contacted an evil spirit.

~ Never use the Ouija Board alone!

~ The first Ouija Boards were made from the wood of coffins and a coffin nail was the pointer in the center of the planchette.

~ Never use the Ouija Board when you're sick or weak as this makes you vulnerable to possession.

~ Place a pure silver coin and the board to prevent evil spirits from coming through.

~ Never ask the Ouija Board about God.

~ Never ask the Ouija Board when you're going to die.

~ Never, EVER ask where the gold is buried!

~ Never use the Ouija Board in a cemetery or a place where a violent death has occurred. You'll attract nothing but evil entities.

~ Never let the spirits count down through the numbers and never let them go through the alphabet. This is how they gain control.

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