In the exorcist Chris is first introduced to Reagan’s mysterious “invisible friend” through the Ouija board Reagan plays with. While the situation that follows is, hopefully, not to common among modern day teenagers, and our childhood the Ouija board has been, and remains a familiar object for children and adults alike. But while our parents may have claimed to be the forerunners of the Ouija revolution its extensive history may surprise you, and your parents.
The origins are actually as debated as much as its effectiveness, some claiming the roots of the Ouija board stemmed from ancient China (the fuji, or a type of planchette writing). Others argue that the origins of the Ouija begin with the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, from the séances he would hold with his sect.
What is relatively concrete in terms of the beginnings is that in the mid 1800s people began to experiment in spirituality and divination. Those who were involved with this spiritual revival sometimes believed in the use of a planchette (a sort of pen and pendulum device) that would conjure up “automatic writing”.
The businessmen Elijah Bond and Charles Kennard had the idea to patent a planchette sold with a board on which the alphabet was printed…and thus, viola, the Ouija. The board went through some business politics in terms of the company and claims of the true inventor, including many imitators but the Ouija has prevailed and exists today under the production of toy-powerhouse Parker Bros.
I found an interesting section on the wikipedia entry on the Ouija that discusses Aleister Crowley’s thoughts and invlovment with the Ouija. (True this is wikipedia but much of it is quotes pulled from letters Crowley wrote to one of his students Frater Achad aka Charles Stansfeld Jones.)
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In one letter Crowley told Jones: "Your Ouija board experiment is rather fun. You see how very satisfactory it is, but I believe things improve greatly with practice. I think you should keep to one angel, and make the magical preparations more elaborate."
Over the years, both became so fascinated by the board that they discussed marketing their own design. Their discourse culminated in a letter, dated February 21, 1919, in which Crowley tells Jones, "Re: Ouija Board. I offer you the basis of ten percent of my net profit. You are, if you accept this, responsible for the legal protection of the ideas, and the marketing of the copyright designs. I trust that this may be satisfactory to you. I hope to let you have the material in the course of a week." In March, Crowley wrote to Achad to inform him, "I'll think up another name for Ouija." But their business venture never came to fruition and Crowley's new design, along with his name for the board, has not survived.
Crowley has stated, of the Ouija Board, that, "There is, however, a good way of using this instrument to get what you want, and that is to perform the whole operation in a consecrated circle, so that undesirable aliens cannot interfere with it. You should then employ the proper magical invocation in order to get into your circle just the one spirit you want. It is comparatively easy to do this. A few simple instructions are all that is necessary, and I shall be pleased to give these, free of charge, to any one who cares to apply."
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Regardless of it’s scientific or spiritualistic effectiveness, or even its origins the Ouija board is an interesting and entertaining piece of pop-occult. It’s popularity and prevalence also make it a significant icon for the modern occult and certain spiritual communities. Also a great party game! Next time you’re having a party, bring a Ouija and maybe the devil will come and crash. Keep him away from the liquor.
Links:
Witchboard World: http://ouija.witchboards.net/
Ouija board entry on the Paranormality website: http://www.paranormality.com/ouija_board.shtml
Submit/read Ouija board stories: http://psychicfreaks.com/ouija-board-stories/
Buy a board: http://www.boardgames.com/ouijaboard.html
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