Ghosts: Sightings, Hauntings, Poltergeists... Truth or Fiction?
W.I.T.S. takes a look at the world of the paranormal: The history and science behind ghost hunting, Psychology's explanation of paranormal phenomena, and a biological approach to defining the spiritual experience. Although the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has recognized Parapsychology as an affiliated science since 1969, “Paranormal Investigation” (or “Ghost hunting”) is not accepted by many in the scientific mainstream as a valid branch of the sciences. In fact, in some scientific circles, paranormal studies have been stigmatically branded as pseudoscience. The methodology behind ghost hunting stems from the premise that life experiences (personal memories), life events (collective memories), and Life itself are all energy translated into one form or another. Essentially, this is to say that a Life, a human soul (if you will), comprising of energy (independent of biological constraints), is tangible as long as we have the means to detect it. |
(Photo by Caligula23x. July 27, 2008) |
We’re going to look at a few realistic possibilities for what I call the “ghost experience” (a broad term meant to encompass things -in a generic sense- as grand as “seeing a ghost” to as subtle as getting the feeling that you’re being watched). When we hear something inexplicable, feel a cold hand grip at our back, or see an apparition… Are we experiencing a moment with the supernatural? When somewhere is said to be haunted is it truly frequented by spirits, entities, or beings? Or, does a “haunted” place simply present the perfect elemental conditions to trigger the ghost-experience psychologically? Or, it could even be biochemical.
(Early A.D. staue of Pliny the Younger. Image from crystalinks.com) |
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. |
Even earlier, around 1300 BC, the Shang dynasty (Northern China) had produced writings about “Shen” (Chinese term for spirits and ghosts although often used to reference other supernatural beings such as gods). To give you an idea of how far back 1300 BC had been in terms of writing, these Shang ghost stories (like all writing at the time) were written on sections of wood, seashells, turtle shells, even sections of animal bone if it were flat enough to accommodate scribbling.
Ghost stories are even cataloged in the Bible. (The Bible is actually a collection of writings, from multiple authors, spanning over a thousand years… Earliest writings, such as the Pentateuch, accredited to Moses, are estimated around 1400 BC… Other parts, as the books of the New Testament, are estimated to be written around 100 to 400 AD). Anyway, an example of a biblical ghost can be found in the first book of Samuel (Chapter 28). According to the story, King Saul secretly enlists a medium (the witch of Endor) to summon the ghost of Samuel (a recently deceased prophet of the time) for advice. The spirit offered no advice but predicted the collapse of Saul’s kingdom. Legend has it, Saul and his sons were killed in battle against the Philistines the following day. |
Rendering of Shang Tang. For more info on the Shang Dynasty: CLICK HERE. |
psychical phenomena’…”. The society remained intact for approximately thirty years, until being replaced (in my opinion) by its successor “The Society for Physical Research” in 1882. Although these mid-to-late nineteenth century societies lacked the information and technology used by conventional paranormal investigation teams, they still pursued ghost sightings, researched paranormal experiences, and gathered evidence regarding physical phenomena… They were “ghost hunters”.
But enough of the history lesson.
I figured, aside from gathering information for this discussion by researching articles and books, it would be an entertaining twist to see “ghost hunting” in person. So, at first, I thought I’d contact a paranormal investigation agency claiming my house were haunted (But, that would cost money… Of course, that’s fair.. It just that in regard to money… I have none). So, I then thought to check around for a team that would allow for a tag-along writer (And, for the most part, they all wanted money too. What is it with this money thing??). Eventually though, I found a team of ghost hunters not so poisoned by “money fetish”. They agreed I could accompany them for the weekend provided I supply my own transportation, lodging, and sustenance… And that I agree to allow them anonymity. (Go figure, I thought they’d want the free publicity… Oh, well). So -in respecting their request (they’re nice people)- I’ll avoid the use of their individual names and business.
