Communicating with the DEAD....!!!

There are numerous methods used when people try to communicate with spirits. I'll cover some of the most common methods used in modern days, there are many other forms used that I will not cover simply because of the length required. In general, I'd have to say this... There are only a small amount of people who should ever try any of these, people trained and experienced in recognizing the good and the bad, with psychic abilities to enable them to decipher what they're perceiving. You always hear of the other guy... it's always the other guy... SOMEONE has to BE the other guy, don't let it be you. Okay, here are some basics:

The Ouija Board

Quite a few sites have now posted write-ups concerning the Ouija Board and due to the simple fact that they CAN be dangerous to use when the right circumstances take place, I thought it would only be right to talk about it here, with a twist to what you would commonly hear. As like the photo shown above, all ouija boards have some minimum requirements; the words "Yes", "No", and "Goodbye", as well as the letters A-Z and numbers 0-9. Some variants of the boards may have additional writings or symbols but in general most ouija boards are the same. It truly is a shame that these boards can be purchased in many toy stores but even if they were not sold in toys stores, a ouija board can be made using almost any material, even paper, and any type of pointing device and still have the same potential as those one would purchase.
If you noticed in the previous paragraph, I stressed the word CAN be dangerous... because ouija boards are not always dangerous and like everything else in the paranormal world, there are many factors involved with it that need consideration. One question I have to ask is "How many people have NOT used the ouija board at one point in time or another?" Probably relatively few. How many people have experienced paranormal activity solely due to the use of the ouija board? Also probably very few. There are, I believe, key factors involved when haunting activity occurs due to ouija board use, factors I'll talk about shortly but for now let me discuss the most common reasons people use the board: Party tricks. Face it, because of the reputation surrounding the ouija board and its links to the "spirit world", many people use it for the thrill, or on a dare. In most cases, no harm is ever done. In this type of situation, if and when the planchette, or pointer, moves, it can be attributed to the people holding the planchette, either consciously or unconsciously... in most cases. I've known many, many people using the ouija board and never experience any paranormal problem, I attribute that directly due to their INTENT, but I still do not condone the use of the ouija board strictly because of the possibilities involved.
As I mentioned earlier, I believe the key in what happens from ouija board usage is the intent of the user. If the people using the board are doing so for petty amusement, usually that's what they get... something to laugh about. On the other hand, if someone using the board is very serious about what they're attempting, that makes a world of difference. There are three main reasons why I would think people seriously use the board. The first, and probably most common is in an attempt to contact a loved one who has passed over. The second and much more scary reason, is to purposefully call in ANY spirit for no other reason than to "see what happens". The last reason is for a small percent of users who some would consider social outcasts, those people who don't have many friends and try to find a "friend" through the use of the board, wanting to feel welcome and a part of something special. Each one of these can be potentially dangerous in outcome but, of course, not always. Even when someone uses the board for serious reasons, a high percentage of the sessions do little harm to anyone. The problem is the small percentage of problems that DO arise from these uses.
Most people know this but I want to state a point here. The movie "The Exorcist" was, in fact, based on a true story. The victim though, was a Jesuit boy who, back in the late 40's (if memory serves correctly) began playing with the Ouija Board. He was duped into thinking that who or what he was talking to was a "playmate" and when his invisible friend asked of he could come in and join him, the boy agreed... the invitation the spirit needed to manifest. Over time, the boy became possessed by this spirit and went through numerous exorcisms by the Roman Catholics before finally being freed. Supposedly, the possessing spirit was a devil by the name of Beelzebub who, in theology, is one of the most powerful devils under Lucifer. All this, on historical record, because of a "game".
Does this mean that everyone is in danger of demonic or diabolical attack every time they use the board? No... but how would you know when it's your time? A very common tactic used by negative forces concerning ouija board usage is false identity. This is where the main problem lies. How do you know for sure that you're talking to sweet Aunt Jane? You ask the secret code word... she answers correctly... it must be her. Diabolical and demonic spirits know your thoughts, they know they answers you're looking for. They also know your desires and needs and try everything they can to be a perfect match for those in an attempt to get you to invite them in further... once the invitation has been extended to them, they have no further need to talk to you... or be nice to you... they're in, and now the infestation and oppression stages start.
Again, I don't believe anyone should use the ouija board for any reason. If anyone close to you has died, accept my condolences, but let them go. Miss them, love them, but move on. Of course, though, there will always be people who will continue to use the board and for them, let me offer a few words of advice. If you are EVER asked to let a spirit come into the house, into your life, or anything similar, STOP using the board. A human spirit would never ask that, only an inhuman spirit would and for only one purpose: to make your life a living hell. Another thing, I've found that inhuman spirits can't spell to save their lives (pardon the pun). If you are communicating with something, watch the spelling. If something knows the answers to all your questions, appears to be a perfect match to your needs or you start to feel "empty" without the company of this invisible "friend", be VERY cautious, stop using the board. You could be dealing with something that you can't control.

The Pendulum

To be brief here, the pendulum is, for intent and purpose, the same as the Ouija Board. It's sole function is spirit communication but is far less common nowadays than the ouija board. Like the name suggests, the only major difference between the two is the pointing device used. While the ouija board uses a planchette, normally a triangular shaped device with a crystal, glass, or plastic windows to display the letter to be annotated, the pendulum uses a pointed weight at the end of a line, acting as a pendulum would, to point to the letter of interest. The letters and numbers are often configured differently than a ouija board but in functionality, it's all the same. As with the ouija board, the outcome varies according to the actual intent of the user.

Automatic Writing and Channeling

Of all the various forms of spirit communication, I would consider automatic writing and "channeling" the most potentially dangerous forms. What is channeling? Channeling is, in effect, possession. It's possession with a purpose. Channeling in performed by a person who typically, has good natural psychic abilities. The goal behind channeling is to allow a foreign spirit to actually possess, or take over, the receptor for the purpose of direct verbal or written communication and on rare occasions, in demonology aspects, to enable a direct exorcism of the foreign spirit. What is Automatic Writing? "True" automatic writing is, in most aspects, the same as channeling. The receptor allows a foreign spirit to enter him or her to enable it to directly write out its thoughts or comments. Neither channeling or automatic writing should ever take place without experienced supervision, because it is actually a form of possession, someone should always be available to help should anything go wrong. At times however, either of these can happen spontaneously to an inexperienced psychic who has not learned how to "shut down" when their gifts are not needed.
Channeling and automatic writing can be extremely dangerous to the individual because when they are "under", they no longer have control of themselves, they are now being controlled by the possessing spirit and I've seen others get attacked by the channeler while they were under. If, even for the purpose of channeling or automatic writing, a person were to be possessed by an inhuman spirit either by choice or because the inhuman spirit posed as something it's not and no one caught on to that fact, the channeler is in grave danger if it cannot be removed promptly. Even human spirits channeled in can become stubborn and decide it doesn't want to leave when you want it to.
If conducted properly and experienced people are available to assist, channeling and automatic writing can provide a wealth of information surrounding a haunting or investigation. I've seen people, through these means, obtain information that, first off, they could have never known, and secondly have proved invaluable to getting to the root of a problem, enabling a resolution to take place. It can be a great tool if ALL precautions are taken, it can be disastrous is done fly-by-wire or with no preparation or assistance. I believe that very few people should even consider to attempt anything of this nature due to the inherent risks of inviting a possession.

Séances

In my opinion, séances rarely work to the desired result. A typical séance involves two or more people, usually more, gathered around a table littered with candles and incense with soft, mystical music to set the proper mood and mindset. In most cases, the purpose of a séance is to call on a known person who has passed over to come back to this realm and give a sign of their presence. To be done to the best results, the group of people serious in attempting this will often have one person to act as a channeler in the event that something does appear.
Like the ouija board, séances can be dangerous, sometimes more dangerous if the people involved do not understand anything about the supernatural.
There is one huge difference between the ouija board and a séance... a séance is designed around one basic fact... the invitation. A person using a ouija board does not necessarily invite anything initially, they typically ask if "anyone" is present. The séance's purpose is to invite a spirit. That can prove to be very dangerous. I highly recommend to anyone who insists on conducting séances, that they have a good psychic in the group, who will be able to determine the TRUE nature of the spirit, if one actually manifests. If the group were to invite, either knowingly or not, a negative, inhuman spirit, they may have started a process they would have never dreamed possible, the infestation, haunting, and torment of one or all of the people involved. What I find most often is, sadly, most people conducting séances do not take their action seriously enough, expecting to have a good time and go home when their done. Most of the time that IS the case but unfortunately not always.
Again, luckily during a séance, very little, if anything actually happens but let's look at something else briefly. Very seldom would a human spirit who has crossed over, come BACK because of a séance. An EARTHBOUND human spirit is a different story though. The people conducting the séance should know the background of who they're trying to contact. If a friend or loved one died unexpectedly due to an accident of one form or another, or committed suicide, there is a possibility that their spirit may remain earthbound. Therefore there IS a chance that a séance may work to the desired results. If a friend or loved one has died in a "normal" way, old age or illness, most likely they have passed over. Young children that have died almost always pass over. Again, know the background of who you're trying to contact. An inhuman spirit would always LOVE to join the party, and that's why having a good psychic in the group is necessary.

Your efforts in contacting sweet Aunt Jane on the ouija board didn't work, so why not try a séance. A non-psychic may not know the difference where a good psychic will know that something is wrong (at minimum). Watch for signs if something does actually manifest. Use the rules I listed in the Spirit Classifications page as a guide. "What type of spirit can cause this type of manifestation?" The "psychic cold", the unnatural coldness of the atmosphere is a good indication of a spirits presence but both good and evil spirits can produce a psychic cold. Extreme feelings of HEAT on the other hand, are almost always caused by inhuman spirits.
When people tell me they've conducted a séance, or they are thinking of doing so, I always ask two simple questions. "Why?" and "What do you expect to get out of it?" I ask those two questions because séances generally don't do anyone any good at all, except put people at risk. If it's answers you're looking for, a true psychic can provide those answers without the need for a séance.
 
Crystallomancy
 
Crystallomancy is the staring into a glass window, pool of water, mirror, or any other shiny, transparent, or reflective object to induce self-hypnosis (staring into the fire of a fireplace or candle has the same effect). The famous scenes of the gypsy staring into her crystal ball for the answers to all your questions and telling you your future. Many people believe that by inducing self-hypnosis by any means of crystallomancy, they are putting themselves on the same level as the spirits and are able to communicate or receive information directly to or from them. Another form of this is called the psychomanthium, where the person enters a dark room or closet (or the like) lit only by dim red lights and sits directly in from of a mirror. This method often is used to summon or contact darker forms of spirits.
On the opposite side of the coin, instead of a person staring into a window or the like, you will often find pictures on the internet or on television where a ghost or apparition is seen in a window, as if looking out of it. This is the same type of effect, in reverse. "Mirror, mirror on the wall..." remember that?
This can be a very intriguing method of communication for some people, mainly because, if nothing else, of the mental state it puts the person in while attempting communication in this way. I find, though, that crystallomancy has very few practical uses, or should I say provides very little concrete anything, as compared to the other methods I've discussed.
When it comes down to it, I can conclude this page fairly simply... there are many different methods of spirit communication, many of which I didn't even discuss, but regardless of everything else, spirit communication can be considered fun, interesting, informational, and inspiring to those who have tried it but it can also be dangerous. Many websites speak solely about the ouija board because it's the most popular but what they are really talking about is ALL forms of spirit communication. I feel, for the most part, the same as them concerning this particular issue. Most of the time, most communication attempts don't work, or may be faked, but there is ALWAYS the possibility of contacting or inviting something you could never, in your wildest imagination, be prepared for, the inhuman spirit. Is it really worth it? I would never condone the use or practice of any form of spirit communication but unfortunately, the reality is that people do it, every day and when things go wrong, and they DO go wrong, I'm here to help.

