Ghost Hunting can be very fun and yet at times it can be one of the most terrifying things you will probably ever do in your life.
The following are just a few of the things folks have encountered during ghost hunting or paranormal investigations:
Smells: These smells can seem to come from no where, and develop instantly and disappear just as fast. The smells are often putrid like rotted meat, or like fresh bowel movements, and are very overpowering at times.
Apparitions: Some spirits appear as barely visible forms, while some become as solid and normal looking as a living person.
Clouds – Mists – Masses: Often fleeting shadows, things seen out of the corners of the eyes are encountered. Or a rolling black mass may appear, sometimes a whispy form like smoke is seen.
Disembodied voices: These are often heard and at times they can be very scary. Imagine being in a darkened room, and having something invisible whisper or even shout in your ear. These are not EVP’s, but normal sounding speech.
Physical Sensations – Some ghost hunters have been touched, pinched, slapped, had their hair pulled, been scratched or even bitten by invisible entities.
Rappings – Scratching – and Knockings: In walls, ceilings and floors. Strange sounds and noises are often heard in haunted locations, as well as hearing what sounds like objects being dropped, or moved in nearby rooms.
Cold spots: Sometimes just before a spirit manifests they draw energy from the surroundings. Often a spot in one area of a room will suddenly become very cold. For example the temperature thoughout a room may average 75 degrees but in one corner or area, the temperature will suddenly plummet to 50 degrees or even colder. This is a sure sign of a spirits presence or a soon manifestation.
Power drains and equipment malfunctions: Like cold spots, when a spirit is drawing energy needed to become solid or more visible, they will often draw-in nearby energy, this energy can also come from batteries in video camers, and other devices. Often cameras, tape recorders, even lights will suddenly go haywire or stop working all together when a spirit is present.
Almost everyone that does ghost hunting believes that there are two types of spirits, human and in-human, the latter are also called demons. I am a born again christian and believe the bible 100%. From my beliefs in the bible as factual. I believe there is only one type of spirit involved in any haunting, and these are in-human or demons.
According to the bible, when we are dead our spirits or souls are present with God, from there we are either granted a life of love and peace in heaven with the creator and the other believers, or we are cast into hell forever, with no chance of escape. The bible also says there is a huge chasm or void that separates the living from the dead, they cannot cross over or communicate with each other. There are other statements in the bible that clearly says that ghosts can not be the spirits or souls of people who have died.
Whether the creatures involved in a haunting are spirits of dead humans or whether they are demons, if one is trying to prove that they truly exist or if you are trying to disprove a haunting, then you must do paranormal investigations as a professional.
A professional Ghost Hunter or paranormal investigator needs to have the right tools. Here I will explain devices that every ghost hunter or paranormal investigator MUST have, if he or she is truly taking the phenomenon as real or as a business, and not as a joke.
Voice Recorder: It doesn’t matter if you use a standard tape recorder or one of the new digital recorders, what does matter is the quality and the ability to use an external microphone. Try to get one that is of good quality, but make sure you get one that has a plug in microphone with a cable or cord so the end of the microphone is away from the recorder. The small all-in-one recorders that have the built in microphones, pick up a lot of the hiss and gear noise from the recorder when they are in record mode. A recorder is a necessity for recording EVP’s. EVP’s also called (electronic voice phenomenom) are a very unique and sometimes frightening thing that is often encountered in a haunted area. What an EVP is, is a voice or other communication that is heard on a tape or digital recorder during playback, that was not heard when the recorder was recording.
Film Camera: Do NOT use a digital camera because the photo will always be questioned as being fake, no matter how good it is, where if you use a film camera, you at least have the negatives as some proof. And unless you buy a high mega-pixel digital camera, the photo quality will be less than a nice cheap 35mm film camera.
Camcorder: A camera is good, but a camcorder is even better. Get one that uses a tape, either the small cassettes or one of the older models that use the full sized VHS tapes. I bought two of these older camcorders for under $75 each recently.
