Ghost Hunting Equipments & Guide

Ghost hunting can be an expensive or inexpensive endeavor. It all depends how much you want to spend. Investigators have shown significant results with equipment which is very affordable, so don't let pricing discourage you. Truth be told, you can document and detect ghosts and spirits with a variety of items. Of course the more you have the better, but everyone needs to start somewhere.

EMF Detectors

: You can use a compass to detect major magnetic fields, but it is a very difficult process. To detect them correctly and quickly you absolutely need an EMF detector. They come in several varieties. The more expensive the more features and sensitivity. Although you can skimp with $$ on some items, you really can't skimp with an EMF detector. Invest in a good one.

Air Ion Detectors

: If your getting really serious about ghost hunting, EMF detection may not be enough for you. Air Ions are another bi-product of paranormal activity. It is standard to use an Air Ion detector in conjunction with an EMF meter to create a double detection effect. After all, no matter how good your equipment is you will get spikes now and then. Having two different systems makes proof an easier thing to obtain.

Cold Spot Detectors: Ghosts absorb energy around them when they are active. These energies come in many forms. The most common energy form that a ghost uses is simple heat. A ghost will absorb heat to help it manifest which is why people feel cold when a ghost passes them. This is simply the ghost using energy from the room and from our bodies.

Recent advancements in thermometer technology make checking for cold spots simple and cheap. Infrared devices, like those featured here, can digitally read temperatures from remote locations where they are pointed. For instance, if there is a spot much colder than the rest of a room and there is no draft, chances are there is ghost activity. If you aim a detector at a spot and a temp suddenly drops drastically, you know something is happening. You can also use it to verify if a ghost is interacting with a person by seeing if a person's exterior temp drops. By far, this one of the most useful and affordable tools for serious investigations.

Motion Detectors

: Motion detectors are one of the least expensive equipment you can get and are highly recommended. It is affordable because you can build these yourself out of any motionequipment on the market. They all work on the same premise: automatic house lighting, burglar alarms, etc.

It is not certain whether the movement of ghosts themselves can set off motion alarms. That is under debate. However, the actions of ghosts can, such as moving items in rooms, etc. Sprits have their own personality just like the living. Some are aggressive but some are shy and only act when they are left alone. You can't be everywhere but your detectors can.

Night Vision

: Why do we hunt ghostsat night? Its not because they are unpresent in the daytime. Generally, it is because its easier to detect them in dark and quiet conditions,and some say energies they need to materialize are maximized during thenight.

Since you will be hunting in the dark, night vision scopes are important to witness events you might not see and to maintain safety. Although on the expensive side, they are a very good investment and have multiple uses.

Compass

: It may seem like a small item, but a compass serves multiple purposes. Of course it may be used to find your way, but it may also be used to detect odd magnetic fields. If you experience an area with activity, look for magnetic fields in the area to zero in on the disturbance.

Although compasses themselves are cheap items we HIGHLY recommend you get a quality compass. Normal, cheap compasses tend to place the needle too close to the bottom of the compass or in a configuration which makes using them impossible if you are on any angle or moving (which you will be doing a lot of) To that end, you need to use a compass that is professional and will work if it is off-balance or shaken. We would also recommend getting both a digital and old fashioned needle version because digital compass detection is different from traditional magnetic detection.

Cameras

: The most important equipment is that which gives you proof. Visual proof is the ultimate proof. Fortunately many investigators believe that cheaper cameras actually may produce better results. The rationale behind this revolves around the fact that the more error correcting you add to a camera the less likely you are to produce a raw image.

Must Haves:

Colleagues: Don't ever investigate alone. Safety in numbers.

Baby powder

: We call this the drug-store motion detector. Its rare, but it can be sprinkled and used in rooms to record footprints or movement.

Flashlights

: Strong versions with clips that can be attached to your clothing are the best. And remember, bring several. Some may fail. You can also mute strong lights when you need less light by using thin fabric or colored cling wrap.

Candles

: Can all your batteries fail? Oh yeah! You can also use smoke in air tight rooms to record odd air movements.

Batteries: As previously mentioned, batteries tend to drain. So take as many as you can.

Chalk

: Mark evidence and also mark trees and other areas where you might have ventured to help get back. If you are exploring, never contaminate an area with a mark that can't be later removed. If you have to permanently document it, take a picture.

Watches

: Record when events happen and coordinate your efforts. Suggest you have two: one wind-up type and one battery powered.

Notebook

: Make sure you have organized notes and bring a cheap book light so you can write easily.

Cell phone

: If you are in any remote area, make sure to have an emergency link to home. Also, make sure that someone knows where you have gone and when you will return for your safety (although you should never hunt alone).

