GHOST HUNTING 101...
Ghost Hunt - roaming around a graveyard, an abandoned house, or an old mental hospital, you get the idea, at night, trying to see a ghost, while trying not to be scared.Ghost Investigation - a comprehensive and methodical process involving specialized equipment and devices that are used to collect data and to find evidence of ghosts and spirits. The goal is to prove the existence of the paranormal ... and trying to see a ghost, while trying not be scared.
2. Enter the site and either privately, or as a group. ask for blessing or protection for the duration of the hunt. You can use this time to put yourself in a positive frame of mind. It need not be a religious ceremony., but a few moments to quiet the mind and show respect to the spirits. If your are intending to investigate a demonic haunting, DO NOT try it until you have referenced one or more books that warn you of the dangers and instruct you on the CORRECT and SAFE methods of dealing with evil paranormal entities. That said, many experienced groups believe there are evil spirits, as well as benign, and would not attempt a demonic investtigation.
3. Walk around the area for about 20 minutes to get a feel for the surroundings and allow the spirits to get a feel for you. Log in your start time and weather conditions and any other relevant information in your notebook. You should also begin to set up any stationary equipment like cameras on tripods, video equipment, and motion detectors. Write down areas that you feel are the most likely, and least, to reveal the paranormal and why. Note the layout of the house, the rooms, or the cemetery, the terrain, the condition of the gravestones, areas that contain broken headstones, areas that seem a little foreboding. Make a plan on what equipment you will use over the course of the investigation, when and why before you begin. While a vital aspect of paranormal investigation is being open to anything and allowing for everything, a rough but flexible investigation plan will give you a sense of process, rather than free-for-all.
4. Time to begin the investigation. Using your rough plan, your insights and observations, you can begin. You have decided to walk the grounds taking baseline EMF and temperature readings, first. Slowly, you make your way around visiting and taking readings of all areas a few times, noting your findings in your notebook. If you get some mysterious EMF readings, here is where you begin to actually investigate rather than canvas. You may have found a ghost. You will want to remember this area for some later EVP work. As you go along, take pictures, often randomly. In those areas where you received unusual EMF readings, begin using your audio recorder for some EVP work. Note anything unusual that happens ... meter readings, visual sightings, and strange sounds. Note any feelings or emotions you feel that may be odd or out of place.
5 Whether you stake out a spot or you walk around, try to give everyone the opportunity to try everything and be everywhere on a rotating basis. Not only is it fair that everyone has the same opportunities, the findings can be better authenticated, or debunked, using evidence from several people combing through the same areas.6. When you are done have everyone meet in one spot. Thank the spirits for receiving you. Ask, in The Name of God, for them not to follow you home. This takes about ten seconds, unless you want to lengthen the blessing for one reason or another. Always remember to treat spirits respectfully. If you insult them, you never know what kind of paranormal trouble you will get yourself into.
PARANORMAL GLOSSARY:
Anomaly - Something found on a picture, photograph, video or voice recording that has no explainable source.
Apparition - A spirit that is in human form and usually visible to the naked eye; or may appear in a photo undetected originally by the naked eye. Often this anomaly is dressed in period clothing. Very hard to capture on film but many have reported seeing this type of ghost. This is the "Hollywood Type" ghost featured in many movies.
Ectoplasm - The term used for a smoke-like or fog looking mist that appears in photos but was not discernible by the human eye. This phenomena has been captured in the midst of large groups of people, as well.
Energy Lights - These show up on photos as colored lights during some manifestations of hauntings. They usually are not visible to the naked eye and can appear in different colors such as red, orange or green.
EVP - "Electronic Voice Phenomenon" is the recording of audio tapes at a suspected haunted site; and although no voices were heard at the time of the recording, unexplained voices may be discovered during playback of the audio tape. Both digital recorder and traditional tape recorders may be used.
Intelligent Haunting - When spirits dwell in a specific area and demonstrate an interaction with those here in the physical realm.
Kinetic Energy - Description for the movement of objects by a ghost. A physical manifestation of an unseen force which may move, throw or even destroy objects. These ghosts are known as "Poltergeists" (German for "noisy ghost").
Orb - Orbs are believed to be energy or the spirit and soul of individuals, which show up as circles or balls of light in photos - varying in size, color and opacity. I personally believe them to be
departed spirits whose soul is "enlightened," hence they are seen as "light." The whiter or brighter the light, the more truth is known by them. As a side note, it is important to know that dust, rain or snow
directly in front of the camera can also appear to be orbs in a photograph.
