Paranormal Challenges: 5 Rituals You Should NEVER Try (and Why)

Shadows&Secrets
Sep 24, 2025
3 min read

Spooky Fam.. The internet is full of so-called “paranormal challenges”—rituals whispered about on forums, YouTube videos, and TikTok. These games promise contact with spirits, glimpses into the unknown, or forbidden knowledge. But behind the thrill lies something darker. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, these rituals carry psychological, emotional, and in some cases, real physical risks.

3 candles in a dark room with 6 skull statues around it.

Here are five paranormal challenges you should never try—and the chilling reasons why:

1. The Midnight Game

What It Is:

Said to originate from old pagan rituals, the Midnight Game is played by summoning a spirit at exactly midnight. Participants write their name on paper, prick their finger to add blood, and then use a candle while wandering their dark house until 3:33 AM.

Why You Shouldn’t Try It:

Even if it’s “just a game,” the Midnight Game puts participants into a heightened state of fear and paranoia. Many report hallucinations, feelings of being watched, and intense dread. From a psychological standpoint, this can cause panic attacks or lasting anxiety. Spiritually, believers claim it invites something into your home that doesn’t leave when the clock strikes 3:33.

2. The Elevator Game

What It Is:

A ritual popularized online, the Elevator Game supposedly opens a doorway to another dimension. Players enter a building with at least 10 floors, press a series of buttons in a precise order, and, if successful, encounter a mysterious woman who should never be spoken to.

Why You Shouldn’t Try It:

Beyond the paranormal warnings, the physical danger is real—getting trapped in elevators, misusing emergency systems, or being stranded in restricted areas of buildings. Paranormal believers warn that interacting with the “woman” can lead to vanishing, possession, or being trapped between worlds.

3. The Three Kings Ritual

What It Is:

This ritual involves two mirrors, three chairs, and a candle. At 3:30 AM, participants sit in the middle chair (the “King’s Throne”) with the candle lit, and stare into the dark reflection between the mirrors. The idea is that it opens a gateway to your subconscious—or to something far more sinister. Is it a portal that opens? I would not like to find out! Or maybe, just maybe, I would.

Why You Shouldn’t Try It:

Psychologists argue it can trigger hallucinations, especially when staring into mirrors in dim light (a phenomenon known as the “Troxler effect”). Paranormal practitioners claim it can

invite malevolent entities, distort your sense of reality, and leave lingering “attachments.”

A women holding candles in her hands in front of a mirror with candles behind her.

4. Bloody Mary

What It Is:

An infamous sleepover game, Bloody Mary is summoned by chanting her name in front of a mirror, often in candlelight. Legend says she appears—sometimes benevolent, often vengeful.

Why You Shouldn’t Try It:

While many laugh it off as a childhood dare, there’s a darker side. Some players experience intense fear, visions in the mirror, or even scratches and bruises. The ritual can also cause severe psychological distress, especially for those prone to suggestion or with underlying anxiety.

5. The Dark Reflection Ritual

What It Is:

This lesser-known ritual involves shattering a mirror to “transfer bad luck” into the broken shards. The idea is that your negativity is absorbed into the fragments, but the catch is—you must then properly dispose of them, or risk being cursed.

Why You Shouldn’t Try It:

Breaking mirrors can cause serious injury, and symbolically, it’s believed to create a “portal” for negative energy. Many who’ve attempted it report strings of bad luck, night terrors, and even accidents shortly after. Whether it’s coincidence or something more, the ritual carries a dangerous weight.

Final Thoughts

Paranormal challenges might seem like fun dares, but they blur the line between curiosity and danger. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, these rituals can leave lasting marks.. psychologically, spiritually, and even physically. I have heard and watched some horror stories and videos with people doing these videos! You don't want to do these if your not protected or cleansed first. I just wouldn't recommend them at all, spooky fam!

Sometimes, the scariest thing about the unknown… is that you can’t control what answers back.

👉 Have you heard of other dangerous paranormal games? Share them in the comments down below!! I might feature them in a future post on Shadows & Secrets blog and YouTube ..

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