Thermometer

: Ideally you would like to buy a very quick digital outdoor detector so you can find cold spots as they happen. Normal thermometer sare too slow and won't produce any results.

Tissue paper

: If you are in a room that you know has no drafts, you can detect paranormal movement by suspending tissue paper or very thin cloth in air tight areas. You can even very the thickness in areas as a test in itself.

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Find Spooky Places Near Your Home

Ghosts and hauntings are popular topics today. Many people want to know how to find places where they can encounter ghosts, too.

It's best start ghost hunting near your own home. Here are ways to find local haunts:

Search online for your city, town, state, and region, using words such as "ghosts" and "haunted." Many websites list every location that is even rumored to be haunted. In our experience, only a small percentage of these will have ghosts. However, if the sites are near your home, it's worth checking every location.

Check recent news headlines for reports of hauntings. Some websites, including HollowHill.com, list the best regional news stories about ghosts.

Read books at the library. Most public libraries have a section about the paranormal. Also look among books describing your local area. Libraries usually have a section specifically about their town or city, and the region in general. While "ghost" books can be unreliable, they are a good place to start.

Ask people. You may be surprised by how many believe in ghosts, or at least know a few places with ghost stories. Generally, college, high-school and middle school students know rumors about local haunted places.

Check back issues of local newspapers. Most newspapers feature haunted sites in their issues the week before Halloween.

Ask the police. You may be surprised that the police are often the best resource for information about hauntings. Generally skeptics, the police know which places generate complaints about odd activity--noises, weird lights, and so on--but have no reasonable explanations.

Some of the classic clichés can help you to locate places that are haunted. Here are "tried and true" choices for ghost hunters:

Cemeteries are usually mildly haunted. Older cemeteries--from the 19th century and earlier--are more likely to have ghosts. Explore the oldest sections of cemeteries for the best results. However, many cemeteries are closed between dusk and dawn. Be sure to observe local laws whenever you go ghost hunting.

Abandoned building sites are often haunted. People don't usually walk away from a perfectly good house or building unless there is something significantly wrong with it. What's wrong may be a ghost.

Theaters--the kind that have a stage the people have performed on--are almost always haunted. Usually, these are fun ghosts. Look for ghosts around the stage, in the audience, backstage, and just outside the doors to the seating areas.

Most colleges and some schools usually have at least one poltergeist. However, you'll probably have to ask the students for help in finding them. An EMF meter can be especially useful for locating poltergeist activity.

Avoid investigating private homes when you are new to ghost hunting. In addition to issues of safety and the law, people who are troubled by ghosts--or proud of them--have expectations that you may not be able to meet.

These should be a enough ideas to get you started when you are new to ghost hunting or are looking for some good local haunts. However, also rely on your gut instinct. If a location looks haunted, it might be a good place to investigate.

Ghost hunting can be a fun hobby, and even more exciting than TV shows about hauntings. Almost every community has a ghost or two. Use common sense and observe local laws, and you may return home with ghost stories to impress friends and family.

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You May Be A Ghost-Host

Do you hear unexplained noises? Whether subtle or loud enough to wake the dead, if you hear the sound of footsteps, knocking, banging, rapping, scratching at the walls or floors, or the sound of some invisible something being dropped, you may be a ghost-host.

Do your doors, cabinets and cupboards seem to have a mind of their own? If you walk back into a room to find the door open when you know darn well that you closed it, or vice versa, you may be a ghost-host.

Does your furniture hop, skip and jump when you're gone? If your chairs, tables and lamps are in a different position when you come back into a room than they were when you went out of it, you may be a ghost-host.
Are you in and out of the light? If your electric lights are on when you know you switched them off, or are off when you know you left the light on, you may be a ghost-host.

Is your electronic equipment self-willed? If your television sets, radios, and computers go off and on, if the volume goes up and down, or if the channel changes with no help from you, you may be a ghost-host.

Do household items disappear, and reappear in the exact place you thought you'd left them in the first place? If something that you always keep in the same spot isn't there, and you search high and low and can't find it, and sometime later it shows up exactly where you thought you'd put it in the first place, you may be a ghost-host.

Are you living in the shadows? If you see unexplained fleeting shapes and shadows out of the corner of your eye (whether the shadows have vaguely human forms or not) you may be a ghost-host.

Do your animals sense something that you can't see? If your dog or cat behaves strangely (dogs barking at something that you can't see, cowering for no apparent reason, refusing to enter a room they're usually comfortable in, or cats appearing to be watching something across the room that you can't see) you may be a ghost-host.

Do you feel like someone is watching you? If you sense someone watching you when you're in a room alone, especially when you're in specific rooms at specific times, you may be a ghost-host.

All of these occurrences are fairly common, and happen all the time to ghost-hosts. Most people just learn to live with it. Sometimes, though, even stranger things can happen, things that made it even more probable that you're a ghost-host.

Do you see it with your own eyes? Finding a door open is one thing; actually seeing it open for no apparent reason is quite another. If you've witnessed the lights going on and off by themselves, the television and radio changing channels without benefit of the remote control, or watched window and door locks change position with no help from you, you can almost bet you're a ghost-host.

Have you experienced the touch? It's one thing to feel as though someone is watching you, but something else altogether when you feel like you're being touched and there's no one in the room but you. If you feel something brushing past you, something touching your hair or feel an invisible hand your shoulder, you can almost bet you're a ghost-host.
Are you hearing things? If you've listened to cries and whispers from unknown sources, muffled voices, your name being said, or music from some unknown source, you can almost bet you're a ghost-host.

Is the heat on? If you experience cold or hot spots in your house for no obvious reason, or the temperature changes with no apparent cause, you can almost bet you're a ghost-host.

Does the nose know? If unexplained smells (especially the distinct fragrance of a perfume you've never used or a foul odor with no discernable source) come and go without any apparent cause, you can almost bet you're a ghost-host.

All of these symptoms of ghost-hosting can be disconcerting, to say the least, but don't really put anyone in danger. Some hauntings, however, are much more serious in nature, and require the help of trained professionals to remove the offending ghost from the premises.

Do objects in your home move or levitate? If you've experienced dinner planes sliding across the table, or pictures flying off the walls, doors slamming shut with great force, or furniture sliding across the floor, you might want to call the ghost-busters.

Have you been physically assaulted? If you've experienced scratches, slaps and hard shoves from an invisible force (it's rare, but it happens!) you might want to call the ghost-busters.

Have you been given a message? If you've experienced unexplained writing on papers or on the walls, or see handprints and/or footprints that don't belong to anyone in the house, you might want to call the ghost-busters.

Are you seeing things? If you've seen an apparition (the physical manifestation of a spirit or entity), be it a human-shaped mist or transparent human forms that disappear quickly, or human forms that look as real and solid as any living person you've ever met but disappear before your very eyes), you might want to call the ghost-busters.

There are logical explanations for a lot that happens in our lives; don't jump to the conclusion that you're a ghost-host without checking out all of the 'rational' reasons things are happening the way they're happening. Make every possible effort to prove to yourself that your house is not haunted before you come to the conclusion that it is. And remember - the vast majority of houses are NOT haunted.

If you've ruled out any rational explanation for the phenomena you've experienced, and are absolutely convinced that your house is truly haunted, ask for help. There are hundreds of paranormal investigation organizations across the country; contact one in your area to help you discover what kind of ghost you've been hosting.

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Tommyknockers of the Western Mines

Mining is an ancient profession and along with the back breaking work and dangers of working in the dark underground, comes century old superstitions, the most notable being that of the Tommyknockers.

These impish, gnome-like men are the Cornish equivalent of Irish leprechauns and English brownies. Germans called them Berggeister or Bergmännlein, meaning “mountain ghosts” or “little miners.”

The Cornish believed these wee little men were the souls of the Jews who crucified Christ and were sent by the Romans to work as slaves in the tin mines. This belief was so strong that the Tommyknockers were allegedly never heard on Saturdays, nor at times of Jewish festivals.

Underground mining, courtesy Library of Congress.

About two feet tall, and often described as greenish in color, they look like men and are most often spied wearing a traditional miner’s outfit. Living beneath the ground, they have been “known” to have committed both good and bad deeds through the centuries, often playing practical jokes and committing random acts of mischief, such as stealing unattended tools and food.
The Tommyknockers were first heard of in the United States when Cornish miners worked in the western Pennsylvania coal mines in the 1820’s. When the California Gold Rush began, these experienced Cornish miners were welcomed and often sought after by the mine owners. Attempting to recruit more minders, managers often approached the immigrants, asking if they had any relatives back in England who might come to work the mines. The Cornish miners would reply something like this: "Well, me cousin Jack over in Cornwall wouldst come could ye pay ’is boat ride." Soon, these many immigrant miners took on the nickname Cousin Jacks, who formed the core of America’s early western mining workforce. As such, their superstition of the Tommyknocker thrived and spread throughout the mines of the west.

The name “knockers,” pronounced “knackers,” comes from the knocking on the mine walls that often happens just before cave-ins. Actually caused by the creaking of earth and timbers, some thought these sounds of “hammering” were malevolent, indicating certain death or injury, while others saw their “knocking” as well-meaning, warning the miners that a life-threatening collapse was imminent. Yet, others believed that the knocking sounds would lead them to a rich ore body and or signs of good luck.

