The image and perception of a ghost has acquired so many attributes and illusions over the centuries that it is difficult to tell the difference between what is and what is not a true ghost.
For some, a ghostly image may be that of a glowing translucent figure floating ominously from one room of one house to the next, seemingly searching for something or someone, unaware of its own demise. To others, poltergeists are demonic or evil entities that spend their endless days and nights thinking of ways to torture, scare, and manipulate innocent human beings in unfortunate territories. The idea is silly to skeptics who think a ghost can’t be more than a person covered in a white sheet, moaning and shaking some chains to disturb the naive and imaginative.
There are many misconceptions about ghosts and the afterlife. Many perceived ghostly activities can be fairly easily explained by logic or reason. Residual energy is a definite contending culprit when deciding whether or not there is a spirit prevailing in the area. There are also many other explanations that need to be explored before determining whether a house, place, or person is haunted.
Ghost hunters are brave, intellectual and pioneering paranormal explorers and scientists, who bravely enter the domain of a suspected paranormal ghost. They explore locations armed with various technical and instrumental items such as cameras, thermometers, EMF detectors, voice recorders, and more. Although these well-intentioned individuals are honorably seeking the baffling truths about the existence of the afterlife, some lack knowledge and etiquette in some essential and spiritual areas.
The first and most important step in ghost hunting is diagnosis. Is he or is he not a real ghost? Witnesses must be asked many questions to determine if the strange activity or experiences are really that of a ghost. The haunting residual energy can be determined simply by asking the homeowner, tenant, or witnesses if the paranormal experience consisted only of emotional feelings and sensations. The residual energy does not manifest physical consciousness, malevolence, or aggression.
A physical evaluation and survey of the home or area should be done to rule out logical or reasonable reasons for any unusual activity. High concentrations of magnetic fluctuations due to ley lines or man-made technology can create false readings on instruments as well as alter human perception.
In the case of a real ghost, it must be determined if actual physical or communicative contact has been made. True ghosts will try their best to make some kind of contact, either by moving items around the area or trying to address the living while they are partially awake or asleep. Apparitions, orbs, and audible sounds are common forms of a ghostly presence trying to make itself known. Often they will be frustrated or provoked into more assertive attempts to make their points obvious. By poking, poking, or scratching, they show they don’t want to be ignored.
It would be prudent to obtain information related to the history of the home and its former residents in order to better understand what kinds of activities, negative or positive, may have occurred in the home. Better yet, a reputable and experienced empathic psychic medium can be a very valuable asset to the ghost hunting team. These individuals are specifically attuned to paranormal anomalies and would be able to discern what the spirit wants and needs more effectively.
Once the ghost hunter has determined whether or not it is a true ghost, the next step is to attempt to make contact. Almost all ghosts have a message to convey. The messages are usually relatively clear. The most common messages are ‘hello’, ‘help’ or ‘out’! All of which the ghost hunter or home owner must recognize and value. If not, the entity will simply continue to express dissatisfaction with your presence.
One way to try to make contact with the wayward soul is to simply speak out loud to them and then allow them to respond. Since humans usually can’t hear your response, a recorder is a good way to capture electrical voice phenomena, or EVP. Due to the high density of our dimension, the living often cannot audibly distinguish voices or sounds created in another dimension that is less dense. An ordinary cassette recorder is somehow able to file the voice of a spirit to manifest. This listening strategy can help the living and the dead in conversation.
Etiquette is of the utmost importance when physically and verbally approaching a deceased human being. No matter who officially pays the mortgage and has title to the land, the spirit believes that this is their territory. A ghost hunter and homeowner must be respectful of the ghost and the situation of her or the investigator is bound to have an adverse reaction or none at all. It is important to be courteous and verbally express your purpose immediately upon approaching the location. Asking the deceased person for permission to enter the facility or to take pictures is a great way to show that you respect them.
One has to anticipate what the ghost may be feeling. They are obviously confused, scared, lonely, or defensive. An example of the best way to learn to appreciate and anticipate the feelings and reactions of the spirits is that of a frightened animal. If you approach a terrified and confused cat in an aggressive and abrupt manner, what can you expect? Well, obviously the petrified cat will run away or try to hurt you on defense. It is his natural and instinctive reaction to your supposedly invasive presence. An animal has no way of knowing your innocent intentions because they are unable to understand or read your mind.
A ghost is not much different, the lines of communication are crossed as they are and they don’t have the full understanding of where they are or what happened to them. They are just reacting instinctively when they wonder why this person with strange instruments is intruding on her house!
Saying that, we shouldn’t underestimate their intelligence either, we should simply try to understand and gently persuade them into submission. Your advancement and attitude towards them is the most important aspect of the experience. Fear is also a factor, if your disposition is one of terror, panic, or hysterical behavior, they may feed off that energy. They themselves can become fearful and insensitive to your requests.
In their realm, they have very little control of their existence. They wander aimlessly and confused through a hazy existence, wondering what to do next. A human soul can sometimes be tormented by memories of a terrible past. They may be reliving a painful and traumatic event over and over again. So when someone comes into your fragile world, pushing and prodding, you can attack to protect yourself. Or even worse, they may be the type who feels empowered by the fact that they can manipulate or control a living person again. Usually this is when a ghost can become dangerous and terrifyingly scary.
One of the most important things to remember is that this literally used to be a flesh and blood human being. A being’s personality, as well as yours, will continue into the next realm even if your tangible body does not. These entities, when alive, had families, jobs, memories, and emotions. They had loved ones and were loved by others. Sadly, some of these souls are bound in this limbo for a potentially horrible and tragic reason. Try to have empathy, consideration and compassion for the state they are in.
A good point to remember when you start your ghost hunting adventure, you will catch more flies with honey. So enter your home with respect, gratitude and a courteous disposition and you may end up in a very cooperative spirit, hence some very good pictures.
Copyright Danielle Lee 2008 All Rights Reserved
