The Ouija board, in fact, came straight out of the American 19th century obsession with spiritualism, the belief that the dead are able to communicate with the living. Spiritualism, which had been around for years in Europe, hit America hard in 1848 with the sudden prominence of the Fox sisters of upstate New York; the Foxes claimed to receive messages from spirits who rapped on the walls in answer to questions, recreating this feat of channeling in parlors across the state. Aided by the stories about the celebrity sisters and other spiritualists in the new national press, spiritualism reached millions of adherents at its peak in the second half of the 19th century. Spiritualism worked for Americans: it was compatible with Christian dogma, meaning one could hold a séance on Saturday night and have no qualms about going to church the next day. It was an acceptable, even wholesome activity to contact spirits at séances, through automatic writing, or table turning parties, in which participants would place their hands on a small table and watch it begin shake and rattle, while they all declared that they weren’t moving it. The movement also offered solace in an era when the average lifespan was less than 50: Women died in childbirth; children died of disease; and men died in war. Even Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the venerable president, conducted séances in the White House after their 11-year-old son died of a fever in 1862; during the Civil War, spiritualism gained adherents in droves, people desperate to connect with loved ones who’d gone away to war and never come home.
Here's How:
It takes two to Ouija. Usually one person is not able to work the Ouija. Get a friend to use it with you. A male and female is usually recommended.
Timing. Most practitioners suggest using the board at night when, they say, less interference is in the atmosphere, but you can use it any time.
Create some atmosphere. The Ouija is more fun if you darken the room and light some candles. Turn off the TV and any music to minimize distractions.
Have a seat. The two users should sit facing each other, with knees touching if possible, with the board on their laps. Don't use a table.
Decide on a questioner or medium. Even though both people can ask questions -- or anyone else in the room can -- only one of the users should be the medium (the one to formally ask questions of the board).
Place your fingers on the planchette. You and your partner should place the fingers of both hands very lightly on the planchette, or pointer.
Move it. Purposely move the planchette around in a circle on the board for a moment or two to get it "warmed up."
Attitude. Don't let the board control the session. The medium should begin by announcing that the session will only allow an experience that is positive or toward a higher good and that negative energies are not welcome.
Begin simply. Start with a simple question, one that requires a yes or no answer.
Be patient. You might not begin to get answers right away. Give the board a chance to "warm up."
Be polite. When the board starts working, thank the board or entities for showing up and communicating with you.
Don't ask stupid questions. Avoid questions such as, "When am I going to die?" If the board answers, "in 6 months," you might just worry about it needlessly because you cannot always trust the board to tell you the truth.
Don't ask for physical signs. Many experienced users warn against asking for physical signs that the "spirit" is real or present.
Don't believe everything the board tells you. Just as with any other source of information, don't accept whatever the board says to be the truth or accurate.
Close the board. This is an important step. When you're done with your session, intentionally slide the planchette to "GOODBYE" and remove your hands.
Tips:
Have someone write down the answers. Sometimes the letters spell out very quickly and it's difficult to keep track of what's being said. A third person with paper and pen can write down the message as it comes.
Play sober. You'll get better results if you haven't been drinking or smoking.
Maintain control. If the board starts giving rude, vulgar, obscene or otherwise disagreeable responses, break off the session immediately by closing the board.
Don't take it too seriously. Most "bad" or negative Ouija experiences occur because the users take it too seriously or get freaked out by it. Don't. Just take it in stride.
