Ghostly Information

Be respectful of ghosts at all times.   Remember that in the end we will all be where they are now.

How do we define a ghost? According to the dictionary a ghost is the soul of a dead person, a disembodied spirit wandering among or haunting the living Many people over the ages have asked this same question.  In an effort to help you define a ghost we offer the following explanations of the terms concerning ghosts. Apparition The visual representation of ghosts or spirits.  This term is not limited to humans.  Apparitions can also be of buildings, vehicles (all types) and animals.  The short definition is that an apparition is often transparent, can walk through solid structures and usually disappears. Atmospheric Usually seen in only 1 location.  Generally believed to repeat an action.  Some believe that these are caused by psychic energy which may be stored in the location.   AKA: Residual,  Replaying or Recurring Family Believed to be attached to a particular family or family member.  They are most often associated with warnings of  disaster or  death for the family. Haunted Object Any one object that the ghost has an emotional attachment to.  These can be any object, furniture, jewelry, toys, etc. Historical Sometimes considered Atmospheric except that they can be seen in several locations as they go about their routine.  Non-Interactive.  Generally seen in clothing of their time period.  A good example of these would be Battlefield ghosts. Phantom This type is the hardest to discern from the living.  Usually not considered as a ghost until something extraordinary happens concerning them.  An example would be disappearing  in front of you or passing through a solid object. Phantom Hitchhiker Most Urban Legends have this type of ghost.  Generally they appear on the anniversary of their death.  These ghosts always interact with the living, usually by attempting to hitchhike with them but disappearing before their destination is reached. Phantom Traveler Generally found in the same area on the anniversary of their death.  Usually on a  road where a fatal accident happened, the site of a train or airplane crash, a car crash or boat accident. Photographic Ghosts that you cannot usually see with the naked eye.  Appearing only in photographs as a vortex, ectoplasmic mist, orbs, odd lights and optical abnormalities. Transportation Any type of transportation that no longer exists.  Sometimes associated with a tragic event where it met its end but, also seen wherever this it would have normally traveled before becoming a ghost.

Things that might indicate you are in the presence of a ghost. Disembodied voices. Doors or windows opening and closing. Electrical devices turning on or off "by themselves" Unusual odors Temperature change (cold spot) Objects appearing to have been moved Footsteps Odd, unexplainable noises Unexplained shadows Photographs or video with anomalies (mist, light, shadows) Batteries inexplicably losing energy quickly The sensation of "something" touching you (possibly feeling like bugs)

List of the forms we are able to "see" Ghosts in. Orb Orbs can be thought of as spiritual energy which has been left behind or possibly the soul of one that has passed over.  Most commonly seen in photos as balls of light.  These can be transparent or solid in nature. Orbs in pictures can be misleading in that they can be caused by many earthly things.  Dust in the air, fog, mist or rain, and (in one memorable photo that I have seen online and sworn to be a true photo of ghosts) simple kids bubbles blown into the area before taking the picture. Ectoplasmic Mist A vaporous mist, not unlike cigarette or incense smoke, which usually appears close to the camera lens.  Look carefully at any photos of Ectoplasmic Mist for orbs.  Occasionally they can be seen through the mist.  Be very careful when taking pictures during cold weather as your breath can be seen in the photographs as ectoplasmic mist.  Smoke, mist and light fog can also be read falsely as ectoplasmic mist. Vortex A vortex shows up in photos as a long streak of light that can be solid.   Very similar to Streaks but these are believed to be orbs that are moving at high speed.  It can also reverse itself and return the way that it came.   Take care when photographing an investigation site that long hair, camera or flashlight straps, any wires in the area or reflective surfaces are not judged to be a vortex in your pictures. Streaks Looking like yellow or blue bolts of lightning, usually short and may light up the area around them. It is possible to get a false reading on your photos if your exposure time is set too long. Full or Partial Apparition OK this is the ONE.  The one every one of us wants to capture on film.   Apparitions are generally transparent figures (full or partial) but, can appear solid at times.  These are usually seen as head and shoulders or from the waist up.  Occasionally a full figure is seen.