We can always tell when we’ve hit a nerve with one of our articles. There’s a dramatic spike in unfounded rants from skeptics. We’ve shaken their complacency.

That tells us to continue our research in that area. The more controversy, the fewer established facts or answers. There may be something useful for us to [...]]]>

We can always tell when we’ve hit a nerve with one of our articles. There’s a dramatic spike in unfounded rants from skeptics. We’ve shaken their complacency.

That tells us to continue our research in that area. The more controversy, the fewer established facts or answers. There may be something useful for us to learn.

There’s a quote that applies to ghost hunting and most paranormal studies. Weirdly enough, it was penned by a man who was born about three miles from where I’m sitting as I write this:

“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no proof is possible.” — Stuart Chase (1888 – 1985)

That said, I want to avoid the kinds of stereotypes mistakenly apply to ghost researchers.

I believe that — skeptics and believers alike — we’re all seekers. The difference is how we express it, how much time and thought we put into the search for answers, and how mutually supportive we are.

LOOKING FOR PROOF

Many ghost hunters enter this field suspecting that there is some genuine foundation to ghost stories. In many cases, the ghost hunter has had a personal experience that was impossible to explain in “normal” terms.

We’re looking for answers… proof of some kind.

At the same time, we suspect that there are no answers. We have ample evidence that something is going on, but what…? Our conclusions, as believers or skeptics, are deeply personal.

We use the words “ghosts” and “hauntings,” but we’re usually talking about the phenomena rather than the causes of them.

Last night, after a few of us conducted fresh research at Gilson Road Cemetery (Nashua, NH), we talked about our years in this field, and the answers we’re seeking.

THE NEED FOR SCIENCE

We discussed the consistent research results some haunted places such as Austin (TX), New Orleans (LA), and Gilson Road Cemetery. We talked about the range of phenomena and the possible answers, from parallel universes to residual energy to… well, ghosts.

We also talked about the need for long-term studies. One-time investigations may corroborate others’ experiences and conclusions, but they aren’t enough. Not even close.

One researcher (Iarwain) suggested this last night: Investigators could make tremendous discoveries if, in a profoundly haunted location, we ran a full battery of tests — with cameras, EMF detectors, thermometers, voice recorders, etc. — 24 hours a day for a full year.

But, even if we recorded hundreds of “ghostly” events during that year… would it prove anything except that something odd is going on, regularly? Would it help skeptics and believers find common ground, or could it drive us further apart?

AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEMENTS

It’s difficult to make generalities about ghost hunters, but most of us can agree that something unexplained is going on in many “haunted” sites.

However, no two people (believers or skeptics) are likely to agree on all phenomena, whether they’re orbs, cold spots, EMF, shadowy figures, or something else unexplained.

It’s important to keep an open mind. We’ll benefit more from sharing ideas — including contradictory and controversial evidence — than trying to discredit each other.

If you are a ghost hunter who is being criticized by others, take it as a misguided compliment. As martial artist Bruce Lee said about his detractors, “They only tackle the one that’s got the ball.”

Nobody has all the answers. We present our best guesses and most intriguing evidence. We encourage you to post your comments — pro and con — at any article at this website.

As Sherlock Holmes said, “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

In ghost hunting, we’re trying to “eliminate the impossible” at apparently haunted places.

Some people may not like the improbable truths that remain; the rest of us continue studying them, hoping to find answers.

Years ago, a brilliant friend explained why she chose to be an accountant. She said that, for almost any set of numbers in her bookkeeping, there was just one correct answer. As long as she double-checked everything, her answers were always right and no one could claim otherwise.

Ghost hunting is the exact opposite. We have no formulas. We have no consistent proof. Things rarely add up the same way twice, and no two researchers agree on all points 100% of the time.

For every skeptic who says, “Prove that ghosts are real,” there is a believer who can counter — with equal credibility — “Prove that they aren’t.”

Ghost hunters come in all shades of grey, from skeptic to believer. Let’s share what we’re learning in our research, rather than disparaging each others’ credibility.

However, many researchers — especially new ghost hunters — think that the ghosts themselves create the [...]]]> To find ghosts and haunted places, many ghost hunters look for unexplained spikes in electromagnetic fields (EMF). These spikes can be detected with EMF meters, hiking compasses and other measuring devices that respond to electrical and/or magnetic energy.

