When the Gaelic Celts first set their foot on the emerald isle, they brought with them their ancient rites and magic. And in Ballyboley Forest in Antrim in Northern Ireland, it is said that something from this time still lingers within the woods.
By the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Ballyboley Forest unveils a scenic trail that winds through meadows and woodlands to the serene Kilylane Reservoir.
While the trail promises a breathtaking journey through Antrim’s beautiful landscape, it also carries with it spooky legends and ghostly tales that have woven themselves into the fabric of this Northern Irish landscape, and the story of the haunted Ballyboley Forest have topped various lists of Top Haunted Places.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Forests around the world
The current forest was planted in 1957, but the ghost stories and local legends go much further back than that, with a forest area like Ballyboley Forest going as far back to 300 BC, to ancient druid and celtic times. But just how many of these legends can we believe?
Source: Albert Bridge / Ballyboley forest near Larne (8) / CC BY-SA 2.0
Ancient Druid Meeting Place
The Ballyboley Forest, it is said, carries an ancient energy, having served as an ancient meeting place for druids. Artifacts discovered over the years hint at the rituals and gatherings that once transpired beneath its leafy canopy.
It is said that you can find circular trenches and stone formations in the north east part of the forest that are now grown over, but can still be seen. These megalithic structures are only claimed through rumors though and no archeological overview shows any particular monuments from Gaelic times inside of the forest.
If there really were druids in the area is unclear though the coastal area close to it like in Larne is thought to be one of the earliest inhabited areas of Ireland, when people came over from Scotland. But did they really venture over to what became Ballyboley Forest, or did these stories first come after the current forest was planted?
Haunted Histories from Ballyboley Forest
Let’s have a look at the haunted stories coming from the forest. It is said local legends speak of haunting occurrences within its depths—plumes of black smoke rising above the trees, and echoes of ghostly screams that linger in the twilight.
Throughout the 15t, 16th as well as the 17th century, there have supposedly been many strange disappearances of the local people that went to the area. Some sources claim it is as many as thirty different cases of the missing people.
There are according to local lore, strange paths going through a gateway to The Otherworld of Celtic mythology.
The Stories Sources
These stories about smoke in the Ballyboley Forest and screams come from a couple of sources. First is a story supposedly relayed from a young couple that were hiking in the area and they were scared of the screams and the cloud-like black smoke that appeared. They quickly left the forest when this happened, and what really went down then, we don’t know. And who this couple was, there really isn’t a trail of either.
In a news report from 1997, in an unknown newspaper, there were two men in the Ballyboley Forest that heard the sound of something flapping. After a while they heard the sound of a woman like she was in pain and tried to find the source of the lady as she could be in need of help.
Instead they left the tracks and stumbled upon a place where the trees were smeared with something that looked eerily like blood. They turned to get out of the place, but four human shaped figures were standing still behind them. All were dressed in brown rags and their heads were covered.
Most of the accounts of the strange things people have experienced in the forest though, seems to be repostings from online forums from anonymous posters without any clear sources. Also the newspaper clippings that supposedly the stories were retold in, are missing.
This is the case with the alleged experiences of a poster on Reddit as well from 2005 that also claimed to have seen the four rag clad figures holding torches and hearing the screeching sound of unknown animals.
Although this was supposed to have happened in 2005 and the poster read the post made on The Shadowlands, seemingly the earliest posts about this hauntings online, the information has been out online since the late 90s on the page.
Conclusion About the Haunting of the Forest
Ballyboley Forest, with its picturesque trails and hidden mysteries, invites adventurers to delve into a realm where beauty and the supernatural intertwine. But are the local legends really local, or are they merely a figment of the rapid copy paste culture of the internet?
As the wind rustles through the ancient trees, it carries with it the tales of plumes of black smoke, blood-stained trees, and the ethereal screams that have become part of the forest’s haunted legacy. The trail, though outwardly serene, unravels a tapestry of legends that adds a dark layer to the Northern Irish landscape.
The Pokaini Forest is an enchanting place found in Latvia, said to hold magical powers. All around the forest you will find piles of stones no one really knows where they come from and it is said that the power of the forest is said to come from these.