When these grizzled little gnomes were good, they were thought to bring miners favors and wealth. But when they were bad, they were said to bring about misery, injury, and death to those who doubted their power or who did not believe in them.

These highly spirited characters were also known to perform many of the mining duties, working right along side the men, as well as being blamed for many a prank, and credited with saving the lives of many miners. If a hammer was missing, it was the Tommyknockers who had taken it, but if a miner escaped a collapse, the Tommyknockers were given credit.

Later, the legend of the Tommyknockers evolved into the idea that the knockings were caused by dead miners who were kind enough to give warnings of danger to the living. In praise of these kind gestures, the miners would leave offerings of food and other items in order to secure their good graces and protection.

In some mines, where the Tommyknockers’ presence was known to be overwhelmingly malevolent, the mines were forced to close because of the mens’ fear of the spirits. When the mines played out, the legend continued as many said the Tommyknockers found “work” in the homes surrounding the old mineshafts. Superstitions continued when many a family death or disaster was allegedly foretold by a knocking in the house.

Belief in these diminutive miners remained well into the 20th century until modern systems and education replaced these earlier superstitions. Though not much is heard of the Tommyknockers today, they will forever have a place in our history, legend and lore.

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Types of Ghosts

Humans have been able to conquer and find answers to most of the mysteries of the world, but death remains unconquered. Although there have been many theories told about life after death, nothing has been clearly evident. The speculations over ghosts have been raving for a long time, but concrete evidence has not been found. According to believers, there are different types of ghosts, such as traditional apparitions, crisis apparitions, doppelgangers, and anniversary ghosts.

Traditional apparitions are ghosts that interact with human beings. This can be for good or for bad. These ghosts are said to hide objects, frighten people, throw objects or plea for help. These ghosts are said to be present because of unfinished work. This can be due to their death in untoward circumstances, and they generally seek human help to resolve the issue and progress into a different realm. These spirits are said to be “intelligent” yet haunting, as they appear to be aware of the people around them and their surroundings.

Crisis apparitions are ghosts who appear to inform someone about danger. They are solid or transparent by nature. Anniversary ghosts appear on the anniversary of their death caused by some tragic event. These ghosts are commonly found in haunted houses or castles, and often relate to legends of tragedies from centuries past.

Messenger ghosts, like banshees, appear to family members to herald the death of another family member. Poltergeists are noisy spirits who produce sounds like ""psychic explosions"" from a teenage boy or girl.

Speculations are believed to be the soul or spirit of humans who have passed on from this life. These are orb-shaped and have been seen by many. Some say these spirits have a separate life form and are undetectable to the human eye because of their finer tissue.

Although there has been a lot written about ghosts, nothing can be termed as reality. Scientists still believe that ghosts and spirits are something that has been born out of the fear of human.

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Ghostly Facts

Ghosts want to be noticed.

Ghosts have no sense of passing time.

Often, they do not know that they are dead.

Sometimes they exist in a state of confusion, perhaps like being stuck in a dream.

Ghosts can smell things and love the smell of lemons.

Ghosts have a sense of humor and love to hear humans laugh.

Sometimes ghosts get bored with their surroundings

Most ghosts are happy, but some still cling to an emotional pain.

They can appear to the living in dreams.

They can leave behind certain scents, such as perfume.

They can make sounds that are audible.

They use their energies and ours to move things.

They are pranksters.

They usually appear as intense balls of light called orbs that are neon blue or violet.

Ghosts favor night due to the decrease in daytime energy use.

Ghosts may appear as mists or vapors.

A hooded black smoky figure is a dark entity and you should be careful around them. They usually appear at the foot of beds.

Some alleged hauntings are actually a "residue," which is a past event that replays itself over and over.

Certain places are portals or vortexes where ghosts transport themselves.

Hauntings are most intense around children entering puberty, as kids this age are emitting immense amounts of energy.

Ghosts can read your thoughts.

Ghosts retain all the memories and emotions of their lives.



Sometimes ghosts are trapped and need to be released. Let them know they can move on.

Noisy, troublesome ghosts are known as poltergeists.

Ghosts tend to be very temperamental.

If a spirit was a jerk while living, they will probably still be a jerk while a ghost.

Ghosts hang out in cliques with other ghosts.

Ghosts make friends with other ghosts from different eras.

If you hear a strange whisper in your ear when sleeping, it is probably a ghost.

Ghosts do not sleep.

Ghosts like to climb up and down stairs at night.

Most ghosts can't or won't hurt you.

Animals can see or sense spirits, that's why you often see them just staring intensely at what appears to be nothing.

