The Paranormal, Hauntings and Entities

How to Talk to the Dead

2007-07-19T11:51:00.001-07:00

Would you like to have a word with your long-departed mother? How about experiencing a hug from your deceased grandfather?

The world's foremost expert on the near-death experience and the afterlife says he did just that, and you can too, simply by using a mirror and following the easy guidelines offered by Dr. Raymond Moody below. Moody's technique involves gazing into a large mirror, an ancient technique to receive visions. For example, the great seer Nostradamus used this method to see into the future. Here is Dr. Moody's method:

(1) Get into a serene state of mind by eliminating caffeine and dairy products the day before your encounter. Eat simply, such as only fruit and vegetables.

(2) Go to the quietest part of your home. Leave your wristwatch and all jewelry off. Wear only loose, comfortable clothing. It is important to find a comfortable place where you can truly relax. Unplug clocks and phones in that room so as not to be disturbed. The goal is to ease the transition into an altered state of awareness. Posture is important. Sit in a comfortable chair that will support the back of your head, even if you are deeply relaxed. Place a large mirror in front of your chair and arrange it so that you can gaze into it without having to hold your eyes at an uncomfortable angle.

(3) Create a mood by soothing yourself with beauty for about 15 minutes by looking or listening to works of art. Art alone is enough to induce altered states in many people. Soft music can go far to stimulate awareness.

(4) Gather photographs and personal items of your departed loved one around you. Touch them and remember your loved ones fondly. It is important to imprint that person firmly in your mind. Doing so shouldn't be too difficult. A family album filled with great memories stirs up the conscious as well as the unconscious mind. Family films and videos do the same thing. Some people use articles of clothing associated with the person. Such items include fishing poles, woodworking tools, chess sets, pipes, glasses, old letters, and so on. Anything associated with that person is an effective way of bringing up memories and feelings.

(5) In the twilight of the day, light a candle and place it behind you. Dim light from behind usually works the best, although you will have to experiment until you get the lighting just right. The twilight hours are a time that seems to better inspire altered states in many people. Later, when you become more proficient, you will find that mirror gazing is possible even in bright lights.

(6) The technique of mirror gazing itself is remarkably easy. Seated comfortably, relax and gaze into the clear depth of the mirror without trying to see anything. Some compare this to looking off into the distance. Properly relaxed, your arms will feel very heavy and the tips of your fingers will tingle as though charged slightly by electricity. This tingling feeling almost always signals the beginning of the hypnagogic state (altered consciousness).

(7) The mirror will most likely become cloudy now. Some people report an image that resembles the sky on a cloudy day. Others say that the mirror becomes darker. Whatever the case, this change in the clarity of the mirror signals you that the visions are about to appear.

(8) Do not direct the experience at first or pose particular questions when the visions appear. It is best to first watch them unfold passively. Just let the images flow. Attempting to guide the images decrease the likelihood that one will see images in the mirror. After you have become more adept at mirror gazing, putting specific questions into your mind before entering the trance state can be very helpful, especially if your object is self-exploration or self-understanding. Attempting to direct images after they have begun will usually cause them to fade away. Why this happens Dr. Moody is not sure, but his guess is that conscious thought brings you out of the hypnagogic state of mind where these images occur.

How long do the images last? Usually less than a minute, especially for those unable to stay relaxed. Some of Dr. Moody's subjects have been able to maintain images for as long as ten minutes on their first attempt. The more proficient you become at mirror gazing, the longer you will see images in the mirror.

Sometimes you may see nothing yet hear the departed person talk or feel his or her touch. Some may experience all the sensations of a given person, or location, without actually seeing anything. Sometimes, like Nostradamus, you may have the sensation of passing into the mirror, or the images may actually come out to be with you. Whatever the case, it will be obvious when the visionary experience starts and when it is over.

Dr. Moody recommends that you record the experience immediately after the session as you would a dream. Write it down in as much detail as possible. Careful record keeping will help you know what to expect the next time you mirror gaze. It will also show differences between sessions and will eventually let you know how to get the most out of your mirror-gazing experience. Recording your experiences will also help you remember them as they really were.

If the visions do not occur during a session, then it is necessary to consider some of the possible factors involved. The most common reason for failing to see anything is trying too hard. People sometimes report that the visions miraculously begin after they give up, or at least after they entertain thoughts of doing so. Distractions are another common reason that visions fail to take place. These can include outside noise and physical discomfort. Perhaps the room is too hot or too cold, or maybe it is just too noisy. Distractions also take place in the form of diet. Some people simply cannot have visionary experiences after eating a heavy meal, though a light one is recommended since it elevates your blood sugar and keeps you from focusing on your hunger.

Dr. Moody also emphasizes that exercise is an important component of relaxation. Most people are far more relaxed after even gentle exercise and have lower blood pressure and a slower heart rate to prove it. If you are having difficulty relaxing, or letting your mind wander while mirror gazing, it might be due to a lack of exercise.

Some people even use meditation and consider the visions an interesting by-product.

"There should be no fear of death, for the death of the body is but a gentle passing to a much freer life." - Helen Greaves

- Adapted from "Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon" - Raymond A. Moody Jr.

The Amityville Hoax

2007-04-30T00:58:00.000-07:00

It all started in November of 1973, when twenty-three Ronald DeFeo, while high on heroin, shot and killed his four siblings and both of his parents. DeFeo was tried, convicted and sentenced to six life sentences for the crime.

The following year, 1974, again in November, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the DeFeo house, a six bedroom Colonial with a swimming pool and its own boathouse, located in the Long Island community of Amityville. The purchase price was reportedly eighty-thousand dollars. On December 12th, the Lutzs and their children moved into the house. A month later, on January 13, 1975; they moved out, supposedly in fear for their lives.

According to the Lutzs, they were driven from the house by supernatural forces, which began to occur the day they moved in. On that day, a family friend, Father Frank Mancuso, dropped by to bless the house. During the benediction, a booming male voice was heard, ordering them to "Get Out!” Over the nest few weeks, a string of strange occurrences followed. The Lutz’s youngest child encountered, in her bedroom, a pig with "glowing red eyes." A heavy door was mysteriously torn from its hinges. George Lutz saw his wife, Kathy, levitating above their bed, and on another occasion, Lutz heard band music while in the living room and went to investigate. Failing to find the source, he returned to find the living room rug rolled up and the furniture moved around the room. Finally, during a torrential rainstorm, with winds of "hurricane strength", and the electrical power out, the Lutzs fled the house, leaving their belongings behind.

Approximately a year afterwards, author Jay Anson heard of the events in Amityville, and contacted the Lutz family. He was given exclusive rights to the story in exchange for an even split of the royalties. Anson's retelling of the story, "The Amityville Horror", became a best seller in both hardcover and paperback, was made into a highly successful movie, and later, a somewhat less successful sequel. The Lutz’s month of terror had made them and Anson relatively wealthy.

But then the bubble started to burst. It turned out that Anson had developed the story not from personal interviews with the Lutzs, but from forty-five hours of previously taped interviews provided to him by George Lutz. Lutz had also been talking with William Weber, an attorney representing none other than Ronald DeFeo. Defeo, having failed at an insanity plea, was trying to get a new trial through a "the devil made me do it" ploy, claiming the same supernatural forces that had tormented the Lutzs had forced him to commit his crime. (He failed.) Neither was Jay Anson the first writer Lutz had been in contact with.

Before Anson had ever heard of the Lutzs, they had struck a tentative deal with author Paul Hoffman to tell their story, but the deal had eventually fell through, resulting in the Lutzs taking Hoffman to court. This was a big mistake on their part. Under oath, George Lutz admitted that the incidents involving the band music and the rolled up rug and moving living room furniture and the door being ripped from its hinges had never happened. Nor had a supernatural voice ordered them from the house the day of its blessing. Indeed the house had never been "formally" blessed at all, not by Father Mancuso or any other priest. Lutz further stated that he "may have been only dreaming" when he saw his wife levitating above their bed. And no, he had never seen a pig, red-eyed or otherwise in his daughter’s room. As for the "hurricane strength" rainstorm that knocked out power the day the Lutzs fled the house, weather reports that day only indicated "traces" of precipitation, with no reported power outages.

The whole thing was obviously a hoax or scam, but the question remains: Why?

The truth was never revealed. However certain information, which came to light later, allows some educated guesses to be made. Although the house was fairly priced at eighty-thousand dollars, "People Magazine" found out that the Lutzs had only budgeted forty-thousand for their home purchase. Further, when they abandoned the house, the furniture they left behind was described as "cheap knock off". With these facts, it is easy to assume that the simplest solution is the correct one: money. The Lutzs had apparently gotten in over their head and this was the only solution they could find that to salvage something from impending financial disaster.

Within a year, the house had new owners, James and Barbara Cromarty and their children. "The book is completely untrue" Barbara told "People Magazine", "this is a lovely home." None of the Cromartys have ever seen or experienced any supernatural occurrences. The only problems they have had have been from people wanting to see "The Amityville Horror."

Edinburgh Castle - A Drummer and a Piper

2007-04-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted castles in Scotland. Among its many ghosts are a phantom piper and a headless drummer.

Under Edinburgh runs a series of secret tunnels that run though to the Royal Mile. The tunnels were found one hundred years ago; upon their discovery a piper was first sent down the tunnels to explore. The piper was instructed to keep playing his pipes so those above could track his progress. Half way down the Royal Mile, the piping suddenly stopped. A rescue party was sent but no trace was ever found of the piper - he simply vanished. The ghost of the piper haunts the secret tunnels and his music can often be heard in the castle when his ghost walks the underground tunnel beneath the Royal Mile.

