How to Use a Ouija Board

Karen Peebles

Variation 1 "Place the board upon the knees of two persons, lady and gentleman preferred, with the small table upon the board. Place the fingers lightly but firmly, without pressure, upon the table so as to allow it to move easily and freely. In from one to five minutes the tablet will commence to move, at first slowly, then faster, and will be then able to talk or answer questions, which it will do rapidly by touching the printed words or the letters necessary to form words and sentences with the foreleg or pointer. 2nd - Care should be taken that one person only should ask questions at a time, so as to avoid confusion, and the questions should be put plainly and accurately. 3rd - To obtain the best results it is important that the persons present should concentrate their minds upon the matter in question and avoid other topics. Have no one at the table who will not sit seriously and respectfully. If you use it in a frivolous spirit, asking ridiculous questions, laughing over it, you naturally get undeveloped influences around you. 4th - The Ouija is a great mystery, and we do not claim to give exact directions for its management, neither do we claim that at all times and under all circumstances it will work equally well. But we do claim and guarantee that with reasonable patience and judgment it will more than satisfy your greatest expectation." 5th - In putting the table together wet the tops of the legs, and drive them firmly into the table. Care should be taken that they are firm and tight. 6th - The board should be kept smooth and free from dust and moisture, as all depends upon the ease with which the feet of the table can glide over the surface of the board. Rubbing with a dry silk handkerchief just before use is advised. It's important to mention that the success of your sancethat's what we call a Ouija session, depends entirely upon your attitude and how seriously you approach the matter. This is as true today as it was when William Fuld cautioned against "asking ridiculous questions and laughing over it," and it bears repeating. Decide first what you would like the Ouija board to do for you. Ouija boards have an interesting way of reflecting the mental attitudes of the users by responding accordingly. If you want it to act wacky, or have it scare your pants off, the Ouija will not disappoint. If, however, you are looking for a meaningful experience, the Ouija board can offer that also. It's completely up to you. Gaining any new skill requires practice and patience. This is as true for talking boards as it is for bicycling or juggling. We are amazed at the people who try the Ouija for all of about three minutes then loudly proclaim, "it doesn't work!" Imagine if you tried to drive a car that way. If at first you don't succeed, give it a rest then go back and try it again. Expect it to take a little while. Make sure that your surroundings are conducive to a good Ouija session. There should be no distractions or interruptions of any kind. Turn off the television and radio. Get away from the screaming kids, friends, whatever. Good places to use Ouija boards are bedrooms, closets, cozy attics, empty fields under the stars, cemeteries, lonely wind swept beaches, just about anyplace where it is private and quiet.

