Hollow Hill

What’s YOUR Ghost Hunting Style?

There are two main reasons why people like us visit — and perhaps investigate — haunted sites.

One is for the experience. Maybe it’s a “good scare,” or a brush with the supernatural. You’ve seen the YouTube videos and TV shows, and you want to see what ghost hunting is REALLY like.
The other is to find evidence, or some sort of proof that ghosts are real. For that, you may trust your senses, you may use ghost hunting equipment, or both.

I’ll be honest: After confirming that a site has a least a rich ambience (if no actual ghosts), I’m almost entirely interested in the experience.

For me, a unique brush with history and the people who lived in past eras… It makes ghost hunting memorable.

Of course, you might be looking for a different kind of experience. For example, you might be looking for a “good scare,” which — in my opinion — is a foolish and sometimes dangerous pursuit.

Either way, here are some tips on when to go ghost hunting (and it’s not Halloween).

But here’s the problem: Many of today’s ghost hunters focus entirely on evidence. They seek proof, or what they think is proof, using ghost hunting equipment. Meanwhile, they’re missing the truly rich experience of encountering actual ghosts.

Still looking for “proof”? Well, I’m not convinced that there is ever enough proof to banish all skepticism and doubts.

One of America’s most vocal skeptics once told me that he really wanted to believe in ghosts. However, he always found a reason to question the evidence, no matter how compelling it might seem.

I understand.

Lean into your experience.

In my opinion, determining the value of ghost-related evidence is deeply personal. Paranormal ghost hunting equipment shows us that something odd and anomalous is going on, perhaps briefly, at a site.

It doesn’t tell us what is going on. Or why it’s happening, if it can be repeated, and so on.

In other words, on its own, ghost hunting equipment doesn’t provide actual proof of ghosts.

There will always be “logical” explanations for paranormal activity, no matter how extreme and improbable those explanations might be.

And now, a big spoiler…

I’ve been studying one explanation for years: It’s infrasound, and I believe it can be a factor in — albeit not the entire reason for — many hauntings.

(In the past, I haven’t talked about this very much, because I didn’t want to spoil anyone’s fun if they’re thrilled and delighted by a site I consider questionable. Now, over 20 years since I started this website, I kind of regret that.)

Ghosts and the infrasound dilemma

The majority of ghost reports sent to me come from locations within 1/4 mile of a busy road, an overpass, or some form of moving water such as an underground stream. And that means infrasound could explain many of the “symptoms” indicating ghosts.

This issue was brought to my attention by Vic Tandy, a British scientist. Here’s what you need to know:

Working late one night in a supposedly haunted lab in Warwick, England, computer expert Vic Tandy experienced cold sweats. Next, he experienced a sudden (and unexplained) feeling of depression.

After that, he caught sight of a filmy, gray figure. As he turned to see what it was, it vanished.

That got his attention. Was the lab really haunted?

The next day, while oiling a fencing foil, Tandy noticed the foil vibrating vigorously. That’s when he realized that a nearby fan was in use, and it was vibrating, but at a level so low, he hadn’t noticed it.

Tandy measured the vibrations at 18.9 hertz, just above the threshold at which human eyeballs start to shake or even distend, causing blurry vision and odd imagery.

That’s when Tandy realized that what seemed like a ghostly apparition in the lab… it was simply an optical illusion induced by infrasound.

(If you want to really delve into the topic of infrasound, an early 2002 study and a 2013 report are good starting points. There have been numerous other studies — especially in Japan — on the same topic, noting infrasound emanating from highways, especially those with bridges and overpasses near “haunted” sites.)

And this could really disillusion you…

Watching ghost hunting shows on TV, you’ll notice that many “haunted” locations fit that profile. That is, they’re near a river or busy highway. (Whether or not that’s mentioned, I use a map to fact-check it.)

Does that mean that all hauntings near busy roads, rivers, or underground streams are bogus? Or that TV producers deliberately look for filming locations near sources of water, or highway overpasses?

Of course not! (I’ve worked as a location scout for TV shows, and not once did a producer steer me towards questionable locations.)

In fact, wandering into extreme speculation, it’s possible that infrasound is actually used by some spirits to get our attention, or it diminishes the barriers between our world and theirs.

(I’m not making that particular claim, but mentioning it as a possibility. At this point, I think we need to consider all potential explanations for ghostly activity and what seem like paranormal encounters.)