Many visitors to the castle have heard the unearthly sound of drums. It is rumored that the drummer's ghost only appears when the castle is about to be attacked. The drummer is the ghost of a young boy who appears without a head, first seen before Cromwell's attack on the castle in 1650.

More information about Edinburgh Castle can be found at http://www.edinburghcastle.biz/

The Science and Paranormal Conflict

2007-04-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

When most scientists attempt to debunk a supposed sighting, their first impression is most commonly, “there is no scientific proof of the existence of ghosts.” This theory may be wrong. Science may have theories in order to explain what may be happening beyond what we know and what we can see.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955), Time Magazine's Man of the Century and one of the greatest minds the world has known, taught us that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Energy can only be changed from one form into another form. Definition: no matter what, energy cannot be destroyed.

Human beings possess electrical and chemical energy in our bodies. We are organically designed to carry our electrically charged brain and nervous systems. When a human being dies, the chemicals within the body begin to break down and decompose. The organic side of the body returns to wear it came from; energy changing into a different form of energy, as Einstein's law says. What happens to the electrical energy that flows through the brain? The energy cannot simply disappear or fade away from existence, breaking the laws of science. That energy exists, albeit transformed into a different form of energy. What happens to the energy may be determined by personal faith. What waits beyond this life is unknown. However, what is known, thanks to science, the electrical pulse energy in each human being will always exist. As a rule it “cannot be destroyed.”

Another great scientist who believed in life after death was Thomas Edison, (1847-1931). Edison was a genius ahead of his time. The light bulb, phonograph, typewriter, electric motor, stock ticker are noted as Edison’s greatest inventions. However, one-thousand ninety-three patented inventions are attached to the Edison legacy. An invention that Edison worked on at the end of his career was a secret project; a machine that would allow the living to see and communicate with the souls of the dead.

Edison believed the soul was made up of what he referred to as “life units.” These microscopic particles or life units could rearrange into any form. The units of the soul retained full memory, personality and were indestructible. Edison's machine could detect these life units in the environment and allow an individual to communicate with the dead. Edison strived many years to complete his new creation. Sadly, Edison died before the invention was finished. Skeptics refer to Edison as crazy. Others surmise that he was onto something bigger than the idea of the light bulb. Some believe, given a little more time, Edison might have opened incredible doors. Had Edison completed his invention, society might have found itself existing in an exceptionally different world today.

In most ghost haunting and paranormal investigation, some claim there are certain electrical elements at work. Using EMF detectors, paranormal investigators are able to monitor electrical forces. The EMF device may be used to examine and record the smallest fluctuation in the surrounding electromagnetic field. Electrical appliances, such as television sets and computers reflect higher distortions rather than a lamp or toaster. Some claim entities are present as higher levels of electromagnetic distortions are read by EMF. Often, many believe distortions may cause interference with some functions of computers systems as well as audio and video equipment.

The presence of ghosts may be recorded as temperature changes. Fluctuations of more than 10 degrees have been recorded in smaller rooms containing constant temperatures. Scientific studies show there must be some form of energy present in order to alter the temperature. Temperature should not change unless some type of interference is affecting it in one way or another. Often, a witness believing one has made contact with the unknown, report feeling cold spots. Cold spots may be caused by light reflecting incorrectly off most entities, creating a dark form. The light seemingly absorbs into the ghost. Theorists claim ghosts absorb both light and heat energy, causing the general area around the ghost to be several degrees cooler. Hot spots have been reported, as well. A hot spot may simply be the reverse affect of a cold spot; instead of soaking up the light and heat the ghost is reflecting it back, causing the area to be warmer.

The Medium

2007-04-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, all are capable of making contact with spirits or ghosts. Most do not work on the skills needed to accomplish this. Most do not want to see, hear or feel a ghost. Experiencing an apparition could be rather unnerving, if not terrifying. Imagine, during a moment of respite, visualizing a blank eyed little girl gazing at you, mouthing something you are unable hear.

Uncommonly, there are those whom are born natural Mediums. The medium’s ability to detect outside the normal human frequency, like many animals, is heightened. E.S.P. extends beyond the normal physical senses. Mediums may have the ability to tune into a frequency band easier than most. Often, the medium may see an entity, while another may only hear them. It has been shown the medium may receive guidance within their minds eye, or "third eye", from the beyond. If one is interested in learning the skills of the Medium, there are ways of doing so
.
Make visits to reportedly haunted venues. It is unnecessary the venue be a frightening place. Choose a location where research shows many lives had crossed over. An old battle field, cemetery or a known haunted hotel are a few examples. Additionally, there are plenty of books out there detailing these locations throughout the United States, Europe and elsewhere.

Locate an area within the venue one may be very quiet and still. The visitor of the particular location should attempt to open up that sixth sense hiding dormant. Many have this capability, but like a muscle, this sense has become weak over time.

Begin by blocking the thoughts in the mind that may be racing about. One requires a quiet mind to allow very soft mutterings to be heard. If correctly accomplished, one can experience the meditative state, otherwise known as Alpha, opening the mind to hear frequencies not normally heard.

When the mind is quiet, calm and clear, extend a request in which a positive entity make itself be known to you. Relax, wait and listen. Assuming one is experiencing an ideal situation, the entity may attempt to be heard in some way. Contact will more than likely be something short and perhaps blurted out. Do not expect a long dialog. Commonly, one may hear one or two mutterings or a hurried rush of whispering.

Remember, once one opens the ability, one may be beginning a new journey. All persons interested in enabling this ability must be sure of their intentions. Opening the mind as a true medium may be life-changing. If unsure, a door may open one may not be inclined to enter.

Haunted Tours - Chicago

2007-04-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of several Chicagoland tours. Chicago is chock full of haunted places...Look for more on Chicago's hauntings, stories and information posted on this site in the coming weeks.

Chicago Haunting Tours
Weird Chicago
Haunted Chicagoland Tours
New Millennium Theatre
Seadog Haunted Tours

The Back Seat Ghost

2007-03-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

In 1959, Mrs. Mabel Chinnery was visiting the grave of her mother in a British churchyard and took a photo of her husband, who was waiting alone in the car. When the film was developed, Mrs. Chinnery recognized the image of her mother in the backseat - the woman whose grave they had visited on that day. A photo expert examined it for a British newspaper and declared the photo to be authentic.

Ghosts and Reincarnation

2007-03-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

Ghosts are probably the most known paranormal phenomenon with the UFO category gaining on it everyday. While it's hard to understand or know why a ghost is somewhere or haunting a location, I think it's easier to figure out what it is than what business the entity might have.

This seems to be one of the easier lines to connect since it's almost obvious how to get from ghosts to reincarnation. If ghosts are the lost or still departing souls of the once living, then perhaps they stick around for awhile. After the soul finishes what it still needs to do in it's current life it moves on. We have no idea of knowing how long a soul will stay around once it's left a body. Some ghosts are reported for hundreds of years, others seem to fade fairly quickly.

Edgar Cayce touched on a spirit's journey throughout lifetimes. How skills and talents we have now are the results of past lives. In our life, we are here to try and find a "karmic" balance for the lessons we learn now for those we didn't learn, haven't learned, or still need to learn. The lingering spirit, after death, still possibly be someone looking to close a karmic gap that they incarnated to do in this lifetime.

To those that access the Akashic Records, or Book of Life, they'll find information about a person across several lifetimes, which Cayce often used to diagnose ailments with those who sought him for readings. So, in the line, a ghost could be what we figured it was, a spirit still looking to finish some business in their life before moving on.

One more possibly comes to mind that a ghost is the collective conscious of the people leaving an imprint in reality of a person's past existence. With thought creating so much reality everyday, it could have the power to leave a visual, if hazy, representation of the spirit in question. Since everyone will imagine the spirit entity a different way, solid details are sometimes lost. This is hard to prove, of course, but after looking into thoughtforms and their effect on us, it might be possible some ghosts are the result of it.

I've wondered as well, why we only have fairly modern day ghosts. There are no reports of an ancient Roman entity or Mongol spirit for example. This leads me to believe that the spirits only affect those of the lifetime of the being they incarnate as, when the moment is passed, they move on to another lifetime to balance their karma. Having none living to learn their life's lessons, they would probably be forced to reincarnate and start over, either having to relearn the past lesson, or a completely one.

This is, at best, mostly speculation. The rest of the connecting dots for ghosts must reside in the metaphysical arts and possibly Eastern religions, new and old, which seemed to have a better grasp of the life and death cycle.

-Adaptation
http://www.paranormal-phenomenon.net

The Tulip Staircase

2007-03-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken by Ralph Hardy, in 1966, a Canadian tourist who intended to photograph the "Tulip Staircase" in the Queen's House section of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England. Upon development, however, the photo revealed the ghostly figure climbing the stairs, holding the railing with both hands. Many experts, including some from Kodak, could not find any evidence of tampering. Other figures have been seen on occasion in the vicinity of the staircase, and unexplained footsteps have also been heard.

Living Objects

2007-03-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

There are many ghost stories that involve non-living objects that seem to be alive. These cases usually involve a personal object such as jewelry or a doll. The people began noticing that the objects are not always in the same place that they were left. The people don't actually see the objects move, but they know that the objects are moving when they are not around.

Either a very powerful spirit or a demon conducts this type of ghostly activity. They move the objects to give the impression that the objects are themselves alive or possessed. Spirits cannot possess non-living objects. This is a common spirit trick to fool the living into giving the objects recognition. Recognition equals power for the spirit.

The spirits use these methods because it is easier to get people to give recognition to earthly objects than to an invisible entity. The spirits typically disguise themselves as the ghosts of children. Again, this is because people are much more likely to communicate with the lost lonely ghost of a child than an evil festering demon. It plays on the all too familiar feelings of human compassion.