One of the scariest encounters with the paranormal

This is the true story of an Irish couple Shawn and Nicole.... Do read it...

It was the vacation of a lifetime-just my best friend Nicole and I going away to Ireland. I was very excited as we were going to stay in a famous castle, which of course had some history of its own.
I believe it was Cabra castle of something to that effect. I recall it as it was yesterday. We were in room #71.
We left our room to go through the courtyard to the main castle for dinner. We then proceed to go look for this haunted bridge or something. We made a few jokes about how we were going to hang each other from the bridge. We had a bit of fun with that, hit the bar and then went back towards our room
After returning, our luggage was messed up on the floor. We thought nothing of it-could have been the maid for all we know. We noticed that the dog that went around the hotel courtyard was outside of our room (was an Irish wolfhound).
We got to bed about an hour or so after we had got back and we locked the door and the dog got up and went away. So it was now about 1 a.m.
I was sleeping through the night and at around 3.a.m., I had a rude awakening.
I started freaking out because I felt like someone was on top of me and that I was being scratched at. I was freaking out and I started screaming and moving around and I was hitting Nicole trying to wake her up.
I felt that my face was bleeding and could taste the blood. I was in a state of panic.
I managed to get Nicole up and she was trying to calm me down. I was telling her I was bleeding and to get help right away.
As she felt my face she felt the blood. She was in shock! So she said she would turn on the light and call the desk for help.
She reached for the phone and light which were right by one another and she got as she described "Brutally pushed aside hitting her head on the floor".
She reached for her pocket keychain light to search for the light. She crawled over to the light switch and came running back to the bed where I was still feeling as if I was pinned down.
She got on the bed to check on me and I felt as if I could freely move so I sit up. I was feeling pinned down this whole time hence my freaking out.
She checked me for blood and there was no sign of blood.
We went to open the door and check to see if there was any sign of forced entry into our hotel room in case it was something else. There we saw the dog walk back to the front of our door and he lay down there. We couldn't get back to sleep at all.
The whole thing freaked me out and I am not sure what exactly happened.
Why was the dog back after the attack?
Why could I taste blood and then be fine?
I couldn't move and I did not shove Nicole off the bed.
It was one of the freakiest experiences ever. Did I anger a spirit and they were being spiteful?
This isn't my first encounter with strange beings just the most physical.

Has it been scientifically proven that ghosts exist?

The short answer is that the Scientific community is on the fence when it comes to any Paranormal object, be it a ghost or otherwise. However, where once it was considered "fringe science", the serious investigation of Paranormal activity is now being pursued by many top Universities and Colleges, using scientific methodology and equipment. As we learn more, and more people with scientific backgrounds become involved, more theories on how ghosts manifest or where they exist will be proposed. Remember that Einstein's Theory of Relativity postulates an infinite number of alternate realities and many other things that most people don't believe in either - but are universally accepted by the scientific community, largely in part because many elements of his theory have been proven to be correct by scientific experiment.

Unknowledgeable people presenting bogus information as "evidence" has been a large problem for many people, as is just their own core beliefs, faith, or unwillingness to face the possibility that there's something other than Heaven or Hell. This was the problem in the past, and continues to be to this day. Groups claiming to be "Ghost Hunters" (unlike the TAPS group, which is a serious team) often put forth pictures and other "evidence" that is unclear and unverifiable at best. Few of these people have any real technical or scientific background, and each time it happens it creates even more skepticism. Even worse are the persistent hoaxers, and it's a lot easier today with moderate software to create effects that look good without closer inspection. I myself have analyzed purported EVP recordings which on the surface sounded real, but upon closer inspection were obviously faked. Same with pictures that are reported in the media; we looked at one case (myself and another Photoshop expert) where a picture was highly publicized at a local TV station. Upon close inspection, it was evident that the image was faked, albeit a very good one. Other things didn't add up as well in the entire story, and on the whole, it seemed more likely to be a ratings gimmick by the TV station as the reporter was present for the "photo".

Scientists, professional and amateur investigators, and just everyday people who have witnessed and seen ghosts are believers, but universal belief is based on evidence, and even with photographic, video and audio evidence, many people aren't yet willing to universally accept that ghosts exist. As one who has seen them, with evidence collected, I of course have no doubt, and it has caused me to rethink many things of a spiritual nature. There is a lot of evidence that tips the scale toward the existence of ghosts than there is to disprove they do. By evidence, I mean that which cannot be explained by any other cause.

I have no doubt that science will ultimately come to the realization of the existence of ghosts. Remember that science has often sworn that ancient species are extinct, only to be proven wrong when a specimen was found. The Coelacanth is a prime example of why no one should ever discount the possibility of something not being provable. Science long held the Coelacanth was extinct millions of years ago - only to be slammed when a live specimen was caught several decades ago.