Walking along the paths of Pokaini Forest in Dobele in the Zemgale region in Latvia, you will find strange moss covered stones that are the source of legend about this enchanted forest. These rock clusters, arranged in seemingly purposeful heaps, have fueled speculation and folklore, giving rise to tales of both wonder and caution. But what is the truth behind this?
A lot of strange rumors are going on about the Pokaini Forest, some say they see strange lights floating between the trees, and people claim things like electronic devices and compasses act strange in some parts of the forest. There have been several out there rumors as well, claiming Russian research labs underneath it and that NASA have seen strange radiation from their satellites from it.
Truth be told, we don’t really have a firm answer to the stones. The origin of these stones remains shrouded in mystery, with theories ranging from failed castle construction to ancient agricultural practices.
Some of the stones have even been given names from Latvian folklore and mythology and certain paths have a clear purpose. Like the path of Health with signs of cleansing and strength, or the Zodiac circle. The stones on Zikkurat hill are in a particular order as well, like a compass for the people of ancient times. But what the purpose of these stones, only the ancient people now know.
The Unexplained Stone Heaps of Pokaini Forest
The forest’s strange rock formations defy easy explanation, with theories proposing their use in long-forgotten castle construction or as remnants of field-clearing activities for farming. However, the absence of historical records complicates the verification of such claims as well as the reasons why the stones were simply just dumped in the Pokaini Forest. Although the theory of them being cleared for agricultural purposes remains the strongest theory, it is certainly not the only one.
Other reasons for the stones are also theories about pilgrims bringing back the stones from places in Europe and placing them here, as a symbol of liberation of their sins. Some say that there is something buried underneath them, like a radioactive meteor, or an ancient tomb, although archaeologists have not found any burial grounds here. It is not that uncommon though for this clearing piles of stones to have started as a burial ground that later people have just kept piling stones on top of. But until further archaeological research has been done, this remains inconclusive.
Another legend tells about thirty druids that used to control the weather when they came to the forest as people say that it is always good weather in the Pokaini Forest.
Although the forest had been talked about at least since the 1930s, it wasn’t until the mid 1990s that they did a proper search in the forest and hundreds of volunteers helped with cleaning both the forest as well as the stone piles. Mostly it came from the work of Ivar Viks, a scientist that talked about the strange anomalies of the forest in the 90s. The allure deepens as these stone clusters persist in the forest, away from the practicalities of construction or agriculture.
The story about the Pokaini Forest goes back even further though, and some think that this might have been a sacred place for the pagans living in the area, dating back to around 2000 years.
Mystical Powers and Pagan Lore
Pokaini Forest has become a magnet for those seeking the mystical along the 15 km trails that have been created within the forest. Believers consider it a healing sanctuary and an ancient pagan site, attracting psychics and channelers eager to tap into its purported energetic charges.
Visitors attest to the stones’ uplifting effects of the energy coming from them, and offerings are left to enhance their mystical powers, weaving a tapestry of reverence around this natural wonder.
Some even claim to have gotten visions or some sort of information as they stay close to these mysterious stones that sometimes are described as being unusually warm. The most out there rumor about these stones and the forest is that it is a portal to another world.
For those seeking its magical powers, it has become a habit of leaving little offerings to the stones, like little coins. But it is not only good vibes and energy the stones have a story of.
Cautionary Whispers and Haunting Legends
Whispers of caution circulate, painting the woods as haunted or even a gateway to a parallel world if you are not careful. Legends tell of individuals facing misfortune or meeting an untimely end after venturing into the heart of this mysterious realm.
Taking stones from the Pokaini Forest is believed to carry inherent risks, fostering an air of trepidation that contrasts with the allure of the stones’ supposed powers. The story include everything from suffering from an accident to sudden death.
A Walk Through the Magical Pokaini Forest
Pokaini Forest stands as a testament to Latvia’s mystical heritage, where strange stones not only shape the physical landscape but also weave a rich tapestry of legends and beliefs. Whether viewed as a source of healing energy, an ancient sanctuary, or a realm tinged with caution, the forest continues to captivate those who dare to venture into its depths, inviting them to unravel the secrets of the stones that have stood witness to the passage of time.
The wild hunt is a supernatural ghost ride in the sky during the dark winter days. In Scandinavia this hunt is called Oskorsreia, often a hunt led by Odin himself that could be dangerous for people to get entangled in.