If you are being haunted, if you simply ask them to leave, they will. Say something like "I know you are here but you are scaring me please leave."

When a ghost enters a room, the room usually gets cold.

Animal ghosts exist and have been sighted.

Ghosts who lived hundreds of years ago keep up with the trends.

Children perceive ghosts as imaginary friends.

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Signs of A Haunting

SIGNS OF A HAUNTING

People in the house are having bad dreams.

You hear footsteps, taps on the walls or voices.

Objects are mysteriously disappear only to return later.

Pets react to something others can't see. A dog might be growling at thin air or its hackles may rise. Pets may refuse to go in a particular room.

Electrical appliances and lights turn on or off by themselves. Tap water turns on or off and toilets flush of their own accord. Doors open and close with unseen hands.

Unexplained cold drafts or cold spots can be felt.

Small children talk to people who are not there.

Seeing unexplained shadows, usually out of the corner of your eye. Sometimes the shadows take on a a vaguely human shape.

Feeling as though you're being watched when no one is there.

Feelings of being touched or something brushing past - a gentle poke, push, or nudge.

Noticeable changes in temperature. Cold spots are most often reported.

Unexplained smells such as distinctive perfume or foul odors that have no explainable source.

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WHERE GHOSTS ARE MOST OFTEN SEEN

In mirrors

On staircases

Peering out of windows.

Perched in chairs.

In hallways

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The "Can You See Ghosts" Test

Do you have a unique awareness that is completely unrelated to your five senses? Do you sometimes know things, yet you cannot explain how you know them? It is said that some individuals are so exceptionally sensitive to their environment, they can perceive what most cannot-- disembodied spirits. Perhaps, you are one of these “exceptional” people. All cultures have legends, told in hushed voices, as the tellers look fearfully around. They speak of spirits who cling tenaciously to this world. They are no longer of this earth, yet they remain among the living; sadly unaware they are dead. In the “scare you to death” movie, the Sixth Sense, this was the explanation given for ghostly visitations. According to the movie, a few “gifted” individuals are capable of perceiving these ostensibly unwelcome spirits. Unfortunately, since I missed the first few minutes of the movie, Bruce’s lack of respiration came as a heart stopping revelation to me, just as it did to poor, wretched, dead Bruce Willis. Oops, sorry, I forgot, his heart had already stopped. Are you a ghost magnet such as the mendacious, beleaguered semi-heroine of Ghost, Whoopi Goldberg?



Are spirits powerless to move on because of a thirst for revenge, a desire to protect the living, or, perhaps, because of a horribly brutal death? We have no definitive answers for these questions. Sane, responsible individuals have reported encountering these displaced spirits. Eleanor Mondale (daughter of the former vice-president) insists a ghost visited her one night at the vice-president’s house (Evans & Huyghe, 2000). It is said, that Presidents Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield did not “leave the building” when their terms expired. They are still there, alarming unsuspecting guests. Why do some visitors see the illustrious former presidents and others do not? Are you one of the special people who could see Honest Abe or feel his ghostly presence? Let’s take the test and see. Hush. Wait. Did you hear that noise?


The “Can You See Ghosts” Test

1. Have you ever known the phone was going to ring before it rang?

Yes___ No___

2. Have you ever felt a sudden chill in a room, when there was no apparent reason?

Yes___ No___

3. Have you ever seen anything that could not be explained by science and logic?

Yes___ No___

4. Have you ever felt you were being watched when you were alone?

Yes___ No___

5. Have you ever had a vision or a dream that came true?

Yes___ No___

6. Have you ever had a successful session with a Ouija Board?

Yes___ No___

7. Do you have an open mind about the supernatural?

Yes___ No___

8. Would you refuse to spend the night in a “haunted” house?

Yes___ No___

9. Do you meditate?

Yes___ No___

10. Have you retained the childlike ability, simply to “accept” new experiences without distorting preconceptions?

Yes___ No___

11. Are you more likely to make decisions using your “gut feeling” than your “thinking logic?”

Yes___ No___

12. Have you ever been told that psychic ability runs in your family?

Yes___ No___

13. Do you wear black 90% (or more) of the time?

Yes___ No___

Scoring your test:

Give yourself one point for each “yes” answer. As for question “13,” I was just kidding. I wear black much of the time…but then, now that I think about it, there was that time I was alone in my 100 year-old farmhouse, and I heard… Perhaps, I will share that in the next book.

