Hollow Hill

Psychic Preparations for a Ghost Hunt

Wild flowers at a NH cemetery Psychic skills and sensitivity can be useful during ghost investigations, if the psychic is skilled, understands the risks involved, and maintains appropriate boundaries.

But, simply being psychic — and I believe that most people are psychic — isn’t enough.You need to maintain your psychic boundaries, as well.

It’s easy to be “too psychic” on ghost hunts. If you’re picking up energy from other researchers as well as the ghosts, it can feel like a dozen radios are blaring at once.

That’s where boundaries come in. They protect you and your team, and can be helpful to the spirits, as well.

Consider these preparations to enhance your psychic ghost hunting skills.

Clear your mind.

Before a ghost investigation, jot down anything that you can think of that you need to do.

Whether you need to remember that tomorrow is trash day, or if you have a book to return to the library, if that thought keeps swimming around your brain, write it down.

Just a few notes may be enough. The point is to reduce the self-talk in your head.

Eat well, but not too much.

Before every ghost hunt, eat a light meal. Include some protein, since it digests more slowly than carbs and will prevent hunger pangs during your research. Never overeat. Whether you get heartburn or just a heavy feeling, too much in your stomach can be a distraction. Likewise, avoid spicy foods if your digestion is sensitive.

Skip dessert. Carbohydrates can contribute to drowsiness or anxiety during investigations.

Of course, avoid alcohol, too much caffeine, and unnecessary drugs.

Alcohol can distort your perceptions more than you realize at the time.
Caffeine “jitters” can compound your anxieties during a scary ghost hunt.
Unnecessary and/or recreational drugs can also alter your perceptions and impair your psychic abilities.

However, if you are under a doctor’s care and should take medications… take them. Just make sure your team leader knows about this, in case the occasional side effect or a food interaction could affect your investigating.

Also, caffeinated beverages can have a place in your backpack. After an exhausting investigation, some researchers rely on caffeine to be sure they’re sharp enough for the commute home. (On the other hand, many teams gather in a nearby coffee shop after an investigation. They can exchange notes and eat a light meal that refreshes them enough to drive home, safely.)

Note: If you make spirit contact through a ritual of any kind, especially one that uses substances that put you in more direct contact with spirits, make sure your team leader knows about this, ahead of time.

Generally, ritual contact and the use of some substances should be kept separate from general ghost investigations. In fact, I usually recommend two separate investigations: One to determine what’s at the site. Later, a second investigation by those who will make psychic or spiritual contact, to help the spirit communicate and cross over.

“Wash off” the day’s energy, if that helps.

Before an investigation, make a clean break with the energy of that day.

Some people take a drive with the windows open.
Others like a hot shower or bath.
For some, the answer is a few minutes in a comfortable chair with classical music playing, or binaural beats that refresh them.
Light exercise or a few minutes of dancing can “shake loose” any negative energy you’ve picked up.
Or, you may enjoy watching part of a TV show or movie that helps you disengage from the day’s activities.

If you need an activity that marks the closure of the workday or school day, be sure to include that, no matter how rushed you are.

Have a partner or coach at your elbow.

Even the best of psychics can become vulnerable. Always designate a team member to check on you regularly and make sure you’re okay.

Clearly explain what you need. Checking on you should not become a distraction for either of you. Often, a visual check — just a glance to see how you look — is enough. Or, it could be a simple exchange once an hour, along the lines of: “Everything okay?” “Yes, everything’s fine.” “Good. I’ll check again in an hour.”
The person should know what’s normal for you when you’re working as a psychic.
The team member should be very clear about what’s not okay.
If you get into trouble, your partner or coach should be confident enough to act quickly to get help, no matter what you say.
Your partner should know exactly what kind of help you might need, and how to get that help for you, right away.

Know the risks.

Demon-like Photo by Michal Zacharzewski, Poland - SXC In recent years, many psychics has been deceived by entities that did a really good job of pretending to be ghosts.

As a result, I’ve almost completely reversed my previous policies related to divinatory tools and trance mediums.

It’s not that I’m phobic about Ouija boards, and I won’t flee from the site if someone goes into a trance. I’ve simply developed a healthy respect for what can go wrong on an investigation.

In recent years, we’ve seen far more frightening things than we did in the 1980s and 1990s.