Plasma/Plasmoid - Moving orbs caught during the time of camera exposure. Orbs have also been filmed moving, on video. In photos, they appear as streaking light or as an orb with a tail showing the
path of motion. These are also known as "supercharged orbs" in motion.
Poltergeist - German for "noisy ghost." These ghosts manifest in the physical enough to produce sounds and the movement of objects.
Residual Haunting - When a spirit is seen doing the same thing over and over, many believe this to be simply an energy imprint or residual haunting. In other words, a strong, traumatic event that occurred in some other time, repeating itself over and over. Usually these spirits do not interact with those who see them. Sort of reliving of an event perhaps through fear, guilt or condemnation until that spirit finds truth and freedom.
Shadow People / Dark Shadows - Unexplainable dark shadows in photos and video which sometimes may be seen with the naked eye. Many believe these to be demons, but I believe they are departed spirits who are in darkness currently. In other words, the state of their soul is visible as darkness instead of light. That is not to say they are bad people, but simply people who are void of truth or bound by untruths.
Spirits - there are generally two types of spirits. One was a human at one time and has remained in the physical world for a reason. They may have died suddenly or violently and does not know it is dead. It may feel it has unfinished business. It may have died plagued by excessive guilt. It may have been murdered and seeks resolution or vengeance. This is the type of spirit you will encounter 90% of the time.
Vortex or Vortices - A long streak across a photo that may be caused by a very high-speeding "orb;" some believe vortices are a gateway between both realms (physical and spirit realms). They are usually white in color and may appear as a funnel-shape. Camera straps, human hair, a tree branch, etc., right in front of the camera lens during exposure have been notoriously mistaken for a vortex. It is important to make sure anything that may interfere with your photo is removed from within the front of the camera.
WHAT TO BRING:
Non-Digital Cameras - Nothing fancy with at least 400 speed film. 800 speed film is good at night. Bring a tripod if your camera is compatible. Test your cameras flash strength to see which film speed works best for you. Even disposable 35mm cameras yield good results. If you are a more experienced photographer, you may want to try infrared film. When you drop off your 35mm film for developing, make sure you let them know that you want them to develop the role 'as-is.' The "bad ones" with streaks and shapes of light that film developers tend to discard are very often the captured images of spirits. Polaroids can take good images.Digital Cameras & Spare Batteries - Digital cameras are great tools for ghost researchers. The photo quality is excellent, there is no film to develop, and the images are immediate. Take several shots from the same location and from different angles to help decipher the spirits from dust or reflections. Memory cards allow you to store thousands of pictures and you can your send your images directly to your computer for editing, distribution and posting.
Flashlights & Spare Batteries - Find something small and powerful rather than big and powerful. Have at least one flashlight with a red lens to help preserve your night vision. You may run out of juice in the middle of an investigation, or find that your fully-charged batteries suddenly drained (possibly by spirits needing all the available energy around it to manifest).
First Aid Kits - Just in case. It is very easy to become injured in the dark.
Notebook, Pens and Pencils - Keeping a detailed log of your experiences, observations, time log and feelings serves many purposes. The most obvious, you will have a comprehensive record of your participation in the investigation. You will not forget the details of key findings or important information that you have tried to commit to memory. You will have the ability to compare notes with other researchers when compiling the investigation's findings which greatly increases accuracy and credibility.
Jackets,Weather-Appropriate Clothes & Bug Spray - Quite simpy, if you are cold and shivering, hot and light-headed, or distracted by being eaten-up-alive -- you will not be at your best, and your investigation skills could suffer.
Watches - You need to record the time of experiences and findings throughout the investigation.
Video Cameras - Unlike still cameras, camcorders can document the entire investigation. And provide constant visual and audio surveillance for review and observation. Video cameras with infrared capabilities, such as Sony NightShot enables you to see and video tape in complete darkness.
Audio Tape Recorders - Mini-tape or traditional tape voice recorders are without a doubt one of the most important pieces of equipment you should have in your investigators' toolbox. Audio recorders are used for many different purposes throughout an investigation ... for interviewing the clients, surveillances of the site, recording the investigation, and asking questions to possible spirits. External hand-held microphones produce clear sound, which means clearer playback.
Digital Audio Recorders - You get all the benefits of audio tape recorders plus the added benefit of having several hours of recording time without having to change tapes. The data counter for logging important occurences and the USB capability to a computer is key.
