Long before it became a symbol of fear, the Ouija board was a parlor game — a curious invention of the late 1800s when spiritualism swept through American living rooms. Families gathered around the board by candlelight, fingers resting lightly on the planchette, hoping to reach loved ones “beyond the veil.” It was marketed as wholesome entertainment, a way to connect, to wonder — not to summon.

But everything changed in 1973, when The Exorcist hit theaters. From that moment on, the Ouija board was no longer a game — it became a gateway. A doorway for something darker.

In this episode, Beyond the Ferns explores the board’s eerie evolution from innocent pastime to cultural taboo, and dives into real stories of those who claim they made contact with something they couldn’t explain. From sudden cold spots to planchettes moving on their own, these tales blur the line between imagination and the unknown.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices