Hollow Hill

Baseline Yourself for Ghost Hunting

Let’s say you’re ghost hunting.

Suddenly, you feel uncomfortable, ill, or emotional.

Are you sure that it’s something paranormal?

A simple, baseline check can help you decide what’s really going on.

That’s why I created a worksheet of emotions, with some instructions. It’s a free download, linked at the foot of this article.

The worksheet can be carried with you, so – at a glance – you can tell how you feel before the investigation.

Then, during the investigation, it’s easy to check for (and identify) possible paranormal influences on your emotions.

How to Baseline Yourself Before a Ghost Hunt

Here’s what you’ll do.

First, discover what’s normal for you. Check how you feel when you wake up in the morning.

Note your feelings regularly throughout the day, and then at night when you’re tired.

That gives you an idea of what your normal is.

Then, before each investigation, pause. Check your physical, mental, and emotional state. See if it’s normal for you, or if you might be especially vulnerable during this particular ghost hunt.

Let a team member know, if necessary.

In general, by running a “baseline check” of yourself, you can be more confident when something odd happens at a haunted site.

The chart can help you evaluate external emotions – perhaps coming from a ghost – as well.

That’s essential for sensitives, psychics, and mediums.

Knowing what’s you and what’s not you… that helps you establish boundaries.

Free Download

Here’s the free Baseline Yourself PDF.

Print copies to share with your team members. This approach may not suit everyone, but when it’s useful… it’s really useful.

Download the free PDF instructions and worksheet, here.
[https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0Q4gQP_1SklZHZxelBUeUdVaGc]

Ghost Hunting on TV… Is It Real or Not?

Since I’ve been a resource for TV and movie producers, people ask me if ghost hunting on TV shows are real.

The (too simple) answer is no, they’re not.

Those shows may represent what we do, as ghost hunters. But even the most authentic shows are edited to make them more entertaining.

They have to be. If the shows were 100% real, few would watch them. What really happens at haunted sites isn’t nearly as exciting as what you see on your TV, or heavily-edited YouTube (etc.) videos.

So, don’t try to use ghost hunting TV shows as training for your own investigations.

That can be risky, foolhardy, and —in some cases — miss the point of real ghost research.

Here are some points to keep in mind

1. **TV shows don’t represent how many houses we visit that aren’t haunted.**

The majority of houses that seem haunted are either victims of high EMF or infrasound levels, or some other very normal (if odd) explanation.

Even if they are haunted, the issue could be related to residual energy, not a ghost or an active entity.

So, what you’re seeing on TV represents a tiny percent of the sites are visited (by location scouts like me) before we find one that seems actually haunted and worth filming

2. Demons and malicious spirits are very rare.

If you think you’re being bothered by a demon, call an expert, not just the local ghost hunting club.

However, demons and evil entities appear at about 1% of the hauntings we’ve encounter… if that many.

It’s important to recognize the difference between hostile spirits that want their homes (or lives) back, and actual malicious entities like demons.

3. Don’t let TV shows convince you that most ghosts are evil or dangerous.

They’re not. Watch the “ghostly” TV shows & movies of the past, and see how they portrayed ghosts.

Though they’re not accurate, either. However, they might provide balance to the panic and fear featured on many of today’s ghost-related TV shows.

Topper – the Cary Grant movies
Topper – the TV series
Ghost & Mrs. Muir – original movie with Rex Harrison
Ghost & Mrs. Muir – TV series (unavailable in Dec 09)
One Step Beyond – TV series (described as “historic accounts” of paranormal events) (Episode on YouTube (one of many)

4. Provoking ghosts? No. Please don’t do that.

Instead, look for someone like “ghostbait”: Someone who, just by being there, seems to attract ghosts and hauntings. Most ghost hunting teams seem to have one member that attracts ghosts like a magnet.

When filming TV shows, provoking may be a fast way to get a dramatic response for the camera. In real life, it’s a bad idea.

5. ‘Tis the season!

When you’re watching “A Christmas Carol,” think how you might interpret Scrooge if you were at a location that he (and his ghostly companion) were visiting. Would you think Jacob Marley was a ghost that is scary, or needs help to “cross over”?

TV shows aren’t “reality.”

(Even TV producers changed the term to “unscripted,” since they didn’t want to be sued for pretending a show was “real.”)