But for those who want to dismiss every ghost story as fake, infrasound can be a convenient explanation.

After my first few minutes at a haunted site, I rarely use any ghost hunting equipment.

Learn more tips like these…

Is that house really haunted? Read this book to find out. — Click here for this book.

One good reason to use ghost hunting equipment

Here’s why at least one person on your team might (briefly) use some ghost hunting equipment: To rule out normal explanations for apparently paranormal activity.

For example:

EMF detectors can be useful to find bad or exposed electrical wiring, especially in kitchens, workrooms, and basements. That can affect some people, triggering anxiety that could seem “ghostly.” (When my team found electrical wiring wrapped around water pipes in a noted “haunted” house, we had to dismiss all ghostly phenomena in the house. That’s one site where turning off electricity — at the source — could make the site’s ghost stories more credible.)
Other tools, including dowsing rods, can help identify underground pipes or streams in gardens and cemeteries. If a pattern of ghost reports matches where the water runs, maybe underground water generates a frequency similar to what Vic Tandy experienced.

But that’s all. Once you’ve checked the site to be sure nothing normal could explain past ghost reports, then put the ghost hunting equipment aside.

The problem with paranormal ghost hunting equipment

When I participate in events at haunted sites, I’m dismayed to see people almost wholly focused on their EMF meters, ghost apps, EVP devices, and so on.

I understand that they want to experience what they’ve seen on TV. They want to prove — if only to themselves — that at least some ghost hunting TV shows are legitimate.

But, by putting all of their attention on those devices and equipment, they’re often missing the best of what’s at haunted sites.

The personal experience is what matters.

I’m reminded of a ghost hunting event, many years ago, at “The Mount,” Edith Wharton’s home.

Most of the crowd was in a room, waiting for a Shack Hack to talk. It had been silent for a long time… until John Zaffis entered the room and spoke to it. Then — abruptly — the Shack Hack became chatty. (I was not surprised. John and I have been on many investigations. Both of us seem to trigger ghostly activity… when it’s genuine, that is.)

Since I had little interest in what the Shack Hack might blurt, I left the room and stood outside Edith Wharton’s personal library. There, I sensed the oddest energy, and — in my mind —could hear Ms. Wharton muttering (loudly) to herself, mostly in French. I understood only a little of it. (Mostly, she seemed very angry with her husband.)

Then, I noticed Lesley Marden nearby. Like me, she could “hear” Ms. Wharton pacing and talking to herself in the library. We could feel a breeze, as if she’d just passed us, ranting and gesturing, her skirt rustling with each step.

That’s where Lesley and I first met, and — since then — we’ve been fast friends in ghost hunting.

But, on that day, Lesley and I agreed that the folks so fascinated by the Shack Hack were missing out on the far richer ghost hunting experience: The one that we’d encountered at the doorway to Edith Wharton’s home library.

What will you remember, years later?

Whether it’s…

an unexplained or momentary chill,
a sense that “something is there” but invisible,
a disembodied voice that they hear, or something similar…

… the experience — your physical, cognitive, and emotional reaction — is what matters.

That’s what you’ll always remember, not whether a device’s light seemed to flash for no reason.

Or a needle on a dial shudders or shakes.

Or whether a series of semi-garbled words seemed to kinda-sorta make sense as they blasted from a nearby radio, scanning channels.

What you see on TV is often a shallow version of paranormal research, designed to entertain viewers. Don’t try to “do what they did on TV.”

I’ve seen truly weird, unexplainable phenomena at some sites… Things no one would believe if they hadn’t been there (and, like me, tried to debunk it).

Here’s my best advice:

If you’re intrigued by ghosts and haunted sites, don’t go there as a spectator. Go there for the experience. That’s what matters.

AND THIS MAY HELP, TOO…

Typical K-II Interactions

This video was a good example of a typical, informal investigation using a K-II meter. The video was long – over an hour and a half – so I didn’t watch the whole thing. However, you could learn a few good things in the first five or ten minutes.

Here’s where it was, at YouTube.

http://youtu.be/0f-vpjZE3iA

The video seems to be gone now. (That’s true of a lot of “investigation” videos from when the ghost hunting trend peaked. )

I’m leaving this article online for two reasons:

The video might return…? Maybe, but probably not with that URL. And it may be another spam effort. I’m not sure.
More importantly: my summary, below, may explain the patience ghost hunters need. You can sit for hours with nothing happening.

