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.
The whole 1D fandom doing the #charliecharliechallenge like pic.twitter.com/IpJJljPgEV— natalie ❦ (@zaynbaabe) May 25, 2015
If Charlie is there the pencils will move to indicate his answer.
One reddit user believes he has uncovered a full explanation of the game:
"The best explanation I have found is here.Needless to say the reaction to the craze has been mixed:
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."
who's charlie??? what did i miss???— Jeffrey Eli Miller (@itsjeffreymusic) May 25, 2015
THIS CHARLIE CHARLIE STUFF SCARY— Grant Landis (@grantlandis) May 25, 2015
the real story behind the #charliecharliechallenge
RT TO SAVE A LIFE pic.twitter.com/HEnFMPASFD— She Ratchet (@SheeeRatchet) May 25, 2015
I know this occult stuff is dangerous and best kept away from. I cannot tell you why as I have no understanding of any of the physics that might underlie the experience. I can only use pseudo-scientific words myself - demon? Perhaps. I can tell you a large number of stories about when the occult has invaded my life and I know it is not to be encouraged:
I once lodged in a house which was supposedly haunted but experienced nothing untoward for two years. The adjoining house was a deserted ruin but with an outbuilding still in good condition and with a good floor on which had been inscribed at some expense with a circle and strange symbols. Apparently and according to my landlord he had found unusual books under the floor.
One night I slowly awoke on my back in bed. Strangely I felt as though I was lying in a slowly rising pool of absolute blackness. I began to be afraid as that part of me immersed in the pool had no conciousness. My rising fear was met by a sickly honeyed voice that tried to calm me and reassure me that everything was alright and I must abandon myself to the darkness. Just before I was enveloped I found the will to lift myself from the encroaching pool and sat bolt upright in bed. It had been a fight to do this. For perhaps a minute I sat there wondering what had happened and what to do next. The answer was forced upon me. I was attacked from behind time and time again by a black shadow creature. This time it intended to take me by force. I kept fighting its attempts to conquer me. This is difficult. How does one hit an insubstantial being? The attacks continued for some time.
Eventually the attacks ended. I still do not know to this day whether I won.