The sound of rumbling thunder, horses tramping in the pitch black night sky, and the screams of the hunters making their way through the sky is a familiar picture for many Europeans. The idea of the wild hunt that can take you away is a frightening one. Especially in the northern part of the world, where the fear from the hunt was real.
Loudly through air at night they haste, An uproar on wild black horses! As a storm the wild crowds travel by With nothing but clouds for foothold. Over the valleys, the woods and meadows – Through darkness and weather, they never heed. The traveler throws himself frightened to ground. Listen… what clamor! It’s the forces of Asgard! — Åsgårdsreien by Johan Sebastian Welhaven (english translation)
The time of Christmas is a cozy one for most people today. Many of the traditional customs however, have a much darker backstory than many know today. From the evil Krampus in Germany, the horse skull of Mari Lwyd in Wales to the wild hunt of Oskorsreia in the north.
Especially in the northern part of the world, the idea of Christmas and winter have much more sinister connotations than elsewhere in the world. The days are shorter here, and the nights are much darker with more dangers lurking in the stormy winds, cold and snowy landscapes where the sun only peaks over the mountains a couple of hours each day. Christmas times are around the darkest time of the year and winter solstice has been celebrated and often feared as well as the time where the wild dark forces get unleashed into the world.
The Wild Hunt in Europe
The idea, the fear and the legends about The Wild Hunt is found in many places in European mythologies. To the Germanic stories about the wild hunt between the Christmas weekend and new years weekend and the phenomenon was popularized when the brothers Grimm brought it up in their writings.
The Wild Hunt: Die Wilde Jagd, a German interpretation of the wild hunt by Johann Cordes from 1856. Almost every part of Europe have their own version of the wild hunt and there are many different historical, mythical or godly persons leading the hunt.
There are a lot of variations of the legends like Oskorsreia and the wild hunt, but mainly, it is the stories about restless spirits riding through the night sky. Often it is historical figures, like King Valdemar stalking a woman in Denmark, Theodoric the Great in Italy.
In Scandinavia they called it Oskorsreia and Wild Hunt was not only connected with the restless spirits in the sky, but also to the Gods and it was told before Christian times, it was believed it was Odin himself that led the hunt, the leader of the Norse Gods.
Oskorsreia in Scandinavia
The Wild Hunt of Asgard raids the county Whilst fall and winter at stormy nights. But it favors to travel at Yuletide… They feast with trolls and giants; they closely ride by meadow and path And pass the fearful nation. Then, – take care farmer! Keep all in order! As the wild hunt of Asgard may visit your home! — Åsgårdsreien by Johan Sebastian Welhaven (english translation)
Oskoreia, or Åsgardsreia as it was later called by the 1800s national romantics as a connotation to Åsgard, where the norse Gods resided, was in Scandinavian lore restless spirits riding in the sky in the night. This happened especially around christmas time, or yule, called Juleskreia. Oskoreia was the older world for it, from a time when even Christmas hadn’t reached the icy tips of Scandinavia.
Oskorsreia was often in folklore about making sure you were ready with the preparations for Christmas and not being outside when the hunt was on. If you were not prepared and out and about when they came riding, chances were high that you would be carried along with them.
Julereia: Jul, meaning Yule or Christmas was also a version, sometimes used in stead of the more godly ride we oten connect Oskorsreia with. It was a group of goblins, witches, trolls, elfs and other obscure creatures, travelling around during christmas time in order to cause chaos and havoc.//Picture: Nils Bergslien 1922.
Oskorsreia was supposedly dangerous for humans to get entangled with the hunt, as it would tear at your soul and carry you so far you might not get home. Many sagas tell about people taken from their homestead and are let down in an unfamiliar place.
To stay safe against the Oskorsreia hunt, people painted crosses of tar or chalk on their doors both for humans and animals in the more Christian area. They also placed sharp steel over the doors to protect both the people in the house as well as the horses in the stables. If you were already out when you heard the ghost riders coming, your only hope was to throw yourself on the ground, arms and legs spread out and just hope that the riders would pass you.
The Danger of Oskorsreia
As through the air in the dark came a thunder, – a howling horde on ferocious horses, It raced over woods to the wedding house, Intended to visit the bloody performance. Then horns blew, and an awesome noise From bells and riding-gear resounded. Now it was close – it came over the hill – There was an outcry: The wild hunt of Asgard!
