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Amanda Foster — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor

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How to Handle Use a Ouija Board Step by Step

When use a ouija board leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Setting Up

1

Pick a quiet place to hold your séance.

You’ll be able to focus better in a chill environment, like your bedroom or a quiet park. If you’re inside, turn off all distractions, like the TV, so you’ll be able to concentrate on the spirit world. Additionally, silence your phones—you can check in with the living later.

You’ll be able to focus better in a chill environment, like your bedroom or a quiet park.
If you’re inside, turn off all distractions, like the TV, so you’ll be able to concentrate on the spirit world.
Additionally, silence your phones—you can check in with the living later.
You’ll be able to focus better in a chill environment, like your bedroom or a quiet park.
If you’re inside, turn off all distractions, like the TV, so you’ll be able to concentrate on the spirit world.

2

Cleanse your space to remove negative energy.

You can protect yourself from negative spirits by doing a simple cleansing before you start. To do a smoke cleansing, light the end of a sage bundle and waft the smoke around your space. You might even say, “I cleanse this space of all negativity.”

You can protect yourself from negative spirits by doing a simple cleansing before you start.
To do a smoke cleansing, light the end of a sage bundle and waft the smoke around your space.
You might even say, “I cleanse this space of all negativity.”
You can protect yourself from negative spirits by doing a simple cleansing before you start.
To do a smoke cleansing, light the end of a sage bundle and waft the smoke around your space.

3

Place your Ouija board

on a table. Technically, you can use a Ouija board pretty much anywhere. At the same time, you’ll be most comfortable sitting around a table. Just make sure the table is totally flat because you don’t want the planchette sliding down an incline.

Technically, you can use a Ouija board pretty much anywhere.
At the same time, you’ll be most comfortable sitting around a table.
Just make sure the table is totally flat because you don’t want the planchette sliding down an incline.
Technically, you can use a Ouija board pretty much anywhere.
At the same time, you’ll be most comfortable sitting around a table.

4

Light some candles to create ambience.

Why not go full spooky? Create an Insta-worthy séance by setting a few candles around the board. Some candles even have special qualities that could help you as you connect with the spirits.

Why not go full spooky?
Create an Insta-worthy séance by setting a few candles around the board.
Some candles even have special qualities that could help you as you connect with the spirits.
Why not go full spooky?
Create an Insta-worthy séance by setting a few candles around the board.

5

Burn some incense

to set the mood. You don’t need incense to contact the spirit world, but it definitely creates a vibe. If you have some on hand, go ahead and light a stick to add to the experience. The scent might even help you attract a friendly ghost.

to set the mood.
You don’t need incense to contact the spirit world, but it definitely creates a vibe.
If you have some on hand, go ahead and light a stick to add to the experience.
The scent might even help you attract a friendly ghost.
to set the mood.

6

Turn off the lights if you’re feeling brave.

Sure, you can talk to spirits with the lights on. But it might be more fun to do it in the dark, amirite? If you want the full spooky experience, plunge the room into darkness.

Sure, you can talk to spirits with the lights on.
But it might be more fun to do it in the dark, amirite?
If you want the full spooky experience, plunge the room into darkness.
Sure, you can talk to spirits with the lights on.
But it might be more fun to do it in the dark, amirite?

Part 2

Gathering Round the Board

1

Invite at least 1 friend to join you.

According to the rules of Ouija, you need more than 1 person to use the board. Ask people who believe in the spirit world, or who are at least open minded. You don’t want a skeptic scaring away all the ghosts.

According to the rules of Ouija, you need more than 1 person to use the board.
Ask people who believe in the spirit world, or who are at least open minded.
You don’t want a skeptic scaring away all the ghosts.
According to the rules of Ouija, you need more than 1 person to use the board.
Ask people who believe in the spirit world, or who are at least open minded.

2

Ask someone to take notes if you have more than 2 people.

Your new spirit friend is going to be spelling out answers, and it might be hard to keep up. It’s easier to decipher answers if you have someone there to write down the letters. Since you can’t take your fingers off the planchette while it’s moving, have your notetaker just watch.

Your new spirit friend is going to be spelling out answers, and it might be hard to keep up.
It’s easier to decipher answers if you have someone there to write down the letters.
Since you can’t take your fingers off the planchette while it’s moving, have your notetaker just watch.
Your new spirit friend is going to be spelling out answers, and it might be hard to keep up.
It’s easier to decipher answers if you have someone there to write down the letters.

3

Sit in a circle around the board.

When you’re using a Ouija board, you’re basically doing a séance. During a séance, it’s tradition to sit in a circle, so spread out. Make sure everyone has space to touch the planchette.

When you’re using a Ouija board, you’re basically doing a séance.
During a séance, it’s tradition to sit in a circle, so spread out.
Make sure everyone has space to touch the planchette.
When you’re using a Ouija board, you’re basically doing a séance.
During a séance, it’s tradition to sit in a circle, so spread out.

4

Place your index and middle fingers on the planchette.

Put the fingers on both of your hands on the planchette. Lightly touch it so that you aren’t accidentally moving it. Then, position your planchette over the "G" on your Ouija board to get started. Jennifer McVey, Cht Spiritual Director Expert Interview

Put the fingers on both of your hands on the planchette.
Lightly touch it so that you aren’t accidentally moving it.
Then, position your planchette over the "G" on your Ouija board to get started.
Jennifer McVey, Cht Spiritual Director Expert Interview
Put the fingers on both of your hands on the planchette.

5

Pick a medium to lead the session.

Your medium will start and end your session, and they’ll lead the questioning. If any of you are “sensitive” to spirits, ask them to be medium. Otherwise, choose whoever feels the most comfortable taking the lead.