Once the spirits have the attention of the living they continue to control the objects getting more and more recognition and more power. They begin to use the extra power to influence more of the natural environment. They can influence dreams, control other household objects, manipulate machines including cars and household electrical devices. The "harmless" object movement soon turns into something different and sometimes violent. The people in the house usually become afraid. The spirit uses the fear to gather strength and power, which it then uses to create more fear. It's a snowball effect that could lead to demon possession, psychical injury and even death.

The Golden Lady

2007-03-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

A series of photos taken of an abandoned house in America. Nothing was seen when the photos were being taken.

The grey image is an analysis done by a computer.

Haunted Tours - Lighthouses

2007-03-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

New London Ledge Light - New London, Connecticut
Seul Choix Point Lighthouse - Gulliver, Michigan
Owl's Head Light - Owl's Head, Maine
Point Sur - Big Sur, California

Ouija Board Communication

2007-03-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Ouija board or “talking board” has fascinated millions since its invention in the 1800s. Many predictions of future events, as well as life direction have purportedly been received from talking boards. Some of the most interesting advice received from Ouija Boards has been the foretelling of impending doom, winning lottery numbers, as well as direction for major life decisions. But of greater interest to most people would be the idea that we can communicate with the dead – those who have crossed over to the other side of the grave.

A coffin maker originally invented the talking board, naming it “Oujia” after what he thought was an Egyptian word for “luck.” The invention was purchased by Kennard Novelty Company and later the Oujia Board’s ownership was assumed by William Fuld who marketed it in mass. Eventually, Parker Brothers purchased the rights to the Oujia Board and still market it today in toy stores around the world. Many artisans from various countries and cultures craft unique styles of the talking board and market them on-line.

Tales of the Ouija Board have caused many to fear it. Some believe that evil spirits will come through and harm or even possess the talking board user. Others believe that its usage may invite harmful ghosts to haunt one’s house, or that bad luck may ensue after using the Ouija Board. So what is the Ouija Board story? My take is that fear is never truth, nor does it have any power beyond what we give it.

So what is happening with the Ouija Board? Well first, we should explain how a talking board, such as the Ouija Board is used. The talking board has letters, numbers and the words, “Yes,” and “No,” printed on its surface. The user then places what is known as a “planchette” or even a glass on the board with fingertips on top. Usually, more than one Ouija Board participant is used, with everyone’s fingertips lightly placed on top of the planchette. As questions are asked by the participant(s), the planchette will usually begin to move across the board within five minutes. If the question is a “yes or no-type” question, the planchette or glass will move to either the “yes” or “no” printed on the board, thus giving the answer. If the question requires other words, then the planchette will spell out the answer in letters or numbers. If all participants are honest and not purposely trying to move the planchette, then one must ask, “Where do the answers come from?” Do answers received from the Ouija Board come from the dead? As the Ouija Board box exclaims, “It’s only a game, isn't it?”

I received a letter about this from Charlie Chittendon of the UK. He currently sells “The Ouija Board Diaries” on-line at Ebay. For a novel price, one can purchase the diaries and read about Charlie’s story of conducting talking board experiments. Charlie believes that people who have died speak through the Ouija Board. His stories are quite interesting, as they are diary notes of questions and answers received through his talking board. The ranges of people, places and their times of existence here on earth vary and are of interest, but to date Charlie has been unable to confirm their stories and messages. This leads the reader to wonder, “Are they real?”

If Charlie Chittendon has not received these messages from dead people, then where is all this information coming from? I have two other ideas, and I am not saying I’m correct. Maybe Charlie is picking up those who have crossed over from this physical world through death. However, I am wondering if we may indeed be tuning into spirit, and could it be the spirit hidden deep within us? What if all of us are connected in one spirit…call it God. All of us being “in” or a “part of” God, could we then possibly be receiving truth like a radio receiver from the spirit, of which we are all a part of? Is it possible that when we relax with our fingertips on the planchette of the Ouija Board, that we leave the rational mind behind (which is fixed to this physical realm), and possibly open up to the creative mind which seems attached to the invisible, spirit realm? And if so, could our fingertips and mind be working together subconsciously to move the planchette to spell out truths that are hidden deep within…hidden within spirit? Another idea would be that perhaps the Ouija Board acts as a mirror of what lies within us. If we are filled with fear, then we will receive messages of fear. If we are looking for truth, we may just receive messages of truth – all of this of course still coming from within our very being.

by LC Duplatt
-Taken from angelsandghosts.com

This is the mystery of the talking board, and ultimately what intrigues us about it.

Whatever the truth may be, talking boards are definitely interesting.

Freddy Jackson

2007-03-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Taken in 1919, this picture is a group portrait of Sir Victor Goddard's squadron.

In the back of Goddard, positioned on the top row, fourth from the left, can be seen the face of another man (shown in the zoom circle). It could be the face of Freddy Jackson, an air mechanic who had been accidentally killed by an airplane propeller two days earlier.

This photograph was taken the day of his funeral, and members of the squadron easily recognized his face.

Haunted Tours

2007-03-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a short list of haunted tours in the Western U.S.

Haunted Vegas
Haunted Haight
San Fransisco Ghosst Hunt
Haunted Happenings

More to come....

St. Mary Church

2007-03-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

This ghostly figure that appears to be praying was not seen by the photographer Gordon Carrol when the shot was taken. The photo was snapped at the church of St. Mary the virgin in Northampton England.

Poltergeist

2007-03-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

Poltergeist Activity: A malevolent, mischievous spirit or form of energy which manifests with characteristics such as strange noises, moving or disappearing objects, and abnormal odors.

The word poltergeist is a German word, literally translated means, “Noisy Spirit.”

The earliest known reports of poltergeists date back to the ancient Romans. Other poltergeist records can be found in the medieval times of China and Germany. The reports indicate unexplainable events such as throwing dirt, flying objects, awful smells, loud noises, unexplained lights and ghostly apparitions. All of which are very similar to the still ongoing reports of modern poltergeists. Why exactly poltergeist activity occurs has been under debate by experts and scientists for decades. Poltergeists usually begin and end abruptly. The typical incident can last for several hours or several years.

There have been hundreds of independent studies done on poltergeists. A majority of the cases revolve around on individual or “Agent,” as they are called. The phenomenon seems to be linked to a type of subconscious psychokinesis (PK) on the part of the agent. The studies have discovered that most of the poltergeist agents are female, under the age of twenty and are totally unaware that they are involuntarily directing the poltergeist energy.

While still not much is known about the way that poltergeist work the investigations have uncovered a link between the agents and states of poor mental or physical health. Emotional problems associated with agent personalities are anxiety, hysteria, anger, obsessions, phobias and schizophrenia. In some cases with psychological help to relieve the emotional tensions the poltergeist energies diminish and disappear.

It should be pointed out that while a majority of poltergeist cases revolve around unstable human agents, there are cases where all of the people involved are psychologically stable and don't seem to have any control over the poltergeist energy. These cases remain a mystery. Some paranormal researchers blame them on other supernatural forces including Demon influences.

The differences between poltergeist activity and a haunting can be very hard to distinguish. In the early stages of a poltergeist it may be impossible. Haunts and poltergeists do share basic aspects, (apparitions, strange noises, odors, moving or disappearing objects, etc.).
There are some points that make them very different:

Haunting: Involves the ghosts of deceased human beings appearing frequently in certain places and times.
Poltergeist: May not be ghosts at all. There are theories that poltergeists are mass forms of PK energy that a living person is unknowingly controlling. In some cases extreme poltergeist activity has been linked to demons.

Haunting: Activities are continuous over time, concentrated in the same general area.
Poltergeist: Activities build up over time to a climax and then start over. Poltergeist energies can travel anywhere with anyone.

Haunting: Are not violent by nature.
Poltergeist: Nearing the climax of the energy cycle, poltergeists can become dangerous, inflicting both mental and physical terror in extreme cases.

If you feel that you are encountering poltergeist activity don't wait to look for help. Find a priest or local paranormal research group in your area. Some poltergeist cases can be exorcised before they have the chance of becoming dangerous. If you think that the poltergeist is linked to an object in your possession get rid of that object right away. Don't try to move or run away from a poltergeist. It's a waste of time. If the poltergeist is linked to a person or object it will follow right along with you. The best thing to do is seek out professional help as soon as you can. It shouldn't cost you a penny to do so. If you find someone that wants to charge you a fee, look for someone else.

The Borley Rectory

2007-03-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

What binds a non-earthly soul to the physical dimension? From history and research is seems that it generally lends to a life cut short (usually traumatic in some way), or unsolved business.

There are enough allegations of emotionally charged events at the Borley Rectory, located near the Suffolk border in the eastern portion of England, to fill all of those requirements. During a séance, co-held by Harry Price, a paranormal investigator who had leased the premise in the late 30’s from Reverend Lionel Foyster and his wife, Marianne, he would uncover what he felt to be one of the strongest presences at Borley Rectory. But before we reveal the results of that séance, a brief history of the house is in order.

The history of Borley Rectory begins with the building of a gothic Benedictine monastery in the 13th century. Those were not genteel times and legend has it that a monk and his lovely young love-interest, a nun from a nearby convent, were both done-in while trying to elope the establishment and start a new life together. They were captured and the monk was hung while his fiancé was walled up, alive in the cold walls of her convent. Two lovers torn apart to be isolated forever… Was it she who had been seen wafting through the garden, head bent in sorrow? Was she the girl in white who roamed the property searching for her lost love?

