So You Want to be a Ghost Hunter


Since the dawn of man, we have encountered many things throughout history that leaves us wondering, "what was that?" And for the most part, we shrug those unexplained things off to, we're just seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't really there. And as youngsters, we are told, that its just our vivid imagination, and to stop fooling around. Children are the most perceptive when it comes to things we don't see or hear. Their souls were just on the other side, and their perspective and memory is more fresh than the older adults who have been taught that its just their imagination. Even though we get glimpses of things moving in our perifial vision, or we feel as though we're being touched. We've smelled perfumes, and odors that are not there, we still wonder what that was. Are we loosing our minds? Do you ever get a chill, or chivers, when its not cold and no drafts are noted? This very well could be a spirit or ghost walking past you, or taping you on your shoulder. But you really want to know if thats what it is, or if you are just imagining these things. Do doors and objects get moved or opened when there's no one there to do it? Do lights turn off or on when you least expect it? Do you want to learn how to investigate these things on your own without calling in the ghost hunters?

This page will help you to do these things on your own, in the privacy of your own space, you can too be an ametuer ghost hunter. Spirits and ghosts are around all of us, all the time, some are aware of the physical bodies around them, and some are not. What comes to mind for me is the movie, "The Others," where the ghosts that inhabit the space, are not aware of the living as they go about their activities. This can happen when a person dies from a tragedy and are not aware they have died. But normally when someone dies, like from cancer, they know they're going to die, and those energies in the most part, cross over into the light and become spirits. Spirits can come and go as they please, while those who do not cross, become stuck on this earth plane, and become ghosts. Most ghosts are not aware of each other, but many are. Most ghosts can interact with the living, and when they do, they're asking for help or asking for us to acknowledge them. This is why we have hauntings. The ghost is wishing for us to acknowledge their presence, so they do things that make us take a closer look, such as doors opening or closing, lights being turned on or off, all those types things that make us wonder what the heck is going on. I want to reassure you, that ghosts are harmless for the most part. If they do things that can cause harm, such as turning on the stove, and messing with electrical appliances, just tell them, I know you are here, so please don't do that. Never tell a ghost they are dead. They are confused enough with their situation, and might throw a tantrum, this can cause more problems with dangerous situations such as stoves being turned on, etc. Acknowledge them, talk to them as if they were alive, ask them their name. If they're being obnoxious, tell them you want them to follow the rules, or they must leave. Don't be afraid of them. There's more to be afraid of the living than the dead, believe me.

Every human has the ability to be sensitive to those energies that are not in the physical body. The more you understand, the easier you can sense the presences of those energies. Its something we can develop over time by trusting our intuition and practicing. Do you know who's calling before you look at the caller ID or pick up the phone? Do you ever get that nagging feeling something's going to happen before it does? There's many things that happen that makes us wonder if its just coincidence, or if we are actually aware of our sensitivities. Every human has this ability of awareness, just trust your intuition when you sense a presence, hear a voice, or see a shadow move beyond your normal vision.

There are some simple tools of the trade that can help you along, without going into debt. After all, you just want to find out what is going on around you, right? Here are a few items that could help you out. You may even have these things already, now you can use what you have to find out what it is that you have that may be going bump in the night.

(Please also note, that when taking pictures, dust can play a big part in capturing false orbs. So can cigarette smoke, car exhaust, wind with debri, rain makes ice cream cone shaped orbs, snow, bugs are notorious for weird shaped images in pictures, camera straps across the lens, hair, dirt on the lens (always keep the lens clean) If indoors, make sure there's no fans turned on, or heaters blowing. Digital cameras have been known to fill in pixel and this can cause false orbs as well. Using a higher speed film such as 400+ in cameras is known to be the best film for capturing anomalous energies. If you have a decent digital camera with a higher film speed setting, try using that setting. Black and white film has been known to pick up on things as well, but I prefer using color film myself. Please visit our Paranormal Photos page to get a perspective on taking pictures: )

Using pendulums and dowsing rods

You can also use either of these divinity tools to tell if you have any probably paranormal activity in your presence. Dowsing rods, when used correctly, will cross inward when spiritual activity is present, then begin to uncross once it begins to leave. Pendulums also will tell you if activity is present, but you should move it gently to begin with. If you are walking in a non vibrationally manner, it would begin to move with more tension when activity is present. I don't have alot of luck doing this with the pendulum, but others have done just fine with them.

Still Cameras

When using film cameras, use a film speed of 400 or higher.
instamatic camera
35 mm
digital camera
throw away cameras

Digital Cameras

There are all kinds of digital cameras, and the one thing that is a plus to using them, is to get info right there to activity. The downside is you won't have negatives for proof, so I recommend not spending alot of money on a digital camera for ghost hunting. Digital cameras have been scrutinized the world over by paranormal enthusiasts because of the digital flaws the camera has when producing its picture. I do recommend using them is you are in an area that proves paranormal energy, but switch to a film camera to have the negatives to prove positive. Digital cameras also create more orbs than film cameras and this in part is why they're not credible. If you decide to use a digital camera in your investigations, you really must, and let me reinterate *must,* learn what kinds of orbs these cameras produce. Rain, dust, snow, smoke, car exhaust, cold air, pollen, wind, walking in and out of dusty areas will create the massive dust orb effect. You can create every scenario just mentioned to learn what these false orb photos look like.

Video Camcorders

Most video camcorders that have the infrared, or night shot features, work pretty well at capturing shooting
orbs and ecto mist. I also suggest that while indoors or out, try to not use any light sources other than the nightshot. I have found that any digital camcorde in the night shot mode, works great. But be careful with shooting orbs, because a fly can appear as orb like. Spirit orbs captured on a cam corder will appear to fade in or out, and make some serious turns in their travel.

EVP (electronic voice phenomena)

Just about any recorder with an external microphone can capture a ghostly voice. I don't recommend digital recorders, I have not had any success with the one I have. Evp's are the hardest to capture, because the sound frequency is much lower on the spectrum scale than our ears can hear. Using an external microphone is the best, as it doesn't record the recorders motoring mechanisms. I do recommend using head phones to listen to the tape on playback. And while you are recording, you can attempt to interact with the ghost, by asking simple questions, such as name, what year is it, what town is it, etc. Always ask in a clear voice, and allow at least 30 seconds in between questions.

Temperature meters

These are handy dandy little hand held devices that can measure the air temperature in areas around you.
They work indoors and outdoors within a 20-30 foot range. They help distinquish between normal room temps to temps when spirits
enter the area.
Cemeteries

Cemeteries are a great place to go, as some will hold some residual energy. So if you feel brave enough to venture out into a cemetery, please be aware of some simple safeguards and rules that most groups do while out in them.

Never go to a cemetery alone at night, 3 or more people is optimum...
If you go at night, always get permission from the owner/caretaker, as tresspassing tickets are expensive....
Be aware of how the cemetery is laid out, and stay together as a group in case someone falls and gets hurt.....
Always ask permission from the energies to take their pictures.......
Never leave trash behind......
Never deface any gravestone........
Never walk on a grave...........
Always bring a flashlight, your ID, wear warm clothes if at night....
Invite any energy to come have their photos taken, or to speak with you.......
If you are recording for evp, don't whisper and talk in a normal tone, this helps when you play back the tape and you can identify the speaker as one of your own.......
The above lists items you can use or may already have to conduct your own
in home investigations. I will be adding items to this list below that seasoned investigators use in their investigations.