The Ouija Board — It’s Only a Game, Isn’t It?

People often assume that because I work in the paranormal field, I must have a long and sordid history with the Ouija board.

In actuality, I've only used one once. And despite my numerous experiences with ghosts and all things otherworldly, no spirits spoke to me through the spirit board.

I'd heard so many stories from friends and family that had used them in the past, that perhaps I was just expecting a bit too much. When I finally did sit down with one--on the couch at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in Fall River, on the very spot where Andrew Borden was hacked to death with a hatchet in 1892--I fully expected the planchette to move on its own, spell out "S-A-T-A-N," hover in mid-air and then fly directly into my eye or something.

Instead, myself and my Spooky Southcoast co-host, Matt Costa, just sat there asking questions, feeling dumber by the minute, while nothing happened. After about 20 minutes or so, we gave up. For us, it was a Ouija "bored."

Some people swear by them, saying they won't make a life decision without consulting their spirit friends through the talking board. Others won't go anywhere near them and feel they are inherently evil.

As a researcher of the paranormal, I think using a Ouija board is no different than turning on a tape recorder and asking a ghost to answer questions, or taking a picture in a haunted location and hoping a spirit will appear in the photo. It's just another way for them to make their presence known to us, and by opening that door, we're opening it for anything to come through. That means Zozo can come through just as easily as Aunt Tillie, so you've got to be careful and go into it with the best intentions.

On Saturday night, Ouija-ologist Karen Dahlman will join us to discuss the positive side of the Ouija. She wrote a whole book based on the positive messages she received through using the boards. We're also going to have a vintage board in the studio, and we'll use it throughout the night. We'll be asking it YOUR questions, so please post whatever you want us to ask the board in the Comments section below.

What do you think? Is the Ouija something to be revered, or something to be frightened by? I mean, after all, do we really need to be afraid of something that can be purchased in the toy aisle?