First of all, this video showed how imperfect real-time communication is with any EMF meter, but especially a highly sensitive meter like the K-II.

There were times when the lights flickered so quickly, it was difficult to tell whether it flashed just once (for “yes”) or two or three times. In fact, at least once, a team member said he didn’t see it, when the light had flashed quickly.

This video also provided a vivid example of how tedious ghost hunting can be, particularly when you’re focusing on one specific research technique or tool. Really, by the 47 minute mark, one of the investigators asked, “Is the fourth letter of your last name between the letters A and L?”

Wow. That’s a very patient investigator.

You might ask, “Why not use a Ouija board, instead? It’s faster.”

The answer is personal safety. The more people physically connect with the energy – like with a glass or platen that points to letters – the more risks they’re taking. With a tool like a K-II – one that requires no physical contact with the device – dangers are reduced.

The K-II results in this video could be pretty good. I really wanted to like it and give it a very favorable review. However, I had some major doubts.

The TV

My first concern when using a K-II is variable, environmental electronic energy.

Right away, I saw the TV in this video’s background. Is that enough to cause normal EMF fluctuations? Unlikely, but I wouldn’t rule it out until I’d checked it carefully. I’m not sure the guy in the video did that.

The cat

At times, a cat was on the bed where the K-II was. I’m not too worried about that because I saw no reaction from the K-II when the cat was nearby. Also, one of the researchers seemed to sit on the bed with enough vigor that the K-II moved around, but the K-II didn’t react to that, either.

The fan

The rotating fan in back of the EMF meter was a greater concern. I thought I noticed more flashes after the fan moved to the far left and had just begun the return motion, but I wasn’t sure. (I’m still not sure.) I’d definitely want to study some freeze-frame shots when the K-II is flashing.

Response synchronicity

I casually checked the frequency of the K-II responses. In the first five minutes, the timing seemed odd. In a spot-check near the beginning of the video, I noted K-II flashes at these times:

1:21
2:21
2:28
3:20
4:20

In other words, the K-II was flashing about once a minute, always around the :20 or :21 mark. If that pattern continued – or even repeated sporadically – I’d discount all of those flashes.

However, the 2:28 response was anomalous and fairly strong, so I’d be more likely to take that response seriously, if no other strong flashes sync with it near :28 marks.

That is the kind of analysis that researchers must do, in more formal investigations. On the other hand, this looked like a very informal investigation.

If I were analyzing this video as part of a formal investigation, I’d be concerned about the TV and the rotating fan. Also, I’d wonder what else was in the room – or near enough to affect a K-II – that we don’t see in the frame of the video.

And, finally, the biggest credibility issue connected with this video was how it was uploaded to YouTube.

Keyword stuffing

In a misguided attempt to attract more viewers, the foot of the video description was stuffed with keywords that weren’t related to ghosts, such as “epic funny Santa Claus prank Christmas pranks bloopers,” “50 Cent The Voice” and “make money free cash” and “Black Friday Walmart black Friday.”*

I suspect the research team received bad advice about that tactic. Please, don’t stuff keywords if you want to look like a serious researcher. (On the other hand, if you main goal is to boost your numbers to look popular or earn more money from your YouTube videos… Err, umm, no… what am I saying? That’s never okay.)

Summary

All in all, this was a good video to learn from. And, the results might be impressive in a different context.

If this were one of several supporting investigations related to a single, haunted site, this might be good, but I’d need far more compelling evidence.

For starters, I’d like to have seen a detailed analysis of the video, especially related to the rotating fan and the timing issues. Without that, there were too many red flags to trust the results. Also, it would have been simple to eliminate most or all of them, in a follow-up investigation, if they were serious researchers.

Originality (Doesn’t really apply. It’s a K-II meter.)

Credibility (The results were pretty good, but the context — especially the timing issue and the keyword stuffing — were huge red flags as far as I’m concerned, and made the entire effort look questionable.)

* No matter who tells you that keyword stuffing is a good idea to get more YouTube views, don’t do anything like the screenshot below. It looks spammy, reduces your credibility, and… really, do you want people finding your serious, ghost hunting video using search terms like “prank ghost video” or “swimsuit boys dance gangnam style”?

And, if you scrolled this far, here’s a very speculative way to think about EMF:

Photographing Ghost Orbs

The following is an edited excerpt from the first edition of Ghost Photography 101, by Fiona Broome. (That edition is now out of print.)