However, many researchers — especially new ghost hunters — think that the ghosts themselves create the EMF energy. I’m not certain that’s true.

Let’s assume that humans have at least two parts: a physical body and a spiritual presence. The latter lives on, perhaps as a ghost, after the physical body ceases to support the spirit.

The human body contains some measurable electrical charge, and some people believe that it responds to magnets. However, even on the highest setting, EMF meters rarely measure any significant energy spikes caused by a living human body… even a highly emotional one.

So, since a body + spirit does not emit significant EMF spikes — in contrast with what we detect in haunted places — why would ghosts create them?

There are only a few possible answers:

1. The body limits the spirit’s ability to generate electromagnetic energy.
2. A living person’s spirit is not entirely in the vicinity of his or her body. When the spirit becomes whole after the body dies, it regains its power… literally. That increased power is measured as EMF energy.
3. The EMF spikes that we measure at haunted sites aren’t energy emanating from the ghosts, but from “the other side” as portals open for the ghosts to pass through, into our world.

We don’t have enough evidence to conclude anything with certainty, but I’m guessing that EMF spikes indicate open portals.  I’ve talked about this before.  I’m basing that idea on recent studies in quantum physics, especially related to gravity.

Physicists know that gravity is leaking into our world or out of it. No one is sure where the leaks are, or if they’re uniform across the unified field (the reality, world, universe, or “side”) that we inhabit.

If there are parallel universes (as most physicists seem to suspect), openings that occur between the worlds may involve a shift of energy, or a transference of energy from one side to the other.

Though I’m admittedly building on speculation, it seems logical that the EMF spikes indicate open portals or doorways between the worlds. The EMF levels that we measure in haunted places aren’t the product of the ghosts, per se, but the result of the doorway that they’ve crossed through.

Of course, if that’s true, it leads to another puzzle: If ghosts are passing through a doorway or portal, it means that they’re not trapped here. In fact, they’re “crossing” back and forth regularly.

I’m not sure where this theory leads, but I think it’s important to rethink and explore concepts related to why we have EMF spikes in haunted locations.

That’s a good question.

When we encounter a ghost that’s [...]]]> In a recent Colorado article about the haunted Tower of London, the writer talked about a Tower watchman who saw two ghostly figures. When the two figures vanished, the watchman wondered, ‘‘Was the past seeing the future or the future seeing the past?’’

That’s a good question.

When we encounter a ghost that’s not simply stored, residual energy, why do we assume that he or she is in our time?

Is it possible that we’re in a doorway–perhaps a vortex–and the “ghost” sees perceives us as a spirit, just as we declare that he or she is haunting our time period?

There are many instances when the ghost is someone who is visiting our time period for a specific reason. For example, the spirit may have unfinished business. The ghost may not realize that he or she has died, and is confused about what to do next.

But, there may be some instances–particularly in profoundly haunted locations–where the fourth dimension of time is transparent.

Or, both the ghost and the modern-day observer may both be at a spot where each can see into each other’s universe or time. (If that sounds vague or confusing, keep in mind that this is just a glimmer of an idea.)

In an episode of the BBC TV show, Torchwood, the “Captain Jack Harkness” episode includes a plot element that suggests another way for ghost hunters to experiment.

What if we don’t assume that ghosts are dead people lingering in (or visiting) our time period? What if we ask them to do something–leave a note, or move something specific–that we can find in our (later) time?

I’m not sure what would be necessary to suspend disbelief enough to actually witness the change or find the note that was requested. (I’m reminded of the line in the movie, Beetlejuice, in which the couple read that the living won’t see the dead.)

To many researchers, this may sound too fantastic. However, I think that it’s important to explore every possible theory and avenue of research.

If you encounter a particularly vivid spirit that may actually be in his or her own time period, ask them to leave a sign for you to find.

If that works, we’d love to hear about it.

Those of us who encounter paranormal phenomenon often preface our stories by saying, “I know how crazy this sounds, but…” I do it [...]]]> A news story caught my attention today. There’s a movement to reclassify encounters with UFOs as “normal,” in psychiatric terms. I’m not sure how serious this movement is, but it’s worth noting.

Those of us who encounter paranormal phenomenon often preface our stories by saying, “I know how crazy this sounds, but…” I do it myself, because–frankly–I wouldn’t believe half of what I talk about, except that it’s my story and I know that it’s true. (For the record: I believe in ghost phenomena, but I don’t believe all ghost stories.)