EMF Detector - The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF, is the modern day ghost researcher's tracking device of choice. With this instrument, it is possible to locate and track fluctuations in electromagnetic fields. It is believed that since spirits are electromagnetic energy, they can change this energy in an area when they are trying to manifest. EMF detectors can also pick up electrical devices and electrical wiring in walls. To prevent any false positive readings -- ideally the power should be turned off for the entire house. Fluctuations of 2.0 to 7.0 is the usual range for paranormal activity on an EMF Detector. Anything higher or lower is normally a reading of appliances, fuse boxes, or electrical wiring in old homes.
Compass - Due to the magnetic properties of a small hand-held compass, it can be used as an impromptu EMF meter. When the needle spins erratically, or will not provide a precise heading, it may have detected a spirit's electromagnetic field.
Candles & Oil Lamps - With the power off, flashlights are good tools with which to make your way around in the dark. As stationary light sources, a camping lantern that runs on lamp oil and candles avoid electricity issues. With any open flame, use extreme caution.
Motion Detectors - You can monitor rooms and areas while in other parts of the house with motion dectectors. Some detect movement of any kind and some use an infrared sensor. Placement is key.
Thermometers - A spirit or ghost can change the temperature of an area in a room, and often the whole room. In order to manifest into the physical, the spirit must draw on any available energy (including your batteries.) Energy is heat and heat drawn out of something produces cold. A particularly powerful spirit can raise the temperature. Always carry either a traditional outside thermometer or an infrared non-contact thermometer, preferably with a probe.
Hand-Held Radios - Walkie Talkies keep everyone connected when the group is spread out over outdoor areas or inside larger buildings.
Boothill Cemetary, Tombstone AZ
THE CLIENT COMES FIRST:
Keep in mind that many of the people who request an investigation need to be listened to, comforted, educated and assured that they are not crazy and that your findings are credible. We were contacted by a family that was so frightened by an alleged haunting in their new home that they were living in a hotel. They were basing whether to ever move back in on the findings of our investigation. It is imperative that you do everything you can to keep the client calm and feeling protected. The living come first. (BTW - turns out the home had high ion and radon levels and containers of chemicals in the basement caused some of the problems our clients were experiencing.)
EVPS:
Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) refers to the alleged communication by spirits through audio recorders. One of the pioneers in this field, Sarah Estep, claims that in the 1970s she began picking up random voices on her husband's Teac reel-to-reel recorder. It is the process of recording voices, or sounds, not heard at the time by the human ear,but is later heard on the playback of the audio recorder.
The concept of EVPs revolves around the theory that spirits are composed of electromagnetic energy and audio recorders use electromagnetic means to record sound. Both digital and tape recorders will word, but an external microphone is recommended to prevent the recorder from picking up its own noise.
To obtain the best results, place your recorder in locations of alleged paranormal activity. Leave it running for a few hours. You needn't be present, unless you want to ask the spirit questions in an effort to gain dirct responses and answers. Once the invstigation is finished, it is best to listen to the playback with headphones. Spirit sounds and voices are often faint and difficult to distinguish from ambient sound. Many audio recorders allow the option to upload your voice files to your computer and edit, filter and refine them with special audio editing software.
An "unaltered" EVP is best and the trick to producing credible EVP work is to do your best in disproving your findings by analyzing what source besides a spirit may have produced the sounds. Credibility is everything. It is easy to proclaim unknown sounds as EVPs, but after your team cannot explain the sounds, you might have caught something paranormal!
PLACES TO BEGIN GHOST HUNTING:
Whether you are new to it, or a seasoned investigator, these are some readily accessible places where you can investigate for paranormal activity. You should not limit yourself to only obvious places, spirits can be anywhere. At all times: Be adventurous. Be courteous. Be safe.Cemeteries - The age of the cemetery doesn't matter but the older it is, the more time it has had to accumulate restless spirits. Why cemeteries? There are theories that they are portals to the other side, or that some spirits are drawn to their former bodies.
Schools - Schools, and former sites of schools, may have the build up of psychic energies and imprints of all the highly emotional events that have transpired there.
Theaters - The actors have run the gambit of human emotions inside the walls of a theater, as such, many have interesting hauntings attached to them.
Battlefields - Many violent deaths in one area will often hold some spirits and psychic energy.
Churches - There is a long history of worshippers returning to the church at which they worshipped. They may be looking for the salvation they were promised and cannot find.
Hotels/Motels/Boarding Houses - Many dark dealings and highly emotional events take place in these rooms.
Historic Locations - Many historic buildings, because of their age, have had more time to have spirits attach to them. These buildings and areas are often open to the public and can give you an easy place to start. Many even have known histories of hauntings. You may be able to gain access after hours by speaking with the caretakers.