We often consider ourselves smarter than we really are, and science, though often right, isn't always correct by a longshot. In the end, seeing is believing, and for anyone who has ever witnessed any type of entity, be it active or residual (a "recording" of an event that repeats and cannot interact with the viewer), there is no question of their existence. Remember too that even if science does prove their existence, not everyone will believe it either. There are still people who believe the Earth is flat, that we've never been to the Moon, and that the U.S. Navy supports an underwater alien base in the Bahamas. I can't tell you what the base is for in the Bahamas, but I've been there many times. I can say there isn't anything extraterrestrial going on, and like most highly classified military installations, activity there is kept secret for very good reasons, none of which has to do with aliens.

My advice is to do what many of us have done - start your own journey to determine for yourself if they exist or not, and keep an open mind when doing so. In the end, what YOU believe is really all that matters.

Ghostly and other paranormal terminology

Many people use the word ghost with other words that cannot necessarily be so easily interchanged. There are a number of different ghostly and paranormal terms that actually have subtle differences between them. To clarify, let’s examine some of the common, as well as some of the not so common terms used to describe ghosts, spirits, and other terms used to identify paranormal phenomena.

Apparition:  Apparition is a term that is used to describe the appearance of a ghost or invisible being as well as the form of a ghostly presence. An apparition is the moment when a disembodied spirit manifests, and the apparition is then perceived by individuals where the manifestation takes place. Often times, the disembodied spirit will appear exactly as it did when it was once contained within a physical body; however, not all apparitions appear in full form. There are partial and full apparitions, both which do not necessarily appear to be as solid as a physical form, and more often appear more ethereal or as having an insubstantial form. In various paranormal reports, partial apparitions are far more common than full body apparitions are. In some cases, the apparition can indeed appear as substantial as a physical form, and then later disappear.

Basically, the word apparition is used to describe the moment that a ghost or spirit, which is typically invisible, suddenly appears and becomes visible to the human eye. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term apparition is dated to the 15th century, and is first noted in Middle English as apparicioun (“Apparition”). The word apparition is rooted in both the Anglo-French aparicion, as well as the Late Latin word, apparitio, which translates as “appear” (“Apparition”). The term apparition is also derived from the Latin word “apparere” (“Apparition”). In Italian the term apparition is apparizione, in German the term apparition is akin the word geist and is Erscheinung; in Spanish the word appears much like it does in More’s De quatuor novissimis, less the double “p” and with an accented “o,” as aparición.

The first use of the term apparition is documented in the English language circa 1525 to 1530, and appeared in Sir Thomas More’s De quatuor novissimis in direct reference to a ghost: “Theapparicion of a very ghost” (“Apparition” Def. 1a.). More used the latter term in reference to “the supernatural appearance of invisible beings” (“Apparition” Def. 1a.). In the Etymology Online Dictionary, the word apparition is associated with meaning ghost, and therefore is interchangeable with the word the term ghost (“Harper”). Later, in 1650, the term apparition appeared in the work of Thomas Fuller in A Pisgah-sight of Palestin, as a direct reference to the action of God, with a noted change in the spelling of the term: “The first apparition God made to Abraham” (“Apparition” Def. 1a.). In 1603, Shakespeare himself relied on the term apparition in one of his greatest plays, Julius Caesar, in the sense that the word related the sudden manifestation of an “immaterial appearance as of a real spiritual being; a specter, a phantom, or ghost: I thinke it is the weakenesse of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous Apparition” (“Apparition” Def. 9.). In 1685, in A brief historical relation of state affairs Narcissus Luttrell also used the term apparition to explain or note the sudden appearance of a ghost: “A common report . . . of some apparition that walks at Whitehall” (“Apparition” Def. 9.). Even later, in 1703, the word apparition appeared in a work written by Henry Maundrell entitled A journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem when Maundrell referenced the sudden appearance of Angelic beings (“Apparition” Def. 1a.). Thus, the term apparition comes to mean the appearance of a ghost or spirit, the sudden manifestation of an unexpected being, whether the being is of divine origin or a spirit form of a deceased individual, or quite simply, the appearance of an invisible being in visible and humanly perceptible form.

Banshee:  Orthographically, the word banshee has undergone considerable changes, but the meaning of Banshee has remained relatively the same. In 1769, the word banshee appeared in as “Benshi;” in 1810, the word is spelled as Ben-shie in Walter Scott’s The lady of the lake; and later appears in Mary E. Braddon’s Joshua Haggard's daughter as banshee in 1876 (“Banshee”). The word banshee is actually a phonetic variant of the words bean sídhe and is derived from the Old Irish ben side, meaning a woman or female of fairy or Elfin origins (“Banshee”). A banshee is considered a preternatural creature, which in Irish and Scottish legends, was said to appear to people that were about to die, and the banshee’s wail, according to legend, is an omen of death (“Banshee”).


Bogey: In the Oxford English Dictionary, the word bogey is defined as being a name that refers to the devil or a devil, and the word had several different spellings: bogey, boguey, bogy, bogie, and the plural form of the word appears as boggies (“Bogey” Def. 1). It also refers to a goblin or a person that is feared (“Bogey” Def. 2). The word first appears in the English language circa 1836, and was used by Richard H. Barham in The Ingoldsby legends (“Bogey”). Thus, a bogey is defined as a spirit, one that is particularly worrisome, troublesome, evil, or foreboding; the latter word is sometimes associated with the term bugbear.