I’m not talking about angry, territorial ghosts. They’re simply annoying. Either get away from them or imagine yourself far larger than they are, and tell them to back off.

I’m concerned about dangerous and malicious entities. Whatever those are, they’re not part of ghost research. So, due to the increasing number of reports like this, I’ve established new rules and recommendations for working in this field.

If you’re going to work as a psychic in a haunted setting, make sure you’re not alone. Make sure a team member checks on you, regularly. And, if things make sure someone is watching you — not taking photos or using an EMF meter or ghost-related app — to be sure you’re safe.

Photo credit: Michal Zacharzewski, Poland

When to Take a Break During a Ghost Investigation

When you’re ghost hunting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or stunned. You may feel too tired to think.

That happens to everyone. Even to pros.

At some haunted sites, it can seem as if the ghosts have an agenda. Or perhaps just one does; that’s all it takes to experience brain fog or an unexpected emotional response.

Remember that ghosts are people, just in a different form. They can behave the same as people you know in real life… including those that annoy you.

Maybe they don’t want to be disturbed. (Previous investigators may have tried provoking them.)
Perhaps one or more ghosts want to be alive again. (Some seem to think that’s possible.)
Others are distraught, not sure how to “cross over.” (That’s when specialists — and ONLY specialists like psychics and spiritualists — can be helpful. Don’t try this if you’re not trained and experienced in this kind of work.)
And then there are the ghosts that, in their own misery, seem to be predators. In true “misery loves company” for, they want to terrify and intimidate the living.

In any of those situations, a ghost — or the combined energy of several ghosts — can make you feel tired. You may realize you’re not thinking clearly, or feel overwhelmed.

During a ghost investigation, take a break.

Leave the site, or go at least far enough away so you’re not under the influence of the ghosts.

Important: Never leave a site by yourself, especially if you’re not feeling well. Contrary to what you may see on TV, no one should be entirely alone and unsupervised during an investigation. Things can go very wrong, very quickly, and with no warning.

Generally, ghosts seem to be too weak and frail to invade your thoughts or cause problems.

However, if your thoughts feel “heavy” or you’re having trouble focusing on your research, pause immediately.

The problem could be simple tiredness, or stress, or even allergies. (Many haunted indoor sites are dusty and can have mold or mildew. Outdoors, some plants, odors from nearby factories, or animal paths can trigger allergic responses.)

Get away from the site for at least a few minutes. Then, you can evaluate what’s going on, and whether you can safely return to the investigation or should just go home.

How to Stay Safe – For New Ghost Hunters

Every Halloween, people visit haunted places to see what ghost hunting is really like.

Maybe a ghost will appear or do something weird, just like on TV.

But then, starting the day after Halloween, I hear about people who regretted going out that night.

That’s not because they actually encountered a ghost.

The problem was: the living.

**Here’s why the living can be the biggest problem at “haunted” sites…**

Haunted places are often badly maintained, and off-the-beaten-path.

At the very least, most people avoid them.

So, those same sites are attractive to people who want to stay off-the-radar of the public, and especially the police.

I can’t even guess how many times I visited Gilson Road Cemetery (before the nearby subdivision was built), and discovered teens enjoying a raucous party in the woods behind the cemetery.

Of course, they wanted us to leave. The sooner, the better.

Ditto the number of abandoned, haunted buildings where my team and I stumbled onto drug deals in progress, and so on.

Can ghosts be dangerous? Yes.

This website is filled with articles about the paranormal dangers of ghosts and ghost hunting.

For example:

What Ghosts are Really Like – Dangers in Ghost Hunting
Ghost Hunting – Why to Stop Looking for a “Good Scare”
Ghosts Can Hurt You, But…
A haunted site I wish I’d never visited: Wilton, NH – Vale End is Dangerous
… and many more articles at this site (Use the search form for your biggest concerns).

At Halloween, let’s remind aspiring ghost hunters that some haunted sites can be dangerous, and not just because of ghosts and other entities.

Never go ghost hunting alone.
Never leave a friend alone at a haunted site.
And always have a Plan B escape route if you find yourself in an awkward or scary situation… regardless of the cause.

But, if you’re worried about ghosts reading your mind and scaring you…

And read this article: Can a Ghost Read Your Mind?

Haunted Houses and Carbon Monoxide

How can carbon monoxide affect a haunted house?