Thermal Imaging scopes or goggles: These capture the upper portion of the infrared light spectrum, which is emitted as heat by objects instead of simply reflected as light. Hotter objects, such as warm bodies, emit more of this light than cooler objects like trees or buildings. Often spirits that manifest have a temperature in their form that stands out in this spectrum, especially if a spirit is present in a cold location.
Night Vision scopes or goggles: These little devices have become very cheap, a nice night vision scope can now be purchased easily for under $200. They work by collecting the tiny amounts of light, including the lower portion of the infrared light spectrum, that are present but may be imperceptible to our eyes, and amplifying it to the point that we can easily observe the image.
Flashlight: Take along two small pocket ones for each team member. What can be worse then exploring a dark cellar or underground area, and having the lights or another flashlight fail.
Walkie Talkies: If you have a group of team members, and you are investigating a large location, walkie talkies are not just a good thing to have, but they can be a life saver at times.
Notebook and pencils: Often any electronic, electrical or other devices may fail in a haunted location, so it’s very wise to carry along a small notebook and some pencils in case you need to keep some valuable notes.
Thermal Scanner: A hand held thermal scanner (thermometer) uses infrared technology to measure the surface temperature of material without touching it. You simply point at your target, pull the trigger and read the temperature on the lit LCD display.
One of the best tools I recommend, is also the cheapest, under $10 U.S. It is a computer software program that is made just for Ghost Hunting and Paranormal Investigations. It’s called ‘Ghost Hunter’. The software is for anyone who explores haunted houses or locations where any type of paranormal activity is occurring. Whether you are trying to gather evidence of the haunting or other proof, this software can help make the job more organized and easier.
Ghost Hunter software was made as a scientific tool, for paranormal researchers that believe in spirits, demons, or ghosts. Researchers can easily keep track of vital data gathered at the haunted locations. With this software you can know at a glance such vital information as; the date and times of the activity, location info, GPS data, telephone numbers, notes, sounds heard, odors detected, temperature anomalies, and more.
You can use the software on location during the investigation with any WINDOWS based notebook Computer or back at home or in the office after the investigation.
For more information and the ability to download and try a free demo version of the ‘Ghost Hunter’ software, please visit the website:
http://www.rb59.com/ghosth
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2006
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s.
RB59 Software
Do you hear bumps in the night? Does your hair stand on end when you walk into a room? Maybe you feel as if someone is watching you or perhaps you think you see someone out the corner of your eye, but when you turn to look no one is there? What you may be encountering in those unsettling moments is a ghost. So before you go running out of your house screaming, let’s take a moment to talk about ghostly encounters and those that investigate this phenomena.
A ghost is believed to be the spirit or soul of a person who has remained on Earth after death. When a ghost has taken up residence in a location, it is referred to as a haunting. There are two different ways in which a ghost inhabits a location. The most common type of haunting is a residual haunting. A residual haunting is typified by ghostly energy that is static or goes through a number of movements over and over again. It can be likened to watching a movie clip that repeats itself or a record album that has a skip in it, causing the needle to jump back to an earlier point on the album and begin again.
The second classification of haunting is the classic haunting. In a classic haunting the ghost displays intelligence and interacts with the people in the environment. It is not uncommon during a classic haunting for items to be moved around, for lights or electrical appliances to turn on and off, to hear voices our sounds out of nowhere or to be touched, tickled, stroked or even shoved. These ghosts often reflect the personality of an individual, even after their death. With this type of haunting, the aroma of flowers, perfume, cigarette smoke or other scents that are associated with the individual are often detected.
So whether you think you are being haunted by a ghost and want to have a group of trained professionals to come to your home or are interested in investigating all that goes bump in the night, but don’t know where to begin, here’s some information that can help you get started.
It is held that ghosts are electro-magnetic in origin and they create these fields when trying to manifest into this dimension. The energy that is given off by a ghost causes disruptions in the locations magnetic field, thus making it detectable by specialized equipment and psychics alike.
