What do you think?
Rate this book
Ouija: The Most Dangerous Game
The First Book To Take A Hard Look At The Phenomenon Called "The Ouija Board"
Is it just a game? When you ask the Ouija board a question, who is it that answers? What about those stories of Ouija-inspired prophecy and clairvoyance?
What are the dangers of the Ouija board? Do you know the stories of Ouija-inspired murders, madness, obsession and possession?
Exalted by some, condemned by others, there's no doubt the Ouija is controversial. In this fascinating book Stoker Hunt investigates the history and legacy of this "Mystic Talking Oracle."156 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
9 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 12, 2018
This book was fine in terms of explaining Ouija and some of its history, but I personally felt it spent too much time dawdling on other peoples' opinions. This isn't mentioning that the people interviewed were sometimes not trustworthy sources.
Ed and Lorraine Warren constantly do more harm than good and the very parapsychologists they claim do nothing end up cleaning their mess. Their pressing of the author to turn to faith is outright disgusting and they admitted in this interview that they hunt down cases to follow. They have no basis in parapsychology and the two of them seem to simply be in it for the fame.
Yvonne and Gavin Frost were never real Wiccans, Gavin having never fully been initiated into the craft. They ran a school that did not follow the basics of Wicca and misinformed hundreds before the Wiccan community came forward and asked that they cease calling themselves Wiccans. It also came out later on that the two of them abused children in their version of the Craft.
While I understand that this book is also old, I can't put these things aside. Overall, 3 Stars, but mostly because I found the side stories fascinating.
Ed and Lorraine Warren constantly do more harm than good and the very parapsychologists they claim do nothing end up cleaning their mess. Their pressing of the author to turn to faith is outright disgusting and they admitted in this interview that they hunt down cases to follow. They have no basis in parapsychology and the two of them seem to simply be in it for the fame.
Yvonne and Gavin Frost were never real Wiccans, Gavin having never fully been initiated into the craft. They ran a school that did not follow the basics of Wicca and misinformed hundreds before the Wiccan community came forward and asked that they cease calling themselves Wiccans. It also came out later on that the two of them abused children in their version of the Craft.
While I understand that this book is also old, I can't put these things aside. Overall, 3 Stars, but mostly because I found the side stories fascinating.
Read
November 1, 2025A novelty read. Kinda fun, but as someone who doesn’t believe in spirituality, it was really read for kicks and not for information.
November 5, 2020
I picked this beauty up at a ghost town antique shop a while ago and finally got around to reading it. Sadly, I wasn’t too impressed.
🔮
Hunt dives into a very brief history of the Ouija board, interviews various sources from Ed and Lorraine Warren to Barbara Honegger (American Journalist), describes how to safely use the board, and explains the debate on if it is dangerous or not. Basically just don’t use it.
🔮
Overall, the book could have used more of the origin stories of the board and less of “Ouija R*pe”.
🔮
Hunt dives into a very brief history of the Ouija board, interviews various sources from Ed and Lorraine Warren to Barbara Honegger (American Journalist), describes how to safely use the board, and explains the debate on if it is dangerous or not. Basically just don’t use it.
🔮
Overall, the book could have used more of the origin stories of the board and less of “Ouija R*pe”.
May 2, 2017
Very interesting, and I do believe that Ouija boards are nothing to play with. This book originally was published in the '80s, and was out of print for many years. However, I'm pleased to see that it's back in print, and should be read by anyone who's thinking of trying to contact spirits with a Ouija board.
November 13, 2018
What a interesting book. It was very informational and kinda spooky.
October 12, 2020
Quasi tutti gli esseri umani dalla notte dei tempi, nutrono la profonda curiosità di scoprire cosa si cela oltre la vita terrena e se si cela davvero qualcosa.
Le grandi domande esistenziali continuano a ripetersi, attraversando le epoche.
Se cercate una riposta definitiva, non la troverete, sicuramente non in questo libro.
