Ouija Board review

October should be about Halloween themed board games. What has Hollywood obsessed about as horror themed more than the Ouija board? The game pictured in horror movies and T.V. shows as the contact to the great beyond. It has been touted as the ultimate ancient board for arcane contact with the other side.

Could you be communicating with ghosts, demons, or something more sinister?! Actually no. Sorry to burst your paranormal bubble but the Ouija board was created in 1890 by a business man by the name of Elijah Bond. That makes it a little over a decade more ancient and arcane than Monopoly. However it is believed it was an evolution of the talking board created in Europe circa 1854. When the Ouija Board first entered the market it was only thought of as a harmless parlour game. That is until a few decades later when a Spiritualist by the name of Pearl Curran began using it for divination. Since then its popularity has waxed and waned over time.

If you do not know about the Ouija board it is a basic board with the alphabet, the numbers 1 through 9 and zero as well as a yes and no printed in the top corners. Usually there is also a hello and goodbye spot for when "visitors" come and go. Typically there is also artwork around the edges, sun, moon, stars or arcane symbols or sigils. Users place their hands on a Planchette (pointer) that moves around the board in response to questions. Older versions could be quite ornate and were made from wood. Newer cheaper versions are printed on cardboard and use a plastic Planchette.

There is evidence that the ideometer effect works the board. Basically you are doing the work without realizing it. Muscles in your body often work without conscious control. Think laughing out loud during a surprise when you didn’t intend to. Random or subconscious muscle contractions move the pointer all while you are sure you are not the one doing it.

Obviously I am a complete skeptic about its powers. My first personal use with one was during Junior high. I went to a friend’s for a birthday party. His dad was a performing clown (seriously) and a true believer of the Occult. After playing around with clown stuff, he tested us for psychic ability. Oddly enough I was the only kid who he was convinced had psychic ability. I was able to find the queen of spades 9/10 times in various piles of face down cards. (I have never repeated these results) He insisted we work the Ouija board together. What followed was the board answering questions about the other side and it claiming to be demon possessed. Since none of the predictions came true and it decidedly felt like his dad was moving the piece I remain unconvinced of any paranormal link.

However there are adherents to the idea that the Ouija board has supernatural power or connection. Some believe it is a tool for contacting other worldly powers, good or evil. This will be up to you to decide. Keep in mind that the power of suggestion is strong and there have been cases of people who believe in the board’s power enough that they have been strongly impacted, psychologically speaking.

In terms of Ouija board as a game I find the rules too simple. The fact that a limited number of participants actually work the board while the rest of the group just watches doesn’t make for the best of board games. However those watching could be allowed to suggest questions and the results can be entertaining. Personally I find the game (or whatever you chose to call it) doesn’t live up to the hype and I find the groups I’ve used it with lost interest fairly quickly as novelty only lasts for so long.

Many adherents to the paranormal aspect suggest several traditions be held. Such as using white candles and sage for smudging, use at night, use a wood board, say a prayer before using, ask the spirit to leave when done, use in a protective circle, use silver jewelry for protection etc. All of this adds to the theatrical atmosphere or perhaps paranormal power if that’s your perspective.

Honestly I don’t recommend the Ouija board as a game. Its novelty wears off quickly. If people don’t find it trivial then they could adhere to the perceived paranormal properties and react accordingly. Also adherents find it disrespectful if it is not used respectfully or seriously (as in as a game.) Even as a nonbeliever and someone who thinks you shouldn’t believe either I don’t condone disrespecting others beliefs. If you do want to use the Ouija board please keep its actual origins in mind. I actually recommend going to your board game store and asking about a more appropriate horror based game if you are looking for a scare this Halloween.