Ouija for 11-Year olds?

[Clodfobble]

*shrug* You "contact ghosts" with it, right? That's what we did with it when we were kids. I certainly would hope that my kid would have a better head on their shoulders by that age than to be scared of that sort of thing, but just earlier in this thread there were several people who mentioned being terrified of their first experiences with it.

[Beest]

I am a scientist, engineer and an atheist, I don't believe that people have a soul so logically there can't be ghosts or heaven or hell etc.

but...

I have just have a gut feeling that says no,
we did do it when I was a kid, and got messages.

At the very least it just seems dumb as a party game.

[DanaC]

My friends and I used to play with ouija boards when I was at sixth form college. We did it most lunchtimes for about two months. We revelled in it and scared the shit out of ourselves regularly. One time, I ended up half convinced that an evil spirit (named Red) had followed me home (mum was away so I was alone in the house). That was less fun :P

In terms of childhood limitations, there weren't many that I recall. I had strict limits on how far I was allowed to stray from the house, and mum was never happy with me going off to fairgrounds with my friends (she had a fear of fairground abductions). But beyond that not much at all. I suppose there were a couple of tv programmes they didn't want me watching, but none that I wanted to see.

Books were pretty much ok. I only recall one time when mum didn't want me reading a book which had done the rounds of Dad my big brother and her. I was 12 at the time and the book was about a woman who'd been severely abused and developed a split personality (it was also made into a rather shocking film).

Telling me that the book was too old for me and that I wasn't allowed to read it was basically a guarantee that I would :P I waited until I had the house to myself for the afternoon, stole the book from mum's room (she was half way through it at the time) and read it in one session. It was brilliant, it totally gripped me and didn't disturb me. I still recall the feeling of slightly naughty luxury as I lay on our new sofa reading a forbidden book, my bare feet touching the velvety smooth velour. Yey. Must have got through a whole box of Rice Krispies as I read

I don't recall any other obvious examples. I daresay there were tv programmes that were switched over without me being aware at the time, and no doubt subjects that weren't discussed when i was there; but it was done with enough subtlety that I didn't notice. More noticable was the embarrassment factor of anything remotely sexual coming on tv when dad was in the room lol. But that was a wider family thing, rather than just me.

eta: It was a true story. The film was called Cybil but I can't recal if the book was also.

[skysidhe]

You mean I could have been playing Apples to Apples instead of the Ouija! I feel so cheated.

j/k but The Apples game does sound fun indeed!

[wolf]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

You mean I could have been playing Apples to Apples instead of the Ouija! I feel so cheated.

j/k but The Apples game does sound fun indeed!

It is quite possibly the best group game in existence. Well, except for an orgy, but that's a whole different kind of party.

[SteveDallas]

It is lots of fun.

[monster]

Well we went for not because beest is not comfortable with it, and I can't really see the entertainment value so felt no need to object to his objection. Thanks for the interesting discussion

[Ruminator]

Monster, it wasn't for not at at all.

I very much enjoyed this mature adult discussion in all of its many nuances.
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The rest of this is not directed toward anyone in particular.

I thought it was only for 11 year olds.

Apparently not, there are apparently many adults using this "piece of cardboard" for ver real, and serious spiritual purposes.
I found these statements at Amazon.com.

author J. Edward Cornelius briefly discussed infamous occultist Aleister Crowley as well as shared information about the ouija board. Cornelius described Crowley as a brilliant but misunderstood magician, who believed the ouija board was probably "the most dangerous implement ever given into the hands of humanity."
According to Cornelius, the ouija board opens up portals to neutral entities called elementals. These entities work through the board to fulfill the desires (evil or good) of the people playing it, he explained. Cornelius also pointed out that the ouija board can open up a portal in each individual who uses it. After a while the person may no longer need the board to make contact with spirits, he said.

- Aleister Crowley no less!

It is appropriate that an important contribution to occult literature is to be found in a slim volume with an unassuming and quirky title.

The author presents sufficient theory and practice that will allow even a neophyte to access in a reasonably safe and suprisingly convenient manner the astral realms. Quite an accomplishment. But this is by no means only a book for beginners. Advanced practitioners (assuming they have an open mind) will find a great deal to ponder and benefit from in this volume. Anyone serious about magickal practice or even just magickal theory should acquire this book and consider its contents carefully. They will be well repaid for their efforts.

Aleister Crowley was the baddest of bad boys. He made great advancements in the magickal realm while sending shock waves through the clubby and largely ineffectual grade system of traditional occult fraternities, It is no small irony that the magickal orders that profess to be Thelemic are as full of pretentious poseurs as those that Crowley blasted with his extraordinary talent and application. I suspect that his book will not be well liked by those in authority in Crowleyian magickal orders. The author reveals too many secrets for comfort. I believe Crowley would have approved of this book that captures the spirit of authentic Thelemic magickal theory and practice.

This is an example of posts made about books relating to Ouija boards by practitioners of Ouija.

My points are twofold, one, that we when faced with a situation of which we know little should possibly lend an open ear to those who may be better informed.
Secondly, simply because we don't think something is true, or real; doesn't automatically it so.

Belittling something can make us feel more comfortable, safe, and secure; but are we actually?

The longer I live, the more I realize there is much that exists that I know little or nothing about.

[ZenGum]

We should call him to confirm this, though.


What is the number of the Beest?

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

We should call him to confirm this, though.


What is the number of the Beest?

Here it is.

[monster]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

We should call him to confirm this, though.


What is the number of the Beest?

diameter or length?

[Goddit]

Absolutely not suitable. Indeed, not suitable for anyone. Think of it's purpose. Those who use it do so with a belief, no matter how jovial they regard that belief. Once one opens oneself up to evil, evil comes into your existence, it becomes real for oneself.
Suitable entertainment for 11 year old girls is hanging out, trying makeup for the first time, having slumber parties and all that general 'developing relationships' thing.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Goddit

Suitable entertainment for 11 year old girls is hanging out, trying makeup for the first time, having slumber parties and all that general 'developing relationships' thing.

As somone currently looking closely at historical gender constructions, I find that a fascinating sentence.

*smiles* welcome to the Cellar, Goddit! Nice to meet you

[Goddit]

Hi DanaC,

Yes. I should have gone easy on the 'is' . No reason why boys can't potter about with cosmetics in a 'historically gender constructed' girl-like manner! But in my experience, the majority of boys left to their own devices don't tinker with make up! I have to admit though that I find it fascinating to hear girls talk about Star Wars!

[Cloud]

I know very few of you will agree with me, but:

No. Ouija boards creep me the fuck out. It's my personal belief that there are Other Things Out There--call them spirits, angels, afrits, Thebans, or whatever. Non-human, we can't ascertain their purposes or even whether they are "good" or "evil" according to our norms. Why take the risk?

I don't think the average gaggle of 11 year old girls, or group of anybody, really, would be successful in contacting them through a bit of cardboard and plastic, but the tiny possibility still freaks me out.

So, no.