“Touching” occurs at some ghost investigations. The sensation of touch is among our five (or six) senses, and it’s one way that spirits may attempt to make contact… literally.
Normal touching
During a ghost investigation, you may feel:
A ghostly hand touch or brush your face or neck.- A gentle brush, as if you’re walking through spiderwebs, even when you’re sitting still.
- Isolated hot or cold areas, often measured with a thermometer.
- A ghostly breath, particularly near the investigator’s face.
- A slap, push, or shove.
- Something leaning into you, encouraging (or forcing) you to move in a certain direction.
- Hair brushed, tugged or pulled.
- Clothing grasped or tugged.
- A sensation that the air is denser, as if you’re walking through water or molasses.
- A feeling that the air is pressing on you, in one direction or from all sides.
- Tapping on a shoulder or back.
- Letters of the alphabet “written” with a ghostly finger, especially on the back of your hand or on your back.
There are many variations of these sensations. All are routine — if sometimes rare — at ghost investigations. Usually, they’re nothing to be alarmed about.
If you’re uncomfortable with that, ask the ghost (or ghosts) to stop. In most cases, they will.
Also, let others know what happened right away, so they can check the area for EMF surges or other paranormal activity.
Inappropriate touching
If the ghost is touching you inappropriately, you must bring that to the attention of others in your group.
This is a rare occurrence, but it happens now & then. Though more women seem to be “touched” than men, it’s not a gender-specific issue.
It is not okay for a ghost to ignore your boundaries. Keep in mind, most ghosts are from an era when touching — especially of a sexual nature — was even less acceptable than it is now.
Times have changed, and so have the cues
As the song, “Anything Goes,” reminds us:
“In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
“Was looked on as something shocking.”
Likewise, in the early 19th century, a kiss was considered so significant, some expected a marriage proposal to follow immediately.
Through the early 20th century, a single man and woman would avoid being together (but otherwise alone) in a room with the door closed. That was against the rules of propriety.
So, the range of what’s inappropriate is even broader when you’re dealing with a ghost. Depending on his or her context, any touching could be a warning sign for investigators.
What ghosts expect
Some of our most colorful investigations (and ghost stories) are related to locations that were once bordellos. Wunsche Cafe in Old Town Spring, Texas, is one. Oilcan Harry’s in Austin, Texas, is another.
So, some ghosts may not realize that investigators — particularly women — cannot be treated as the people who once worked at the brothel.
If you have concerns, state the rules and boundaries out loud.
Also remember that women in trousers were regarded differently prior to the early 20th century. In general, women’s bodies were far more concealed — by corsets, bustles and loose-fitting clothing — than today.
Language considered crude (in the ghost’s era) can also send a confusing signal to ghosts. In fact, speaking directly to a ghost — without introducing yourself first — could be considered very forward, in their world.
The ghosts may not reply (since, as far as they’re concerned, you’re being rude) or think it’s an invitation for something you weren’t expecting.
It may help to announce your name, what you’re doing there, and the year you’re in, each time you investigate a different room or part of the site.
State the rules and boundaries out loud
It’s always better to be too careful than too casual, if you have concerns in a haunted location. Set firm rules and boundaries at the start of each phase of the investigation, and explain them to the ghosts, out loud.
Then, if the ghost behaves inappropriately, he (or she) has no excuse for it. You’ll know right away that the ghost is ignoring your rules, if you’ve already made those rules clear.
If that happens, be sure you’re accompanied by several people, and that continued touching will not be tolerated.
Opportunistic touching
This additional issue is rare, but it’s worth discussing. Even one “problem” in our community is a risk to all of us, as professionals.
We’re often researching in the dark. Groups split up to investigate. It’s important never to be alone with someone you don’t know, or with someone who makes you even a little uncomfortable.
Even in a group or crowd, stay away from people who give off a “bad vibe” or seem to make excessive eye contact. (Or, at the other extreme, someone clearly avoiding any eye contact at all.)
If you feel very uncomfortable or uneasy, say something to a person in charge. If the situation doesn’t improve, leave the investigation. (Ask to be escorted to your car. Never leave a group by yourself, if you’re already anxious about your safety.)
Before accepting someone on your team, no matter how likable the person seems, check his or her background. Ask for ID, so you know what name to research.