After its stint as a monastery, it was sold off as a residence and a rectory was soon added in 1862 by Rev. Henry Bull and his family. Reverend Bull had become pastor of Borley Church in 1862 and despite local warnings, built the rectory on a site believed by locals to be haunted. Over the years, Bull’s servants and his daughters were repeatedly unnerved by phantom rappings, unexplained footsteps and the appearance of ghosts. Reverend Bull seemed to find these happenings as wildly entertaining and he and his son, Harry, even constructed a summerhouse on the property where they could enjoy after-dinner cigars and pleasurably idle away the time waiting for an appearance of the phantom nun who roamed the property.

After Reverand Bull passed on in one of the more famous of the haunted rooms (the Blue Room), his son Harry inherited the establishment and position until he himself passed on in 1927. Following Harry’s footsteps was Rev. Guy Smith who was so unnerved by the spectral sights and sounds, that he left the rectory just one year after moving in.

After Smith’s hasty departure, the house was then inhabited by Reverend Lionel Foyster and his wife, Marianne. The house only seemed to be getting warmed up as their experiences grew in intensity and frequency. Without any explanation, they found themselves locked out of rooms, windows would suddenly smash and personal items would vanish under their noses. It wasn’t uncommon for them to hear unnerving noises from all over the house. As time went on, these mischievous antics turned aggressive and Marianne was actually accosted one evening. She was thrown off her bed in the middle of the night and even slapped by invisible hands of which she was helpless to do anything about! The final straw was when she was nearly made unconscious by a mattress that was held over her face. Someone obviously didn’t like Marianne. Perhaps it was jealousy from a female ghost that caused these physical transgressions?

The involvement of Harry Price came about after a paper asked him to investigate these poltergeists activity following a popular story written by the paper. It was during his investigation that writings on the wall started to appear, usually when Marianne was present. The writing’s ghostly owner seemed more sympathetic to Marianne compared to the other ghosts as some of the messages scrawled were, “Marianne, please help get” and “Marianne light mass prayers”.

Price was more of a guest at the manor until the Foysters moved out in 1935 at which point he leased the house for a full year for deeper investigation. Now that Price had the house to himself for an extended period, he ran an ad for other paranormal investigators to help him monitor and document the ghostly activities. He had to weed through some not-so-savory types though, but he ended up working with 40 people to uncover some of the fascinating history of Borley Rectory.

During a séance, an alleged spirit named Marie Lairre came through and told the group that she had been a nun in France but had left her convent to marry Henry Waldegrave, the son of a wealthy family whose home had previously stood on the site of Borley Rectory. The tale turned grim when she declared that her husband had taken her life and placed her remains in the cellar. To Price, she seemed to fit the profile of the ghost that haunted Borley Rectory.

One spirit during a séance even gave a fascinating prediction that the former nun’s body would be found in the ruins. Though the spirit said the house would burn down that night, thus revealing the location of the bones, it wasn’t until 11 months later that a fire was started by the new owner, Captain WH Gregson, as he was unpacking library books when an oil lamp fell over and started a fire. The fire spread fast through the manor and the rectory was in shambles, later to be demolished in 1944.

Since previously unattainable areas were now exposed, Price decided to excavate the cellar where he indeed found a few small bones, which seemed to be those of a young woman. Was this the proof needed to validate the story of the betrayed nun? Regardless who the woman was, she was given a proper religious burial and finally laid to rest.

Dracula's Castle Ghost

2007-03-03T09:41:00.000-08:00

In a Mexican TV show called "Otro Rollo", a ghost hunter named Carlos Trejo recorded this video in Dracula's Castle while leaving his camera recording for one night in that room.

Real or manufactured?? You be the judge...

Watch the video

Ghost Hunting - Hunt for Ghosts

2007-03-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

One of the first things regarding ghost hunting I can tell you is, learn to pay
attention to what you feel. Do not write off thoughts that you may consider as
crazy or even as your own. Consider all thoughts that "pop" into your head
and their source. Do not walk in fear. Begin learning to be aware of spirit
through meditation or prayer. One who is aware of spirit will sense when spirit
is present. I can feel the presence of spirit physically through "goose bumps"
sometimes. Other times, it is a "rushing feeling" within my deepest being.
Sometimes it is simply just a "knowing." God is spirit and we are spirit - part of
the whole. Therefore, we can feel different parts of the whole. You are the
most important instrument you can use to sense the paranormal.

Spirit may be "sensed" at any time or any place. It does not have to be at
night; but you do have to have a clear and open mind. If you are
preoccupied, angry or depressed, you will struggle to sense anything at all.
Also, spirit can sense spirit - you. The wrong frame of mind may deter spiritual
activity. Remember, like minds attract like minds. If you are a being of light,
you will attract beings of light. If you are walking in darkness, then darkness
will be attracted to you. Darkness does not like or understand light.

Follow your heart - investigate the area you are drawn to. What places seem
to come to mind or interest you? What opportunity has come to you for
searching...hunting? Go there. And always be willing to learn and grow
spiritually through spiritual experiences. Seek them and they will find you. Do
not be afraid to speak out and ask permission to photograph the spiritual
realm. Announce you come in peace.

Involve others in your spiritual journey. Ghost hunting should not be done
alone. Research the area you wish to investigate. What is the history or
legend of the place? Have someone in your group take notes of all that
happens...sort of a "ghost secretary." Record feelings, happenings and
observations. Share thoughts and look for common threads in those
thoughts. Are you being spoken to? Be respectful and do not fear
questioning that which your eyes do not physically see. "What am I here for?
What am I to see?"

Take photos, video and voice recordings if you like and try to capture
evidence of the paranormal. Seek to eliminate any other source of
explanation for your results. For example, if you choose to run a voice
recorder, make sure no one talks or even whispers during the investigation.
When taking pictures with a camera, remember that dust will produce "orbs"
and other effects that appear supernatural. The presence of car headlights,
rain, mirrors, glass and even camera straps (which should be removed while
photographing) can produce "fake ghost images." I have even seen a cloud
of bees near a beehive appear as a "mist" or "ectoplasm" in the photograph.
Do not wear perfumes, fragrances or colognes as some have noticed different
scents and smells in the air during supernatural activity (such as cigar smoke
or a unique fragrance). As a special reminder, it is best that your
investigations are alcohol and drug free for credible evidence. When leaving,
it may be a good idea to speak blessing and tell all that is there to remain
behind and not follow you home. Many have reported having spirits follow
them home after an investigation for a time.

Here are some quick notes:

Bring a camera. You may use digital or a basic camera with 400 speed film
(prefer a glass lens - not a cheap plastic lens such as a disposable camera
will have). The "automatic lighting feature" on your digital camera will produce
better colors during your investigation. Pack extra batteries, film and
flashlights. Avoid using camera flashes across from reflective objects such as
mirrors, chrome and glass. Take several shots from the same location and
from different angles to help decipher the spirits from dust or reflections.
Waiting thirty seconds after moving before taking pictures may help eliminate
dust particles in the air.

Bright light, rain, dust etc., can produce "orbs" (balls of light) that are not
genuine. Do not smoke during your investigation (it will look very much like
ectoplasm). Hold your breath during cold environments before taking pictures
to eliminate mist from your breath appearing in your photos. Be aware of the
surroundings. Being alert, one should try and remain objective by seeking to
eliminate any natural occurrences that produced your results. Cell phones
and pagers should be turned off as they can distort detection equipment and
compasses as well as digital images and camcorder recordings. If you edit
your photograph in a computer photo program, you may end up with
additional anomalies in your photograph. If you are using film, make sure the
effects in your photo are from the ghost, not a development error.

Look for things hanging in front of your camera while photographing such as
tree limbs, your camera strap, your hat, spider webs, ropes, etc. They will
appear "bright white" like energy when the flash "pops" on them at close
range. You can use compasses to help detect changes in energy fields and
a thermometer to help detect "cold or hot spots." Changes in energy fields as
well as temperature shifts could be pointing to paranormal activity. If one is
sensitive to the spirit, these items are not needed; but do provide additional
confirming evidence as to the haunting.

Unexplained Alcatraz

2007-03-01T13:38:00.000-08:00

Alcatraz: Home to wrongdoers, gangsters, and… ghosts. It's no wonder this federal penitentiary is rumored to be haunted by the men who lingered there. It has all the ingredients to hold a person's tormented soul: misery, confinement and fear. It is even rumored by the Native Americans to be an energy portal where evil spirits are allowed to come through. This may explain "The Thing" with glowing eyes that has been witnessed by prison staff and inmates alike. There are reports of ghostly figures, screams, banging metal doors, putrid smells and sobbing.

Death was no stranger to Alcatraz. The first reported ones were in 1857 where Daniel Pewter and Jacob Unger passed away under a landslide while excavating between the wharf and the guard-house. There were fatal confrontations between fellow prisoners, guard beatings, and failed escapes off the island. For many, Alcatraz was the last stop before entering Hell which is why it is sometimes called Hellcatraz.

To this day, there is an unexplained disturbing event that occurred in the isolation block of the prison, known as "The Hole" or the "Strip Cells". This level was located on the bottom floor of the prison, in Cell Block D, where they kept inmates who broke the more serious of rules at Alcatraz. They would be stripped of their clothes and held in a cold cell that only contained a sink, toilet, and a small light. They were given a mattress but only at night and it was promptly removed in the morning to ensure continual discomfort and punishment. In the 1940's it was reported by the guard that a figure seemingly from the 1800’s haunted the block. The apparition was seen on several occasions and prisoners claimed they had been attacked by a man with glowing eyes. Since The Hole was an isolation chamber, it's likely that most guards thought the on-going screams claiming attack were hallucinations. On one particular evening, one inmate screamed the night through that he was being attacked by the man with glowing eyes but was ignored by guards who had become numb to such claims. After a night of screams and pleading he finally fell silent. The door to his cell was opened in the morning and the inmate was found dead, a horrible grimace marred his face and handprints were visible around his throat. An examination later determined that these marks were not self-inflicted. This victim, whether at the hands of the glowing-eyed ghost or by an irritated guard, became a ghost of Alcatraz himself as he was reported in a line-up with other inmates but promptly vanished to the amazement of everyone present.

