A look at history of Ouija Boards: From Victorian Parlors to
Modern Mysticism
The Ouija board, often known as the “talking board” or “spirit board,” has fascinated and frightened people for more than a century. Its smooth surface, printed with letters, numbers, and the words yes, no, and goodbye, has become a cultural icon of the supernatural. While many associate it with séances and ghostly communication, the true history of the Ouija board blends spiritualism, psychology, and clever marketing.
Origins in the Spiritualist Movement
The Ouija board’s roots trace back to the mid-19th century during the rise of Spiritualism— a movement that swept across America and Europe. Spiritualists believed the dead could communicate with the living, often through mediums or mechanical means.
In the 1840s, the Fox Sisters of New York became famous for claiming to speak with spirits through knocking sounds, and soon, people everywhere began holding séances. Participants used improvised devices like “talking tables” or “alphabet boards” to spell out messages. These early tools inspired the eventual creation of the Ouija board.
The Birth of the Ouija Board
In 1890, a businessman named Charles Kennard from Baltimore, Maryland, along with his partners including Elijah Bond and William H. A. Maupin, began producing and selling a “talking board” commercially. They claimed it could allow “communication between the material and immaterial worlds.”
Elijah Bond’s sister-in-law, Helen Peters, was said to have asked the board what it should be called. The planchette spelled out “Ouija.” When asked what the strange word meant, the board allegedly replied, “Good luck.”
Later research suggested that “Ouija” might have come from a combination of the French oui and the German ja, both meaning “yes.” Others believe Helen Peters was wearing a locket featuring the name “Ouida,” a popular author of the time, which may have inspired the word.
The first official Ouija patent was granted in 1891, and the product was sold as both a mystical oracle and a fun parlor game — a duality that continues today.
Popularity and Parker Brothers
By the early 1900s, the Ouija board had become a household item. It was marketed as wholesome entertainment for families and friends — a way to have fun and explore the unknown.
During World War I, when grief and loss were widespread, interest in communicating with the dead surged again. The board’s popularity skyrocketed, especially during times of uncertainty.
In 1966, the rights to the Ouija board were sold to Parker Brothers (now owned by Hasbro), who redesigned and mass-produced it. It became one of the best-selling “games” in America, rivaling Monopoly.
The Shift to a Dark Reputation
While the Ouija board was once seen as harmless amusement, its reputation changed dramatically in the 1970s. The release of The Exorcist (1973) portrayed the board as a dangerous portal to demonic possession. Since then, many religious groups and paranormal investigators have warned against its use, claiming it can invite malevolent spirits.
Despite skepticism from scientists, who attribute Ouija messages to the ideomotor effect(subconscious muscle movements rather than spirit intervention), stories of eerie or frightening experiences continue to surround it.
Modern Use and Occult Significance
Today, the Ouija board remains a cultural touchstone — part curiosity, part cautionary symbol. It is used in modern witchcraft, occult practices, and ghost-hunting groups, while also remaining a nostalgic game sold in toy stores.
In spiritual and occult circles, the Ouija is often approached with respect, treated as a sacred tool rather than a toy. Practitioners may use protective rituals, circles of salt, or prayers to guard against unwanted energies before contacting spirits.
A Tool for Spirit Communication
In modern spiritualism, the Ouija board is still used as a means of contacting spirits, guides, or ancestors. Mediums may incorporate it into séances or channeling sessions, viewing it as a form of divination similar to pendulums or automatic writing.
Many practitioners believe that the board doesn’t necessarily summon new spirits but instead amplifies existing energies around the participants, allowing subconscious intuition or messages from the spirit realm to flow through.
Integration into Witchcraft Practices
In modern witchcraft and Wicca, the Ouija board is often used as a tool during Samhain or other times when the veil between worlds is believed to be thin. These sessions may be performed to:
• Seek guidance from ancestors or spirit allies.
• Receive messages during rituals of remembrance or divination.
• Explore the subconscious mind as part of shadow work.