Orbs are probably the most popular evidence of ghosts and hauntings.

Orbs are the easiest for beginners to capture in photos. They can be confused with dust, bugs, pollen, reflections and moisture… but not as often as you might think.

This photo at the lower right shows a typical orb at Pine Hill Cemetery (also called “Blood cemetery”) in Hollis, New Hampshire. The picture was taken near some of the cemetery’s oldest graves. This orb is unusual because it was photographed without a flash.

Daytime orb - Pine Hill 'Blood' Cemetery - Hollis, NH — Arrow points at daytime orb – no flash, no reflection, no lens flare.

About 90% of orbs are photographed using the camera’s flash, which suggests that they have some physical content that reflects the flash’s light.

However, if orbs have a physical form, more people should see them in real life.

In fact, most people don’t see orbs, except in their photos.

Orbs are usually white or pale blue, but they can appear in a variety of colors, both pastels and vivid shades. Some are very faint. Others are bright and almost opaque.

Orbs sometimes seem to include faces, but most are simply translucent circular (or spherical) shapes.

Sometimes, the face closely resembles the person whose ghost is supposed to haunt the site. This is eerily reminiscent of the fake ghost photos of the late 19th century, and it’s baffling.

Some “face” orbs are reported in locations more associated with faeries than with ghosts.

For now, orbs are a mystery and deserve more study. We don’t have many answers, yet.

Orbs often appear close to people. I’ve seen hundreds of orb photos in which the orb is near a baby or a bride. It’s difficult to dismiss them as mere coincidence. Many people are comforted by an orb that represents a loved one who’s crossed over and is visiting our world to celebrate a happy event with his or her family.

Ghost orb over historic home in Katy, TX — Orb over a historic home in Katy, Texas.

Other orbs seem to manifest near haunted objects or specific locations.

The photo on the left shows a solitary orb over a house in Katy, Texas. It’s one of just a few homes that survived the famous Galveston Flood of 1900. The night was cool and dry with no insects and no breezes.

Many people think that the Galveston Flood affected the island of Galveston, and that’s all.

If you research that famous flood, you’ll see that the flood extended into Houston and surrounding areas. (It was comparable to Hurricane Harvey in 2007.)

As a result, there are many rich stories and tragedies from that disaster, some of which may indicate haunted locations.

In the photo at the lower right, orbs hover near the haunted Houmas House in Louisiana. It’s an extraordinary location for ghost photos. Houmas House may look familiar because it’s been featured in movies and TV shows. It was also the home of the man who designed the famous “Stars and Bars” flag of the Civil War. Ghosts of Confederate soldiers have been reported near the house.

I’ve seen two full apparitions at Houmas House. One was in the bedroom where Bette Davis slept while filming “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” at the house.

The other was at the front gate, where I saw an unusually tall black man pacing. At first, I saw him from the “widow’s walk” on top of Houmas House. The apparition looked only slightly translucent. It was a sunny morning, and I saw him very clearly.

Ghost orbs at Houmas House (Louisiana) — Orbs hover at historic (and haunted) Houmas House, LA

I wanted a closer look, so I dashed downstairs and out the front door. The figure was clearly visible until I was about 30 feet from him. He faded quickly. It probably took less than half a second.

After the apparition vanished from sight, I asked Kevin Kelly, the owner of Houmas House, about the ghost. I described the figure in detail, and Mr. Kelly knew exactly which man I was describing.

Mr. Kelly showed me a photograph of the former slave, taken during the man’s lifetime. I recognized the man in the photo right away. His apparition looks almost exactly the same today.

I wish I’d been able to capture his ghostly image in a photo. However, these kinds of encounters indicate locations—such as Louisiana’s Houmas House —where ghost photos are likely.

This is important: Credible ghost photos rarely occur unless other ghostly phenomena are reported, too.

Eight Ways to Spot Fake Ghost Photos

After spending years trying to create convincing, fake, ghost photos, I learned that it’s not as easy as I thought… or as simple as skeptical critics claim.

Spider webs with moisture in them

Some people might confuse the lines for ectoplasm, but most won’t.

Damp, foggy morning, using the flash in all photos

As you can see, there were no orbs, even in thick fog. The third photo (lower left) has something odd in it, but it’s not an orb, as I’d been expecting from so much dampness.

Hair

In some cases, hair could be confused with light streaks or vortex images. The color of the hair is the clue. (My hair is auburn.)