Because the presence of a ghost can be detected by specific types of equipment, a ghost hunter can become well equipped with a number of affordable pieces of equipment, many of which you may already own. From basic to advanced, there are many different types of equipment you can use to detect an otherworldly presence. For someone thinking about participating in an investigation, this doesn’t mean you have to own every piece of equipment in order to perform a reliable investigation. It does mean that you should at least possess a basic set of tools to use.
Basic Equipment
35mm or Digital Camera For a beginner, having a camera is probably the easiest and least expensive way to begin. Pictures, whether digital or recorded on film can capture paranormal activity, activity that is often invisible to the naked eye. This is especially true in the case of documenting the presence of orbs and ectoplasm.
Notebook & Pen or Pencil Simple as this may be, it is always a good idea to have something to record any notes, findings or experiences you may have during an investigation.
Flashlight Many times an investigation will take you to a dark or foreboding location such as a cemetery, old warehouse, abandoned building or other place that is dark or without electricity. In these instances you will need to have a portable light source.
Extra Batteries Depending on the paranormal activity of a location, batteries oftentimes will mysteriously and unexpectedly lose their charge leaving you in the dark. Regardless of the type of equipment you use, make sure you bring extra batteries along to replenish depleted ones.
Intermediate Equipment
EMF Detector The Electromagnetic Field Detector is probably one of the most important pieces of equipment to own if you are serious about doing an investigation. In addition to detecting the energy fields of ghosts, it is a key tool to use when taking baseline readings of a site. A baseline reading is a preliminary evaluation of a location, where investigators identify any existing or man made electromagnetic fields such as those created by power lines or electrical appliances.
Digital Video Camera Video cameras can be a useful investigation tool. Unlike still cameras, a video camera will document any activity in its entirety including the length of time the phenomena occurs, the surrounding conditions, as well as the phenomena itself. A tripod to rest the video camera on is also helpful, especially if it is going to be left in a stationary position to record the activity in a specific location.
Tape Recorder with an External Microphone There is no better way to capture EVP’s (electronic voice phenomena) than through the use of a tape recorder. Whether using a traditional tape recorder with high quality tapes or a digital recorder, an external microphone should always be used. A detached mic will eliminate the sounds of internal gears and turning wheels that can contaminate your recording.
Advanced Equipment
Motion Detectors Motion detectors can be used to sense the movement of unseen forces. Many need to be plugged in to an outlet, but battery operated ones are also available. Before you go out and buy one, decide which type will best support you investigatory needs.
Thermal Scanner A thermal scanner or non-contact thermometer can be used to detect rapid temperature changes. A change of ten degrees or more from the ambient temperature (the temperature of the surrounding area) can indicate an ethereal presence.
Psychics As An Investigative Tool
In addition to tools such as cameras, meters and gauges that are used by ghost hunters, many groups also utilize the services of trained psychics as a means of gathering information about a site. This is the role I play when working with ghost hunting groups.
Finding a true psychic to work with can be a real asset to the quality of your investigation. They can play an invaluable role in supporting the efforts of any paranormal investigation. Like a good piece of equipment, a psychic can help to detect anomalies as well as provide additional insights into the nature of activity encountered.
If your group decides to include the use of a psychic as part of the investigation team, there are a few items that should be considered. To maximize the objectivity of the investigation, it is critical that the psychic go into a location “cold”. This means that they do not know the details of the location or of any activity that may have been encountered by other members or the property owner. Telling the psychic the history of a property can cause the individual to become “contaminated”, which can make it difficult for them to differentiate what they perceive from what they have been told.
Conducting An Investigation
With at least a basic kit of equipment in hand, you are now ready to explore the world of paranormal phenomena. Before you begin, there are a few ground rules to consider. First, never go on an investigation alone, in addition to personal safety, you never know what may happen. Next, consider the fact that ghost hunting groups are often judged by their behavior and professionalism so always try to be respectful of the people, places and situations you may encounter.
