| In the paranormal field you will deal with many different | | | | Theoretical Cause |
| forms of hauntings and many different claims of | | | | A poltergeist is initiated by pent-up stress on a |
| hauntings. It is important in the interest of appearing | | | | subconscious level, often explained as uncontrolled |
| professional that you are knowledgeable in the | | | | psycho kinetic activity or 'Recurrent Spontaneous |
| different types of hauntings. Firstly lets define what a | | | | Psychokinesis' (RSPK). This RSPK can theoretically be |
| haunting is. | | | | channeled and focused by high deposits of Lime stone |
| A haunting is the act of a person or thing that haunts; | | | | and quartz. This theory supports all skeptics |
| visitation. | | | | everywhere, it suggests that pent up stress on your |
| Now that definition is a bit vague so to further refine | | | | mind may cause delirium resulting in hallucinations that |
| our definition lets look at the definition of the term | | | | are precieved as a less than welcome Ghost. |
| Haunt. | | | | This is probably the more accurate theory and is a |
| Haunt: To inhabit, visit, or appear to in the form of a | | | | valid psychoanalysis of a alleged poltergeist haunting. |
| ghost or other supernatural being. | | | | NOTE: Jumping to this conclusion prematurely can |
| Now we could clearly see that in the definitions listed | | | | bring question to ones professionalism. |
| above a "Haunting" is a ghost or supernatural being | | | | A Second Theory: |
| that visits, appears or inhabits a location. These of | | | | A spirit of a human or doppelganger that is exhibiting |
| course are the paranormal definitions of a haunting and | | | | malicious and violent tendencies. This spirit is often |
| a haunt, as we all know a song can haunt you as well | | | | believed to be a person who once lived at the location |
| as a thought or even an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend | | | | that is unhappy with the current inhabitants or died at |
| so remember that this definition is only for the | | | | the location in a horrible and or violent way. Interestingly |
| paranormal field. | | | | enough this theory has some basis to it. Though it can |
| With the definition of a haunting fresh in our minds lets | | | | possibly be plausible this theory in itself is flawed. A |
| take a look at some of the theoretical causes of an | | | | spirit that has had a violent death more often than not |
| alleged haunting. There are many "causes" to | | | | will cry out for help rather than lash out in a violent |
| hauntings believed by many investigators worldwide. | | | | way. |
| While these theories seem to have basis and | | | | With this said it can be concluded that a violent or |
| plausibility the truth is that it is simply unknown what | | | | malicious "Poltergeist" could be classified as our next |
| truly causes a haunting. It is important to remember | | | | designation "Non-Human". |
| that the following few statements are theories only. | | | | Characteristics of a Poltergeist: |
| One theory is, and is the most widely believed, that the | | | | - Movement and hurling around of inanimate, often |
| "ghost" has unfinished business with this world and that | | | | extremely heavy, objects. |
| it has anchored the spirit to this semi conscious life. | | | | - The opening and closing of doors and windows by |
| This theory while commendable in its assumptions | | | | no visible means. |
| cannot be proved. This is why it is still considered | | | | - Unexplained noises such as voices, moans, screams, |
| theory. Though this is probably the more accurate of | | | | explosions, crashes, raps, thumps, scratches and |
| the theories. | | | | knocks on floors, doors and walls, heavy footsteps, |
| Theory Two: | | | | bed-shaking. |
| The spirit of a dearly departed will return to earth as a | | | | - The breaking of household objects such as crockery. |
| guardian spirit sent by God. A truly comforting theory | | | | - The destruction of garments, the throwing of stones, |
| to say the least but it doesn't answer the fact that | | | | rocks and dirt, bad smells, mysterious fires. |
| these spirits sometimes will play pranks or interact with | | | | - the appearance of pools of water on floors, the |
| you or even cry for help themselves. | | | | malfunctioning of electrical equipment, telephone ringing, |
| The third and final theory that will be covered today is: | | | | the unexplained appearance of objects ('apports'), |
| These are demons and angels that pose as our loved | | | | apparitions and even physical assault. |
| ones to corrupt us or inspire us. Interesting to say the | | | | The next and final classification of haunting we will look |
| least but yet not completely perfect. Perhaps all three | | | | at is "Non-Human". This classification is normally known |
| may combine into an ultimate answer or maybe it is | | | | as Demonic... For purposes of fairness and length this |
| just left to the unknown. The answer to What causes | | | | term has combined all Non-Human spirits together. |
| a Haunting may never be truly answered. | | | | Angels, Demons and Deities are covered briefly in this |
| What we do know is that natural causes explain over | | | | section. It is noted that this section is concurrent to |
| eighty percent of all claims. | | | | peoples personal religious beliefs, it should also be |
| - Old Paint | | | | noted that as a paranormal investigator one should be |
| - Mold | | | | impartial and open minded to the clients beliefs even if |
| - High EMF | | | | they don't reflect their own. This section will be briefly |
| - Mind Altering Narcotics | | | | touched on as there is really no way that any of the |
| - Gas Leaks | | | | following could be proved scientifically. |
| - Mental Illness | | | | Non-Human classification can be broken down into |
| - Matrixing | | | | three separate categories |
| These are all natural causes that could explain our | | | | - Angels |
| sudden claims of ghosts. Though this list is not | | | | - Demons |
| exhaustive and again this is theoretically some natural | | | | - Deities |
| causes. However these things listed above have been | | | | Angels are probably not a class we would consider a |
| clinically proved to be harmful to your health. | | | | haunting and are definitely the most welcome of the |
| Lets look at the different classifications of hauntings | | | | spiritual visitors. Think of your guardian angel if you |
