Buzz
A Ouija board, also known as a "spirit board," is a flat surface printed with letters, numbers, and various other symbols, used to answer questions during a séance. This article by Mytour will guide you on how to create your own Ouija board.
Steps
Paperboard
Method 1: Write It Yourself
Take a large sheet of paper and write the letters of the alphabet, the numbers from 0-9, and the words “Yes”, “No”, “Hello”, and “Goodbye”.
Arrange the letters in a circle, drawing the sun at the top left corner – next to it, write the word “Yes”. On the right side, draw the moon with the word “No” next to it. Then, write the numbers outside the circle. Use a large cup turned upside down as the pointer.
Sit around the table with a few friends. Each person should gently place their hand on the upside-down cup. Assign one person to ask the questions, and another person to take notes.
Method 2: Cut and Paste
Start by writing the letters in one or two rows, making sure they are large enough to be easily read.
On the lower row, write the numbers from 0-9.
Write the symbols “Yes”, “No”, and “Goodbye” to make communication with the spirit easier. You can also add any other phrases you like.
Cut out the letters, numbers, words, and phrases.
Use glue or paste to attach them to the paper in any arrangement you prefer.
To make the pointer move more easily, you can create a smooth surface. Glass or transparent plastic sheets work well for this.
And you're done! You're now ready to communicate with the spirit through your homemade Ouija board!
Wooden Board
Gather your materials. You'll need a smooth, polished wooden board. Additionally, you'll require paint, varnish (or another glossy finish), and a soldering iron (with a tip suitable for engraving or similar tasks). Pencils and paper will also come in handy.
Practice first. The soldering iron can be tricky to use. Practice on scrap pieces of wood to get the feel for the necessary speed and pressure. You'll also get a better sense of how to move the tool to create the desired designs.
Prepare the board. Make sure the board is clean and smooth before you start working on it.
Sketch your design. You can either draw freely or use “hints,” such as printing numbers onto transfer paper or purchasing pre-carved letter stamps from craft stores.
- Ensure your drawings are not too small or overly detailed, especially if you're not yet experienced with the soldering iron.
Use the soldering iron to carve out your design. Take your time. View your work under different lighting conditions to make sure it looks aesthetically pleasing.
Let it cool and clean the surface. Wait for the hot areas to cool down and clean off any leftover wood shavings. Erase pencil marks and other traces, gently wiping the entire surface with a damp cloth.
Apply a surface gloss. Varnish or other glossing materials will create a smooth surface for the piece to function. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. You may need to apply several layers, with each layer requiring a significant amount of time to dry.
Add fine details. You can add more details once the varnish layer has completely dried. These details should be drawn on from the second gloss layer to the final one, ensuring they are clear and uncolored.
Design your Ouija board.
Choose the layout of the board. There are many ways to arrange the characters on the board. The layout is not crucial, as long as you have all the necessary characters. You should at least have the alphabet, numbers 0-9, and the words 'yes', 'no', and 'farewell'.
- Use the traditional layout if you prefer. The letters are arranged in two slightly curved rows in the center of the board, with 'yes' and 'no' at the top, and the numbers and 'farewell' at the bottom.
- You can also use a diamond layout. In this design, the letters form a diamond shape with the four corners aligned with the midpoints of the board’s edges. Numbers are placed within the diamond, with basic words (and possibly an additional phrase, such as 'not now') at each corner.
- An alternative is the circular layout, which is similar to the diamond arrangement but uses an oval shape instead.
Choose a font style. Select a font that complements your Ouija board. Gothic fonts are the most fitting, but many other Western-style fonts work well too. Feel free to choose any font you like. Try typing a few words in a word processor to see which font suits the board best.
Add additional details. Many people believe that adding certain symbols to the corners or other positions on the board is a great idea. Popular symbols include: the moon, sun, and stars; elemental symbols; planetary symbols; and numbers with spiritual significance (such as 12, 13, 7, or 3).