However, notice the last of these four photos, at the lower right. It looks like it has large, overlapping orbs. That’s also a photo of hair; when the light catches it in a certain way, it appears as a series of large, faint orbs.

Smoke

Frankly, the only way we could get smoke to show up in pictures, consistently, was to use actual stick incense.

The results open some interesting questions. Some of these photos could be mistaken for anomalies. But if someone nearby were using incense, wouldn’t a photographer notice the fragrance?

Pollen

Pollen was very difficult to capture in photos. Even shaking ragweed directly over the camera lens, the pollen rarely showed up at all. (See the third photo, in the lower left, where I was shaking the ragweed in front of the lens.) The final photo in this series shows what it looks like to crush the ragweed with your hand, and then sprinkle the pollen in front of the camera lens. These extremes suggest that pollen is rarely a problem for an experienced ghost photographer.

However, in the few photos where it did show up, it could look similar to orbs with “faces” in them.

Unless you’re standing directly underneath a tree that’s sprinkling pollen, or it’s a very bad night for hay fever, I don’t think pollen is a major concern. Among the few photos that showed pollen orbs, even fewer were orbs that we’d confuse with actual anomalies.

Is it possible to confuse pollen for an anomalous ghost orb? Yes. Is it likely? No.

Dust and dirt

Dust particles – from household dust and dust (or dirt) kicked up while walking – were equally difficult to confuse with anomalous orbs.

In the first photo (immediately below this text), that’s a Swiffer duster, caked with dust, that my husband was shaking in front of the lens. Nothing showed up, except the actual duster.

In the next two photos, you can see orbs and other shapes created by reflected dust. They’re more likely to be confused with ghost orbs, but I think I took 50 photos to get these results.

The final photo in the dust & dirt series shows what very dry, fine dirt looks like, sprinkled in front of the lens. This is the same powdery, dusty dirt that could be kicked up by people walking or a car driving past you during an investigation. It looked almost identical to pollen, but a finer texture.

Keep in mind, all of these particles were sprinkled within three inches of the camera lens. Few produced images large enough to look like ghost orbs, and other characteristics — such as a solid, dark dot in the middle, or an irregular, notched circumference — usually don’t match anomalous orbs. However, a few dust orbs did look like anomalous “ghost orbs.” (Some researchers might argue that those few were actual ghost orbs. After all, most of these photos were taken in haunted cemeteries.)

Rain

Rain produced such obviously fake results, I don’t think rain is an issue for professional or experienced investigators. First of all, you’re likely to feel the rain even if you don’t see it right away. Then, some of the drops reflect such as solid reflection, I doubt that you’d confuse a photo of rain with an actual, anomalous orb.

Breath

In my opinion, the number one issue for ghost photographers is breath. Though these photos were all taken on a winter night, I was able to achieve similar results on a warm summer night when the dew point was high. These are a few of many photos that show strange forms and mists, the result of exhaling sharply at the exact moment I took each photo. So, these are extremes.

The third photo (lower left) intrigues me the most. It’s a fairly benign-looking misty shape. It could be confused with an actual, ghostly anomaly.

Before I completed the first edition of Ghost Photography 101, I showed these photos to someone else who’s been studying ghost photos for years. He insisted that some of the photos did represent ghosts (particularly pictures like the third in the breath series.)

I could see his point, but in my research, if something could be explained by something normal, I have to discount it.

I’d rather err on the side of caution.

On the other hand, I think we need to explore another possibility: If we give the spirits something to work with – like breath or incense – should we look to see what the spirits do with it?

After all, that’s not too different than using white noise to give the ghosts sounds to work with, to form EVP. And, it’s also similar to using a device like a Frank’s Box, ghost box, or “shack hack” to give entities sounds and words to use.

Pendulums – How to Use Them for Ghost Hunting

This article is strictly for professional ghost hunters. If you haven’t researched at 20+ haunted sites, do NOT experiment with pendulums, or any divinatory tools.

What is a pendulum?

In popular use, a pendulum usually refers to any weighted object that can swing back and forth.

You’ve probably seen pendulums (or pendula) on old clocks. The pendulum is the round thing below the face of the clock, and the pendulum swings back and forth, rhythmically, keeping time.

If you pause the pendulum, the clock stops working.

In ghost hunting, a pendulum is usually a small, heavy object – like a stone, a crystal, or even a piece of metal – suspended from a cord, ribbon, or chain.

