As I mentioned in a previous post, I love paranormal books. I like the ones based on real life experiences but I really like paranormal fiction. My first love was vampires but I have expanded to witches and wereanimals as well. From my extensive paranormal library, I have chosen a few of my absolute favorite authors and story lines.
Anne Rice – I love Interview with a Vampire and read the series all the way through Pandora and Merrick before I lost interest. I feel like he story line climaxed around Memnoch the Devil and kind of went downhill after that.
Laurell K. Hamilton – Completely adored this series at first. Anita Blake is a great character and the whole world is fantastic but then….the stories got less paranormal and more about sex with as many people as could be fit into a scene. However, the first fiveish books are fantastic.
Charlaine Harris – Of course more people are familiar with her because of the HBO series but the Sookie Stackhouse books are amazing. That is all.
Jim Butcher – For a little warlocky fun the Dresden series is great. There are ghosts, demons, vampires, werewolves and all sorts of paranormal activity in these books.
What are your favorite paranormal books? I’m always looking for my next book fix!
Photo Credit: Dawn Endico
August 21st, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
I’ve really started to enjoy some of the teen paranormal books that are out. I guess I got hooked on the Twilight Series, which has vampires and werewolves, first. Although, I admit I’ve always had a fondness for the vampire lore going back to scary stories and then Ms. Rice. Then I moved on to the Vampire Academy books and now I’m reading the Night World books, which have pretty much every sort of paranormal critter you can think of.
No, I’m not a teen. Yes, I read books for adults. Honestly though, these are well written with interesting characters and plot development. Also, unlike books written for a more mature audience these are not filled with explicit love scenes. Don’t get me wrong I like Laurel K. Hamilton as much as the next girl but sometimes you need a break from all of the, uhm…steam? Another good thing about the teen paranormal fiction books is that they are easy to read. I call them brain candy. For me they are quick reads that are still fun. Like watching a television show as opposed to a movie, if that makes any sense.
I know that I’m not the only Twilight fan out there for sure, so others must now have this same addiction. What is your favorite teen paranormal series?
Photo Credit: Storm
August 14th, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
As odd as it may sound, I found out about amateur ghost chasers while I was teaching a GED class. One of my students was chatting during a break and told me that on weekends she and her ‘ghost busters’ club would go out and visit local places that were supposed to be haunted. They had a variety of ways to substantiate hauntings and they did tons of research to pick the locations. All I could think was, huh? Really? I mean I’ve always been interested in the paranormal but not in the I want to hunt down ghosties. I mean really, don’t most people avoid ghosts or get rid of them if at all possible?
I know there are professional ghost hunters but that doesn’t mean I think it is a good hobby. I was actually a bit surprised by my reaction because, as I said, I’ve been interested in the paranormal for a long time. Let’s put it this way…I’d read everything in my school library about ghosts and witches etc. by the time I was in third grade. It’s kind of my thing, but to go out and look for ghosts on purpose? That is sooo not for me. What about you? Do you chase ghosts for fun? If so, how did you get started and what has been your most interesting experience?
Photo Credit: Avlxyz
July 1st, 2009 by birdievogel | Posted in Ghosts | Comments (0)
Continued from Ghost Hunting Etiquette: Part One …
Many questions must be asked of the witnesses to determine if the strange activity or experiences are truly those of a ghost. Residual energy haunting can be determined simply by asking the homeowner, tenant or witnesses if the paranormal experience consisted only of feelings and emotional sensations. Residual energy does not manifest physical consciousness, malevolence or aggression.
Physical evaluation and study of the home or area must be conducted to rule out any logical or reasonable reasons for any odd activity. High concentrations of magnetic fluctuations due to ley lines or man-made technology can create false readings on instruments, as well as alter human perception.
In the event of a real haunting, a determination must be made whether actual physical or communicative contact has been made. True ghosts will try to the best of their abilities to make contact of some kind, whether it be by moving items around the area or attempting to address the living while they are in a partially awakened or sleep state.
