Hollow Hill

York’s Cozy Ghosts at The Golden Fleece

If you’re looking for cozy ghosts, and orbs that seem to feel right at home, make York’s Golden Fleece Inn (and pub) your destination.

The Golden Fleece is where I’ve seen some of the best, most convincing ghost orbs.

Of course, orbs can appear anywhere.

Some seem to be floating or gliding energy forms.

Context is important.

I’ve heard reports from people who successfully asked orbs to move to certain locations for photos.

For example, when someone told the ghost to move the orb to a particular doorway or gravestone… it did.

(Generally, I ask ghosts to manifest however they can, if they’d like to appear in a photo. I’m uncomfortable with ordering them around.)

Predicting Orbs

During many years of studying ‘ghost photos’, I’ve noticed an odd pattern among many orbs. They appear in consistent places. The trend is so predictable, we believe it’s beyond coincidence.

In an unusual number of photos, I’ve seen orbs directly over people’s heads. In most cases, the photos were taken at a significant event (such as a wedding or prom) or a family gathering.

The lighting and setting don’t matter. If it’s a family gathering or major social event among long-time friends or associates, orbs often appear in the photos.

An Odd Orb at the Golden Fleece

At other times, orbs appear – in surprising numbers – over chairs, as if the ghost is sitting there.

What follows is one of my favorite examples.

A group of us – experienced ghost hunters – visited “York’s most haunted pub” in June 2007.

The skeleton and other visual cues weren’t there at that time. It just felt like a nice, cozy pub with delicious food and great prices.

But, after a few minutes inside, the pub had a certain eerie edge to it.

And, as seasoned ghost researchers, we tend to be somewhat skeptical. So, we sat, enjoyed our lunch, chatted, and took a few photos.

One surprised me.

My photo shows an orb ‘seated’ at the haunted Golden Fleece pub in York, England.

Because that restaurant has many shiny surfaces, I discounted other orbs from that casual investigation. Nevertheless, the placement of the one in the photo caught my attention.

Is it a credible photo? I’m not sure. I’d need more evidence.

Is the Golden Fleece haunted? I believe so, and I wish I’d spent more time there. On my next visit to that part of England, I’ll definitely want to spend a night or two at the Golden Fleece. (Haunted Happenings has been among the groups organizing vigils at the Golden Fleece.)

The Golden Fleece is a Different Kind of Haunted

My main impression was: Yes, it has that “spooky vibe” we notice at haunted sites. Its ghosts are well-documented, too.

But there was something else… something I can’t yet put into words. It was a different kind of haunted, if that makes sense.

Usually, when I use a phrase like that, it’s because I’m uneasy. Something troubles me, and it’s the kind of place where I’d take extra spiritual precautions.

But in the case of the Golden Fleece… well, that site really is different.

I’d expect spirits like the cheerful ghosts in the 1988 movie, High Spirits… and perhaps a few truly creepy and unearthly spirits, as well.

In general, I believe the Golden Fleece is one of York’s most intriguing haunted locations. Whatever haunts the site, it’s unusual, even for York, one of England’s more haunted cities.

Haunted York Videos

Here’s a quirky (and slightly silly) four-minute video about haunted York, including the Golden Fleece.

Haunted York

York, England has been called the most haunted city in all of Europe. see more about WTHR’s Scott Swan’s story here: http://www.wthr.com/story/19191664/engla…

That YouTube video of haunted York is at: https://youtu.be/L_0KHH7_6NM

And another video of a Golden Fleece investigation.

YouTube URL - https://youtu.be/Q-GihuTQ3W8

The Orb-Ghost Connection

Are orbs proof of ghosts?

The context is important.

For example, if other odd things were going on, exactly when the photos were taken. Or, if someone – without knowing where an orb was hovering, in a photo or video – directly indicated something else “ghostly” at the exact same place and time.

In other words, orbs may be one of those “you had to be there” phenomena. Out of context, it’s difficult for others to take orbs seriously.

I understand that, and it’s frustrating.

Personal evidence can be the most personally convincing… and have the least credibility when you talk about it later.

So, What Are Orbs?

To be honest, I don’t know what orbs are.

Professionals check for normal, natural explanation. Those include humidity, dust, reflected light, and so on.

In 2013, after several years of intense study, I concluded that humidity, dust, reflected light, and other apparently reasonable explanations rarely cause convincing orbs in photos.

But, for over 10 years, I claimed that most orbs were the result of natural phenomena, reflective objects, and so on.

Well, they’re not.

Yes, that’s an embarrassing admission. I wouldn’t admit to it, except my tests have shown, conclusively, that most convincing orbs really are anomalous.

So far, ghost hunters recognized that:

Orbs appear in haunted places in dramatically higher numbers.
Orbs seem to appear in areas where EMF levels spike.
The actual orbs may contain higher levels of energy.

