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For several years, Lesley Marden — the author of Medium, Rare — has been among my closest friends and research associates.
In December 2011, I decided to start interviewing interesting people involved in paranormal research of all kinds. Lesley was my first subject. The following is a transcript of our conversation.Let’s start with the basics. What areas of the paranormal do you investigate?
Lesley Marden: I have worked with various paranormal groups as a psychic investigator on home hauntings and in historic locations.
When did you develop an interest in paranormal research?
Lesley Marden: I have been aware of paranormal and spiritual activity for as long as I can remember. My earliest recollections are from when I was 3 years old.
Throughout my life I have had encounters with spirit and experienced strange and unusual happenings. After being blamed of making up stories and lies, I decided to keep my encounters to myself and tried to stifle them all together.
It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I decided that it was okay to be me, and sensing the spirit world is part of who I am. That is when I started to allow myself to be open once again to what came naturally.
As a psychic, do you prefer to know nothing about the site ahead of time, or do you want to know all the details?
Lesley Marden: When going into an investigation it is imperative for me to know nothing at all.
I do not want to compromise the information that I receive psychically by having prior knowledge that could prejudice my mind.
When I am hearing, sensing or seeing things in my head on location, I sometimes get obscure information that I would dismiss if I had prior knowledge and it didn’t fit “the story” of the property.
It is within those little details,that seem to make no sense when they present themselves, that end up being the big connection that complete the puzzle.
Obviously, you believe in ghosts. What about other entities? I’m thinking about UFOs, cryptozoology, faeries, and parallel worlds?
Lesley Marden: I believe that every one of these is possible.
Have I ever seen aliens or Bigfoot? No, but if you close your mind to the possibility that these beings exist, you are missing the potential opportunity to experience them.
I would love to be “that person” who discovers the portal to a parallel universe, but if I am not using my mind openly and fully in a positive way to seek out and understand new ideas or prospects, I never will.
I am always keeping my eyes and ears open. I don’t want to miss out on anything!
Do you work alone or with a team? Why?
Lesley Marden: I will go out on field trips to interesting haunted locations with a few trusted colleagues for fun, or by myself to collect information. I’ll also choose a small group of friends if new equipment piques my interest and I want to test its legitimacy.
For formal investigations I work with a team.
I am currently a member of The New England Ghost Project. I really enjoy working with the NEGP. Everyone on the team is knowledgeable, experienced and a pleasure to work with.
What tools do you use for your research, and what’s your favorite?
Lesley Marden: EMF Meters, Dowsing Rods, Digital Voice Recorder, Digital Camera, Pendulum, and my intuition.
I love photography, and I have captured some very interesting photographs while on investigations, so I would have to say my camera is my favorite piece of equipment.
Do you think paranormal TV shows and paranormal books are helpful?
Lesley Marden: I think the most important thing that people can learn from paranormal books and from paranormal TV shows is that although some people may have more experience, no one is an expert.
We are all trying to understand the hows and whys of the spirit world. I have had experiences throughout my life and I am still learning.
We all are still searching for the answers that have been asked for centuries. If anyone tells you they are an expert, please be wary.
Another important thing to learn is that when people are nasty in life, they don’t change magically and become nice when they die.
Some spirits are mean and malicious and CAN hurt you. ALWAYS protect yourself before conducting any sort of investigation or opening yourself up to encountering spirits.
Good advice. Before we end this interview, describe your recent book.
Lesley Marden: My book, Medium, Rare; A firsthand account of growing up experiencing the paranormal, is about my journey growing up with a heightened awareness of the spiritual world around me.
It starts when I am 3 years old and chronicles though my life into my 40’s. It is a story of self acceptance and hopefully it will help those out there who have experiences know that they are not crazy and they are not alone.
Thank you, Lesley!