⚡Energy
In the paranormal field, “energy” is a catch-all term. Here’s how it tends to break down:
- Lingering Human Energy: One prominent idea, particularly in relation to ghosts, suggests that the energy that animated a living person doesn't simply disappear upon death. This energy is thought to be released and, in some theories, retains characteristics of the deceased, including consciousness and emotions. It's the lingering of this energy that forms the basis of many ghost hunting endeavors. Some sources suggest this energy might be linked to electromagnetic fields.
- Residual Hauntings and Energy Imprints: Another concept is that intense emotions or traumatic events can leave an "energetic imprint" on a location or object. These are sometimes referred to as residual hauntings, where the energy plays out like a recording of past events, such as footsteps or voices, and cannot interact with individuals. The "Stone Tape Theory" further elaborates on this, suggesting that materials like stone or wood can absorb and replay this energy.
- Spirit as a Form of Energy/Consciousness: Some beliefs consider spirits as a form of consciousness or energy that exists within a larger "sea of spiritual energy". This perspective suggests that spirits can manifest in our world by drawing on or influencing existing energy fields, potentially even impacting objects.
- Mediumship and Energy Manipulation: Certain individuals are believed to have the ability to manipulate or perceive this "undiscovered energy" to achieve various paranormal effects, including telepathy, psychokinesis, or communicating with spirits.
- Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) in Paranormal Investigation: Paranormal investigators frequently use devices like EMF meters to detect changes in electromagnetic fields, with the hypothesis that spirits or paranormal entities may emit or interact with these fields. However, it's crucial to note that while humans and electrical devices emit EMF, there's no scientific evidence to suggest that anomalous EMF readings are direct indicators of paranormal presence.
- Environmental Factors and Energy: Some theories propose that certain environmental elements, like water, can act as conductors for paranormal energy, making it easier for spirits or activity to manifest. Additionally, minerals like magnetite and quartz are sometimes thought to influence or store energy relevant to paranormal phenomena.
⚠️ Note: It's important to reiterate that these are theories and beliefs within the paranormal realm, and the existence and nature of this "energy" remain outside the scope of current scientific understanding. Interested in learning more about the nerdy side of paranormal? Check out our friend Lauren Hellekson and her YouTube channel for interesting videos and insights into this complex topic: Lauren Haunts The Internet: ENERGY!
👻 Haunting Types: How Energy Manifests
Residual Hauntings:
- Description: These are like energetic imprints or "recordings" of past events or emotions that have been left on a location.
- Characteristics: Non-interactive and repetitive, playing out the same actions or sounds over and over, regardless of observers. Think of footsteps, voices, or even ghostly apparitions seen repeating the same actions.
- Nature: Not considered to be conscious entities but rather echoes of the past, often associated with intense emotional energy or routine activities at the location.
- Interaction: Observers cannot interact with residual hauntings; they simply witness the repeated events.
Intelligent Hauntings:
- Description: These involve conscious entities, spirits, or ghosts that are aware of their surroundings and capable of interacting with the living.
- Characteristics: Can communicate through various means (EVPs, physical manifestations), respond to stimuli, and may manipulate the environment, according to Agawam Paranormal. Examples include doors opening or closing, lights turning on/off, unexplained whispers or voices, and even apparitions.
- Nature: Often believed to be the spirits of deceased individuals with unfinished business, strong attachments to a place or person, or emotional ties keeping them earthbound.
- Interaction: These spirits may acknowledge and react to the presence of the living, attempting to communicate or convey messages.
Poltergeist Hauntings:
- Description: The term "poltergeist" comes from German, meaning "noisy ghost". This type of haunting is characterized by physical disturbances and manipulation of objects, often attributed to psychokinetic activity rather than a typical ghost.
- Characteristics: Involve phenomena like objects being moved, thrown, or appearing in unexpected places, loud noises such as banging or knocking, and even potential harm or disturbances directed towards individuals. They can also cause strange smells or electronics malfunctions.
- Nature: While often attributed to spirits, some theories suggest poltergeist activity might be caused by living individuals, particularly adolescents, experiencing stress or emotional turmoil, unconsciously causing the psychokinetic events.
- Focus: The activity is believed to focus on a particular person rather than a location, potentially following that person if they move.
Demonic Hauntings (or Inhuman Hauntings):
- Description: These are considered to be the most serious and dangerous type of haunting, involving non-human entities described as manipulative and malevolent.
- Characteristics: Signs may include an oppressive sense of dread or fear, sudden temperature shifts, strange or foul odors (like sulfur), unexplained shadows or figures, objects moving violently, disembodied voices or demonic sounds, and negative effects on the mental or physical well-being of inhabitants or even animals.
- Nature: These entities are believed to be strong, cunning, and never human. They are associated with causing misery, despair, and potentially even possession.
- Warning: Paranormal researchers and some beliefs strongly caution against attempting to interact with demonic entities.
Elemental Hauntings:
- Description: These involve nature spirits or elementals, not typically the spirits of the dead, associated with the classical elements (earth, air, fire, water).
- Characteristics: Manifestations can sometimes resemble poltergeist activity, including moved objects, strange noises, and aggressive physical contact, but may also include things like inexplicable smells of nature.
- Nature: Believed to be connected to the natural world and may become active if their territory or a sacred place is disturbed.
- Origin: Elementals are considered distinct from human spirits, representing forces of nature.
These classifications offer a way to categorize different kinds of observed or reported paranormal occurrences based on the perceived nature of the entity or phenomenon involved, particularly its ability to interact and its perceived intent. It's important to remember that these are based on belief systems within the paranormal field and not on scientific evidence.
🧪 Getting Started: Your Paranormal Toolkit
Bare-Bones Beginner Kit:
- Notebook + pens
- Flashlight (for safety!) + headlamp
- Audio recorder (Zoom H1n preferred)
- Respectful mindset (seriously, don’t skip this)
Optional but Powerful Add-ons:
📋 PIMN Investigation Protocol
- Pre-brief: Know your team, location history, and safety plan.
- Baseline sweep: Log EMF, temp, and environmental quirks before anything begins.
- Controlled questioning: One person speaks, others stay silent. Ask, then wait 15 seconds.
- Multiple data points: Don’t trust one beep. Look for audio + video + environmental correlations.
- Log everything: If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.
- Debrief: Share findings, review data, keep emotions grounded.
PIMN Rule: Skepticism and wonder are roommates, not enemies.
🙅♀️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Investigating while exhausted or overhyped, or under the influence!
- Using tools without understanding their baselines
- Over-relying on one type of data (like only EVPs)
- Jumping to conclusions without environmental controls
- Assuming evidence is proof
🧠 Mental Wellness in the Field
Especially for midlife investigators exploring emotionally charged locations, grounding is essential.
- Practice mindfulness before and after investigations
- Have a post-investigation ritual (shower, journal, walk your dogs (shameless hi to Stella & Squish!)
- Talk through unsettling experiences with your team
- Affirm: “I observe, I don’t absorb.”
Your energy belongs to you! Don’t leave it behind in a basement.
🧾 Resources and Links