But are they ghosts? I’m not ready to claim that.

Some People See Orbs

A small – perhaps gifted – minority of researchers are able to see orbs in real life. However, the orbs that they see don’t usually appear in photos taken at the same time.

In most cases, researchers don’t see anything before, during and after taking photos that – when viewed on the monitor or printed – reveal orbs.

I’ll admit I’m still astonished when investigators see vivid orbs in photos, though we saw nothing unusual when the photos were taken.

Sparkles and Ghost Orbs

Years ago, I was the first ghost hunters to use the term ‘sparkles‘ to describe an odd visual effect that occurs with some cameras.

When people see sparkles, we usually find orbs or other photographic anomalies in our pictures.

Are Orbs Aware of Us?

Ghost hunters aren’t sure if orbs are related to spirits that are aware of us and can respond to the people around them.

However, we’ve seen enough ‘ghost photos’ to know that orbs often appear in similar locations, as if they’re comfortable among us.

Whether they’re posing for group photos or sitting comfortably in a favorite chair, the placement often seems deliberate.

York, England, is just one of many haunted places where orbs seem quite at home. When you research there, be sure to take photos of chairs, stools, benches, and so on.

To me, it seemed like the orbs were pulling up a chair and joining the party.

Port Townsend, WA – Fort Worden ghosts, pt 2

The story so far:

In April 2003, I was at a conference at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, not far from Seattle, Washington. I’d heard the Fort Worden was haunted, and took this opportunity to investigate its ghosts. On the previous page of this report, I describe Fort Worden’s cemetery, a nearby wooded area, and the history of the haunted Guard House.

To read that report, see Fort Worden ghosts – part one.

My report continues here:

I took several rolls of film that night, in addition to some digital photos. Many of these photographs had extraordinarily large orbs in them: Fort Worden ghost photo
Multiple ghost orbs at the Fort Worden Guard House

While we would usually discount any photo with car lights in it, we have dozens of other photos taken at the same time from the same angle with the same car lights… and no orbs. These orbs are not caused by a “lens flare” or other reflection.

In one photo, a clear, brilliant blue ghostly figure was standing in front of me just outside the Guard House. I did not see this figure–or any other–when I took the photographs. I only knew that the “sparkles” were exceptional, and I was probably photographing other anomalies. As I expected, this ghost showed up on the negative and in the print. It is my only clear photograph of him. Fort Worden ghost photo - Man in blue
Blue figure outside the Fort Worden Guard HouseRead more about this photo at Fort Worden – the man in blue

The anomalies were so vivid, I looked for someone else to witness what was going on. Another conference guest, an artist named Z’anne, accompanied me back to the Guard House.

At first, there were no “sparkles” and nothing of note. Then, on impulse, Z’anne began talking to the ghost, encouraging him to appear. As if acting on command, the anomalies resumed.

Note: Many ghost researchers believe that direct communication with the ghosts produces the best results.

Because the manifestations responded to our voices, we consider this an active haunting. That is, there is some entity–probably what most people would call a “ghost”–reacting to visitors. There may also be some residual energy at the Guard House as well.

It’s hard to explain how we can get bored with steady anomalies. However, it was a cold, windy night. After about ten minutes, we were eager to see what other phenomena we could find at this former military base.

PARADE GROUND

Our next stop was the parade ground. Again, there was little activity at first, and then Z’anne addressed the ghosts and we saw very good sparkles. The Fort Worden parade ground doesn’t have the high energy of the Guard House, but still notably haunted. It’s probably residual energy, not an active haunting.
Routine “ghost orbs” at the parade ground

FORT WORDEN DORMS

Finally, we paused at a dormitory that was being restored. In a couple of photos, we detected small, faint orbs. Like the parade ground, this is probably the result of residual energy, not an active haunting. Haunted Fort Worden dorm - ghost photos
A few normal “ghost orbs” in both photos

Note: Fort Worden is the location of a campsite, hostel and conference center near Seattle, Washington State. The park has specific hours when it is open, and you should not trespass on this property at night without specific permission of the Park Manager.

Gilson Road Cemetery, NH – Ghost Orb (2002)

On the evening of 21 May 2002, I visited Gilson Road Cemetery, Nashua, NH, to experiment with photographs.

My goal was to take photos with normal, false anomalies (insects, pollen, etc.) to show students in an upcoming class. Unfortunately, almost all of my orb photos from that night… they’re paranormal.

Using a digital camera, I took just two “regular” photos after dusk. One has no anomaly:

The next one has an orb-type anomaly:

Many people have asked me if that’s a “smiley face” in the second photo. It’s not. Enlarged, here’s how it looks:

I use this photo to illustrate the qualities that separate rain orbs, pollen orbs, etc., from the orbs that we consider anomalies, or “ghost orbs.”