When people contact me about a house that might have ghosts, they often say things like:

“Sometimes, when I’m in that part of the house, I get shaky, dizzy, and I feel weak all over.”
“I get a tightness in my chest, and I can’t catch my breath. Do you suppose the ghost died of a heart attack?”
“I’m okay during the day, but at night – especially when it’s cold out – it’s like something floats into my room through the bedroom window, and I can’t breathe.”
“The baby gets fussy in that room and seems to be looking at something that I don’t see, and the dog won’t go in there, ever.”
“I’m fine all day, but at night, when we close up the house and go to bed, I get headaches, it feels really stuffy in the room, and sometimes I feel kind of sick. I always have to get up and open the window, just to feel the breeze. About an hour or two later, around midnight, everything’s fine again.”

Well, those “symptoms” of a haunting can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s why carbon monoxide is now the first thing to check in a house that might be haunted. This is especially true if the ghosts started to be a problem when the house was sealed up for the winter, or – in warm climates – for the summer.

The following is an edited excerpt from the first edition of, Is Your House Haunted?, by Fiona Broome.

Before you do anything else…

Check the carbon monoxide levels at the possibly-haunted site.

Carbon monoxide is nicknamed “the silent killer.” Pets and children often react to it first. Carbon monoxide (CO), also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.

It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities.

It can come from a variety of sources, including gas appliances, woodstoves, car exhaust, blocked flues, and even cigarette smoke.

Some people are more sensitive to carbon monoxide, and may show symptoms before others do.

Any of the following symptoms may indicate high levels of carbon monoxide.

Headaches.
A tight sensation in the chest.
Nausea.
Shortness of breath.
Vomiting.
Dizziness.
Fatigue.
A feeling of weakness.
Confusion or disorientation.
Visual disturbances.
Fainting and seizures.
Flu symptoms.
Infants may be irritable.
Pets can avoid certain areas.

Carbon monoxide can also affect the heart and central nervous system, and raise blood pressure. Carbon monoxide poisoning can damage the fetus of a pregnant woman.

Many areas in the UK, the US, and Canada have laws recommending (or even requiring) the use of carbon monoxide detectors in homes.

Older homeowners may not realize that. Even if the homeowner has no fireplace or woodstove, and no gas appliances, check the levels anyway.

For example, if a nearby neighbor has a wood stove and you (or the client) sleep with your window open, elevated carbon monoxide could explain some “symptoms” of a haunting.

If you regularly investigate haunted sites, be sure your home has very low levels of carbon monoxide, too.

If you’ve been sensitized to the gas, even low levels might trigger your symptoms at a “haunted” site. It could happen. Rule this out, immediately.

When you’re investigating a potentially haunted house and any symptoms match the warning list, carbon monoxide levels must be checked first.

If the homeowner does not have a carbon monoxide detector installed, and you don’t have a handheld monitor, call the fire department for advice.

Note: Before buying a handheld carbon monoxide meter, be sure to read the reviews.

If you’re investigating haunted homes and you can’t afford a good carbon monoxide detector, don’t bother with a cheap one. Either have the homeowner install carbon monoxide detectors in several places in the home – and use them for at least a week before you investigate – or ask the fire department if someone in the community can test the air for the homeowner.

A carbon monoxide meter that works is important. A cheap one that’s not reliable could put you and your client at risk.

So, either use a good detector or have the homeowner or someone else handle that part of the investigation.

LEARN MORE…

Dangers of Paranormal Research

For years, many of us have warned about dangerous aspects of ghost hunting.

From physical safety to legal issues, and personal liabilities to spiritual protection, this field has more pitfalls than most hobbies and professions.

In general, the paranormal community can be divided into three groups:

- Those who know the risks and take appropriate precautions.
- Those who don’t know the risks, or have only a vague idea, and aren’t as cautious as they might be.
- Those who see the warning signs (literal and figurative) and ignore them, thinking they’re immune to the risks.

I want to be sympathetic when someone is arrested for ignoring a “no trespassing” sign, or when they go to Vale End (or a similar site) and return home, terrified… a fear that stays with them for years. I’ve warned about scams and con artists, and sleazy people who like the cover of darkness.

Experienced professionals usually know the risks and do what they can to minimize them. Event planners try to organize activities so no one is placed in unnecessary danger.

