What About Ouija?

     I remember, from when I was a child, the spooky reputation surrounding Ouija boards. Our family had a board, like almost everyone else; ours was stashed away in the cellar, a creepy location in any case. As a child, I never did more than stare at the eerie-looking, yellowed old Ouija. Even during my twenties, when my experiences in the paranormal began, I didn’t consider using a Ouija board—especially not then, when I was starting to realize that strange things really do happen, that non-corporeal beings do exist, and that they can find ways to make themselves known. I did a lot to court and invite strange happenings, I admit. But I just wasn’t certain what I would stir up with a Ouija board. Now, decades later, I still don’t use one.
     Let me be clear: I’m not one who’s convinced that Ouija is the gateway to the devil. And I’m not a believer in demonic possession. I do realize that non-corporeal beings, like living humans, can be angry and unpleasant. I just don’t think these beings can easily displace a living person’s will and personality. Most cases of “demonic possession”, I believe, are a product of autosuggestion or mental illness.
     Still, eerie things sometimes happen when Ouija is involved; at times, the mysterious Ouija really does seem to be an effective tool for communicating with the unseen. Problem is, who or what are you connecting with—and is the information you receive something you would really want to know? I don’t think most users have any control over that.
     My husband related a story from his childhood. One of his best friends had a brother who was away from home, serving in the military. The family was playing with Ouija one night, and the sister asked when her brother was coming home. The board said “Never”—and it turned out to be correct. The brother died in a non-combat mishap that claimed his life and many others. After that, his mother would not allow Ouija in the house again.
     This brings me to my main reason for not using a Ouija board: the paranormal, in my opinion, isn’t a game. I’ve had many strange experiences over the years, and I’ve come to develop a healthy respect for the unexplained. Ouija boards, from their beginnings in the late 1800’s, were made by toy and novelty companies, and promoted as such. But, like the pendulum, tarot, or other means of opening up to the unseen, Ouija isn’t a toy.
     It’s been my experience that, if there’s someone in the unseen who has a message for me, they’ll find a way to communicate with me. Two deceased members of my family—my dad and an older cousin—each surprised me by appearing in my meditations to speak to me. My mother, a few months after she died, also startled me by appearing in my living room to say goodbye. I truly believe that, if I remain positive and open, any message I need to receive will come to me, without the use of Ouija or any other divination tool.
     I think peoples’ curiosity about the notorious Ouija will probably continue. Being tempted to grab a glimpse of the future, or a taste of the unseen, seems to be part of just being human. Still, I’ll continue not to be a Ouija user. And I’ll keep myself open to those messages that have their own way of finding me.
    
     Want to learn about the history, and some of the strange lore about Ouija? Visit http://www.annyoungparanormal.com/archived-weekly-facts/216-fact-of-the-week-ouija-board  and http://www.annyoungparanormal.com/#Fact

Author Ann Young

Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction ... and Fact

www.annyoungparanormal.com