[Chyld]

Right, so I'm contemplating buying an ouija board with any money I get for Christmas (obviously allowing decuctions for CDs, little plastic men, trench coats, etc). For those who don't know, start here.

Anybody dabbled in the art? Want to tell me not to?

[SimeSublime]

I'd warn against as its boring. You sit around and nothing happens, then somebody gets desperate and fakes it, and tries to pass it off as otherworldy. Sure, I may be naturally skeptical, but I think its nothing more then a waste of time and money.

[Chefelf]

You could make one yourself using a magnifying glass and piece of paper. It only held my interest for about 5 minutes when I was 12. Just my $0.02.

[Jen]

O Spirits! If any of ye be listening, tell me this: Why is this board spelled "Ouija" but pronouced "Oui-JEE"?

[Slade]

I dunno what to tell you. I've heard mixed thoughts on the subject. Some say it's a crock of shit, some say it's spirits, some say it's group subconscious phenomenon. Don't expect any earth shattering answers from the board if you get one. Unless the answer is actually 3 and not 42. Then I'll need to reevaluate my entire existance...

[Laura]

The only reason I had a Ouija board is because I stole it from church. There are so many things wrong with that, but it's true.

In my experience, it works just as well if you make one, that is to say, not at all.

I once fooled some gullible friends at a sixth grade sleepover. If I hadn't guided it, though, it wouldn't have done anything at all. Sometimes if you get a bunch of people together who really believe in it, they'll make coherent answers, but the whole effect is lost if they, say, close their eyes and have somebody write down where the pointer goes. That's because people are totally guiding it, even if they think they're not.

[Emu]

The only reason I had a Ouija board is because I stole it from church. There are so many things wrong with that, but it's true.

(Laura)

That....is the greatest thing I have read or heard all week.

[Heccubus]

Just buy "The Exorcist" and watch the Ouija board scene in it. It's more interesting than the stupid game itself.

[Despondent]

It's not a game, it's a doorway. And you better respect that.

Remember that grade school game of "football" with the triangle shaped folded piece of paper and two people would shove it to let it slide off the table part way, which would make a "touchdown?" You could easily just make a letterboard and let the spirits guide your slide.

stupid answer. I've heard that they're a portal that you don't want in the house. Meanwhile, in churches everywhere misguidedly donated ouija boards are spelling G-E-T M-E O-U-T O-F H-E-R-E.

[Jordan]

WHy would you want to talk to the dead. If you did communicate with them some how, how could you sleep another night? It's creepy shit that can only freak you out.

[Heccubus]

I'm fascinated by the concept of Ouija, but I don't think it actually works. We had one for years and never got anything out of it. I think I'd actually sleep better knowing that there was something beyond, and that one could use a boardgame to access it temporarily, if anything.
It does raise one question, though. What kind of conversation do you have with the dead?

User: "So..."
Spirit: "Mm hmm."
User: "Dead, huh?"
Spirit: "I am."
User: "Neat."
*long awkward pause*
Spirit: "I have to go."

[Laura]

People are always looking for the spirit to say "I was killed unjustly. Go to the old oak tree and knock thrice. A door will swing open revealing a box. Inside the box is the name of my killer. Also, in the box is gold and jewels beyond your wildest imagination."

I just don't think all, or even most, dead people have a mystery to solve. But I guess the spirits who are just itching to talk to Ouija kids would be, on the average, more bound by ties to this Earthly plane. Still, why not just TELL the kids who their killer is?

[Slade]

Because when you're waiting around for someone to actually believe your story and you're dead, it probably gets really fuggin' boring. So you go into this grand elaborate scheme with enough twists to fill your average mystery novel to keep yourself occupied.

[barend]

The only reason I had a Ouija board is because I stole it from church. There are so many things wrong with that, but it's true.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what did the spirits say about THAT?!?

you nasty little girl... i will never accept you lecturing anyone ever again...
wicked wicked child!!!

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two things...

if i were dead, i'd lead the players on chase that would get them killed...
i'm just mean like that...

secondly...
if i were participating... i'd fake it...
but i'd make it say some like... "the one named phil must die tonight"

i could only see this game leading to something bad if i were involved on either end...

[barend]

or even:

"the dead cannot rest until someone gets Barend a beer"