Questo si presenta come un libro- inchiesta che analizza la storia della Tavola Ouija e racconta storie realmente avvenute e interviste provenienti da personalità di spicco sia nel campo spiritico che nel campo parapsicologico, scientifico e razionalista, senza propendere per l'una o per l'altra tesi, lasciando tutte le possibili porte aperte e dando al lettore la facoltà di trarre delle conclusioni da sé, senza influenzarlo in una direzione o in un'altra.
Certo è che questo oggetto smuove qualcosa, che provenga da dentro o da fuori di noi e potrebbe portare a conseguenze catastrofiche se ci si avvicina senza un'adeguata preparazione e profonda predisposizione, solo per curiosità, per passare una serata diversa dal solito o per fare un' innocente scherzo tra amici.
L'unica risposta certa è che la Tavola Ouija è tutt'altro che un gioco e non dovrebbe essere mai usata in presenza di bambini e neppure da adulti con problemi di equilibrio personale, facilmente impressionabili, fisicamente stanchi, con animo inquieto o collerico o con patologie.
Non è attività per tutti, quindi ne è caldamente sconsigliato l'utilizzo.
Se invece utilizzata con le giuste conoscenze, equilibrio, razionalità e predisposizione d'animo, può addirittura rivelarsi utile nel processo di autoanalisi come un qualsiasi altro strumento divinatorio, ma questo non è affatto un'incoraggiamento a farne uso.
Personalmente mi sono fatta un'idea abbastanza chiara sul meccanismo che regola il movimento della planchette e altri fenomeni apparentemente paranormali che ruotano intorno all'utilizzo della Ouija ( propendo infatti maggiormente per le teorie razionalistiche degli automatismi), pur mantenendo aperte tutte le possibilità.
In generale si è rivelata una lettura affascinante e interessante che richiede pochi giorni per essere terminata.
Le grandi domande esistenziali continuano a ripetersi, attraversando le epoche.
Se cercate una riposta definitiva, non la troverete, sicuramente non in questo libro.
Questo si presenta come un libro- inchiesta che analizza la storia della Tavola Ouija e racconta storie realmente avvenute e interviste provenienti da personalità di spicco sia nel campo spiritico che nel campo parapsicologico, scientifico e razionalista, senza propendere per l'una o per l'altra tesi, lasciando tutte le possibili porte aperte e dando al lettore la facoltà di trarre delle conclusioni da sé, senza influenzarlo in una direzione o in un'altra.
Certo è che questo oggetto smuove qualcosa, che provenga da dentro o da fuori di noi e potrebbe portare a conseguenze catastrofiche se ci si avvicina senza un'adeguata preparazione e profonda predisposizione, solo per curiosità, per passare una serata diversa dal solito o per fare un' innocente scherzo tra amici.
L'unica risposta certa è che la Tavola Ouija è tutt'altro che un gioco e non dovrebbe essere mai usata in presenza di bambini e neppure da adulti con problemi di equilibrio personale, facilmente impressionabili, fisicamente stanchi, con animo inquieto o collerico o con patologie.
Non è attività per tutti, quindi ne è caldamente sconsigliato l'utilizzo.
Se invece utilizzata con le giuste conoscenze, equilibrio, razionalità e predisposizione d'animo, può addirittura rivelarsi utile nel processo di autoanalisi come un qualsiasi altro strumento divinatorio, ma questo non è affatto un'incoraggiamento a farne uso.
Personalmente mi sono fatta un'idea abbastanza chiara sul meccanismo che regola il movimento della planchette e altri fenomeni apparentemente paranormali che ruotano intorno all'utilizzo della Ouija ( propendo infatti maggiormente per le teorie razionalistiche degli automatismi), pur mantenendo aperte tutte le possibilità.
In generale si è rivelata una lettura affascinante e interessante che richiede pochi giorni per essere terminata.
December 10, 2017
As friends we've gathered, hearts are true. Spirits near, we call to you.
I really enjoyed this wonderful little look into the occult world and in particular the joys and dangers of the mystic talking oracle known only as Ouija. If a book such as this were written today it wouldn't be near as good. The way everything is written, the way the characters are described, the stories of encounters with Ouija are all told in this innocent, good hearted kind of way, it really made me enjoy the authors writing and appreciate what his intention with the book was.