When the Tanglewood Estate was first moving in, anomalies weren’t reliable at Gilson Road Cemetery. Frankly, I expected all ghostly activity to stop, since the area had changed from being very rural to being very… well, suburban.

The good news is, after the biggest changes were over, Gilson’s orbs returned:

Remember: Always take two photos in a row. If you can, remain completely still and don’t even breathe between photos.

If there’s an identical orb in both photos, you can probably assume that it’s a reflection.

If orbs are in just one, and the orbs aren’t insects or pollen, and there was no explanation at the time, I’d assume it’s an anomaly.

Myrtles Plantation – Tips for Capturing Ghost Orbs

Ghost orb pictures are among the most popular evidence of hauntings.

They’re also one of the easiest subjects for beginning ghost photographers.

Some people seem to attract ghost orbs more than others.

We’ve known ghost hunters who never see orbs in their photos, but they get great EVP… and vice versa.

Those of us who do capture ghost orbs in pictures, also seem to bring home higher percentages of ghost orb photos each time. We don’t know if the ghosts have become more comfortable with us, or if we’re developing an innate sense of where the orbs are.

Some ghost researchers claim that one or two orb photos per hundred (using a film camera) is a very good statistic.

In profoundly haunted locations, as many as 35% of my photos will include anomalous orbs.

They can turn up where you least expect them.

However, they may not show up when you do expect them.

That’s what happened when a few of us were taking baseline photos at the Myrtles.

(It’s smart to take several photos in locations where you’d expect to see false orbs, due to reflections, humidity, lights, and so on.)

Ruling Out False Orbs

That night, several of us—including Margaret Byl and me—were taking photos outdoors after dark.

Our intent was to see how many false orbs appeared in our pictures. That way, we’d know how cautious to be when photographing known haunted areas at the plantation.

To our amazement, we saw no orbs in pictures where humidity should have produced them.

The photo, at left (dark scene with white picket fence), was taken at the back of The Myrtles Plantation, near the marshy land and pond.

We expected at least a half dozen false (natural) orbs in this and other photos.

As you can see, even in a very haunted location, ghost orbs can be rare… even when they should naturally appear in photos.

Was this an anomaly, in itself? At a very haunted site like the Myrtles Plantation, it’s difficult to be certain.

Indoor Orbs at a Haunted Piano

Indoors, we’re cautious when an orb might be from a reflective surface. (That’s rare,* but it can happen. So, we err on the side of skepticism.)

At the right, you can see one of my few good orb photos taken at The Myrtles Plantation. (An enhanced close-up is shown below, on the left.)

That’s the famous broken piano at the entry to the most haunted wing of The Myrtles Plantation.

We checked the piano carefully, and some of the keys were jammed so that the piano didn’t work.

In fact, it couldn’t.

We also examined the piano closely for microphones or other evidence of a hoax.

It’s a real, broken piano with nothing added.

There is no sound equipment anywhere in that wing, which could account for what we heard later that night.

During our visit, around midnight, that piano started playing all by itself. Of course, I’d heard the stories about piano music.

However, I was expecting something classical… a piece by Debussy or something.

Not even close. It wasn’t a melody, but the “plink, plink, plink” of a small child tapping on the keys at the far right side of the keyboard.

The experience was eerie, but one of the less startling events of a dramatic night at The Myrtles Plantation.

We weren’t at all surprised to see an orb over the piano in several of our photos—taken from different directions— including this one.

*For years, I was among the most skeptical voices regarding “ghost orbs.” Then, after several years of intense study of orbs—with multiple cameras (film and digital)—I discovered that it’s very difficult to create a convincing (but fake) orb in photos.

Since then, I’ve been trying to undo the damage I caused by my early (199os and early 2000s) assertions. See my article Ghost Orbs – An Overlooked Question.

New Orleans’s Ghosts after Katrina

ghosts at haunted Pat O'Brien's in January 2006 — Pat O’Brien’s in January 2006 – multiple orbs

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

(Highlights of my January 2006 research, right after Hurricane Katrina changed EVERYthing for NOLA ghost hunters.)

Ghosts have always been at home in New Orleans’ French Quarter. However, since Hurricane Katrina in mid-2005, hauntings have increased dramatically, though the French Quarter was barely touched by Katrina.

Despite the devastation in NOLA and surrounding areas, the Quarter is an oasis. There weren’t as many tourists in January 2006 – largely because hotel rooms were being used by insurance adjustors, people associated with FEMA, and so on. However, the Quarter was just as welcoming as ever, and at least 80% of businesses reopened months ago. Day or night, it’s easy to forget that Katrina ever happened… except for the renewed paranormal energy in the French Quarter.

