Ouija

 The Ouija is a French invention from 1853, during the new wave of spiritualism, which was used for so-called automatic writing. It is typically a small, three-legged table, with two legs on wheels and a pencil (or pen) on the third. The oldest surviving source describing a similar device comes from the Roman writer Ammianus Marcellinus (330-390). It was a stick with two wooden plates that rotated independently. One, a round plate, symbolized heaven, the other, a square one, symbolized Earth. The earth and heaven plates bear numbers. A priest set the plates in motion and, when they stopped, interpreted the relationship between the heaven and earth numbers.

From a cultural and historical perspective, the spirit board is related to the game board, because in the past the spirit board was also used only for fun.

What is this?

"Witchboard," "Ouijaboard" (and others) all describe the same thing:

a board approximately 40 x 60 cm in size with numbers and letters. The board, usually three-sided with a hole in the center, is moved by gently placing the hand (if used correctly) onto the numbers and letters. The board is defined as a device that aids in contact with the astral world, demons, the dead, and energy beings.

Attempting to connect with the spirit world and the "other world" through play with a board is quite popular among young people. Studies of practicing occultists have shown that 75% of students in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have used occult devices, and 50% are interested in the occult. Approximately 25% have specific experiences with occult practices, and 5% have participated in them.

How to operate?

The planchette is the moving accessory of the Ouija board. The Ouija board is a small board on three movable legs that allow it to move – most often a table. It is equipped with a pencil that touches the table or a large piece of paper placed on it. Several people gently place their fingers on the board, trying not to move or block it. The Ouija board, usually made of wood, is polished and shiny, and is inscribed with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 1 to 9, and a few helpful words such as "yes," "no," "bye," "hello," and "goodbye." The board is placed in a circle, or alternatively in a line or arc. The moving object can be the planchette or an inverted glass. Similarly, it should only be touched gently with the fingers.