So against my better judgement I decided to use a ouija board at midnight(because that's when it's supposed to work best, right?) Unfortunately I played with it for over an hour and only seemed to get 'trolled' by random spirits who put random numbers and letters. I'm pretty disappointed in the whole thing. My question is, have you ever made contact with spirits using the board? Which ones? And how did it work out?
Misanthropy actually very recently put up an article about the Ouija board that might be worth a read. The information is introductory, and mainly focused on its history... but it is a good primer and helpful in de-mystifying the board and how it works.
In fairness, I'm going to say up front to that I do not own or use a board myself. But my early spiritual interests were fueled by ideas of mediumship and its tools. Though I work through meditation and energy channeling, I've come to a few ideas and personal understandings when it comes to Ouija.
To tart I think it is a bit of a misunderstanding how people see the board as the source of the channeling. It is just a bit of pressed cardboard with letters drawn on it. And a piece of plastic with a hole in it to slide around on top. It has no ability to call, bind, or release an entity. Nor is it a gateway or a vessel. What it is, is the end-point of the channeling. Like a computer monitor. A display that just reveals the result of everything going on behind it.
This is also why using a board with intent should not be undertaken lightly. You are not opening a board up to an unknown presence... you are opening up your home, your space, and yourself as a medium for an entity to work through and influence. And, just like with any house guest, it is risky to extend an invitation to people you don't know. Sure they might be fun and friendly... but they also might be drunken bullies looking for someone's house to smash up. And you might not necessarily be able to get them back out the door without help. If you plan ahead, and decide on a single *specific* entity to call on or invite, one you are familiar with already, goes a long ways in preventing such problems.
What the Ouija facilitates is in effect a simplified form if automatic writing- a method of mediumship where an individual uses meditation while holding a pen over paper, calls on a specific spirit or entity, and invites it to guide either the mind or the hand. Then the medium begins writing while maintaining as loose and relaxed a posture as they can-allowing any ideas, thoughts, phrases, or even urges of movement to happen unhindered. Basically allowing the hands to operate of their own accord/impulse. The difference is instead of having pen and paper, you have a board and pointer. In modern times this has also translated well to typing. And this form of mediumship I have personally encountered once, as the way my Guide finally managed to get my attention and recognition.
The advantage of the board lies in being able to have multiple people contribute. Meaning an entity can shift around to work through whichever individual is being most receptive to following influence in each moment. Though it adds challenges like offering opportunities for individuals to consciously and subtly push the planchette around where they want. Or to insert their own desires or intents into the session without realizing it. Having a small group of people who are in agreement on what information is sought, and who have honesty and trust between eachother, helps a lot.
What all of this means... after my trademark wall of text, is that I think there are three possibilities to what was going on with your attempted session;
It is possible that there weren't any entities present to respond. Or if there was an entity present, there wasn't a 'connection' to work with. So your movements and where your hands/the planchette pointed were random chance.
Alternatively, there may have been some level of a connection, but some sort of conflict between the guidance/influence you were receiving and how you responded physically. Being nervous or in doubt can lead a person into second-guessing or changing movements trying to make them 'make sense'.
Or three, multiple entities were trying to all 'talk' at once, gambling what is being communicated (like trying to listen to one person speaking in a room with several conversations happening at once).
...I suppose a fourth possibility I just considered may be the potential entity also wasn't sure how to work the process (sometimes they need to figure things out too) or was just messing around rather than trying to respond or communicate.
Possible things to try;
A shift in perspective- recognize yourself as the medium and vessel. And the board (and planchette, and your hands) as the mouthpiece. Recognize that any action is happening through yourself. And, of course, respect the process accordingly.
Begin with a cleanse, centering, planning specifically who/what you want to call, why/what you hope to learn, and ground rules on what will *not* be allowed and that any called presence is -only- welcome if called and only for the specific duration of the session. And then ending with a proper dismissal including a giving of thanks, a bid to leave in peace, and formally declaring the session as closed. Then concluding with a cleanse of yourself and your space. In the future as you become note practiced and as you gain proper authority and understanding, such a process can gradually be truncated. But to begin excessive care is important.
Begin small as well. Ask for a statement of greeting. And if there is a response, some basic introductory questions. Such as "Did you come here to assist me in my goals?" "Are you natural to this place, or did you come because of my call?" "Where/from what plane do you come from?" "Are you human?" "Would you be willing to return if I was to ask for you again?." "What name or title may I *best* use to call for you specifically?" "Will you observe and follow the boundaries that have been defined in honesty and good faith?" (If no) "Is there a boundary or detail that you wish to change or add? ...What is it?"
