The first thing all ghost hunters should know are the various types of ghosts that may be encountered during an investigation. A ghost may be a disembodied spirit of a dead person or animal that generally appears as a pale, shadowlike apparition. Many ghost hunters and religious experts have differing opinions on ghosts, some stating that they are the souls of those that are somehow trapped here on earth, and have yet to “cross over.†Others believe that ghosts are some sort of demon that appears to the living in an effort to confuse and cause those who are religiously inclined to doubt their religion or faith. Yet other experts believe that ghosts are some sort of naturally occurring spirits that express some strong emotion in a dimension that somehow crosses into our own.
There are various types of ghostly encounters that have been documented by ghost hunters. The most common encounter would be the Poltergeist. Poltergeist activity is perhaps the most exciting and vibrant type of ghost encounter. These types of investigations may include sudden movements of objects such as doors, windows, or small things like spoons, plates, etc.; inexplicable noises; lights that go on or off, tapping, banging, electronic appliances that turn on or off, or the playing of some sort of juvenile game of hide and seek with the living persons possessions. A majority of poltergeist activities will be associated with an adolescent child, and most of these will be centered on a female child. Some experts believe that poltergeists are not ghosts at all, but some sort of natural occurrence in which a living person has unknowingly tapped into some sort of mental or physical energy. Other religious experts believe that poltergeist activities are linked to demons and Satanism. Most poltergeist activity begins small and builds over time, ending with a climax of the energy cycle. On rare occasions, poltergeist activity may be dangerous and have been known to cause harm to the living. Ghost hunters would be well advised to be prepared for anything during such an investigation.
The most commonly photographed ghostly apparitions are ABEs (Atmospheric Balls of Energy) or Orbs of inexplicable light and ectoplasmic mist. In most cases the ABE’s and the ectoplasm are not seen by the naked eye, but often show up in videos or pictures, both developed and digital. Many investigators believe that the presence of ABE’s or ectoplasm is a sure sign of paranormal activity. It also may be possible to make out faces or features in the mists, but the investigator needs to be very careful in making assumptions, as a believer can see something that others may not.
Another type of ghost would be the classic Atmospheric Apparitions. These ghosts are the spectral figures of so many ghost stories. These apparitions may take the forms of real people who have died, and may appear solid, though they often walk through doors, windows or walls. Some experts believe that these ghosts are somehow attached to a place and may have suffered some great trauma or emotional difficulties in life, which continues to dominate their souls in death. Other investigators believe that these apparitions are not ghosts at all, but the psychic impressions of a great or disturbing event that took place at the location of the haunting. These ghosts may appear to walk, float or fly and may disappear just as quickly as they appear. On very rare occasions, these ghosts may interact with the living, but in most cases they appear oblivious to their modern surroundings.
A very rare type of ghost, but not unheard of is the living or bilocated ghost. This is the image or voice of someone that is alive at the time, but not physically present at the actual haunting. Most experts believe this is not actually a spirit, but an effect of naturally occurring telepathy. This is also one of the most difficult encounters to document as these may happen at any time and involve people that know each other well.
Perhaps the most common paranormal encounter among the masses of humanity would be the crisis or death bed visions. Virtually everyone has heard tales of a person’s love one appearing to “say goodbye†to the living. These are also very difficult to investigate as it may happen at anytime.
It must also be noted that many hauntings may involve cyclic ghosts. That is, ghosts that appears on a regular basis, or is sighted in the same place. These sightings may be every night, every year, ten years or a hundred years. Many experts and investigators believe that this sort of sighting is closely related to psychokinetic energy left over from an emotional trauma or terrifying experience.
In some instances there will be a great deal of paranormal activity at a certain place. These haunted places are commonly found to be cemeteries, old Indian burial sites, homes where extreme violence may have taken place, places touched by great human tragedy or loss, places associated with great emotions- such as hospitals, asylums, prisons, or morgues, or places that have been continually inhabited for a hundred or more years. These places may serve as a focus for paranormal activity, actually drawing these energies to them. Many of these sorts of places are great locations for attempting to capture ABEs on film or EVPs (Electronic Voice Prints) on recording instruments.
Another type of haunting the investigator should be prepared for is the haunted object. Like a haunted place, these things have some link to a violent or emotional episode, and may serve as a focus for the paranormal. Some of these objects may be evil in nature and should be handled with care.
It is also possible that what people perceive to be a haunting or a ghost could be a naturally occurring phenomenon called a time slip. The idea for this is that time itself is a sort of dimension and what is being viewed could be something from the past or the future.
Finally, all paranormal investigators must be aware that there are many people who enjoy perpetrating fraudulent hauntings. This should be the first thing that an investigator should attempt to rule out and in another article I will explain ways to accomplish this task. Remember, sometimes mist is just mist and a shadow is just a shadow…but when that shadow moves…???
