Up My Own Ass

We recently received this user-contributed story from Paul and with his permission wanted to share it with everyone. It seems Katie’s original “Are T.A.P.S. full of S.H.I.T?” got a lot of people talking about the paranormal and ghost hunting in general.

This story is Paul’s own experience into the paranormal, give it a read:

Story

Investigation Year: 1999

Private home Massachusetts, A 62 year old women claims to be contacting a dead female spirit using a Ouija board. The spirit has identified herself as Doris

I received a call from a very good friend who stated there is a lady in The Boston area who can receive messages from a spirit using a Quija board. I rolled my eyes and told him Ouija boards are manipulated using the ideomotor effect. I couldn’t understand why he believed such nonsense could or should be connected to activity. He laughed and told me the lady’s brother contacted him and said he was convinced his sister is genuine and she is being contacted by a spirit . I asked him if she claimed to be a or if she claimed to have any psychic ability. He already asked these questions and was told she did not display any special powers or unusual behavior until she purchased a Ouija board. At this point I have no idea why I’ am still having this conversation .” Even worse” why he bothered to call me. I said I was not interested in investigating something he and I can explain and duplicate. I ended my conversation thinking that was the end of it.

A few days later he called me back. He was excited and said you have to see this. I said see what, “he blurts out”, the Ouija board lady. He said you would not believe the demonstration I witnessed. He related the following story.

I went to the client’s house with the lady’s brother; I asked her if it was possible to communicate with the spirit in my presence. She said she would try and proceeded to get the Ouija board. She sat down and placed the board on her lap. She then asked if the spirit was present. Within moments the planchette moved to yes. She then asked the name of the spirit. The spirit complied and spelled out the name Doris. More questions were asked and the spirit answered them all. No questions were asked by the investigator.

So I inquired about his tone of excitement and said nothing unusual about what he just related. He then said, it was the speed of the planchette moving on the board. “His direct quote was”. The indicator spelled out answers faster then an experienced typist. I paused and tried to imagine what I just heard. Now he has my attention. But I am not convinced she is communicating with a spirit or a phenomenon I couldn’t explain. A Ouija board can be purchased at Wal-Mart for a few dollars. It’s a toy right. “OR IS IT”

He made an appointment for another demonstration. We brought two recorders and a list of well prepared questions. I asked her would the spirit respond if I asked all the questions. She didn’t seem to think that would be a problem. She agreed and seemed to be excited about the idea of a video. She asked for a copy when we finished.

The first was set up for a complete frontal view capturing her hands and face. The second camera was at a slight right angle directed more on the hands and board.

Would the spirit communicate with camera’s rolling? We all know how ghost’s appear to be camera shy. I won’t list all the questions asked, and answered. I will explain what happened. Remember I asked all the questions. And I examined the board and planchette.

As soon as I asked a question the planchette immediately went to spell out the answer. I can only relate the speed at which they were answered .Nothing less then remarkable. The speed of a laser presentation pointer. I’m holding a pad of paper and pencil and I can’t record the answers.That’s how fast the planchette is moving across the board.

I stop the questions. The cameras are still rolling. I asked her if she could communicate with the spirit using a different Ouija board. I had purchased one and left it in the car. She had a puzzled look on her face. She agreed to give it a try. With a new board. I asked if the spirit was in the room. Long pause, planchette does not move. The question was again repeated. No response, I asked if she thought the spirit had left. She said she didn’t know. I asked if she wanted to continue using her board. She said she would try.

I had one more request . I asked her if she was truly communicating with a spirit could she get the same results BLIND FOLDED. To my surprise she agreed and said she did not think this would be a problem. Now I’m thinking. (Game Over)

Doris are you still here. Planchette moves, answer yes, I quickly ask another question. Planchette spells out the correct answer. I notice this time I can keep up with the planchette and record on paper what is being spelled out. A total of 12 questions were answered and all spelled out correctly. The only difference being the speed was noticeably much slower.

Was the Ouija really communicating with a spirit? How could we explain the speed at which the answers were given. How could she do this blind folded and spell out the answers correctly. Was the spirit guiding her. Does she possess a gift. Is this a classic case of unexplainable phenomenon. Can we really communicate with a spirit with an object purchased at Wal-Mart.

Personal Thoughts

I will admit this was an experience and one I will not forget, to say the least it was amusing and entertaining and she had me thinking about how she was doing this. I watched the video several times. I made my own conclusions. The obvious question, was she peeking through the blind fold. I can only say I’ am confident she was not. So how did this remarkable lady do this. I knew it was a trick but like most tricks I don’t know how they are performed. If it is a trick, how was it done?

Practice, and more practice. She displayed the best hand eye coordination and thought process I have ever seen. I can honestly say she can be compared to a well trained Marine who can assemble his weapon quicker then you can say Marine. A combat trained Marine can assemble his weapon in pitch black conditions with a slightly slower pace. I would suggest the Ouija lady would have made a very good Marine.

My explanation is she memorized the board.

Does this explanation seem likely? Did she really take the time to memorize the lay out of the Ouija board? How many hours of practice did it take to master this incredible mystifying illusion, what would be her reason. Did I prove it can not only be done but duplicated? I did except my explanation as plausible for the simple reason. When blind folded the speed of the planchette was noticeable slower She appeared to be thinking instead of reacting. We can all type and spell with out looking at the key board, so with practice we should be able to push a triangle shaped object to spell out words.
Background

Doris the spirit: Was Doris Larkin, she died in 1923 at the age of 27 believed to live in The Massachusetts area. How she died was not clear. Possible accident. Spirit could not remember. A history search proved negative. No information on Doris was ever confirmed.

One more note.. Did I waste my time with nonsense? NO, I loved the experience and would do it again. After all, it beats sitting in a dark house all night waiting for reported objects to be hurled into the air.

Final Note

Why did she do it? She lived alone and had very little company.