The Ouija board is enveloped in controversy and legends, from its purported origins in ancient Greece to the modern spiritualist trend. Throughout history, it has been seen as a bridge to hidden forces and the subject of psychological studies that attribute its operation to the ideomotor effect. It continues to be a focus of debate due to the alleged risks and the collective experience it generates.
How the Ouija Became the Most Controversial Esoteric Instrument
There are references placing its origins in Pythagorean Greece around the 6th century BCE, where it is said that he and his disciples designed a rudimentary mechanism to “contact spirits and invisible forces.” On the other hand, historical research mentions ancient China, around the 3rd century BCE, as the cradle of similar devices that used characters and movable objects to receive supposed messages from the beyond.
From these hypothetical roots, it is considered possible that Asian merchants brought a primitive version of the Ouija to the Roman Empire, where its use became widespread. In this context, there is a legend that tells how Governor Valente (364-378) suspected a plot against him and used a plate with letters on the edges and a hanging ring to identify the possible traitor.
The session was interrupted just as the ring marked “t,” “h,” “e,” “o,” and “d,” leading to the execution of all involved who responded to the patronymic “Theodoros” or similar names. This tragic story is said to have fueled the board’s sinister reputation.
Subsequently, the Ouija reappears linked to nineteenth-century spiritualism. In 1890, Elijah J. Bond patented a talking board intended to facilitate communication with immaterial forces. Charles W. Kennard then founded the “Kennard Novelty Company” to produce and market what became popular under the name Ouija.
According to Kennard, the word would derive from an Egyptian term meaning “luck.” However, another conjecture places its root in the contraction of “Oui” and “Ja,” which in French and German mean “yes.” Over the decades, fascination with the instrument reached its climax during the First World War, when grieving families sought to communicate with soldiers fallen on the battlefields.
The Rise of the Ouija and Its Connection with Spiritualism
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, spiritualism went through a phase of notoriety, largely supported by people who, concerned about the afterlife, organized sessions and public demonstrations.
The Ouija established itself as the most representative object of this movement, not only for its ease of use but also for the immediacy with which it seemed to offer answers. Families mourning the loss of loved ones or those curious about the occult arts would gather around a table, light candles, and begin asking questions directed at any presence available to speak.
The board displays the letters of the alphabet, numbers from 0 to 9, and words like “Yes,” “No,” and “Goodbye.” A pointer, either a small pointed tablet or a glass cup, is used where individuals place one or two fingers to allow a spiritual entity to supposedly move the piece and spell out relevant messages. Over time, accounts of possessions, sudden temperature changes, and poltergeist phenomena associated with the Ouija emerged.
These testimonies, though varied, have contributed to the frightening image that many associate with the board.
Sessions: Rituals, Beliefs and Protocols
According to those most versed in the subject, it is necessary to create an environment free of negative energies before starting the session. Some choose to burn incense and aromatic plants, while others pray or invoke spiritual protectors. It is also customary to place candles around the surface to draw a circle that is supposed to protect the participants from malevolent influences.
Questions begin with “Is anyone there?” and if the pointer moves to indicate “Yes,” the concerns of each present person proceed.
Here arises the controversial recommendation to ask permission to end the communication, as many believe that a poorly closed session leaves the door open to entities with hostile intentions. Those who support this theory often attribute accidents, inexplicable scratches, or feelings of spiritual heaviness to negligence in ending the session. Despite these warnings, users’ curiosity does not always respect such rules, which feeds legends of possessions or sinister spirits.
Attributed Phenomena: Paranormal Reality or Collective Suggestion?
A significant part of the Ouija’s terrifying reputation is based on the so-called paranormal phenomena that manifest when the board is activated.
Among the most mentioned are possessions, abrupt temperature changes, the movement of objects without apparent intervention, and, of course, the enigmatic autonomous movement of the pointer. Although various witnesses claim to have experienced difficult-to-explain events, science has attempted to offer an interpretation that steers away from the supernatural.
Possible Possessions and Spiritual Harassment
Some practitioners defend the idea that evil entities—or even demons—can “take advantage of the open portal” to seize an individual.
