The Paranormal ABC's

This is an incomplete list of common terms used in the paranormal field. I will be adding more terms continuously and if you have any suggestions please feel free to comment.


Agent- 1) a person who attempts to communicate information to another in an ESP experiment 2) The subject in a psychokenesis experiment 3) Person who is the focus of poltergeist activity

Aura – a field that some psychic see surrounding the living body, often thought to reflect a person’s personality

Apparition – the visual appearance of a person whose physical body is not present

Asport – a physical object that a spirit teleports to another location or makes disappear

Automatic writing – writing without being aware of the contents, as when a medium apparently transcribes written messages from disembodied spirits

Channeling – the process by which a medium apparently allows a spirit to communicate through his or her person

Clairaudience – the paranormal obtaining of information by hearing sounds or voices

Clairsentience – an archaic term that refers to the paranormal obtaining of information using faculties other than vision or hearing

Clairvoyance – a subset of esp. the viewing of distant scenes not apparent to the eye, may appear externally – either replacing the normal visual scene or being incorporated into it or internally in the form of mental imagery and intuition

Collective apparition - an unusual type of ghost sighting in which more than one person sees the same phenomenon

Déjà vu - is the feeling of having experienced something before.

Demon - evil entity often talked about in the religious text said to be about nothing but pure evil and wrong doing

Doppelganger - a mirror image or double of a person

Empathy - low level form of telepathy wherein the empathy appears to be aware of the emotional state of a distant person. An empath may also be able to broadcast emotions to others

ESP -  (extrasensory perceptions) the ability to gain knowledge through means other than the five physical senses or logical inference

EVP - (electronic voice phenomenon) the capture of spirit voices on magnetic tape as an audio recording many times the sound isn’t heard during recording

Exorcism - the expulsion of ghost demons or any entity thought  to be inhabiting a living being body

Ganzfield Experiment - an experiment where input from the outside world is reduced by placing halved ping pong balls over the eyes and by masking external sounds a state of mild sensory deprivation

Ghost - a form of apparition usually the visual appearance of a deceased humans spirit soul

Haunting - recurrent sounds of human activity sightings of apparitions and other psychic phenomena, in a location when no one is there physically

EMF - (electo-magnetic field detectors) are  a device to measure the presence of a magnetic field as well as its strength, direction, and fluctuation.

Medium - a person who professes to be able to communicate with spirits

Orb - a photographed anomaly that in theory represents an ongoing spirit of a deceased person it appears as a ball of light and may occasionally seem to be moving

Paranormal - above or outside the natural order of things as presently understood

Parapsychology - the branch of science that studies psychic phenomena

Phantom - another name for a ghost

Phenomenology – an approach to research that aims to describe and clarify a person’s own experience and understanding of an event or phenomenon

Phenomena –  an occurrence, circumstance, or fact that is perceptible by the senses

Phenomenon – something that is impressive, extraordinary,  unusual, significant, or unaccountable

Poltergeist  - a German word meaning “noisy or troublesome spirit”. Poltergeist activity may include unexplained noises, movements of objects, outbreak of fire, floods, pricks or scrathes to a persons body. Unlike hauntings, which are associated with specific locations, poltergeist typically focus on a person (the focal person or poltergeist agent).

Possession – refers to cases in which a person’s body is apparently taken over by another personality or entity

Precognition - the ability to predict things beyond present knowledge

Premonition – an experience believed to foretell future events

Presence - a subjective feeling that a person, animal or discarnate entity is present

Psychic - a person with above average esp abilities

Response - an action made by a subject in an experiment

Sixth Sense – popular term for ESP

Skeptic - a person inclined to discount the reality of the paranormal and to be critical of Para psychological research generally seeks rational or scientific explanations for the phenomenon studies by parapsychologist

Sleep Paralysis - an (often frightening) state of seeming to being awake but unable to more

Spirit Photography – photographs of figures or faces, believed by some to be those of deceased persons

White Noise – a hiss-like sound, formed by combining all audible frequencies

The Paranormal Investigators Toolbox

Cameras

You will need a 35mm digital camera with autofocus, and a flash. You don't necessarily need an expensive camera to get good results, and you can find one to fit your budget. 400 speed is good for indoors and 800 speed for outdoors.