There was a tempest in Heaven and Earth, That hurled a horror in every heart, It blasted along in growing circles, It punched with wings and grabbed with arms. Then Wolf was dragged away by his hair, thrown up in the air and taken away, Yes, taken away over woods and mountains, He was never seen or heard of again. — Åsgårdsreien by Johan Sebastian Welhaven (english translation)
Over time when there was a mysterious death no one could explain, it was often blamed on the Oskorsreia, especially during Christmas times. There are many folk tales from Scandinavia where they tell about someone trying to celebrate Christmas, but an unknown corpse appears on the farm, in the woods or close to the house no one knows where it came from. Then it was thought it was a person who got tangled up in the ride, was taken away and dropped down from the sky again.
In the 1800, Oskorsreia and The Wild Hunt was a popular motif for the Germanic painters, poets and sculpture, and today we have many pieces of art depicting the hunt. But it is not the only place we can see the remnants of people’s fear of the wild hunt.
Back in pre Christian times the hunt was either a ride of witches through the night, meaning Gandferd. Gand was originally the word for a pointy staff the witches used, and this witch ride is one of the origins stories of why we think witches ride on brooms.
Why the wild hunt like Oskorsreia was happening varied, but most likely it started as an explanation to the stormy weathers during winter times. Oskorsreia and the Wild Hunt was often thought to be a warning of a coming plague or war, and also more harmless reasons as to check on people if they were doing their Christmas preparations correctly.
Built on top of pagan settlement, the areas surrounding Die Karlsteine close to the city of Osnabrück in Germany, the spirit of the slaughtered pagans still linger.
Osnabrück is a city in west Germany of Lower Saxony, founded in 780 by Charlamagne, king of the franks. But before this christian king founded this city, the place used to belong to the pagan Saxons, and it is those who are said to haunt the surrounding area near their once holy places.
Outside of Osnabrück you will find a big heap of rock that once used to be an important pagan monument known as Die Karlsteine.
Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from Germany
Die Karlsteine, also called Schluppstein, is a Neolithic passage grave near Osnabrück, often used as a tomb for entire families. Karlsteine means The Stones of Charlemagne and comes after a legend about the place.
The Massacre of the Pagans
The place around the city has been settled since the 9th century. First it was the pagan Saxon Engern, that were christened by the Franks in the 800s by Charlemagne. There was a battle between the two camps with Charlamagne on one side and the Saxon lord Widukind on the other.
According to legend, Charlamagne carried out a massacre at this place where they slaughtered the pagan priests and destroyed their holy graves and altars.
Charlemagne is said to have smashed Die Karlsteine with a whip after Widukind demanded a divine sign, showing how the pagan style of life was dying and how the Saxons were losing.
Die Karlsteine: A pagan monument from ancient times that were destroyed by the invasion of Charlemagne and the Christians and the source of the legend. //Source: Sail over/wikimedia
They say that the horror of the massacre of the pagans still lingers around the place, especially around Die Karlsteine. During the important dates for the pagans like during winter solstice they say you can see ors of light floating in the air.
In addition to the strange lights in the dark forest, they are accompanied by the screams of the slaughtered and see their bloodstain on the stones.
The German Will-O-The-Wisp: Strange floating lights or orbs have been told about in the whole world. In Europe they are deeply connected with pagan roots and old folklore. In Germany they are called Irrlicht or Irrwisch (where Wisch translates to ‘wisp’.) The lights means many thing, everything from a guiding light from a dead soul, to something showing were a treasure is buried or even something more supernatural like a fairy or something else taken from the fairytales.
Kirchlengern Forest
Germany is well known for its thick forests that hide darkness, and Kirchlengern Forest is just the same. The Kirchlengern Forest is not far from Osnabrück and Die Karlsteine and many try to connect the strange things happening to the places.
There is an area of the forest where the local forester, the police and the locals can’t explain. Since the 12th century, when Germany first started recording in writing, there have been mysterious things happening in the forest.
Kirchlengern Forest: There is said to be strange things happening in Kirchlengern Forest, and most connects it with its pagan roots. Here from the River Else.// Source: Christian Kortum/Flickr
According to the legends about this place, People visiting the place tell of a feeling of panic gripping them. After you spend some time in the forest you get a sense of being watched by something darker.
Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Forests around the world
The most scary thing though is the missing animals in the forest that are found bloody, and only the remains of them are left around the forest.
However, when looking around for sources, there are not really many of them despite being on many topp haunted places in Germany lists online. What looks like one of the first mentions of the Horror Forest of Kirchlengern is a short story post from 2005 with no more sources added, leading to believe that the strange occurrences is a thing of fiction.
The Pagan Legends Haunting the Stones and Forest
The legends and mysteries surrounding Die Karlsteine and Kirchlengern Forest continue to captivate the imaginations of locals and visitors alike. Whether rooted in historical events or embellished by folklore, these stories remind us of the complex tapestry of history and the lingering spirits that may still inhabit these ancient places.
While skeptics may dismiss these tales as mere superstition or fiction, there is no denying the eerie atmosphere and unexplained phenomena that some have experienced in these locations. Whether it’s the chilling sensation of being watched in Kirchlengern Forest or the spectral lights and echoing screams near Die Karlsteine, there is an undeniable presence that lingers.
As modern society moves forward, these stories serve as a reminder of the ancient traditions and beliefs that once held sway in these lands. They remind us that beneath the surface of our sanitized and predictable world, there are still mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
So, whether you are a believer in the supernatural or a skeptic in search of a good ghost story, the haunted legacy of Die Karlsteine and Kirchlengern Forest invites you to explore the dark corners of history and delve into the depths of the unknown. Just be prepared for what you might encounter as you step into the realm of mystery and embark on your own paranormal adventure.
Safe travels and may you find both answers and questions in your quest to uncover the enigmatic tales of Die Karlsteine and Kirchlengern Forest.
In the heart of the British countryside, the past of the plague, death and history haunts the desecrated church. But amid the mystery of the paranormal and pagan ley lines, the once cursed site has found back to being sacred.
There are a lot of magical and mysterious things surrounding the church that stands in solitude in the countryside in Kent. The original building on top of the hill was built around 1100 during William the second rule. But the man made ground it was built on has perhaps been used as a holy place to gather long before Christianity reached the British shores.
Around this church there also used to be a village, alive and thriving. But together with the black death the villagers were swept away, and with them, the village of Dode died as well.
Ley Lines and Ghosts
Haunted church: Dode church was left abandoned for centuries with rumours of being haunted and used for black magic rituals. Source: Chris Whippet
All left from the lost village of Dode is the old Norman church that is said to be haunted by a little girl. This is not the only paranormal and mystical rumours surrounding this place, this particular church. The old ruins are built on not only one, but eight ley lines, mystical lines that allegedly connect several holy buildings, monuments and places around the world according to modern paganism.
The place is filled with history as archeologists have found evidence of it being inhabited since the roman empire, perhaps even much further back in time.
The church was eventually not used as a place of worship and they changed the name of the land it was built on. Because of the rumours about it being cursed, the name Holy Hill was changed to Holly Hill as no one felt the presence of anything holy there anymore, as rumours and legends of it being cursed grew.
The Dodechild
But who was this ghost said to haunt the abandoned church? Legend has it it was the last survivor of Dode village. After the Black Death in the 14th century, the village of Dode was abandoned. Nature claimed back the signs of living, leaving only the church as proof humans once lived there.
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However, there was still one of the villagers left. A seven year old girl was one of the last survivors in the village, seeing how everyone was being taken by the plague. She took refuge inside the church, eventually dying herself, but never really leaving. And according to local legends, she would appear on the first Sunday morning of every month, haunting the grounds of were her and her entire village perished in the plague that killed millions of people across Europe.
Since the time of the plague, the village was abandoned, the church forgotten and time, weather tore down the roof, the stones taken to build a medieval church nearby. It was only known as the haunted and lost place to the locals. It was believed the place was a cursed one, and that it was used for black magic rituals. Thus the Holy Hill was renamed Holly Hill and the church boarded up, taken apart and left for centuries until someone would find the place sacred once more.
A Sacred Place for All
Wedding: The church is now used as a wedding venue for all types of ceremonies.