Apparitions, orbs and audible sounds are all common forms of a ghostly presence trying to make themselves known. Often, they will become frustrated or provoked into more assertive attempts to make their points obvious. By poking, pushing or scratching, they prove they do not wish to be ignored.
It would be wise to obtain information pertaining to the history of the home and its former residents as to better understand what type of activities, negative or positive, may have gone on in the home. Better yet, an honorable and experienced empathic psychic medium can be a very valuable asset to the ghost hunting team. These individuals are specifically tuned into paranormal anomalies and would be able to distinguish what the spirit wants and needs more effectively.
Once the ghost hunter has determined whether or not it is in fact a true haunting, the next step is to attempt to make contact. Almost all ghosts have a message to get across. The messages are often relatively clear. The most common of messages are either “hello,” “help” or “get out,” all of which the ghost hunter or home owner needs to acknowledge and value. If not, the entity will simply continue voicing its displeasure with your presence.
One way to attempt to make contact with the wayward soul is to simply speak to it aloud and then allow them to respond. Since we humans cannot usually hear their response, a tape recorder is the a good way to capture electric voice phenomena or EVP. Due to the high density of our dimension, the living are often unable to audibly distinguish voices or sounds created in another dimension that is less dense. An ordinary cassette recorder is somehow able to let a spirit’s voice manifest. This auditory strategy may support the living and the dead in conversation.
Etiquette is of the most utmost importance when physically and verbally approaching a deceased human being. No matter who officially pays the mortgage and holds the land title, the spirit believes that this is his territory. A ghost hunter, and home owner, must be respectful toward the ghost and their predicament or the investigator is bound to get an adverse reaction or none at all. It’s important to be polite and verbally state your purpose immediately upon approaching the location. Asking the deceased individual’s permission to enter the premises or to take photographs is a great way to show them they are being respected.
One has to anticipate what the ghost may be feeling. They are obviously confused, scared, lonely or defensive. An example of how best to learn to appreciate and anticipate the spirits feelings and reactions is to treat it like a frightened animal. If you approach a confused and terrified cat aggressively and abruptly, what can you expect? Well, obviously the petrified feline will either run away or attempt to hurt you in defense. It’s their natural and instinctive reaction to your assumed invasive presence. An animal has no way of knowing your innocent intentions because they are incapable of understanding or reading your mind.
A ghost isn’t much different; the lines of communication are crossed as it is and they don’t have the full understanding of where they are or what’s happened to them. They’re simply reacting with instinct when wondering why this person with strange instruments is intruding in their home! In saying that, we mustn’t underestimate their intelligence either; we must simply try to understand and gently coax them into submission. Your advance and attitude toward them is the most important aspect of the experience.
Fear is also a factor; if your disposition is that of terror, panic or hysterical behavior, they may feed off of that energy. They can themselves become afraid and unresponsive to your requests. In their realm, they have very little control of their existence. They wander aimlessly and confused through a foggy existence, wondering what to do next.
A human soul can sometimes be tormented by memories of a terrible past. They may be reliving a painful and traumatic event over and over. So when someone comes into their fragile world, poking and prodding, they may lash out to protect themselves. Or worse yet, they may be the type that feels empowered by the fact that they can manipulate or control a living person again. This is usually when a haunting can become dangerous and terribly frightening.
One of the most important things to remember is that this spirit literally used to be a flesh and blood human being. A being’s personality, as well as your own, will continue into the next realm even though your tangible body does not. These entities, when alive, had families, jobs, memories and emotions. They had loved ones and were loved by others.
Quite distressingly, some of these souls are bound to this limbo for a potentially horrible and tragic reason. Try to have empathy, consideration and compassion for the state that they are in. A good point to remember when beginning your ghost hunting adventure: You’ll catch more flies with honey. So enter their home with respect, gratitude and a polite disposition,and you may end up with a very cooperative spirit, hence some very good photographs.
