This topic came to me as a surprise. As I was browsing different paranormal-related news stories on the web, I ran into this curious story about John Francis of Juneau, Alaska. Francis is currently in the running to join a compensation board for crime victims in his community. He was hand-picked by Governor Mike Dunleavy. But of course, just because you’re the Governor’s choice, there is still a process that has to take place before anyone is confirmed. During a House hearing, Francis voluntarily brought up ghosts when he told a story of a ghost going through his body and how it was a life-changing experience. Francis also brought up his criminal past, which included insurance fraud and burglary.

But apparently, people weren’t concerned about his criminal past, they were more concerned about the fact that he is a ghost hunter. Eagle River Republican Sen. Lora Reinbold brought up concerns about his ghost hunting activity and it looks like she questioned him aggressively about the manner. She asked him what his spiritual beliefs were and concluded that she would not support his nomination.

Of course, being a ghost hunter and a working woman, I found this to be rather interesting. What happened to Francis is not rare. In fact, when I was on my latest job hunt, I purposely used my full legal name instead of what you would call my “pen name” or “stage name.” Granted, I’ve used the simpler version of my name for most of my life. It’s the name that my oldest friends know me as. In the last decade, my name has become tied with the paranormal. And yes, it is of my own doing.

It’s not that I’m ashamed of my ghost hunting experience or the work that I do. I’m not ashamed of the books I’ve written. But I do know that the topic of ghost hunting can make people feel very uncomfortable. It can change the way people perceive you. With my luck, someone who doesn’t know me might be really nervous about the topic of ghost hunting, and I could find out that they’re interviewing me for a job, a loan, an adoption, etc. I could be “on the wrong side of the table” you could say. I usually try not to reveal my ghost hunting interests right away, but I let people get to know me first. I don’t want to put my paranormal interests on full blast because it is something that not everyone is comfortable with. I don’t want to risk opportunities because I was too aggressive with my paranormal interests.

But what eventually happens is that someone will google me, and they will find my books, APS, and my website, which doesn’t shy away from the paranormal. I want to say that 90% of the time, people are always cordial and cool. I have, however, lost friends because of it. To some, an interest in the paranormal equals to delving in devil worship and other occult practices that are perceived as “evil.” While I do neither of those activities, the reputation of the paranormal precedes me, and I hope to be part of the solution to dispelling the novelty of ghost hunting.

I could also be “loud and proud” about my ghost hunting endeavors. I know folks who have their paranormal expertise listed on LinkedIn. As much as I would like to do that, I also have bills to pay and four kitties to take care of. Perhaps one day I could be in that place where I can be loud and proud, but for now, I’ll keep my paranormal “secret identity” in the wings. It will eventually be revealed, usually through a late night conversation or when someone approaches me about the topic.

There are countless working professionals who are interested in the paranormal. I’m talking high-powered business people, lawyers, doctors, teachers, SCIENTISTS, and other people from well-respected professions who have a good head on their shoulders. There will always be a peanut gallery of people who take the paranormal too far and let it consume them, but they are truly a small percentage of this massive pool. While I am proud to be a paranormal investigator and researcher, I’m also a daughter, a niece, a teacher, a partner, a friend, a writer, a community volunteer, book smart, I hold a Masters degree, and I’m an actress, singer, roller skater, former beach bum, the list goes on.

In closing, if you’re someone who hasn’t gotten involved in the paranormal community because you don’t want it to consume you, take up too much time, etc. don’t let that stop you! Having an interest in the paranormal is enough to participate in this amazing community we have. If anything, being a ghost hunter shouldn’t disqualify anyone from getting a job, a date, a house, a child, etc.

There are too many facets of me to give the paranormal full credit to my identity.

The post When Ghost Hunting “Haunts” You – Identity in the Paranormal appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

My experiences have convinced me that there is definitely more to us then cells and bones and we go on after our physical body dies.  To me, this is a fact. I have lost more people in my life than I would like to admit and have always felt the ones I have lost before them around when it’s getting close to their end. Sometimes it’s just a feeling, a scent, a whisper or a soft touch making sure I know that my people will not be alone in the transition to their afterlife. I have witnessed some who see the ones that have passed before them while on their deathbed but this always seems to be dismissed as a hallucination, the medication they are taking, or that the person is so out of it they don’t know where they are, etc.

