👻 Paranormal Insights: The Ouija Board

A simple game, a spiritual tool, or a Pandora’s box ready to ruin lives?

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Introduction: A Game or a Gateway?

Since the dawn of civilisation, humans have sought to pierce the veil between the living and the dead. From oracles and necromancers to mediums and spiritists, the desire to communicate with those who have passed on — or to gain forbidden knowledge — has remained a haunting and enduring part of our nature. We want closure. We want answers. We want contact. And sometimes, we want power.

Across ancient Mesopotamia — roughly 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in what is now modern-day Iraq, as well as parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran — necromancy was practiced through rituals to summon the spirits of the dead for prophecy. through rituals to summon the spirits of the dead for prophecy. In ancient Greece, the Oracle of the Dead at the River Acheron was said to allow communication with the underworld. In the Bible's First Book of Samuel, King Saul summons the prophet Samuel through the Witch of Endor — an act that was both condemned and chillingly effective. All of these examples reflect the same core impulse: a hunger to know what lies beyond.

Enter the Ouija board.

It looks harmless enough. A wooden board printed with letters, numbers, the words "yes" and "no," and a planchette to guide your hand. But behind this seemingly innocent design lies a chilling truth: the Ouija board, in the hands of the untrained, may be one of the most dangerous tools for spirit communication ever created.

The Rise of Spiritualism

Spiritualism, the belief that the living can communicate with the spirits of the dead, swept across Europe and the United States beginning in the mid-19th century. It was more than a fad. It was a movement born from grief and desperation.

Between 1848 and 1920, the world was ravaged by war and civil unrest. The Crimean War, the American Civil War, the Franco-Prussian War, the Russo-Japanese War, and World War I together claimed millions of lives. World War I alone caused over 20 million deaths. It was one of the most war-riddled periods in modern history.

Families across the Western world were shattered. Wives, mothers, and siblings were desperate for closure. Traditional religion offered no contact with the dead, but seemingly Spiritualism, by contrast, promised a chance to hear from them, to know they were safe, and to speak once more.

Séances became common in drawing rooms. Mediums rose to celebrity status. And into this world of longing and ritual entered a curious new tool: the Ouija board.

Who Created the Ouija — and Why?

The Ouija board as we know it emerged in the late 19th century, a time when spiritualism was sweeping through America and Europe. The board was patented in 1891 by Elijah Bond, with production led by businessman Charles Kennard and eventually taken over by William Fuld, who falsely claimed to be the inventor for marketing purposes.

The name "Ouija" was reportedly given by the board itself during a session. When asked what to call it, the board spelled out "O-U-I-J-A" — which Fuld later claimed meant "good luck." Others believe it's a blend of the French and German words for "yes" (“oui” and “ja”), though no one can say for certain.

By the early 20th century, the board had entered popular culture. It was a parlour game, a séance tool, a party trick. During World War I, it became especially popular among families grieving lost sons, hoping to speak to them across the veil. By the time Parker Brothers acquired the rights in 1966, the Ouija board was outselling Monopoly.

But the very act of using it is a risk. The danger isn't limited to how it's used — it is embedded in the act itself. This is not a matter of misuse, but of principle: the board is inherently perilous.

A Tool or a Trap?

This is where the debate sharpens. Is the Ouija board a powerful spiritual tool that can be used with reverence and preparation? Or is it a Pandora's box — one that, once opened, cannot be closed? Is it something you place in a velvet pouch with ritual care, or shove in a closet and pretend to forget, hoping whatever you stirred doesn’t come crawling back out?

I’m going to be blunt. I do not use Ouija boards. I don’t plan to. And I suggest you don’t either, unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Some experienced practitioners argue that with the right protections, intent, and ritual knowledge, they can be used safely. That may well be true. But most people do not fall into that category. Most are just curious, untrained, and unknowingly inviting something they can't control.

Because once you make contact, you don't get to decide who—or what—responds. And perhaps more frighteningly, you don’t get to choose when that contact ends. This is not a polite exchange — it could be the beginning of something that slowly, methodically, and distressingly dismantles your your life.

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The Chatroom Analogy: Talking to Strangers in the Void

If, like me, you're old enough to remember internet chatrooms, you know the problem. A kid could join a chatroom and think they're talking to a teenage girl from Birmingham. In reality, it could be a grown man in another country. You had no way of knowing. You only knew what they told you—and if they were clever, they told you exactly what you wanted to hear.

A Ouija board is no different. It is an anonymous chatroom to the other side. The entity on the other end may tell you it's your grandmother, your lost friend, a famous historical figure, or a benevolent guide. It may even prove it. It may tell you things only your loved one would know. You may feel reassured. Safe. But the truth is far darker: these entities can see. They can hear. They can mimic. And they lie.

This is not a pleasant thought. But it is a necessary one.

