Ouija boards are dangerous!!!

mysteria

As a Psychologist I've spent many years trying to help young people of nervous dispositions who have been badly affected to the point of Psychotic/Schizophrenic episodes. If anyone is in doubt regarding Paranormal experiences etc I strongly advise checking with an expert as amateurs, no matter how well-intentioned they might be, are by definition not well-informed.
Blessed Be.:cool:

Juicebox

sheise i am going away for 3 weeks and my friends intend on setting up a ouiji board..will it affect me if i am in the room but not taking part..id like to be there just incase something happens

stevenmu

I'm not sure if Mysteria will agree with me or not, but I personally think the main danger behind ouija boards, is that if you believe in them then anything that happens, any small bump or noise will scare the 'sheise' out of you. Most/many people would deal with this fairly well and probably laugh it off, but others depending on their beliefs, could start to read much more into it and believe that they've angered some spirit or brought a curse on themselves or become 'possesed'. I think this is largely because people realise that you should treat spirit(s) with respect, and using a ouija board for entertainment purposes is clearly not respectfull. They know it's wrong and yet do it anyway, through either peer pressure or the youthfull feeling of invincibility. If something happens then they start to fear the worst, or get a guilt complex.

In summary, if you believe ouja boards do what they claim they do then you're seriously risking your own mental health. If you don't believe in them, then it's a pretty pointless thing to do. There doesn't seem to be any real upside to using them, other than excersing teenage rebeliousness, and I'm sure we can all think of some much more fun ways of doing that.

Are you personally at risk even if you don't take part ? Yes, because you already believe that you are, and the funny thing is that even though what I'm saying here should make you believe otherwise, it won't, therefore have nothing to do with it.

New_Departure06

Someone told me yesterday that someone she knew had heard the voice of a dead relative during a ouija session and that bad things happened afterwards which the other person did not want to go into. Another person told me that the people she knows who used it are in mental homes. However an online friend has said she will use her ouija board to talk to my aunt on my behalf, but will use her protection spells to avoid harm coming of it.

solas

steven wrote:

I'm not sure if Mysteria will agree with me or not, but I personally think the main danger behind ouija boards, is that if you believe in them then anything that happens, any small bump or noise will scare the 'sheise' out of you. Most/many people would deal with this fairly well and probably laugh it off, but others depending on their beliefs, could start to read much more into it and believe that they've angered some spirit or brought a curse on themselves or become 'possesed'. I think this is largely because people realise that you should treat spirit(s) with respect, and using a ouija board for entertainment purposes is clearly not respectfull. They know it's wrong and yet do it anyway, through either peer pressure or the youthfull feeling of invincibility. If something happens then they start to fear the worst, or get a guilt complex.

when I was 15 we went on school tour to amsterdam and a couple of friends thought it would be a good idea to mess around with a ouija board. As I've explained in some previous postings, thanks to my father putting the fear of God into with regard to the paranormal, it's something I would never entertain and didn't get involved.
Anyway..a few nights in, we were all hanging out in our chalet after the "disco", few beers downed when the ground and walls started shaking, I recall a glass hopping across the table in front of me. Naturally we all got a bit worried and some of the lads tried to put a brave face on it and explain it away as undeground heating. I was pretty sure it was an earthquake.
Just as a second aftershock occured the lads who had been messing about with the ouija board came flying through the patio doors screaming about how they had let "satan" out. Those of us in the room at the time were completley unawares as to what they had been up to or what they were on about. (they were in a different chalet )

After calming everyone down I turned on the news and there were reports comming in of an earthquake in the area, which was in itself quite unusual but at least we knew what was going on.
To this day, the guys who had been messing about with the board will swear that something else happened and one of which I know, is on medication.

I wouldn't mess around with a ouija board if my life depended on it.
I know this discussion has been had several times before and some would say that it all comes down to a state of mind, the thing with the ouija board or any kind of paranormal experimentation is that it requires people to open up parts of the mind which some people may not be ready for.
I'd say it's something best left alone, there are better and safer ways of gaining "spiritual" enlightenment.

stormkeeper

I wouldn't use an Ouija board myself either, unless an expert were present, and even then I'd be a little wary. My state of mind is a little "sensitive" as it stands, wouldn't need an experience like that tipping me over the edge. I may be eccentric, but I do mostly have a handle on things, believe it or not!