Some witches create their own spirit boards, inscribing them with runes, moon symbols, or personal sigils to better align them with their energy and magical practice.
A Focus on Energy and Protection
Practitioners of the Craft typically emphasize energy control and spiritual protection when using a Ouija board. Circles of salt, crystals, herbs like rosemary or sage, and protective invocations to deities such as Hecate, Brigid, or Archangel Michael are often included in rituals to ensure safe communication.
Witches who work with spirit boards tend to stress that these tools are not inherently dangerous — it is the intention, respect, and awareness of the user that determine the experience.
The Ouija as a Mirror of Consciousness
In modern occult philosophy, some see the Ouija board not as a portal to external entities, but as a mirror to the subconscious mind. Through the ideomotor effect — the subtle, unconscious movements of participants — hidden thoughts, emotions, or intuitive insights can surface.
Thus, the Ouija becomes a tool of self-reflection and divination, helping practitioners understand themselves more deeply and explore the mysteries of human consciousness.
Continued Cultural and Spiritual Significance
Today, the Ouija board sits at a crossroads between the mystical and the mundane. It can be found both on the shelves of toy stores and upon the altars of witches. It is a bridge between the past and present — between parlor game and sacred ritual, psychology and the paranormal.
For many modern spiritual seekers, the board is not something to fear, but to respect — a reminder that communication with the unseen, whether spirit or psyche, requires balance, intention, and an open mind.
Famous Ouija Board Stories and Hauntings
Throughout its history, the Ouija board has been at the heart of many mysterious — and sometimes terrifying — tales. Whether these are true accounts of supernatural contact or the product of imagination, they have helped shape the board’s dark and fascinating reputation.
The Story of Patience Worth (1913)
One of the most famous Ouija board stories comes from St. Louis, Missouri, in 1913. A woman named Pearl Curran claimed she began receiving messages through her Ouija board from a spirit calling herself Patience Worth. The entity said she had lived in the 1600s in England and later America.
Through the board, Patience dictated thousands of pages of poetry, plays, and novels — all in archaic English. These writings amazed scholars, as Curran had little formal education. Some literary critics even praised Patience Worth’s work for its depth and beauty.
To this day, the mystery of whether Pearl was channeling a spirit or tapping into her own subconscious creativity remains unsolved.
The St. Louis Possession (1949)
Another chilling case linked to a Ouija board is the St. Louis exorcism of 1949, which later inspired the novel and film The Exorcist.
The story began when a 14-year-old boy (often called Roland Doe, a pseudonym) started using an Ouija board after the death of his aunt, who had introduced him to it. Soon after, strange phenomena began — scratching sounds, moving furniture, and objects flying through the air.
The boy’s behavior grew increasingly disturbing, and after multiple failed attempts to help him, a team of Catholic priests performed a series of exorcisms. Witnesses reported seeing words appear scratched on his skin and hearing guttural voices speak through him.
While skeptics attribute the events to psychological causes, the case cemented the Ouija board’s reputation as a possible “gateway” to darker forces.
The Fallen Soldiers of World War I
During and after World War I, when grief and loss were widespread, many families turned to Ouija boards to contact loved ones who had died on the battlefield. Newspapers of the time were filled with accounts of people claiming to receive comfort or messages from deceased soldiers.
Though most of these experiences were likely driven by grief and hope, they illustrate the powerful emotional role the Ouija board has played — a tool for connection during times of deep sorrow.
The “Zozo” Phenomenon
In more recent years, users across the internet have shared experiences of contacting a malevolent spirit calling itself Zozo through the Ouija board. This entity reportedly moves the planchette rapidly between “Z” and “O,” and is said to bring bad luck, fear, or disturbing events after communication.
While many believe “Zozo” is a legend born from collective storytelling, others treat it as a real and dangerous force. Paranormal researchers often warn users to immediately end a session if that name appears.
