Ouija Boards (megathread)

I can't think of many situations in which it makes sense to use a Ouija Board. If one can think of no more reliable and effective method for stirring up some spiritual activity, one probably isn't in a position to deal with the results, whatever they may be. The exceptions, of course, are those who have spent a lot of time using Ouija Boards, and have developed skill and experience - but once again that seems to me like misplaced effort. There are much better ways to contact spirits, especially if one is prepared to practice.

The Ouija Board (TM) is an auto-séance, which is to say, a séance sans medium. It was invented in the 1890s towards the end of a popular Spiritism craze. It was an ingenious idea. Séances were expensive and difficult to organise, and good mediums were few and far between. Demand greatly outstripped the supply. The Ouija Board was a way to bring quick-fix séances into the living rooms of ordinary people with negligible fuss or scandal, and for a reasonable one-time payment. The trouble is, they work.

In a séance the medium, if genuine, uses the heightened state of mind of the attendants to attract and draw out spirits. The medium's jobs are: 1) to manage the atmosphere of the sitting and direct the psychological state of the attendants; and 2) to receive messages in a coherent, comprehensible way. By this method a specific entity, or type of entity can be contacted, and its responses channelled through the medium. But the attendants themselves provide the "power", for want of a better word, which allows the contact to be made. When one removes the medium, as with a Ouija working, the medium's jobs are not done: 1) the atmosphere is uncontrolled and can become sinister and fearful; and 2) the means of communication for the spirit is largely up to the spirit's own determination.

With mediumship the aim, in most cases, is to contact deceased relatives. To this end the medium will engender an atmosphere of calm and warmth, love and recollection, and deep focus on the sought-after individuals. Very little can arise from this kind of collective mental state other than that which is intended. In a Ouija sitting there is rarely anyone who knows to, or is capable of manipulating the atmosphere. Inevitably people are afraid, excited, aroused and giddy. Inevitably the mental state is fuelled by adrenaline, hormones and cold sweat. This is the stuff of an altogether different type of contact.

Without the guiding influence of a medium, or one capable of controlling the spiritual environment, like an adept, the energy generated attracts anything that happens to be in proximity. Because of the nature of the ritual - frivolous and flippant as it so often is - the entities attracted will never be important, powerful or well-formed. You will not find an archangel, a god or even a famous demon paying attention to a Ouija sitting. Rather, random astral detritus will gravitate, subconscious complexes will be drawn forth - the kind of spiritual muck that one banishes at the beginning of every magickal working. And these things can be dangerous.

I am not one of those who say in doom-laden tones - Leave what you do not understand be! I understand all too well the attraction of such supernatural quick-fixes, the allure of tangible proof of the otherworldly that is so easily obtainable. In some senses I think people should investigate these avenues. But there are dangers inherent in the process, and someone with experience (though not necessarily an expert) should be present. That is to say someone with favourable experience - who is sufficiently confident to prevent the group from becoming hysterical and whipping up an unmanageable astral maelstrom.

In conclusion, I advise that people take the Ouija Board, as silly, inelegant and crass as it is, seriously. Under no circumstances should people undertake one to scare themselves, or as a kind of spiritual danger sport. If people are doing one for the first time, they should go about it seriously, slowly, cautiously and calmly. If an experienced person is unavailable, one of the participants should pick up some basic skills in banishing - the kind that can be found in the opening chapters in any widely available magickal syllabus text. And if things go wrong, don't bother with priests. Find a witch or a magickian.