I am certain that we are all shown signs that our family/friends come at our end, but aren’t acknowledged or get dismissed in fear of judgement from others. Why does what we feel get disregarded when so many people believe “We will meet again” after we pass? I look forward to seeing everyone I have missed so much in my life and hope to get answers to the questions I have carried around for years. Paranormal investigations have more than proven with hard evidence that there are spirits, ghosts, demons, angels. etc. Some choose to accept this evidence as fact and some just won’t accept it. Technology has given paranormal investigators ways to communicate and measure the afterlife to further prove it’s existence.  Whether you believe or not I am sure that our loved ones stand in line to greet us when we pass, show us the way and most importantly let us know they have always been with us. We take love with us to our next destinations and I look forward to seeing who is there to greet me when it is my time to crossover.

The post In the End appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

During vacation your guard is down, you are open to new experiences, novel food, different points of interests. An event like a paranormal encounter is certainly exotic but also can be unwelcome if it is unanticipated. And depending upon the event and how it was received, can be perceived to be quite harrowing. Granted, paranormal just doesn’t happen to those who are expecting it and spooky shit can happen everywhere, anytime. But the majority of us prefer not to vacation at traditionally haunted places for our vacations: Disneyland, the Queen Mary, the Myrtles Plantation, Tombstone, the U.S.S. Hornet. The majority of the general public plan to spend time in more traditional and less spooky locations:  Grand Canyon, Los Angeles. Yellowstone, New York, Rt 66, Lake Winnipesaukee, etc. Granted, these locations have their haunted history too but that is not the primary purpose for most visitors.

These following examples cover the spectrum of surprising vacation spookiness, ranging from mystifying to malevolent. Each demonstrates that sometimes no matter what you pack and prepare for your vacation, spooky can happen anywhere and anytime!

Probably more than unsettling than a ghostly vacation encounter on land is a spooky experience at sea. Instead of leaving the mainland and all earthly cares behind, these unfortunates sailed right into the inexplicable and bizarre. These 2 creepy cruise line experiences are a reminder that regardless of the luxurious setting, nobody is safe from the paranormal.

According to the Ghost & Ghouls website, a mother and daughter were traveling on the Thomson Celebration when one of the days of their itinerary became miserable and stormy. Because it was a rainy day, they decided to spend time below deck watching a movie at the cruise ship cineplex. The duo settled down with their popcorn and drinks in one of the middle rows. They were the only ones in the theatre. However, ten minutes into the movie, 3 people walked in on their left. They walked all the down to the front and then turned around and walked back up.  Despite the fact that there were only 2 other people in the theatre, the newcomers sat right behind them-yeah, I had those kinds of people sit behind me too; they usually kick the back of my seat to boot. As soon as the trio sat down, the 2 women decided to move. When they got up, however, they noticed that there was nobody behind them. What made it so puzzling was that the late-comers would have had to pass them to leave the theatre.

Although that encounter was off-putting, it was a cake-walk compared to this next spookiness at sea.  This paranormal episode also had happened to a mother and daughter but it occurred in their cabin and was far more disquieting. It was the middle of the night and the mother woke to discover what she thought was her daughter next to her bed. She called out to the shadow but instead of responding, it just walked away. Mom quickly fell back asleep. After a few hours, they rose with the sun and were startled by the tv turning itself on. Even more distressing, while they were searching for the remote the room was overcome with the smell of brimstone.

They quickly packed their bags without showering or changing their clothes and made a bee-line to the elevator which was across from their room. On the other side of the elevator, there was a storage room which a staff member was trying to access. Mysteriously, he couldn’t get the door open. He voiced his frustration to the mother and daughter as they were waiting, “What’s going on? It’s like somebody is from the other side is holding the door!!!” The women couldn’t get into that elevator fast enough!

