| Poltergeist is the German word meaning "noisy ghost". | | | | the climax of their energy can become dangerous to |
| The word comes from the German term poltern | | | | the living. Inflicting both mental and physical terror in |
| which means "to knock" and geist which means "spirit". | | | | extreme cases. Poltergeist hauntings seem to |
| The best defining mark of a poltergeist is any | | | | mysteriously go away as quickly as they began. The |
| manipulation of the physical environment such as the | | | | most famous and terrible accounts of a poltergeist |
| movement of objects, physical attacks, spontaneous | | | | attacking a family is the Bell Witch. |
| combustions, etc. | | | | A common factor of classic poltergeist activity is the |
| Poltergeist phenomena is usually credited to | | | | presence of a female adolescent in the household or |
| mischievous spirits or ghosts and is associated with | | | | for all of the activity to be centered around one |
| psychokinesis which is the ability to move things by | | | | specific person. It is common that none of the activity |
| power of the mind alone. This kinetic type of energy | | | | will take place unless that person is present at the time. |
| remains unexplained, but even some mainstream | | | | In most cases, when that specific person is removed |
| scientists are starting to explore the idea that it does | | | | from the location, the events cease. The person |
| exist. | | | | causing all of the phenomenon is doing so |
| Poltergeists are not usually considered to be spirits, but | | | | subconsciously and usually isn't even aware that |
| instead some theories state that poltergeists are mass | | | | they're the cause. Ths activity could also be centered |
| forms of energy that a living person is unknowingly | | | | around someone who is under an unusual amount of |
| controlling. Poltergeist hauntings may be the most | | | | stress. When the stress is relived, sometimes by |
| misunderstood, most terrifying, and rarest type of | | | | leaving the location itself, the problems stop. If the |
| haunting, and some believe that poltergeist hauntings | | | | stress continues, the "haunting" seems to follow them. |
| are not even a haunting at all. In some cases, extreme | | | | In true poltergeist hauntings, none of the activity will |
| poltergeists activity has even been linked to demons. A | | | | continue after the person is removed from the |
| key question that comes into play with poltergeist | | | | environment, as they are not there to create it or |
| cases is whether the psychokinesis is causing the | | | | influence an unseen entity. It has been reported, |
| activity, or if it is actually occurring from an unseen | | | | however, that activity can return later if the "right" |
| troubled spirit or ghost. | | | | person visits or lives in a notably poltergeist-haunted |
| In a typical poltergeist case there is most likely a | | | | place. This would lead one to believe that it requires a |
| variety of phenomena taking place. There may be | | | | combined psychic energy to manifest such terrible |
| knocking and tapping noises, sounds with no visible | | | | hauntings. In most cases, relieving the inner problems of |
| cause, disturbance of stationary objects like household | | | | the individual is the key to stopping the poltergeist |
| items and furniture, doors slamming, lights turning on | | | | activity. |
| and off, fires breaking out and much, much more. | | | | On the other hand, not all cases of supposed |
| Chairs have been known to move around by | | | | poltergeist activity involve disturbed individuals. Not all |
| themselves; walls shake from loud, unexplained | | | | hauntings can be easily categorized and it's important |
| banging. Water drips from a ceiling. Things like | | | | not to jump quickly to conclusions. In some cases, |
| hairbrushes and jewelry disappear, only to reappear at | | | | what appears to be the work of a disturbed person |
| a later time in right where they should have been in the | | | | may actually be that of the spirits, and vice versa. In |
| first place. | | | | addition, some genuinely haunted spots seem to be so |
| Usually, after a subtle and somewhat calm start, the | | | | filled with energy that witnesses at the location can |
| activity will become more intense, manifesting itself | | | | even manifest their own phenomena. |
| through voices and even the appearance of full | | | | Poltergeist activity provides an excellent opportunity |
| apparitions. Furniture may slide across the room and | | | | for researchers to document strange activity, but |
| beds may shake. Sometimes the effects of a | | | | these case most likely won't have anything to do with |
| poltergeist are more playful than harmful, but | | | | ghosts and there is really no way to help the victims. |
| sometimes the activity has been known to be | | | | It's usually best to refer the family to a good counselor |
| downright nasty. Reports of scratches, bites, harmful | | | | or mental health care provider, rather than try to act |
| objects being put in one's way such as glass shards | | | | as a paranormal investigator. A counselor is usually the |
| on a pillow or tacks under a bed sheet have been | | | | best person to provide assistance under these |
| noted, as well as possession. | | | | circumstances because psychokenesis normally |
| Poltergeists build over time to a climax, then start over. | | | | manifests because of emotional disturbance. |
| They can travel anywhere. Most poltergeists nearing | | | | |