Danielle Lee
http://thespiritguide.wordpress.com/
(photo credit: grendlx)
April 11th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Ghosts | Comments (0)
The image and perception of a ghost has taken on so many attributes and illusions over the centuries that it is difficult to distinguish the difference as to what is and what isn’t a true haunting. For some,a ghostly image may be that of a glowing translucent figure that ominously floats from one room of a house to the next, apparently searching for something or someone, unaware of their own demise. For others, poltergeists are demonic or evil entities that spend their eternal days and nights thinking of ways to torture, frighten and manipulate the innocent human beings that happened upon unfortunate territories. The notion is foolish to skeptics who think that a phantom could be nothing more than a person covered with a white sheet, moaning and rattling some chains to disturb the naive and imaginative.
There are many misconceptions about ghosts and the afterlife. Many perceived ghostly activities can be explained quite readily by logic or reason. Residual energy is a definite contending culprit when deciding whether or not there is a spirit prevailing in the area. There are also many other explanations that need to be explored before determining whether a house, location or person, for that matter, are haunted.
Ghost hunters are brave, intellectual and pioneering paranormal scientists and explorers; they courageously enter the domain of a suspected paranormal haunting. They explore locations armed with various technical and instrumental elements, such as cameras, thermometers, EMF detectors, voice recorders and more. Although these well-intentioned individuals are honorably seeking the perplexing truths to the existence of the afterlife, some are lacking knowledge and etiquette in a few essential and spiritual areas.
The first and most important step of ghost hunting is diagnosis. Is it or isn’t it a real ghost? What constitutes a real ghost versus imagination or environmental disturbance?
To be Continued …
Danielle Lee
http://thespiritguide.wordpress.com/
(photo credit: grendlx)
April 10th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Ghosts | Comments (0)
The next type of spirit is the poltergeist. This is a very complex creature that feeds off of the human energy fields. It can literally be a entity merged with mixture of many strong emotions that emanates from one or more human beings. Because anger, hatred and fear are some of the strongest emotions that a human can portray, this entity can literally feed off of the potentially toxic core energy of a human’s aura.
Many poltergeists begin as a small, harmless and pesky ghost imps. Never existing as a human or having been from flesh, this entity can be best described as a leech. The more blood a leech drains from it’s host, the stronger and bigger it becomes. The entity utilizes intense negative energy and because paranormal activity can cause even more stress to an already toxic or tense environment, the poltergeist can grow stronger and more destructive with each passing day. Studies have shown that homes containing one or more teenagers, particularly girls, can be a perfect breeding ground for the poltergeist due to the intense hormone fluctuation and mood swings.
This irritating and frightening spirit is often misdiagnosed and mislabeled as a demon, but most times it’s just very effectively manipulating those around it. They find particular joy in mentally and emotionally torturing the living. Unfortunately, these beings cannot not be reasoned with rationally. They exist only to taunt and provoke, not to mention they vibrate at much lower frequency than humans, allowing them to manipulate solid objects. They seem very proficient at throwing items of all sizes and shapes at their seemingly defenseless homeowners.
Mythology maintains a dark overlord with vast and powerful minions. As an ever evolving and spiritually maturing species, we are slowly becoming aware that what the mass consciousness believes, the universe will manifest. As we become more aware of the power of intention and consequences of our conscious thoughts, we can begin to comprehend how our own diverse energies can affect our environment. Exorcisms or objects of religious faith seem to be effective in taming the feral poltergeist, but these divine acts and items are merely a means to a hopeful end. It is the shift from negative to positive consciousness that this act and these items portray. A cross, holy water and the bible are all symbols of intense positive thought and energy therefore creating the homeowners to subconsciously alter the apparently evil charge of the house to peaceful.
The very best and most effective way to tame and rid your home of these paranormal residential vermin is to literally positively charge the environment. Meditation, intentional positive reinforcement and conscious spiritual cleansing causes the acidic environment to return to balance, therefore retarding the poltergeists efforts. Eventually, because they cannot feed on their preferred energy source in that home, they move on.