Opening and closing rituals are neither essential nor necessarily traditional but they might enhance your Ouija experience, particularly if you enjoy ceremony. Regardless of what you may have heard, there is no "one true way" to ritualize. Your "own true way" is best. Recite poems, speak power words, intone spirit invocations, or sing songs that are meaningful to you. Surround yourself with candles if you're so inclined. Above all, "personalize" your session. If you want to cover your board with amulets to protect yourself from the "unfriendlies," go ahead and do it. There are no rules to the contrary. Do whatever gets you in the mood. No mind altering chemicals, though! Wear something comfortable yet special to the occasion. Sit with the board balanced securely on your lap or on the table before you. Make sure you have adequate back support so that you don't topple over at an inopportune moment. Place your fingertips (index and middle) lightly on the planchette. Take a quiet moment to empty your mind of unnecessary thoughts. Relax your body and mind. This is more about revelation than concentration. No need to get all knotted up inside. Spirits don't bite . . . much. Ask the Ouija: "Is anyone there?" or ask an intelligent question out loud. This is more important than it seems. You can't expect whatever entity you are addressing to respond if you don't ask properly. As obvious as this is, you would be surprised at the number of people who sit with the Ouija and just stare at the board. Asking questions of the board is what it's all about. Not asking and expecting an answer is like standing at a neighbor's door and not knocking. Not much happens and you get chilly waiting. With your fingers in the proper position, give the planchette a few moments to work by itself. If nothing happens or it acts "asleep," very lightly slide it around the board in a circular motion. Now here comes the tricky part, so listen up, especially if you plan on working without a partner. As you are circling the Ouija, try to distance yourself mentally from the movement on the board. In other words, try to be a spectator as the planchette moves through the letters. You're supposed to be watching things happennot making them happen. That "other something" is supposed to kick in right about now and you don't want to be consciously forcing the planchette. It's a conscious-unconscious state that you are trying to achieve and it's going to take a little practice. It's like rubbing your belly and patting your headyou have to learn to do it without thinking, otherwise you'll get all mixed up. And don't over analyze this technique. This isn't some arcane mumbo-jumbo we're talking about here. It's a simple mental skill that's very easy to learn. You probably do it already when you drive your car or peel a potato. You don't think consciously about the details as you're performing every little movement. Once you've distanced yourself properly, you're going to get the "feeling" that the planchette "wants" to stop at certain letters. This "feeling" isn't a bolt from the blue; rather it's a subtle, intuitive thought that "this is the right place to stop." Let this happen and be sure to remember the letters. Beginner sessions sometimes move very slowly. If you think you may have difficulty remembering, it's perfectly OK to take notes using a pencil and paper. You may wish to do this anyway. The Ouija board doesn't always use perfect language and may return abbreviated words and phrases and even misspellings. Nonsensical expressions and sentence fragments may

have meaning when you think about them and view your notepad later. After you've gained some expertise, your planchette will fly around the board and you will have no trouble understanding the messages. Remember that we said to glide the planchette "gently." You can't be ham-fisted about this. Use just two fingertips (index and middle) of each hand. If the planchette repeatedly cycles to the pictures on the board or returns complete gibberish, traditionally this would mean that the board is not cooperating, "try again later." It also may mean that you are simply not in the right frame of mind or are trying too hard. "Try again later," is what you want to do. It's important to mention that the "mysterious nature" of the Ouija board isn't always mysterious or even very obvious to some of us. Beginners are sometimes perplexed when the message indicator sits there like a stone and refuses to glide merrily to and fro around the board. Sometimes the planchette needs a little help and this makes sense when you think about it. If the planchette was so terrific at moving by itself then it wouldn't need you or anybody else touching it. If you subscribe to the spiritualist theory, the spirit presumably needs a "vessel" with hands to move the planchette and eyes to see the letters. If you're an ideomotor theory believer and think you're moving it subconsciously by yourself, the same thing applies. That subconscious of yours might need a little conscious help. Otherwise it may stay un-conscious for quite a long time. So it's completely acceptable to give the planchette a little push. If things don't happen pretty quickly, go ahead and circle the board with it. A figure eight is fine. Eights are considered unlucky after "Wild Bill" Hickok's death hand of aces and eights. Somehow this superstition has found its way into Ouija lore. Don't worry about it unless you're a gunfighter and are using your Ouija board in Deadwood, South Dakota. With practice, the planchette will spell out coherent messages. When we say, "practice," we mean practice as in "do it over and over." If you give up after twenty minutes, you're not going to have much success with the Ouija, or with anything else for that matter. Try it for thirty minutes a day for two weeks. If it still doesn't work then maybe talking boards are not for you. Good luck and happy Sance. Variation 2 The traditional and time honored original William Fuld Ouija instructions: Circa 1920 1st - Place the board upon the knees of two persons, lady and gentleman preferred. Place heart shaped table in center of board, resting fingers lightly upon the table so as to allow it to move freely and easily. A question may be asked, and in from one to five minutes the table will commence to move, at first slowly, and then faster. As the table passes over the board, a transparent window and pointer in the top indicates each letter of a message as it is received. 2nd - Care should be taken that only one person ask questions at a time so as to avoid confusion. 3rd - To obtain the best results it is important that the person present should concentrate upon the matter in question and avoid other topics. Have no one at the table who will not sit seriously and respectfully. If you use it in a frivolous spirit, asking ridiculous questions, laughing over it, you naturally get undeveloped influences around you.

