ghost hunting basics introduction if you are new to ghost hunting, the first thing you need to know...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
If you are new to ghost hunting, the first thing you need to know is that this is still a study that every ghost hunter or paranormal investigator is still learning about. We learn something new every day about the other side. There are a lot of theories about paranormal subjects out there so I suggest researching all of them and coming to your own conclusion. In the following course, I'll try to present a few theories that I'm awareof to get you started.
A Few Terms To Get You Started
Let us start with three terms that are often used
interchangeably.
● Paranormal – Beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation
● Supernatural – departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature
● Preternatural – existing outside of nature; exceeding what is natural or regular; inexplicable by ordinary means
● Ghost - a disembodied soul; especially : the soul of a dead person believed to be an inhabitant of the unseen world or to appear to the living in bodily likeness
● Spirit - a supernatural being or essence; an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visible; a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being
● Entity - A real being, whether in thought or in fact; being; essence; existence
These are actual dictionary definitions. How the paranormal field
uses these terms is a little different depending on which theory or
school of thought each individual has adopted.
Theories On The Supernatural
The supernatural as distinct from nature
● In this, the most common view, the term supernatural is contrasted with the term natural, which presumes that some events occur according to natural laws, and others occur to a separate set of laws which we cannot perceive, because they are caused by forces external to nature. Some believe in forces beyond what is commonly considered natural while others believe all forces can be described as natural.
The supernatural as a higher nature
● Others assert that events that appear to us to be supernatural occur according to natural laws which we do not yet understand. In contrast to supernaturalists, they assert that all things operate according to a law of nature. They assert that God, miracles, or other supernatural phenomena are real, verifiable, and part of the laws of nature that we do not yet understand...
Theories on the Difference Between a Ghost and a
SpiritTheory One
● A ghost is someone who has passed on and is "stuck" between the physical world and the Afterlife. They do not cross through The Light to go on to the Afterlife, but stick around in this "netherworld" for one reason or another.
● A spirit is a person who has passed on, but has actually gone through The Light and into the Afterlife. There they go through a life review learning process, and after that, are able to come and go between the Afterlife and our physical world.
Theory Two
● A ghost is believed to be a form of recording, similar to an audio or videotape. Ghosts do not have a life force. Ghosts are simply replaying the same event over and over. A ghost is a residual energy of a person or animal.
● A spirit is the actual living essence or soul of a person that has remained after their physical body has died.
The Equipment35 mm Camera● Doesn't have to be an
expensive camera. Even a disposable camera will work fine.
● Use at least 400 speed film
● Make sure to tell the people who develop them that you want ALL the pictures (even the bad ones)
The Equipment
Digital Camera● I don't care what you've
read, digital cameras are great. A digital camera allows you to see if you have a positive photo immediately and because of that can help you follow the paranormal activity. They can also take photos in a limited infrared range of light.
The Equipment
Digital Audio Recorder
● These are used to capture EVP (electronic voice phenomenon). It's a good idea to have everyone that is on the case speak their name into the recorder to make it easier to distinguish their voice from a voice from beyond during the audio review.
The Equipment
Video Camera (Camcorder)
● Try to use a video camera that has infrared capability such as Sony's line with NightShot and SuperNightShot. When using NightShot you can walk around and video. SuperNightShot allows you to see even farther away in complete darkness but is best used stationary on a tripod.
The Equipment – EMF Detectors
TriField Natural EMF Detector
● It's a common theory that spirits disrupt electromagnetic fields & that you can detect an entity by getting higher than normal readings with this meter.
● This Natural EMF Detector is great because it only picks up “natural” EMF fields as opposed to unnatural EMF fields produced by refrigerators and other appliances.
● This EMF Detector is great for use in indoor investigations.
The Equipment – EMF Detectors
Cell Sensor● This meter detects both cell phone
frequencies and electromagnetic fields.
● The problem with this meter is that it detects both natural and unnatural electromagnetic fields so it's not that reliable for use in a home as it will go off around a refrigerator and other appliances.
● The great thing about this meter is that it is easily used when walking around scanning an outdoor location and beeps and emits a red light when it has detected a cell reading or an electromagnetic field.
The Equipment
A compass● These work on the
same principle as an EMF meter.
● Theoretically it indicates a spirit presence when the needle spins or can't come to a precise heading.
The Equipment
Motion Detectors
● These can sense movement by unseen forces or spirits however they also sense movement by bugs and swaying branches so be careful where you set them up.
The Equipment
Infrared Thermal Scanner
● Used to detect cold spots, a thermal scanner is easy to use. You just point and click and get your temperature reading.
The Equipment
Dual Temp Infrared
/Probe Thermometer
● This unit utilizes dependable infrared temperature measurement technology and also a lightning fast temperature probe to verify cold spots.
The Equipment –Some common sense items
● Handheld Radios● Flashlights● Lots of extra batteries● Pen and Paper● A watch● A cell phone
Rules & Guidelines
● No smoking except at designated times during breaks (smoke can look like ecto in pictures)
● Absolutely no alcohol or drug use on or prior to an investigation
● No whispering (it can sound like an entity on EVP)
● Do not do an outdoor investigation in the rain, fog, or snow.