An unexpected paranormal adventure at sea is particularly unsettling because you are trying to get away from it all. The land, civilization, all earthly cares-even the ground itself. However, back on dry land, it still can send you through a loop, especially if you are totally innocent of the site’s haunted history. A honeymooning couple at Key West chose a quiet, unassuming B&B off the Main Drag. They wanted a place intimate and cozy with no surprises or a lot of people. Unfortunately, their assumption about a limited amount of people was not correct. Their room was oversold and they needed to be moved to another room on another floor. As they walked to their room, they encountered a painter dressed in paint-splattered white overalls and who was just about to place a drop cloth on the landing. The couple said hello but he ignored him and continued with his task. To make the situation even more uncomfortable, the smell of paint became increasingly overwhelming-even after they opened all the windows. They called the front desk and pleaded to be moved again. When the honeymooners mentioned the painter, the front desk was incredibly confused. There was no painting scheduled at this property as it was the weekend and the middle of summer.

Thankfully, the request was honored. However, while they were going to their room to retrieve their belongings, they noticed the painter was gone! To add to the confusion, it looked and smelled like he was never there! They decided to take a tour of Key West after dinner and the couple mentioned to their guide of their odd experience. Their guide’s eyes widened as they finished their tale. She explained that this experience was not just an odd event with a worker but an actual haunting! That painter was not a taciturn worker but the ghost of an employee who died 10 years ago – on that very day of their arrival!  He, unfortunately, fell down an elevator shaft and returns on the anniversary of his death.

Each witness to a paranormal event-willing or unwilling-becomes part of the story. They become an element of the tale as they recount it to others. Generally, the witness recounts a lady in white, a spectral child peering from a corner or worse, a scratch on the arm or a hissed, “Get out!”. Unfortunately, for one particular family in Australia, they not only became part of the story but their son became a casualty-with a bizarre photograph to tell part of the tale.

In 1979, 6 young boys and 1 adult male died in a horrific fire at an amusement park called Luna Park.  A fire broke out in the last car of a ride called the Ghost Train and unabated, it destroyed the entire train.  Although there were a variety of factors that led to the tragedy-low water pressure, poor staffing and training, the owner’s alleged ties to the Mob-there was no firm conclusion of why the fire got so quickly out of hand.

There are those who think that the case of the tragedy might not have been man-made but in fact came from a far more supernaturally sinister source. Sometime after the disaster, one of the mothers who lost her son was looking at pictures of the bereaved family’s last hours at the fateful park. The last picture she reviewed not only gave her pause but also chills. To the right of her late son was a disturbingly costumed individual. Upon reviewing the photo, she recalled that a costumed character did sidle up to her son while he was waiting for the Ghost Train. As she was taking several photographs, an individual with a horned headdress, animal printed cape and sarong included himself in a shot of her son. Because of the excitement of the day, the incident quickly disappeared from memory almost as quickly as it happened.

Upon further investigation with Luna Park, the mother discovered that this individual was not affiliated with the property. Their costume is not associated with any particular character, plus to compound the mystery, upon interviewing the staff, nobody recognized the figure as a busker or any someone from an outside entertainment agency.  There is a variety of online discussion whether there is an occult connection with this person or the accident but that is for another writer and another article. But what can be said is that this person was never seen before this fateful day and was never seen after.

What happened to all these vacationers may vary in terms of location and phenomena but the after effects were remarkably similar. Each of the parties felt shaken and disquieted from their experiences.  An unbidden encounter can cause anxiety, stress and other symptoms similar to PTSD, the actual term called Post-Traumatic Vacation Syndrome. The traits for those who experience profound disappointment during vacation can be just like those who have a traumatic paranormal encounter. Perhaps with these stories in mind, we should be packing holy water, iron, and sage along with the sunscreen, bathing suits and flip-flops.  After all, spooky shit can happen anywhere and anytime!