6th

mysteria wrote:

As a Psychologist I've spent many years trying to help young people of nervous dispositions who have been badly affected to the point of Psychotic/Schizophrenic episodes. If anyone is in doubt regarding Paranormal experiences etc I strongly advise checking with an expert as amateurs, no matter how well-intentioned they might be, are by definition not well-informed.
Blessed Be.:cool:

Ok so i get that ouija boards are potentially dangerous. Personally I wont use one for a few reasons, one being that i dont see the point.

A question for the OP though, ok ouija boards always stir up interest, but when you say they are dangerous what exactly do you think the danger is? Also if these are dangerous, are all talking boards and angel boards equally dangerous? Ouija is merely a brand name after all?

The original post though seems to be giving out two messages.
Sure the thread title mentions ouija boards but the actual post doesnt mention them. Its seems to be more of a case of saying "go to experts for help" and that the actual danger being talked about is taking advice from amateurs.

When talking about the paranormal, the area of unexplained phenomenon, what is an expert? And what are they experts in? Don't get me wrong i respect experiences but i base it on the individual. Derek Acorah (who gets mixed feeling here) is a man of many years experience. Should we automatically accept him as an expert? You can be an expert on the history or writings of an area of the paranormal but can you really be and expert of the unexplained?

Also on this note i think the original post goes very much against what my idea of this forum is. We are all amateurs here in that no one has the answers. We can all only be experts in ourselves and our own experiences. No one can come in here and tell you who you should and should not ask advice from on your experiences.

This forum is about us all coming together, sharing our experiences, and all learning from each other. I have had experiences with spirits since i was 5, thats 24 years, so do i have any more right to tell someone what they should believe or do it make me an expert in spirits? No it doesn't! As i said I am an expert in my experiences.

If its dangerous for us to support each other, to share experiences or to ask advice of each other then maybe this forum should be shut down?

I think the real danger is the people who believe they have the answers. We are all walking around in the dark, the differences is some people still walk with their eyes wide open while others believe they know the way well enough that they dont need to and keep them closed.

As for ouija boards (if that what the thread is really about), i believe stevenmu got it right. The danger is very possibly just in who uses them and for what purpose. From all the stories I have heard of them over the years the biggest dangers are people coming addicted/dependant on them or people who use them while in an altered state i.e. drink drugs etc.

Sorry for the long post but I hope people read through enough of it to get what i'm saying. And before anyone gets defensive- this is not a personal attack its just my opinion.
6th

btw the very nature of the internet how do we know who the experts are and how do we know anyone is who they claim they are? Simple - we dont. Be smart when taking advice from anyone, not just us amateurs

IPI

I agree with a lot of what 6th says here, especially about not knowing if everyione is who they say they are. But I don't think Mysteria is wrong just because he or she may or may not be an expert. "Seek professional advice" is an essential part of most serious investigation, even the experts do it. But it's advice, not an instruction.

The question is raised, "What is an expert"? Clearly in this field, it can only be an experienced amateur. I think your interpretation that we are being warned off taking advice from amateurs is slightly in error. Being amateur, particularly in these peripheral sciences, is virtually a prerequisite, its opposite being professional, i.e. those who are paid a rate for their job.
The only professionals in spiritual and supernatural studies are entertainers, some mediums and our religious teachers. This doesn't make them experts, though, does it? Even so, we may ask their advice. We might ask the advice of respected scientists in any number of seemingly-connected areas as well.

When choosing your expert, of course you ought to do a little research, no matter how cursory, into their experiences. An expert in ouija (should one exist) may know nothing of temporal translocation. So I don't think Mysteria was suggesting no one should take advice from anyone on this forum. Many of those who come here are about as expert as they get and I'm sure Mysteria realises it. But like all advice, it should be measured and weighed before it is accepted. If Mysteria truly is a psychologist, and there's no reason why not, then the suggestion is sound. "Take advice from someone who knows more than you do" is perfectly reasonable. With ouija, there is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence that endorses the potential dangers, so going into it shouldn't be done lightly. Especially as belief seems to play such a large part in the outcome.