● Stay with someone else. Do not go off by yourself.
More Rules & Guidelines
● Keep your ID or Driver's License on you in case you are approached by the police
● If your group has ID badges, always wear those.
● Do not wear perfume or cologne or scented bath products. Spirits often communicate by using scents and smells.
● Do not trespass. Always obtain permission wherever you go.
Taking Pictures
● Take off or tie up camera straps. ● Clean your lens regularly● Make a note of reflective surfaces and street
lights. Pictures taken off of a reflective surface and street lights can appear to be orbs or other anomalies.
● Hold your breath in cold weather when taking a picture. Your breath can appear as ectoplasm mist.
Taking Pictures
● Watch for dirt or dust being stirred up. It can appear as orbs in pictures.
● Take pictures at different angles● Pay attention to your intuition. If you feel
something, take a picture.● Take pictures behind you.● Pay attention to what your fellow investigators
are saying they are seeing or feeling. If someone says they see or feel something, take a picture.
Getting EVPs
● You can walk around with your audio recorders or you can set up stationary recorders and leave them running.
● When you hear normal noises, say what it is in the recorder (someone coughed, laughed, a dog barked, etc)
● Get everyone on the case to state their name in the recorder so you can differentiate between their voice and a spirit during review.
Getting EVPs
● Ask questions of the unseen entities such as “what is your name?; can you make your presence known to us?; do you have a message you'd like to tell us?;” or basically anything you can think of.
● During review make sure you listen to the entire recording. Entities don't always speak when we want them to. Sometimes they'll speak when we haven't even asked a question.
Taking Video
● If you are walking around with the camcorder, use your NightShot setting. If you are setting up the camcorder in a stationary position, use the SuperNightShot setting.
● Make slow movements with the camera.● Pay attention to your feelings and what the
people that are with you are saying. If someone says they see or feel something, gradually move the camcorder to face where they saw something or felt something.
The Ghost Investigation –What are you looking for?
● Orbs● Ectoplasm
● Apparitions● The vortex
● Plasma strands
Orbs – What are they?
No one really knows what orbs are. There are many theories out there though. I'll present a few of those theories to you here.
Theory One – an orb is energy being transferred from a source such as a powerline, people, batteries, etc. to the spirit in order for it to manifest .
Theory Two – an orb is an error in digital processing of a photo
Theory Three – an orb is the simplest and most common form of a disembodied spirit
Theory Four – orbs are just a collection of energy, not the manifestation of a spirit.
Orbs – What do they look like?
● True orbs emit their own light
● True orbs have a distinct outer rim and often have rings
● A moving orb will have a tail
The top picture is a true orb. Notice
the rings inside of it.
The bottom picture is dust.
Ectoplasm – What is it?
Ectoplasm is a solid, liquid or vaporous substance produced by ghosts or spirits. It is
usually a milky white color and has an ozone smell. Some forms of ectoplasm are known to
move in lifelike patterns.
Ectoplasm – What does it look like?
● Ectoplasm resembles fog, smoke, and mist
● It is usually a white or gray color however occasionally it has been photographed with other colors
The top photo is true ectoplasm.
The 2nd photo is breath.
The 3rd photo is smoke.
Apparition – What is it?
An apparition is a disembodied soul or spirit that can be seen visually. It can look solid like you or me or it can be transparent. They are often seen
missing body parts.
Apparition – What does it look like?
● Can be transparent● Can be solid● Can be missing body
parts
The Vortex – What is it?
A vortex is a manifestation of energy, often associated with ghosts and spirits. There are a lot of theories regarding the exact nature of this
phenomenon, some believe a vortex to be a gateway to the spirit world, through which spirits
can travel, while others class them alongside orbs, as manifestations of spirits. When
speaking of more than one vortex, the term “vortices” is used.
Vortices – What do they look like?
● A vortex can sometimes appear as an anomalous whirlwind-shaped object on photographs.
Plasma Strands – What are they?
Plasma is light caused by the ionization of the surrounding area. The ionization process releases photons from the bond of atoms
causing a visible glow. Plasma may be created when an invisible electromagnetic force or high
energy field moves invisibly through an air mass.
There are also Plasma Vortices that are vortices made out of plasma.
Plasma Strands and Plasma Vortices – What do they look
like?● Plasma strands
simply look like a strand of bright light
● Plasma vortices look like bright strands of light in a whirlwind.
The top picture is of a plasma
strand.
The bottom picture is of a plasma
vortex.
Types of Hauntings
You'll find just about every website and book lists these and
groups these differently.
● Residual● Portal● Intelligent
A) Non-Malevolent Human (Traditional)
B) Malevolent Human
C) Poltergeist
D) Demonic
Residual Haunting
This is a haunting where there is absolutely no interaction at all. The ghost you are seeing isn't even actually there. It is just energy. It is an imprint left in time and it replays itself like a recording over and over. Many times it will happen at the same time every year or the same time of day every day. Since there isn't an entity even there then there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it.