4th - The Ouija is a great mystery, and none claim to give exact directions for it's management and use, and the Ouija will not work equally well under all circumstances. With reasonable patience and judgement the Ouija will satisfy your greatest expectations. 5th - The board should be kept smooth and free from dust and moisture, as all depends on the ease with which the feet of the table can glide over the surface of the board. Rubbing with a soft dry cloth just before using is advised. Here are a few time honored BlackRaven suggestions: Have a 3rd person act as the scribe. Many times the letters and numbers spelled out will make no sense at the time. By using a 3rd participant, or a tape recorder, you will be able to go back over your session at any time. Use your Ouija at night. Is it the darkness that helps set the mood? Who knows! It just seems to work a lot better. Feel uncomfortable with any information that you are receiving? Tell the "messenger" to leave! Use a strong clear voice and banish the troublemaker. Most "spirits" are bored silly, and will do ANYTHING to attract your attention. Always Ask for information from the board. Never Tell the talking board what you want. How would you respond to a demand instead of a polite request? Planchette won't move? Begin again by making slow circles on the Ouija and the "spirits" will usually take it from there! There is no such thing as a 'broken' Ouija board. Are you serious about your intent? Are you using the board with someone who is giggling and/or not concentrating? All of these things will inhibit your enjoyment and results. If you're really scared then here's the best advice: Put the Ouija Board Away So, you have your new Ouija or talking board. Now what? Here are some suggestions: Wipe your board clean with a soft cloth Smudge your board with a sage bundle or any purifying incense (like rosemary). Smudging is the Native American equivalent of a "smoke bath". Light a white candle. State, in a clear strong voice, that no negative or harmful energies be attracted to your Ouija Board. Tell any negative forces present that they are now banished and dismissed. Some people believe that saying a prayer (The Lord's Prayer seems to be popular) prior to using the board is beneficial. Ask for a helpful and positive entity to make itself known to you You can use a Ouija or talking board by yourself. Some people are simply unable to get results when working with the board alone. In fact, you do not need to do any of the above. All of the suggestions are just that. Suggestions. Ouija boards DO work. They will NOT bring evil spirits or bad luck into your life. Unless of course, you really believe that they will... Ouija boards are not the tool of the devil. I'm sure that Satan has better things to do then hang around your Ouija board. Besides, everyone knows that the tool of Satan is a Phillips Screwdriver...

Variation 3 Make your surroundings comfortable and seemingly free of negative energies. Prepare paper and pencil or a tape recorder to record messages. You can use a camcorder if one is available. Using an infrared camcorder in a dim room is a great way to see the energies of spirit. Be sure your board is clean and free of dust. Wipe gently with a clean soft cloth before you begin. As spirits love flowers - you might want to place some in a vase of water near the area in which you are working. Spirits also love water - as they are part of the collective unconscious, which is the flow of water. Use a protective white light of energy to surround yourself, the board, those you are working with, and even the room. This white light is created by you in your mind. See it coming down into the top of your head (your crown chakra) and completely surrounding your body - then extend it outwards as far as you would like it to go. You can work alone or in a group. If you work with others be sure they are not negative in their thinking. It is best if someone is given the task of making notes for what is being said. Sometimes the spirits argue over who is to come through, so focus on who you wish to speak with. Though spiritual energy enters through the left side of your body - most people will use their dominate hand to work the board - which in most cases is the right hand. You may also discover - as you work with the board - that you can subconsciously control the movement of the indicator (same as using a pendulum). If you are not sure - close your eyes and allow the indicator to go where it will. Make note that some spirits move across the board quickly, while others go very slow! One of the first questions you might want to ask when you begin to work with your Ouija board - is the names of your spirit guides. They are the ones who are here to protect and guide you. Everyone has at least one spirit guide. You can start by asking for a message from spirit - or by asking spirit a question - such as, ""What is your name?" Always start with general questions. Save the personal questions for later when you are all comfortable with what you are doing. Also, stick to subjects with positive energy at the beginning. Once an answer is given you can ask for more information and it is best to start with simple 'Yes' or 'No' questions. Do not continue to ask the question over and over to seek the answer you want. Ask the question once and accept the answers given. You CAN ask for clarification of the answer. Also, ask simple questions that can be verified in the next few days to determine if your information is from spirit or form your unconscious mind. Questions can be about you personally - or universal or about any topic you think the spirit would like to converse about.