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The Imposter Phenomenon: Spirits Who Know Too Much

One of the most disturbing patterns reported by Ouija users is how easily entities impersonate the dead. They often provide deeply personal information—names, dates, favourite memories—and will pass any test you give them. When asked to share something only the deceased would know, they almost never fail.

That’s what makes it so dangerous. That’s how they gain your trust. Because once you believe, once you welcome them in, they no longer have to hide.

It always starts out calm. Curious. Intriguing. Then come the nightmares. The whispers. The cold spots. The arguments in the home. horrific and torturous nightmares. The growing unease. The sense of being watched. And finally, the realisation: something came through, and it’s not who it said it was... and its NOT going away.

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The Zozo Phenomenon: A Name to Fear

One name appears more than any other in these encounters. It comes up in thousands of stories across forums, books, and real-life testimonies. The name is Zozo.

Users report the planchette rapidly sliding to Z-O-Z-O over and over again. The atmosphere changes. The room feels heavier. People feel nauseous. Some say they black out. Others report shadow figures, strange voices, and terrifying dreams. Scratches appear on skin. Electronics malfunction. Pets grow fearful. Children begin talking to "the man in the corner."

Zozo is said to be a deceptive demonic entity that preys on the inexperienced. It begins as friendly. Then it reveals its true nature. And by then, it’s often too late.

In one of the most well-documented modern accounts, Darren Evans, a man from Oklahoma, began experiencing terrifying paranormal phenomena after encountering Zozo during a Ouija session. He didn’t just have one experience. It followed him. It targeted his family. His young daughter nearly drowned in a bathtub that no one remembers filling. Toilets overflowed with black water. His relationship collapsed. He became obsessed—and eventually warned the world to stay away.

What made his case even more disturbing was what happened next. Darren went online, hoping to understand what he'd experienced. What he found shocked him. He wasn’t alone. People across the globe had encountered the same entity. Forums, comment sections, and entire websites were filled with eerily similar stories—stories that matched his down to the exact spelling of the name: Z-O-Z-O.

Encounters were being reported in the United States, the UK, Canada, Brazil, and beyond. The same patterns emerged: false comfort, sudden aggression, oppressive hauntings, and psychological torment. Some had never even heard of Zozo before using a Ouija board, and yet the name appeared again and again. This wasn’t an isolated incident. It was something widespread, intelligent, and deeply malevolent.

“I didn’t know what Zozo was,” one forum user wrote. “But then I looked it up and saw the exact same things happening to people all over the world. Same name. Same tricks. Same destruction.” He didn’t just have one experience. It followed him. It targeted his family. His young daughter nearly drowned in a bathtub that no one remembers filling. Toilets overflowed with black water. His relationship collapsed. He became obsessed—and eventually warned the world to stay away.

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What Makes It So Dangerous?

• You don’t control who responds.

• Entities lie. And lie convincingly.

• Closing the board improperly may leave a spiritual doorway open.

• Some spirits attach. And stay.

Even if nothing happens during the session, some users report that within days or weeks, the environment in their home changes. Subtle at first. Then unmistakable. A presence. A weight. A whisper. The feeling of not being alone.

But here's the part many overlook: just because nothing happens immediately doesn't mean you're safe. In many cases, the consequences don’t manifest for months, years, or even decades. Why? Because once you’ve made contact, your spiritual door remains cracked open. The invitation has been sent. And some entities are very, very patient.

What Do These Entities Actually Want?

The first and most important rule of demonic interaction is this: they need to be invited in. This isn’t folklore—it’s a consistent principle across nearly every major religious and occult belief system. Spirits, particularly malevolent ones, cannot enter your life uninvited. They require consent. The name for this concept varies, but in Christian demonology, it falls under what’s often called spiritual legalism—the idea that demons are bound by certain rules and permissions.

QUOTE FROM FATHER VINCENT LAMPERT
“The devil is like a dog on a leash. It can only go as far as God permits. But when we dabble in the occult, we step into the leash’s reach.”

The Ouija board, by its very nature, acts as an invitation. Once you ask, once you open yourself to communication, the door swings open—and they are allowed to step through.

There is another common entry point: curses. These are intentional or accidental spiritual attacks, often involving ritualistic energy or malicious will directed toward a person. While curses are a subject worthy of their own exploration, they also bypass your conscious permission. But that’s a discussion for another article.

There is another common entry point: curses. These are intentional or accidental spiritual attacks, often involving ritualistic energy or malicious will directed toward a person. While curses are a subject worthy of their own exploration, they also bypass your conscious permission. But that’s a discussion for another article.

The end goal for many demonic or malevolent entities is domination. Not just over your home or your space, but over your thoughts, your body, and your soul. They wear down resistance over time. They create despair, fear, and spiritual vulnerability. Ultimately, their aim is possession.

The end goal for many demonic or malevolent entities is domination. Not just over your home or your space, but over your thoughts, your body, and your soul. They wear down resistance over time. They create despair, fear, and spiritual vulnerability. Ultimately, their aim is possession.

