Why Paranormal Beliefs Surge After Tragedies: From the Civil War to COVID-19

Throughout history, national tragedies and major disasters have had a profound impact on beliefs, especially around the paranormal and the afterlife. In the wake of crises like the Civil War, World Wars, 9/11, and the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a consistent and notable rise in public interest in paranormal beliefs, often manifesting in increased use of psychic mediums, séances, and tools like the Ouija board. This trend is not coincidental; it reflects a deeply human need to seek comfort, meaning, and connection amid overwhelming loss and uncertainty.

The Civil War: Laying the Groundwork for Spiritualism

The Civil War (1861-1865) is often considered the starting point for the formalization of paranormal beliefs and practices in the United States. The massive loss of life, often on unfamiliar battlefields far from home, left families unable to bury or even say proper goodbyes to their loved ones. This left a deep psychological scar and a yearning to connect with the spirits of the deceased. The Spiritualism movement, which had begun over a decade before, gained significant momentum during this time. People found solace in the notion that the spirits of their loved ones could be reached and that the afterlife was not a complete separation. This period saw a surge in the popularity of mediums, séances, and eventually talking boards (which would become commercialized and better known as the Ouija board), which provided a way for families to feel close to their lost loved ones.

Vintage ad for a fortune teller. Source unknown.

World War I and World War II: Heightening Spiritual Curiosity

Following the Civil War, World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) ushered in new waves of death, displacement, and loss. Particularly in England and the United States, mourning practices took on a more mystical quality, with Spiritualism once again becoming an outlet for grief and closure. Mediums were in high demand, offering to connect bereaved families with soldiers who had died overseas. Harry Houdini, himself a skeptic, became both a critic of Spiritualism and an investigator, seeking out those who offered services to grieving families. The Ouija board, patented in 1891, saw renewed interest during this period as well, as families sought to commune with those lost in the wars.

During World War II, the anxiety and devastation were so widespread that they intensified public engagement with the supernatural. Figures like Helen Duncan, a medium who famously claimed to summon the dead, became icons, and spirit communication thrived. The combination of economic hardship, personal loss, and existential fear brought about a longing to connect with the other side, keeping the idea of a paranormal connection firmly rooted in the public imagination.

9/11 and the Need for Connection

The September 11 attacks in 2001 were a modern-day tragedy that echoed the same human reaction: after the initial shock and grief, people began searching for meaning and connection. Interest in paranormal phenomena, from ghost sightings to spirit communication, surged after 9/11. This disaster differed from past wars in that it wasn’t fought on distant soil but struck directly in the United States, amplifying the trauma and loss experienced by Americans. Psychic mediums gained popularity as people searched for closure and answers, hoping that departed loved ones might still be reachable in some way. Television networks and popular culture also began producing more shows about hauntings and ghost-hunting, as Americans became increasingly curious about the afterlife.

One of many vintage ads cleverly using the Ouija board to boost product appeal. This ad was for Ipana Toothpaste. Credit: Salem Witch Board Museum

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Renewed Surge in Paranormal Curiosity

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about yet another wave of interest in the paranormal. With the global death toll rising into the millions and people facing isolation, fear, and mourning on a mass scale, people began turning to spiritual practices and paranormal tools to find solace. Social media played a significant role, allowing people to share their experiences and interact with paranormal practitioners, further boosting interest in psychics, mediums, and divination tools.

Pandemic-related grief has also revived curiosity in the Ouija board. As people were forced to stay home and avoid public gatherings, some found a sense of community in virtual séances or with “DIY” paranormal exploration at home. Although technology provided many ways to connect with others during the lockdowns, there was also a noticeable uptick in interest in spirit communication methods, as the pandemic sparked reflection on mortality and the unknown. From this, a robust appetite for paranormal content on various social media outlets like TikTok and YouTube manifested.

The Ouija Board and Psychic Mediums: A Historical Lifeline for the Grieving

The Ouija board, first patented in 1890, has become one of the most iconic symbols of the paranormal. Originally marketed as a parlor game, it quickly became a tool for spirit communication during times of tragedy. Whenever society faced widespread death, people turned to the board in hopes of speaking to those who had passed on. This surge happened during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, again during the World Wars, and has continued into recent times. Psychic mediums, similarly, have served as lifelines for those desperate for communication. In each major disaster, mediums and Ouija boards provided an outlet for grief, offering comfort to people trying to come to terms with their loss.

