“Charlie Charlie” is a malicious new viral challenge that has swept the nation and the world, drawing teens into demon-summoning under the guise of a carefree fortune-telling game.
Using similar tactics as Ouija boards, participants in the game write “Yes” and “No” on two quarters each of a sheet of paper. They then lay the pencils in a cross—one resting atop the other—on the sheet of paper, dividing the makeshift game board into quadrants containing one “response” each.
Seemingly innocent thus far, not distantly removed from the paper “cootie catcher” fortune telling toys popular with school-aged children in the U.S. since the 1960s. But this is where the new fad makes a sinister departure with its forbears.
In a version of a Mexican occultist ritual, participants gather around the paper and chant “Charlie, Charlie, are you there? Come to me.”
The purpose of the chant is to summon a demon, who is then asked yes-or-no questions by those present. The demon is then believed to move the pencil to point at the question’s answer.
When participants are finished playing the game, they have to ask “Charlie” if they can leave, and they are not allowed to disband until the demon gives them permission.
So much for innocent schoolyard fun.
The game, which is trending on Twitter as #CharlieCharlieChallenge, has garnered some terrifying experiences, even after participants thought they were done.
“We we felt like we were surrounded by evil and were being watched,” said one participant from Texas named Zody, according to a Christian News story. “[I saw a] man figure at the top of the steps with black and red eyes.”
Meanwhile, many teens have taken to social media to share their experiences, posting videos to Facebook or Instagram, while others have offered parody takes on the game, making light of a terrifyingly grave fad.
Interest in tapping into the demonic realms has soared since last year’s horror film Ouija, despite the movie’s message clearly emphasizing the dangers in doing so. And although those who claim that Ouija board movement is due solely to the power of suggestion and groupthink, the hands-free nature of Charlie Charlie does not offer that excuse for the activity users have experienced.
While Ouija users are ostensibly trying to contact spirits beyond of any variety, Charlie Charlie teens are specifically seeking advice from a demon.
How far have we fallen as a culture when our youth think a demon is the best counselor for sound direction on their life choices?
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