- You can also add tangible elements, such as a candleholder, quartz stones (which are especially useful for this purpose), or spots for placing items like water bowls or twigs.
Choose the color scheme. Select the primary color for your board. A dark earth-tone brown is typically best for spirit communication, but if you're aiming to encounter cheerful spirits, choose colors you believe they would prefer. If you intend to connect with a specific individual, opt for their favorite colors.
- Use contrasting colors to make sure the messages are easy to read.
Select the planchette. You will need a planchette (the object you place your hand on) to use the Ouija board. You can either buy one at a store or make one yourself.
- You can ensure safety when using the Ouija board by turning off your own energy. This way, all the information will come from the spirit within you.
- You can make positive affirmations or say something like, 'Only the best things are destined for you.'
- If you ask the spirit within you to be your guide, the spirit you want to communicate with may not necessarily enter your body. The spirit may still communicate with you without entering your body or energy field.
Advice
- The quality of the answers you receive when using the Ouija board will depend on the quality of the question. Ask seriously, and you will get a serious answer. The same goes for foolish questions.
- No one can confirm whether the Ouija board truly works. Some believe it summons spirits from the other side to answer questions, while others think you subconsciously control the planchette. Keep an open mind and respect others' beliefs.
- Some people believe in spirits, and if you're not careful, you might anger them and attract unwanted visitors. If you're worried about this, respect the board. Imagine there's a protective white light surrounding you.
- If you encounter an angry spirit, pray and stop using the board immediately. You may not believe in evil spirits, but it's important to respect those who do. Stay calm and remember that the board belongs to you, not to them.
- Remember, you have control, and there's nothing to fear.
- When you're done, move the planchette to the word 'Goodbye' and fold the board. Some believe you should never leave the board open.
- If you or anyone else feels uneasy, tired, or unwell, stop using the board. Anything in the board can sense this, and you might attract evil forces. As long as everyone is confident and healthy, nothing will happen.
- If things start to get scary, like objects moving on their own or paranormal phenomena, the safest option is to stop playing.
- For traditional fonts on your Ouija board, visit Harold’s Fonts to download them for free. Three Ouija board fonts available there are Cap'n Howdy, Mystic Prophet, and Sideshow. Of course, you don't have to use these three fonts; there are many other options.
- Don't believe everything the spirit says when using the Ouija board. Evil spirits may impersonate family members.
- Before starting, know how to identify when a bad spirit shows up. Watch a few films about Ouija boards and spirit summoning. These films are related to the Ouija board and may help you understand what could happen if evil spirits try to contact you through the board.
- The Ouija board often gets a bad reputation due to rumors and misconceptions. You should feel comfortable using the board (perhaps by lighting candles or praying…). However, since bad things often happen when you're thinking about negative entities, don't play if you're focused on such thoughts.
Warning
- Real danger may occur if you demand proof of the spirit you're encountering. When you 'want to see a sign,' you officially open the gateway between the physical world and the spiritual realm, allowing spirits to enter.
- Any attempts to contact the deceased or other spirits should be done gently (meaning don't try to contact a specific spirit, let them come to you on their own, never demand a spirit to appear). This should not be done by those lacking experience.
- Homemade wooden Ouija boards may be more effective than paper ones. If the paper is creased or bent, spirits may become frightened and avoid it. This is helpful if you're scared and don't want to play but your friends insist. Simply fold the paper and don't tell them it won't work.
- From a scientific perspective, there's no evidence to support these claims, as the words formed are created by the player's subconscious mind, not by any 'supernatural' force (or in some cases, by a player intentionally controlling it). Therefore, while the outcome might seem astonishing, scientific evidence suggests it emerges in the player's mind similarly to dreams or hallucinations.
Items You Will Need
Paperboard
- Scissors
- Cardboard
- Ballpoint pen or marker
- Glue
Wooden Board
- A smooth, flat wooden board
- Paint
- Varnish or other glossy coating materials
- Soldering iron with a letter engraving tip
- Pencil and paper (optional)
- Carbon paper (optional)
- Stamp (optional)