The church was rebuilt in the 90s after being abandoned for centuries, with the vision of bringing the holiness back to it and the work to get it back to how it would have looked originally began. With the restoration, life also came back into the hidden valley. Although this time, not a strictly catholic religious house as it used to be, but more of a sacred place for all, both for Catholics, members of the Church of England and pagans alike.
Since then it has been a venue for weddings, making it a place for eternal love declarations, bringing the serenity back over the once holy hills. Other events such as baby namings, memorials and other cultural events also takes place in it, as long it is more of a spiritual than religous event.
And with the new life that has been breathed into the valley and nearby woodland, the ghost of the little girl also has been seen less and less.
This is a list of games that have been played for a long time, or new. Some are old in its new form. Many of these games are best played in the dark in the middle of the night, far from any other sounds. Some you are tired of, as we do with old games, some are always a welcomed suggestion to do.
This is a very old game. Or rather, more than a game, perhaps we would call it more of a party trick in these days. But it has been played as far back as in 1665, at least! It is still popular today, in modern day, most popularized by the books and HBO series by the same name.
The game is a circle of children (or adults, hey!) that invokes a spirit or something to lift someone lying down in the middle. When it works, it is af the child can lift their friend with only one finger.
Rules
One participant lies flat on the floor, and then the others space themselves around him or her, each placing one or two fingertips underneath the participant’s limbs. The person closest to the head commonly begins by saying, “She’s looking ill,” which is repeated several times, and followed by, “she’s looking worse,” which is also repeated several times. The general direction of the call-and-repeat describes how the prone person is looking worse and worse, followed by saying “she is dying,” and, finally, “she is dead”.
All versions of the game end with the phrase “light as a feather, stiff as a board” chanted by the entire group, as they attempt to lift their companion’s body using only their fingertips. Some versions omit the story entirely and only the “light as a feather…” chant is used. Allegedly, after these repetitions, the person being lifted will seem lighter or even entirely weightless.
Another variation of the game takes place with one person seated in a chair. Four volunteers agree to stand around the sitter, two on the sitter’s left side and the other two on his/her right. Each of the four places two fingers under each corner of the chair’s seat and the four together will attempt to lift the chair and sitter, which generally fails. The volunteers will then perform some small ritual, usually involving rubbing their hands together or circling the chair in various direction (counter-clockwise, walking backwards, etc.) After this ritual, the volunteers hold their hands over the sitter’s head to “transfer” energy into the sitter, which will presumably make him/her weightless. The lifters then retry lifting the sitter the same way as before. Also, it can be that the lifters lift the person sitting in the chair; doing the rest of the ritual as so but holding at the four main points of the body (Under the knees on each side and under the shoulders.)
A classic tale, probably a bit boring if you have played it a million times. But the game is old and have been played in many different times. Perhaps one should try that? Perhaps it would work better then? Or… better not.
Historically, the divination ritual encouraged young women to walk up a flight of stairs backward holding a candle and a hand mirror, in a darkened house. As they gazed into the mirror, they were supposed to be able to catch a view of their future husband’s face. There was, however, a chance that they would see a skull instead, indicating that they were going to die before they would have the chance to marry.
In the ritual of today, Bloody Mary allegedly appears to individuals or groups who ritualistically invoke her name, repeatedly chanting her name into a mirror placed in a dimly-lit or candle-lit room. In some traditions the name must be repeated thirteen times (or some other specified number of times, very often 3 times in movies, probably to save time). The Bloody Mary apparition allegedly appears as a corpse, witch or ghost, can be friendly or evil, and is sometimes “seen” covered in blood. The lore surrounding the ritual states that participants may endure the apparition screaming at them, cursing them, strangling them, stealing their soul, drinking their blood.
Some variations of the ritual call Bloody Mary by a different name—”Hell Mary” and “Mary Worth” are popular examples.
This one is a pretty cool one. Although it excact origins are a bit unclear, it was believed that it was first played among the samurai class as a test of courage in old Japan.
The game was played as night fell upon the region using three separate rooms. In preparation, participants would light 100 lights in the third room and position a single mirror on the surface of a small table. When the sky was at its darkest, guests gathered in the first of the three rooms, taking turns orating tales of ghoulish encounters and reciting folkloric tales passed on by villagers who claimed to have experienced supernatural encounters. These tales soon became known as kaidan. Upon the end of each kaidan, the story-teller would enter the third room and extinguished one light, look in the mirror and make their way back to the first room. With each passing tale, the room slowly grew darker and darker as the participants reached the one hundredth tale, creating a safe haven for the evocation of spirits.