So, is it wise to 'play' ouija at all? Personally, I'd say no (or non-nein), because I don't know what it's doing. Would I investigate it, yes (oui and ja), but only with safeguards, on which subject I would definitely consult at least one expert, and the experts I would choose to consult would range from priests and rabbis to occultists and witches, but only those I had reason to believe would have a blady what they were talking about, and I'd probably find at least one of those is a contributor here.

Finally, the question that drew me to this thread in the first place: has anyone had or heard of a good experience or result coming from the use ouija? Is it all bad? Does anyone here know?

6th

My post wasnt direct at Mysteria but more was a response to some points she brought to my attention. Mysteria is a regualr poster here and usually has something great to add.

My point was "who decides who the experts are?". I am curently looking at 3 online course. http://www.unifaculty.com/ . Will these course make me an expert or does my 24 years experience make me one?

I just think in this area we should give everyone some credit with regards to their own experiences and not have to put everything through "experts" for validation.

I'm all for asking advice and with plenty of friends in teh priesthood and a sister who is a pychology lecturer i'm sure i will be getting more and more advice and i continue doing what i do.

fabcat

My sister used one when she was 16 with my brother and two of their friends, it told them that one of the friends would die in a car crash but would come back but never be the same, it started getting all weird then and I'm not sure exactly what happened 'cos none of them will talk about it, I just know they ended the session pretty sharpish and that was that........6 months later one of the girls was in a car crash where she was brain damaged for life, it's only slight brain damage, only affecting her speech, but nonetheless 'she's never been the same', oh yeah, she died on the operating table for 3 minutes.

6th

IPI wrote:

Finally, the question that drew me to this thread in the first place: has anyone had or heard of a good experience or result coming from the use ouija? Is it all bad? Does anyone here know?

I think the answer to that question will be greatly affected by the answer to this question:
Has anyone ever used one who went into the experience with a positive frame of mind?

I cant imagine anyone in this day and age can go about using one without their head being filled with horror stories and the influeneces of Hollywood. How can anything positive or good come out when our minds are filled with negativity?

stormkeeper

A friend of mine is able to use them, but doesn't recommend it. You need more than two people to use it to help keep the energies in check, she couldn't do it on her own.

fabcat

I would never use them (looking at my prev post, I'm sure you can guess why) but I also don't think they are there for good. I don't think we are supposed to disturb the dead, which is exactly what we're doing by using ouija boards or seances. There are plenty of people who have been contacted by ghosts and I think we should leave it up to them, rather than 'giving them a shout' ourselves.

IPI

First, a quick but heartfelt apology to 6th. I completely misread what you were saying because I didn't fully read what Mysteria said. I went away with an erroneous assumption based on a cursory examination of the available data and used it to disprove a point you hadn't even made. Sound familiar to anyone? That I can make such a rookie mistake at my time of life ...

Anyhow, I'd had so much difficulty posting my reply, I thought it hadn't gone in and in the meantime I rewrote the whole thing in line of what I now realise Mysteria was saying and how 6th took it. Don't know if there's much point in posting it now, in its entirety, so these are what I now believe to be the most salient points.

I'm now a bit surprised at what I have come to infer to be Mysteria's suggestion that no one should take advice from anyone on this forum. Many of those who come here are about as expert as they get, but like all advice, it should be measured and weighed before it is accepted.

An amateur cannot be, by definition, well-informed, seems the background to Mysteria's advice. Not so. Einstein was an amateur until 1905. He still had the ideas, but it was only after publication that he could be called a professional. There are, I'm sure we all know, trainspotters who know more about trains than your average traindriver. Amateur astronomers are today vital functionaries in our current understanding of the universe. Don't Wimbledon and the Olympics only accept amateur competitors?

By the way, just wondering, but is Mysteria actually suggesting that there might exist some people who are not "in doubt regarding Paranormal experiences etc"?

