I'm a skeptic. I have used Ouija boards in the past (even homemade ones) and even though they have spelled out some pretty bizarre-o things, I don't believe it to be true. Why are Ouija boards the only "gateways to the spirit world". Why can't you yell out, "What's your name?", throw down a piece of paper and a pen, and let it go from there? If they're only spirits, how can they magically tell the future, like some say they do? Anyhoo, I believe that Ouija boards use the same principle as holding a suspended pencil from a string in your hand. You can subconciously "tell" the pencil to move left to right or top to bottom without seemingly moving your hand. I have no religious standpoint, no political standpoint, so I'm completely unbiased. I just want to know that if you believe Ouija really works, how do you justify it? If you can justify it, why is Ouija the only way to receive tried-and-true directly spelled out answers?
2006-12-27 07:49:37 · 33 answers · asked by SHERINA 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
I'm personally not trying to spiritually contact anyone (like I said, I'm a skeptic) and I do not even own an Ouija board. I was just curious on the thoughts and opinions of others :)
2006-12-27 08:02:41 · update #1
ummmmm.............I believe the same makers of Candy Land make the Ouija board.
2006-12-27 07:53:12 · answer #1 · answered by Ann 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I played around with a Ouija board back in college, and it spelled some freaky things as well (best was when we asked the spirit where it was in the room, and it spelled out 'window' and right as it got to the second w, the window across the room, which NO ONE was near, slammed shut!).
In terms of scientific explanations, my roommate back then was a psych major and there was a theory that there was subconscious control of micro-muscular movements that could lead the the motion of a Ouija board when being used, especially by two people. A Ouija board is set up to allow an outlet for subconscious communication, whereas other means don't give a focus to these micro-muscular motions.
2006-12-27 07:56:54 · answer #2 · answered by But why is the rum always gone? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you don't believe, then you don't believe. By us answering the question, we will not make you into a believer.
Basically spirits/entities/ghosts.. what have you.. need a medium to communicate. With the ouija board, you allow the spirit to use you and they go to town spelling out a-z-a-z-a-z-a-z.
If you are really interested in seeking "the other side", buy yourself a 20 dollar voice recorder and head out to the graveyard. Sit down, ask if anyone is around, and hush. Let it record and ask a question every few minutes.. go home, download Cool Edit Pro or another audio editing program (Windows has a recorder in Start>Programs>Accessories>Entertainment) , and listen up. EVPs seem to be much more effective than Ouija boards. You aren't allowing yourself to be used as a medium either.
2006-12-27 10:19:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay, you got the point and misinterpreted it.
Spirits talk to your subconscious all the time...but for you, the consciousness, to become aware of these messages, you have to give up control over some means of communication so that your subconscious can pass them on to you.
With a ouija board, it's like your are turning on a tv with access to 500+ channels, but you have no idea which one is going to be 'on' at what time...if you desire weather info and you get the cartoon network, oh well!
With a pendulum, you're conversing with your subconscious, if you allow the conversation,,,ie, if you have the idea that your subconscious might actually have an opinion or a concept to get across to you.
Spirits don't magickally tell the future, just as when you and a group of friends are hiking up a mountain, the one who has gotten ahead of you cannot magickally tell you exactly what path you must follow to catch up to him/ her - - - but because of a difference in perspective, his/her guidance should have some good effect when you ask for it and merge it without your own perspective and your common sense.
Spirits can perceive directly the metaphysical forces in action which result in real-world events. They, like every form of divination, can tell you how things are now 'set' to result later, but that 'setting' can be changed at any time when beings with free will are involved. The idea is not to get a glimpse into predestination, but to gain some foresight....
Biggest Brightest Blessings!!!
2006-12-27 16:07:57 · answer #4 · answered by raxivar 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The theory is that these "disembodied entities" need some sort of physical medium to express themselves, and that the practitioner is that medium - not the planchette. One is actually supposed to be "possessed" temporarily by the "spirit," which then makes use of one's muscles to spell out words on the board. There's also the phenomenon of "automatic writing" - not quite the same as throwing the pen down, because again, the spirit is conceived as a disembodied consciousness that must make use of a body placed at its disposal to express itself physically. The most reasonable explanation is obviously that the resultant messages are either conscious or unconscious expressions of the practitioner himself.
2006-12-27 08:00:05 · answer #5 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ouija boards work because the user is "Opening themselves up" and becoming receptive for spirits to contact you. Unfortunately - you do not know what is on the other end - you may think you are contatcing "Gramps" - but it could be a bad spirit that found your open doorway. Ouija boards are a bad thing to mess with - stay away from them!
2006-12-27 07:53:49 · answer #6 · answered by halloweenbride97 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A Ouija board is a tool for a fool. If you are trying to get a hold of some one their are other ways. If you would detail on your question what you want to do maybe I can help. Ouiji is only one tool, but if you do not know how to use it, it's useless.
2006-12-27 07:58:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have tried using it many times, but have never been successfull. so i dont believe in them... some of my friends say that they work, but none of them ever got an answer regarding the spirits whereabouts or their (spirit's) world. so, i think the boards do not give answers to the questions for which the asker doesnt have an answer. thats why i feel it is more or less a sub conscious thing. it reflects the thoughts of the user of the board.
2006-12-27 09:26:09 · answer #8 · answered by HavingFun!!! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spirits would lack physical limitations to an extent, but they would keep all their mental limitations. The ouija board is basically hypnosis, because it's your subconsious talking, not a spirit. But if you wanted to talk with one, you should try meditation. By clearing your mind of all your thoughts, you allow the spirit to say their peace without interuption.
2006-12-27 08:58:57 · answer #9 · answered by Ghost Wolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ouija boards are used as toys because that is what they are. Spirits can communicate by electronic voice phenomena. It is a much more reliable communication and can produce some fantastic results.
2006-12-27 07:53:38 · answer #10 · answered by MeanKitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dead actually have a contract with the makers of the Ouija board. Last I checked they got a 5% cut on the profits and the contract is exclusive.
2006-12-27 07:51:49 · answer #11 · answered by G 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