Bogle:  The word bogle is used in the same sense as the word bogeyman is used, and it is typically used to describe several different types of frightening beings including “a phantom, a goblin, a bogy,” or a specter. The term bogle can also be used to describe a being that is otherwise “indescribable,” and in some instances the word has been used to describe the appearance of a shadowy or black being: sometimes with human characteristics or features (“Bogle” Def. 1). Bogy is a synonym for the words specter/spectre or phantom, and etymologically, bogy is believed to be a variation of the word bogle (“bogey”). The etymology of the word bogle, is Scottish in origin, meaning “ghost,” which was first used in the latter sense circa 1505 (“Harper”). In the year 1646, the word bogle appears in R. Baillie’s Anabaptism and is used to describe “devils” which frighten men (“Bogle” Def. 1). The word bogle is sometimes spelled as boggle, and the word is defined as a “phantom causing fright” (“Bogle” Def 1.). Finally, a bogle is similar to a bogeyman, and in some legends it is alleged that the bogle frightens, harasses, and torments human beings.

Bogeyman:  The word bogeyman appears in the English language in 1890; while the term usually is used in reference to an imaginary being feared by children, it also refers to someone or something that is terrifying.

Boggard / Boggart / Buggard:  All of the latter words refer to a a specter, ghost, sprite, or spirit that allegedly haunts a specific location (“Boggard” Def. 1). The word appears in the English language as early as 1570 in Peter Levin’s Manipulus vocabulorum: A dictionarie of English and Latine words (“Boggard” Def. 1). Later in 1818, the word again appears in Edward Burt’s Letters from a gentleman in the north of Scotland; the latter text seemingly describes how haunted the different regions of England are: “All that quarter of England is infested with boggarts of all sorts” (“Boggard” Def. 1). A boggart is derived from English folklore; according to The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, the boggart behaves much like a poltergeist behaves (Guiley 50), and they are allegedly vicious and cruel in some instances.

Bugbear:  A bugbear is word that is sometimes associated with “a hobgoblin,” one that supposedly fed on children that behaved badly (“Bugbear” Def.1). In this first sense, the term bugbear appeared in the work of James Bell in Walter Haddon against Osorius, as well as the 1592 work of Thomas Nashe entitled Pierce Penilesse his supplication to the diuell: “Meare bugge-beares to scare boyes” (“Bugbear” Def. 1). The term bugbear is now more commonly used to refer to “fear of a dreaded creature or being,” and is further used to referred to “needless fear of someone or something (“Bugbear” Def. 2), and was first used in a such a sense in 1580 by Sir Sidney Philip (“Bugbear” Def. 2).

Chthonian:  The word chthonian appears in the English language in 1850 and is Greek in origin; it is often used to refer to spirits that were believed to be inhabitants of the underworld (“Chthonian”). The latter term appeared in Sir John Rhy’s Lectures on the origin and growth of religion as illustrated by Celtic heathendom in 1888, where it is used to describe the relationship of Pluto and Zeus, and how Pluto is an underworld god (“Chthonian”). Underworld spirits, otherwise known as shades or shadow beings are believed to be from the Chthonian realm.

Demon:  According to Greek mythology, a demon is a preternatural creature that acts as an intermediate between the gods and humankind; the Greeks referred to the demon as the dæmon: a being that was believed to be a form of “inferior divinity,” or genius. Thus the term demon or dæmon has not always been associated with negativity or a malicious being. In the late 1380’s, the term dæmon was used to sometimes refer to some deceased individuals (“Harper”). In fact, in 1608, Henry More, in Apocalypsis apocalypseos; or the revelation of St. John unveiled explains in that, “Dæmons according to the Greek idiom, signify either Angels, or the Souls of men, any Spirits out of Terrestrial bodies, the Souls of Saints, and Spirits of Angels” (“Demon” Def 1). Jewish writers used the word to refer to idols or lords, and when the Greek term dæmon was later translated by Christian translators, the term came to mean “a heathen god,” as well as “an impure spirit” (Harper). In the Catholic Encyclopedia, the word demon is defined as meaning a devil or a fallen angel and is said to be derived, at least in part from the Latin word daemonium (“Kent”). Interestingly, the word demon also has roots in the word daio, which means apportation or “to divide” (“Kent”). Thus, demons are spiritual creatures that are of a divisive, chaotic nature, and are therefore frequently associated with negative paranormal phenomena. Today the term is chiefly used to describe an evil being, creature, fiend, or spirit.

Eidolon:  An eidolon is an “unsubstantial image, spectre, or phantom;” the latter term appears in a variety of literary works, including Bayard Taylor’s Goethe's Faust in 1875 (“Eidolon”). It is derived from the Latin Idolum and the Greek word for idol (“Eidolon”). Essentially, the term apparition and the word eidolon are interchangeable.

Essence:  Essence is derived from the Latin essencia or essential, as well as the word assence and is seen it its French spelling as essence. The term essence refers to the immaterial or ethereal body of the spirit. The essence of a human being are therefore the vital characteristics and attributes that distinguish him or her from another, and are characteristics that allow for identification of the said individual as unique. It is believed that these same unique attributes continue to exist in the form of the spirit after death, and it is such characteristics that sometimes make the spirit identifiable to an individual perceiving a manifested spirit.