However, mental health experts suggest that many episodes interpreted as possessions could correspond to psychotic crises or trance states induced by suggestion. In this sense, fears and the anticipation of a dire outcome act as catalysts for extreme responses, sometimes confused with supernatural manifestations.
Movement of the Cup
The so-called ideomotor effect explains, from a psychological perspective, that participants unconsciously move the cup or glass.
According to this theory, the players’ brains send muscle impulses so subtle that individuals believe the movement comes from an external force. Studies published by the American Psychological Association indicate that the “ideomotor effect” is a proven phenomenon also observed in the use of dowsing rods or divination pendulums.
Temperature Drop
There is a belief that the presence of a spirit cools the atmosphere, generating chilly drafts in the room.
On one hand, mediums or shamans assert that this is an indisputable symptom of communication with disembodied souls. On the other hand, several psychologists propose that it could be due to the individual’s suggestibility or ventilation changes in enclosed spaces, especially when there is collective nervousness or fear.
Objects Moving on Their Own
This phenomenon, associated with poltergeists, is part of paranormal folklore.
Although there are videos on the internet where books supposedly fall or doors mysteriously close, meticulous analysis has shown that, in most cases, these are frauds or mere coincidences. Nevertheless, the stories persist and have fueled the Ouija’s reputation as a bridge to disturbing realities.
Evidence and Controversies
The scarcity of formal research on the Ouija has meant that much of the available information comes from anecdotes, documentaries, or personal experiences. Occasionally, universities or independent institutes have conducted studies to determine whether there is any extrasensory component behind the game.
To date, no conclusive evidence has corroborated the intervention of supernatural forces, although it has not been entirely ruled out. Similarly, testimonies from individuals who claim to have experienced inexplicable situations often clash with the skepticism of the scientific community.
In the religious sphere, many congregations openly condemn the use of the Ouija.
They argue that by attempting to contact non-earthly entities, there is a risk of encountering spirits that “challenge divine protection.” Meanwhile, some moderate theologians encourage analyzing each case with prudence, avoiding hasty conclusions that demonize the board without considering the possibility of self-suggestion.
On the other hand, those who practice new spiritual currents, such as Wicca or Neopaganism, view the Ouija as another tool to understand the nature of psychic energy, provided it is handled with respect.
Potential Risks and Precautions
There is no universal consensus on the actual danger of the Ouija. However, various accounts highlight the possibility that individuals predisposed to anxiety or mental disorders may develop symptoms after an experience with the board.
When the game ends abruptly or something terrifying is witnessed, the mind can trigger a panic response that amplifies preexisting paranormal beliefs. For this reason, some mental health specialists recommend that vulnerable populations abstain from spiritualist practices, as they could trigger psychotic episodes.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the Ouija is a collective and social practice. Shared fear, combined with a dark environment and spooky stories, enhances suggestion and the idea that something extraordinary can happen. Under such factors, the brain is in a highly suggestible state, making it essential to adopt a critical stance when interpreting any unusual occurrence.
Those wishing to participate in sessions should be aware of basic safety guidelines, both from an esoteric perspective (properly closing the communication, spiritual protection) and from a psychological standpoint (maintaining calm, recognizing the limits of human perception).
Current Perspective and Final Reflections
Today, the Ouija occupies an ambiguous place between esoteric traditions and popular culture.
It is part of the collective imagination, often portrayed in horror movies and television series that reinforce its unsettling aura. However, the scientific debate surrounding this board persists, with some experts emphasizing the role of the unconscious in the movements and experiences reported during sessions.
Other scholars believe that more empirical research and a multidisciplinary approach, integrating psychology, anthropology, and theology, are needed to clarify whether there is something beyond collective suggestion.
In the end, the Ouija continues to captivate due to its ability to materialize fears and hopes about the unknown into a simple object.
For those who believe in the existence of planes broader than physical reality, this board serves as a tool that—with proper preparations—facilitates contact with intangible forces.
Meanwhile, skeptical currents highlight the influence of suggestion and the ideomotor effect, factors that explain how the human mind can create its own narrative. Between fascination and skepticism, the Ouija remains firmly entrenched in the popular imagination, raising questions about the very nature of being and the mystery surrounding the transcendental.