At the conclusion of any communication... Or if flow of communication even just stops for some reason and doesn't come back. Or even if you get no communication at all... Always still dismiss and properly conclude the session. Never assume any entity has 'just left'. See them out (it is only polite), and lock the door behind them.
Thank you for the in-depth information. Indeed I haven't done any cleansing, shielding, or meditations beforehand. Another important point is that I use the board alone. I don't feel good about involving other people in the session in case it goes wrong.I'm still unsure if I want to use it again but usually after a few drinks I tend to change my mind.
With the ouji I believe we are able to get in touch not only with possible spirits but with our own consciousness.
I have a small example. I asked my board about possible ally plants to use. It answered me with an answer which upon research seemed to indicate rosemary. I had forgotten I have rosemary in the area which I use for cleansing.
This too has happened to me. I will seem to get random letters. Sometimes if I wait longer the answers begin to make more sense. Sometimes it is just random letters. I too use the board by myself. I consider when the board gives me random nonsensical answers that nothing is currently coming through and I leave it at that.
Interpreting messages with ouji can be tricky. The method I use is intuition combined with research. If I feel something may have meaning, a phrase. A word. I will look into it some more.
The first time I used the board by myself I received a message, I felt was the possible name of something demonic. I looked it up to find nothing. Then I changed my wording and looked up the word and name of demon, and up came a very similar name for a particular entity. My feelings were that the entity had changed the name slightly. Possibly to conceal itself in some way.
Some words or letters are just random. Like I said I chalk this up to not much coming through, the spirits not currently feeling like answering.
Another consideration is how you move the planchette. When working alone I like to try to intuit where the planchette should stop. Moving it in an intuitive fashion. Attempting to feel out where I stop and what letters may have significance.
Also very good information! Thank-you for adding in SednasComb. I don't think there is much else I could add in that regard.
As far as using the board solo, I don't think that changes much as far as the workings/process (and precautions) is concerned. On one hand, it can reduce unknown factors like others willfully manipulating the planchette. But also meaning you are going to be the sole focus of any entity that comes.
As long as you are mindful of what you do and intend when you choose to lay out the board, things should be fine. Just remember to plan ahead a bit, at least as far as a quick centering, and choosing a specific goal or entity when you begin. Then clearing the area with an affirmation and some sage/sweet grass or a nice, clear-toned bell that has a nice lingering ring to it. (Ting-sha or a singing bowl work well)
Maybe even come up with a go-to statement when you call. A wording that is general enough to use for many situations with minimal editing, feels emotionally confident, and is easy to remember. By way of off-the-cuff example; (and assuming use of a candle/tea light to signify the duration of the session)
"As I light this flame, let it guide the soul I seek. I invite [you] to come in peace. To speak through this board in peace. Let our discourse reign until this light fades when all shall return whence they came in peace."
...Where [you] would of course be the entity you wish to call. Be t by name, by title, by role, or even as simply as "The spirit currently thumping around in the attic".
As far as ways to discern if you are receiving communication versus just moving around randomly, it will feel... well... different. Physically and emotionally. Your hands may feel a sudden tense urge or pull to move. Like a reflex, movement without your mind really being connected to it. You might also feel sensations like warmth or lightness running up or down your arms. Or a tingly feeling. You may also feel similarly across the back and shoulders, or a flushing sensation at the top of the head.
Emotionally you might feel a sense of sudden comfort or security. Especially when seeking information from beings and guides focused on upliftment, healing and other 'high vibration' things. Either that or it may feel completely absent of emotion. Like a dump of technical information from a computer, just raw information. At least these are the most common experiences when people connect with well-intentioned or helpful (usually guiding) entities.
Contacting entities that are a bit 'closer to earth' like resident hauntings, recent ancestors, or entities still carrying strong emotions from life will cause more unique responses from yourself. While it might get confusing, learn to pay attention to (and trust) the things you feel. Cold feelings, anxiety and tension, volatile emotions like sadness, anger, and depression... feeling physically weak or shaky. These are signs of a more emotionally charged and troubled entity. Severe expressions of these are a good indicator of less than beneficial intent. Even if communications come out otherwise. If the words are sweet but the feeling is sour, trust your instincts and act accordingly by cutting things off with decisiveness, authority, and finality. Then cleanse your space with a little more attention and care for that session.