Ghost: The word ghost is even older than the word apparition and has been dated back as far as the twelfth century (“ghost”). The etymology of the word ghost can be traced back to Middle English as gost, or gast, and in Old English as gast (“ghost”). A ghost is a spirit that has been parted from the physical body due to the death of the body that once was host to the spirit. The term ghost is defined as the soul of the deceased, and is considered a spirit that inhabits an invisible realm (“ghost”). As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, ghost means “The spirit, or immaterial part of man, as distinct from the body or material part; the seat of feeling, thought, and moral action” (“Ghost” Def. 3a). Like the term apparition however, the word ghost has two meanings and the word ghost can refer to the appearance of an invisible spirit: one that looks like it did when it was in a physical body (“ghost”). Sometimes the word ghost is used as a broad term to describe paranormal activity occurring in a home or business; for example, someone might say, “I think my home is haunted by a ghost,” when there may actually be some other explanation for the phenomena in question.

Ghoul:  While sometimes used interchangeably, a ghoul and a ghost are not the same thing. A ghoul is a creature that, according to Muslim legends, preys on dead bodies and purposefully robs graves (“Ghoul”). The etymology of the word ghoul is rooted in the Arab word ghul, which literally means “to sieze” (“Ghoul”). It is said that a ghoul particularly likes to be repulsive, ghastly, or repugnant.

Ignis Fatuus  Ignis fatuus is also commonly referred to as a Will-o’-the-Wisp; the ignis fatuus is actually a phosphorescent light that appears in marsh lands, and is allegedly created from phosphuretted hydrogen when it spontaneously combusts (“Ignis Fatuus”). The words Ignis Fatuus orginate in modern Latin, and literally translates as “foolish fire” (“Ignus Fatuus”). According to the Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, ignis fatui have been believed to be the ghosts of restless spirits; and in some instances, it is believed when one sees ignis fatui, the event is an omen of death (Guiley 194). A variety of legends exist about ignis fatui and will vary from one culture to the next.


Manifestation:  Manifestation is a word that is much like the word apparition, where it describes the action of a spirit. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word manifestation as “the demonstration, revelation, or display of the existence, presence, qualities, or nature of some person or thing” (“Manifestation” Def 1a). It is further referred to as an unusual experience or several experiences whereby the attendance of a spirit is believed to be made detectable (“Manifestation” Def 4). Manifestation is rooted in the post classical Latin manifestation, and signifies the moment when a spirit becomes detectable via human perceptions.

Phantasm:  Phantasm is rooted in the Anglo Norman word fawntesme, the Middle French fantasme and phantasme, the Latin phantasma, and the Occitan and Catalan fantasma (“Phantasm”). The word has a number of different meanings associated with it, depending upon the context in which it is used. First, the archaic meaning of the word phantasm means a ghost or spirit or the sudden appearance of a disembodied spirit (“Phantasm” Def 2a.). In this sense, the word phantasm is akin to the word phantom, which also describes the appearance of a disembodied spirit. When used in the field of parapsychology, the term phantasm is defined as the vision of a living or deceased individual which is not physically present at the location where the being is perceived (“Phantasm” Def 2b). Sometimes the word phantasm is used interchangeably with phantasma.

Poltergeist: A poltergeist is commonly understood as a noisy ghost and the word is rooted in the German language. A poltergeist is commonly associated with noises, banging, rapping, scratching, and other chaotic phenomena.


Presence: The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word presence as one that means something that exists but is invisible, particularly a disembodied spirit or being which is somehow perceived or felt by an individual (“Presence” Def. 6). A presence is something that is not necessarily seen visually, but can be felt; sometimes the feeling can be described as oppressive, heavy, unusual, eerie, creepy, or overly morose.

Revenant: Revenant, which in its feminine form is revenante, is a word that is used to describe a ghost that has returned from the dead; the term is derived from the French word revenir, which means “to return” (“Revenant”). Thus, revenant is a term used to describe the appearance of the deceased.

Shade: A shade is another word for ghost, and it is sometimes used in certain myths to describe the presence of one’s soul in Hades or the underworld (“Shade” Def 6a). The word is derived from the Middle English schade, the Old English sceadu (“Shade”). A shade is a word that is interchangeable with the terms ghost, spirit, or apparition.

Soul: The soul is generally considered as an spirit distinct from the physical body; the spiritual part of a human being and the definition of the word soul clearly draws a distinction between the physical body and the ethereal being (“Soul” Def 2a). The soul is considered the immortal part of the human being, one that lives on after the physical body can no longer continue existing in the physical plane.

Spectre / Specter: : The words spectre and specter are one and the same, the first being a French spelling, which typically appears in British writing, and the second being the Americanized version of the word. A specter is simply a ghost or apparition of some kind (“Specter”). A specter is a disembodied preternatural being that can become audibly and/or visually detectable via human perceptions.

Spirit: A spirit is considered the soul or life force of a human being, and the word is rooted in words like the Old French esperit, the modern French esprit, and the Latin spritus, and is further akin the to the Latin word spirare, which translates into “to breathe” (“Spirit”). The spirit is often discussed and written about, as well as believed to be separate and distinct from the physical body.

Spook: The term spook is typically used in a colloquial sense to mean ghost or spirit (“Spook”). Spook is a shortened version of “spooky” and therefore refers to the appearance of something that is creepy, eerie, strange, unusual, or bizarre.

Supermundane: Supermundane is a term used to describe that which is not earthly; attributed to Thomas Aquinas, this word is derived from supermundanus, and is a combination of the words super and mundane (“Supermundane”). In this sense, the prefix super is used to denote literally means over or above, while the word mundane signifies what is of the earthly realm; thus the term comes to mean “above the earthly realm,” and cannot signify anything considered as originating from lower realms like shades. The realms considered below the earthly realm, and not necessarily below the earth itself in a physical sense, are referred to as inframundane. Thus, low level entities or spirits are considered something that comes from the realm of the inframundane.

