Ouija Board
The original ghost board, Ouija, was actually named by the spirits themselves.
The makers of the first talking board asked the board what they should call it; the name “Ouija” came through and, when they asked what that meant, the board replied, “Good luck.” (Robert Murch)
From a novelty shop in Feb 1891, the talking board began appearing as a Pittsburgh toy. A mere novelty described as a magical device for the price of $1.50. The reality is this device hit the 19th century during the same time as Spiritualism came into America.
Most notably were the Fox Sisters, who received messages from spirits via rapping on the walls. The rap would answer questions, inquired by those interested to hear from beyond. Spiritualism swept the nation as a famous past time. Even President Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd held séances in the White House. She would try to contact her 11 year old son, who died of a fever in 1862.
Those desperate during the Civil War wished to contact their lost love ones, and clung toward Spiritualism as an avenue.
The rapping and knocking was too slow and many grew bored. Hence the Ouija was an answer for a quicker reply from the Spirit World.
The story is, Charles Kennard from Chestertown, Maryland acquired some investors and invented the board. There is some discrepancy indicating E.C. Reiche, a cabinet maker that originally created the board, and Charles stole it from him. Regardless, they were at a loss what to call the device. One of the investor pulled in his sister-in-law Helen Peters, a medium, who used the board and asked what to call the device. The board spelled out “O-U-I-J-A.” Not understanding what that meant they asked the board, and it spelled out "G-O-O-D L-U-C-K."
Later in 1966 Parker Brothers purchases the Ouija Board and it outsells Monopoly the following year.
Alternative to the Ouija board, due to its danger of opening portals, is a pendulum. Supposedly simply asking questions to the pendulum and answers will occur. The larger the pendulum swing, the more accurate the answer. Some use this as a means to find lost items, or to specific answers. Most probably recall the test of boy or girl on pregnant women. The pendulum is an old practice.
Moving forward, would we consider these “Ghost apps” the next phase of Spiritualism?
The idea is the instruments identifying changes in the temperature, magnetism, ect. indicates spiritual entities. How reliable or realistic is this?
Personally, I believe these boards, pendulums and apps are merely tools.
The entities are using the individuals, rather than the tools. While the tools are physical indicators, the entities are actually using the individuals. I have no doubt the "spirits" conveyed the boards name to them. Nor do I doubt the alternative side is communicating. However, I personally see these "sprites" as Lemures.
In the book by King James I of England, Daemonologie, "For if they were spirites that haunted some houses, by appearing in diuers and horrible formes, and making greate dinne: they were called Lemures or Spectra."
These Lemures or Spectras are actually demonic entities acting as ghosts or spirits, in my opinion.
Matt Cole is a husband, father, son, brother and avid researcher. When not working, he attempts to share knowledge/content through stories and articles.
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This came from my original article @ http://author.mattcole.us/index.php/2017/10/25/ouija-board/