Tips For Taking Pictures

- Log all you pictures by number in a case file

- Check out your surroundings, walk around the location for 20 minutes first. Make sure you not any other lights in the area so when you view your developed pictures you will not think a street light is an orb.

- Make sure to clean your camera lens regularly

- Do not smoke at the location, it can appear as mist. And you don't want to contaminate your evidence.

- Watch for dust or dirt being stirred up in the area you are photographing. They can give a false positive result.

- Tie back long hair

- Tie up or remove camera straps

- Don't bother with the view finder just point and click. This will help in the winter, you won't fog up the lens with your breath.

- Watch for reflective surfaces and make notes of them.

- Let everyone know when you are going to photograph so there are no double flashes.

- Be conscious of your breath in the cold weather.

- Ask the spirit to take its picture (what could it hurt!)

- Take pictures anywhere and everywhere. Especially if you feel something!

- If you see orbs, mist or sparkles take pictures a spirit may be near.

- Don't get discouraged if you don't get many or any pictures.

- Make sure to always have an extra memory card

You can also use motion sensor scouting cameras, when something trips the sensor it will take a picture.

Video and Audio Recorder


You will need a camcorder with night vision. You will also want to consider getting an IR light extender for your camcoder, this increases the distance you can film in total darkness from 10-100 ft.
Also invest in a wireless camera setup, you can hook it up to a laptop to view directly.
Handheld recorders are invaluable, if you use tape recorders use an external microphone. If you use a digital voice recorder you will not need an external microphone.

Tips For Recording Video and Audio


- You can set up cameras on tripods or walk with them. 

- While you are recording ask questions to see if the spirit will reply

- Make sure you view or listen to the whole tape

- Review notes where you explained any noises that you heard, this way you know if you have positive evidence

EMF Detector

EMF (Electromagnetic Field detectors) are extremely useful in the field when used properly. These meters detect fluctuations in EM fields, the rangers are from 3 to 30 feet. This detector will be your tracking device for the spirit, it tracks and locates energy sources. Many different things will give readings on an EMF meter, what you are looking for are abnormal and unnatural readings that are tied to spirit activity. There are many different types of EMF detectors and you will surely find one in your price range.

Before using the EMF do a walk through of the site, take initial readings around all energy sources. Be sure to document these in your notes. To avoid getting a false reading eliminate as many electric energy sources as possible.

Temperature Sensing Equipment

This is another good tool for recording cold spots and other temperature anomalies. Each brand of thermometer will have different price ranges, and different temperature ranges. This is another piece of equipment that will easily be in your price range. If you purchase one with a laser beam you just point, shoot, and you get a reading. There are also dual air temperature (regular) and surface temperature (IR thermometer).

There are two types: regular digital thermometers and infrared non contact thermometers. When using this on an investigation it will aid you in detecting the presence of a spirit. Rapid temperature drops of 10 degrees or more could indicate the presence of a spirit.

You can purchase a USB datalogger to plug into your computer and program it to check the temp., humidity, and dew point at different time intervals. You unplug it and leave it at the location,, after you plug it back in to get a chart & graph of all the fluctuations. Prices start at $90.

Motion Detectors

This is an inexpensive tool to add to your toolbox. The detector gives off an audible signal when the sensor detects something with a large IR heat signature enters the area.

Other Useful Equipment 

- Cell phone
- A compass - it can aid on an investigation when the need cannot come to a precise heading or spins erratically, it can signal a presence
- Candles and matches- batteries are often effected and run low during investigations. Be careful using candles around motion detectors, they will set them off.
- Hand held radios or Walkie Talkies - are very useful in large, outdoor areas. They are also great in an emergency situation, but they can also give off an EMF reading.
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Plenty of extra tapes, memory cards, dvd's, etc.
- Holy water, blessed salt, religious pendants, other religious icons.

I am sure there are other items that you will personally want to add to your Ghost Hunting Toolbox.

Prayers, and the religious aspects

Paranormal Investigators face danger each time they enter an allegedly haunted location, each time they attempt to communicate with a dis-incarnate spirit, when they enter a place they know little about. Each time they don't know the outcome and they put themselves in danger to help others. It is vital they protect themselves against any intrusive or dangerous spirits that may turn up.