That's funny. Seemed a lot longer when I first wrote it.

6th

Now you get me!

Briony Noh

A friend of mine says he had bad experiences with a ouiji board and his mam warned him about it. This was a lot of years ago and he was trying to contact his dead brother (his brother had been accidentally shot in a childhood game - I don't remember who by). Was his brother trying to put him off or are there guardians between us and the next world? Because the former answer starts to look like petulence to me. I mean, if you're dead, you've plenty of time to be sociable and politeness doesn't cost.

I'm just curious to know what the ouiji communiates with.

6th

Briony Noh wrote:

A friend of mine says he had bad experiences with a ouiji board and his mam warned him about it. This was a lot of years ago and he was trying to contact his dead brother (his brother had been accidentally shot in a childhood game - I don't remember who by). Was his brother trying to put him off or are there guardians between us and the next world? Because the former answer starts to look like petulence to me. I mean, if you're dead, you've plenty of time to be sociable and politeness doesn't cost.

I'm just curious to know what the ouiji communiates with.

Some claim that you can only contact "evil" spirits with ouihja boards. Personally i dont see how this would be the case if they do work. Again i thgink it all comes down to the frame of mind of the user.

Briony Noh

Then, sometimes it might appear as though the spirit is behaving in an evil manner. What I'm thinking is if you just want to play 'is there anybody there' then some sort of guardian might step in and put a scare up you to stop you being so childish. But if you have a legitimate concern that can only be solved by a particular spirit, perhaps this very same guardian would be happy to conduct you towards your answer. With utmost caution and respect to fabcat, a guardian might use the most tragic available prediction (or factual reference as it might be to them) to stop people from taking such powerful direct line so frivolously. In that case, the prediction would not have been a disciplinary action but a demonstration of how little they knew they were dealing with.

This seems to fit quite well with my theories about what my friend told me happened to him.

stevenmu

The difference between an amateur and an expert is simply experience. In this particular case I think an 'expert' with ouija boards would be someone who could properly prepare people for the experience and put any 'events' into a proper context.

Briony Noh

Wouldn't stop him being an amateur, though, would it? There are such things as amateur experts, and to use the term 'amateur' derrogatively is simply wrong (I'm not saying you did, I'm just noting it).

An amateur is just an unemployed professional. An expert can be anyone, paid or unpaid, amateur or professional.

6th

Yep Briony is right the problem here is the use of the the term experts and amteurs. Professional doesnt come into it.

Sapien

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.

Nevyn

Excellent post Sapien.

solas

IPI wrote:

The only professionals in spiritual and supernatural studies are entertainers, some mediums and our religious teachers. This doesn't make them experts, though, does it?

experienced yea, experts, I don't think so, makes them lot's of spondolicks tho.
I know of one professional (entertainer) who promotes use of the ouija, which tbh I find totally irresponsible.
I recall having a discussion in good company about it and figured that it would be no harm if they were to use some sort of subconscious parameters, such as angels. No sooner had I said "go patent that one" , Doreen virtue released the "Angel Guidance Board."

6th

i think Sapiens post would be a fitting end to this thread and a reference point for anyone beginning their journey in the paranormal. It sets out basic guidelines which go far past the use of the ouija board.

Looking back over threads from the last 2 years its a very common topic for newcomers.

If fact i'd go as far to say the post should be stickied and locked with a title like "Advice regarding Ouija Boards".

Anyone want to second my request?

Pink Bunny

I agree that Ouija boards are dangerous.

It's just my non expert opinion, but I've always likened the idea to walking down a dark alley alone at night. You try to avoid doing so to begin with, but if you find yourself there the last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself by waving at the men in the shadows shouting "look at me, look at me!"