When a new entity comes through - always get its name - who they came to talk to - and what they want go discuss. If spirits ask you to do weird things - stop using the board for that session. Anything negative being written on the board means you must put the board away for that session whether you want to or not. The entity should leave by your next session - which can be that day or some time later. ALWAYS close the board. This very important step must be taken each time you use the board. It draws a visual boundary for any spirits that may want to hang around you. It shows them that you are in charge and in control of the situation. If you are disatissfied with your Ouija results, be firm and say "Goodbye spirit" and then the spirit should naturally respond and move the planchette to "Good-Bye". Although this usually works the first time, keep trying several times if the spirit doesn't move the planchette to good-bye on it's own. As a last cause, move it yourself in a very forceful nature to "GoodBye" while saying it allowed and then do one (or all of the following) to remove negative energy: gently smack the planchette on a firm surface quickly draw the planchette (if glass) over a candleflame sprinkle the planchette and board with sea salt smudge the board/planchette with some sage sprinkle the board with some lavender picture a white light covering the entire board, the planchette and then yourself and others Quick Tips: Do not let others use your board when you are not using it. Keep the board in a special place of your choosing. Do not get addicted to the board. Note: A word may come through with all of the letters but in the wrong order. That is why it is best to have someone not using the board - writing the letters as they come through. A name may come through as ICMAHEL - meaning MICHAEL. Some spirits have trouble spelling words or creating sentences. Variation 4 Ouija board can be an interesting experience. Some believe it is a doorway to another world and warn against its use, but most people see it as a harmless diversion, especially if it's not taken too seriously. Here are some guidelines. 1. It takes two to Ouija. Usually one person is not able to work the Ouija. Get a friend to use it with you. A male and female is usually recommended. 2. Timing. Most practitioners suggest using the board at night when, they say, less interference is in the atmosphere. 3. Create some atmosphere. The Ouija is more fun if you darken the room and light some candles. Turn off the TV and any music to minimize distractions. 4. Have a seat. The two users should sit facing each other, with knees touching if possible, with the board on their laps. Don't use a table. 5. Decide on a questioner or medium. Even though both people can ask questions -or anyone else in the room can -- only one of the users should be the medium (the one to formally ask questions of the board).