To do an investigation, the first step is to select a location. Locations can include cemeteries, old buildings, historic sites, private homes and businesses. Always get permission to be on a site. This will keep you from getting in trouble for trespassing. Before you begin a formal investigation it is a good idea to do some research on the site. Talk to the owner, check out old newspapers, or contact the local historic society to see if anything happened there in the past. It is also a good idea to evaluate the terrain for potential hazards or/or to identify places where you can setup stationary video cameras, motion detectors or tape recorders.
Most investigations occur after dark, between the hours of 9pm and 6am. These hours are considered the “psychic hours” and are believed to be the best time to record paranormal activity.
When you get to the selected location, walk around to get a feel for it. Next, set up any stationary equipment and take baseline readings of the site. Then let the investigation begin. Take pictures, shoot video, record for EVP and take meter readings. Take them everywhere and anywhere, especially if you feel something or get a reading on another piece of equipment. When you are done walking around a site, turn your stationary equipment on and let it run while you and your group are out of the area.
When you have finished collecting your data, it is time for analysis. Here each picture, video and tape is reviewed for evidence of a haunting. This is probably the most important part of any investigation. As you review your materials, be skeptical. Look for earthly causes of any phenomena. Was someone smoking in the area? Was the room or location dusty? Where there reflective surfaces that could be the cause of the anomaly in your image? It is important to make sure your evidence will stand up to scrutiny by eliminating any other explanations. This will give your data more credibility.
As you pore over your data, what you will find is that not every location you go to will have ghostly activity. You may discover that many of the things you initially detected during your investigation actually have real world explanations as opposed to supernatural ones. What keeps many ghost hunters going is that one-in-five chance that this investigation will be the “real” thing.
When your analysis is done, presenting your finding to the home or property owner or sharing your results with others is often done. Many groups also post the results of their investigations on their group’s website, thus share the outcome of their investigation with the rest of the world.
If you are interested in ghost hunting or think your have a ghost hanging around in your local, there is a plethora of information available on the worldwide web. Here you can find articles about ghost hunting in general, stories of other people’s ghostly encounters, places that sell ghost hunting equipment and even sites hosted by ghost hunting groups in your geographic area.
So if you think you are hearing bumps in the night, don’t be afraid it just might be a ghost!
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer (www.soulhealer.com) 2006. All rights reserved.
Dr. Rita Louise, Ph D is a Naturopathic Physician and the founder of the Institute Of Applied Energetics. It is her unique gift as a medical intuitive that enlivens her work. Let Dr. Rita assist you bringing health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or http://www.appliedenergeticsinstitute.com for more information.
There is no exact connection between religion and <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(’/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://www.psychicadvisory.info/> paranormal beliefs </a>. There are people who are religious but don’t believe in things like Bigfoot or UFOs while others believe in many paranormal events but who are not part of any religious tradition. Then, one does not anything to do with the other.
Those people who show obedience to religious traditions may often be eager to renounce any correspondence since paranormal beliefs are often portrayed as less sane and reliable than religious beliefs. In some cases, conservative and other religious believer often regard paranormal beliefs as evil actions of evil forces in the universe and not the sort of thing they would like to believe.
On the other hand, religious and paranormal beliefs share lots of important things in common. Both paranormal and traditional religions are in the same nature which they are not considered as part of the world as a place controlled by sequences of cause and effect between matter and energy. Instead, they believe that the added presence of immaterial forces influences or controls the path of our lives.
By paranormal beliefs, we tend to search for our desire to find logical meaning to some chaotic events that come our way. If we are suddenly aware of a distant event we shouldn’t neglect, it might be credited to psychic powers, clairvoyance, spirits, angels, or God. There seems to be a real scale between what we tend to call “paranormal” and the ideas in many religious faiths
Paranormal beliefs are more than superstitions and religious beliefs. Since paranormal beliefs are commonly part of an integrated beliefs system about the very nature and substance of the universe whereas superstitions are often isolated ideas at times related to cultural traditions irreligious beliefs. The paranormal beliefs which are integrated to belief system are very similar to religion .they can provide meaning to our lives as well as the events in our lives. They can also provide social structure, and give comfort in difficult times.