Numerous psychics have reported cold spots, harsh and sudden emotional bursts, apparitions claiming abuse, vibrations and a myriad of other ghostly traces. In fact, there are few spots in the prison where you can't see or feel other worldly energies including the hospital, the Warden's House, Cell Blocks C and D, the lighthouse, the therapy and utility rooms.

Demons, Ghosts and Angels

2007-02-27T23:20:00.000-08:00

If we adhere to theory -- ghosts are deceased humans, while demons and angels are not of earthly origin. Both are known to have stronger powers than your average ghost. You'll find a demon more apt to move objects and possess the human body, just as you'll find an angel more awe inspiring and willing to help the suffering human condition than a ghost.

Why would a demon be stronger than a ghost, or deceased human? Depending on our beliefs, we can understand why angels, blessed with powers from higher dimensions are maybe stronger than deceased humans, but why a demon? In fact, why either entity since we too are of the same cosmic fabric? If I had an answer it would be "experience" or that they have been in that realm for so much longer. When we cross over, that is relatively new territory for many souls. For demons and angels, this is their long endured habitat and home. The demon is cunning and the angel enlightened. Really, you can think of it as a good/bad adult (demon/angel) dealing with an inexperienced child (ghost). They hold the experience we lack and are full of tricks (demons), or miracles (angels) of which either inspire or frighten us. I also think miracles and tricks are inherent in us too, but they are more readily accessible and producible by these beings because this is what they have been doing for many life-times. I think our abilities and faults are a microcosm of theirs.

With this said, it doesn't mean that ghosts cannot be the very thing angels and demons are. An entity, once human, can descend or ascend into either characteristic. A child, once loved on earth, can come back and lift the spirits (literally) of those most dear to it and be called an angel. A person who has crossed over from irreparably painful circumstances can spiral into negativity and do demonic things.

We can surmise that to be demonic or angelic, versus ghostly, is an advanced stage of positive or negative, while a ghost is more inexperienced and neutral. In time, we too will be angelic or demonic, depending on the path our soul takes.

The Bell Witch

2007-02-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

What if you were vengeful and utterly unrestricted by the veil between the physical and the next dimension? That’s exactly what Kate Batts had going for her. She was a spiteful old woman who believed that she had been cheated in a land purchase by John Bell and was hell bent (literally) on tormenting him and his children, or at least his favorite 12-year old daughter, Betsy.

On Kate’s deathbed, she vowed to haunt the family of the Bell’s who had done her wrong. After her death, she made good her promise. It felt to the Bell family that this ghost took no other pleasure than tormenting them incessantly. Kate pinched their noses, poked needles into them, threw kitchen objects about, screeched at them in her now notorious high-pitched voice, pulled hair and was a presence that none of them could escape.

Kate’s wrath was particularly directly at John and his favorite daughter, Betsy. With the wife and other children she was sometimes heard crooning softly, saying something pleasant, or just ignoring them completely. John and Betsy were not so fortunate. Kate enjoyed mentally and physically torturing them with her shrieking voice or physically punishing antics.

Gossip moved as quickly then as it does now and this was a much talked about event in the small farming town of Adams, Tennessee. People were deeply fascinated by the rumors and some even came from hundreds of miles away to visit the place of unrest. Some spectators were greeted with handshakes, some with shrieks and some with a full dialog of warning. So popular did the story become that General Andrew Jackson, the future President of the United States, gathered a few friend to investigate the story himself. He and his cohorts wanted to either debunk or repel the feisty spirit of Kate Batts.

Jackson and his men were in for a surprise though. When their wagons stuck fast to an otherwise smooth and flat road, their jests of dealing with the witch came to a halt. No matter how they examined, pushed, cursed or whipped the horses, their wagon was not moving. It was said that Jackson, in a fit of frustration and resignation, declared, “By the eternal, boys, it is the witch." Much to the amazement of Jackson and his men, the legendary screech could be heard from a nearby bush that replied, “"All right general, let the wagon move on, I will see you again to-night." Moments later the wagon and horses were suddenly free to move about. There wasn’t a person present that could account for the voice’s owner or its whereabouts.

Kate wasn’t miserly in her haunting antics and bestowed upon Jackson and his men the same torturous treatment as she had John and his daughter Betsy. Jackson’s bedcovers were repeatedly yanked from his body and his men were delivered the same pinches and pokes as the family were. Jackson and his men realized they were no match for the Bell witch and hastily abandoned their adventure first thing in the morning.

Ghosts never die so it was not surprising that the haunting of Kate lasted the duration of John Bell’s life. In fact, the ghost of Kate Batts was said to have been responsible for John’s death.

In October of 1830, John Bell was rumored to have suffered a stroke and taken ill. While he was bedridden, his family found him in a particularly bad state of stupor and position. Alarmed, his son ran to the medicine cabinet to fetch what he thought was his father’s medicine. After administering it, the family heard the witch’s glee as she victoriously declared she had poisoned John herself the night before with that vial and this last dose was surely his undoing. True enough, it was. The contents were later examined by a doctor and found to be very poisonous.

Kate was not satisfied with death alone. She sang in merriment at John’s graveside and was still heard singing happily as the last person hastily left.

Notable points: This story is popular enough to have spawned several recent movies of which include the Blair Witch Project and The American Haunting. It is also noted as one of the very rare poltergeists that caused a man’s death.

How to potentially decrease paranormal activity in your home

2007-02-26T18:11:00.000-08:00

Today we live in a society that is based off electricity. We must to have it to survive and function in our lives. From microwave ovens to curling irons, everyday household items are exposing people to high EMF.

If you are experiencing a haunting in your home or there are unexplainable events taking place please make sure you do your part when it comes to finding out why you home may be haunted. It is easy to contact a team to come in and document what they call “proof” of your haunting, even so bold as to proclaim they can find out who or what it is by using psychics or video cameras.

The question is, are these teams actually helping you with your situation or is the team promoting your problem?

The team enters your home, eliminating your household appliances, turning off your heat and air systems and pretty much physically throwing off the normal balance of your home. Outside of everything, these “ghost hunters” enter your home taking charge and breaking out mounds of gizmos’ and gadgets that they feel “detect ghosts”.

EMF meters are one of the hottest toys in the field of parapsychology. There are all kinds that are out there they are rather impressive to look at and these ghost hunters are very fluent in how these meters work. But ask yourself; is this team really familiar with the standard EMF levels that are in my home on an everyday basis, why did they turn everything off?

99.9% of the time an investigative team will not inquire about your household items and your daily routine around electrical items. This is a bad thing, so please be wary of those teams who impress with technology and not common sense.

Today a lot of people have televisions in every room of their homes. A lot of people cannot sleep unless a television, fan, music or some sort of electrical white noise or light stimulation is provided. This also has to do with electro-magnetic fields. This is what they are accustomed to. This is what helps them sleep better, on top of the visual or audio stimulation that is provided.

If you think you have a ghost in your home, please read carefully. Print this article out if you must. It is now time for you the homeowner to do you part in decreasing your paranormal activity.

NOTE: This is not a guarantee to eliminate paranormal activity. These are tips to help you eliminate and understand what is going on in your home or property.

• Remove alarm clocks & telephones from your bedside table. Especially if you are having paranormal events take place in your bedroom or while you sleep. You are exposing yourself to a higher EMF exposure every single night. Just move these items across the room.

• Electric Blankets- Yes they are warm and fuzzy on a cold night. Eliminate the electric blanket entirely. If you require more warmth in your bed, consider adopting an old fashioned remedy, like a hot water bottle. Electric blankets are full of electricity, therefore amplifying your exposure to unnatural electro-magnetic fields.

• Water beds- the heating element in a waterbed is electrical. Water acts as a conduit for EMF; the exposure is prolonged as your bed is plugged in. Suggestions… heat your bed during the day, and then unplug it each night. This will help but not eliminate higher EMF exposure.

• Home Computers- A lot of people have computers all over their homes, bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms. When you shut down your computer at night, try unplugging it or even turning off your surge protector. When the computer is not in use, shut it down entirely.

• Fish Tanks- Water acts as a conduit for EMF. Since you cannot turn off your fish tank, make sure the tank is placed away from where you and your family spend most of their time. If your fish tank is in your bedroom, consider moving it to a larger room of your house. Unfortunately the dining room is now the least used room in most modern households today, this would be a good location.

• Plugged in Items- If you are not using them at the time unplug your household items. EMF exists when items are plugged in. EMF is stronger when items are plugged in and turned on.

• Large appliances, such as refrigerators and microwaves, if you spend a lot of time at your kitchen table, you may want to move your table into a different position or perhaps change your favorite seat so you are not directly by one of these large appliances that are producing amplified EMF direct to yourself.

• Your Mattress- Do you have a metal spring mattress in your home, perhaps metal spring furniture? Keep in mind that metal is a conduit of EMF. It is important to document your unexplainable events, including where you are sitting or sleeping when something unexplainable happens.

Eliminating direct contact with higher EMF sources is the first step to understanding your haunting situation. Once again, if a team comes to your home and they are getting high “EMF Spikes” in your home, they should care enough about their clients to let them know exactly where these spikes occurred. This is your home, not the teams’ personal ghost hunting playground. For health reasons the team you have chosen should have enough human compassion to tell you that you are sleeping in an area with high electro-magnetic energy. This is what responsible investigators should do.

