How to Safely Dispose of a Ouija Board

How to Get Rid of a Ouija Board

Close the session properly. When you’re done using the Ouija board, be sure to end the session by moving the planchette to “Goodbye” and politely asking the spirits to return to the spirit world. This helps ensure that no spirits linger and that malevolent spirits cannot use the board as a portal to enter your home. Most believe that as long as you end the session properly, there’s nothing to worry about and you shouldn’t have to dispose of the board entirely.

Spiritually cleanse the Ouija board. Some believe it is important to cleanse the Ouija board before you get rid of it to prevent any negative energy or spirits from staying around. Choose any cleansing ritual you want; many prefer using sage, salt, or crystals to purify the board. If you use sage, simply wave the smoke over and around the board. Pour a circle of salt around the board, or place a purifying crystal (like clear quartz or black obsidian) on top of it. It’s also a good idea to cleanse your home or the area in which you used the board. Note that white sage, specifically, is a part of a closed Native American practice, so if you aren’t of Native descent, use a different type of sage to cleanse.

Break the board into 7 pieces (optional). 7 is a spiritual number that has many positive associations across cultures and religions, including Christianity. For this reason, many believe it is best to break the Ouija board into 7 pieces before disposing of it. Once you’ve broken the board, sprinkle each piece with Holy Water. While many believe you must break the board in order to dispose of it properly, others believe doing so is a bad idea, as it will release evil spirits or energy into your life. It is up to you to decide which you believe.

Bury the Ouija board. Whether you break the Ouija board or not, the next step is to bury it. If possible, bury the Ouija board on consecrated ground (like in a cemetery or at a church), though any ground will do. Place the board in a hole deep enough that it can’t be easily dug back up. If you didn’t break it into pieces, many traditions suggest burying it facedown. Then, cover the board with dirt and leave the area. Some believe that you should cover the area with salt once the board has been buried. The idea is that the salt will soak into the ground when it rains and purify the board.

Incorrect Ways to Dispose of a Ouija Board

Do not burn a Ouija board. In almost all traditions, burning a Ouija board is strongly advised against. Many believe doing so will release energies trapped within the board. Some say if you burn a Ouija board, it will scream, and anyone who hears the scream will die within 36 hours.

Don’t throw the Ouija board away. Most people also advise against throwing the Ouija board away like regular trash. This may cause energies to linger, or the board could fall into unsuspecting hands. Some even report that the board will show back up in your house.

Can you give a Ouija board away?

Most believe it is okay to give a Ouija board to someone. Make sure the recipient understands how to use the board properly, and cleanse the board before passing it on. According to some beliefs, giving the Ouija board to someone else will break the previous owner’s connection with it.

When to Get Rid of a Ouija Board

Get rid of a Ouija board if the planchette moves when no one is touching it. If the planchette starts moving on its own, most believe this is a sign that a malevolent spirit has taken over the board. This is especially true if it moves in a figure 8 or spells out things like “death” or “evil.” It’s also a good idea to dispose of a board if it “admits” it’s Satanic, starts spelling out the names of demons, or points to numbers like 666. It’s also okay to get rid of a Ouija board if having it makes you uncomfortable or if you simply no longer want to have it in your possession.

Getting Rid of Ouija Board Spirits or Demons

Say goodbye at the end of the session. Remembering to say goodbye is one of the most important steps for getting spirits to return to their world. When you’re done using the Ouija board, thank the spirits for talking to you and politely ask them to leave. Move the planchette over the word “goodbye” to officially end the session.

Store the board and planchette away from each other. Some believe that if the board and planchette are stored together, it opens a portal that allows spirits to enter your home without your permission. To prevent this, store the two pieces in separate locations, or wrap the planchette in a cloth to keep it from touching the board directly.

Perform a cleansing ritual. If you’ve properly closed the connection and still feel like a spirit or demon has lingered, cleanse your Ouija board, yourself, and your house to remove any negative energy. Some common spiritual cleansing methods include using rosewater, incense, or the smoke of a purifying herb like sage. If you’re religious, saying a prayer and asking for the spirit to leave can also help. In most cases, you’ll simply wave the smoke around the area or spritz it with the rosewater to cleanse the energy. If you choose a more complex ritual, be sure to follow the instructions exactly. If this doesn’t work, consider contacting a priest or spiritual healer for more help.

Should you use a Ouija board?

It is your personal decision to use or not use a Ouija board. Some people, especially those who are religious, believe that Ouija boards are evil and that they summon demons. Others see them as a way to communicate with harmless spirits or don’t believe they can contact spirits at all. Take some time to consider your beliefs and decide whether it’s appropriate for you to use a Ouija board. While many people have had scary experiences with Ouija boards, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that they can summon ghosts or demons. They’re marketed as a toy.

History of Ouija Boards

Ouija boards were invented in 1891. The late 1800s saw a rise in the Spiritualist Movement, in which people became fascinated with ghosts, seances, and the paranormal. The invention of the Ouija board allowed people to talk to spirits from the comfort of their own homes. In the late 19th century, seances weren’t viewed as taboo or evil in the eyes of Christianity.

The board became associated with demons in the 1970s. Ouija boards weren’t viewed as evil or demonic until the release of the movie The Exorcist in 1973. The film showed the board as a tool for demonic possession, which transformed it from a harmless parlor game to a gateway for the devil to enter your home. After this, many other horror movies used Ouija boards the same way, so these negative connotations don’t seem like they’ll be going away any time soon.