Perhaps the best thing about this book is just how unbiased the author is, he presents the good parts of Ouija -such as using a pendulum to ask questions that your subconscious will answer by movements in your wrist - to the not so good parts of people becoming possessed and eventually having their lives ruined by Ouija - after which he informs the reader to be careful with Ouija but to freely use it if the desire strikes.
After having read this book I feel I know as much as I could about the use of Ouija boards, so if you're after an introductory book on the subject this is definitely the one to get. It's got everything you'd want to know, good and bad.
If you're interested in the occult, as I am, this book is essential for your personal library... I probably won't be messing around with a Ouija board any time soon but I feel if I did I'd know the ins and outs... A fascinating read!
I really enjoyed this wonderful little look into the occult world and in particular the joys and dangers of the mystic talking oracle known only as Ouija. If a book such as this were written today it wouldn't be near as good. The way everything is written, the way the characters are described, the stories of encounters with Ouija are all told in this innocent, good hearted kind of way, it really made me enjoy the authors writing and appreciate what his intention with the book was.
Perhaps the best thing about this book is just how unbiased the author is, he presents the good parts of Ouija -such as using a pendulum to ask questions that your subconscious will answer by movements in your wrist - to the not so good parts of people becoming possessed and eventually having their lives ruined by Ouija - after which he informs the reader to be careful with Ouija but to freely use it if the desire strikes.
After having read this book I feel I know as much as I could about the use of Ouija boards, so if you're after an introductory book on the subject this is definitely the one to get. It's got everything you'd want to know, good and bad.
If you're interested in the occult, as I am, this book is essential for your personal library... I probably won't be messing around with a Ouija board any time soon but I feel if I did I'd know the ins and outs... A fascinating read!
January 29, 2017
I have never used an Ouija board - my life runs on Murphy's Law most of the time, and I've always considered the possible risk too high to chance it - but I'm fascinated with the iconography and the attitude to them in popular culture.
This is a short and rather simply written book that goes into all the basics; history, attitudes both pro and against, believers in spiritualism and adherents of psychology, and ends with a practical and (IMO) reasonable set of guidelines for use. The book is actually a lot more even-handed about the subject matter than a lot of the other reviews here would have you believe.
This is a short and rather simply written book that goes into all the basics; history, attitudes both pro and against, believers in spiritualism and adherents of psychology, and ends with a practical and (IMO) reasonable set of guidelines for use. The book is actually a lot more even-handed about the subject matter than a lot of the other reviews here would have you believe.
June 13, 2017
This was a very surprising little book. From the title, one would expect it to be another product of the The Satanic Panic of the 1980s but it's far from such propaganda. Well organized, many varying view points, and clear, concise writing make this not only a fun read but something even people within minimal understand of the metaphysics can learn from and enjoy.
August 21, 2011
Interesting but somewhat unbelievable and sensationalised.
December 8, 2014
"Interesting but somewhat unbelievable and sensationalized" - AndrewP
Another reviewer that mirrored my sentiments exactly.
Another reviewer that mirrored my sentiments exactly.
May 25, 2024
A HELPFUL SURVEY AND OVERVIEW OF THE “TALKING BOARD”
Author Stoker Hunt wrote in the Introduction to this 1985 book, “[This book] takes a long, considered look at the talking board and some other devices and phenomena related to it---automatic writing, prophecy, dowsing, table-rapping, telepathy, obsession and possession. Ouija invites controversy and provokes debate. Interpretive views at times overlap, but the basic debate is contradictory. It’s a good example of one man’s meat being another man’s poison. There are those who insist that the board cripples and kills; others claim that is cures and creates. Many say it merely entertains. Who’s telling the truth? Perhaps everybody. In this book, I attempt to present all the interpretative views, pro and con, cool and hot, angelic and demonic. It is, I hope, and honest collection of conflicting ideas, fairly presented.”
