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ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE TO THE PARANORMAL FIELD, By Carrie Shimkus founder of M.A.G.I.C .

As we begin a new era comes forth more acceptances in paranormal studies. Popular TV shows, the news, media and those alike bring this into your home for you to ponder the thought of other possible existence. This puts forth a persuasive eloquence to its viewers and now everyone wants to “hunt for ghosts.” Seen the news recently? I am sure you have seen the strange unorthodox videos being presented to be of paranormal decent. I am sure you remember the Gas Station Ghost? The ghost-like blue glow that appeared at Marathon Gas Station in Parma Ohio that moves around the screen for half an hour, leaves, and then returns. At one point it seems to land on a car windshield, and then it floats away. Later to find out that it was a plastic bag. Or what about the “supposed” ghost caught in the Oklahoma Impound lot seen on ABC news? Found out later to be not paranormal at all. It wasn’t a ghost.. What they did catch was a hoax and this was all brought to you by uneducated individuals who thought they caught a ghost without even investigating for its authenticity before presenting it to the public. We are to believe it must be true because hey it was on the news right? We are only human. What kind of message is this sending? There are also faults within specific shows on the paranormal. With that being said comes on a new age of responsibility and challenges for those in this field. This field is tough enough without having people believing in something that is misrepresented.
Following suit of the point I just stated, I have something to say that affects me, my team and others out in the field who have expressed their concerns.
Paranormal study should not be treated as a fly by night field. Yes we do investigate at night but that is not what I am expressing when I say that. There are too many that start a group, and the next thing you know where did they go??These rogue groups visit places trespass and investigate homes and don’t follow up with the person who needed help. It’s tough because the real investigators are trying to understand life beyond death, study in a scientific nature, and experiment with controls to help those who need a better understanding to what they may or may not be experiencing.
I have been in this field of investigating for over 10 years. Now with paranormal acquiescence puts forth new challenges. When I first started out there was about 4 or 5 groups that where in this state. Over the past 3 to 4 years it’s grown to a whopping 32. That is a significant increase. The New England area has been greatly impacted because of one of the popular TV shows home base happens to be in RI. I personally feel that the increase of groups that are starting is because of the fad. This is haphazardly becoming a problem.
What TV portrays to what it actually takes to investigate is at two total ends of the spectrum. With all of the TV programs you get those that say “oh that looks easy I want to do that.” Wha-la new group is formed. I am sure some really do their homework to see what is involved but you get those who just want to hunt a ghost. Most likely people who are thrill seekers will fade out as quickly as they pop up but who does this effect? Those who have been doing this for a long period of time who are struggling to keep respect in this field. I have seen so many thrill seekers never contacting the people to which they investigated. They just go in gather evidence leave without even helping the client. This all just too much to swallow for me. To be honest this field is not that simple. This field takes a lot of hard work, time and dedication. Trust me I have been doing it over ten years. I have learned a lot from mentors, books and most importantly from being in the field. Yes my group has encountered problems like members coming and going, conflicts between members and so on. Talk to those who have been doing this for a while.. Every group will have problems. But you really need to ask yourself where will I be in 6 months? Will I still want to do this? Will I be dedicated enough to commit to deadlines when it comes to the clients best interest and presenting evidence? Will I truly be able to help those who are experiencing something of paranormal origin or will I just stop at collecting evidence?
I am not trying to be discouraging nor am I against those who truly want to do this for the science or wanting solidified answers. This field is not for fame, popularity, because it is cool to capture a ghost on film, it is not for competition and if you are doing this to create a name for yourself for those purposes then please for the sake of this field.. DON’T!!! FIND SOME OTHER HOBBY. Yes there are famous tv shows Ghost Hunters, A Haunting, Paranormal State and others that have peeked one’s interest to get started in this field. But some should really consider the presentation of so called requisites of investigating that these shows portray. There is so much more to it when you are in the field.
As far as those who are serious about this field and are starting new please educate yourself. It is imperative. I cannot stress this enough. I am not saying that I or my team is the “all knowing” when it comes to this field of study. There are no experts in this field. We are still learning every day. What I am saying is don’t fall prey to believing that the methods and ideologies you have seen on TV are the only “right” way to investigate. There are other mechanics that one should consider in this field. Please don’t be be obtuse to think “I saw that on tv so that must be the right way to conduct an investigation.” Yes there are books out there that are helpful with methods of how to conduct yourself on an investigation, what tools to use etc but just because you read a book or watch TV doesn’t make you a good investigator in this field. It boils down to practice and set controls. Yes some of what you see and hear is part of common practices but let’s not fall into only ones belief system on how to investigate the paranormal. You need to explore, experiment, and try new methods. You also need to keep an open mind that it is possible that the tools or methods that others could be using could be wrong.
I have read many books on investigating and there are so many different methods and tools supposedly used to capture an unknown presence. Some say an EMF detector can pick up a presence once ruling out other possible know causes to EMF, or a thermal scanner can detect a change in atmospheric temperatures, Geiger counter etc.. the list is endless. I want to explain some things here then let you decide. Lets start out with the famous EMF detectors. You see these more often than not in a paranormal investigators tool box.
However where does one have proof that electromagnetic fields can create paranormal? It is presumed that an “entity” needs energy in order to manifest itself right? That makes sense? I am sure you have heard this before. But under what conditions has this been proven? Why is a tool being used to find a ghost when there is no definitive reason to other than to find natural causes with this device? I do agree that the use of this device to rule out common causes to what one may be experiencing but where has it been proven that this gadget can actually detect a ghost? Where have you seen this proven? Detecting EMF fields are important to rule out what someone maybe experiencing and there is no doubt that short-term exposure to levels of electromagnetic fields can cause certain effects to an individual. There is concern on exposure to electromagnetic fields at different levels that can trigger biological responses such as nausea, fear of being watched, headaches, and as some would say cause a fear cage.
I sit in awe when I see people using EMF detectors to find a ghost. What we don’t do is a controlled study over a period of time to see if they actually work. We just presume because Joe down the street is using one to find a ghost we should use it in the same facet. There have been very little set standards to this device when used in the field of paranormal study. What about the famous thermal scanners. Yes they can detect a change in atmospheric temperature. But how accurate are these devices? You have to consider many things when using certain equipment. None of these tools have had enough research and set controls to even prove that they even work to find a ghost. They are good to rule out normal conditions but paranormal I still weigh the odds.
Here some other things you should think about. I should hope that if you have started or have been investigating for a while that you would know about false positives digital cameras can create. Basically you should be able to decipher main causes of orbs, ghost lights, and other infractions in your image are most likely 98% not paranormal. There are other things that are being taught and in my opinion should be considered a “false practice” or should have set standards because it could generate false evidence. Unless you are educated you are going to present things that could be easily explained. Consider wireless equipment. Did you know that if there can be remnants of other feed from possibly a house that has a wireless security system with in the area in which you are investigating. Did you know that it can bleed over if the frequencies are within a certain range? I see these groups on TV and in the field using wireless devices. To be honest they shouldn’t be or either that explain what can create a false positive when using such equipment. Educate the public! If you want to collect valid data that has no possible way to debunk what you truly capture, then I would recommend hardwire your cameras. There is also some issues with the use of digital recorders. Did you also know that radio waves can bounce off satellites and land in the area that you are recording and you can pick it up on your digital recorder also as well as interfere with wireless cameras/audio? This actually happened to one member of another team. He got a preacher off a radio station in GA when he was at a location in MA. He wasn’t educated enough to understand that this could happen and then claimed it to be a residual haunt. When doing research I was able to find out exactly what station, get a recorded copy of the sermon and was able to compare it to the recording. It was a spot on match. When I brought what I found to him he didn’t want to believe me. He still claimed it as being paranormal. Did you also know that a digital recorder can pick up any other wireless devices such as a walkie talkie in within a certain range? You may leave a recorder in a room and be at the opposite end of a house, use a walkie talkie and it is possible that the recorder can pick it up. This has also happened. We thought we got an EVP later to find out it was me talking over the radio to investigators outside because they saw a shadow in the window. I told them I was in the children’s room and coincidentally it was when another investigator was doing an EVP session down stairs. He had asked if there was children at the location. When listening to the recording he got a female voice saying I am in the children’s room He didn’t have a radio on him so he thought he captured an EVP. It wasn’t paranormal it was me. Jim Brown owner of Jims Destinations Research and Co contributor to IPI, has being doing EVP study for a lengthy period of time he says “ If the recorder is not encased correctly, any type of frequency can affect your recording.” also “learn about your equipments faults before deeming something paranormal.” You can find more info to this on his website or infomation after **located at the end of this article to back up what I am talking about. Did you also know that when you use an EMF device that it should be the only electronic device that you hold, or you should be wise that any other device could possibly set it off giving you a false positive? Don’t forget about that cell phone you may have in your pocket either. Do you know how many times I have seen others on TV use an Emf detector and have another device in their hands or be close to someone else using tools that could set it off. I have sat back and watched as they have an EMF detector in one hand to do a sweep and have another electronic tool in the other hand. “Wow did you see that? It the meter just jumped” Ok now realistically the guy on TV just put his EMF detector in his other hand with his recorder or walked past someone recording. Common people seriously. Never mind the famous IR cameras. I have talked so many others in that have been in this field 15 to 20 years who have used IR cameras in locations where they got ghostly images or captured paranormal video of things moving about. When compared to other devices nothing ever showed up on the IR camera. When we watch certain things from other famous people do you ever see evidence to back it up from a regular camera? Probably not, you typically only see the IR. I personally know of an individual from another team who took a second mortgage out on his house to purchase an IR camera. He thought it would be a great benefit to have it. So far it’s been two years and he really hasn’t picked up much with it. To him it’s a good device to learn about heat sources drafts etc but he’s disappointed he spent thousands of dollars and didn’t research this tool out. I am not trying to put the point across that this device doesn’t work I just think that there needs to be more testing to its logic.
I am not trying to sound pompous with my explanations and there is so much more I could talk about. I am trying to educate those who are serious in this field and who don’t want to look like fools when called out to prove your evidence. You really need to consider what tools you use and how you claim your findings. I stress that I am not claiming to be an expert. There are no experts in this field. Unless you really look into the possibilities of your equipments faults then you may be presenting bogus evidence to the public. I feel that there needs to be more education and we really need to all get on the same page with methods and equipment to try to capture what one would think is of paranormal origin.
Thinking about the history of this field one should question why are we not further along in this study? Paranormal study isn’t a new thing. Just because over the past 6 to 10 years it’s been more recognizable in the public’s eye through TV, media, etc. It’s been around for over 100 years. Did you know that some of the earliest formal inquiries into studies of the paranormal began in the mid 19th century primarily in England? The first recognizable organized group called the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) which was founded in London, England in the late 1880s. This study into psychical research has been in existence for about as long as physicists have been studying quantum mechanics. The 20th century has brought forth new light into the scientific field of paranormal and now this field is studied worldwide. Parapsychology in all ranges is perhaps the least represented in the field of all the sciences. This is particularly is astounding considering that paranormal study has been around for at least a century. One would think from the time this study started until now that there would be some sort of basic methods, standards or tools to study paranormal existence. You figure looking into the development of modern technology; Alan Turing was the genius in 1937 who invented the first computer, then in 1943 Flowers in Bletchley Park built the first Colossus machine that was used to crack the German military cipher machines. As time went on technology invited creativity and look at computers today. Don’t you think that this field should be as far into the technology basic tools specific to paranormal investigating? And don’t you think that there should be monetary standards used? If the paranormal was recognized back in the 1800’s why are we still stuck where we are today using tools that electricians, mechanics or firefighters use? I have some opinions to the reasons this field has yet to become an applied science.
First off people do not share a common ground when we are in this field and there are too many different methods to which one investigates. It could be because they have a religious purpose that they incorporate into the field, they are going at this in a medium ship/sensitive sort of way, or they are going at this scientifically but possibly with different controls. That is fine, but most in this field are not sharing possible evidence gathered from any angle with set standards. Most in this field try experiments but do not share with others the outcome or a possible theory thus leaving others to basically figure it out on their own. No wonder this field is laughed at.. Seriously think about it. With all the groups out there now there should we should be further along with cause and effect of the paranormal and have tools made specifically for this field. I know some will say what about that device that they use on TV. Well I am glad to see something invented but I am not talking about the tinker toy that is being sold known as the K2 meter. I am not knocking it I just have my issues with this device and there should have been more study with its purpose before it was released. The K2 or KII is the lowest end EMF meter currently available on the market. The meter has an extraordinarily high defect rate and is less than durable to say the least. The display is easy to read but that is simply because of the 5 LED display. It is easy to misinterpret by being overly sensitive, and cell phones, walkie talkies, and other electronic devices will set it off. So none the less, not a tool that one should rely on when investigating.
Now with the intent of new discovery comes competition between some groups that are out there to make a name for them. I see this often I am sure you have heard the term “We’re in the money” well I have seen in this field but it should be sung “We’re in the rivalry” thus causing competition, feudalism, and segregation in this field. Not only that I have seen the “I am better then you because I have done this” or “I have investigated in famous places with famous people”, I see people that strive solely to be recognized for popularity rather than help people or get strive to understand this in a scientific manner. More so I see groups claiming to be better because they have scientists, professional photographers, or others who have degrees. Yes it is good to have these sort of professionals on your team. I agree but that doesn’t make you better than those who don’t have a degree in these fields. I think those who have that sort of education should be teaching others in the field outside of the group in which they participate. But instead I see them using for their own groups benefit to claim to be better than others. This has become a more of a competition rather than a common science. I sit here and shake my head all the time. You know something when talking about popularity. My team has investigated with some of those that you have seen on TV. No Big deal. The funny thing is you probably never heard of me or my team. I don’t expect you to, and it’s No big deal. To be quite honest if it wasn’t for some of those people on TV, The start of MAGIC would not have been possible. We used to be part of the TAPS Family and I give credit to them for their assistance with us forming. I applaud how far they have come from when I first knew them. However in our best interest we chose to go our own way once we knew of the show. And I am sure that if we stayed in the Family and performed to their standards then it is possible that we could be further along with more home investigations etc. But to be honest I would rather know that I can integrate science and methods as a “serious” investigator without riding the coat tails of someone else’s fame to do just that. I could sit here and tell all sorts of details but to be quite honest it’s a waste of my time and I am sure you get my point.
My purpose in writing this article is to express my disgust to those who have made this field harder for those who are serious. Not to hinder or repute my predecessor who helped establish my group. But as I stressed earlier with heightened publicity does come responsibility. TV has hindered this field profusely. I am not talking about the naysayers and the cynics. I am talking about everyone else in this field that has had a negative serious impact on others.
So where does that leave us who are dedicated to make this a recognizable respected field? This field has become so competitive that everyone wants be the sole person to find the secret to Pandora’s box so to speak. I say Go for it. I wish you the best of luck. For those who want to try going at this together full force, scientifically and respectfully instead of as a pseudoscience,lets work together. I am talking about the teams of investigators who are professional, respectful to the field and their clients, who want to find true scientific methods to this practice. Those who want to show everyone that you are out there either to make money, get publicity, or mock the field by presenting bogus evidence I do wish you the best for luck.

Visit our Affiliate Jims Destinations Website

** MORE ON RADIO WAVES READ BELOW

HF Propagation - reflecting radio waves off the ionosphere

Charging for a Hobby and a Science Right or wrong?- By Kimberly Sherman Cook

It has been a recent hot topic of debate whether or not paranormal groups should be charging for the investigation of “suspicious or haunted places”. I find this a compelling topic that appears to have two very heated sides to it. One side would say they are charging in order to pay for equipment, gas, supplies and other such things. They might even go so far as to say they are providing a service to the people they are investigating. The other side would argue that it is up to the individual who chooses to study the field to supply these things as we have not proof that we can not conclusively know what the paranormal is and thus should not expect it to be paid for by someone else.
In order to get a better grand scheme picture of the types of groups involved in the argument I thought it might be helpful to look outside of the paranormal and get some real world perspectives to compare it to. I started with scientists. When a scientist is interested in something he does not walk out his/her front door and claim to be an expert on the subject. He knows he/she merely has an idea and is going to have to prove it exists and to see where it goes. The scientist will spend many hours and much of his/her own money experimenting to prove the theory holds truth. He or she won’t charge others interested in the theory, but might ask them to lend their expertise in order to find out more about whether their theory works or not. Further until the scientist has done many, many experiments and has a working model that proves true over and over again he wouldn’t dream of charging others to use his theory.
Engineers and inventors are no different. They too are looking for new ideas, searching for new products, and creating new things every day, but they do not charge for a thought until a prototype has been established that works and has proven itself to work over and over again. Then they might consider selling the plans to a company who can produce it on a larger scale. Here is where I believe the average experienced paranormal investigator stands. This we will say is group two. They are the group that is against charging for the “service” they are providing because they are studying and trying to make sense of a theory that they have no “proof” for other than the experiments they are accumulating.
Then you have the other side of the coin. On this side of the coin you have people who are technicians, we will say computer techs as an example, they claim big knowledge and expertise, but when faced with a problem they cave under the pressure and cop to the fact that they actually know a lot on paper but have little or no experience or worse they make something up that is false to cover their tracks. There are web designers with no background or degree in their field claiming to be able to do wonderful things, but they fall short when faced with real coding issues and other unexpected phenomena. There are religious people who claim to be priests /priestesses /ministers /reverends but have little more than an online two-minute ordination to back this up, or worse have little or no understanding of the religion they are working with. Yet they are running around like little Demi Gods waiting to be worshiped by their loyal followers. Finally we have con men that make a living out of impersonating the professionals.
There are people everywhere who are waiting to scheme to make money off of us and provide very little or nothing in return. Here is where I will classify the paranormal "show men". They are those that make claims that they cannot hold up to. They come in guns a blazing with loads of fancy equipment and language that others don’t understand. They make themselves look like the “real thing”. They do not necessarily have the training or background, nor do they have the expertise. They are not con artists per say, but they are certainly not entirely honest either. If and when something really does go wrong people begin to see a different side of them. Suddenly they don’t have all the answers and start back peddling leaving the “serviced” client upset and confused. Didn’t they pay good money for an expert?
So with this new perspective lets consider the argument. Some important questions to ask might be any number of the following. If a group starts charging what are they charging for? A Hobby, a scientific study of what “might be out there”, a educated guess? Are they charging the client to do? What is the client paying for equipment, gas, or even supplies? Well if you were doing model cars as a hobby would you charge someone else for the supplies for your hobby? If you were a scientist would you charge someone for your experimental supplies and just who could you charge for your own experiments on a theory you are trying to prove to be true?
Sure money sounds good to anyone. The Ghost Hunters make money right? Yes, but where to they make their money from? Sci-fi pays them not the client being “serviced”. Yes, they got lucky, it’s a shot in a million. I am wiling to bet that Sci-fi also pays for most of their equipment that gets used on the show, again not the client paying for the equipment.
Now, Lets get back to the real problems that face those who argue for charging for paranormal “services”. Here are some of the potential problems that they will face as paranormal investigators. If they claim to provide a “service”, then they are claiming to have factual, accurate knowledge and methods that have been proven to irrefutably produce a specific accurate result in the field of study they are working in. Further they are entering into an agreement that says they can and will fulfill that service. It is a simple lawful contract that happens whenever money is exchanged for goods or services. The government will now require them to file company tax returns and other such explanations of activities and expenses. They will have to function like any other business entity. If they don’t want to pay taxes they will have to pay exuberant fees and file loads of paperwork to become a legal nonprofit corporation, which leads to them not being able to charge again.
Then there is the problem of finding or not finding paranormal activity, and what to do about it. Does this mean they guarantee they will find something? If they don’t are they going to make something up so they can charge the client more? What are the client’s rights? Do they get a refund? In Massachusetts at least, any person entering into a contract for goods or services in exchange for money can sue for unfulfilled goods and services.
There is also the matter of at least one group who charges a fee to rid you of your ghost. I have actually seen this on their site, though they shall remain nameless. As a clergy member I found this almost laughable. How can you claim to rid someone of something when you consider that all that we know of the paranormal is that it exists but not in what context, in what form, or even to what degree. We honestly don’t know. So how exactly are you going to charge a client for a service that you can neither prove, disprove, or rid them of? And again what happens when that person comes back and tells you that your service did not work and your contract has still yet to be fulfilled. What happens when inevitably you cannot remove the paranormal activity because you have no proven way to do so?

What we do know about the paranormal is that we can't prove anything. We are all scientists who are trying to prove a theory, but last I knew there was not yet a proven method in order to do so. We are all trying to figure out, prove and otherwise gain rational for the irrational events that sometimes exist. The hope is that someday we might understand the fuller scope of the paranormal. Someday indeed we may be able to claim that we can actually get rid of spirits or at the very least send them on their way. But that day is not today. It will not be tomorrow, and it may not even be in our lifetimes.
That being said it concerns me that there are groups that feel it is ok to charge in the paranormal field. They have the potential to do irreversible damage to the reputations of the scientists in the field who are not looking for a hand out or a quick buck but are truly there to gain a better understanding of the paranormal or what we perceive as outside of the normal. As I have proven earlier on, charging for something does not make someone an expert at what they do, experienced or any more able to produce results. Those that charge can ultimately do to the paranormal field what fake psychics have done to real ones; make them un-trusted groups of people and fields of study that others should be skeptical of. Further it really makes a mockery of the whole idea of experimental science, which is what paranormal science is.
So what is the solution to keeping those who would do damage out? Well first let us remember that there will always be those around us that do the field damage. There will always be those who are unprofessional, untrustworthy, who are looking for the next big cool thing to do, and those that are less than desirable in their intentions. That is simply fact no matter the area of life we look at. However in order to be proactive in the matter of keeping it real in the paranormal field and in order to make things better for all; or at least stop the spread of sketchy practices you might consider the following solution as my humble suggestion for a positive spin on a bad situation. Why not form a coalition, an alliance with the people who do this for “real” ghost hunting?
The word coalition comes from the Latin coalescere 1 a: the act of coalescing : b: a body formed by the coalescing of originally distinct elements : combination2: a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action. (taken from websters)
If you want to band people together you have to accept their good and bad, their shortcomings and expertiese. At least in part the reason there are bad ghost hunters is because there is no one out there to teach them the difference between good and bad. My point is a good place to start might be by dropping the facades. There is something to be said for making friends and not competing with or putting each other down. More can be accomplished toward paranormal fact finding with teamwork than without. It doesn't mean you have to be "good buds" with everyone you meet, but the paranormal field should be able to be professional and keep a working relationship with each other, and yes this includes TAPS and other "name brand" teams.
Maybe what the New England paranormal field needs is for someone to put up a meeting of the minds with several local groups that are consider to be reputable. Invite all the local groups to meet up and get to know one another without pressure or competition. During the meeting offer up that the field needs to unify stating the reasons why it is a concern. Then listen to what everyone else has to say. If the consensus seems favorable then back it up with ideas that everyone can help expand and agree on. Make sure you can back it up with something positive to keep out the petty round and round finger pointing. Basically put the all call out to everyone you know to rally to the cause by making it a mutual idea that benefits everyone who has a paranormal group in the New England area.

Band together to create a simple working agreement that meets a specific criteria, which is seen as a standard for paranormal study and conduct, a paranormal code of ethics so to speak. What the criteria would be is up the groups that formed the original coalition. This will help foster a real world mentality because it was created by many not just one "father organization". The coalition should not be responsible for sharing information about their own cases, or even to work together unless they wanted to, there should be no dues, as this is about a mutual alliance not money or dues or who is better than whom. (It could be as simple as a web banner).
The premise would be simple, have each member of the coalition put a banner on each coalition members page that ties them to other groups in the area who share a mutual code of ethics in their study of the paranormal. Think of it more like a brotherhood. This could be something like "trusted and approved" by The Alliance For Mass Paranormal Investigation. Once the positive progress got around groups would want to join, and gain the respect of their peers. By stepping up the plate with those they respected they would have to meet the code of ethics or standards set by the original groups.
The other thing that could be potentially positive is that this will foster teamwork amongst groups and allow for back up regarding cases, allow for the exchange of information when desired about good or bad experiments, equipment and such, however keep in mind this is not the focus the focus is simple, to unify those that want to study and learn without placing restrictions, commitments, dues upon them.

The trick again is to keep it simple and non-committal. It might be pertinent to mutually agree that all the groups would meet up somewhere once every six months to have a group revise and training to help each other excel at the field or something of that nature. Finally when people are looking for a sound group to come in and investigate their home and they start seeing this banner on a few pages it will begin to make sense and word will travel fast. Because there is no restriction on groups each organization groups will still take their own cases and people will make their own decisions. The alliance is more like a safeguard within the field itself.
In all the key is to do something about it, be active not passive and put a positive spin on things instead of leaving it up to someone else, or hoping someone in the paranormal field will pick up the cause.

Good Luck to everyone in the paranormal!
Morgaine Aryiana
© 2007 all rights reserved (please do not redistribute, post or use this without the authors consent)

Dreams- By Jason Nickols

Do dreams have a connection with the supernatural, or unknown?
The question is simple enough. But the answer isn’t.
Dreams are a very powerful thing. They let us see things we normally wouldn’t. See people we haven’t seen, or spoken to in years. They let us visit places that we’ve only seen in pictures, or in the movies.
Most people will categorize dreams as subconscious manifestations while you sleep. Other people, like my father will say that dreams have a meaning. That they’re trying to tell you something.
There are plenty of other theories out there, but what if spirits, or ghosts could manipulate, manifest, or control dream patterns?
Perhaps dreams are a way for the unloving to contact the living without physically appearing in some manner.
If we go on the theory that spirits are energy, then exactly how difficult would it be for them to manifest within our dreams.
Our brains function with the help of electrical impulses created by the body. Many of the pieces of equipment used by investigators in the field are designed to pick up on different kinds of energy disturbances.
If it is possible for spirits to affect us during the waking hours with their energy, then what would keep them from affecting us while we sleep.
When my sister was young, she had recurring dreams when she would stay at a close friends house overnight.
She said she saw “skeletons hanging from the ceiling” of the house she was in. She also said she had dreams of a “devil”. She said that these dreams plagued her for years when she slept there. She also had an encounter while she wasn’t sleeping, but that is a story for another time. The house has a history of spiritual activity. To my knowledge her friend had the same dreams of skeletons hanging from the ceiling.
Now how could two teenage girls, who have no interest in the unknown, share the same dream?
There are individuals who will say that perhaps it was the power of suggestion. Perhaps it was just two young girls having fun.
But I think that it was communication between the living, and the dead.
I can’t begin to speculate why it appeared as it did. I don’t know enough about the houses history. But what I do know is that my sister is a very down to earth person. She has confessed to having run ins with the unknown only at this particular house. No others.
Perhaps spirits are trying to contact those who do not believe, and perhaps the dream is one of the places easiest to contact those people.
This next part was written by Hans Holzer a famous spirit investigator.
“When the dream includes specific details unknown to the dreamer at the time, and later found correct, then the dreamer is getting a psychic message in the dream state when his unconscious is free from the conscious mind, and thus easier to reach.”
Hans Holzer
“Ghosts”
pg. 609 Chapter 135 “The Restless Dead”
Copyright 1997 Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.

The first course in some food for thought.
If you have had dreams that you believe may be influenced by the unknown let me know. I’d love to hear from you. You can attain my email address at the Investigators page. Or click my name below. Under subject please type “Ghost Dreams”.

Beware - By Carrie Shimkus

Is it right to charge someone that maybe experiencing something of paranormal origin?
After visiting a few paranormal groups websites we found that some teams are indeed charging for an investigation. We also found that there are those charging for banishment (to remove an entity from a home). Please use common sense when you invite groups into your home. Check them out fully such as how many investigations have they had? Do they have a clean criminal background, can they provide tangible references of other groups they have worked with etc.? Though some groups may have someone that has a degree in photography, bioscience, engineering etc., keep in mind that no matter how many degrees one may have on a team there is no “degree” or “expert” in the field of the paranormal.
Charging people creates more problems. How can we charge for something if we can't even truly classify what exactly one may be experiencing. This field is recognized as a pseudoscience. Definition: “Pseudoscience is a methodology, belief, or practice that is claimed to be scientific, or that is made to appear to be scientific, but which does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology.” In other words paranormal study is a study that appears to be scientific but because there is no proof of existence, it cannot be claimed as an actual science.
MAGIC would never charge because paranormal investigators are not Lawyers one would hire to represent them in case where the decision is solely up to the judge or jury. Paranormal Study is not like going to a doctor where science has already classified what causes an illness and how it can be treated. This is not like calling an exterminator either to remove rodents or insects. Having the understanding that there is the possibility that something else exists, but to truly classify what it is and then say one can definitely remove it after they find it? That honestly does not make sense. How would you feel paying a ridiculous fee for an investigation/banishment and then finding out later that the noises you were hearing was just the house expanding/settling or bats in the attic? You would be at a loss.
Paranormal investigators may choose to go to a class or study the paranormal intensively but one cannot claim that they are an expert based on that. Though most groups may function as a business like a nonprofit, an experienced investigator will use his knowledge to help those who need help in understanding what they are experiencing
If you are experiencing some real true issue do you want to pay both emotionally and out of the pocket?
As it was stated above please use common sense when you invite groups into your home. No matter how many degrees one may have it does not classify them as an “expert” in this field and give them the right, at your expense, to charge.

TURNING POINT OF A NON-BELIEVER- By Carrie Shimkus

Most of us think that when the word “ghost” is mentioned that it’s automatically evil. This is in reference to religions that some of us believe in. We automatically presume that if its something that is unexplainable that it has to be bad or be the devils work. Scientists how ever believe that there is an explanation to everything that does or has occurred. But both don’t seem to ever agree. I am not claiming to be scientist or someone of great religious background but I want to make it clear that there are things that are out there that are unexplainable. I am doing this to study, learn ,educate those in having a better understanding and respect of what is unknown to prove it exists.

As a child till now, certain unexplainable things that have happened to me. Before being young and uneducated I didn’t believe in what I had experienced. There was always some logical reason that I thought of in my mind as to why things were happening. Now I can somewhat explain what was happening by what I have learned. I would have never thought that I would believe in something of this sort by far, but now I see myself learning more everyday. I have now increased my outlook on the possibilities of the occurrences than have taken place and ones that will in my life.

Not all things of the unknown in my eyes can be classified as evil or bad. I do feel that when dealing with certain types of paranormal activity there is some that can have that affect but not all. That’s why education in this field is very crucial. I have learned that most truehearted ghost investigators like myself are doing what we are doing to gather some sort of truth that lies behind the curtain we call life. We want to find authentic evidence and present it. There has been so much controversy between scientists, news/media, and just plain ordinary people. I do respect however all that the scientists have done as far as the evolvement of mankind But I know that scientists can’t come up with a logical answer of some things that do occur so that leaves us wondering what is out there. Now about the media and the news. Most news and/or media either do one of two things that I have noticed. They either don’t give enough information on the claimed paranormal activity or they don’t investigate its authenticity. Now we all watch the news! There was a recent case on the wrecking ball on video that had moved on its own later finding out it was a hoax. How do we know to believe in what they are saying to be true on ghostly events after what I just said? This makes our job as investigators harder to bring the truth out in the open. Now if some news broadcaster had back up support from scientists, with actual proof photographs, video and other phenomenon that were proven to be authentic and not a hoax, your belief would be stronger and less likely to judge what was presented to you.

Paranormal stuff has been around since the beginning of time. It has to have been, it would only make sense. All the old folklore stories and even in the bible it mentions things of not humanly manner. We all chose to believe in what we want to but usually when we do there is some sort of good reason behind it. From once a non-believer to someone who now is an investigator I feel that with people like us out there we may be able to produce a happy medium and an understanding. I want to be like those, a “true blue investigator” to educate all and gain some sort of respect to all paranormal.

PERCEPTION- By Carrie Shimkus

Perception in the dictionary is defined as: "becoming aware of through the senses;”

Perception is a large tool in everyday life. How we look at things, how we hear things, smell things, or even taste things. Our brain works in a mysterious way to help us understand our surroundings. There is a plethora of ways to tap into the meaning of different types of perception but just understanding the basic meaning is the key.

Ever walk into a museum with someone and look at the paintings on the walls together. One may see something in a totally different aspect than you and you may feel that they are wrong. So you may stand there and talk about what you both are seeing and both walk away still feeling that you are right in what you saw. What would be the harm in looking at it from their perspective as well? Maybe seeing it as /if looking through their eyes. May they did see a field with flowers in the painting rather than a parking lot with rocks. Maybe it ment something different to them but being a realist or seeing the little sign next to it that says “Parking lot with rocks” your more apt to argue with them.
"Perception in it self is reality.” "The belief of "right is right" and "wrong is wrong." is very common in today’s society. When someone did something wrong or saw things differently, most feel justified in making a judgment that he or she was wrong. However, if you take a step back and rationalize you may see things from a different aspect but most don’t.
This all falls true with the paranormal as well. Most seem to be skeptical or perceive things differently when you talk about ghosts or other beings that may exist out there. Or they are ready to debunk what they see in photographs or any other evidence that may be presented to them. “Critics” in their own mind, so to speak. “ There is no way that can be real!” “ I can’t believe that!” (Common phrases from a skeptic.). Or investigators themselves when out in the field may perceive other existence differently. Like one may smell something hear something, or see something, that others cant. It makes it harder to prove what may be out there but when you and others perceive things in the same manor or experience them together you are more likely to agree on something.
I do get asked questions from other investigators in other groups as well as the public I do feel that what I share holds some sort of paranormal activity. I wouldn’t want my credibility to be shot down” Then I ask them “ can you explain it?” Maybe they know or see something that I don’t. Try to see it from their perspective. I have had that discussion numerous times with different people. Or I get asked, “ how come I can’t seem to experience things that are paranormal like everyone else. They all see or have had things happen and I sit there trying to relate with them but I still see nothing?” After knowing of the circumstance I try to give them the best possible way to look at from all perspectives.

Here’s an example: I received an email the other day from a man who asked me “why does my wife see this apparition of a woman walk around the house and I don’t,"” Why does she experience all this stuff happening and when she tells me to look I don’t see a damn thing?" All I experience is the bed shaking once in a while but I never see anything." To get more of a background of his case I asked him if other men have experienced the same phenomenon in the house and he told me that he was the only one that didn’t seem to experience what they were. My best explanation to this is either one of two things one: maybe what ever they are experiencing just does want him to know it exists, or two: because his perception of it is conditioned. So I gave him some advice. I told him to stay calm and open his mind. Focus on what is happening rather than debunk its cause right from the start. If it doesn’t seem to have a logical explanation then let your perception open up a little. I received an email from him and he was excited to know that he could now experience what they were. He opened the door that was once shut. I am not saying this will work in all cases but the advice that I gave seemed logical and worked in his case. He is now more understanding of what others where seeing has caused him to ask us to come out and investigate because he has personally witnessed the phenomenon.
Or you can think about it this way. When you are young and you have an imaginary friend and your mom says to you “stop talking to that imaginary friend, its not real!” You as a child seem to shut of that gateway of other possibilities. What if it was real?? What if you remember the form of a person but shut that door because your mom asked you to. Could there be another explanation? Maybe because we become conditioned to perceive life in a certain way, we lose touch with other things?
What about all the people who get locked up in a mental institution because they claim to hear voices or see people that no one else seems to see. Now what if they really are experiencing things because there perception is open? "Society" thinks that they are loosing it because they cant relate to what the person seems to be experiencing. I am not saying here that all people in a mental institution are really seeing ghosts but is it possible that not all are mentally sick? There have been cases that psychologists have been stumped on but yet seem to blame a chemical imbalance and Because the therapist can’t comprehend it they automatically give it name and associate it with being mentally ill.
There are so many ways to look at perception and its cause and effect with people but here’s another point of view that most are ready to debunk or misbelieve.
Lets take a look at our sense’s in a different “perspective”. What if we all could tap into our own ESP or our "sixth sense". Have you ever got that feeling of what was going to be on the radio or who’s going to be on the phone as it rings or just the feeling that something bad was going to happen and then it did? Or the common one you hear of, a mother miles away knowing something happened to their child and they call and sure enough they are ill or injured. Do you ever wonder where this comes from? Well I believe we all have it in us its just getting in touch with our sixth sense like psychics do. A “true” psychic uses these the senses to explain things that are of the unknowing. Their perception is so great, they can tell us of things that they would never know of about us. But we still find ourselves looking at them in awe wondering how did they know that? That is why in the paranormal field a lot of groups use these types of people in their studies. Their intuitiveness is open and they can tell of things that the normal person cant. If you were to open up your perception of what is out there I feel that all of us will be able to see and grasp at what more life has to offer us.

I have learned a lot over the years that I have been doing research and I have come to one basic conclusion. Most of us humans see in a tunnel perspective in life. We focus on living in our current situation rather than exploring our surroundings and other possibilities. Now as an investigator I have learned to look at life openly. Perception must be examined from all angles to get a clear understanding of the situation. If we can do that, we can understand the different aspects of life. I know I'll never be fully aware of everything that may exist, but I know I will strive for more knowledge.
Paranormal research has been going on for along time. It’s not something that is new. I am glad to be part of something that opens the mind to look at things that could exist. Not that we all agree on what is out there but we do agree that there is something out there that has no explanation. But in the meantime, while I study the paranormal, I have a greater understanding of the phrase "perception is reality."
Two other famous sayings to consider:
'"'Reason'' is the cause of our falsification of the evidence of the senses" Friedrich Nietzsche 1844-1900, German Philosopher
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery everyday. .” Albert Einstein 1879-1955, German-born American Physicist

WORD TO THE WISE- By Carrie Shimkus

For those who chose to investigate the paranormal on your own please read this. I am not claiming to be an expert in the field of the paranormal but there are some concerns that my group and myself feel we should talk about. We do present ourselves in a professional manner and maintain high respect for this field. There are a lot of paranormal investigators from other groups who will agree that there are certain things that are giving people like us a bad name. We are out here to gather evidence for scientific purposes regarding paranormal anomalies. Our credibility goes out the window when you have people who present bogus evidence or do stupid things like trespass.
I have a few points that I would like to talk about pertaining to investigating in this field.

- Please if you choose to investigate a public place i.e.: cemetery, school, abandon buildings, roads, etc. get permission to do so first. There have been people who just go to a location for the thrill and to be quite frank when you just go w/o permission you are trespassing. This has caused those who are serious about the paranormal grief. Its harder for us to obtain permission because the owner of the premises think we are just thrill seekers or are going to vandalize locations.

- When using certain equipment make sure that you don’t combine certain ones together. If you are using a recorder its not recommended to use an EMF reader. We have found it can cause de-magnetization on the tape. Its best to have someone else use this equipment but to stay close by you. When using an emf reader make sure that there are no other electrical sources that could cause the meter to spike. A camera or recorder can cause it to jump if you have those in your hand as well.

- When gathering evidence such as photos, Evps , Videos etc. Please take into consideration natural causes before presenting it to be of paranormal origin. I find this happening all the time out there. Its very frustrating when you have people thinking that the orb in the photo is a ghost. Orbs have yet to be proven as ghosts just as energy. There are so many reasons of why orbs appear and most are not of paranormal decent. From reflections to dust to moisture to lens flare.. All causes of orbs in photos. If you think you have a genuine picture but are still curious about it, present it to someone who knows how to justify the difference.
If you are recording on a location please make sure you use blank tapes. When you record over and over again there are remnants left behind on the tape and can bleed through sounding like you have a ghostly voice. Also always document on tape who is with you, the place that you are investigating, and where you are in that location periodically. I recommend that you state the time every 10 minutes or so. If you do this and there are others recording but they are in the distance you can rule out their voices if they come across as Evps but are soft or appear to be ghostly. It also helps if you do come across something paranormal you have more substantiated evidence that can be compared to other findings at that time. Another thing please note if someone makes bodily noises, whispers or if there are back ground noises.
Video is something that we try to use on locations to witness the activity in real time as well as record it. Those who investigate in this field know that dust can cause the appearance of orbs when its dark and the light is on, on the camera. Another common problem when using a camera at night with night shot you can pick up lights in the background and when you move it can appear like a vortex or light flashes.

Its hard to present genuine evidence for people to review when there are people who don’t consider all the facts. Please, for the sake of the paranormal field, make sure what you are presenting has no other cause.

10 questions to ask

Having a problem that you feel might be paranormal can be a very sensitive issue. Before you decide to allow anyone to come into your home there are something’s that you as the home/business owner, should think about.

1. How many investigations has the group done? Having just having someone in your home that you don’t know, can be a stressful event especially when you feel that there might be something paranormal there with you. Do research on the groups experience in the field. You want to have a seasoned group that has an understanding of how to investigate by eliminating all common and natural causes first. Think about it this way. Majority of cases that are taken on in this field have been proven out to be of natural causes. Expansion of the home, water pipes, rodents, sound traveling through drains, the list could go on. More often then not it’s not paranormal! Someone from a group who starts off by telling you that there is something in your dwelling without actually investigating, our suggestion would be to find another team. A reputable group will investigate and then draw a conclusion if it paranormal or not after all other natural possibilities are ruled out.

2. Does the group have a website? If so are all the members’ photos on the site? Wouldn’t it be Nice to know who you will be meeting at the door? Do they have educational tools for you to read? Do they information about their investigating structure on the site? If they don’t have it publicly listed can they provide it to you? What is the group’s protocol? How do they function?

3. A groups investigators/members should be a question. How many do they have? Though many of the teams investigators may have degrees in certain areas that are non-paranormal how much time has the members actually been out in the field investigating? If they have sensitive’s in their group does the group conduct their investigation with equipment also? Or do they rely on the sensitive’s findings? Is there any criminal history of any of the members that you need to be aware about? Though many groups require a clean criminal background can they assure you that your family will be safe from any of its members while investigating or in the future?

4. Can the group provide references to either other teams they have worked with or other homeowners they have done work with? Keep in mind any reputable group will maintain confidentiality of other cases when its been requested from thier clients so there may be an issue obtaining a reference from a previous case that they have investigated.

5. When allowing a group to come into your home you have to ask the question, What if the nature of the case goes beyond the group’s knowledge and abilities? If needed does the group work with outside affiliates or other groups to aide with the investigation they are conducting? Of course after obtaining the clients permission a seasoned paranormal group would call in another team if the case was beyond their ability. The groups purpose may be for more investigators to cover the area, knowledge of the possible cause, equipment or any other reason that the group deems necessary to help your case. Any investigator would gladly invite another groups point of veiw to help justify your situation before they would draw a conclusion. There are also a lot of teams that are out there that are in a competitive state. Some will not work with other teams but rather degrade other team’s efforts in this field. I would not suggest working with a team that is in this field that claims to have all of the answers. There is no such thing as an expert in this field and a reputable group doesn’t claim themselves as such.

6. Do they have a legal form for you to sign or does the group carry insurance to insure protection of you and your home? What if an investigator gets hurt? What if by accident, one of the members does damage to your home? Accidents do happened, but will you be protected?

7. Can they guarantee your confidentiality if requested? Some people feel embarrassed or emotionally distraught that they have to contact a group about their problem. You may want to ask how your case file will be handled. Where will your personal information be stored? If the group stores your files on a server on the internet is it on a secured server? Though most investigators like to share information publicaly you as the client have the right to ask that your information be private and not distributed by any fashion to include on their website. Any reputable group will have a legal document for you to sign to insure your privacy.

8. Does the group claim removal of an entity? Do they promise that it will work? Please be advised that no one can guarantee removal of any spirit. If a group right off the bat tells you “Yes we can remove your ghost.” My suggestion would be to find another team. We try not to laugh when we here groups state this to people. We can’t even justify why the paranormal/ ghosts exist so to say we can get rid of such is benign. It would be like selling a product that comes in a spray can called Rid O‘Ghost. “Guaranteed ghost removal” can you see the commercial right now “ Alls you have to do is point and spray at the infected area and puff your ghosts are gone” Would you buy the product? Answer: probably not! So please don’t fall into the belief that someone can claim they can remove something we really don’t know enough about. If after an investigation if it is determined you are experiencing something of paranormal origin it is your choice of how you want to handle the situation. Some people choose to either live with it, move, or have a cleansing /blessing done in their home to make them feel more comfortable. Remember It’s your decision. If you choose a blessing/cleansing A good group will tell you it may not rid you of your ghost. No Promises should ever be given that this works.

9. After they do the investigation, how long before you will have an answer to what you are experiencing? There may be a request from the group to return to your home to continue on their investigation. Please note that this is on a case by case basis but good to know how a group functions. Is there a phone number where the group can be contacted if you need them?

10. Most importantly do they charge a fee for investigating? Some groups do charge fees. We are uncertian to why the do. Some claim its for gas, video, and their so called ”expertise”. Any reputable group will not charge you. It’s ridiculous to see that those groups don’t consider the fact that you are already paying for this emotionally. And Again we want to stress there are no "experts" in this field.

It is your choice to who you allow to investigate your premises. These questions are intended to help you have a better understanding of who you are allowing into your home.

WHATS HAUNTING YOU?

Here’s a basic outlook on the types of Ghosts that may exist. Most paranormal investigators believe what you read below. It has been broken down to three main groups. Determining what you may have experienced with a ghostly phenomenon you may be able to categorize for reference under one of the following.

1. The first type of a ghostly haunting is the “residual” one. This type is like pushing the rewind button on a video in your VCR and watching the same thing over and over. There is no interaction with you and the ghostly phenomenon even though they may seem to notice that you are there. It is believed that this type is based upon energies that have been caught from another realm and will play back when the atmosphere permits it to. These types are considered to be harmless.

2. Of course since there are ones that don’t interact there are ones that do. These are considered to be and “interactive spirit”. This type of ghost is more a human form that may have unfinished business and stuck hear on earth. It is believed that this type can be caused from a sudden tragic death, fear from moving on, or just plain unfinished business. These types can interact with us in many different ways and /or for different reasons. These types of ghostly behaviors can be in contact with us by site, smell, touch, and sound. You may see apparitions or orbs flying threw a room. You may see objects move right in front of your eyes, or lights going on and off. You may smell things like cigarette smoke even though someone may not smoke, or you may smell something like perfume or cologne that no one might wear. You may feel cold spots that are unexplainable or the slight touching of your skin. You may hear things like footsteps or things moving about. That’s just a few ways that they interact with us but I know that there is more. These types of ghosts are trying to interact with us to tell us something and they are the most common type. Most of the time these type are not trying to harm us. If there were types of ghosts of this sort that wanted to cause harm I’m almost sure that it would be a very rare case

3. Well now that I have covered the easy going and non-harmful types types lets talk about the ones that can cause harm and be dangerous. These are non-human spirits and are commonly known as “demons” or “devils”. These types are usually accompanied with using an Ouija board, black magic and Satan worship These types can disguise themselves to be helpful human spirits so be careful. I don’t suggest using any type of Ouija board to contact the dead considering it seems to be a gateway for them to gain access to human existence. This type can manipulate situations and gain your trust and then either turn on you or cause you harm. I recommend learning more about these types of ghosts from people that have had experience with them then trying to be mislead from a ghostly entity that may be tricking you.

Ghosts are something that may scare us but if we know what we are dealing with maybe the fear will subside and we can gain a respect for them. If you feel that one of these types is making its presence around you contact someone with experience that can help you understand what your dealing with.

Is it real? By Carrie Shimkus

Determining the authenticity of a photograph containing paranormal activity is very crucial in the field of ghost investigating. There are a lot of things that must be considered when examining a photograph that contains such behavior. There is also certain question's that must be asked to decipher what is real and what may just be an obstruction of the lens. Below are some things that have helped me and hopefully will help you in determining what maybe something of ghostly decent.

Make sure that the lens of the camera is clear and free of all debris or fingerprints. Anything that may be on the lens can cause infractions in the picture whether it is with a digital or regular camera.

What ghost investigators call orbs can be found in a lot of photographs. Determining if it is real or just another obstruction in the photograph is what you need to ask yourself. Orbs can be caused from dust particles or moisture such as rain in the air catching the flash and causing orb like spheres. Here’s an experiment that you can try that will show you what I am trying to explain. Take yourself to a place that has a lot of dust like a basement or attic. Move things around to create dust in the air. Snap a few pictures using the flash. (The best time to do this would be at night to get the full affect.) When using a digital camera your more likely to catch the dust particles reflecting the flash because the way this type of camera functions. You should see a lot of sphere shaped “orbs”. When examining the picture you will notice that the orb like spheres are transparent and may have bends of colors in them. Know you know how to determine if what you are seeing a true orb or just dust caught by the flash. You can use this to compare with your other pictures that you may think have anomalous behavior. Same thing with moisture in the air like rain or mist. You can try the same experiment on a rainy day. The moisture droplets will show up transparent or bright white when using a flash. You will also notice bends of light in the orbs resembling rainbow like colors. Now you have pictures to compare with in determining a true orb. As a note to keep in mind, a true orb is slightly transparent but more solid with defined edges and more of a distinguished color usually soft white, pale yellow white and or blue.
Apparitions and other types of ectoplasm in photographs are more of the uncommon types to catch. There’s a lot to consider when looking at photographs that may hold this type of paranormal activity. Sometimes when using a regular camera if the film is exposed or if it is damaged by overexposure you may see a red or orange section on the photograph mostly in a bar shape across the photo but sometimes can appear to be transparent. When someone is taking a picture and they are smoking, the smoke can go in front of the camera and look like what they call ectoplasm. . Smoke is usually pale blue or gray in color. Another thing also is keeping in mind what temperature it is when taking photographs. When cold your breath can reflect the flash of the camera causing an apparition type anomaly. And even though you may not be able to see your breath when photographing the cameras flash can reflect causing the lens to pick it up.
When taking a picture make sure that hair and straps are free and clear of the lens. Good thing to consider is when taking pictures or going threw pictures and finding something anomalous ask yourself if possible where was the persons hair was it pulled off the face or pulled up? Was it windy if you were outside causing hair to blow around? Was a flash used in this type of condition? Was there a camera strap attached to side of the camera? In my own studies and experiments I have come up with the theory that when apiece of hair that is in contact with the flash and the lens of the camera may cause a photograph to have what they call a vortex appearance. Another way to determine if this may be hair is the color of the anomaly may be brighter on the outer edge of the picture heading towards the center. Keep in mind that hair can reflect causing such anomalies. Straps on the other hand may show up on either side usually going down from the edges center towards the bottom of the picture. The straps may appear to be dark in color gray or black but when a flash is used may appear to be white or light gray with lines going threw it. When determining if the picture is authentic you might want to ask yourself these questions as I stated above.
Wow we are on a role here. Reflections are another thing that can cause things to appear in photos. If you shine a flashlight into a mirror it will reflect out somewhere depending on the angle that you’re standing. Well the same applies when taking pictures using a flash. Any surface that has any type of reflective qualities can cause the same affect. TV’s, windows, tables with high gloss surface and of course like I said mirrors are some examples. I am sure you could think of a couple more but that’s a few. Depending on the angle that you are standing the flash can do this causing something to appear in a photo that is just a basic simple reflection.
When out doors taking photos there are a few things to keep in mind. #1. The sun is a major role in its positioning in the picture. When taking photos towards the sun (not at the sun this will lead to damage of the camera lens or can cause you injury to your eyes). Ok let me rephrase that! When taking photos with the sun in the background you may get a misty like cloud in the foreground of the picture this is caused from a bunch of things happening. But keep in mind the time of day that the photos were taken to see what could be the causes of the anomalies. Could it be from the morning dew evaporating in the air?, could be from different types of reflections from the sun hitting the lens of the camera causing different bends of light? Did it just rain and the heat from the sun is having the same affect as the morning dew? These are some questions you might want to ask yourself. #2 Bugs! Those little pesky buggers that are so annoying. When taking pictures and you are swarmed with them you may want to keep in mind that the flash will reflect of there annoying little bodies and may cause the photograph to appear with orb like behavior. The best way that you can prevent this from happening would be to turn off your flash if you have enough light to take the photo. #3 the moons position when taking photographs at night is good thing to keep in mind too. You wouldn't want to take a picture of the moon and think that it’s an orb. The moon would appear to be brighter in a photograph but you wouldn’t want to get your hopes up.
When taking photos with a regular camera make sure that the film is new and hasn't been in the camera for a long period of time. This may cause the film to show up with marks that are unexplainable. Developing your film as soon as possible to prevent over exposure. Also when developing your film make sure that the place that you chose to use develops good quality pictures.

Even though some things cannot be explained in taking pictures hopefully after taking these steps and examining your photographs you may have something authentic captured! Most of what I have said was based upon trial and error and sensible theory to rule out all possibilities of false paranormal activity. I am not saying that what is stated above is etched in stone for all paranormal photos but I want to be confident in what I am presenting to be real. Hopefully it will help you in determining the anomalies in your photographs. Good Luck!!!

quill

We are sure that almost everyone in thier lives has encountered hearing a tale of ghostly spector. MAGIC is sharing some stories here that are of the belief of the teller. MAGIC does not promote or agree/disagree that these stories are factual.

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STRANGE ENCOUNTER ON THE ROAD
MY FAMILY STORY

UNCLES BEDROOM

There are actually many stories involving my uncle's bedroom that I would like to share but for now I'm only going to share two.
The first was told to me by my uncle.

See my uncle is an amateur musician. Well one day he was in his room practicing on his guitar, when someone knocked on his door. He answered it and a young lady came into his room and asked if he minded if she listened to him play. Of course he said she could, so he gave her a bar stool to sit on and went back to playing. They talked for awhile and then she said she had to leave. After about 15 minutes, my uncle went to the living room to ask his mother and father who the young lady was that just left. My grandparents told him no one has been there all night. My uncle bewildered went back to his room to decide what just happened. He decided to go to the library to do some research on the land where my grandparents house sits. He found out the house that previously sat there had burnt down and a young lady died in the fire. He told me there was a picture of the young lady that died and it matched the young lady that had been in his room.

The second story I would like to share I actually witnessed. One night at about 2 in the morning my uncle came out complaining his back hurt. My grandmother, my aunt, and myself all looked at it and saw welt marks on his back crisscrossing across it. My grandmother asked him who had whipped him and my uncle looked at her like she had lost her mind. He replied by say How did you know I was being whipped in my dream. She then told him about the welt marks on his back. He had a stunned look on his face as he went back to his room. The next morning after he got up and my grandmother wanted to see his back, to put some neosporine on it to try to help the healing process. When he lifted his shirt the welt marks from the previous night were gone.

We can't explain who these things happened or what caused them I just know I don't like to go into my uncle's room anymore.

GHOST OF WOOD NEATH FARMS

My brother and I were lying awake one cold, rainy April evening, when we heard the dog bark. We ran out to the back yard to see what was wrong because she never barks at anything. Our house backs up to a farmer's field, and when we got to the fence, we saw a huge flash of bright light! We both ran like the wind back inside.
We didn't tell any one what had happened, because we knew no one would ever believe us. Neither of us could sleep a wink that night after what we had seen. The next night, we asked if we could sleep in the tent outside to see if the same thing would happen again.

We waited and waited, and nothing happened. Just when we were both about to fall asleep, we saw a light outside the tent. At first, we thought it was our Dad with a flashlight trying to scare us, so we ran back inside the house to see if it was him. When we got inside, there was the flashlight, on top of the refrigerator, where it always stays, and everyone in the house was asleep.

Since we were too scared to go back to the tent, we just went upstairs to our rooms to try to go to sleep.

The next day, we walked up to the farmer's house and knocked on the door. An old woman appeared and said that one night her husband was awoken by a bright light in the field, and when he went to see what it was, he never came back. We asked if we could camp out in our tent in her field that night, and at first, she said no, but we talked her into it. We were hoping we could get a better glimpse of where the light was coming from.

We pitched our tent, and waited . . and waited. After what seemed to be hours, we could see a faint light in the distance. We walked toward it, and it was just a small lantern on the ground. We were too scared to stay and wait for anything else, so we went back to the tent and fell asleep.

In the morning, we were awakened by the cows mooing, and we ran back to where the lantern had been . . and it was still there! We took it back to the farm house, and the lady told us it was the same one her husband had taken with him the night he disappeared.

We never went back to that farmhouse, and never went in the back yard after dark again.

VOICE IN THE HALL

I am a nurse. I worked the night shift in a small hospital in a suburb of a larger city in the southwest. To set the stage I will tell you that the Hospital itself was closing, so we had very few patients on the ward. There was one other nurse there with me (Greg) and our nurse techs (Vickie and Faith).
Now Greg was very rational person. He had gone to the Galley to get some coffee. After a while he returned to the nurse station where I was charting. Greg had this wide eyed expression on his face, then he ask me If I had heard that. I ask him "heard what?". Greg said that he was in the Galley heading into the lobby returning to the desk and he heard a Young woman say "Excuse me sir, can you help me?" I ask Greg if he were joking, because I am pretty gullable, and I wouldn't put it past him. He said no then asked me where Vickie and Faith were. I told him they were on their break and probably out smoking. I assured him that the patients had not made a peep and it certainly wasn't me as I had not moved.

I really kind of blew this off thinking Greg was trying to spook me, and then rattle my nerves for a couple of weeks, then fess up when I am on the verge of a break down, but that didn't happen. Greg never mentioned it again after that instance. He had asked Faith and Vickie if they had been in the lobby on their return to the ward. They both looked at him like he was crazy. Greg didn't go into why, other than he thought he heard something.

About Two weeks later, I was working the night shift with Faith. We had one patient on a 25 bed ward. Faith went on a break about 3am. I decided to reheat leftovers and have a break. I went to the Galley where the microwave was and proceeded to heat my food and obtain ice. After heating my food I turned the corner out of the Galley returning to the nurse station. Thats when I heard it "Miss, excuse me Miss. Can you help me?" I stopped dead in my tracks. At first I thought I was imagining things. I turned around and the lobby was empty. The only light was from the hall light coming off the ward. I shook my head thinking I was crazy, but I had this underlying sense of sorrow and felt like someone was crying. Not being rational at this moment, I simply said in my mind (the same way the voice had said) "You are not suppose to talk to me, you are dead. I can't help you. Find the light and go to heaven. (guess I watch too much tv.)." For those who were thinking Faith was behind this, she is from Nigeria with a very thick accent. This lady spoke English like any other American raised midwestern person.

I don't know what happened to that spirit. I never worked the night shift again. Not because I was afraid, but becasue I was switched to days due to staffing issues.

One month later the hospital closed. I understand later another Hospital in the area bought the building and turned it in to a psych hospital.
That should be interesting.

HAPPENINGS ON THE HILL

My story begins about two years ago when my close friend Darlene got divorced and bought a home for her and her two sons.
Everything seemed normal at first. The house was only four years old and had no basement. It is a rather small home with only three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and living room. There is also a detached garage.

This was a perfect place for Darlene and her two sons, a house and four acres for the three horses they own. But things changed pretty quickly.

Darlene started to notice happenings but didn't tell her sons, worried they would be frightened. It was at this time that Darlene began to talk to me.

After only living in the house for a few weeks things began to go missing and lights would be turned on or off with out anyone visibly doing so. Darlene thought it to be her youngest son, then only 9 years old, causing these little occurrences. Kyle told Darlene time and time again that it wasn't him.

About this time Kyle began to tell Darlene there was someone in his closet making noises. Kyle's closet backs up to his mother's closet, so Darlene just told him he was imagining things. At this time Darlene noticed the house key she left in the garage had gone missing. She wasn't worried and soon forgot about the missing key.

Almost a year went by with lights turning themselves on and off, things missing and even the telephone ringing sending 333333 across the caller id, but that wasn't even scary compared to what happened in January of 2004.

One Friday night my boyfriend and I went up to Darlene's to watch movies with her and her two sons. Right before we got up to leave we heard something in the attic above the room. It sounded like someone throwing jacks across the floor in the attic. (Just like when you play the game jacks) Needless to say we were all terrified. My boyfriend and I decided to go ahead and leave but told Darlene if anything happens to call us. That night Darlene woke up to hear someone slam the toilet lid in her bathroom and walk out of her room into the hallway. Though frightened she just curled up and went back to sleep.

But this wasn't the end. The next night while sitting in the living room Darlene's son Kyle looked down the hallway and became very pale. "Mom, Mom, a little girl just ran out of the bathroom into the hallway and into my room!!!" Kyle would see this little ghost girl many times that night and ended up going to his father's house to stay because he was so badly frightened. That was the last straw. Darlene and I went to our priest and told him the entire story.

To our astonishment he was not surprised. He proceeded to tell us it could be a ghost or the devil. See the devil will come as a child as to not fright people so they will willingly let him into their homes. We were shaken by what he had told us and didn't know what to do. He gave us holy water and told us to sprinkle it in all the rooms of the house and garage and say "In the name of Jesus Christ leave this place!". He then told us to sprinkle the holy water and salt around the outside of the house/garage and repeat the same thing. Before sending us on our way he said to make sure we did all spaces in the rooms (closets,cabinets,doorways...) and to hang a cross in each and every room. The priest said if this doesn't work to come see him again, that he and another priest would then hold an exorcism at Darlene's house.

We went home that very night and blessed the house just like the priest told us. Thank God, Darlene has had no more happenings but we did do a little research. The property Darlene's home is built on used to be a farm. Her house sits on top of a hill. The people that owned this farm were struck by the flu epidemic and many died. In Kentucky it is tradition to have your family cemetery a top a hill on your property. Though we have yet to find a cemetery we think this is the only explanation for the little girl.

Just and ending note...the missing key was found on the top shelf of Kyle's closest. Kyle couldn't have done this because you would have to get a ladder to reach that shelf and he didn't know the key was gone in the first place. Also we think the little girl has traveled to the neighbors considering ever since we blessed Darlene's home they are now having eerie happenings in there's.

Thank you for listening to my story. My story is only a small sliver of all the things that happened in her home.

STRANGE ENCOUNTER ON THE ROAD

This did not happen to me, it was a story told to my father by my grandfather, who now told me. I am recounting it exactly as he told it:
This event took place in Egypt:

It was in the early 1930's on the desert road from Cairo to Alexandria in Egypt. My grandfather was traveling with a friend and just as they left Giza, the three pyramids were glistening under a full moon. The road was a single straight ribbon of asphalt, surrounded by the desert sand. The headlight added a faint glow to the desert road bathed in the moonlight. It was two to three hours before dawn.

As the pyramids disappeared to the left of the car, my grandfather noticed a person standing at the edge of the road, apparently hitchhiking. What puzzled my grandfather and his companion, was the fact that there was no disabled vehicle or crossroads at this spot. Where was that individual coming from…in the middle of the vast desert? As the car slowed down, my grandfather noted that the individual was rather tall, and did not carry any luggage. As the car came to an almost complete stop, the two riders noticed in horror, that the man’s feet…were hoofed – like a goat….and they sped away in terror….with this creature in hot pursuit. This thing continued to chase the car...even at 50 miles per hour. Only when the speedometer was over 80 miles per hour, did they notice in the rear view mirror, that the creature was fading back and had stopped running after them. Shaken, and bewildered…they sped through the night until daybreak. To date, no one has explained this apparition.

I know it sounds very, very strange...but I can say for sure my grandfather was a very truthful, sane, and down to earth man...He was also traveling with another man when seeing this....

So what do you think that was? I can't find any good way to explain it...

MY FAMILY STORY-By Carrie Shimkus

I would like to share a story with you that entails members of my family. This story is true based on events that took place in a family members house that ended in tragedy
As a child growing up, I never knew what lied inside my grandparent’s house. I did not know that the strange behaviors that poodle had would be because something weird existed there.

One night when I was about 10, I stayed over that house for the first time since they moved in. I slept on a cot in the front room upstairs. In the middle of the night, something came into the room and sat at the end of the bed, you could see the impression but nothing was there. I tried to kick it but it was if you were kicking something hard. I was scared and screamed at the top of my lungs but no one in the room seemed to hear me. I eventually pulled the covers up over my head and cried myself to sleep. This was indeed my first paranormal experience. I did not stay overnight there for the longest time. I never told my mother about this incident until I was about 14 when she had to come and get me in the middle of the night. I had another experience at my grandparents house, this one a little more involved.
I was down stairs, in the back left bedroom, with my aunt who is my age. We were sitting up gabbing like typical teenagers when someone came to her door and knocked on it. I got up to see who was there and when I opened the door. Nothing. No one was there. I walked through the kitchen and peeked down the hall to find the culprit who did it. Finding no one I went back in the room and shut the door. As soon as the door was shut, again came another knock. I swung it open to find none there again. I thought it was one of the other kids playing a joke on us. I went out into the kitchen and said knock it off you guys. I turned to walk back into the bedroom and got pushed by something I could not see. I panicked I was scared I ran to the phone to call my mom. She came and got me
All the way home it did not make any sense to me until I started thinking back to when I was about 10. Because I was too scared to go to bed my mom told me to sit down with her and she told me the story behind the house and the her experiences.
Back in the late 70’s my grandparents bought a house located in Worcester MA on a dead end street. They wanted a house that would hold their large family. At this time, there were seven children and one on the way.

On the day that they were looking at the house a strange man walking down the sidewalk told them that they shouldn’t buy the house that it will bring nothing but turmoil to their lives. They thought this was strange to have a stranger walk on by the talk to them and when turned to talk with him he was gone. They still bought the home, it was good price and in their dyer need, they could move in right away.

About 1 year passes when my granddad is out in the driveway working on his car when he notices a square small pot hole that if you lift the cover you find a water shut off valve to the house. He puts his hand into the hole to check it out only to find teeth. I am not quite sure if they were false teeth but from my recollection of my mother’s story, they weren’t. That is when the strange things began to happen to the family.

My Grandmother used to spend allot of time in the kitchen cooking for the family. One night she was in the kitchen with the dog when it started barking towards the hallway, then he hid behind the table whining. She went to see if anyone was there. When she turned around to proceed to the hall one of the drawers that held the silverware flew open dumping all on the floor. She was startled at first but then picked it up with out any thought and went about her business. This event seemed to happen more often then not. Eventually she thought it was the house being uneven causing the drawer to slide open so she moved the silver ware.

They are where other events that took place. My grandmother told my mom about these events. The bathroom light going on by it self or foot steps up and down the stairs seemed to be chopped up to being the kids or bad wiring. But my mom told her about what happened to her and my grandmother began to realize that maybe something else was going on in the house.

My mom was about 30 when she met my step dad. She used to stay at that house over night allot. My step dad had the same room at the top of the stairs that I had my first experience in. She said that one night She awoke to a strange feeling in the room. My step dad was sound asleep when the door unlocked from the inside, something came in then sat at the end of the bed. She tried to wake him up but he would not budge. Scared she started to sing and it eventually went away. She said it happened quite a few times when she stayed there. My mom is a pretty level headed person and then she told me that sometimes when she would walk into the house that she could feel the heaviness. She told me that other members of the family had strange things happen to them. She said I should talk to them. After listening to my mom’s stories and what took place after I talked with her I came to a conclusion that something was in fact going on in that home. What I am about to tell you is to the best of my recollection,

In early 1990, something tragic happened that changed every ones lives. By this time the family had grown to 13 children, the youngest was about nine at this point. (I know, I know busy grandparents). My grandfather had passed away an almost a year prior and thank God that he wasn’t around to witness what took place.

The ninth oldest in the family kept to himself usually. He was a very normal teenager .When he was about 17 when his life changed course dramatically from what he did. One night there was a small argument between family members Danny over heard what was going on and came down from his room with a strange look on his face. He walked over to his brother Billy and unexpectedly stabbed with rage his older brother in the arm with a very sharp knife. The knife however went through Billy’s arm and pierced his lung causing him to drown on his own blood. Danny to this day doesnt understand why he did what he did.The story got out and it was a very tough time for the family. The media had a field day with this story from the event to the court case. Now after about 15 years, he is still in Worcester State hospital under evaluation. My mom and other still believe that something possessed him after their own experiences in that house.

Another year to the day passes when my grandmother passes away in her sleep. She was found in bed with her eyes open, a strange look on her face and her arms up in the air as if she was pushing something away. The Doctors say she died of natural causes but the family still believes that there was some other reason.

The younger children at this point had to move with the older family members that moved out and the house was boarded up.

Another year passes. This event takes place in the same month 2 days away from the anniversary of the other deaths when another member of the family dies at the age of 36 in his bed from a heart attack. There was no cause for this to happen, he was very healthy. The doctors said that he could still have a heart attack caused from stress.

With the events that have happened I started to question family members. It was hard to get them to talk about their experiences growing up in that house.

My uncle Tim told me that he used to have to play his music to drown out the noises of footsteps walking in the hall or going up and down the stairs. He said that strange odors sometimes filled the hall by his bedroom.

My aunt Kelly told me that she too had someone come in and sit on the end of her bed. She said that one night she felt as if she was being held as well. She witnessed the silverware drawer flying out and lights going off and on. She said that certain members have had other bad experiences but will not talk about them.

Brian told me that one night he just got out of the shower walked into his room to smell something rotten. He turned to walk out and saw a shadow out of the corner of his eye walk into his sister’s room. He went to her room and found no one there. He also said that there were times when he would walk into areas of the house that he felt something watching him.

Sherry who is the youngest said that there were times, when she was little, that she saw a man in a top hat and black jacket stand next to her bed. One time her and her sister Leigha were up talking in their bedroom and they saw a shadow walk out of the closet and into the other room.

From my conversations with the remaining family members there was allot more to that house than meets the eye. They all have had their share of strange happenings. More than I could ever tell. I know that with my own experience and from what had happened in that house that my family will concur something malevolent resided there.

About 5 years ago, one of the older brothers put the house up for sale after a family decision. About 2 days after the house was on the market it mysteriously burnt down. The Worcester fire dept. said that the house was burnt from the inside but could not figure out what started it. Go figure.

Now this story is something that had changed my family. It has caused allot of grief and most of my aunts and uncles still do not talk to one another because of it. Me, I choose to share with you and I am sure if some of them know that I am telling you this, they will probably be upset. I know there are others out there who have had strange things happen to them and I hope that we all keep a level head and push forward with faith that good things will come.