Humans have always sought ways to connect with the unknown, using various tools for guidance and insight. While divination tools like tarot cards and pendulums are widely accepted for personal and spiritual exploration, the Ouija board has long carried a more controversial reputation.
The Origins of the Ouija Board
The modern Ouija board was patented in 1891 by Elijah Bond, though similar “talking boards” existed before. Unlike tarot or pendulums, which were traditionally used for introspection, this board was marketed as a parlor game rather than a spiritual tool. Yet, from its inception, something eerie set it apart. According to legend, when the board was asked what it should be called, it spelled out “Ouija” on its own.
I theorize this moment was more than mere coincidence. What if this was the first instance of an entity claiming ownership over the board—ensuring that it could always be summoned by name? If names hold power, as many occult traditions believe, then the Ouija board may have been bound to something from the very start.
Adding to its dark history, Elijah Bond passed away in 1921 and was buried in an unmarked grave. Despite his wishes, his family sold the Ouija board patent to William Fuld, who turned it into a commercial success. For decades, Bond’s burial site remained forgotten—until 2007, when researcher Robert Murch located his grave and arranged for a proper headstone, fittingly engraved with the design of a Ouija board.
Ironically, Fuld himself later met a tragic fate, falling to his death from the roof of a Ouija board factory—a chilling end for someone who profited from a tool believed to connect to the unknown.
A Tool Unlike Any Other
Before the Ouija board was mass-produced, spiritualists already practiced automatic writing and other forms of spirit communication. The 19th-century Spiritualist Movement saw a surge in talking boards, as grieving families sought to reconnect with lost loved ones.
However, the Ouija board quickly gained a reputation beyond simple communication. Stories of ominous messages, hauntings, and unexplained disturbances became common. What began as a game soon took on a darker significance, leading many to believe that the board was not just a tool—but a gateway.
What Makes the Ouija Board a Portal?
A portal is a passage through which entities can enter a space or make contact with the physical world. Unlike tarot and pendulums, which rely on the user’s intuition, the Ouija board functions differently—it depends entirely on external influence.
At the heart of its function is the planchette, a small heart-shaped piece that glides across the board to spell out messages. Users place their fingers lightly on the planchette and ask a question aloud. The belief is that spirits or other entities manipulate the movement.
Skeptics argue this movement is caused by the ideomotor effect—small, unconscious muscle movements creating the illusion of independent motion. Yet, countless individuals report chilling experiences where the board seems to move with force beyond their control, spelling out names, predicting events, or conveying eerie messages.
The Uncontrolled Invitation
What truly separates the Ouija board from other divination tools is how it grants permission. With tarot and pendulums, the user remains in control, interpreting messages through intuition. But the Ouija board surrenders control to an unknown force, creating an open-ended channel where anything can respond.
Unlike structured rituals that invoke specific energies with protective measures, the Ouija board operates with uncertainty, leaving users vulnerable to whatever comes through. Many who have experienced negative encounters find that simply putting the board away does not end the disturbances.
Why I Will Not Use a Ouija Board
As someone deeply involved in the paranormal, I do not take these warnings lightly. I personally will not use a Ouija board and would never recommend it. While some dismiss it as harmless, I believe it invites unknown entities—ones that may not leave when the session ends.
There are countless reports of people experiencing paranormal activity, oppressive energies, and even full-blown attachments after using the board. Unlike divination tools that encourage self-reflection, the Ouija board creates an open doorway, allowing anything to come through—good or bad.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Game
Whether viewed as a psychological trick, a game, or a true bridge to the unknown, the Ouija board continues to captivate and terrify. While skeptics dismiss its power, others insist that once the board is opened, the door doesn’t always close.
Unlike tarot and pendulums, which serve as guides rather than gateways, the Ouija board invites something else to take control—making it one of the most mysterious and controversial divination tools in existence.
I strongly believe there are safer ways to seek spiritual guidance—ones that do not require giving unknown entities a foothold in your life. For that reason, I will never use a Ouija board, and I urge others to think carefully before doing so. The invitation you extend may not be so easy to rescind.
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