Ouija Defined, Pt. I

Nearly everyone is familiar with Ouija Boards, having seen them in the toy and game aisle. Hasbro markets Ouija as a harmless parlor game, but there are plenty of people who consider the Board anything but harmless. As is said: Forewarned is to be forearmed.

The History

Ouija Boards have been around so long, no one really remembers where they came from – or when. Morocco, China and Egypt are some of the places cited; spirit and talking boards other names. The Ouija moniker is said to have either originated from the Moroccan city Ouija (Oujida or Oudjda), the Egyptian word for good luck (which it isn’t), or a combination of the French and German words meaning “yes."

Ouija Boards were patented in London in 1854 and arrived in the United States in 1890 as a harmless parlor game. A spiritualist, Pearl Curran, redefined the Board as a portal to speak with spirits during WWI. Ouija was most popular from the 1920s through the 1960s.

But Does It Work?

Ouija believers say the Board helps us to communicate with the spirits of the dead. In contrast, psychologists cite the ideomotor effect – the unconscious movements of individuals that involuntarily move the Ouija’s planchette. Laboratory studies have proven the phenomenon.

The Dangers

·        You never really know who you’re communicating with. A spirit can masquerade as anyone: angels, the famous, loved ones. The spirit you’re communing with may be devious, deceptive and dangerous.

·        Paranormal researchers believe the Board attracts confused souls, spirits who died a sudden or violent death, even spiritual “delinquents.”

·        Spirits can use the Board as a doorway to enter the physical world. You can unwittingly release an evil spirit that can make for an uncontrolled and volatile situation.

Next Week:  Using the Board and Safety Tips