Investigators need to concerned against spirit attacks and attachments. We will explore attachments, attacks, and demonic possessions later in the blog series.You need to know how to protect yourself each and every time you do an investigation.


How To Protect Yourself

• Know yourself - your emotions, physical state
• Eat something
• Take time to ground and center yourself
• Protect yourself through your religion

Christian Prayers

Prayer For Protection

The light of God surrounds you,
The love of God enfolds you,
The power of God protects you,
And the presence of God watches over you;
Wherever you are, God is.
Amen.

http://www.unitychurchofpasadena.org/protection.htm

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

(Recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirits of this world)
http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/prayer/michael.htm

Paranormal Ring of Protection Prayer

In The Name Of All That Is Goodness And Light,
Surround Our Circle In The White Light Of Holy Protection.
We Ask That No Harm Befalls Or Follows The Protected Circle,
And That Our Quest Benefit All Who Are Among Us.
In The Name Of All That Is Goodness And Light,
We Thank Thee For Your Protection Of Holy White Light.
Amen.

The Lords Prayer

Our Father, Who art in Heaven hollowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Christian Symbols

• Holy Water
• Blessed Salt
• The Rosary
• St. Michael Pendent
• St. Benedict Pendent
• Holy Mother Pendent

If you wish for me to discuss other religions please feel free to contact me.

What is haunting you? The different types of hauntings

Residual Activity


A residual haunting is a playback of a past event. Residual hauntings can be a recording of past stressful, traumatic, and even positive events. There aren't spirits involved just "recordings" of the event. This type of haunting is not dangerous, and can be witnessed without fear.

Signs of Residual Activity
Signs similar to an "intellectual haunting"
No interactions between spirit and the living
Doors opening and closing
Sounds (footsteps, breathing, other odd repetitive sounds)
Same actions over and over

Poltergeist Activity

A poltergeist haunting or "noisy ghost" are commonly linked to any violent or destructive activity in a haunting. Theories behind a poltergeist haunting are that the spirits are connected with a "human agent". The "agent" will commonly be teenage females going through puberty, and that are troubled emotionally. It is unknown why this energy seems to manifest in pubescent females.

Signs of Poltergeist Activity
Objects that move about their own
Knocking and tapping noises, sounds with no visible cause
Lights turning off and on
Fires

Demonic Activity 

A demon is an entity that has never been a living being, or human. Their main purpose it to cause chaos and havoc. Demons have no basis of time and will hang around for long periods. They will try to break the person down so they can possess them. It is essential that a blessing of the purest kind be performed on the person or home, consult your clergyman, priest, or Demonologist. Demons are very strong and capable of causing harm. Demonic activity is the rarest kind of haunting.

Signs of Demonic Activity
People be grabbed, punched, kicked, scratched, chocked and even thrown
Sudden smell of sulfur, rotten meat or flesh
Growling

Intelligent Activity

In this case the spirit or entity is connected to the site or a person. The ghost is the personality of a person who once lived and who has stayed behind in our world instead of passing over. This can happen in the case of murder, traumatic events or unfinished business, they often linger because of the emotions that tie them to earth. Sometimes there are negative spirits that have kept the qualities they had when they were living. The annoyance factor with this type of haunting can be very high.


Signs of Intelligent Activity
Slamming, opening or unlocking doors and windows
Strange sounds and voices
Cold chills
Strong presence

Shadow People or Creatures

This type of haunting has no real explanation, they are a different form of ghost. Shadow people have no discernible mouth, nose or facial expressions. They appear to moving on an invisible track from one place to another. They have been known to stare at the floor, have no human features, and wear no clothes.


Signs of Shadow Activity
Shapeless dark masses seen from the peripheral vision
Move between walls
Feeling of dread

Please be sure and visit our websites: www.evansvilleparanormal.com and www.myspace.com/e.v.p.investigations

For more information visit:
http://www.kyghosts.com/Types%20of%20Hauntings.htm
http://www.trueghosttales.com/types-hauntings.php
http://www.orpit.org/id14.html