However, by including disclaimers when we report our true ghost encounters, we may be doing our community a disservice.

As recently as the late 19th century, most people took ghosts and other paranormal phenomena seriously.

During the 20th century, spirituality–including the belief in spirits–turned almost a full 360 degrees.

At first, most people believed, but then some became skeptics… sometimes very vocal skeptics. Others lost their faith in everything mystical, magical, and spiritual.

But, by the late 20th century, spirituality was on the rebound, from earth-based religions to new and mainstream beliefs, to ghost studies.

It’s important to maintain that forward-moving momentum. Let’s continue to remove lingering, 20th century stigma from the belief in paranormal phenomena.

Let’s avoid putting our encounters in a “crazy” context, and state what we experience without disclaimers.

Thanks in part to websites and TV shows, one in three people believe in ghosts, and one in every two people believe in extrasensory perception (ESP). That makes us fairly “normal” in society’s trends.

Spirituality–including a belief in spirits–is growing. Let’s be part of that by sharing our true stories without disclaimers, apologies or embarrassment.

————————————————————————-

Here’s the press release that sparked my comments:

Exoconsciousness and Psychopathology: A Psychiatric Reclassification of UFO Extraterrestrial Experiences

Phoenix, Arizona (December 12, 2007)—Rebecca Hardcastle is presenting a paper on Exoconsciousness and Psychopathology at the American Philosophical Association, Eastern Division, Karl Jaspers Society of North America, on Saturday, December 29, 2007, at the Marriott Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.

In the legacy of John Mack, Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School, Hardcastle advocates for a reclassification of the UFO extraterrestrial experience from pathological to normal. She bases this reclassification on 1.) the experience of quantum consciousness and 2.) the culture of contact evident in mainstream media coverage of UFOs such as Presidential Candidate, Dennis Kucinich’s, sighting and former Governor of Arizona, Fife Symington’s, press conference calling for full disclosure of UFO related military and government information.

Hardcastle created the concept of Exoconsciousness to describe the extraterrestrial origins, dimensions, and abilities of human consciousness. She maintains, “Consciousness is our most precious natural resource.”

According to Hardcastle, “mental illnesses are a by-product of the individual’s ability to function in culture and community. As culture transforms with information, such as disclosure of extraterrestrial visitation, new communities and belief systems form. These changes in culture generate possibilities for redefining experiences, such as UFO extraterrestrial contact, as normal.

Further information is available at http://www.exoconsciousness. com

This isn’t exactly about ghosts, but an action poem by Billy Collins is a good starting point for discussions about the dead (aka ghosts, spirits, or those who’ve crossed over): the dead.

Having encountered many spirits, I interpret spirits’ reactions to us in terms of how they [...]]]>

This isn’t exactly about ghosts, but an action poem by Billy Collins is a good starting point for discussions about the dead (aka ghosts, spirits, or those who’ve crossed over): the dead.

Having encountered many spirits, I interpret spirits’ reactions to us in terms of how they probably were in life.

I mean, they’re still the same people… right? Short-tempered people are still easily angered and frustrated spirits. People who, in life, were able to see the silver lining in any cloud, continue to do so after they cross over. And so on.

If you attribute more (or less) to them than you would if they also had bodies (that we can perceive… I don’t want to rule out the possibility that, in their world/s, they’re perceived with physical form), you’re in the realm of relatively unfounded speculation.

COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES

But, as ghost hunters, the poem raises a few good questions. One of them is: What cues to we give to ghosts to indicate that we’re open to communication with them? Do we insist that the communication has to be on our terms, as if we’re directing a play? (That is, do we demand taps on a table, or a specific manifestation based on stereotypes?)

From my experience, if a ghost is known to communicate in a particular way–or may have done so during that visit–focus on that one type of manifestation.

For example, if you hear an unexplained shuffling noise or footsteps, ask the ghost to repeat that. Don’t ask the ghost to do something entirely different, such as moving an object.

(Remember in the movie, Ghost, when the Patrick Swayze character struggles to move objects in the subway, following Vincent Schiavelli’s instructions. Sometimes, spirits need time to learn to manifest.)

Even if the manifestation makes you uncomfortable–such as the ghost at The Falstaffs Experience who breathes on women–always ask the spirit to repeat what they did before, exactly.