Supernatural: Like the term supermundane, the prefix super in this word signifies, above or over. Meanwhile the term nature signifies the natural world; thus this term comes to denote that which is peculiar, strange, unusual, unexpected, and extraordinary (“Supernatural”). This term is one that is also attributed to Thomas Aquinas, and comes from supernaturalis; meanwhile, the word can also be traced to the Old French supernaturel, the soprannaturale, as well s the Porteguese sobrenatural (“Supernatural”).

Vision: The word vision has a number of different meanings, but when used in relation to ghosts and spirits, it can mean “supernaturally presented to the mind either in sleep or in an abnormal state,” or “A thing actually seen; an object of sight” (“Vision”).

Visitant: the term visitant refers to the actual appearance of a ghost or spirit (“Visitant”Def b). A visitant is the spirit of the deceased which has returned after death and appeared before one or more people.

Wraith: A wraith is defined as a ghost, that of a person that is still alive, in some instances, in other instances a wraith is associated with the ghost of a deceased being (“Wraith”). The etymology of the word wraith proves the word to be Scottish in origin as well as Gaelic (Harper). A wraith may be a projection of one’s consciousness, either purposefully or without intent to do so. In some Scottish legends, the word wraith is used to describe water spirits.

The Demon Names

Abaddon : Hebrew root meaning "to destroy", same as Apollyon
Apollyon (Abaddon) : The King of Demons Rev 9:11
Abigor : Christian demonology -  commands 60 legions
Adramelech: Arch Demon whose name means, "King of Fire"
Agares : First Duke of the East, commands 31 legions; appears willingly
Alocer : Strong Duke  commands 36 legions; lion's face, dressed as a knight on a horse
Amduscius : Great Duke, governs 29 legions; looks like a unicorn
Andras : Marquesse, commands 30 legions; bird head with angel-like wings
Asmoday : Prince of demons; thought to be the serpent that deceived Eve
Asmodeus : Demon of wrath, banished by Raphael in the Book of Tobit 8:3
Astaroth : Strong Duke over 40 legions and the treasurer of hell
Aym : Great Duke, who commands 26 legions; from christian demonology
Ayperos : Prince, commands 36 legions; from christian demonoly
Azazel : Chief of the goat-demons or "hairy demons"
Bael : Head of the Infernal Armies of 66 legions
Balam : Terrible king with three heads and commands 40 legions
Beelzebub : Prince of Demons, aka Lord of the Flies, former highest ranking angel in heaven
Belial : Chief of all devils, brings about wickedness and guilt
Belphegor : Demon or "god" of the Moabites, Numbers 25
Berith : Great Duke of hell who governs 26 legions, appears as a red soldier on a red horse
Bifrons : declares the understanding of geometry, astrology and other arts
Botis : Appears as a viper, and proclaims the past and future
Buer : President of hell, of the second order, and commands 50 legions
Caym : Great President who takes the shape of a thrush; rules 30 legions
Charon : The boat man who brings souls across the river Styx
Cresil : Demon of impurity and laziness
Crocell : Grand Duke who appears as an angel, and governs 48 legions
Deumos : Female demon with 4 horns and a crown
Eurynome : Superior demon who feeds on corpses; the Prince of Death
Focalor : Grand Duke who drowns men and overthrows ships of war
Furfur : Count of hell, commands 26 legions; appears as angel with a flaming tail
Gaap : Prince of hell, intensifies love and hatred; transporter demon
Geryon : Giant centaur, guardian of hell
Haures : Strong Duke of hell, commands 20 legions and is very frightful with eye aflame
Ipos : Demon count of hell who commands 36 legions; looks like a lion-headed angel
Jezebeth : Demon of falsehoods and lies
Kasdeya : From the "Book of Enoch", the 5th Satan
Kobal : Demon of hilarity
Leonard : Master of black magic and sorcery
Leviathan : Dragon of the Sea, the Crooked Serpent of the abyss
Lilith : Demon of waste.
Lucifer : Light bearer, son of the morning; former seraphim cast out of heaven
Malphas : Grand president of hell, commands 40 legions; appears as a raven
Mammon : Demon of avarice
Mastema : Leader of fallen angels whose job is to tempt men to sin and accuse them before God
Melchom : Demon who carries the money purse; payer of servants
Mephistopheles : Another name for the devil in the Middle Ages
Merihim : Dark Prince of pestilence
Moloch : Demon worshipped by the Israelites through child sacrifice
Mullin : Demon lieutenant of the demon Leonard
Murmur : Great Duke, comes with trumpets sounding and rules 30 legions
Naberius : Strong demon in charge of 29 legions, a Marquis of hell
Nergal : Second order demon, commands the secret police
Nicor : Water demon known for drowning humans; can cause hurricanes, tempests and the like
Nybbas : Manager of visions and dreams, inferior order charlatan
Nysrogh : Second order demon, chief of the house of princes
Oriax : Marquis, demon who commands 30 legions; teaches astrology
Ornias : name of the harassing demon
Ose : Great President, governs 30 legions
Paymon : a king of hell, master of ceremonies; governs 200 legions
Philatanus : Demon who assists Belial in sodomy and pedophile behaviors
Proserpine : aka Persephone, princess of hell
Pruflas : head of 26 legions, has the head of an owl; provokes wars and quarrels
Pyro : Prince of falsehoods and lies
Raum : Count or Great Earle, commands 30 legions; seen as a crow
Rimmon : aka Damas, an ambassador from hell
Ronove : Marquis of hell, commanding 19 legions, teaches languages
Ronwe : Inferior demon, commands 19 legions
Samael : Demon angel of death, prince of the power of the air
Semiazas : Chief demon of fallen angels
Shax : Duke of hell, commanding 30 legions, deceitful thief; appears as a stork
Shalbriri : Demon of blindness
Sonneillon : Demon of hatred
Stolas : High prince of hell, commanding 26 legions; teacher of astronomy and plant properties
Succorbenoth : Chief eunuch, sexless, demon of gates
Thamuz : Ambassador of hell, demon master of big weapons
Ukobach : Inferior demon who maintains the fires of hell; appears ablaze
Uphir : Demon physician
Uvall : Duke, commanding 36 legions, knows the past, present and future; strong and scary
Valafar : Strong Duke, commands 10 legions, appears in the shape of a lion
Vepar : Grand Duke, strong; guide of waters, like a mermaid
Verdelet : Master of ceremonies
Verin : Demon of impatience
Vetis : Demon of corruption
Xaphan : Second order demon, former fallen angel, fans the furnace flames
Zagan : Demon King, deceitful, commands 33 legions
Zepar : Grand Duke, appears as a soldier, commanding 26 legions

