Beiruting News

A strange new game is taking over Twitter, fuelled by speculation that its players can connect with a dead Mexican spirit known as Charlie.

The Charlie Charlie Challenge has been played by thousands of young people after a number of videos purported to show supernatural goings-on.

The game entails placing two pencils on a piece of paper in the shape of the cross with the words 'yes' and 'no'. Participants then repeat the phrase "Charlie, Charlie can we play?" in order to connect with the demon.

One reddit user believes he has uncovered a full explanation of the game:

"The best explanation I have found is here.

You've probably heard of using a Ouija board to contact spirits, but I bet you haven't heard of using pencils to have your questions answered by supernatural beings! The Pencil Game, also called "Charlie, Charlie," is a traditional Mexican ritual wherein players (usually children) are said to contact the spirit of a child named Charlie.

To play The Pencil Game, you will need six pencils and a partner. Facing each other, each person must hold three pencils and arrange them as three sides of a box, with the open end facing the other person. It is best to use unsharpened pencils, or to hold the tips so that the eraser ends are pointed toward your partner. The ends of your pencils will need to touch your partner's to form a complete rectangle.

To begin the game, both players must chant: "Charlie, Charlie, can we play?" If the pencils move inward or up, the answer is yes. If they move outward or down, the answer is no. If one side goes one way and the other side goes a different way, it means maybe or the question can't be answered at this time. You can then ask the spirit of Charlie yes or no questions, and he will respond by moving the pencils. Charlie is kind of like the spirit world version of a Magic 8 ball. To end the game, both players must chant: "Charlie, Charlie, can we stop?" After the pencils move, both players drop all of the pencils on the floor to break contact with Charlie."

telegraph