In the first chapter, he explains, “No one knows for sure where the name ‘Ouija’ originated. The ‘Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology [says]… ‘From the French ‘oui’ and the German ‘ja’ [‘yes’].’ … The Ouija is genuinely ancient in its origins. It is the invention or discovery of many. In short, Ouija is nothing less than a folk knowledge, a universal folk instrument.” (Pg. 1-2)
He continues, “It’s generally thought that the American inventor of the Ouija board was William Fuld in 1892; however, a year earlier a U.S. patent was issued to Elijah J. Bond as inventor of the Ouija board. According to a story… Fuld bought the rights from bond in 1892 and filed for another patent. Fuld then … began producing ‘Oriole Talking Boards.’” (Pg. 3) He continues, “In 1966, Parker Brothers, one of the world’s more successful producers of children’s games, purchased the rights to the Ouija board and moved the operation … to Salem, Massachusetts. The first year after their takeover, Parker Brothers sold more than two million Ouija boards, topping the sale of their perennially best-selling board game, Monopoly.” (Pg. 6)
He notes, “The question about the Ouija board being a game of not is controversial. Even more controversial is the question, How does the Ouija board work? Where do the messages actually come from? There are two major theories. The spiritualist theory holds that the messages come from without; the automatistic (or ‘scientific’ theory holds that the messages come from within. Arguments can be made for both theories.” (Pg. 8)
He recounts, “[Jane Roberts] decided to write a book about ESP development… at the time, Jane Roberts knew almost nothing about ESP, much less its development. But she had heard of the Ouija board and decided to experiment… she and her husband … sat down … and started their first experiments… [In their third session] during the question-and-answer period … the essence … announced its proper and preferred name as ‘Seth’… By the end of January 1964, twenty Seth sessions had taken place and two hundred and thirty pages of typewritten manuscript had emerged… These transcripts are the basis of Jane’s books and articles, the foundation of her continuing research.” (Pg. 37-38)
He notes, “Most of the religions of the western world oppose the use of the Ouija, although the Fundamentalist religions are far more passionate and vehement in their opposition. This is because the Fundamentalists firmly believe the Ouija is an instrument of the Devil. Satan, they say, works through the Ouija board, used it to ensnare and seduce innocent victims, thereby attacking God through the abuse of His creation.” (Pg. 93)
Franciscan priest Alphonsus Trabold observes, “The majority of parapsychologists, myself among them, would agree that the Ouija board is a form of automatism. An automatism is any unconscious movement used to express something in the unconscious mind. In other words, we pick up vast amounts of information and store it in the subconscious; that information then has the task of coming through to our conscious mind. Sometimes it comes through in dreams, sometimes it comes in the form of unconscious automatic movements, such as the Ouija board or automatic writing.” (Pg. 116)
He concludes, “If you choose to work the Ouija board after having read all this, I wish you good luck. May you find what you are looking for, and may it enrich your life.” (Pg. 151)
This book is a reasonably fair-minded overview and survey.
Author Stoker Hunt wrote in the Introduction to this 1985 book, “[This book] takes a long, considered look at the talking board and some other devices and phenomena related to it---automatic writing, prophecy, dowsing, table-rapping, telepathy, obsession and possession. Ouija invites controversy and provokes debate. Interpretive views at times overlap, but the basic debate is contradictory. It’s a good example of one man’s meat being another man’s poison. There are those who insist that the board cripples and kills; others claim that is cures and creates. Many say it merely entertains. Who’s telling the truth? Perhaps everybody. In this book, I attempt to present all the interpretative views, pro and con, cool and hot, angelic and demonic. It is, I hope, and honest collection of conflicting ideas, fairly presented.”