| now. There are several different types of | | | | believe in such a being. |
| classifications of hauntings. These classifications help | | | | Deities or gods are again not a class we would |
| identify the extent of the activity and even could | | | | consider a haunting and again are probably welcome |
| determine the validity of a claim. It is important to | | | | spirits. Ancient Greeks were often visited by what |
| remember that these are the guidelines that | | | | they believed were their "Gods", such as the many |
| paranormal investigators use while interviewing clients | | | | infidelities of Zeus. |
| to determine the type of activity that could be | | | | These classes however do need characteristics to be |
| anticipated during an investigation. These classifications | | | | mentioned as the next class can impersonate these |
| are the most commonly used by paranormal | | | | classes to obtain what they desire. |
| investigators and are but one way of thinking about | | | | Demons are the final classification of haunting that we |
| hauntings. However these classifications are proving to | | | | may encounter in the "Non-Human" category. Even if |
| be pretty definitive when corresponding to collected | | | | you do not believe in some form of religion most |
| evidence. | | | | people believe in some form of evil creatures that |
| Intelligent Haunting: | | | | plague our world. Though these creatures are |
| An intelligent haunting is a haunting in which the afflicting | | | | extremely rare we may encounter demonic hauntings. |
| spirit can and will interact and often communicate with | | | | These hauntings are never easy to deal with. These |
| the client and or investigators. This type of haunting | | | | are malicious and violent and pose just as much |
| occurs sometimes, this is not the most common form | | | | danger to the client as they do us. |
| of haunting but will be encountered more than most | | | | Characteristics of Demonic hauntings: |
| other forms. | | | | - Violent and harmful spiritual attacks. |
| Signs of an intelligent haunting: | | | | - Spirits doppelganging as other human spirits to gain |
| - Responsive and interactive activity | | | | the trust of the living. |
| - Objects being moved or influenced | | | | - Sudden changes in the attitude of the residents and |
| - Random acts of paranormal activity | | | | or children. |
| Residual Haunting: | | | | - Markings and scratches on the body of residents. |
| This type of haunting is by far the most common form | | | | It is important to note that these hauntings may require |
| of haunting. However the definition of a residual | | | | the help of religious leaders and other trained |
| haunting is noticeably different than an intelligent class | | | | demonologists. Do not provoke or invoke demons and |
| haunting. | | | | certainly never invite. |
| In this classification there isn't any form of interaction at | | | | Finally lets look at some ways you may be able |
| all. It is believed to be a series of past events played | | | | determine the classification of a haunting for yourself |
| over and over in an endless loop. These events can | | | | or for your own investigations, as these articles are to |
| have a set day and time known as an " Anniversary | | | | foremost educate others in the paranormal field as |
| Imprint". They may be just as random as the previous | | | | well as help those who need clarification to better |
| form but cant respond or interact. It is believed that the | | | | understand what they may be experiencing |
| spirit might also have no idea that it is dead and a | | | | Here are some of the methods used by paranormal |
| ghost. | | | | investigation groups worldwide: |
| Signs of a Residual Haunting: | | | | - Ask the client questions |
| - Activity only noticed on certain days or times | | | | Based on the client's answers we could determine the |
| - Spirit is unable to communicate or unresponsive | | | | characteristics and classify the alleged haunting. |
| unable to interact | | | | - Use personal experiences at the location (If Any) |
| Now to look at the less common classifications of | | | | Personal experiences can allude to the type of |
| hauntings. These forms though may occur and may | | | | haunting we are dealing with and help determine "hot |
| be encountered it is important to realize that less than | | | | spots" to investigate. |
| one percent of all actual hauntings consist of the next | | | | - Use the evidence collected at a location. |
| two classes. These are the classifications that | | | | Some hauntings aren't clear or can be multiple types at |
| Hollywood likes to prey upon and distort and make | | | | once and could be confusing in this case we use the |
| popular. The next two classifications we will look at | | | | collected evidence to determine the type and or |
| are: | | | | classification. |
| - Poltergeist | | | | - Research the characteristics/ claims prior to the |
| - Non-Human | | | | investigation. |
| Poltergeist: | | | | This runs hand in hand with asking the client questions. |
| German for noisy ghost; an entity or energy that | | | | All of these methods are common to Paranormal |
| displays sensational interaction with the physical | | | | Investigators and again are not the "only" method of |
| environment, and manifests only when a specific | | | | determination. As you become more experienced your |
| individual or individuals are present | | | | own instincts will determine the proper method for you |
| Or a ghost that manifests itself by noises, trappings or | | | | to use. Only time and patience will decide your niche |
| creating disorder. This particular haunting can be "life | | | | within this field. Understanding takes a while and while |
| disrupting". This means that it will cause such a | | | | you may be experiencing these phenomena it is |
| disturbance that normal everyday life will become | | | | important to realize that though many of what was |
| impossible. It is necessary to remember that this form | | | | mentioned in this article is widely believed and used by |
| of haunting is extremely rare. | | | | the pros, these are still only theories and as such are |
| Stated before this haunting will more than often be | | | | not one hundred percent conclusive. Only further |
| associated with a specific individual and in most cases | | | | research may shed a little more light on the unknown |
| this individual is a CHILD! | | | | world of the paranormal. |
| Lets look at some theoretical causes of a poltergeist: | | | | |