Utilizing common sense with your paranormal occurrences is the first step to understanding what is going on at your home. It is easy to blame a ghost on things, especially if there is a not so pleasant history attached to your property. Typically when a team comes to visit you they can only let you know that yes or no your property is haunted. They can provide you with photos of orbs, EVP and perhaps video of an anomalous occurrence. This is not assisting you with your problem. The team should be open minded enough to keep you informed of everything that has gone on. Unfortunately ghost hunters today are in this for the thrill, not the reality or research of a suspected haunting. Choose your team wisely.

In no way am I suggesting that anyone with a potential haunting is “crazy”. Perhaps your haunting could be in your head caused by your environment. You are not at fault for this; it does not make you “crazy”. Becoming aware of your environment will help you understand your situation more. Most people are living day to day unknowingly exposed to high fields of Electromagnetism that has been scientifically linked to neurological disorders that are defiantly equivalent “ghost activity”.

Burning Building Ghost

2007-02-26T09:33:00.000-08:00

On November 19, 1995, Wem Town Hall in Shropshire, England, an old building built in 1905, was destroyed by fire. Tony O'Rahilly, a local resident, took photos of the spectacle from across the street. One of those photos shows a small, partially transparent girl standing in the doorway. Neither O'Rahilly nor any of the other onlookers or firefighters recalled seeing the girl there. Dr. Vernon Harrison, a photographic expert and former president of the Royal Photographic Society, examined both the print and the original negative, and concluded that it was genuine.

Near-Death Experience

2007-02-26T02:09:00.000-08:00

Imagine being able to smell colors, see music and hear numbers....to look at the air and know the coming weather, or to know the health of people, animals and plants in an area just by sifting a handful of dirt through your fingers. These gifts were natural to author PMH Atwater, who thought all children could feel and sense things as she did. Born in South Idaho Falls near the lip of the Snake River Canyon, PMH seems to have been destined to lead an extraordinary life. She had five fathers and two mothers, and recalls playing with fairies and having tea parties with God. Her imagination and talent weren't often appreciated. She remembers an extremely traumatic first grade year, when I often sat in a front corner of the classroom with a pointed Dunce hat on my head.

Despite the trauma, PMH grew up to become successful in both intuitive and analytical fields, working as a professional astrologer, hypnotherapist, psychometrist, bank analyst, secretary, writer and reporter, as well as being a housewife, mother, prize-winning cook and Sunday school teacher. And, after dying three times in 1977, she became a near-death survivor.

Since being hit with what she calls a heavenly sledgehammer nearly twenty years ago, she has worked seven days a week researching and writing about the near-death phenomenon. She is a Board Member of the International Association for Near-Death Studies and a recognized authority on the subject. While she supports the current media coverage being given bestselling authors Dannion Brinkley (Saved by the Light) and Betty Eadie (Embraced by the Light), Atwater feels the public is being surfeited with The Myth of Amazing Grace, and isn't getting much of what needs to be said about dying and returning to life. So, with the recent publication of her third book, Beyond the Light What Isn't Being Said About the Near-Death Experience, she's said it. With the identification of six types of experiences, a detailed examination of both positive and negative after-effects and an extensive resource section, Beyond the Light stands as the definitive guide to the near-death experience.

As Joseph Chilton Pearce (author of The Crack in the Cosmic Egg) states, ...This brilliant analysis of a controversial subject displays an extraordinary intelligence, knowledge and intuitive insight....if heard, it could lift the issue into the clear realm of a scientific objectivity that could revolutionize our concepts of self and world.

Self-described as pushing 60, PMH has astounding energy and is still delightfully child-like (My grown son calls me whenever he feels down and needs a lift). Daily prayer and meditation are non-negotiable; as she emphatically states, I would not start my day without it. I won't do it...I won't for any reason allow this time to be preempted. According to her, There is no source more powerful, practical or usable. That's where my strength and energy come from. And it has taken enormous energy to conduct the exceedingly fastidious research she began in order to make sense of her own experiences.

Atwater has clarified four distinct types of phenomenon, and distinguishes two other related experiences. The Initial or non experience, characterized by a loving nothingness, the living dark, or a friendly voice is often had by those who need the least amount of shakeup in their lives. The Unpleasant or Hell-like experience may involve an encounter with a threatening void, stark limbo or hellish purgatory, or elicit hauntings from one's past. It is usually had by those who have suppressed guilts, anger or fears and who expect to be punished after death (Atwater found one in seven experiencers reported a hell-like episode). The Pleasant or Heaven-like experience, characterized by scenarios of loving family reunions, reassuring religious figures of light beings or affirmative and inspiring dialogue, is often had by those who need to know how loved they are and how important life is. The Transcendent experience exposes one to other-worldly dimensions and may include revelations of greater truths. It is usually given to those ready for a mind-stretching challenge or to those who would be most apt to utilize the truths revealed to them. The two related phenomenon include the near deathlike experience and anomalies. The near deathlike experience occurs when one experiences near-death phenomena without an accompanying life-threatening event. Anomalies include such things as pre-arranged out-of-body meetings, angels, walk-ins and encounters with aliens.

Atwater has found that, all four types of experiences may occur to a single individual during one episode, may occur in varying combinations or can spread out across a series of episodes. She has postulated that the four distinct experiences may actually be phases of an evolving consciousness, and sees each stage as a model of what happens as consciousness begins to awaken to itself (Initial Experience), untangle false perceptions (Unpleasant or Hell-like experience), recognize true values and priorities (Pleasant or Heaven-like experience) and embrace its oneness within The All (Transcendent experience).

Regardless of the type of experience, says Atwater, there is an overall pattern which is typical not only of the thirteen million American experiencers, but of people all over the world. Everywhere on earth, near-death survivors report roughly the following:

A sensation of floating out of one's body
Passing through a dark tunnel or encountering some kind of darkness, usually accompanied by a sensation of acceleration
Heading toward and entering into a light at the end of the darkness
Being greeted by friendly voices, people or other beings
Seeing a panoramic review of the life just lived
Discovering that time and space do not exist
Reluctance to return to the earth plane
Disappointment at being revived; feeling a need to shrink or squeeze to fit back into the physical body.
Such an awesome, life-shaking event seems magical, but Atwater's own years of re-entry and countless conversations with other survivors and their families have led her to a different conclusion. She says it takes seven years for a survivor to reintegrate and that The experience is not magic, even though it may seem so. Being a near-death survivor does not automatically make one superhuman, enlightened or holy. The near-death experience enhances, enlarges and accelerates that which is already there for the individual. It tends to act like a giant washing machine in the way it cleans up and scrubs out one's psyche. We are not saved by having a near-death experience, even from ourselves.

After-effects from the event can be negative as well as positive. Atwater summarizes the likely re-entry scenario: After the initial lightshow, there comes inspiring upliftment and enthusiastic vigor, then a letdown at the frustration of trying to apply new wisdom atop old prejudices; depression, the surfacing of repressed or suppressed guilts and fears, confusion and disorientation followed by feelings of being overwhelmed or abandoned.

Yet, once a survivor has managed to reintegrate, there are some interesting rewards. Physiological changes include a younger appearance, a playful vigor, enhanced metabolism, increased overall health and lowered blood pressure and pulse rates. Heightened sensations and synesthesia (multiple sensing), as well as the ability to see airborne water molecules and movements of energy is common. Many survivors show a new preference for open doors, windows and shades; some acquire an ability to merge into things. Atwater describes being sent by her employer to troubleshoot a large, computerized switching system in a New York City hotel, whose engineers had been unable to determine the cause of persistent malfunction. I checked out every plug and cable, interviewed operators and hotel staff, then, when no one was watching, I'd open the doors to the main cabinets and merge with the circuit cards and the power system so I could sense and feel whatever pulse might be amiss. I handed in a fifty-point report and thought no more of it. Several months later, my boss asked me to come to his office. With head bowed, he muttered, Thanks to your report we fixed the unit in two days and haven't had a problem with it since. Uh, but promise me you will never ever tell me how you figured out what was wrong. That said, he jumped up and ran out the door, refusing to look me in the eyes. I worked for this company as a telephone systems analyst for nearly three years, doing field investigations, writing technical manuals, and training switchboard operators, with no prior background whatsoever. I instantly knew that equipment as well as if I had been its inventor and I understood circuitry and power flows.

Some survivors acquire the ability to hear plants and animals speak or voice their needs, or may hear voices and music in the air. Interestingly, only one of over three thousand Atwater interviewed could continue listening to rock music. Virtually all of the others could no longer tolerate short, choppy beats and craved the longer, pure sine wave of classical music, chimes, bells, crystal bowl instruments and other melodious, natural sounds. Increased sensitivity to light and sound is nearly universal among survivors, as is the often humorous, though sometimes problematic sensitivity to electrical equipment. A near-death survivor's body energy almost always interferes with electronic equipment, light sources, security systems, power lines, magnetic fields and microphones, etc. Atwater theorizes that there is a correlation between exposure to etheric light and these intriguing physiological after-effects. She feels that it's the intensity of the light, not length of exposure that seems to determine the prevalence of physiological after-effects.

Atwater's personal after-effects include being more analytical, more goal oriented; now I look ahead and plan. I was a producer behind the scene, now I'm on-stage. I'm happier, more joyful. I always knew how to love, to serve, work and sacrifice, but now I have interpersonal skills and it's easier for me to make friends. And, as is apparently common, her brain hemisphere dominance has switched. She went from being 100% feeling oriented to being more intellectual. My memory has improved markedly, my mind is now intense, disciplined, careful and conservative.

