Ouija Board
🔮 What Is a Ouija Board?
A Ouija board (also called a spirit board or talking board) is a flat surface marked with:
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The alphabet (A–Z)
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The numbers 0–9
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The words "YES", "NO", and often "GOODBYE"
Players place a planchette (a small heart-shaped pointer) on the board. Supposedly, spirits guide the planchette to spell out messages in response to questions.
🕰️ Brief History
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1890: The Ouija board was first commercially sold as a novelty toy by Elijah Bond.
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Early 1900s: Marketed by William Fuld, and eventually became a Parker Brothers (later Hasbro) product.
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Despite its toy-store status, people quickly treated it with serious spiritual significance.
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In the early 20th century, it became part of spiritualist practices, especially after WWI when people were desperate to contact lost loved ones.
👻 How It “Works”
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Skeptically: The ideomotor effect—people subconsciously move the planchette without realizing it.
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Spiritually: It’s a portal or communication device that connects users with entities beyond the veil—spirits, ghosts, or worse.
⚠️ Common Warnings (Paranormal Lore)
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Always say "Goodbye" to close the session. If not, you might leave a door open.
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Don’t use it alone, especially in the dark.
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Don’t ask for death dates or invite specific entities ("Zozo" is a popular modern myth).
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If the planchette moves in a figure 8 or starts counting down, you're in danger.
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Never burn the board — some believe that traps the spirit.
🕯️ Cultural Impact
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Pop Culture: From The Exorcist to Stranger Things, the Ouija is a horror staple.
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Religious Backlash: Many Christian groups consider it demonic or a gateway to possession.
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Occult View: Some practitioners see it as a legitimate tool for spirit work — but not to be used lightly.
🧠 Symbolism
The board is often viewed as:
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A metaphor for subconscious desires or fears
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A mirror to the user’s own psyche
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A symbol of forbidden knowledge or the illusion of control
🔮 Variant Concepts (for Storytelling or Ritual Use)
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Custom Boards: Using different alphabets (Theban, Enochian, Runes), lunar or elemental themes
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Haunted Boards: Said to be "permanently active" or tied to a specific spirit
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Digital Ouijas: Online versions or apps (spoiler: not as spooky, but still creepy if you let your imagination roam)
Links:
Ouija board Products
Ouija Board Books - Paid Link