However, paranormal beliefs system lacks some of the critical characteristics of religions. They don’t typically engage ritual acts, because it’s unusual for them to make a distinction between the sacred and the sacrilegious. It is also rare for people to base a moral code upon those beliefs. Even though paranormal beliefs means that they are not the same as religion, the strong similarities do suggest that they stem from some of the same needs and desires as religious beliefs.
Research shows that religion and paranormal beliefs are separated phenomena. There are some studies that try to correlate religion to paranormal beliefs but there have been varied results. For an instance, one study concluded that there is a strong chance that belief in the paranormal is a substitute for religious beliefs, and that both religious belief and paranormal belief serve to lower death anxiety. However, some researchers found that paranormal belief was commonly not associated to religiosity. There were some events and specific beliefs such as E.S.P and Astrology had a minor opposite relationship with religiosity, which the study concluded that belief in the paranormal may substitute for traditional religious beliefs.
On the opposite side of the scale, some studies completed in Canada, found that people who chose “none” as their religious preference were not any more likely to believe in the paranormal than participants who had a religious preference (in this study, only the data from those participants who chose “other religion organization ,” like “Protestant,” or “Catholic” were utilized. Study also found that there was a considerable positive relationship between religious beliefs, which were measured by a 6-question scale asking how much, if any, the participant believed in God, angels and others.
Paranormal beliefs, which were also measured by a separate 6-item scale, asking how much participants believed in ESP, astrology, found that participants who stated that they attend church regularly were slightly less likely to have paranormal beliefs. Constant held of religious belief gives an impression of more significant negative correlations between church attendance and paranormal beliefs.
So, in this case, finding the relationship of religion and paranormal beliefs were an endless journey. But as long as you have faith in the Supreme Being it will not alter the truth that every individual seek for some meaning in their lives regardless if it is under the religious beliefs or paranormal beliefs. Somehow and the other way around religion and paranormal beliefs will meet halfway. They have their own distinct characteristic far different from each other.
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We can never make a blanket statement about the activities of spirits. They are all individuals. We seldom worry about whether or not the people we meet will follow us home. The same conditions can usually be applied to ghosts.
Ghosts have to be approached one by one. They are all different and as such most ghosts have a reason to be wherever they happen to be. Sometimes it is unfinished business from when they were alive. Sometimes they haunt a given area because of a traumatic event or a sudden un-expected death. Some are afraid to move on and stay at the location they feel most comfortable in. In a nutshell, they all have a different reason to be where we run across them.
So taking each haunting one by one and evaluating it carefully before doing an investigation can often answer the question before hand as to whether or not a spirit will follow us anywhere. Each site is different as each ghost is different, so follow some common sense and plan each investigation before starting. After all, there are no “givens” in paranormal investigating.
So generally speaking it is doubtful a ghost will follow you home. As I mentioned before they are all different. Some have different abilities then others and can go wherever they choose. Some are stuck at the location they haunt and couldn’t follow you if they wanted. But most are at the location they haunt for a reason, and we the living are not it. Follow some basic common sense, and all will be well.
What better way to start posting than to define paranormal.
Paranormal in general
Some people can perceive energy. This is called paranormal, what means above the normal. It isn’t normal for science because they do not understand how this is possible. But actually is paranormal very normal, almost everyone has it. Some have hide away, others just don’t use it. But all the people who experience it, can all experience it in their own way. This is because there are many ways of being paranormal, clairvoyance (paranormal seeing), clairsentience (paranormal feeling & knowing) and others exist.
The paranormal is very wide. Within for example clairvoyance there are several gradations and possibilities. The first one sees auras, another one get images through. Further someone feels leylines, while someone else feels hartmannlines. Many many possibilities, gradations and compilations. Often they are easy to combine; someone sees an energyline, and with paranormal knowing he knows it is a hartmannline. We only should be very carefully that we ourselves do not work as a filter.