The near-death experience seems to have a fascinating effect on the brain. It may well be that the brain is restructured, that neural pathways are rewired, rerouted or revitalized. Atwater notes that the near-death phenomenon seems to stimulate the brain hemisphere that was not previously dominant. There is also an observable movement in the brain, toward data clustering and creative invention, as if the experiencer were developing a more synergistic type of neural network. Her theory that the brain undergoes physiological and structural changes during an episode is now being verified by the scientific community. She further theorizes that the near-death experience is a piece of the evolutionary puzzle: People need to be more flexible, to be able to thrive on change, to have brains that can reason and intuit with equal skill, to have bodies that can adjust to fickle climates and to have energy levels that can mix and merge efficiently with technological equipment...at this exact moment in history when we need people who can increase their intelligence and extend their faculties and enhance their perception without lengthy training...here we have a grass-roots movement, unplanned and without leadership, of people discovering who they really are and responding to the need for change.

Some of her findings address the explanations voiced by the medical community, that experiencers are tricked by the chemicals in their own brains, that their experiences may have been drug-induced or created by an abundance of oxygen. In fact, most reports of near-death experiences come from people who were either not given drugs until after their experiences were over or not at all. Research has repeatedly shown that drugs actually impede the phenomenon. And the consistent detail, clarity and long-term recall demonstrated by near-death survivors doesn't fit the pattern of temporary hallucinations induced by oxygen. As for chemicals in the brain phantomly fabricating the whole thing, there is no doubt that chemicals play a role, but again, long-term after-effects and abilities defy the effects endorphins and other brain chemicals would have over such a time frame.

Most near-death survivors report being asked two simple questions that do have profound meaning and consequence: Whom have you served? Whom have you loved? Atwater provocatively asks each of us, Stop right now. Pretend it's your turn.

How will you answer those two questions?

Incubus and Succubus

2007-02-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

Medieval legend claims that demons, both male and female, sexually prey on human beings. The male demon is known as an incubus and the female is the succubus. They generally prey upon the victim when they are sleeping, though it has been reported that females have been attacked while fully lucid. One such event was covered in the book and subsequent movie, The Entity.

There are variations of this sexual demonic legend. In Zanzibar, what is known as the "Popo Bawa" generally preys on men and only in their own beds. In the Chilo‚ Province of Chile, a wretched little dwarf, known as El Trauco, woos young naive women and then seduces them. In Hungary, a Liderc is a demonic sexual predator that flies under the cover of darkness and will appear as a wispy apparition or a fiery light.

Any one of the above succubus' can be blamed for unexpected or unwanted pregnancies, especially in unmarried women, though one can imagine this might be a convenient fabrication to get out of unsavory rumors.

Some confuse the incubus with the legendary "Old Hag" syndrome but it is not. The Old Hag episode is usually restricted to a feeling of great pressure on the chest and not a ghostly sexual encounter. Another difference between the incubus/succubus encounter from the Old Hag is that the former is not always unpleasant while the Old Hag is mostly accompanied by a feeling of death, suffocation and just trying to survive.

Because the incubus and succubus are generally experienced during the sleep state or coming in and out of it, experts feel that it is an imaginary experience and not a real one. However, telling this to the person who has just gone through it, they find that hard to believe as it feels as real as intercourse itself.

Who can say for certain if these events are real or imagined? Until you've experienced yourself, it's difficult to determine or judge.

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The Winchester House

2007-02-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

The Winchester Mystery House is one of the most famous haunted houses in America with enough of a following to-date for daily public tours. The house, now a historical landmark, is located in San Jose California and building started in 1883 and didn't end until Sarah's Winchester's death, 38 years later in 1922. So why so long and to the tune of 5.5 million dollars? Because ghosts told her to do so!

Sarah was the heiress to the Winchester Rifle fortune. She originally lived in New Haven and prior to moving to California lost both her only child Annie and then her husband John. Deeply grieving, she turned to a medium for solace and information. The medium told her that her husband was present and that there was a curse on the family which took his life and their daughter's because of the many people who died from the Winchester gun. He then told her that the only way to prevent her own death was to move west and build a house for the spirits. But there was a catch to this plan. If she stopped working on the house, the curse would take her life. So Sarah did exactly that. She left her home in New Haven and headed to California (under ghost guidance) where she bought a large parcel of land and started construction on her Victorian home. While she lived in the ever growing behemoth, she continued her seances to her husband and other spirits. She had a bell tower added and would ring it to summon the spirits at night, and ring it again to dismiss them. It was said that she built a seance room in the middle of the house and would enter it alone to conduct her communications.

The mental stability of Sarah was in question because of the very odd design of the house. Doors were joined to windows, numerous staircases with 13 steps each that often led no where but the ceiling, doors opened to brick walls, double-layered skylights, double-back hallways, doors that dropped off to the landscaping below, upside-down stair posts and so on. Sarah claimed that these oddities were to confuse the bad spirits that had used the Winchester gun to kill. No one ever figured out her fascination with 13; the steps totaling 13, the 13th bathroom having 13 windows, 13 drain holes in the kitchen sink, most windows had 13 panes of glass, there were 13 cupolas in the greenhouse, the walls had 13 panes and the list goes on.

Some of the current haunting evidence include pages turning on their own, organs playing by themselves, banging doors, voices, dancing spots of light, cold spots and actual sightings of "fog like" people.

Manifestations

2007-02-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

There are many types of manifestations believed to be related to the presence of ghosts (or spirits). These phenomena can consist of apparitions (supernormal manifestations of people, animals and objects), noises, voices, strange smells, extreme cold, a feeling of being touched, the movement of objects and such. Apparitions, incidentally, are not seen in all cases, and those that are, vary in appearance. They can appear to resemble real people or animals, or appear fuzzy, transparent or nearly all white. They generally appear in clothes that were popular during the person’s own lifetime, although some do change their appearance and age.

A mischievous and sometimes malevolent spirit manifestation is known as a poltergeist. A poltergeist will commonly manifest by moving or throwing (sometimes large) objects, making loud noises, emitting a vile odor, and by assaulting people and animals. There may also be apparitions, strange lights and the interfering with electronic equipment involved. Poltergeist activity usually occurs at night, and a person (known as an “agent”) is the focal point of the activity. (Interestingly, the agent is generally a woman under 20.) Some poltergeist activity has been identified as psycho kinesis originating from a person with some sort of psychological dysfunction, and is unaware of the fact that they are the cause. Some researchers, however, claim that poltergeist activity does in fact involve spirits of the dead.

Low-level spirits which interact in the affairs of our world are commonly known as “demons.” They are said to exist in many varieties, and may be good, evil, or capable of both. They exist in many cultures, but their origin lies in ancient Greek beliefs, where they were known as “Daimons,” and were thought of as intermediary spirits between mankind and the gods. (In Christianity, they have been “cataloged” into hierarchies of hell, and have been given certain attributes and duties, all of which are associated with evil.)

There are entities that can be created by thought. These “thought forms” are intentionally created by a ritual that involves concentration, repetition and visualization. Thought forms can be directed to perform certain tasks, or be directed at individuals for good, such as healing or protection, or to do harm to the individual.

It is believed by many, that each of us has a spirit “guide” (or “guardian angel,” “spirit teacher,” etc.) This is an entity whose purpose is to help and protect us, facilitate in our spiritual development, and serve as a source of inspiration. They can manifest at any time, generally to deliver a message, provide a warning, offer protection, guide the dying to the “other side,” etc.

What is considered "Paranormal?"

2007-02-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

What is the difference between a Ghost and a Spirit?
Thus far the distinction between the two seems to be that a "ghost" is more of an energy imprint, like a replaying moment in time. This is also known as a residual. During this time, EVP seems to follow a specific course, rather than being an interactive conversation.
A "spirit," on the other hand, is an interactive intelligent entity. Generally, this is what most people experience. Spirits tend to be loved ones, friends and people whom we are, and have been, connected to throughout our lives. Spirits may also be people whom we have never met and are connected with the home, land or things we have around us.

What is Parapsychology?
Parapsychology is the scientific study of paranormal phenomena. The paranormal refers to unusual experiences that seem to be unexplainable in terms of our everyday understanding.

What is Paranormal Phenomena?
Most paranormal phenomena can be categorized by whether they are MENTAL, such as ESP or clairvoyance, or PHYSICAL, such as actively involving paranormal influence on objects, events, or living things. Many times the distinction between the two is blurred. For example, a phenomenon may have both mental and physical features. Another phenomena is categorized as MISCELLANEOUS. These types of phenomena do not fit into either category.

Examples of Mental Phenomena:
* ESP (Extrasensory Perception)
* Telepathy
* Clairvoyance
* Clairaudience
* Precognition
* Premonitions
* Psychometrics
* Remote Viewing
* Dowsing
* Past-life Experiences
* Possession
* Out of Body Experiences
* Near Death Experiences
* Automatic Writing
Examples of Physical Phenomena:
* Psycho kinesis
* Psychic Photography
* Healing
* Poltergeist Activity
* Materialization
* Dematerialization
* Levitation
Examples of Miscellaneous Phenomena:
* Miracles
* U.F.O.
* Alien Abductions
* Ghosts
* Animal Mutilations
* Crop Circles
* Stigmata

What is EVP?
EVP stands for Electronic Voice Phenomena; voices caught on recording devices such as tape recorders. Thomas Edison first introduced this concept to the world during the latter part of his life. Mr. Edison became obsessed with the afterlife and began trying to prove that our souls go on when our bodies die.
Thomas Edison spent the last few years of his life asking questions of ghosts. He would turn his recording device on, and while alone, Mr. Edison would begin asking questions. The recording device would record his questions as well as the pauses in between. While playing the recording back on a phonograph, Thomas Edison was amazed to find other voices providing answers. The recording device he used has not been found. The basic principle behind EVP collection is the use of an audio recording device in attempt to catch voices and/or sounds paranormal nature. First you must understand the concept of sound. Sounds are pressure changes in an elastic medium, such as the atmosphere that can be detected by our auditory system (ears). This pressure change is called a sound wave. The human ear can only interpret these changes sound waves if they are cycling in the range of 20 to 20,000Hz. Anything below the 20Hz level is called infrasonic and anything above 20,000Hz is called ultrasonic. The human auditory system cannot interpret sound waves in the infrasonic or ultrasonic range. Based upon what we know, in regards to physics of sound, most people will accept the human voice is generally incapable of speaking below the 280Hz mark. ELF (30 to 300Hz) is the range most EVP is captured. According to the laws of physics, ELF is impossible for the human voice to cycle at.