6. Place your fingers on the planchette. You and your partner should place the fingers of both hands very lightly on the planchette, or pointer. 7. Move it. Purposely move the planchette around in a circle on the board for a moment or two to get it 'warmed up.' 8. Attitude. Don't let the board control the session. The medium should begin by announcing that the session will only allow an experience that is positive or toward a higher good and that negative energies are not welcome. 9. Begin simply. Start with a simple question, one that requires a yes or no answer. 10. Be patient. You might not begin to get answers right away. Give the board a chance to 'warm up.' 11. Be polite. When the board starts working, thank the board or entities for showing up and communicating with you. 12. Don't ask stupid questions. Avoid questions such as, 'When am I going to die?' If the board answers, 'in 6 months,' you might just worry about it needlessly. 13. Don't ask for physical signs. Many experienced users warn against asking for physical signs that the 'spirit' is real or present. 14. Don't believe everything the board tells you. Just as with any other source of information, don't accept whatever the board says to be the truth or accurate. 15. Close the board. This is an important step. When you're done with your session, slide the planchette to 'GOODBYE' and remove your hands. Tips: 1. Have someone write down the answers. Sometimes the letters spell out very quickly and it's difficult to keep track of what's being said. A third person with paper and pen can write down the message as it comes. 2. Play sober. You'll get better results if you haven't been drinking or smoking. 3. Maintain control. If the board starts giving rude, vulgar, obscene or otherwise disagreeable responses, break off the session immediately by closing the board. Variation 5 The Ouija Board is an instrument used for divining information from disembodied spirits. A combination of the French (oui) and German (ja) meaning 'yes'. It is a commercial product presented as half game and half seance instrument. Professional mediums and psychics tend to frown on the use of the Ouija, regarding them as being too likely to be controlled by "low spirits" more intent on something other than providing accurate information. Critics of the Ouija, who include authorities in most denominations of Christianity, say it is dangerous and a tool of the Devil. Those who advocate the use of the Ouija, say the like other forms of divination, it is a legitimate way to discover insight, wisdom and selftruths and to communicate with spirits of the dead. It is thought that most often, answers given probably rise from the subconscious of the users, even when "spirits" identify themselves and give messages. Yet the pointer, or planchette, used with an Ouija, has been known, at times, to fly off the board and spin out of control, as though being directed by unseen forces. Some users claim after using an Ouija, they have been harassed by external agents contacted through the board. Precursors to the Ouija date back to ancient times. Before the birth of Confucius, around 551 B.C., similar devices were used to communicate with the dead. In Greece, during the

time of Pythagoras, 540 B.C., a table on wheels to point to signs, interpreted as being revelations from an unseen world, were used for divination. The rolling table was used through the nineteenth century. Ancient Romans used similar devices as early as the third century A.D., and in the thirteenth century by the Mongol's. Some Native Americans used a "squdilate board" for the purposes of locating missing objects and people and to obtain spiritual information. The planchette came into uses in 1853 in Europe. Planchette means, "little board" in French. Invention of the device is generally credited to a Spiritualist by the same name, M. Planchette. It consisted of a triangular, or heart-shaped platform on three legs, one of which was a pencil. The user, usually a medium, would move the device over paper to draw pictures and spell out messages. The modern Ouija is marketed as a game. Elijah J. Bond invented the Ouija in 1892. He sold his patent to William Field who has been considered the father of the Ouija. Mr. Field founded the Southern Novelty Company in Baltimore, Maryland that later became known as the Talking Board Co., and marketed the Ouija. During and after World War I, the Ouija became extremely popular as many people desperately wanted to communicate with loved ones killed in the war. Spiritualism was in a revival period so interest was growing and the Ouija Board was readily available. In 1966 William Field sold his patent to Parker Brothers Game Company of Beverly, Massachusetts. With renewed interest in the occult and supernatural in the 1960's and 1970's, the Ouija once again grew in popularity. Parker Brothers stresses the Ouija Board is for entertainment purposes only! In the field of parapsychology, use of the Ouija is considered a form of automatism or unconscious activity that picks up and amplifies information from the subconscious mind. Critics of the Ouija say that users have no control over repressed material that might be released, the result being the user can suffer a psychosis. Edgar Cayce called it a "dangerous toy." Users have no control if the Ouija Board is used to contact spirits. Some professional Psychics say there is no danger in using the Ouija, only superstitious fears that produce negative results. On the other hand, even some demonologists say it is a means of accessing the gates of hell, opening the portal for demons to cross over to this plane of existence. There seem to be varying opinions concerning the use of the Ouija Board, because of this, the decision really has to be left up to the person considering using it. We do not incorporate the use of the Ouija in our research or investigations just as on a normal basis we do not use the services of a Psychic. The information we gather is done with our own senses and the use of electronic equipment that gives us the physical evidence of unseen presences. If we tend to rely on items such as Ouija Boards, we are not enhancing our own natural abilities to discern the spirits present and we are not growing to the level of awareness where we need to be. By the use of artificial means of contacting the spirit realm, with which there is no guarantee the information is accurate, we limit ourselves to being dependent on something, outside of ourselves, we cannot control. Using our own abilities, heightening our sense and increasing our own awareness, we grow as the spiritual beings that we were intended to be. The use of such a tool for the sole purpose of spirit communication does not belong in the hands of children. Until people, of sound mind, take the time to learn about the seriousness of understanding the spirit realm, coming to an awareness of what it means to discipline the mind, focus and discern the spirits, they are as children. The Ouija Board,