Understanding your Score:

Scores 1 – 4

Your psychic ability has not been fully developed. Perhaps, your personality is rational and pragmatic and you prefer to see “phenomena” that can be explained by logic. However, if you are interested in improving you psychic ability you can practice meditation and open yourself up to new experiences. There are on-line sites that offer information about and guidance in the fascinating world of the supernatural, which has a virtual Ouija Board. Werner Heisenberg (Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science) wrote, “… many new elementary particles may be created from the available energy and the old particles may have disappeared…” In other words, something dies and something new is created from its residual energy. Makes sense to me. Is this a possible explanation for the presence of ghosts…if, indeed, they exist? See, logic and reason…

Scores 5 – 8

You are coming along quite nicely. Your score indicates that you are open to unique experiences and you esteem an open, inquisitive mind. You may have experienced the supernatural.

Scores 9 – 12

It is certainly possible that you have psychic ability. Your score is very encouraging. You, as well as the last group, may have experienced the supernatural. It would be a pity if you did not learn more about this enthralling subject and about your innate ability. Look at the sites listed and perhaps take a ghost tour, plan a vacation to spots that are rumored to be haunted and read some scholarly books on the paranormal. Good ghost hunting!

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Is Your House Haunted by Scary Creatures of the Night?

Your house is your sanctuary. You live in it, spend most of your life in it and deem it as the only place in the world where you can truly be yourself. Like a castle to a king, your house is your domain. Your house is where you rule and conquer. But what if it turns out that there are other unseen creatures of the night roaming in your said dominion?

It is rather difficult to mark a line between a door being shut because of strong wind and a door slammed by ghostly spirits. Though random events such as this could already spell out ghost hauntings, true ghost hauntings are still rare occurrences. The fact that it is so rare might actually make you a bit paranoid whether the eerie sounds you're hearing, figures you're seeing and the windows suddenly closing are really signs that your house is being haunted by scary creatures of the night.

To help you ease that paranoia, I've listed some signs that determine whether your house is haunted. Read them and determine whether you have experience such.

1. Unexplained Noises

You are all alone, but you hear strange foot steps outside your room. Not only that, voices of children playing in the garden can be heard, as well. The weird thing about it is that when you looked outside, no one was in sight. The sound differs from time to time. Sometimes, you hear the sounds of chains clanking or a faint cry of a woman during the night. You can't explain where these strange sounds come from, and most of all, they bring chills up and down your spine.

2. Furniture Being Moved

You placed your coffee table beside your favorite couch. For some strange reason you can't wrap your head around, you would walk into the living room next morning to find the coffee table moved to a different spot. You thought someone in your family must have done it, so you pass it up and let the strange event go. Just when you think it's over, you wake up one day and open your eyes to find pieces of furniture all over the place in random spots. Clearly, one of those creatures of the night wants to make its presence known.

3. Creepy Apparitions

You point the camera and click the button. The picture comes out perfectly with three of your friends smiling, but a blurry creature seems to be caught by your camera, as well. In another instance, you look into the mirror and see the reflection of a hazy image behind you making your knees tremble with fear. If this has happened more than twice in your house, consider the thought of seeking a paranormal expert's help.

4. Strange Feeling of Being Watched

You don't see anything strange or hear anything spooky, but you always feel like someone is watching for you. The thought is enough to send chills up and down your spine. This usually happens in a particular part of the house.

5. Animals' Weird Behavior

Your pets suddenly act in a strange way. Your dogs bark at no one and have that scared look to their actions. According to paranormal experts, animals have a way of knowing and sensing whether there are evil creatures of the night co-habitating in your house.

These are just some of the signs of a haunted house. If you're unlucky, stranger and more damaging events might occur in your domain. Unfortunately, not everyone is sensitive to these signs of abhorring ghost hauntings.

So what do you do when you have already deduced that your house is haunted? Don't waste time and call a paranormal expert to appease the spirits in a more appropriate way. Do so immediately and don't wait for the ghosts to be destructive. This might seem surreal, but it is a sure way to put to rest the creatures of the night wanting to dominate your house.

It's now time for you to ask yourself, "Is my house haunted?"

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Photography Opportunities

Ensure that your camera lens is clean and dry. Any dust or prints will adversely affect the picture.

Keep all cigarette or cigar smoke away from the photo area. This can be confused for ectoplasm.

Fog, snow and dry winds can cause irregular photos. Blowing dust can appear as orbs.

Consider removing the camera strap to ensure it doesn't get in the image's path. At such close range, straps (and fingertips) can appear as vortex.

Never shoot a photo directly into the sun's rays. Reflection, lens magnification and smudges will appear as something they are not.

Avoid handling the negatives in case of future reproductions. Place negatives in clear plastic sleeves designed for archiving.

Try if possible to avoid flash photography. Reflection can cause havoc in an image.

Try to avoid auto focusing on newer cameras. Set to manual to avoid misfocusing on a bright light.