SOME COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES

If you’re sure that a ghost is in an area, but not manifesting, here are some ways to communicate with them:

1. Use your EMF meter (or dowsing rods, pendulum or hiking compass) to record responses to questions. One surge can be “yes,” and two can be “no”… or something like that.

2. Tapping seems to be popular among spirits. Recommend that the spirit tap on something that will make noise easily. (In the 19th century, a tambourine was used by some mediums. Even a soft tap on a tambourine can sound very loud.)

3. Bring a small, light, smooth ball with you, or a feather, and ask the spirit to move it. (You may want to set up a video camera for this. Sometimes the movement can be so slight, you’ll think that you’re imagining it, unless you can later study it on film.) You can use a lit candle for this, too, and ask the ghost to make the flame move or flicker.

KEEP IT SIMPLE – MAKE IT EASY

Remember: Make it easy for the spirits to communicate. You’re asking them to influence physical objects in our world, from their non-physical (or at least “other”) world. For many spirits, it may be as difficult to communicate with us as it is for someone in our world to display something similar without using his or her body.

Then again, the spirit’s power (or lack of it) may be rooted in his or her beliefs that matter can be influenced without physical effort.

Here’s something else to try: What if you learned to affect matter without physical contact, or with very little? Could you show the spirits how to do this? Would your understanding of the process help? Could that be shared empathically?

SPOON-BENDING

Author Michael Crichton (The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, etc.) talked about his experiences at a spoon-bending party:

“I looked down. My spoon had begun to bend. I hadn’t even realized. The metal was completely pliable, like soft plastic. It wasn’t particularly hot, either, just slightly warm. I easily bend the bowl of the spoon in half, using only my fingertips. This didn’t require any pressure at all, just guiding with my fingertips. I put the bent spoon aside and tried a fork. After a few moments of rubbing, the fork twisted like a pretzel. It was easy. I bent several more spoons and forks. … Of course, spoon bending has been the focus of long-standing controversy. Uri Gellar, an Israeli magician, who claims psychic powers, often bends spoons, but other magicians, such as James Randi, claim that spoon bending isn’t a psychic phenomenon at all, just a trick. But I had bent a spoon, and I knew it wasn’t a trick. I looked around the room and saw little children, eight or nine years old, bending large metal bars. They weren’t trying to trick anybody.”
— Michael Crichton, Travels, 1988, pages 319-320, quoted at the Wikipedia entry about psychokinesis

To help ghosts establish communications with us, perhaps we need to explore related “paranormal” phenomena, and learn more about the rules of their world. With those insights, we may be able to connect with the spirits more readily.

Are you familiar with recent discoveries in physics?

There are two leading theories about gravity.

In both cases, physicists already agree that there are parallel universes.

So, how does that apply to ghost hunting…? Here’s how: The same “leaking” between universes [...]]]>

Are you familiar with recent discoveries in physics?

There are two leading theories about gravity.

1. It’s leaking into our universe, or
2. It’s leaking out of our universe.

In both cases, physicists already agree that there are parallel universes.

So, how does that apply to ghost hunting…? Here’s how: The same “leaking” between universes might explain the elevated EMF readings that we get in haunted locations.

If you’ve seen the NOVA series, The Elegant Universe, you know how EMF and gravity are related. (If not, visit that link and watch some of the videos. At least see the one called “Escaping Gravity.”)

So, what if elevated EMF levels indicate locations where there is traffic between our world and the world in which ghosts live?

What if EMF “leaks” through that passageway along with the ghost, the same way that cold air enters a warm home when you open a door or window in winter?

It might be a one-time opening between the worlds. Or, it might be a portal.

This is all speculation, but it might explain something about ghosts and EMF levels in certain locations.

COCOANUT GROVE

The first thing I noticed was at the site of the old Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston, Massachusetts. We were there on a brilliantly sunny day in June, [...]]]> Something’s going on. People are encountering stranger ghost manifestations, and more of them. Also, they’re reporting things that are far from “routine” hauntings.

COCOANUT GROVE

The first thing I noticed was at the site of the old Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston, Massachusetts. We were there on a brilliantly sunny day in June, but noted EMF readings similar to night time levels. (In our research, EMF levels are usually higher at night.)

In addition, some of us could feel heat on one side of the site. It was far more than could be attributed to the warmth of the day.