I don't really understand how it works, but I do believe it can act as an open invitation and those spirits that are predisposed to gravitate towards things like this are the very ones who's attention you are wise to avoid .

mysteria

The whole Psychic/paranormal field has become a Science (Parapsychology) and with recent findings in Germanys' top University it is now gaining wider acceptance and recognition. I am not on this board as an anonymous individual, my credentials are available for all to see ( do I really have to go through this one again?).While Derek Acorah claims to be a medium in fairness I have'nt heard him claim to be an expert in anything.
Ask any qualified person what they think of ouija boards, I was fascinated by them as a student and did very extensive research into the subject. So I'm just trying to help anyone who would like an "informed" opinion as a result of professional experience as both a Psychologist and a Parapsychologist. So 6th, having read other opinions about ouija on the boards, do you still feel it's right to promote the use of ouija boards with your magazine?
Blessed Be.
P.S. Excellent post as always, Sapien, and well said Stevenmu and Solas.
Blessed Be.

mysteria

6th wrote:

I think the answer to that question will be greatly affected by the answer to this question:
Has anyone ever used one who went into the experience with a positive frame of mind?

I cant imagine anyone in this day and age can go about using one without their head being filled with horror stories and the influeneces of Hollywood. How can anything positive or good come out when our minds are filled with negativity?

Statistically(approximately) about half those using the ouija are young, impressionable teenagers. The rest are people who genuinely want to contact a loved one, so they are vulnerable, going through the bereavement process.
And by the way are you telling us you've been studying and using the ouija board since you were 5 years old, 6th?( Re your 24 yrs experience):D

6th

Do i feel its right to promote the use of ouija boards? Yes.
They are a very accessible part of modern paranormal culture and for many they are the first (and in many cases last) step on an amzing journey into the world of the paranormal.

Is it wrong to promote cars? They are a tool which, if not used properly or by someone with experience, cause many many deaths every day.
Sapien got it so right when he said that whereas he wouldnt tell people absolutely not to use them they are a lazy quickfix. But in the right hands it is simply a tool, like a chainsaw, an axe or anything else it deserves respect and correct usage.

As i have stated in this thread i would not use one (a ouija board - not a car ) as i have put myself on a path which i know is a long and difficult one, i dont opt for the quickfix.

6th

mysteria wrote:

Statistically(approximately) about half those using the ouija are young, impressionable teenagers. The rest are people who genuinely want to contact a loved one, so they are vulnerable, going through the bereavement process.
And by the way are you telling us you've been studying and using the ouija board since you were 5 years old, 6th?( Re your 24 yrs experience):D

There is a thread here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054878476

to post research and i'd like to see this "recent findings in Germanys' top University it is now gaining wider acceptance and recognition" and also the statistics which you mention above?

6th wrote:

I have had experiences with spirits since i was 5, thats 24 years, so do i have any more right to tell someone what they should believe or do it make me an expert in spirits? No it doesn't! As i said I am an expert in my experiences.

No I said i have had experiences with spirits since I was 5 - would you like me to make the type bigger?

mysteria

Your post proves my point by the way, so why are you promoting the use of ouija boards? (google "telepathy, german university" sorry too busy working to nit-pick and do your research for you.

6th

Sounds like you want me to do your work and validate your claims.

I'd love to know what point i proved for you. Its nice someone is proving your points.

Ouija boards are potentially danger if not used correctly - as i said much like cars. How many people learned to drive by just getting behind the wheel in a car park?

New_Departure06

How can a ouija board be used safely?

6th

Read Sapiens post, that makes it all pretty clear. Read it careful mind

mysteria

6th wrote:

I think the answer to that question will be greatly affected by the answer to this question:
Has anyone ever used one who went into the experience with a positive frame of mind?

I cant imagine anyone in this day and age can go about using one without their head being filled with horror stories and the influeneces of Hollywood. How can anything positive or good come out when our minds are filled with negativity?

This proves My point !!! So when you're playing with words 6th you're revealing more of yourself than you realise....and yes maybe I'm arrogant, but I know my stuff.

New_Departure06

Maybe if mediums were cheaper ouija board problems would be rarer.

6th

mysteria wrote:

This proves My point !!! So when you're playing with words 6th you're revealing more of yourself than you realise....and yes maybe I'm arrogant, but I know my stuff.

Actually it doesnt prove your point. I posed a question, how can someone use a ouija board with all the negativity the surrounds it - Sapien answered the question. Preperation and practice is the answer.