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Essential Equipment

35 MM Camera/digital camera - 400 film speed or greater
EMF Meter - will read the electromagnetic fields in an area
video camera (optional)
thermometers for temp change at a site
notebook and pens (more than one pen)
tape recorder with additional blank tapes
bandages and antiseptic in case of emergencies
appropriate clothing and footwear
extra batteries, film and tapes
maps or other instructions for the site
written permissions in case you need proof of entry
pocket recorder (notebook as backup)
identification (always a good idea)
flashlight (extra batteries)
watch for record of event occurrences

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Beginning An Investigation

Belief is not necessary, but negativity CAN affect the area. Negative energy may deter your subjects from making an appearance. Keep your thoughts on your task and enjoy your work.

Always obey the local laws. Venturing into a cemetery after dark, trespassing on private property and taking photos when not authorized will only serve to get you and your team into trouble. Best to get permissions ahead of time.

ALWAYS search the history of the site before beginning an investigation. Search the local Land and Trust offices, local library and area newspaper morgues for information or history on the site.

Never go to an investigation site under the influence. This can impair judgment and discredit your findings.

Never go to the site alone. This point has a two-fold effect. First, corroborating your findings with another investigator is always a good idea. Second, no investigator should go into the field alone. Often, haunted areas can be dangerous due to age, decay or abandonment. ALWAYS let another know where you will be and what time you will return.

Always be prepared. Set aside a backpack (hands-free shoulder straps) to hold your equipment and record keeping instruments.

Not every investigation attempt is going to succeed in photos or findings. Try again, perhaps at another phase in the moon, different weather patterns, time of day, etc.

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Ghost Hunting 101

Do you hear bumps in the night? Does your hair stand on end when you walk into a room? Maybe you feel as if someone is watching you or perhaps you think you see someone out the corner of your eye, but when you turn to look no one is there? What you may be encountering in those unsettling moments is a ghost. So before you go running out of your house screaming, let’s take a moment to talk about ghostly encounters and those that investigate this phenomena.

A ghost is believed to be the spirit or soul of a person who has remained on Earth after death. When a ghost has taken up residence in a location, it is referred to as a haunting. There are two different ways in which a ghost inhabits a location. The most common type of haunting is a residual haunting. A residual haunting is typified by ghostly energy that is static or goes through a number of movements over and over again. It can be likened to watching a movie clip that repeats itself or a record album that has a skip in it, causing the needle to jump back to an earlier point on the album and begin again.

The second classification of haunting is the classic haunting. In a classic haunting the ghost displays intelligence and interacts with the people in the environment. It is not uncommon during a classic haunting for items to be moved around, for lights or electrical appliances to turn on and off, to hear voices our sounds out of nowhere or to be touched, tickled, stroked or even shoved. These ghosts often reflect the personality of an individual, even after their death. With this type of haunting, the aroma of flowers, perfume, cigarette smoke or other scents that are associated with the individual are often detected.

So whether you think you are being haunted by a ghost and want to have a group of trained professionals to come to your home or are interested in investigating all that goes bump in the night, but don’t know where to begin, here’s some information that can help you get started.

It is held that ghosts are electro-magnetic in origin and they create these fields when trying to manifest into this dimension. The energy that is given off by a ghost causes disruptions in the locations magnetic field, thus making it detectable by specialized equipment and psychics alike.

Because the presence of a ghost can be detected by specific types of equipment, a ghost hunter can become well equipped with a number of affordable pieces of equipment, many of which you may already own. From basic to advanced, there are many different types of equipment you can use to detect an otherworldly presence. For someone thinking about participating in an investigation, this doesn’t mean you have to own every piece of equipment in order to perform a reliable investigation. It does mean that you should at least possess a basic set of tools to use.

Basic Equipment

35mm or Digital Camera – For a beginner, having a camera is probably the easiest and least expensive way to begin. Pictures, whether digital or recorded on film can capture paranormal activity, activity that is often invisible to the naked eye. This is especially true in the case of documenting the presence of orbs and ectoplasm.

Notebook & Pen or Pencil – Simple as this may be, it is always a good idea to have something to record any notes, findings or experiences you may have during an investigation.

Flashlight – Many times an investigation will take you to a dark or foreboding location such as a cemetery, old warehouse, abandoned building or other place that is dark or without electricity. In these instances you will need to have a portable light source.

Extra Batteries – Depending on the paranormal activity of a location, batteries oftentimes will mysteriously and unexpectedly lose their charge leaving you in the dark. Regardless of the type of equipment you use, make sure you bring extra batteries along to replenish depleted ones.