A Tool of Mystery and Belief
Whether viewed as a spiritual portal or a psychological phenomenon, these stories reveal how deeply the Ouija board taps into human emotion — curiosity, fear, grief, and the longing for connection.
Its tales remind us that, real or imagined, the messages spelled out under the trembling planchette still speak to one of humanity’s oldest questions: What happens after death?
How to Safely Use a Ouija Board and Close a Session
Because of its association with spirit communication, many spiritualists, witches, and paranormal investigators believe that the Ouija board should never be used lightly. Whether one views it as a true tool of spirit contact or as a psychological device tapping into the subconscious, treating the board with respect and caution is essential.
Below are common practices and safety guidelines followed by those who use Ouija boards responsibly in spiritual and occult traditions.
Prepare the Space
Before beginning a session, practitioners often take time to create a calm, protected environment.
• Choose a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.
• Light candles or incense to raise the vibration and promote focus.
• Some prefer to draw a protective circle around the participants using salt, crystals (such as black tourmaline or obsidian), or simply visualization.
• It’s recommended that all participants remain grounded and clear-minded — never use a Ouija board when angry, afraid, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Set Intentions Clearly
Before placing your hands on the planchette, state your purpose out loud. Intentions act as energetic boundaries. You might say something like:
“We invite only positive, truthful, and benevolent spirits to communicate through this board. We mean no harm and seek only guidance and understanding.”
This helps focus the energy and discourages unwanted or negative influences, according to spiritual practitioners.
Begin the Session Respectfully
Once everyone lightly places their fingertips on the planchette, take a few deep breaths and ask a simple question to “open” the communication, such as:
“Is there anyone who wishes to speak with us?”
Be patient. The planchette may move slowly at first, or not at all. Many believe that rushing or demanding answers can disrupt the flow of communication or attract mischievous energies.
Never Use the Board Alone
Traditional spiritualists often advise against using a Ouija board by yourself. Having multiple people present helps balance the energy, keeps the session grounded, and provides witnesses to any movement or messages received.
End the Session Properly!!
When finished, always close the session respectfully. This is considered vital in many occult traditions.
• Thank any spirit or energy that may have communicated.
• Move the planchette to “Goodbye” to signal that the session is over.
• Some practitioners then place the planchette upside down on the board or store it separately to symbolically “seal” it.
Afterward, many people cleanse the space by burning sage, incense, or sprinkling salt water to clear residual energy.
Common Warnings and Myths
While some see the Ouija as harmless entertainment, others view it as a genuine spiritual tool that must be treated with care. Common warnings include:
• Do not provoke or mock any entity that may appear.
• Do not continue if the planchette begins to move erratically or spell threatening messages.
• Never destroy or burn a Ouija board; instead, respectfully store or dispose of it by burying it away from the home.
A Balance of Respect and Awareness
Whether one believes that the Ouija board opens a channel to the spirit world or to the hidden corners of the human mind, it continues to occupy a powerful place in both folklore and spiritual practice.
Approached with calm, respect, and a clear intention, it can serve as a fascinating tool for reflection and connection. But it also reminds us that curiosity about the unseen should always be balanced with mindfulness and care.
The history of the Ouija board reflects humanity’s eternal curiosity about the afterlife and unseen forces. Whether viewed as a scientific curiosity, a mystical gateway, or simply a fascinating piece of pop culture, the Ouija continues to hold a powerful place in both folklore and modern spirituality.
It is, at its core, a mirror — one that reflects not just the messages of supposed spirits, but our own deep desire to understand the mysteries that lie beyond the veil.
So, Ouija Oiu or Non?
Though invented as a game, a parlour trick, the Ouija board has taken a life of its own and is surrounded by mysteries, fears and Hollywood dramatics. Do they work? Are they safe?
Well what we will say is that the use of Ouija boards is for many people intriguing and also scary. Use one if you are sure you fully understand the concept and safe methods of use . If you are in any way unsure or frightened by Ouija don’t use one- don’t even touch one or have one in your home even as decoration.
