The Ouija Board
Whether or not you believe that the Ouija Board or Talking Board is or is not a means of opening a portal to the 'other side', no one can deny the impact even the mention of it can have on some people. Movies and other popular culture have firmly associated the board, and ultimately the inexperienced misuse of it, with demon possession, poltergeist attacks, hauntings and more.
For believers, the board is a powerful tool for communicating meaningfully with those who have passed on. It must be used correctly, often only under the strict supervision of a medium, opened and closed according to set instructions and those taking part in a session on the board must be protected, blessed and schooled in the dangers as well as wonders. Messages filter through the planchette, glass or other indicator upon which each participant places a finger as the indicator moves to various letters and numbers as set out on the board, answering questions directed to it by the medium or other participants.
Even sceptics cannot argue with the strong psychological effect of the ouija board and whether you are a believer or not, care should be taken when using the board particularly around those who are fearful, suggestable or mentally fragile.
Although many claim the the Ouija board has been around for centuries, the first real evidence of it's use, at least in the form we now know it, is in 1891 with Charles Kenard being awarded the patent for his Egyptian Luck Boards, eventually also to be known as Ouija Boards. He claimed the board told him 'Ouija' was Egyptian for 'Good Luck' which it isn't. Others felt the word referred to the 'Yes/No' aspect of the game, but since 'Oui' and 'Ja' both mean 'yes' this seems unlikely. In any event, 1966 saw Parker Bros produce the commercial 'Ouija' board with the layout with which we have become so familiar.
Sceptics view the ouija board as one of the supreme examples of the ideomotor effect at work. The ideomotor effect is a psychological phenomenon where a persons unconscious self responds, usually with minute, undetectable movements to certain stimulae or suggestions without that person consciously deciding to take action. For example, if someone suggests that there is a malevolent spirit in the room, messages on the board will often become angry and aggresive as people unknowingly move the indicator around the board themselves in response to this suggestion. Sometimes the ideomotor effect is so strong that the 'pushing' of the glass or planchette is apparent to other guests but the individual responsible is totally unaware that they are physically causing the movement. Often this effect becomes apparent when there is a strong desire for paranormal contact or activity. Ideomotor effect also can also play a part in pendulum work, divining rods and table tipping.