Remember, energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only altered. These creatures cannot be destroyed, just denied. If you deny it the destructive negative food it seeks, it cannot sustain its tantrums. If you fear and condemn it, you feed it and give it authority. Yet if you take the power from it by inducing powerful positive thoughts and actions, it is demeaned and will quickly tire of the game. Like a toddler throwing a tantrum, ignore them, dont give in to them.
As with every rule, there seems to be exceptions. In rare cases, violent, malevolent and evil based entities can be particularly dangerous. Drugs, alcohol and any mind altering agents can induce these creatures to terrifying status. As well as highly abusive and toxic environments. Paranormal professionals that can better deal with these intruders should be contacted.
In the rarest of events, negative entities with extreme energy and self awareness can penetrate a weakened humans aura. When a human is worn down to mere inches of their self awareness, they can be manipulated by these evil beings. The human soul is untouched, but the physical nature of the humans fragile state compromises its actions. When there is weakness within the aura, caused by many, many factors such as drugs, alcohol, abuse or depression, there is a porous hole left in the auras field of energy. The entity, being that it is a energy parasite, can latch on to the host causing it to be temporarily incapacitated. This event over history is what is deemed as being possessed.
The soul, however, is impenetrable, no harm can be done to it. The physical self however, needs spiritual, physical and emotional attention. There are several ways this can be done. All require time, effort and the willingness to cleanse oneself of this ailment. Trusted advisors must be sought out, for counsel as well as medically discounting any mental ailment that may be affecting judgment.
On occasion, a deceased human energy, suffering a traumatic or violent death can become trapped within a confusing state of conflicting vibration. Because they are confused and angry with certain circumstances of their death, they ignore or choose not to move on to the higher vibration dimensions. It can be tricky dealing with these spirits as some of them don’t realize they are dead or are angry that their life is over or was taken from them. Patience and extreme care must be taken for these people. It may take a very long time for them to come to the realization that there are better places for them to be.
Due to their molecular instability, they can continually jump back and forth through realms, causing a ruckus for the living and creating even more confusion for themselves. Often, they are convinced that you and your family are the intruders and attempt to rid themselves of you. Don’t take it personally, only try to understand their discomfort and attempt to resolve the misunderstanding. Compassionately treat them as though they were the victims of Alzheimer’s or amnesia, then we may not be so inclined to be impatient or frightened with our unseen house guests.
The very best way to deal with these spirits is to calmly and patiently communicate to them often that they are deceased and need to go home. All of us remember home at some point, some while living, some a while after they are dead. Keep reminding them and eventually they will leave.
Without evil, we would not understand good, without the negative, we would not appreciate the positive.
Danielle Lee
http://thespiritguide.wordpress.com/
(photo credit: lockergnome)
April 9th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Entities | Comments (0)
Just like living humans, ghosts maintain their unique individual personalities and traits. From the friendly, curious and playful to the grumpy and reclusive, we must respect and be mindful of these foreign fourth dimensional citizens.
Being that there are many character and personality traits within the spirit community, there are also a considerable amount of different forms or species of ghosts, entities or spirits. Each varying in composition and origin. For instance, the average human ghost is most often simply the spiritual energy and essence that remains after the dense earthbound human shell is shed. On average, the intelligent free roaming spirit that resides at a location, rarely interacting or bothering the living, is of the fourth dimension. Those living on earth reside in the third dimension.
Generally, these fourth dimension spirits vibrate at a higher frequency than human beings. Just like the nearly invisible wings of a hummingbird, some ghosts retain a higher consciousness that vibrates at a much faster pace, propelling their physical state into that of translucent existence. The vast majority of these beings are those of recent deceased relatives and those who have a personal and peaceful agenda to complete on earth. Usually they are interested in checking in on their loved ones or offering spiritual comfort to those in need. They basically go about their own business, occasionally bumping into the odd living person, creating a mystery.