In the first chapter, he explains, “No one knows for sure where the name ‘Ouija’ originated. The ‘Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology [says]… ‘From the French ‘oui’ and the German ‘ja’ [‘yes’].’ … The Ouija is genuinely ancient in its origins. It is the invention or discovery of many. In short, Ouija is nothing less than a folk knowledge, a universal folk instrument.” (Pg. 1-2)
He continues, “It’s generally thought that the American inventor of the Ouija board was William Fuld in 1892; however, a year earlier a U.S. patent was issued to Elijah J. Bond as inventor of the Ouija board. According to a story… Fuld bought the rights from bond in 1892 and filed for another patent. Fuld then … began producing ‘Oriole Talking Boards.’” (Pg. 3) He continues, “In 1966, Parker Brothers, one of the world’s more successful producers of children’s games, purchased the rights to the Ouija board and moved the operation … to Salem, Massachusetts. The first year after their takeover, Parker Brothers sold more than two million Ouija boards, topping the sale of their perennially best-selling board game, Monopoly.” (Pg. 6)
He notes, “The question about the Ouija board being a game of not is controversial. Even more controversial is the question, How does the Ouija board work? Where do the messages actually come from? There are two major theories. The spiritualist theory holds that the messages come from without; the automatistic (or ‘scientific’ theory holds that the messages come from within. Arguments can be made for both theories.” (Pg. 8)
He recounts, “[Jane Roberts] decided to write a book about ESP development… at the time, Jane Roberts knew almost nothing about ESP, much less its development. But she had heard of the Ouija board and decided to experiment… she and her husband … sat down … and started their first experiments… [In their third session] during the question-and-answer period … the essence … announced its proper and preferred name as ‘Seth’… By the end of January 1964, twenty Seth sessions had taken place and two hundred and thirty pages of typewritten manuscript had emerged… These transcripts are the basis of Jane’s books and articles, the foundation of her continuing research.” (Pg. 37-38)
He notes, “Most of the religions of the western world oppose the use of the Ouija, although the Fundamentalist religions are far more passionate and vehement in their opposition. This is because the Fundamentalists firmly believe the Ouija is an instrument of the Devil. Satan, they say, works through the Ouija board, used it to ensnare and seduce innocent victims, thereby attacking God through the abuse of His creation.” (Pg. 93)
Franciscan priest Alphonsus Trabold observes, “The majority of parapsychologists, myself among them, would agree that the Ouija board is a form of automatism. An automatism is any unconscious movement used to express something in the unconscious mind. In other words, we pick up vast amounts of information and store it in the subconscious; that information then has the task of coming through to our conscious mind. Sometimes it comes through in dreams, sometimes it comes in the form of unconscious automatic movements, such as the Ouija board or automatic writing.” (Pg. 116)
He concludes, “If you choose to work the Ouija board after having read all this, I wish you good luck. May you find what you are looking for, and may it enrich your life.” (Pg. 151)
This book is a reasonably fair-minded overview and survey.
December 7, 2018
Great Book. I learned the hard way Ouija 100% works and I never want to mess with it ever again. I tampered with the Ouija board, the third eye, mysticism, new age materials and I never want to touch any of it ever again. I learned the hard way demons 100% exist and Satan Exists. If anybody is messing with the tarot cards, occult, New age, the third eye, watch out. They are opening the gates of hell of their mind and surrounding area. Stick only with Jesus and the Bible and the Catholic Church. Too many trickery or demonic trickery in many of the false light religions. Watch out for people who called themselves light workers, Free Masons, Yoga and etc. The more dark knowledge someone gains the more the dna and false light activation will open up Lucifer portals around you. Stick with the Catholic Church and do not ever open the third eye with lsd, mushrooms, dmt, ayahuasca and etc, all one trick to capture your soul thinking that you found God but really Satan in disguise. The key to keep your Aura light body 100% pure, any type of drugs like shrroms.acid.dmt will weaken your Aura and put holes in it and these demons or Astral realm beings or entities called the false light beings or demons will invade and cause great trickery in your reality. Never ever channel, you are dealing with demons of the Astral realm and not a real light being. All one big trick by Satan to capture the persons soul.
October 20, 2017
I'm giving this 3 1/2 stars. This book was interesting, it just wasn't what I thought it would be. I guess, I thought this would be more of a walkthrough on how to use the Ouija board. It was mostly history, and don't use it.
It had the history, good things that have come from the board, bad things that have come from the board, what professionals say about the board, and last words (which were basically, don't use it). The history on the board was very short. I expected some more on where the board came from. I don't know I was left wanting more. It's not a bad book, I just thought it would be different is all.
