đť Ouija Boards for Beginners: What They Really Do, and How to Use One Safely
If youâve ever whispered âIs anyone there?â while nervously eyeing a wooden board and a sliding planchette… welcome to the club.
Whether youâve watched too many ghost-hunting shows or your spooky intuition has you curious, this is your beginner-friendly, spiritually-safe, and slightly cheeky guide to using a Ouija board (aka spirit board, talking board, orâif you’re our ancestorsâ”dabbling with the Devil”).
Ready to raise some eyebrows and some spirits? Let’s get into it. đŽ
đ§ââď¸ What is a Ouija Board, Really?
At its core, a Ouija board is a flat board marked with letters, numbers, and simple words like yes, no, and goodbye. It’s used with a planchette (the heart-shaped pointer) to communicate with spirits.
Contrary to pop culture panic, itâs not a guaranteed ticket to a full-blown haunting. It’s a toolâlike tarot cards or pendulumsâfor connecting with energy beyond the veil. Used respectfully, itâs like a spiritual telephone (with very patchy reception sometimes, letâs be honest).
đ Try it yourself with our beautifully illustrated printable Ouija board and planchette on Etsyâperfect for beginners, black-and-white for ink-saving printing, and witchy AF.
đ A Brief History of the Ouija Board
- 1890s: Commercially sold as a parlour game (seriously) by Elijah Bond.
- Early 1900s: Spiritualists began using it during sĂŠances to speak with the dead.
- 1973: The Exorcist hits theatres… and the Ouija boardâs PR went very downhill.
So, yesâit started as a Victorian game night activity. The demon drama came later.
đ Common Misconceptions (Letâs Debunk âEm)
- âIt always opens portals.â
Nope. Energy goes where intention flows. If you open with respect and close the session properly, youâre more likely to receive intuitive messagesânot ghosts in your bathroom mirror. - âOnly demons answer.â
Again, fear attracts fear. If you enter with grounded energy, boundaries, and protection (see next section!), youâre not exactly inviting Beelzebub to tea. - âItâs cursed!â
Tools only hold the energy you give them. So bless your board, set your intention, and donât let Hollywood scripts freak you out.

đĄď¸ Ouija Board Safety 101
Donât skip this bitâwe mean it.
- Always ground and protect your space before beginning. Weâve created a free Ouija Board Ritual Prep Sheet to help you do just that.
đ Download it here - Cleanse the space with herbs (mugwort, rosemary, sage), sound, or incense.
- Never use it alone if youâre new. Buddy system = balanced energy.
- Say goodbye every timeâyes, even if nothing happened. That closure matters.
- Donât ask dumb or disrespectful questions. Donât demand proof. Donât be a jerk to spirits.
đŻď¸ How to Use a Ouija Board (Step-by-Step)
- Set the mood: Dim the lights, light a candle or two (black or white is ideal), and centre your energy.
- Gather your tools:
- A quiet space
- Our printable Ouija board + planchette
- Pen and paper (for messages)
- Optional: crystals (amethyst, obsidian, black tourmaline)
- Cleanse & cast a protective circle using our free ritual sheet if you havenât already.
- Place fingers lightly on the planchette and invite any loving, benevolent energies to come forward.
- Ask clear, simple questions:
- âIs there anyone here who wishes to speak?â
- âWhat is your name?â
- âDo you have a message for me?â
- Let the planchette move. Donât push. Stay open, relaxed, and patient.
- Thank the spirit and say goodbye once you’re done.
- Ground yourself with tea, food, or journaling. Donât leave your energy open-ended!
đ What to Expect During and After a Session
- Subtle movementsâespecially if youâre new. Sometimes spirits come through slowly.
- Sudden chills, ringing ears, or intuitive âpings.â Youâre more connected than you think.
- Weird dreams later? Totally normal.
- Nothing at all? Also normal. Spirit communication isnât an Amazon deliveryâit doesnât show up just because you ordered it.
đŞ When’s the Best Time to Use a Ouija Board?
- New Moon or Samhain for intention-setting or ancestor work
- Full Moon for energetic clarity
- Late at night when the veil is thinner (but not if you’re too tired to ground yourself after!)
Avoid when:
- Youâre emotionally unstable, angry, or anxious
- Youâre under the influence of alcohol/drugs
- Youâre just doing it âfor a laughâ or to prove it wrong

đ Aftercare: Shadow Work & Spiritual Debriefing
Even if your session felt lowkey or uneventful, your subconscious is still processing. Thatâs why we always recommend a gentle round of shadow work afterward.
đ Grab a free printable Shadow Work After-Session Journal Sheet to help process your experience, symbols, or unexpected emotions:
đ Download free here
And if youâre feeling brave (and thrifty), our full Shadow Work Journal PDF is currently on Etsy for under ÂŁ5. Itâs printable, foldable, and ideal for moon rituals, spirit communication, or just working through your emotional goblins:
đ Grab it here on Etsy
⨠Final Thoughts
Using a Ouija board isnât inherently scaryâitâs sacred. Itâs a way to connect with energies beyond the physical, sharpen your intuition, and build your spiritual confidence.
But like any magical tool, it demands respect, intention, and the right follow-up practices. So go slow, be kind, and donât skip the protection rituals.
đ´ Want to try it yourself? Download our printable Ouija board and planchette and light a candle tonight.
And donât forget your free ritual sheet.