However, as the game reached the ninety-ninth tale, many participants would stop, fearful of invoking the spirits they had been summoning.
This is a rather facinating story of spiritualism, capitalism and a great scam that made people millions, and billions scared of a board game. But that must be another time. The game itself is pretty fun, even though people still swear of its demonic and spiritual powers. The official owner of the official Oujia Board is Hasbro, and this is the official rules from Hasbro (the owner of the patent).
Set up
If desired, set the mood by dimming the lights or turning them off.
Before using the Oujia Board, wipe it with a dry cloth to remove dust and moisture.
Sit opposite another player or gather around the board if more than two are playing.
Set the Ouija board either on the players laps or on a small table between and within reach of the players
Additional players are encouraged to look on and take note of the Oujia Board’s responses.
Set the Planchette in the center of the Oujia Board.
Place two fingers lightly on the Planchette.
Now, concentrate
What now?
Players take turns asking questions and all should agree to the question being asked. Ask only one question at a time. Ask your questions slowly and clearly. And wait to see what the Planchette spells out for you.
If nothing happens, try asking another question. Allow one to five minutes for an answer to come.
Ok, so this one bugs me, and it thrills me. It has been a huge success and got its own movie, but still. Well, anyway, it claims to be a pagan ritual, not specifying though, what pagan religion considering every other religion beside the religion you follow is pagan. But anyway, considering it isn’t any trace of this game from before the 2010s, it is highly unlikely. But fun nonetheless. But there are a hell of lots rules, so we will just post them as they are written on the creepy pasta page so not to make any mistakes.
Instructions
PREREQUISITES:
It must be exactly 12:00 AM when you begin performing the ritual. Otherwise, it will not work.
MATERIALS:
You will need a candle, a piece of paper, a writing implement, matches or a lighter, salt, a wooden door, and at least one drop of your own blood. If you are playing with multiple people, they will need their own of the aforementioned materials and they will have to perform the steps below accordingly.
STEP 1:
Write your full name (first, middle, and last) on the piece of paper. Put at least one drop of blood on the paper. Allow it to soak into the paper.
STEP 2:
Turn off all of the lights in the place you are doing this. Go to your wooden door, and place the paper with your name on it in front of the door. Now, take out the candle and light it. Place it on top of the paper.
STEP 3:
Knock on the door twenty-two times. The hour must be 12:00 AM upon the final knock. Then, open the door, blow out the candle, and close the door. You have just allowed the “Midnight Man” to enter your house.
STEP 4:
Immediately relight your candle. This is where the game begins. You must now lurk around your now completely dark house, with the lit candle in your hand. Your goal is to avoid the Midnight Man at all costs, until 3:33 AM. Should your candle ever go out, that means the Midnight Man is near you. You must relight your candle in the next ten seconds.
If you are not successful in doing this, you must then immediately surround yourself with a circle of salt. If you are unsuccessful in both of your actions, the Midnight Man will create a hallucination of your greatest fear, and rip out your organs one by one. You will feel it, but you will be unable to react.
If you are successful in creating the circle of salt, you must remain in there until 3:33 AM. If you are successful in relighting your candle, you may proceed with the game. You must continue to 3:33 AM, without being attacked by the Midnight Man, or being trapped inside the circle of salt, to win the Midnight Game. The Midnight Man will leave your house at 3:33 AM, and you will be safe to proceed with your morning.
ADDITION:
Indications that you are near the Midnight Man will include sudden drop in temperature, seeing a pure black, humanoid figure through the darkness, and hearing very soft whispering coming from an indiscernible source. If you experience any of these, it is advised that you leave the area to avoid the Midnight Man.
DO NOT turn any of the lights on during the Midnight Game.
DO NOT use a flashlight during the Midnight Game.
DO NOT go to sleep during the Midnight Game.
DO NOT attempt to use another person’s blood on your name.
DO NOT use a lighter as a substitute for a candle. It will not work.
AND DEFINITELY DO NOT attempt to provoke the Midnight Man in ANY WAY.
Even when the game is over, he will always be watching you…
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An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.