Trespassing (an illustrated rant)

A wide spectrum of ghost enthusiasts seem to be oblivious to all risks. I see that in my email inbox, with questions and tales of woe, daily.

But, the symptoms aren’t only in my incoming email. Looking for good videos to explain issues related to the haunted Eloise Insane Asylum in Michigan, I found three videos with the following content.

All were filmed by a group of kids, emulating the Ghost Hunters TV series.

First, the kids filmed the no trespassing sign. Then, they ignored it and entered the property anyway.

Then, they captioned portions of their videos, repeatedly proclaiming that they were on private property.

Worse, when one of the kids said she was afraid to slip under the fence because she might be arrested, her friends talked her into breaking the law.

Okay, they’re 12-year-olds, so you might ask, “Where were the parents?”

The answer…? In at least one part of the video, the mom was holding the camera.

I don’t want to single out these kids as if they’re an example of the primary problem.

They’re not.

Adults are doing this kind of thing even more often than kids are.

Laws and legal penalties aren’t the only dangers

The bigger issue is what “no trespassing” signs can indicate.

Those signs might indicate major safety problems, including some that may be life-threatening.

They might include something as simple (but deadly) as asbestos dust or as urgently perilous as structural damage. An issue might be toxic waste underground or a site known for harboring territorial, poisonous snakes.

And, almost all abandoned structures have rodent issues. I talked about that risk in my earlier podcast about ghost hunting and respiratory risks and in my article about ghost hunting and health issues.

Here’s the reason for alarm: With “no trespassing” signs prominently displayed, many site owners and communities figure they’ve done enough. They’ll make repairs later when they have more funds to work with.

They (reasonably) assume that the signs will protect an unwary visitor from putting him- or herself at risk.

“No trespassing” signs rarely go into detail. (When I last checked, the fenced-off area near Gilson Road Cemetery in Nashua, NH, did not explain that it’s a possibly toxic Superfund site.)

But, don’t rely on “no trespassing” signs as warnings.

Sometimes, we’re called into homes and businesses (in use, not abandoned) with significant risks – structural and health issues – as we explore moldy basements and attics with rodent droppings.

Every researcher needs to be aware of the dangers, as well as precautions to take.

Very sick and troubling dangers

I’ve talked about blunders with Ouija boards and sleazy people groping team members in the dark. I’ve ranted about cult-like groups and thrill-seekers with an adrenaline addiction.

So, yes, this field can seem like a minefield to the unwary.

The key word is “unwary.” Once you’re aware of the risks, you can evaluate which you’re okay with and what limits to place on your research.

In the past, I’ve avoided describing ghost hunting dangers because… well, that’s not the focus of this website.

In the 1990s, I wanted to interest people in ghost hunting.

Now, I’m doing my best to make ghost hunting interesting and safe.

Risks need to be assessed on a site-by-site basis.

It’s one thing to go into a paved, haunted cemetery after dark, where you’ll meet dozens of joggers and dog walkers.

It’s quite another to go into an abandoned building with a wide range of structural and health concerns.

Every site presents challenges. Know the risks you’re taking, not just in general but at the specific site you’re investigating, and the people you’re trusting in dark and low-light conditions.

Learn the best ways to find ghosts, in local (and legal!) places…

GHOST HUNTING IN HAUNTED CEMETERIES – A How-To Guide : CLASSIC EDITION

Step into the eerie realm of haunted cemeteries.

In “Ghost Hunting in Haunted Cemeteries – Classic Edition,” you’ll learn to discover haunted cemeteries near you, pinpoint the most active areas, and identify the graves most likely to hold supernatural secrets.

With step-by-step instructions and expert tips, you’ll learn how to conduct thorough investigations that reveal the true nature of haunted cemeteries and graveyards.

This is the classic guide, updated and expanded. It goes far beyond the basics. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or someone intrigued by eerie places, this book is your key to unlocking the mysteries that lie within haunted cemeteries.

Available at Amazon and other booksellers.

Ghost Hunting and Respiratory Risks

With the recent death of Sara Harris, ghost hunting health risks are now in the spotlight.

She was a healthy young woman, investigating a site that many others had regularly used for ghost hunting.

She wasn’t wearing a mask. She became ill. And then, despite great medical care, she died.