ORBS, ORBS… EVERYWHERE

In the past, I thought it was difficult to distinguish real orbs from those caused by New Orleans’ naturally high humidity, especially in the summer. Generally, I attributed most orbs to NOLA’s climate.

As of early 2006, I’m not sure what to think about the hundreds of orbs in French Quarter photos. The weather doesn’t explain them, even to the most hardened skeptic.

Tip: It’s still vital to take two photos in a row, at each site. Try not to move at all, even to breathe. (If you’re using a traditional-style camera and it’s near your face, it’s especially important not to exhale. That releases humidity by the lens.)

If the orbs are from normal causes, orbs will appear in both photos, usually in the same locations, and be fairly similar in size, shape, color, and density.
If the orbs are paranormal, you may see orbs in one photo but not in the other one. The photos will be dramatically different.

PAT O’BRIEN’S

Above, my photo of Pat O’Brien’s shows many orbs.

Before Katrina, we routinely saw two or three orbs in a “good” photo.

Pat O’Brien’s is known for a haunted ladies’ room, an “eerie feeling” on the third floor, and unearthly footsteps wandering around the attic.
A happy, inebriated visitor–dressed in slightly old-fashioned clothing–appears and disappears just outside the front door of this popular bar. You won’t realize that it’s a ghost until it vanishes.

This is one of many haunted sites that is more wonderfully eerie now.

RELIABLE HAUNTS

Before Hurricane Katrina, the French Quarter was generally, mildly haunted. There were a few locations – such as the Hotel Monteleone and Brennan’s famous restaurant – which were more reliable “haunts” than others.

However, since Katrina, the Quarter’s ghosts have much more energy, and it’s easier to identify truly haunted locations.

For example: like many professional ghost hunters, I was skeptical about the Lalaurie Mansion. Of course, its “ghost” folklore is part of New Orleans’ rich history.

Since Katrina, the Mansion seems more clearly not haunted now. that’s especially true if you compare it with very evident ghosts at the nearby Ursulines convent, the Beauregard-Keyes House, and so on.

GHOST TOURS

new orleans ghosts and haunted places During our January visit, we enjoyed Haunted History’s evening ghost tour. This NOLA tour is so well-respected and popular, it remained in business while many other tours folded.

Haunted History’s guides mix fun, folklore, and carefully-researched history in a two+ hour tour featuring well-known and little-known ghosts in the French Quarter. (Visit Haunted History Tours‘ website.)

The photo at right is one of over a hundred orb photos that I took during one of their January 2006 ghost tours.

A MUST-VISIT FOR GHOST HUNTERS

In general, the French Quarter is more vividly haunted than I’ve ever seen it in the past. And, with fewer tourists right now, there’s less psychic “noise” to camouflage the energy from both active and residual energy hauntings.

I don’t know how long these ideal conditions will continue. If you’re a ghost hunter, I recommend visiting the French Quarter as soon as possible. It’s a remarkable opportunity to witness rich, genuine hauntings in America’s most haunted city.

AND HOW TO FIND EVEN MORE GHOSTS IN NEW ORLEANS…

Gilson Road Cemetery, NH – Weird ‘Vampire’ Mist (2005)

If you’re looking for a real, scary ghost photo, this may be it.

When you’re studying ghosts and hauntings, and have taken thousands of cemetery pictures, orbs become routine.

I also know what my (film) camera’s limits are, in dark, damp, and misty conditions. So, I discount photos that might be caused by the weather or my own breath.

(The latter is why I recommend holding your breath when you’re taking a photo: Make sure your own exhales aren’t putting moisture in front of the lens.)

So, when I see something like the eerie mist in this photograph, I get very excited about it.

Forget about the bell-shaped orbs; they were just the fog when I took this photo. (That’s one reason I like this Canon camera. Its internal lenses refract light bouncing off moist air in a bell-shape that can be used to distinguish “fake anomalies” from the real ones.)

However, the mist coming up from this grave fascinates me. It reminds me of vampire movies. (Later note: This article was written long before the Twilight series was even written.)

I like the contrast between the rising mist -whatever it is – and the larger water droplets in the air, which photographed as “bells.”

I’m not claiming that this mist is an anomaly. I don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely rising up from one of the haunted graves where we get our strangest “ghost photos.”

This was taken at Gilson Road Cemetery, Nashua, NH, on 26 Nov 1999, at about 6 p.m. The grave belongs to Rufus Lawrence.

When we charted the non-orb anomalies we’ve captured on film at this cemetery, his grave is Ground Zero for many of them. For example, the purple-streaked photo (featured elsewhere at this site) was take just to the right of Mr. Lawrence’s headstone.

Camera: Canon Snappy LXII, point-and-shoot
Film: Kodak Max 800 ASA

(Yes, this is a color photo, and no, I didn’t edit it with PhotoShop or any other program.)

Read more about Haunted Gilson Road Cemetery.