Ouija

You never know who you're talking to...

They say that you should never play with a ouija board. Nothing good can come from it, because you can never really be sure who is talking to you from the other side.

Ouija boards are also called spirit boards, and they are used to communicate with the dead. A lot of people avoid ouija boards at all costs, but there are some that enjoy the thrill of them. 

There are only two parts of the ouija board: the board itself, and the planchette, which is what moves around the board to determine what the spirit is saying.

The Rules

There are, of course, rules that you must follow when using a ouija board. 

You always move the planchette to 'Goodbye' after every question. If you don't, there is a chance that something can make its way out of the board. 

You also shouldn't use the board in your home (I have broken this rule). 

Another rule is that you shouldn't let the planchette count down through the numbers. This means that there is a evil spirit, and they are trying to escape from the board.

Personal Experiences

I've never had anything terrible happen to me as the result of using a ouija board. I have had one for many years, but I've only used it a handful of times. I never try to use the board alone... I always make sure that someone else is with me. 

It is a strange experience to use a ouija board, especially because other people are with you. We ask basic questions (Is there someone with us? How did you die? What is your name?). Whenever the planchette starts to move, it never makes much sense. The words that it is spelling out seem like gibberish. 

Because of this, it is difficult to say whether the board actually works. It could be that someone in your group, whether willingly or not, is pushing the planchette gently. 

However, there have been times when I've used a ouija board with friends, and doubted their honesty. I was convinced that someone was moving the planchette, that there was nothing really there. I asked my friends to take their fingers off of the planchette, with mine the only one touching it. The planchette continued to move.

Thoughts 

I don't know if ouija boards actually work. I would like to think that they do, although the thought is terrifying. From my experiences with it, it is hard to say. At times I have felt like something was there with us, and other times nothing would happen. 

I have tried to follow the rules of the board, but even still, I  know that using the board can be dangerous. Somehow, knowing that it is dangerous is part of the thrill of using it.

Other links 
Ouija Board Rules
The Ghost Walks News
Thought Catalog's Ouija Board Stories