The definition of the word Paranormal, is "not in accordance with scientific laws", thus, any phenomenon that does not fit into our modern scientific world is classed as "Paranormal". The world of the Paranormal covers a vast area.. Magic, Hauntings/Apparitions, Demonology/Possession, Astral / Ethereal Beings, Extra-Terrestrial life, Mythical Creatures, and so on..
Scientists for many years, have flatly refused to acknowledge that there may be other laws that govern the universe around us. That all things must be explained by the limited laws of science. If we cannot see the mysterious, then it cannot exist.
This is where the Paranormal Investigator enters the picture.
A good Paranormal Investigator should not be easily convinced that they are experiencing genuine paranormal activity, until, documented audio/visual proof is gathered, and then analysed. Such proof is not easily found though. If it was, the Paranormal would cease to be such a mystery to us all.
Below is some general information on common factors and phrases used in that most widely investigated of phenomenons : Spirits and Hauntings.
Reportings of Hauntings can quite often turn out to have a logical explanation through a natural circumstance or indeed even external tampering. Often, weather conditions such as wind, rain, cold can causes noises such as drips, creaks, groans, rattling noises etc. People tend to forget that buildings, especially older ones, can contract and expand with the weather conditions thus causing some rather strange and unsettling noises. Pipework around a home can also create some eerie noises. Small animals such as rodents behind cupboards, in lofts/attics etc.. can cause scratching/scrabbling noises that may lift the hair on the back of your neck.
The capture of light anomalies and "Orbs" on filming equipment is still an often argued topic with many Paranormal teams. Our own view is that 99% of the time these are due to natural conditions and not Paranormal activity. Small insects,dust particles, water vapor,film defects, hair and camera straps can often account for many anomalies. Light anomalies come in many shapes and forms,from the common orbs and rarer flashing coloured lights, to the vortex, a long thin rope-like anomaly (which can actually be a camera strap or hair in front of the lens). We have captured on film various anomalies, from moving blue electrical type energies to the alleged vortex and of course, the Publics favourite, Orbs.
A very well known T.V series often captures Orbs using their nightvision cameras. This is very easily done, and considering some of the locations visited, dust and flying insects are to be expected to be caught on film. Of more interest to us is the electrical sphere or plasma ball, a ball of blue energy that looks like electricity. It is possible that this strange anomaly could herald the manifestation of an entity, but as yet, we have no concrete proof of this. Also, coloured "darts" of light can sometimes be seen in active locations, possibly an energy form in motion.
Apparitions are a genuine phenomena. They can range from misty transparent figures, moving shadows and in rare cases, fully materialised figures that can seem as solid as the viewer. It has been speculated that certain locations may generate these due to energies left from the past. A re-enactment of some previous event, as such, like an old piece of film shown over and over at various times. Could this be due to some kind of time loop? We simply do not know the answer yet. Traumas and tragedies have often occured in places where these sightings have been witnessed. Although apparitions have been caught on camera, there has often been the problem of proving the authentitcity of the picture. Unlike digital cameras, Analogue cameras have the bonus of allowing a negative to be viewed, thus showing the photograph was genuine. Digital Camcorders with nightvision or 0 lux, are quite efficient at capturing apparitions in some locations. Usually such an apparition appears in the shape of a human shaped shadow, often moving near doorways in dimly lit locations. The investigating team has to verify then that no living soul was in the area at the time, and hence, caught on film.
Ectoplasm is a smokey mist like substance that is believed to be the physical manifestation of a spirit (often through mediums, though some were found to be faked in previous times). Ectoplasm is claimed to be caught on film quite often by Investigators but can be hard to authenticate. We have tested this by taking photographs through glass with sunlight and the result was an anomaly very much like ectoplasm but certainly not paranormal. Our team has also caught on film what looked like a ghostly mist but was merely the result of geological factors, in this case, a faint mist caused by cold and vapour in an underground chamber.
Cold/Hot Spots are another common syndrome. Part of our initial tests are to search for any air draughts and their sources. not very exciting sounding but an essential part of the investigation nevertheless. A candle that flickers spookily can often be caused by such a draught. On occasion we come across a cold spot that has no draught from nearby. When this happens then we conduct various tests and experiments, then this may be attributed to possible Paranormal activity. The vaults vigil we attended at the Blair St Vaults, had some extreme temperature fluctuations in certain areas (see Vaults Vigil).
Evp recordings are a fascinating phenomena. These are voices, noises caught on auditory equipment that can`t be accounted for.Evps are often more common in investigations than any phantasmal sightings. White noise is considered to be a good aid in recording these sounds. The success of EVP recordings may be due to the audio low signal frequencies picking up communication attempts easier than visual equipment.
Mediumship is often used by other Paranormal Investigatiors. Mediums can be Clairaudient, Clairvoyant and Clairsentient. Clairaudience is the ability to hear spirits, Clairvoyance is the ability to see Spirits, Clairsentience is the ability to sense the presence and thoughts of spirits. The ability to tune in to the world of spirit has been documented in many religions and races, with common recurring themes, for example, the Native Indians believed they could commune with the spirits of nature and animals, as well as the deceased.
Unfortunately, in an investigation it can be quite tricky to prove the information is correct about a spiritual presence or if its merely the imagination at work. We rarely use mediums in our own investigations, for this very reason. Instead we aim to collect solid evidence through technical means.
© Spectre 2004