Don’t try to mimic TV shows or movies. Don’t take seriously any advice from paranormal TV shows. In many cases, the ghost hunter didn’t really say whatever-it-is; their advice was edited to give the audience chills.

Learn what ghostly phenomena really are. Study the history of paranormal research. Discover what psychics and ghost hunting equipment really do.

Explore haunted places with a pro. Events are a good starting point.

Never go ghost hunting alone. Always have a level-headed person with you, and — if you feel frightened during an investigation — leave at the first hint of danger.

**TV shows can be fun to watch, but most don’t represent what we really do as ghost hunters.**

You’re seeing an edited version, sometimes staged, and filmed with a specific production goal in mind.

Real ghost hunting is different.

How to Join a Ghost Hunting Team

cem1-pd Many people have asked me about finding and joining a local ghost hunting group.

THE BASICS

First, be sure to read the articles in my free ghost hunting course, Introduction to Ghost Hunting.

From the second lesson:

Locate at least one ghost hunting group in your area. Search at Google, Yahoo, etc., using the name of your city or town, plus the word “ghosts.” If that doesn’t work, try your county name and the word “ghosts.” If that still doesn’t help, try your state or regional name, and the word “ghosts.”

If you don’t find a local group, or none of them are right for you, ask friends if they’d be interested in ghost hunting at dusk or later.

When think that you have enough people — and collective expertise — to try a ghost hunt, choose a well-known haunted site (a place that’s open to the public) and visit it shortly before dusk.

If you decide to start your own group, be sure to take my free course first, and carefully read Part 4. Learn what to think about when you launch a ghost hunting group.

COMMITMENTS

If you’re asked to sign an agreement, make sure that you can leave the group easily — and without penalties of any kind — if it’s not a good match for your interests.

If there are any “non-disclosure” terms, don’t join that group. Be suspicious of anyone who’s keeping secrets from others.

THE MONEY QUESTION

Groups may charge a small fee to cover their actual expenses. However, be sure you know where the money goes and be certain that you’re getting your money’s worth.

Money key Don’t pay anyone for anything at all, unless the price is extremely low. It’s not that the course (or whatever) isn’t worth it, but if you’re on a shoestring budget or beginning this as a hobby, for now, there’s no reason to pay someone over $100 for.. well, anything.

Of course, weekend conferences and professionally-taught courses are an exception to the $100 rule. But, even then, don’t spend money you can’t afford.

If you pay in advance for a class, a conference, or a ghost-related event, always get a written receipt with the refund information on it. Don’t be uncomfortable about asking for one.

You can dispute payments made through PayPal, but it helps if you have either an email stating refund terms, or a screenshot of the group/event’s website page explaining refund policies.

Here are a few other points to watch for.

Don’t pay anyone an “investment” fee to be part of an entourage or work with anyone. (At least one questionable investigator is using that term to solicit money.)
Don’t buy supplies for anyone or any group, with the idea that you’ll be paid back in the future or given special status.
Don’t believe anyone’s promises that they’ll make you a star or build a career for you. (That’s another line some con artists use.)

You can learn ghost hunting without spending a cent. It’ll take you more time than if you took classes with a professional (or a good, experienced group), but you can acquire a very solid foundation in paranormal research, on your own.

MAKING CONTACT

Have patience when you contact groups. The good ones are overloaded with work, and under-staffed.

(Each year, the media begin contacting me in July for Halloween-related interviews. So, don’t expect quick responses from any professional-level group, from September through mid-November.)

Affiliate with no group until you’ve worked with them for at least a month. Well, except TAPS, maybe. (That is, the real TAPS and their family of investigators, not some group that’s illegally using the TAPS name.)

Other than that… get a good sense of whether the chemistry works and if their views fit with yours, before you make any kind of commitment.

IN GENERAL

Most ghost hunting groups have a website. You can usually find them with Google, combining “ghost hunting” and your town or city name.

If a group has been around for at least two or three years, and you respect the members, ask if you can join them for a few ghost hunts.

If you can’t find a local group, go to free events at bookstores, etc., related to paranormal topics. (They’re most popular around Halloween.) Ask friends at school or work if they’re interested in ghosts and haunted places.

Find at least two or three people to explore ghost hunting with you, and you’ll soon attract others with similar interests.

The vast majority of ghost enthusiasts are wonderful people and you’ll enjoy your research with them. However, it’s smart to be cautious at first.