When I recently heard about a ghost investigator’s criminal record, I checked his name at the FBI’s National Sex Offender Public Website. There was no record of his past problems, though I’d heard about them from an impeccable source.
I realized that I don’t know his real name. It’s routine for researchers to use a “pen name” to distance paranormal work from their personal and professional lives.
Also, nicknames can be very different from real names. For example, Ted can be short for Theodore or Edward. Nellie can be a nickname for Helen. William is Bill and Robert can be Rob or Bob. Elizabeth can be Beth, Betty, Eliza, Liz, and so on.
So, sex offender lists aren’t always reliable if you’re checking on someone you might be alone with. (Check them anyway.) Always take precautions, and follow your “gut feeling” when you’re on a ghost tour or investigation.
I’ve always said: We have more to fear from the living than from the dead.
Use common sense
If your children want to go on a ghost tour or attend an event, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. That’s not just about the tour guides, but a concern about others attending the tour or event, who might see the darkness as an opportunity.
Here’s the rule: If you feel that you’ve been touched (or had a physical encounter of any kind) — by a ghost or someone in physical form — say something immediately.
If you’re not comfortable with what happened, say that very clearly, too.
Don’t think it was all in your imagination. Speak up, and let the other investigators (or guests) respond immediately.
After all, it might be a ghost manifesting so physically, we could catch an image in a photo, his/her voice in EVP, or measure other physical anomalies with EMF detectors, thermometers, and other tools.
11 Responses to Investigations and Touching
Leave a Reply
Find More Ghosts
Good Advice. Wish I would of known more about ghosts when we had our encounters. My first encounter was terrifying-I froze. The next time, I tried what you said-just say no. I don’t think they realize how scary this is to us. Thankyou, for your advise.
This has happened to me on a few occasions, and sometimes the “gentle brush” is difficult to process. In the hightened tension of the moment, you are inclined to over analyse it and write it off to an over active imagination. It is not unpleasent, more like a shiver down your spine. On one occasion, in full day light, while taking a walk through a local cemetary, my husband and I were discussing a friend who was experiencing marital difficulties. Everytime we mentioned her husbands name, I received a firm “tap” on the shoulder. At first, we were walking single file, I thought it was my husband, but we soon worked out we had a third guest on our walk. We started to look for graves with this name specifically and I received a “hug” as we stopped at one particular, so named, grave. It was a young man who had died in a mining accident early in the 20th century. We took time to pay our respects and acknowledge his life, my husband then distinctly heard a voice say “Fine, now”. I got one last brush and the atmosphere immediately “lightened”. Maybe just a lonely boy, waiting for a visitor?
Sandra,
Thanks for the great descriptions of your experiences! The young man may have just wanted attention — an acknowledgment that he’s there — and it’s nice that he sought you out, and that you were able to help him.
Sincerely,
Fiona
Nice website, great info. Im going hunting tomorrow at Alton Towers in the UK (I think Im going to be petrified! Im also planning on going hunting with some friends at sometime. Thanks again! Ben
I had an encountert 2 nights ago. When I was in bed I felt that something was in my bed. I felt imprints going into my bed next to my legs. Next, I felt a warmth sensation envelop both of my legs like something was brushing over them. No heat was on I was in central air conditioning. In addition I had only been in bed for 15-20 minutes. I actually encourages this to continue. On some level I wanted to see this ghost. However, I just noticed a darker than normal area of the room. It was like the darkness was concentrated in one area. I did not feel shy and started to talk out loud ” I wish I could see you with all of my senses.” I was intrigued. I hope this will happen again. I had many encounters like this before in my bed where I felt something was inside my bed with me and no one was in the room except for me and the other presence. I would like to ask if anyone knows how to communicate in some form to enhance the experience by opening up your senses of sight more to see even deeper into this type of situation.
I also wanted to add to my experience earlier with the presence inside my bed at night that I asked and declared my urgency to be able to see this apparion or at least have it alter my senses to see it. I do not know if that was wise but, I’m curious. I would also like to know if it is possible for the apparition to alter the human senses to see it more clearly? I hear many experiences like this where people become mentally ill because of this experience and get schizophrenia. I would not want to get this disease but I would like to contact this apparition. I also did research where people do not recover from this illness called schizophrenia. I am deeply curious. Do you have a bit of advice in stepping deeper and deeper into this realm? I never had any psychological disorders of what I’m speaking of but I am scared of trying to enhance this sense to communicate with the apparition more.