In my earlier article – written before Sara’s death – I touched on basic health and safety concerns, including respiratory issues and simple steps to reduce your risks. Today, I’ve had time for a more in-depth study of the problem.

Remember, I am not a medical professional or doctor, and this is not intended to be medical advice. For information on Hantavirus and recommended protection, here’s a link to the CDC website. (Scroll down that page to where they recommend N100 masks.)

I’m trying to strike a sensible balance, but even one death is too many, so I’d rather raise excessive concerns than treat this too lightly.

Points you need to know

Airborne risks in dusty locations aren’t news. Since speculation about “King Tut’s Curse,” people have been concerned about airborne diseases, especially those that have been dormant at locations where bodies may have been stored (including abandoned hospital morgues) or tombs.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists a wide range of rodent-related diseases, from Hanta to plague to one form of meningitis. Most are spread by “breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.” Just last week, I’d pointed to a large mouse or rat in one ghost-hunting video, but I think we’ve all investigated sites where mice and rats had once been (or still are), and they’ve left droppings.

Many abandoned hospitals that were described as “insane asylums” were also hospitals for victims of tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases. Eloise Insane Asylum (in Michigan, USA) is a good example of this. Take extra precautions at sites where people have been ill.

Studies of SARS, Covid, and other diseases have shown that dry particles can travel surprising distances, and still cause infection.

Surgical masks are usually designed to protect the environment from the wearer, not vice versa. If you’re buying blue masks, keep this in mind. Depending on their design, those blue masks usually test between 15% and 80% effective. The best are designed to filter the smallest particles, and have something at the nose so air isn’t entering and exiting, unfiltered, at the top edge of the mask.

Masks usually filter particles; they don’t disinfect anything. If you have significant health issues leaving you especially vulnerable, or you’re going to extremes, look for military-grade gas masks designed to protect from chemical and biological agents, as well as flu pandemics. At that level, you’ll achieve maximum protection.

Most medical-style masks do not filter out carbon monoxide or other toxic gases.

Indoors (with no open windows), setting up an air purifier ahead of time may help if it’s designed to HEPA standards. (HEPA filters remove more than 99% of airborne particles, usually down to 0.3 microns.) However, most air purifiers are designed to filter tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust, not chemical or bacterial agents. Make sure the air purifier removes dust, and choose an air purifier with a CADR number rating of at least 2/3 the square footage of the space you need to treat. (So, if it’s a room with 120 square feet, you’re looking for a CADR rating that’s at least 80.)

Remember that your hands, hair, and clothing can pick up the same particles you’re trying to avoid with a mask. Keep your mask on when you shake your hair to dislodge particles, and when you change your clothes. Disposable gloves – available in bulk from many pharmacies and beauty salon supply stores (like Sally Beauty Supply) – can be helpful when you might have to touch items that put you at risk, or in locations that are coated with dirt or dust.

There is a happy medium (no pun intended) between making ghost hunting so complex and fearful it’s a chore, and being far too casual about health and safety risks. The precautions you take will vary from person to person, and from one investigation site to another.

Someone investigating in northern Maine and eastern Canada will have very different concerns than someone investigating in Louisiana or an area affected by flooding. Someone with severe allergies or respiratory issues will take different precautions than someone who rarely catches a cold and enjoys exceptionally good immunity.

What I’m adding to my own ghost-hunting supplies

I brought basic blue surgical masks for my own use and for anyone who was with me who didn’t bring respiratory protection, and a few P95 or N95 masks just to have them on hand for severe situations that surprise us.

I like the looks of WoodyKnows nose filters for discreet, short-term use since they’re praised by people who use them for allergies.

N100 or P100 masks, preferably with the Cool-Flow feature, for hot climates.

I wear disposable gloves for places where I don’t want to touch anything. (I have a very low “ick!” threshold.)

A more comprehensive HEPA-style breathing mask, in the $30 – $50 price range.

A personal air purifier that’s been proven effective in scientific studies. As of 2012, one possibility is the Wein As150mm Ionic Air Purifier. It’s small and can be worn as a pendant. As long as it doesn’t interfere with electronic sensing devices or other ghost-hunting tools, it’s the kind of thing I’d wear routinely in dusty locations, basements and attics, and abandoned buildings… and when I’m on an airplane.