Low/amnbient light photo of electromagnetic field (emf) detection equipment. Image from here. |
Since I’ve always been a fan on the desktop computer (I think their keyboards are worlds more comfortable), I had to steal my wife’s laptop. I gassed up the blazer (an event that feels like being raped given the criminally-high price of fuel). I packed a cooler (I’m a practicing alcoholic, plus, if I got trapped somewhere by evil spirits I knew I’d be in need of a cold beer). I readied an overnight bag, kissed the baby, and headed out to hunt ghosts. |
equipped with a tech wall (like the kind you’d expect to see in some kind of police drama). Another section had been apparently upholstered in pegboard (serving as a place to house gadgets). There had been equipment for everything… Temperature probes, Electromagnetic Field (EMF) readers, ion particle detectors, cameras for thermal as well as infrared imagery, motion detectors, and audio equipment to record, filter, or whatever.
The team consists of three individuals. (Names are fictitious per individuals’ request)* Matt, the driver, is the team leader. He received his certification as a parapsychologist through the UK college of holistic training and has been part of paranormal investigations since 1985. Linda, the second member of the team, admittedly is more interested in the historical aspects of the investigations they undertake. She holds a degree in History and owns a small -but tasteful- antique shop not far from here. The youngest member of the team, Jason, has been onboard for almost two years. He is currently a Psychology major at a nearby university. There is in fact a fourth member of their entourage although he rarely accompanies the trio on outings. He serves as a chronicler/bookkeeper as well as an audio-visual editor for material retrieved during an investigation.
Photo by Caligula23x (July 27, 2008). Aged and collapsing building, said to have occasionally served as a schoolhouse during the early 1900's. Currently under paranormal investigation regarding possibility of residual haunting. |
We traveled northeast for about forty minutes, the investigation team in their vehicle, I in my own. The blazer would not only serve as transportation but a place to sleep for the night after having enough of the hunt. As I understood the brief explanation I received regarding the investigation at hand, we were going to a recently inherited farm. On the property there still stood (barely stood) an old structure. And, although now overtaken by vines and clearly showing the pains of aging, it is said to have once served as a small schoolhouse. Having settled into their property for about two weeks the new owners thought someone had been trespassing late one evening. They noticed what they had thought to be the flickering of flashlights coming from the dilapidated building (pictured to the left). After walking through the early summer darkness to get to where they had seen the lights (partially nervous but, mostly angry), they found no sign of trespassers. |
building. But in thoroughly searching the area they found only crickets, spiders, and rusty old farm equipment. By the third time they noticed what appeared to be trespassers they were determined to put an end to it. They called the police.
The farm is miles beyond any governing city limit, so the county sheriff’s department responded to the call regarding a possible criminal trespass. The property owners say a deputy arrived surprisingly soon after they made the call. The sheriff’s deputy thoroughly search the area and found no signs of trespassers but did say he thought he heard something for a moment. However, he dismissed it as being an animal (probably a raccoon or possum) creeping around in the underbrush surrounding the building’s foundation.
The “trespassing” continued. And, as you would imagine, the assessment provided by the sheriff’s deputy failed to satiate the property owners‘ concerns. We can assume, based on their next course of action, that they felt the same level of dissatisfaction as they had when searching the area on their own. Because after giving the situation a noteworthy amount of consideration… They surrendered to the possibility that what they had seen (and continued to see) might be the product of something outside normality’s realm. They then took favor to the thought of supernatural explanations.
They called around, finding it surprising how popular ghost investigation had become, eventually deciding to enlist the assistance of the very group I accompanied.
Having set out around noon, we reached our destination in the early afternoon. The house and buildings were built a comfortable distance from the road, approachable after a reasonable drive down a gravel lane in much need of repair. Farmhouses often boast the advantage of having foreknowledge regarding visitors…Especially if the geography includes a gravel lane not allowing an approach faster than 5mph; this particular farmhouse had been no exception… The owners came out to greet us while we were still situating our vehicles.
For the sake of brevity, I’ll simply explain that official introductions were exchanged, talk of the situation followed, and rumination of the events leading to their decision to seek paranormal investigation dominated the conversation. |
Although this clip (Above) has nothing to do with the "ghost hunting" in this article I couldn't helpsharing it. It's pretty ghostly... Can be found on YouTube. |
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