Ad for ROZA KULESHOVA, Russian psychic, ‘sees’ with her fingers, circa 1963. Credit: Fate Magazine

The Psychology of Grief and the Paranormal

Psychologically, the human response to grief is complex, and for many, spiritual or paranormal beliefs provide a coping mechanism. Tragedy disrupts our lives, forcing us to confront mortality in ways we may not be prepared for. Many people find it comforting to believe that their loved ones are not entirely gone, that they can still be reached through spirit communication or paranormal experiences. This need for closure has led to the paranormal becoming a regular, if temporary, sanctuary in times of distress.

The Role of Media and Technology

As media has evolved, so has our connection to the paranormal. Today, movies, television, and social media heavily influence our beliefs in the supernatural. Ghost-hunting shows and paranormal podcasts have become more popular, and social media has enabled people to share their own ghost stories and encounters in real-time, adding to the cultural acceptance of paranormal experiences. After major tragedies, we often see a resurgence of paranormal-themed media, reflecting and amplifying public interest in the unknown.

Conclusion: Seeking Comfort in the Unseen

Throughout history, times of great loss have spurred the desire to connect with something beyond the physical world. From the Civil War to the COVID-19 pandemic, each tragedy has left an imprint on our beliefs about the supernatural. Psychic mediums, Ouija boards, and other forms of spirit communication serve as mechanisms to process grief, offering comfort in our darkest hours. Whether we seek closure, reassurance, or a sense of connection, these beliefs persist because they resonate with a universal human need: to feel that love and connection endure, even in the face of death.

The Fascinating History of the Ouija Board

Since the dawn of time, mankind has been trying to make contact with the supernatural. Whether through natural gifts or making tools, the search for the unknown is never-ending. Ouija boards are probably one of the most objects in the world. It’s just a harmless game, right? For over a century, the Ouija board has been a victim of fear-mongering, skepticism, and misunderstanding.

In order to fully understand the Ouija board, one must understand its history and where it came from. In case you’re wondering, no, it didn’t manifest itself from hell, nor did it drop in from the spirit world.

The Spiritualism Movement

It seems to always come back to Spiritualism, doesn’t it?

The Spiritualist movement was at its peak in the United States in the 1840s. To put it simply, Spiritualism is the belief that we can communicate with our dearly departed loved ones through mediums. One could argue that many ghost hunters today are actually Spiritualists.

The movement especially grew in popularity during the Civil War. This was because people were desperate for closure with their loved ones’ unresolved deaths. They wanted to talk to mediums to find out what happened to their soldiers. This was peak time when seances and public demonstrations became popular. But people wanted more tools to communicate with the other side. Tools like planchettes, spirit writing, trances, seances, and table tipping became the norm in the typical family home.

The earliest recording of a talking board was in 1886 in the New York Daily News, citing Ohio as being the state of origin. This “craze” was replacing card games at parties. It was18 by 20 inches in size, and users had to keep the board on their lap. A little table was used to move around the alphabet, numbers, and the words “yes”, “no”, “good morning”, and “good evening” were written on the board.

Official Invention of the Board

After seeing the article in the New York Daily News, three men named Elijah Bond, Charles Kennard, and William H.A. Maupin were inspired to create their own board and sell it to the masses. The official patent for “Ouija, the Wonderful Talking Board,” was granted in 1891. If you’re a lover of languages, you may notice something weird with the board’s title.

While some people think “Ouija” is some mystical word, it’s actually the French and German word for “yes” put together as one word. But Ouija expert Robert Murch thinks it’s more spiritual than that. According to legend, Kennard and his friends asked the board what it wanted to be called, and it spelled out O-U-I-J-A. When asked what it meant, it said, “Good luck.” Kennard also claimed that “Ouija” was the Egyptian word for “Good luck.”

From Kennard to Hasbro

The Kennard Novelty Company began producing Ouija boards and selling them for just $1.50. When Kennard left the company, it was renamed the Ouija Novelty Company. William A. Fuld took over production in 1901. The invention of the Ouija board has sparked ideas for other boards. When William Fuld took over the copyright ownership, he made sure that there were no duplicates. Fuld’s estate holds more Ouija patents and copyrights than anyone else in history—a grand total of 21 registrations in three countries—including the design for the modern planchette.

Fuld sued any and all copycats until his death in 1927. In 1966, Fuld’s family sold the Ouija estate to Parker Brothers. In 1991, Parker Brothers was bought out by Hasbro, and they now own all the patents and trademarks.

Ruined Reputation

The Ouija board has been the inspiration for quite a bit of fiction. The book and movie, “The Exorcist,” written by William Peter Blatty, is one of those fictional inspirations. The book is based on a true story of a 13-year old boy who was possessed by a demon and went through an exorcism in 1949.