Intermediate Equipment

EMF Detector – The Electromagnetic Field Detector is probably one of the most important pieces of equipment to own if you are serious about doing an investigation. In addition to detecting the energy fields of ghosts, it is a key tool to use when taking baseline readings of a site. A baseline reading is a preliminary evaluation of a location, where investigators identify any existing or man made electromagnetic fields such as those created by power lines or electrical appliances.

Digital Video Camera – Video cameras can be a useful investigation tool. Unlike still cameras, a video camera will document any activity in its entirety including the length of time the phenomena occurs, the surrounding conditions, as well as the phenomena itself. A tripod to rest the video camera on is also helpful, especially if it is going to be left in a stationary position to record the activity in a specific location.

Tape Recorder with an External Microphone – There is no better way to capture EVP’s (electronic voice phenomena) than through the use of a tape recorder. Whether using a traditional tape recorder with high quality tapes or a digital recorder, an external microphone should always be used. A detached mic will eliminate the sounds of internal gears and turning wheels that can contaminate your recording.

Advanced Equipment

Motion Detectors – Motion detectors can be used to sense the movement of unseen forces. Many need to be plugged in to an outlet, but battery operated ones are also available. Before you go out and buy one, decide which type will best support you investigatory needs.

Thermal Scanner – A thermal scanner or non-contact thermometer can be used to detect rapid temperature changes. A change of ten degrees or more from the ambient temperature (the temperature of the surrounding area) can indicate an ethereal presence.

Psychics – As An Investigative Tool

In addition to tools such as cameras, meters and gauges that are used by ghost hunters, many groups also utilize the services of trained psychics as a means of gathering information about a site. This is the role I play when working with ghost hunting groups.

Finding a true psychic to work with can be a real asset to the quality of your investigation. They can play an invaluable role in supporting the efforts of any paranormal investigation. Like a good piece of equipment, a psychic can help to detect anomalies as well as provide additional insights into the nature of activity encountered.

If your group decides to include the use of a psychic as part of the investigation team, there are a few items that should be considered. To maximize the objectivity of the investigation, it is critical that the psychic go into a location “cold”. This means that they do not know the details of the location or of any activity that may have been encountered by other members or the property owner. Telling the psychic the history of a property can cause the individual to become “contaminated”, which can make it difficult for them to differentiate what they perceive from what they have been told.

Conducting An Investigation

With at least a basic kit of equipment in hand, you are now ready to explore the world of paranormal phenomena. Before you begin, there are a few ground rules to consider. First, never go on an investigation alone, in addition to personal safety, you never know what may happen. Next, consider the fact that ghost hunting groups are often judged by their behavior and professionalism – so always try to be respectful of the people, places and situations you may encounter.

To do an investigation, the first step is to select a location. Locations can include cemeteries, old buildings, historic sites, private homes and businesses. Always get permission to be on a site. This will keep you from getting in trouble for trespassing. Before you begin a formal investigation it is a good idea to do some research on the site. Talk to the owner, check out old newspapers, or contact the local historic society to see if anything happened there in the past. It is also a good idea to evaluate the terrain for potential hazards or/or to identify places where you can setup stationary video cameras, motion detectors or tape recorders.

Most investigations occur after dark, between the hours of 9pm and 6am. These hours are considered the “psychic hours” and are believed to be the best time to record paranormal activity.

When you get to the selected location, walk around to get a feel for it. Next, set up any stationary equipment and take baseline readings of the site. Then let the investigation begin. Take pictures, shoot video, record for EVP and take meter readings. Take them everywhere and anywhere, especially if you feel something or get a reading on another piece of equipment. When you are done walking around a site, turn your stationary equipment on and let it run while you and your group are out of the area.

When you have finished collecting your data, it is time for analysis. Here each picture, video and tape is reviewed for evidence of a haunting. This is probably the most important part of any investigation. As you review your materials, be skeptical. Look for earthly causes of any phenomena. Was someone smoking in the area? Was the room or location dusty? Where there reflective surfaces that could be the cause of the anomaly in your image? It is important to make sure your evidence will stand up to scrutiny by eliminating any other explanations. This will give your data more credibility.

As you pore over your data, what you will find is that not every location you go to will have ghostly activity. You may discover that many of the things you initially detected during your investigation actually have real world explanations as opposed to supernatural ones. What keeps many ghost hunters going is that one-in-five chance that this investigation will be the “real” thing.

When your analysis is done, presenting your finding to the home or property owner or sharing your results with others is often done. Many groups also post the results of their investigations on their group’s website, thus share the outcome of their investigation with the rest of the world.

If you are interested in ghost hunting or think your have a ghost hanging around in your local, there is a plethora of information available on the worldwide web. Here you can find articles about ghost hunting in general, stories of other people’s ghostly encounters, places that sell ghost hunting equipment and even sites hosted by ghost hunting groups in your geographic area.

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