Vincent Kundukulam
Though we live in a world where science plays a leading role, we find that the occult practices grow fast in the society. The term “occult” refers to the hidden matters. Those who are interested in such practices presume that there are mysterious powers behind the happenings in the world and that they could be deployed to reach their desired actions. Societies in general don’t see positively these types of secret activities as they generate certain enigmatic feelings in the adepts. Though they are unscientific, for one reason or other people are attracted to such observances. Among the numerous kinds of occult practices, we mention here only two: Sorcery and Ouija Board.
Sorcery, which is also known as black magic, may be defined as the “art of bringing about results beyond man’s power through the enlistment of supernatural agencies.” Those who practice it attempt to influence the course of events or persons for their personal benefits. The basic assumptions behind bewitchment are the law of simulation and the law of contact according to which the effect resembles its cause. The law of simulation is the application of magic upon a statue of a human being (or upon any object) in order to do harm or good to the representing person. The law of contact is the application of magic upon objects like cloth, hair etc. which are connected to that particular person. The advocates of sorcery make people think that certain mantras can control the deities to the extent that the latter cannot but obey what the priest orders by means of formulas and rituals. Whoever devotes himself to these practices slowly become slaves to the Satanic beliefs.
With the release of Romancham, a film in Malayalam, the game Ouija Board has captured a space in the recent public discussion. As usual, a few come forward with severe allegations against the film makers saying that it shall instill a false faith in youngsters. Some others don’t share with this rigid attitude. In their view, the film must not be understood literally. It is in fact a sarcastic presentation of youngsters who become victims of their own pseudo creation, and while seeing the film, an intelligent spectator shall think only about its virtual aspects. We don’t want to make any judgment on the same because everyone has the right to have his/her own perception about the same.
What is Ouija Board? It is a board having two simple parts of English letters (or any other letter corresponding to a particular language), the letters from zero to nine, a coin (planchette) to move upon the board, and the words ‘yes’ and ‘no’. The word ‘Ouija’ means yes-yes which is a combination of the French word oui and the German word Ja. It is also called talking-board. In the Egyptian language, it is the word for luck. We see its earlier forms in the ancient cultures. It was first mentioned in China about 1200 years before Christ and was called Fugi. It is said that the Roman Emperor Valence (4th century) was using ‘talking board’.
The basis of this board is the belief that man can communicate to souls of the dead, Satan and gods through certain mediums. In the beginning, Ouija board appeared to the people in the form of game, played between two people. The persons ask questions by putting one chin finger upon the coin and they believe that the coin will move by itself to the right answer. The continuous use of this board makes people its addicts and it is risky even to the point of death. No doubt, sufficient education is to be given to youngsters not to fall into the prey of the money mafia who are behind the curtain of Ouija Board.
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