Hi Fiona.
Paranormal Investigators of North Kitsap (Unit C) just discussed this subject just last week. Rich always does a crimanal check on all new members before accepted. He warned us that just because someones record comes up clean don’t mean they are not crimanals. It just means they haven’t been arrested yet.
Ok. I heard that ghosts can communicate reading our minds. If this is true and there is a ghost hunter or investigator who is such a crimanal, will a ghost know it and can it effect thier ghost hunt?
Teenie
Hi,
Good questions!
It appears that telepathy is involved with some ghosts. However, the key word is “appears”; we’re not sure… yet.
Rich is absolutely correct about criminal checks. There is one exception, and it applies to one reported child molester in ghost hunting: If the victim (or the victim’s parent) chooses not to appear in court (and risk media attention), the person may still be found guilty from testimony by other witnesses, but the judge may order the records sealed. Or, if the victims are very young, the records may be sealed so it protects the privacy of the victims.
So, some of those court records can be far under the radar, even with a reasonable background check. Rich is correct in warning you: Be careful of everyone in this field.
I’ve met the reported child molester who started this discussion among professional researchers, and… well, I would never, ever have guessed that he wasn’t safe to be around. He said a few odd things, but — in this field — “odd” is often expected. To me, he seemed like a fun, nice guy.
Since then, I try to make a point of never being alone with anyone in an isolated location, particularly in the dark. Generally, I’m working with teams organized into groups of three or four. That’s still not a guarantee, but it’s a prudent level of protection.
That’s an interesting question about a criminal affecting ghost investigations. For awhile, I worked with a researcher who was a convicted felon. (It was not a crime of violence, just stupidity.) He had to stand at least a dozen feet away from my EMF meter (and others’) or there would be no anomalies.
He was a great historical researcher, off-site, and he’d observe important things in the physical environment when we were investigating. However, I stopped working with him because he continued to do (non-criminal) stupid things that affected my work.
That’s not enough of a sampling to say that all criminals will effect all ghosts, but… well, it’s something to consider.
Generally, I think that criminals could scare away timid ghosts, if there’s a violent or abusive history. If someone has served time in jail, that might also be an issue.
I’m reminded of a friend’s dog who would bark wildly at some people. Ten times out of ten, it turned out that the person wore (or had worn) a uniform; a mailman or a police officer, or even a school crossing guard might set off the barking, though the person was never in uniform when the dog saw him or her.
So, if a dog can sense that someone — at some time in the past, even years ago — wore a uniform, I’d bet that some ghosts can sense if someone’s worn a prison uniform or served time in jail.
But, as always, that’s just a guess. I’m not sure that it’s worth testing in the field, due to personal risks.
Cheerfully,
Fiona
I have had two experiences of someone or something touching me..the first time it was breathing down my neck..the second time it touched me between my butt and my thigh…I thought this inapprotiate and told whoever it was that they needed to leave..that this was my house and they don’t belong here.I don’t know if it will work but this has happened twice in the last 4 days..should I be afraid?
I need some real help. for the past few days (a week or so) I’ve been awoken at 11:30-12:15 and something would happen. I live in an older house and my room has two large sliding doors instead of a hinged door. I leave one door open due to the fact of poor heat ventilation. My Christmas tree is in the next room against the open doors wall. At the time mentioned I would wake up and see/hear one of the following footsteps from the room to the tree, the tree shake, or feel freezing cold air around me. Yesterday I walked into my room after a late night shower and saw tree move and herd a little girl squeal with excitement. This freaked me out but I feel asleep soon after. Tonight I feel asleep, woke up and the tree moved an ornament from the other side feel onto my door frame. This was to much. Then a feeling of pure fear shot into me. Something was standing next to my tree. I couldn’t see it but I sure could feel it. I’ve lived in many houses over the last few years and all of then where haunted one even had a demon in it! But I’ve never been this scared. in the last two hours I’ve been touched on the back. Asking it to stop worked but I don’t feel safe. I’m moving in may (planned before this happened)but I don’t think I’ll be safe till then. I’m staying in my sisters room tonight so I’m out of there. Please help. -Distressed One
UPDATE: Now hearing random 20′s music…