Use common sense. Don’t be afraid to admit if you’re uncomfortable with a person or a group, or if a haunted location seems “not right.” Leave immediately, and then see if you can figure out what bothered you.

Participate in ghost research and investigations as long as it’s fun and interesting. That could continue for a month, a year, or much longer.

With no formal system of credentials and certification, this field can seem confusing to newcomers. However, with just a little experience, you’ll soon learn the questions to ask and what to look for when you accompany a group on an investigation.

What Ghost Hunting Equipment Should Every Ghost Hunter Have?

Ghost hunting equipment can be useful in any haunted setting.

Some researchers confirm anomalies using cameras, EVP recorders, digital thermometers, compasses, EMF devices, and so on.

Others focus on psychic readings with Tarot cards or other divinatory tools.

Some people use dowsing rods and pendulums, which some claim are psychic tools, while other point to their scientific support.

(I no longer recommend any divinatory tools, including dowsing rods and pendulums, except to rule out underground streams or electrical wiring that could produce false anomalies. Since 2021, there’s been a dramatic uptick in demon-like activity in connection with divination, and not just Ouija boards.)

But, the question remains:

**What tools must every beginner have for ghost hunting?**

Here’s my answer: Nothing!

You need no special equipment, not even a camera.

You don’t need special training, either.

Really.

If you’re a beginner – or just curious – you should be able to show up at a place that’s haunted and sense something odd there.

That’s what ghost hunting is.

You go to places that might be haunted, and see if you sense anything odd there.

If it doesn’t make sense or can’t be explained, it’s called an anomaly.

The more often you go on ghost hunts, the more sensitive you’ll become to ghostly anomalies. It’s that simple.

What to Expect on a Ghost Hunt

On a successful ghost hunt, you may experience an eerie feeling, a chill, or hair lifting on the back of your arms.

Some people hear things, which can range from noises that everyone hears – tapping, for example.

You may hear strange sounds that no one else does.

(Here’s a good way to ask others about it, without tipping your hand: Ask “Did you notice anything odd?” or “Did you hear something?”)

Some people receive strong impressions, or see something flicker, off to one side. Or, they may detect a perfume or an aroma.

Any of the five senses can be involved, or you may have a ‘sixth sense’ experience.

Those are the experiences that will make the biggest impressions. That’s what confirms that a site really is haunted.

Never feel that you must own or invest in ghost hunting equipment.

Sure, your phone may have a great camera for ghost hunting. Or a voice recorder for EVP.

But what if it doesn’t…? Or what if your phone quits working at a haunted site? (It happens, often. Some of us blame that on quirky EMF levels.)

Just go and enjoy the ghost hunt!

Ghost Hunting is About Observing

On 90% of investigations, ghost hunting is about the experience.

When you’re ready to add ghost hunting equipment – and you never have to – go slowly.

Experiment. Borrow others’ equipment for a few minutes on a ghost hunt. See if it works for you.

Some people never seem to get anything interesting in photos or videos.
Others see no results with EMF detectors.
Me…? I’ve never had much success with EVP. I have a voice recorder for ghost hunting but rarely use it.

No two researchers are the same. Don’t invest in equipment unless you’re sure that it’s useful for you.

Meanwhile, don’t worry that you’re missing out on anything.

ALL You Need is an Interest in Ghosts

There are no tools and there is no training that you absolutely must have to be a successful ghost hunter.

Sure, courses can help shorten your trial-and-error phase, and you can learn from team leaders and even ghost hunting TV shows.

However, I want to make this very clear: You need no equipment at all to be a successful ghost hunter.

Just get out there with a friend or two. Start investigating.

No tools. Just your five (or six) senses.

That’s all.

With each investigation, you’ll become more accomplished as a ghost hunter.

Here’s an “insider” secret.

Many – perhaps most – professionals in this field aren’t impressed when someone talks about their ghost hunting equipment.

First tell us what you experienced. Then – and only then – if you have EVP to share, or you can describe simultaneous EMF spikes, or have other evidence to support what you witnessed, we’re interested.

What matters is when you can state confidently, “This is what happened,” and then tell us the story.

Ghost hunting equipment going wonky…? It could mean anything.

Or it might mean something we can’t fully understand, yet…

What matters is your experience.

And, for that, you don’t need ghost hunting equipment.