And like i said we have to take your word with regards to what you know as fact but to a point i'm willing to do that. You are the Irish Psychic Queen after all but dont expect to be followed or agreed with blindly.

6th

New_Departure06 wrote:

Maybe if mediums were cheaper ouija board problems would be rarer.

Thats a bad attitude to have. I dont think people in gerenal turn to ouija boards over a medium because of money.

And the idea that psychic shouldnt charge for services coz its vulgar (as i have heard people say) is silly. If i could make a living out of doing something I love i would jump and the chance - that should affect peoples opinion of me.

New_Departure06

An Irish witch friend online has just given me some instructions on a safer use of a ouija board. She advises I don't use a board, but states that if I must, then:

A: Make your own ouija board on an A4 sheet of paper.
B: Draw the letters around in a circle. Write Yes and No inside the circle with Goodbye below them.
C: Have 4-6 candles and place them in the 4 corners of the room.
Remove the mirrors from the room and cover them in black cloth as they could be entry points for demons.
E: Have more than one person taking part, with the finger on the pointer at one time.
F: Place the tumbler (used as a pointer) in the center of the board.
G: Wear a blessed cross which has been blessed beforehand by dipping into holy water and saying a prayer for protection.
H: Place an item dear to the person you wish to contact in the middle of the board. Ask to speak to a particular person you used to know.
I: When finished and removing the tumbler, make sure to slide it onto a smooth surface like a coffee table. Don't simply lift it off the board.

6th

Well make sure you let us know how it goes. Seems like you went out and got advice from someone who knows - which is what the OP said you should do.

Do you have people to do it with you?

New_Departure06

6th wrote:

Well make sure you let us know how it goes. Seems like you went out and got advice from someone who knows - which is what the OP said you should do.

Do you have people to do it with you?

6th I don't intend doing it at the moment, but now I know and I hope this advice will help others. It was an online witch-friend who claims to have seen spirit worlds. I would probably select someone I know but might consider looking for a professional medium to help in future. I might be reluctant to put a relative or friend at risk (should it exist).

mysteria

New_Departure06 wrote:

6th I don't intend doing it at the moment, but now I know and I hope this advice will help others. It was an online witch-friend who claims to have seen spirit worlds. I would probably select someone I know but might consider looking for a professional medium to help in future. I might be reluctant to put a relative or friend at risk (should it exist).

I'm just wondering what degree your Wiccan friend is and from what background? Xtian Priests arent experts on Ouija boards or the Spirit world unless they have lots of experience with them, neither are Pagan Priests/Priestesses.

New_Departure06

mysteria wrote:

I'm just wondering what degree your Wiccan friend is and from what background? Xtian Priests arent experts on Ouija boards or the Spirit world unless they have lots of experience with them, neither are Pagan Priests/Priestesses.

Dunno about that but she seems experienced and to be a good witch.

Nevyn

mysteria wrote:

I'm just wondering what degree your Wiccan friend is and from what background? Xtian Priests arent experts on Ouija boards or the Spirit world unless they have lots of experience with them, neither are Pagan Priests/Priestesses.

All wiccans may be witches Mysteria but not all witches are wiccan or pagan for that matter.

New_Departure06 did you tell this person that you were going to but those guideslines up for anyone to read or use in such a public fashion so that anyone using google could find them ?

New_Departure06

Thaedydal wrote:

All wiccans may be witches Mysteria but not all witches are wiccan or pagan for that matter.

New_Departure06 did you tell this person that you were going to but those guideslines up for anyone to read or use in such a public fashion so that anyone using google could find them ?

No I didn't but I felt that since she told me how to do it safely that I had a moral responsibility to put the advice here if it could also protect others. On the pagan question she believes in one god but she also says there are demigods.

solas

mysteria wrote:

While Derek Acorah claims to be a medium in fairness I have'nt heard him claim to be an expert in anything.

He was a semi-pro footballer, I believe.

So 6th, having read other opinions about ouija on the boards, do you still feel it's right to promote the use of ouija boards with your magazine?

