When you use a ouji boared, the act its self is what deems the effects. The board its self is neutral, it acts as a threshold, it allows things to enter and also to leave. However if some one is thinking negativly during the opening of the 'gate' the negative energy can be imprinted and woven into the fabric of the'gate'. negative attracts the negative, posetive attracts the posetive. Never use a ouji board if you have any doubts in your mind other ways you can open the gates to hell, so to speak.

I've always been a bit... iffy so to speak of Ouji boards I know people that know people that have played with Ouji boards and all now they are still not right!!! I did hear that the spirt (don't like the term ghouts) Wouldn't leave and was causing problems in the house.  I'd prefer not to talk to strangers as I was reading someone put that our mummies and daddies taught us not to speak to strangers!

I have used a Ouija board, but have never played on one.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THEIR USE (sorry to shout). I was lucky to grow up in a household where my mother was a medium, though not formally trained. As a kid, i was terrified by my brothers and sister mucking about on it...for good reasons.

The reasons why it is not a good idea:
1) it 'opens' a 'gateway' through which ANYTHING may interact
2) primarily LOW-vibration/ entity spirits are drawn to it most of the time, kind of the psychic sludge and residue of hates, fears, and other low vibration energies are a bit like constant static on a badly tuned radio
3)people who play with ouija boards for 'entertainment' do say with an attitude of disrespect- they can hardly blame the spirit world if they then attract the popularly termed 'Joker' or nasty spirits
4)unlike a properly conducted ritual, the people using the ouija boards often have not    i)protected themselves
ii)had training in mediumship/psychism
 iii) do not know how to 'clear' or 'dismiss' spirits[invite them firmly to leave]
iv) are not working in balance and harmony with eachother  - unlike a properly run coven or development group
 v) allow their fears and emotions to open up -allowing spirits to cross through the thin boundary
and vi)it draws the interest of the lower level psychic vibrations [which are nearer to the physical plane] 

.... those are for starters.

Having stated those, yes I have used one - in a spiritualist circle, and in a course run by Tony Stockwell;
I have seen poultergeist effects, candle flames sucked intowards the centre of the(open)  board, have known of people being haunted for up to seven years by spirits which attached themselves - so it is NOT a toy.

I think the problem stems from Waddington's, the Toy & game manufacturers..who in the ?70s sold them as games. Also people use the phrase "have you played on a Ouija Board?"
These things are not toys.

The use of a Ouija Board, or in fact any spiritual activity calling on 'the other side' wears a path through the veil: where this[spiritual activity] is for positive purposes, like honouring nature and life in a sacred grove - this is not a problem, and a wonderful peaceful energy may be built up; but where ignorance or incaution are used, sometimes it leaves a 'shadow' or uneasy atmosphere that the sensitive may feel... and become spooked by it.

remember, most people using Ouija boards do so for i)gain, ii)out of (selfish) grief - where the bereaved is not ready to let the loved one go iii)thrill seeking iv)boredom v)idle curiosity a limited few purposefully use them.

It is also a possible breach of the Wiccan Rede - because, arent you harming that spirit by drawing it in? or by scaring people? Or leaving the spiritual atmosphere unclean?

I have had to perform cleansings and blessings to remove the harmful energies generated by people playing on boards, and to help spirits return onto their journeys in peace, in universal unattached love.

Honest laughter is good medecine to clear a heavy atmosphere.
Incenses - sage, frankincense, or sweet scents which are not heavy;
water, which you may bless in the name of the Lord and Lady, or Nature, or Life; sprinkled.
Light and daylight onto the room, and the windows cleaned with vinegar;
The room swept and cleaned;
Prayers and blessings upon the room, the house, every window, every door, every ingress [way in] and egress[way out], from the rafters, to the cellar, and in each corner - if the whole proprty needs doing.

....these are things which may be done to make it better.

And remember the universe and the planet truly operates from love -eventhough the world that men make is full of darknesses, yet there are those things, beings, memories, powers, which exist to aid, to heal, to help....

A thought can touch the furthest shore of an infinite universe, and on one whole breathing planet on which you stand, there is little isolation - you are no more than the earth's breadth from anyone who may help -every living thing is your 'neighbour'. The wise Earth hears our every footstep, remembers our every deed; we are expected to make mistakes-how else may we learn?

So, if you have played with a board...do not fear; ask the powers, the earth, the winds, the wise ones who have gone before, and those yet to come...any whose power is to help,freely without debt and in harmony and balance for your best good - ask their aid and it will come, or you will find someone who can clear the problem, and be patient.
May you truly be bessed. Blessed be