The Stages of Possession

Across most theological and spiritual frameworks, full demonic possession is said to unfold in stages:

1. Infestation – The presence makes itself known: footsteps, whispers, nightmares, cold spots, disturbances.

2. Oppression – The spirit begins psychological and emotional attacks: depression, rage, insomnia, hallucinations, and conflict in relationships.

3. Obsession – The victim becomes fixated on the entity or the activity; they may isolate themselves, become paranoid, or even crave further contact.

4. Possession – The entity takes partial or full control of the body, often accompanied by memory loss, personality changes, violent outbursts, and unexplainable knowledge or strength.

While many accounts end at this stage, there is a darker implication beneath it all: that the ultimate goal is not simply control, but destruction. Some believe the entity seeks to claim the soul entirely—to drive the person to such despair, ruin, or violence that death becomes inevitable. And unless the person seeks help, spiritual or otherwise, that death is inevitable. Not just a physical death, but a spiritual one. Until that moment comes, the demon wreaks as much havoc on the living world as it can. Families fracture. Lives unravel. Faith shatters. This isn’t just torment—it’s conquest. – The entity takes partial or full control of the body, often accompanied by memory loss, personality changes, violent outbursts, and unexplainable knowledge or strength.

How Do You Get Rid of It?

If you unfortunately find yourself in this position—experiencing symptoms of attachment, oppression, or worse—know that you are not alone, and that help is possible. But it must be sought seriously, and quickly. Ignoring it will not make it go away. In fact, it may allow the entity to dig in deeper and take more control.

Expelling such entities isn’t easy. And depending on your belief system, the path to deliverance can vary—but it always requires serious spiritual intervention. Here are some approaches across major faith traditions:

• Catholicism: A formal exorcism conducted by a trained and authorised priest, using rites outlined in the Roman Ritual.

• Islam: Ruqyah, which involves reading specific verses from the Qur’an, often accompanied by prayer, fasting, and ritual cleansing.

• Judaism: Though less formalised, Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) includes prayers, psalms, and practices to protect against and expel spirits.

• Hinduism: Involves mantras, yajnas (ritual offerings), and the intervention of spiritual leaders or gurus.

• Buddhism: Chanting of protective sutras, meditative purification, and guidance from monks or lamas.

In all traditions, intent, discipline, and belief are essential. But the best protection of all is never opening the door in the first place.

Once invited in, it's difficult to make them leave.

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So Can It Ever Be Safe?

Some practitioners argue that yes, with proper protections and serious spiritual discipline, it is possible to use the board responsibly. This includes cleansing rituals, protective symbols, grounding practices, and strict closing procedures. But these are not things you learn in a YouTube video. They are learned over time, with training and caution.

To understand why caution is so essential, we need to consider the nature of what you're engaging with. In theological terms, there’s a crucial distinction between supernatural and preternatural phenomena. The supernatural refers to divine or miraculous forces—interventions from a higher source such as God, angels, or saints. These are considered sacred and benevolent.

The preternatural, by contrast, refers to forces that exist outside the laws of nature but are not divine. This includes the realm of demonic entities, malevolent spirits, and occult forces. Preternatural phenomena may appear supernatural, but their origin is darker, more deceptive, and far more dangerous.

When you use a Ouija board, you are not reaching toward the divine. You are casting a line into the murky waters of the preternatural. You are inviting in something that lies just outside the natural world—not to help you, but to use you. These entities are deceptive, patient, and manipulative. Their goal is not to enlighten, but to entangle.

Engaging with the preternatural is not a casual act. It is a step into unknown and volatile territory, where the forces you encounter are often stronger, older, and far more cunning than you are prepared to deal with.

For the rest of us? It’s like playing spiritual Russian roulette. You might walk away untouched the first time, but each session is a spin of the chamber. One day, you might not be so lucky.

I won’t. And I advise you not to either.

Some practitioners argue that yes, with proper protections and serious spiritual discipline, it is possible to use the board responsibly. This includes cleansing rituals, protective symbols, grounding practices, and strict closing procedures. But these are not things you learn in a YouTube video. They are learned over time, with training and caution.

For the rest of us? It’s like playing spiritual Russian roulette. You might walk away untouched the first time, but each session is a spin of the chamber. One day, you might not be so lucky.. You might get lucky. But would you really want to take that chance?

I won’t. And I advise you not to either.

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Final Thoughts: A Door Once Opened...

The Ouija board isn’t a toy. It’s a ritual tool that opens a door. Most people have no idea what they’re inviting in. Spirits don’t wear name tags. They don’t come with disclaimers. And once you give them permission to speak, you might not like what they have to say.

And if something answers back... you better hope it lets you hang up.

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👻 Psst… You made it to the end!

Hey reader,

I’m Ghosty — and if you’ve stuck around this long, chances are you’ve got _thoughts_.

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