Your medium will start and end your session, and they’ll lead the questioning.
If any of you are “sensitive” to spirits, ask them to be medium.
Otherwise, choose whoever feels the most comfortable taking the lead.
Your medium will start and end your session, and they’ll lead the questioning.
If any of you are “sensitive” to spirits, ask them to be medium.

Part 3

Asking Questions

1

Welcome positive spirits into the space.

It’s time to meet some ghosts! To protect yourselves, state out loud that you’re only open to positive energy. Jennifer McVey, Cht Spiritual Director Expert Interview That way, you’re more likely to encounter a friendly spirit.

It’s time to meet some ghosts!
To protect yourselves, state out loud that you’re only open to positive energy.
Jennifer McVey, Cht Spiritual Director Expert Interview That way, you’re more likely to encounter a friendly spirit.
It’s time to meet some ghosts!
To protect yourselves, state out loud that you’re only open to positive energy.

2

Ask if there’s a spirit with you.

The easiest way to make contact is to just ask if anyone is there. If there’s a ghost nearby, they might decide to chat. Hopefully, your planchette will move to “yes.”

The easiest way to make contact is to just ask if anyone is there.
If there’s a ghost nearby, they might decide to chat.
Hopefully, your planchette will move to “yes.”
The easiest way to make contact is to just ask if anyone is there.
If there’s a ghost nearby, they might decide to chat.

3

Wait for an answer, which could take a little time.

Go ahead and repeat the question a few times if the planchette doesn’t start moving after a minute or so. If it’s taking a while, you might move the planchette once in a clockwise circle to get it going.

Go ahead and repeat the question a few times if the planchette doesn’t start moving after a minute or so.
If it’s taking a while, you might move the planchette once in a clockwise circle to get it going.
Go ahead and repeat the question a few times if the planchette doesn’t start moving after a minute or so.
If it’s taking a while, you might move the planchette once in a clockwise circle to get it going.
Go ahead and repeat the question a few times if the planchette doesn’t start moving after a minute or so.

4

Start with an easy “yes” or “no” question.

Some spirits are stronger than others, and you don’t know who you might get. A weak spirit may not be able to spell out long responses, so stick with easy questions at first. Later on, you can ask open-ended questions and see if your spirit can spell out words.

Some spirits are stronger than others, and you don’t know who you might get.
A weak spirit may not be able to spell out long responses, so stick with easy questions at first.
Later on, you can ask open-ended questions and see if your spirit can spell out words.
Some spirits are stronger than others, and you don’t know who you might get.
A weak spirit may not be able to spell out long responses, so stick with easy questions at first.

5

Watch the planchette spell out an answer.

When a spirit answers you, they’ll slide the planchette to point at different letters. Call out each letter to help you keep track of what the ghost is spelling. The planchette could move quickly or slowly—there’s no wrong way.

When a spirit answers you, they’ll slide the planchette to point at different letters.
Call out each letter to help you keep track of what the ghost is spelling.
The planchette could move quickly or slowly—there’s no wrong way.
When a spirit answers you, they’ll slide the planchette to point at different letters.
Call out each letter to help you keep track of what the ghost is spelling.

6

Keep asking questions until the spirit stops talking—or you get scared.

Your Ouija board séance can be as long or as short as you like. As long as the spirits keep talking, continue asking questions. At the same time, it’s best to call it quits if anyone in your group feels nervous or spooked. Ask questions like:

Your Ouija board séance can be as long or as short as you like.
As long as the spirits keep talking, continue asking questions.
At the same time, it’s best to call it quits if anyone in your group feels nervous or spooked.
Ask questions like:
Your Ouija board séance can be as long or as short as you like.

7

Be skeptical about what the board tells you.

Ouija boards are super fun, but they’re not always accurate. Spirits aren’t able to see into the future, and they’re not aware of everything that’s happening everywhere. Your spirit guest isn’t going to know who you’re going to marry or when your bestie is going to die. Since ghosts can lie, take everything it says with a grain of salt.

Ouija boards are super fun, but they’re not always accurate.
Spirits aren’t able to see into the future, and they’re not aware of everything that’s happening everywhere.
Your spirit guest isn’t going to know who you’re going to marry or when your bestie is going to die.
Since ghosts can lie, take everything it says with a grain of salt.
Ouija boards are super fun, but they’re not always accurate.

Part 4

Saying Goodbye

1

Thank the spirit for talking to you.

It’s super nice that your new spectral friend made an appearance at your séance. Ghosts don’t have to talk to us, so it’s kind to offer them a little appreciation. Say a quick “thank you” so the spirit knows you appreciate that they used their ghostly energy to communicate with you.

It’s super nice that your new spectral friend made an appearance at your séance.
Ghosts don’t have to talk to us, so it’s kind to offer them a little appreciation.
Say a quick “thank you” so the spirit knows you appreciate that they used their ghostly energy to communicate with you.
It’s super nice that your new spectral friend made an appearance at your séance.
Ghosts don’t have to talk to us, so it’s kind to offer them a little appreciation.

2

Say “Goodbye” to end the session.

Don’t “ghost” your new spirit pal. If you just leave, they might feel slighted. Plus, some people believe that the ghost can linger around. Have your medium state out loud that you’re ending the session. Then, say a friendly “goodbye” to the spirit and move the planchette so that it’s hovering over “goodbye” on the board.

Don’t “ghost” your new spirit pal.
If you just leave, they might feel slighted.
Plus, some people believe that the ghost can linger around.
Have your medium state out loud that you’re ending the session.
Then, say a friendly “goodbye” to the spirit and move the planchette so that it’s hovering over “goodbye” on the board.

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How to Handle Use a Ouija Board Step by Step