The 10 most common and easily detected ways, spirits use to let you know when they are around you

Lights Flickering
This is one of the most common signs. Spirits have the ability to interfere with light and electricity just because they are pure energy. I’m not saying that EVERY single time a light bulb flickers at home means that a spirit is around you, but if you check the bulb or the switch and everything seems to be fine and you can’t find an explainable reason, then is very possible there’s a spirit around you.

Appliances Turning On and Off
Again, the spirits are pure energy and they can manipulate electronic appliances as well, such as the TV, radio, microwave oven, etc. Most of the times they want to make you aware that they’re there and want your attention. If your TV turns on for no apparent reason, try to decode the reason behind it…what show or channel is on? Is it perhaps the favorite show your grandfather used to watch before passing away? Is the radio playing your grandma’s favorite old song?

chills or cold spots
Sometimes you are in your room, reading a book or chatting online, and suddenly, you feel an awkward chill on the back of your neck, or you get sudden goose bumps through your arms even though is 70o. Degrees. Most of the people have experienced something similar at least once in their lifetimes and the reason of these phenomena is that spirits do not release heat because in fact they absorb it. As everybody knows, heat is energy in movement, and when spirits absorb it they leave a cold spot instead. They use that energy to move and perhaps, to turn on your TV.

Dreams
Perhaps this is the universal media through which spirits send you messages. But how do you know if that dream about you and your death relative was a real conversation or just the product of your subconscious? In fact, there are a few characteristics you should analyze after having a spiritual dream: It should be vivid
It should be in color, not black and white or grayish
It should be chronological or at least with a logical sequence It should have some sort of message with words, telepathy, or physical
It should have left you confused, happy, peaceful or even fearful

The Feeling of Being Watched
A lot of us have felt this one! All of us have the ability to pick up spiritual energy once in while, especially when we are relaxed. You may ask, how to tell if this feeling is real or just a suggestive fear? Just ask yourself: Am I feeling this because I don’t like to be alone? Or is it because I recently watched something scary on TV? Remember that our mind play tricks on us very often. If the feeling of being watched came out of the blue, while you were singing, reading a book or just concentrated in something totally unrelated, then be sure that you are not alone!

voices
A lot of times people have heard voices calling their names, laughing or chatter. This is very possible but very rare. Indeed, when people hear this voices in an unexplainable circumstance, they attribute them to ghosts. In this case let me make a distinction between a ghost and a spirit. A ghost is an entity that hasn’t cross over to the other side, while a spirit has done so. A spirit can come to the earth to visit relatives and gives us messages, which can also be heard through our ears, but as I said, these cases are rare. On the other hand, a ghost doesn’t know is dead or they can’t cross over because of unfinished business, and they can also try to communicate with you in a rather disturbing manner.

Symbols
Unfortunately this is the sign we pay less attention to. Spirits try to communicate with us in every unimaginable manner, and by using symbols they are sending us a message without scaring us. Have you ever seen a flying bird that suddenly reminds you of a friend you lost in your childhood? Or perhaps, you found an exact copy of a book at the bookstore that your grandmother used to read to you? What about that toy you thought was lost that your father gave you one Christmas? All of these are examples of symbols our spirits use to let us know… Hey, I’m watching over you!

Scents
This is another sign that can be confusing. We always keep memories about how our deceased relatives used to smell, perhaps of a distinctive colony or perfume they liked, or even because of a specific activity they performed. I’ve heard many stories where people are doing something and suddenly they smell that particular perfume, or cigarette odor. If your death relative used to work with cars and out of the blue you smell car oil, don’t be scared and say hi!

Moving objects
Spirits can have the energy to move an object in front of our eyes. However this is rather rare since they don’t want to scare us. This phenomenon is more attributed to ghosts. But many times spirits will do so if they have something important to tell us, especially if we are experiencing a rough time in our lives. Even though you may not see the actual movement, things can appear in different places the next morning or disappear from it usual location. Think about the actual meaning of that object to you, and how can it relate to your deceased relative.

Apparitions
Apparitions can be really scary, especially because of the context how movies portray them. Spirits don’t want to scare us, but sometimes they’ll appear to us to give us peace. When we see people we don’t know, there can be two possible explanations. It is a ghost or it is an angel, but that’s another story. Ghosts usually appear to scare us or at least to let us know they’re there. Angels appear to us to protect us. When a death relative appears to you, don’t be scared and try to talk to him/her. But don’t worry, since this sign is the rarest, rest assured that you won’t see a complete apparition, however don’t underestimate those “corner of the eye shadows”, because most of the times, it wasn’t your imagination.