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Halloween can present one big problem for ghost hunters, and that’s dealing with jokers at haunted sites.
I’m about to rant, and – if you’re an experienced ghost hunter – you’ll probably nod in agreement.
Sometimes in autumn – especially around Halloween – when the weather turns cooler and dusk is earlier, jokers visit haunted sites for amusement.
They act as if ghost hunting is funny. As if the actual ghosts are projections of some kind. A special effect, perhaps, by the site owner, to get attention.
I’ve wondered if some people think actually haunted houses (and other sites) are the same as seasonal, staged haunted house attractions.
(Perhaps those jokers really are ignorant. Literally. If they’re among the 35% – 59% who don’t believe in ghosts, they may not realize the harm they’re doing.)
If you encounter jokers like that, here’s my advice.
First, leave the site immediately.
Whether those annoying (and immature) people are acting-out as obnoxious trolls, or they’ve been drinking, or both, they’re looking to get a laugh at someone else’s expense.
Get away from them as fast as you can.
Then, if it looked like they were already vandalizing the site (or seemed about to), call the police.
I mean it. Do not give stupid people an opportunity to cause damage to any site, haunted or not.
Next, go somewhere else (your Plan B) for your investigation.
If your Plan B falls through, The Shadowlands website can provide a few alternatives. However, some of their listings aren’t genuine or accurate. Mostly, use their lists as reminders of other, nearby places with ghostly reputations.
At a different haunted site, start as fresh as you can. Try to shake off the negative energy of the jokers. If you’re distracted by what happened at the previous site, your focus may not be sharp enough to notice important cues and anomalies. Especially if you’re new to ghost hunting, and not sure what to expect, that can put you at risk.
Then, at another time, not necessarily at night, return – with at least one friend – to the location where the jokers had been.
And when you’re there, apologize – out loud – to the spirits.
Acknowledge that the jokers were obnoxious and mean. Let the spirits know that no one should be taunted, teased, or bullied, ever.
Do ghosts hear us? I have no idea. I may be erring on the side of caution, but most ghosts seem to have enough problems, without being tormented by the living as well.
Yes, now and then we encounter belligerent ghosts and sinister spirits. No one should taunt or provoke them without a very good reason. Often they’re acting-out from a place of pain, themselves.
In that case, do not retort, yell at them, or walk off in a rage. Instead, err on the side of kindness. Let them know that you’re different, and you’re there to understand, and to help if you can.
At most genuinely haunted sites, ghost hunters encounter confused, misguided, fearful, or even bewildered ghosts.
Let’s treat them respectfully, and be helpful when we can.