Blatty was inspired to write the book after he saw the story in a newspaper clipping. Some may remember that the Ouija board was the catalyst for the possession of fictional 12-year old Regan. In the book and movie, Regan had been communicating with a spirit named Captain Howdy, but it was actually the demon Pazuzu. Blatty himself experimented with the Ouija board and thought he was talking to the spirit of his father. After he was done using the board, strange things happened in his home.

Even though the Ouija board wasn’t connected with demons before the movie, it was enough to associate it with demons and spread widespread panic. Everyone seemed to be afraid of it. It went from a fun party game to a demon-possessed board nearly overnight.

The Zozo Confusion

While Captain Howdy and Pazuzu were fictional in “The Exorcist,” people using the board today claim to communicate with a demon known as Zozo. This entity seems to haunt just the Ouija board and board users. Stories of Zozo first emerged in 2009 on message boards. It didn’t take long for people to realize that they were all talking to the same demon. Reported encounters with Zozo are nothing short of terrifying.

According to legend, Zozo causes chaos in people’s lives. They claim they can actually hear him cursing in different languages, like Latin and Hebrew. Darren Evans was one of the first people to report his experiences to the world and give Zozo a name. Zozo can apparently possess people and even take the lives of children.

Possession & Crimes

If we go with the idea that people can potentially be possessed by demons like Zozo or some other supernatural beings, what are the consequences of that? There are a lot of crimes associated with Ouija board use. One story goes back to 2008 when Blaine Milam and his girlfriend Jessica Carson started using the Ouija board. Carson, then pregnant at the time, started showing signs of psychosis and it was believed that she was possessed. However, the psychosis ended after she had her baby. Then it was thought that the baby, Amora, was possessed instead. The couple tried to perform a rather graphic exorcism that took the baby’s life. Milam was sentenced to death while Carson was sentenced to life in prison.

The Carroll family also faced consequences after using the board. The parents, Paul and Margaret, became paranoid after using the board. This next part is upsetting; Paul drowned the family dog, Molly, because he thought she was possessed. Then, Margaret and their daughter Katrina used the board again and it said their lives would end. The house then burst into flames after the women conducted a black magic session. They almost lost their lives.

How the Ouija Board Was Used in Court

Those who decide to take the risk and use the board themselves have discovered different ways to experiment with the board. A lot of people will discard the planchette and use something else. Some people will use a person’s personal possession as a pendulum and use that to point to the different letters. There are numerous types of divination or seeking advice and information from supernatural means. You would think that this would only stay with people who specialize in this area. When you’re desperate for some sort of information, perhaps the Ouija board isn’t the safest method if you don’t know what you’re doing.

In 1994, Stephen Young was charged with the murder of Harry and Nicola Fuller. But the jury couldn’t come to a decision. They were so stumped that they all deliberated together over drinks at their hotel. When they still couldn’t come to a conclusion, they decided to consult the Ouija board to try to talk to the Fullers themselves.

A small group of jurors made a board with a piece of paper and a wine glass. The spirit claimed to be Henry Fuller and the board spelled out things like “Stephen Young done it”, “Shot”, and “Vote guilty tomorrow.” When this information came to light, Young got a retrial, but he was still found guilty.

The Board Writes a Book

For over a century, people have claimed to have made contact with long lost celebrities using the Ouija board. Did you know that a Ouija board was used to write a book? It was the most fascinating lawsuit case of the century. In 1917, writer Emily Grant Hutchings and medium Lola Hayes claimed they wrote a book, dictated by Mark Twain. Keep in mind that Twain died in 1910. According to Hutchings, the ghost of Mark Twain dictated the book to her using the Ouija board. The book was titled, Jap Herron, and it got quite a lot of attention in its time.

When Twain’s family and publishers caught wind of this, they tried to take Hutchings to court. But the case never ended up going to trial. Copies of Jap Herron are rare since the manuscript has been destroyed. If you’re really curious, you can read it online for free.

Debunking the Board

It’s important to know that there are many instances where the Ouija board has been debunked. One of the most popular theories that explain the Ouija board is the ideomotor effect. This basically means that we unintentionally move our hands to the desired answer. This theory has also been used to explain divining rods and pendulums. If you really want to avoid having your experience debunked with this theory, I advise that you ask the questions, but don’t touch the board.

Have you ever tried using the Ouija board? How was your experience?

Sources:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-strange-and-mysterious-history-of-the-ouija-board-5860627/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-08/ouija-board-juror-misbehaviour-murder-trials/9734868

https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/jap-herron-a-novel-written-from-the-ouija-board-1917