A necklace – one you regularly wear – can be ideal for this. (After all, when you’re investigating a haunted site, it’s smart to carry only the most essential, dedicated ghost hunting equipment. A necklace is one less item to pack in your ghost research kit.)

Some pendulums are highly decorative. Some of them have been blessed. Each one is unique and will respond differently.

A person – perhaps a psychic or a medium – holds the cord, ribbon, or chain so the heavy object can swing freely. Then, that person asks a question.

Or someone else in the room may ask the question. Sometimes this works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

The movement of the pendulum determines the answer.

How to Use a Pendulum

The end of the string is held between the forefinger and thumb so that the object can swing freely. You can pinch the cord or chain at the very top, with your hand at an angle so your fingers are out of the way.

Or, you can drape the cord or chain over the middle of your index finger, and keep it from slipping by applying gentle pressure from your thumb onto the cord or chain, against your finger.

Fiona Broome's advice If you’d just like to experiment with this, you can make your own pendulum by tying any heavy bead or small pendant to a string or cord. The string should be about ten inches long.

You should be able to decide if pendulums work for you (they won’t work well for everyone) and if you like them.

The Best Way to Use a Pendulum

Some people are naturally gifted at pendulum use.

That seems to have no connection with whether they’re believers or skeptics.

When trying to communicate with a ghost, they just hold the pendulum at the top of the chain (or cord, or ribbon) and wait for the weighted end – the fob or bob or “weight-stone” – to move.

They’re waiting for something external to move it.

If the bob moves, great. If it doesn’t, maybe the site isn’t haunted. Or the ghost (or ghosts) have nothing to say.

Either way, the person holding the pendulum remains objective and somewhat mentally detached. To them, it’s like asking any stranger a question: Maybe the stranger replies. Maybe they don’t.

But… Don’t Ask Spirits to Talk “Through You”

Sometimes, a person might use a pendulum, but they internalize the energy.

That is, they ask the spirit to speak through them.

(For example, in a haunted setting, the person may ask the ghost to use the investigator’s hand to channel the energy to the pendulum.)

That’s not a good idea. In fact, it can be downright dangerous. (Basically, you’re asking for a spirit – good or evil – to take possession of your body. This can be just as risky as using a Ouija board.)

THIS IS IMPORTANT: If you can’t remain completely separate – mentally, spiritually, and emotionally – from the pendulum you’re using, stop immediately.

Never allow outside energy to be channeled through your body to the pendulum. (And, if you can’t tell the difference, don’t use a pendulum. The risks are too great.)

If you decide that a pendulum is right for you, I recommend professionally crafted pendulums. You’re likely to get better results.

However, try a homemade pendulum or two, before investing in a professional-grade pendulum.

Baseline Every Time

If you’re using a pendulum regularly – especially in haunted locations – start with some baseline readings.

It’s important to verify these every time you use the pendulum.

First, hold the pendulum entirely still. (It’s okay to steady it with your other hand, and then release it.)

Then ask a question with a yes or no answer that you already know.

Note the way that the pendulum swings in response. It may swing from side to side or from front to back. Or, it may swing in a clockwise or counter-clockwise manner.

Now, ask another question with a different yes or no answer, that you already know. Compare the results.

Repeat this several times until a clear pattern is established. (If no pattern emerges, you may need to use other divinatory tools. Pendulums don’t work for everyone, and it has no bearing on the person’s psychic abilities.)

What to Ask in Haunted Places

In haunted sites, you can start by asking, “Is this room (or battlefield, or cemetery) haunted?” or a similar question.

However, if the ghosts think they’re still alive – or otherwise rejects the “haunted” idea – you may need to start with a question like, “Is a stranger present?” (Whether the ghost thinks you’re the “stranger” or they are, the answer should be yes.)

Then you can ask how many spirits are present, or how old the ghost his, and so on.

The more active the pendulum movement, the stronger the spiritual energy is at that site.

Even in the hands of a skeptic, I’ve seen a pendulum swing so wildly, the weight snapped off a new chain and flew across the room.

In other words, pendulums can be very powerful.

Free Pendulum Charts

I’ve created two different charts for use with your pendulum. Visit my author website, FionaBroome.com, and go to my Free Downloads page.

Scroll down to the Misc Printable Charts section. Download the pendulum charts and print them. (They’re free PDFs.)

To use either chart, hold the string so that the tip of the pendulum is about two inches above the center “dot” at the bottom of the half-circle. Then, ask your question.