FALSTAFFS EXPERIENCE

Then, at The Falstaffs Experience in Stratford-upon-Avon (England), we encountered some of the weirdest phenomena I’ve ever seen. It’s the first time that I could actually see something that looked like a portal. It’s also the first time I’ve ever said, “I’m not going in that room,” because I was genuinely frightened. (I talk about this during the Falstaffs series of podcasts, at HollowHillPodcasts.com.)

That’s just one of many truly strange things that happened at The Falstaffs Experience.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

This week, Jen–a Hollow Hill researcher–shared some photos with extraordinary images in them. She was at St. Augustine, Florida, and the photos show something like ribbons, but they’re not hair and they’re not a camera strap.

The photos are still being analyzed, but I hope that Jen will let us post them at Hollow Hill.

BUT… WHY?

I’m wondering why we’re seeing this increased (and stranger) ghost activity. Is it from the recent popularity of ghost hunting, and the ghosts feel that they’ll be acknowledged? Is it also because we’re approaching the time of year when many people go looking for ghosts?

I’m wondering if more ghosts are becoming courageous (or brazen) enough to make clear contact with the living.

I’m not sure, but the trend in recent months is startling.

Starting September 3rd (2007), you can listen to my podcast about “low-tech” ghost hunting tools.

Whether or not you’ve been ghost hunting in the past, now is a good time to prepare to visit haunted places. More than ever before, you may encounter unusual – and perhaps scary – paranormal manifestations.

As ghost hunters, it’s important to be aware of other paranormal phenomena, so we more correctly categorize “something odd” when [...]]]> Last night on the History Channel, I watched a program about USOs–Unidentified Submersed Objects. They’re like UFOs–and some of them fly in the air, too–but come from and/or return to somewhere deep in the ocean.

As ghost hunters, it’s important to be aware of other paranormal phenomena, so we more correctly categorize “something odd” when it happens.

(That said, we don’t have a clue what most of this is. We’re trying to make sense of it as best we can, but some of our guesses may be way off-base… no pun intended.)

It’s interesting that these objects seemed to be attracted to the USS FDR. The evidence seems compelling.

This also opens up some alternate explanations for underwater cities in faerie lore. And, I can see how it might link to Hollow Earth theories, too.

How does this affect ghost research? I have no idea. It’s just odd and interesting.

Related links:

USOs
http://www.ufoevidence.org/documents/doc1782.htm
http://www.sciforums.com/archive/index.php/t-6704.html
http://www.space-2001.net/html/uso_.html
http://www.crystalinks.com/usos206.html
http://ufocasebook.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=uso

Hollow Earth
http://www.unmuseum.org/hollow.htm
http://www.crystalinks.com/hollowearth.html
http://www.hollowearththeory.com/

(Yes, some of us are admittedly geeky about ghost hunting.)

Physics has vast applications to ghost hunting, and opens many doors to our research. Today, I’m thinking about molecules and the ways some ghosts interact with our world.

In a nutshell, I’m speculating that [...]]]> This morning, when I was thinking about quantum physics, string theory.

(Yes, some of us are admittedly geeky about ghost hunting.)

Physics has vast applications to ghost hunting, and opens many doors to our research. Today, I’m thinking about molecules and the ways some ghosts interact with our world.

In a nutshell, I’m speculating that ghosts’ bodies (or forms, or spectres) are made up of some physical matter, but there are far larger spaces between the molecules… if we can even describe them as ‘molecules’.

Anyway, this could be why they can pass through walls without slowing down.

(I’ve seen a ghost walk through a wall. See the section about the ghost of the blonde girl, at
Bradford College Ghosts – Academy Bldg – Floors 1 & 2.)

It may be why space clearing works; perhaps the sound, incense, or whatever invades the spaces that they consider part of their bodies. So, they leave any place where that is going on.

Maybe this is why we find more ghostly manifestations around water. Maybe the moisture fills the spaces with a conductive material, and–since we can measure them with EMF–it enables them to function better in our physical world. After all, at least 50% of our bodies are made up of water.

More ‘geek ghost hunting’ speculation: Babies are born with bodies that are 78% water. As people get older, they’re made up of less water.

Is it possible that ghosts are the remaining physical essence, without the water and perhaps some kinds of fiber, as well?

I’m not sure. I’m often the first to admit that we’re all making this up as we go along. Some of this seems nonsense, but some of it… I don’t know, it resonates as a real possibility.