What is a Vortex?
A vortex is what many researchers consider the breakthrough point of paranormal activity. This is energy that takes the shape of a "tube" in a photograph. A vortex may vary in color and shape. It has been noted that vortexes have been various colors in photos. One theory is that a vortex is made up of several orbs. Another theory is that the vortex may be in connection with a portal or doorway from one plane to the next.

What is an Orb?
For clarification purposes, not all orbs are considered paranormal. There is documented proof that you can create orbs simply by photographing a dusty area. Typically, these dust orbs are very dim in color and transparent. On occasion, one may capture a spirit orb in a photograph that is very solid and nearly seems to be glowing with light. These are considered paranormal by nature due to the vast difference in their appearance and unexplainable origins. Many researchers believe that an orb is a ghost in its true form. Until recently, most researchers knew what they were seeing were ghosts. However, researchers didn't know much about ghosts. Researchers are learning to use infrared or ultraviolet technology to track these entities. Researcher Michael Lynch has studied an MRI and PET scan of a human and a thermal scan of an orb and found many similarities. Our brain is essentially what makes us who we are, it is our identity. As a human develops, his or her brain size increases. Ghosts may get bigger as they age in their plane of existence. Ghosts can become as big as they want when they learn how to gain enough energy. The ghost can manifest to be what it thinks it to be, but this takes a large amount of energy. Another paranormal aspect of orbs is the speed and way they move. While some move slowly in every direction possible, others move quickly. This has been documented and captured on film, with an anomaly moving at 300 feet per second. When looking at what is considered a paranormal or spirit orb, one can see that it seems to be comprised of and structured into 3 main parts. The outer layer (like a ring) can appear as a cloud or white mass. It can also appear to be more transparent. Some refer to this as the "field effect" The next layer is very interesting because it tends to have a "stringy" or "angel-hair" look to it. Some researchers believe that this layer is what gives you the cold feeling. The idea being that this is the entity’s sensory layer, in which it collects data from its surroundings through energy fields. Finally, there is the center layer; this appears almost as a nucleus of the orb or the "central matrix". This could very well be the core of the mind of the entity, where the identity of it lies. Now taking that explanation of what an orb is made of, can we perhaps individualize and identify a ghost? A group called SEARCHERS believes that it is possible by looking at the orbs central matrix and field affect. On a personal note, V.T.P.R. has not come to a formal conclusion as to whether "spirit orbs" are the actual ghost/spirit themselves. We do feel that they are an indicator of paranormal energy and activity. We are hoping to learn more on this phenomenon through our research and investigations.

What is EMF (Electromagnetic Field)?
Electromagnetic energy is the movement of photons. It encompasses a wide range of energy from radio waves, through visible light spectrums, all the way to the x-rays and gamma rays. It is everywhere and exists in everything. We ourselves put off an EMF field constantly (as well as plants and animals). It may also be called our aura. If you examine an atom, the nucleus and electrons take up less than 1% of its volume. The rest of that space is occupied by photons being traded back and forth between the positively charged nucleus and the negatively charged electrons. So the universe is made up mostly of energy. (In terms of volume not mass, photons have no mass) One theory that is being researched is that our consciousness is made up of energy. As living things, we are animated by electricity. Electrical impulses are transmitted throughout our nervous system to our brains. Albert Einstein (1879-1955) taught us that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form of energy into another form of energy. This means that no matter what is done energy cannot be destroyed. Therefore, when we die, the EMF energy is not destroyed; merely changed or transferred. If this theory holds true, then it is possible that our consciousness could survive the death of our body. Paranormal researchers have hypothesized a connection between paranormal phenomena and fluctuations in local EMF. This correlation is what we are trying to establish when we measure local EMF fields with an EMF meter (or gauss meter). Some researchers feel that an EMF reading is between 2-7 mill gauss range. We personally feel that the range of the EMF field is not necessarily the same for all phenomena. Why? Just like there are stronger and weaker people who put off more or less EMF, this would hold true for ghosts/spirits as well. We do believe however that the EMF field will be a fluxuating field. (I.e. your EMF detector reads a fluctuation in a field from 1.5 mg -3 mg and then from 1.5 mg -10mg).

The Lunar Cycles
Solar flares are classified based on their output of X-ray energy at the peak of their burst. Solar Flare activity and Geomagnetic Field activity seems to affect the amount of ghost activity. Research has shown us that during periods of heightened solar flare activity and geomagnetic activity in space, the amount of spirit activity increases. M class and X class flares are good sources of energy for the spirits to use to manifest. Spirits often tap into normal electrical sources such as electrical appliances and batteries to get this energy but on days when the air is full of excess energy due to a solar storm or flare, they have a surplus of energy to tap into. This information is also important because it may adversely affect your more sensitive EMF meters, like the Trifield EMF meter, giving you false positive readings.

What is a Ghost?
Right now the answer to this is that no one knows for certain. There are many theories to explain the hundreds of thousands of documented experiences that people everywhere have had since the beginning of recorded history. Ghosts seem to be a relatively common part of the human experience. There does appear to be several types of ghosts and perhaps more than one theory is needed to explain them all. The traditional view of ghosts is that they are the spirits of people who have died and for some reason can go between this plane of existence and the next. Some people believe that ghosts don't know they are dead and that is why they are here. A ghost is a human being who has passed out of the physical body, sometimes in a traumatic state and may not be aware of his/her true condition. We are all spirits encased in a physical body. At the time of passing our spirit body may continue into the next plane of existence.

What kinds of Ghosts are there?
Residual Haunting-- These are often considered a photo in time or leftover energy from the past. A spirit becomes trapped in a terrible emotional loop that repeats over and over, like a video segment playing over repeatedly. This would be like an echo of a personality or traumatic events (i.e. a battleground). This type of apparition does not interact. Some people see apparitions, some feel energies, and some hear sounds. There have been some theories that limestone deposits have some effect on residual haunting, as they have been found near active sites and limestone can hold electromagnetic charges.
Time Slips-- This type of haunting is most usually seen as sounds and transparent shadows. This has been documented for years. This may also be a type of residual haunting. What may be occurring is actually from the past, another time in life slipping into our time. This has yet to have much study on it.
Crisis Apparitions-- These are apparitions of dying or recently dead. This is the most frequently reported apparition. This type commonly involves one-time visits to someone with whom the apparition had close emotional ties to. This encounter usually seems to be a type of farewell, sometimes important or useful information is passed on to the "viewer". This is usually a visual image that appears in waking visions or dreams.
Apparitions of the Dead-- These are apparitions of people who have been dead for a while. There are 2 types of these: 1) those that make one or several visits to someone and 2) apparitions that linger for months or years around a particular location or person they associated with when alive. Deathbed Apparitions-- Visual images of divine beings, religious figures, luminosity's and dead loved ones that are reported by the dying in the last moments of life.
Apparitions of the Living-- Also called bilocation or OBE (out of body experience). These apparitions can either be spontaneous or intentional. In the case of spontaneous OBE, the person whose apparition is seen is generally (though not always) unaware of his OBE. OBE is considered intentional when the apparition can be connected to a person who is aware they were having this experience, or with someone who was consciously trying to communicate with the person who witnessed the apparition.
Apparitions from Another Plane or Time-- There are reports of apparitions who act as frightened of us as we are of them. In some cases, they indicate that we, not they are the ghosts. In reports such as these, the observed ghosts appear to be "normal" and "alive" as we know it, (although the setting and dress may be of a different era or locale). Given our incomplete understanding of time and space and the likelihood of additional planes of existence or dimensions, perhaps reports indicate that two distinct spatial or time dimensions can somehow merge and coexist for a time.
Intelligent Apparitions-- These are s manifestation of a spirit that is visible to the eye as well, but seem to have a consciousness of there own. These have been known to interact with people by speaking, manifesting their

What is a Cold Spot or Hot Spot?
A cold spot or a hot spot is what many researchers believe happens when a ghost is trying to manifest itself. The idea of the cold spot is that the ghost is absorbing the ambient heat energy surrounding it, thus making that spot colder. (Obviously a hot spot would be the reverse) The Peltier–Seebeck effect is a good explanation of this. Physicist Jean Peltier discovered the Peltier-seeback Effect in 1834. It can be described as this: when an electrical current passes between two dissimilar conductors, heat is either released or absorbed, depending on the direction of the current. The amount of heat released or absorbed is directly proportional to the strength of the current. If, as we theorized earlier, paranormal activity is connected to EMF, than a moving EMF field would be accompanied by temperature variations. Recording temperature changes (along with EMF readings) is another scientific way of detecting the presence of ghosts. It is a scientific fact that there has to be some form of energy present to alter the temperature. Temperature does not change unless "something" is affecting it one way or the other. The theory is that ghosts absorb light, emotional and heat energy causing the general area around that ghost to be several degrees cooler. There are also hot spots recorded, which could be just the reverse affect occurring. Instead of soaking up the light and heat the ghost is reflecting it back, causing the area to be warmer.