though sold as a toy, is not a toy by any definition and there are those who have suffered the consequences of their own ignorance by using it. It has been explained that the dangers of using an Ouija Board come from the ease of contacting the "lower spirits" or the more malevolent spirits that remain earthbound. These are said to be the criminal element while in life and those who retain angry and hostile emotions at death, not having good intentions. You have no control over who responds when you evoke spirits by means of an Ouija Board. That seems to be the one point everyone agrees upon be they pro or con to its use. Responding entities have been known to lie and deceive by the answers they give, being very convincing by using the name of the one the user intends to contact. Unless you know the right questions to ask, you may never know the difference. We are all born with the abilities that Psychics such as James Van Praagh and Sylvia Brown demonstrate, just to mention two of the most popular Psychics getting media attention right now. Yet as adults, we use only about half our brain. Haven't you ever wondered why that is? As we grow and develop as children, beginning our education, the focus of what we are being taught is logic, reason and analyze which are functions of the left hemisphere of the brain. The right brain instinctively knows the answers while the left brain theorizes the answers. Still, we spend years training the left brain to learn the things, we hold most valuably for use in our adult lives. You know, stuff like 'readin, 'ritin and 'rithmatic or the"three r's" as they called it many years ago. But what happens in the meantime to our intuitive and psychic abilities? For the most part, they wither away or fall into the background of our awareness as there is no growth or development there. We readily accept the term of "women's intuition" but almost in a laughing manner. That, in fact, is a part of the natural abilities we have that for the most part, die away as we age and enter the mainstream of life. People who have young children at home often tell us they hear the children talking and laughing with someone who is not there. They see things we adults do no see and hear things we no longer have the ability to hear. They talk of invisible playmates, visible only to them but could they be real, in a spiritual sense after all? As adults, we do have a capacity for developing those talents to a usable state. There are many self-help, instructional books and audio tapes available to teach us how to develop and use our natural talents, should we desire. More and more respected authors and psychics are revealing this as being true and they give us the ways to develop the skills we were all born with. The world moves at such a high tech, fast pace, we have forgotten what it means to find ourselves, embrace who we are inside and stop to smell the roses! Developing the ability to focus, to become sensitive to others and to our environment, to heighten our awareness and to find a peace and a balance within ourselves, are all attributes worth striving toward. These are necessary qualities that provide a means of being open to all of our senses, even the extrasensory ones. It means knowing and loving ourselves enough to open the doors to allow a higher understanding of what the idle half our minds are capable of doing, disciplining ourselves to use the gifts accurately, for worthy purposes. By using talents that have lay dormant, not having been developed and accessed before, suddenly we will find we have no need for Ouija Boards or any other tool that we actually have no control over. We might also come to a point where we find we understand each other better, because we understand ourselves and the abilities we have.

It is not as difficult a task as it sounds. It is just a matter of taking the time to concentrate and learn how to use the half of the brain we've been given to use, that most often having little value. Most don't ever realize that this is the case. It could be compared to having a serious housing shortage, yet there is a beautiful big apartment complex downtown, half of it being closed off and unused. The owner sees no value in doing the necessary preparation and opening it up to rent out individual apartments, making it fully functional. Instead, the unused half sits deteriorating to a state where it will never hold any value to anyone, particularly the owner. What purpose was there in having such a big building if only half of it was ever to be used. It's the same with our minds. We don't have to go through life using only half of a whole mind we have been given to use. Consider this the next time you reach for an Ouija Board or wonder about the mysteries of life after life. The answers are there, within us all, we have but just to reach out to access them.