I am still glad I picked this up. Learning anything about the board was my goal, and I achieved that. It is really hard to find books on the Ouija board. I think that's sad, for how many people use it, we need more books out there.
It had the history, good things that have come from the board, bad things that have come from the board, what professionals say about the board, and last words (which were basically, don't use it). The history on the board was very short. I expected some more on where the board came from. I don't know I was left wanting more. It's not a bad book, I just thought it would be different is all.
I am still glad I picked this up. Learning anything about the board was my goal, and I achieved that. It is really hard to find books on the Ouija board. I think that's sad, for how many people use it, we need more books out there.
June 19, 2023
I got this book thinking it would be a Satanic Panic “not even once!” type book, but it’s not really. If I had to guess, I would say Stoker Hunt is new age or ‘spiritual but not religious’ and he presents the book as being an overview of all the various viewpoints about the Ouija board.
I enjoyed the first part of the book about the history of the board, but I felt the book had too many examples that sounded like urban legends, with minimal details and no way to verify. No footnotes or sources in the back either.
The other thing that bothered me in the book was his writing style that thrust me into an interview midway through the chapter with no warning. He would be talking about a person or about their research and then it would abruptly shift to a Q&A format.
It’s a cool little addition to my occult bookshelf though.
I enjoyed the first part of the book about the history of the board, but I felt the book had too many examples that sounded like urban legends, with minimal details and no way to verify. No footnotes or sources in the back either.
The other thing that bothered me in the book was his writing style that thrust me into an interview midway through the chapter with no warning. He would be talking about a person or about their research and then it would abruptly shift to a Q&A format.
It’s a cool little addition to my occult bookshelf though.
December 19, 2023
Ouija boards keep me fascinated for a very long time. It's a very common motif in horror. But what's behind it? The author tries to take a hard look at the phenomenon: its history (China, Greece, Rome), how the board works, varieties like automatic writing, pendulum or dowsing. Is it a game or not? Well, he refers to some examples of contact, warns of the voices of danger, quotes Ed and Lorraine Warren, talks about ouija obsession and spirit possession. There is also a hint on The Exorcist, a look on religions vs ouija, ouija and the psychologists/parapsychologists and what you should know before you begin. Overall my first non-fiction book on the topic. Quite intriguing. Really recommended1
June 17, 2018
Stoker Hunt writes a strong argument for whether you’re a believer in the magical properties of the Ouija board or not.
As an open-minded individual, I felt I was the quintessential participant to be persuaded.
Albeit opposing each other, both sides of the argument were meticulous, interesting, and too informative to be deserving of anything short of five stars.
Most impressive of all, I’ve stayed open-minded at the end of this read!
Nicely done.
As an open-minded individual, I felt I was the quintessential participant to be persuaded.
Albeit opposing each other, both sides of the argument were meticulous, interesting, and too informative to be deserving of anything short of five stars.
Most impressive of all, I’ve stayed open-minded at the end of this read!
Nicely done.
March 3, 2025
Just a buncha nonsense ghost stories about how some guy's cousin's second aunt once removed one time saw someone use a ouija board and get scared.
Definitely not the "balanced take" on this topic that it pretends to be, but if you like satanic panic fear mongering, this is for sure gonna be a treat.
Definitely not the "balanced take" on this topic that it pretends to be, but if you like satanic panic fear mongering, this is for sure gonna be a treat.
February 8, 2020
Really nice. Provides many perspectives without shoving any views down your throat.
February 9, 2025
Katherine Cover Sabin, my Mentor, is Quoted on page 92.
August 25, 2021
2.5 Meh. I finished it, continuing for the personal experiences.
July 8, 2010
I thought this would come in handy (or at least be funny to have on hand) for my séance, but really the author just tries to scare the readers away from the ouija board because the spirits will rape, sodomize, and beat whoever they come in contact with. Garbage, and not even in a fun way.
December 4, 2009
Ridiculous...too much fear and the case studies were from the 1800's. This book speaks of being raped by spirits...scary...I hope this doesn't happen often.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2012
Silly but amusing.
January 19, 2015
I wish this book would have gone into more detail. It was a very basic book that I feel could have been expanded on very easily.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews