The Paranormal - Commonly Asked Questions
"Why Do Ghosts Haunt?" A spirit which has not passed over correctly, into the light, the next level, etc., afraid of passing over, ( fear of being judged, Hell, what's on the other side, the unknown, etc. ), a sudden or unexpected death, (leaves the spirit confused, or in denial of their own passing), guilt or grief, ( not wanting to leave that special someone or loved one, the grief of a loved one of whom they wish to comfort), etc. Once a spirit is satisfied it has accomplished it's goals it will eventually move on, or remain because it simply likes where it's at, and comfortable is the area in which it haunts. They are not bound to that place or area, and can move on when they wish, but that, entirely depends on them, and if they wish to, or not, leave this world, or plane of existence.
"How Do I Know If My House Is Haunted?" Since there is no definitive proof of the paranormal, it makes it hard to tell if one's house may be haunted or not. However, if strange occurrences happen on a regular basis, one idea is to start a journal and record all what you think is 'strange' and going on. Write down what the occurrences may be, times they take place, any changes within the area things occur, (i.e. cold spots, visible anomalies, etc.), try to take pictures, something may show up in them to help determine if you may have a problem, (or not), weather conditions, tape recordings for strange sounds, video recordings, etc. You can also write down any information you can get about the place you live in, area, history, and anything that may have occurred there that is not of paranormal origin which may be the root of your problems - and those that may be. We also have to keep in mind that some hauntings are like a "photograph" of an occurrence of the past, which plays over and over - like a recording and not an actual "live" haunting.
Sometimes sounds like the water heater, wooden houses expanding/contracting, weather changes, etc. can cause all sorts of sounds that may seem spooky, but are all perfectly normal things and can often be mistaken for paranormal phenomena. (Fluffy the cat jumping on the furniture, chasing a rat, it's tail or it's own shadow can do just this). The human imagination has plenty to do with this, we often see or hear things that aren't what we think they may be, a nightmare, scary book, movie, story, can all help to influence your imagination even further. The journal will help you determine whether or not an actual paranormal occurrence is taking place, through your notes.
If it comes to be that you are really sure that a paranormal occurrence is happening, find an experienced paranormal team in your area, , who can help you out with your situation. Show them your notes, (what-when-how-where ), explain to them in detail what the occurrences are, your religious beliefs, things you, (or your friends/family members), may have done to cause the haunting, (summoning spirits through the Ouija board for example), if you have done anything, (prayer, house blessed, sea-salts, holy water, holy oils, etc.), to try and stop the haunting, if you are sensitive or any other family member is sensitive (some spirits come about because they know that you can sense them), if the problem started there, or at a previous residence, if the problems started with the previous tenants, etc. so that they can know exactly what the situation is about and help you. Most paranormal investigators offer free services, and if an actual paranormal occurrence is present, can gather more information and possibly help you with your situation, (depending on their services). Don't challenge the spirit or anger it, that will not help your situation and may only cause more problems.
"How Do I Get Rid Of A Ghost In My House?" One way to get rid of ghosts is to ask the ghosts out loud in a firm yet respectful tone, to please leave and stop their activities. According to many stories and witness accounts, this seems to be the most effective way of dealing with the situation. No one, or anything, wishes to be disrespected, yelled at, etc., so treat it the way you'd like to be treated or treat a good friend. Many times, ghosts are just passing through, just wish to be noticed, and not mean any harm. Don't panic, take a deep breath and explain what your problem is and ask if they could stop. Try to remain calm and avoid fear and negativity, none of it will help you with your situation. Remember that it is your home, and you always have the power to take it back!
"Will The Spirit Actually Leave?" Only if it wishes to go. It may be afraid to leave, not wish to leave, (being comfortable where it is at), etc.. Again, you can also find a paranormal investigator in your area to help you with the situation, but this does not mean the spirit will leave. Some paranormal investigation groups have a psychic/sensitive who is a part of the team and can help to move the spirit on and also tell you why the spirit may be there. Then again, you may not wish for it to go and can live and deal with the situation fine, accepting the spirit(s) for what they are and realizing that there is no reason to fear them. It all depends on you - and your spirit.
"I Am The Only One Experiencing The Haunting - Am I Loosing My Mind?" Not everyone in a house may experience a haunting, this doesn't mean you are loosing your mind. Try to take hold of yourself and the situation at hand, again, write in your journal, gather the 'evidence' and people may assist you. Many people have gone through this, especially while growing up, being the only one in a family experiencing paranormal phenomena. Some seek schools, groups or centers to educate themselves and learn how to Handel these situations. Others have another person, or people whom also go through the experiences, (or separate experiences), and so may all help each other. Some paranormal investigators can even help educate you living with ghosts.
In the times we are living now, paranormal phenomena, though not widely accepted, has branched out to the point where you can find help or assistance almost anywhere. Even on the net, e-mail groups, message boards and websites offer their opinions, comfort, friendship, investigations, information and help. Just be careful of whom you choose to share experiences with, be it of the paranormal nature or not - many people are out there that bode no good or any help, choose carefully.
If seeking a paranormal investigative team, ask questions until you feel sure they understand your situation and meet your needs. Be sure they are experienced, meet with them, talk with the leader and/or each member, review their website and see what they've done in the past, procedures, investigating journals, etc. Also check their references, fees, (some may charge for their services, others ask for a donation for cost of film, travel, lodge, etc. But a true paranormal investigator will never charge for an investigation!), and if their prices are too high, move on to the next group until you find the one who you feel most will assist your needs and has dealt with a situation like yours, or similar and can evaluate your situation and gather unbiased evidence. If they have a sensitive working with the group, make sure the team checks where the sensitive claims is something, to back up said claim, that they use their equipment, (EMF meters, take pictures, etc.), to study the area which is claimed to have activity by the sensitive to validate the sensitives impressions, and will make you feel more comfortable with both the team and sensitive.
"No One Believes Me - or - How Do I Get Others To Believe Me?" You cannot force someone to believe in paranormal occurrences, there will always be skeptics and non-believers whom no matter how much "proof" you show, how much you swear on your "dead aunts grave," still won't believe you. Remember that journal, and notes, The "who-when-what-why" to back up your claims, and also to keep in mind many natural things may have caused the experience, be sure of that also. And still, not everyone will believe, so put yourself in their shoes and think of something you wouldn't or don't believe in, and try to understand their perspectives on the situation. You will find who will believe, and that's great, again be careful of whom your trust and not be scammed.
"Do Ghosts Have Feelings?" Absolutely. Think of those cases where the supposed ghost came back to tell who murdered them, or that have lingered and haunted an area, place or home, until their last wishes were made done, or that have come back to save that family member or friend/stranger from danger, to comfort a loved one who grieves for them, or to wait until that loved one passes and joins them. All this denotes emotion, though not yet proven to be so.
"Why Can't Everyone See Ghosts?" It is believed that everyone has the potential to see ghosts. Some people are more open minded, or on "the right brain wave usage" to see them, (like sensitives/clairvoyants/psychics). Denial, fear, emotions, distress at seeing one, religious beliefs, etc., can all cause a person not to see one. Maybe they have seen one, and yet still won't admit to it. It all depends on beliefs, sensitivity, emotions, etc., that will determine if you'll ever see a ghost or not. Sometimes you may capture an anomaly on film in an area you were in and never see or sense anything - Luck? That may play a role in this!
Not everyone "sees" a ghost in the same ways. Some see with their "third eye," others with the naked eye, or from the corner of their eye. You may see a "wisp" of smoke, a shadowy figure, an orb, a streak of light, or ectoplasm, a movement of an inanimate object, a full blown apparition to sounds or voices and still many other different ways to explain or express the "seeing" of a ghost.
"Can Animals Come Back? There have been many stories and witness accounts to animals coming back and being with their owners, if only for a short time, or until the owner themselves pass on, and to comfort a grieving owner. To help, or save a former owner, or loved one, person, warn of danger, etc. In some belief's, animals don't pass on, while in other's they do, (or come back as another dog, cat, etc., or being), so perceiving a pet may also come down to your belief's of the afterlife. An animal spirit may be perceived in full form, as a shadow, a touch, sense, smell, etc. It all depends on the person perceiving said spirit.
"Why Can Children Perceive Ghosts?" - or - "Why Do Children See Ghosts More Than Adults?" The innocence of children, being that their minds have not been conditioned not to believe in such things, open mindedness, the "wanting of a playmate or friend," ( hence the imaginary friend factor - who may not be so imaginary after all ), being curious of things and surroundings, all help and influence children to see ghosts easier than adults do. As children grow older, teachings of parents, schools, adult figures, religion, being sensitive, belief's of other children, etc., will all influence if the child will continue to see spirits or not, or later on learn to accept or fear them also - or both.
If a child is taunted or made fun of, or called "evil" for saying he or she sees ghosts, may cause the child to either begin to disbelieve or doubt what they are seeing, think of themselves as different or "weird," make them keep to themselves what they see, (block what they are seeing), or stop seeing/believing all together. It may also later affect them to the point they feel there is something wrong with them or the "I am loosing my mind" feelings of distress.
For example as a parent will tell a child, "There's no such things as Ghosts," or one of the most famous, "The bogeyman will get you," will also factor into how the child will react to seeing a ghost, fearing, accepting, believing or disbelieving also.
There are also certain parents, families, etc., who will nurture the child's gift's or abilities and teach them to accept, not fear, handle the seeing of such spirits.
It all comes down again to the teachings the child receives in life and their belief's, the people around them, being strong or weak minded, which all will influence if they continue to see or not later on into adulthood.
"Can Ghosts Follow You?" Yes, they can. That is why PSI always recommends a Prayer of Protection, to keep such things from happening.
"If I don't see ghosts, then the area or home cannot be haunted?" Not true at all. Ghosts are around us all the time and everyone "sees" ghosts differently. You may perceive them through smells, inanimate objects moving, sounds, items disappearing or misplaced, feeling of being touched, etc.. Then again, the ghost may not wish to present itself to you and so you may never perceive it, or because of your beliefs, or ways of thinking/perceiving you may never see one . It all comes down to you, and the spirit - if your open minded and if it wishes to be known or seen.
"How can Ghost's/Spirits Communicate With You?" There are several ways ghosts/spirits may attempt to contact you. Messages through our dreams, is an example. The dream(s) are usually not scary, but may seem so to see a loved one, friend, (or neither - just a stranger), who has passed on in our dreams. If you receive a message in this form, you may have just been visited by a spirit. Other ways to sense a spirit communicating are; messages written on objects, such as paper or mirrors, scents that were common of the deceased, (or not, and neither of the room/area you are in), your name being called, voices such as laughter, being or feeling touched, knocks or rapping on doors and/or windows and other objects, lights being turned off and on, etc. ( And I don't mean an electrical problem or loose floorboards etc! ) You can also try EVP, as it has produced great results! Just remember to always be patient, and they just might communicate with you - and then again, they may not. It all depends on the spirit.
"How Can I Find Out Whom Is Haunting My Home/Area?" Do research! Start with your home/area to find out why the ghost(s) are there. Check with your local library or newspaper for the information you may need. Some spirits, it is believed, will stay on because of violent deaths, wrong doings, still have missions to accomplish, waiting for a loved one, unfinished business, comfort to a loved one, etc. There may be many reasons why your home/area may be haunted - only way to find out is to actually do the research! Also, we cannot forget, if you are a sensitive to ghosts, even if the home or area is not haunted - they may 'seek you out' or be seen/noticed by you, just because you can notice them! Some spirits like to be noticed, and some even like the companionship, and knowing someone can communicate, see, or sense them.