Portal Haunting
The subject of portals and Portal Hauntings is a controversial one. That is because portals (or doorways) to other dimensions haven't been proven. The idea of Portal Hauntings came about when many ghost researchers kept getting photos of odd creatures, orbs, apparitions, etc. in cemeteries. Why would a cemetery be haunted? Why would an entity hang around a cemetery? Most researchers believe that these portals are doorways to other dimensions where spirits and otherworldly creatures can come into and out of our dimension. So if you are getting many many pictures of odd creatures, orbs, and spirit activity in a cemetery, it could be a Portal Haunting.
Intelligent Haunting
The keyword in an Intelligent Haunting is “interactive”. Will the entity interact with you in
any way? If it will interact by answering a question, doing something that you ask it to do,
etc. then it is an Intelligent Haunting. I have broken down the Intelligent Haunting into
4 categories:Non-Malevolent Human
Malevolent HumanPoltergeist
and Demonic
Non-Malevolent Human
This is a human spirit that is attached to the location or a person at the location for one reason or another. A witness to a Non-Malevolent Human Spirit could experience doors slamming, windows opening and closing, visually seeing the spirit, cold spots, and feeling like they are being watched.
Malevolent HumanThis is a human spirit that is angry and not nice. These spirits torment their victims. They produce the same signs as a Non-Malevolent human such as slamming doors, opening and closing windows, etc. but they also do things that can parallel a demonic haunting such as scratching, biting, slapping, pushing, hitting, throwing things, and even raping. This is an entity that is usually pretty hard to get rid of and dangerous to deal with.
Poltergeist HauntingThis is a tough one because there are different theories out there. One suggests that an actual entity is present and the other suggests that there isn't an actual entity present and that all the activity is caused by a human agent. The signs for a poltergeist haunting are the same in both theories. A typical poltergeist haunting seems to always consist of noises, such as loud knocking, and objects moving about on their own. There can also be voices, smells and apparitions in addition to the other symptoms. Usually these events are witnessed by numerous people in the home , including visitors. The events may start slowly with small noises and small objects moving and then may progress to something like furniture flying around the room and full bodied apparitions. The exact events differ from case to case as well as the progression and severity. Normally there is one person who seems more affected than others and is always present in the home when events occur. This person is called the “agent”. When that person is removed from the home, the events cease. This person is usually an adolescent female but it could also be an adult of any gender. This is where the differing theories come in. Theory One – The agent is mentally stressed or unstable and releases this subconsciously in a way that causes the poltergeist activity. The person is causing all of the phenomenon with the subconscious mind by psychokinesis (PK) and they are not aware that they are the cause. Theory Two – There is an actual entity present and the agent is feeding it with all of their negative energy.
Demonic Haunting
A Demonic Haunting is caused by a demon, what else? These entities were never human. One thing to keep in mind when investigating a possible demonic case is that demons are really good at hiding. They can appear in any form they wish, even human, but often they appear as half-man/half-animal. Demons are neither male nor female. Their goal is usually to possess someone. Signs of a demonic haunt include a horrible smell such as rotting flesh or sulfuric acid, growling, hitting, pushing, slapping, scratching, biting, hot spots instead of cold spots, and a “heavy” feeling meaning that the air will feel thick.
ProtectionGhost hunting can be dangerous, especially if the ghost hunter becomes the hunted. Spirits can follow you home, influence you, even possess you. Here is a recommend prayer to recite as you are leaving an investigation:
Closing prayer"In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all human spirits to be bound to the confines of the cemetery. I command all inhuman spirits to go where Jesus Christ tells you to go, for
it is in His name that I command you." Amen
ProtectionThere is another prayer that is often used at the beginning of an investigation. It is called the Saint Michael's prayer. In my experience this prayer is so powerful that it keeps all entities away from the group and we can't collect evidence however I would certainly use it at the beginning of a Malevolent haunt or a Demonic haunt. I have altered it a little for my benefit because I personally don't believe in praying to angels and only to the Father and his Son but those are just my beliefs and you can alter it any way you see fit. Remember that prayer is personal.
Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, please send Saint Michael the Archangel to defend us in battle. Let him be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May You rebuke him,O Lord, we humbly pray. And let St.
Michael the Archangel, Prince of the heavenly host, by Your Sovereign power, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the
world for the ruin of souls. In Jesus' name,Amen
Protection
Burn white sage when leaving an investigation.
White sage is believed to cleanse a space of any evil spirits that may be present. This power
is said to be released from the plant by the burning of the leaves, which are typically bundled into a wand or stick. Today many
Native American tribes still use the stems and leaves for smudging as part of purification
ceremonies.
Congratulations!You've reached the end.
That's it for Ghost Hunting Basics. There's a lot more to Ghost Hunting than we covered in this course. If you are interesting in going a little deeper, take Ghost Hunting Intermediate.
For now...go take your test by going to:
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