When these beings wish to communicate with us living, they must reduce their vibration frequency and we must attempt to raise our own. When conditions are favorable, such as available energy for the spirit to draw from for manifestation and the living participant is able to transcend it’s consciousness to a higher plane, communication can be possible.
It is interesting to note that most ghosts are seen wearing clothes. When a person crosses over, they still maintain much of their previous self. That includes their fashion tastes, morals and dignity. The image that they represent on the other side is often that of who they were on earth, now blended with their spiritual self. Even ghosts who experience trauma at death will sometimes retain the form in which they were last cognizant of themselves as alive. Ann Bolin’s ghost was often seen wandering the castle carrying her head under her arm due to her beheading.
A spirit that has been roaming the afterworld for a while, will present themselves to others as what they decide is appropriate. A grandmother that appears to her granddaughter, will appear as an old woman, but may resume a younger image of herself afterwards while exploring the afterlife.
Redundant ghosts are blips in the fabric and flow of time. Explanations of time theories suggest that time is irrelevant, that we all simply exist in this one moment. If this is true, all eras and time frames are loosely stacked upon one another and can occasionally intersect.
Some ghostly activity seems strangely repetitive. Toilets flushing, pacing in hallways and doors opening and closing for no reason, suggest a residual redundant haunting. An overlapping incident that occurred in some other moment, forever replaying like a broken record. These are not self aware entities, just recordings, so they are not available for comment.
Danielle Lee
http://thespiritguide.wordpress.com/
(photo credit: nperlapro)
April 8th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Entities | Comments (0)
Pitter patter of tiny feet running down the hall past the stroke of midnight, the faint giggles or crying in the night. Only you don’t have any children.
The subject of a ghost child strikes sadness and woe in the hearts and souls of all. Picturing anyone passing away is difficult enough, but the untimely death of a child is so much more than some can bear.
When dealing with these unique spirits, special considerations and behaviors are a must. A ghost hunter must take into consideration that this child entity may have no comprehension of what has happened to them. Passing on with a youthful spirituality may leave the child ghost with a misunderstanding of the other side.
As with every being, we are given free will and choice in all that we do, including whether or not we decide to go directly home in the afterlife, or stick around for a while. Children, being blissfully naive and full of light and love, may enjoy the initial sensations of being free and weightless so very much, that they choose to stay right where they are. Also, they are impressed upon from a very early age that they are to go nowhere without their parents permission. With these considerations in mind, it can actually be quite difficult to convince a child to listen to you and go where they belong.
This type of spirit can be particularly difficult to locate, let alone to get them to stay in one place long enough for you to communicate with or get any type of evidence. Children, even ghost children, are naturally tenacious, which can be both good and bad.
Often sprightly and mischievous, they usually find a favorite person living in the household and cling to them. Sometimes they choose another child to be their friend, resulting in the phenomena known as the imaginary friend.
Occasionally they pick a favorite parent, one, like their own parent that they may have been closer to in life.
These situations, though seemingly innocent and harmless, can turn upsetting rather quickly. Ghost children can become very upset if routine is disrupted. If their favorite living person is gone for a day or two, they may become pouty and destructive. When their demands arent met to their standards, they can behave quite immaturely. Hiding items, damaging things and making noise is not uncommon.
One of my clients reported a child ghost often climbing into bed with him late at night and snuggling as a child with their father. When he would turn over to look, of course, there was no one there. This particular ghost was so attached to her father figure, she was would get jealous and upset if anyone else were to spend time with him.
Though rarely violent, it can be a challenge to get these determined and free spirited beings to head towards the light. Speak to them with the tones you would use with a living child. Kind and patient, yet firm and authoritative. They must be told point blank that their parents or loved ones are waiting for them elsewhere. If their parents are still alive, then the communicator must convince the child of the glorious lands awaiting them.
Danielle Lee
http://thespiritguide.wordpress.com/
(photo credit: phoenixation)
April 7th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Ghosts | Comments (0)
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