6th I wasn't aware you were writing about it for your magazine. If I were to, it would be an article highlighting the risks involved and I would consider the stories that have been shared. It's certainly something that requires an amount of respect, in the same way as the ocean or a wild animal does, and it would help if people did recognise this.
In my opinion, promoting the use of ouija under particular circumstances is akin to saying ecstacy isn't dangerous, as long as you drink plenty of water. (??)

It would be better if folk just stayed clear of it but people will be people and will always look for ways to gets kicks. I would offer a substitute in the way of the angel guidance board perhaps, certainly seems a whole lot safer and more practical.

[edit]that wasn't a volunteer for writing an article either, just my two cent.


[cont]I understand the mentality which considers fear to be the greatest danger and that once eliminated all will be well or that being experienced makes us infallible in some way. Look at the news today and you will see stories of journalists being killed in Iraq. These were people who were fearless in their work, respected the territory and had years of experience covering war zones.
Promoting the use of the ouija board is a great responsibilty and one which I personally, wouldn't undertake.

6th

Actually the article written for the magazine is not promoting the use of Ouija Boards it is a article about ouija boards from a neutral stance - we are all talking as on the basis that ouija's work and that spirits etc exist. And though that would be my stance on it too but for millions of people around the world these topics hold no importance and have no affect on their lives.

We must remember we art talking about an item which was marketed as a toy and is very possible used on a day to day basis in many parts of the world. This was a piece of paranormal history which managed to make it into the main stream and found its way into peoples homes. To ignore it and brush it under the carpet would do it no justice and just breath ignorance.

Also think about the fact that millions of these have been sold - if they really were as dangerous as people say surely they would be illegal?

I have also asked the OP as to whether angel boards and other talking boards are dangerous but got no reply. Ouija as i already mentioned is just a trademarked name for a toy yet it is Ouija which is still relatively new compared to talking boards that gets the bad press.

The fact there have been so many threads on them and the amount of interest this forum gets everytime the topic arises shows that people will ask about them whether there is an article in some little magazine or not - i'm putting information out there and letting people make up there own mind. Yet it seems there are people who think we should brush it aside and not speak of it - this reaks of an ignorance i didnt think existed on this forum.

solas

6th wrote:

Also think about the fact that millions of these have been sold - if they really were as dangerous as people say surely they would be illegal?

I'm trying to imagine convincing a judge why they might be considered dangerous.
Ouija was conceived as a toy but like many other "inventions" it was found to work in way's that weren't considered....like viagra. In the mainstream, once these products new uses are acknowledged, they become regulated and the useage for which they were originally intended becomes obsolete. As we're talking about something which is relative in terms of the intagible to most, how do we begin to discuss the effects of it's current use or how it could be adapted for better use? The angel guidance board is an attempt to do as much and in a way it removes the harmful element and adapts the "product" for a more pleasant experience.

Yet it seems there are people who think we should brush it aside and not speak of it - this reaks of an ignorance i didnt think existed on this forum.

in each and every thread wher uija has been discussed there have been informative and considerate responses.
The best thing to do in this situation 6th is for you to share from your own perspective or experience of it and go with that.

Zillah

Said Ouija article was written by yours truly. I didn't go to great lengths explaining the mortal dangers of it, no, but I did approach it from a neutral stance.

solas

haven't read it yet, so I can't comment. My initial response was to Mysterias post, which I figured was a general topic for discussion here at boards.

6th

solas wrote:

The angel guidance board is an attempt to do as much and in a way it removes the harmful element and adapts the "product" for a more pleasant experience.

What are these adaptions?

solas wrote:

in each and every thread wher uija has been discussed there have been informative and considerate responses.
The best thing to do in this situation 6th is for you to share from your own perspective or experience of it and go with that.

Giving information based on personal experience is great but seeing as every incident can be different and everyones experience slightly different should basic information not be given.

I'm currently reading a book on the history and culture of Voodoo, this is not for me to learn how to do it, i'm reading it to be informed on and interesting and often misunderstood subject. Similarily Ouija Boards, their history and their place in modern culture are very interesting and merits being written about. People must realise there are more views than just promoting or telling people to stay away from it.