One chart is designed for simple, yes/no questions. You can draw this on a sheet of paper, and use it yourself. The pendulum should favor one direction/answer more than any other. If it doesn’t rephrase your question, or take a break and return to this later.

The next kind of chart can be used to ask anything with numbers, such as the ghosts age when he or she left physical form. (Or, if the ghost believes that he or she is still alive, ask what year it is now.)

You can create your own charts on paper, providing many other kinds of answers, too. They could include letters of the alphabet, people’s names, places, or things specific to the life of the ghost you’re contacting.

When the Pendulum Swings the Wrong Way

No matter which chart you use, if the pendulum swings towards you, off the chart, try rephrasing your question. Or, the ghost may want you to answer the question for yourself, first, and then have spirit confirm it with a yes or a no.

If you are adept with a pendulum, I recommend professional pendulums designed for ghost hunters and psychic mediums, such as those from Sean Paradis. (I’m not sure he’s still making pendulums, but his are still among the ones I trust the most.)

Homemade Pendulums or Purchased Pendulums?

If you’re shopping for a pendulum, try it in the store. See how it works for you.

Compare each with your homemade pendulum(s).

If you did just as well (or better) with your own, keep using it. There’s no reason to buy one, unless it seems more powerful or attractive.

I own several pendulums, and choose them intuitively for the location and the energy at it.

Sometimes, I like the conductivity of a copper pendulum. (Some people believe the metal helps spirits make contact with the pendulum.)

Other spirits seem attracted to pretty colors. So, a colorful pendulum with an “ooh, shiny!” attraction might get better results.

Whichever pendulum you use, it should be one that seems attractive to you, too.

You Can Ghost Hunt Without Tools

Some people achieve remarkable results with pendulums.

Others don’t.

Some have a knack for recording EVP, but never get great ghost photos. And vice versa.

It’s not a measure of how good you are at ghost hunting or communicating with spirits.

It’s more like singing or running… different people have different talents. Someone who can play the violin may be perfectly awful at the piano.

However, one of the great things about pendulums, besides their simplicity, is: You can try this on your own without spending a cent.

And then, if pendulums work for you, decide which seem to work best. (I’ve linked to a couple of my favorites, below.)

But really, if a homemade pendulum works well for you, keep using it, at least until you know if it’s a tool you’ll use regularly

Homemade EVP Devices?

tesla-spirit-radio — Image from the Instructables article.

I’m fascinated by things that are emerging from mad scientists’ labs… or at least the kitchen tables of kindred spirits (no pun intended) who think like I do.

Here are a few odd, recent discoveries:

I’m not sure what to think of the Super Beacon Auto-mapper Crystal Quantum Radio.

(I try never to dismiss anything that might help us figure out what anomalies really are.)

Well, the price tag on that tool is a little steep for my experiments.

Then there’s the Beta-Blocker Spirit Radio, at that same website.

As Alice said, “Curiouser and curiouser!”

I recommend cruising through that website. If you’re an electronics geek, you may get some ideas for tools we can actually use in this field.

But wait… there’s more!

The photo at left shows a homegrown variation. It might just work. It’s the Spooky Tesla Spirit Radio.

The complete directions are at Instructables: Spooky Tesla Spirit Radio.

The following video… well, the guy sounds pretty snide at times. However, the tests he demonstrates are worth noting. Be sure to listen to the sounds produced by the color yellow. What is the radio reacting to?

httpv://youtu.be/aFxBmEpGIBw

The “lost journals” of Nikola Tesla might be someone’s clever work of fiction. Nevertheless, Tesla’s life may need closer investigation.

In those “lost journals,” it says:

“Around 1918, Tesla started to receive what he considered to be voice transmissions, except the voices he was picking up were not human. Instead, Tesla wrote that, “The sounds I am listening to every night at first appear to be human voices conversing back and forth in a language I cannot understand. I find it difficult to imagine that I am actually hearing real voices from people not of this planet. There must be a more simple explanation that has so far eluded me.”

This is consistent with Tesla’s comments in Talking with the Planets, publishing in 1901:

“My first observations positively terrified me, as there was present in them something mysterious, not to say supernatural, and I was alone in my laboratory at night; but at that time the idea of these disturbances being intelligently controlled signals did not yet present itself to me. “

If you build this radio and test it, please let me know about your results. I’m very interested in homemade devices, and in voice-related ghost hunting tools in general.