The post My Family Went on Vacation & All I Got Was This Ghost Story appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

Johnny and June owned a large plantation mansion known as Rose Hall Great House of Montego Bay, Jamaica. When disobedient slaves were punished, they were reportedly placed in the dungeon underground and tortured. It was built in the 1700’s and it was one of the few homes to survive the Great Jamaican Slave Revolt of 1831 and 1832. Out of the 700 plantation houses that once stood, only 15 remain today. Rose Hall was one of those survivors. Why? It is believed to be haunted by an angry, restless spirit by the name of Annie Palmer. It is believed that Rose Hall survived the revolt because they slaves were scared of releasing the spirit of the White Witch out onto the world. Or, at least that is what the legends say. The name “Annie Palmer” probably sounds familiar, because Johnny Cash wrote a song about her!

The Beginning of Rose Hall

Rose Hall before its restoration

In order to fully understand this legend and haunting, let’s start back at the beginning. Here is the abridged history of Rose Hall as we know it: In 1746, a man named Henry Fanning purchased a 290 plot of land in Jamaica to prepare for his marriage to Rosa Kelly. They were married in 1747. Henry died a few months after the wedding. Rosa Kelly owns everything. But there’s no Rose Hall yet. In 1750, Rosa marries a man named George Ash, who built Rose Hall officially. While some think Rose Hall was named for Rosa, George was also close with the Rose family as well. In 1752, George died after Rose Hall was completed. In 1753, Rosa married a man named Norwood Witter. He ended up spending all of Rosa’s money and left her in debt. He died in 1767. In 1768, Rosa married John Palmer from a neighboring estate. Their marriage was happy and they were married until Rosa died in 1790, and John died in 1797.

Because Rosa and John had no children, their estate went to their sons. They never came to Jamaica to claim their estate, and they never had children to pass the estate onto. So, the estate was eventually given to John’s grandnephew, John Rose Palmer. He took over the estate in 1818.

The Rumor of Annie

A portrait of who is believed to be Annie Palmer

Annie Patterson moved to Haiti with her parents from England when she was just 10 years old in 1812. Her mother was English and her father was Irish. One year later, both of Annie’s parents died from yellow fever. Afterward, Annie was placed in the care of her nanny, who taught her everything about Voodoo. That’s where the story gets juicy. At some point, the nanny died and Annie relocated to Jamaica when she was 18 years old.

Through rumor, Annie learned that John Rose Palmer, the owner of Rose Hall Great House needed a wife. She used black magic to cast a spell on the owner and married him. Thus, she became Annie Palmer. She soon started using the slaves as lovers. When John found out about this, he beat her with a riding crop. The next day, he was dead. Legend says that she poisoned him and took over the entire estate. She continued to take slaves as lovers, but then would murder them when she was tired of them. Apparently, she set traps throughout the property for her slaves. If they were ever in the kitchen, they had to whistle to prove that they weren’t eating her food. If they stopped whistling, she would reportedly behead them.

Annie became known as the “White Witch of Rose Hall” by her slaves because of her cruel treatment and practice of Voodoo. She married two more times, with each husband meeting a grisly end. It’s believed that her lover, Takoo (also spelled Taku), strangled the last husband. Annie fell for an Englishman named Robert Rutherford, but he was in love with Takoo’s granddaughter. She cast a spell to eliminate Takoo’s granddaughter from the picture. She cast an “old hige” curse where a ghost would visit the poor girl and cause her to wither and die.

But this is where Annie would meet her end. It is believed that Takoo cast a spell and murdered Annie by strangling her in her sleep for what she did to his granddaughter. She died in 1831, supposedly. That would make her about 29 years old.

When Annie was buried, the slaves were fearful of Annie’s angry spirit coming after them. They burned her possessions so there wasn’t any more attachment. But the ritual to seal Annie’s body and spirit into her tomb wasn’t done correctly, so now her angry spirit roams the lands.

The Truth About Annie

Annie’s rumored tomb

What we have here is the perfect recipe for a good ghost story. We have a motive from the main antagonist, and we have a reason to

fear her. It turns out that there really was an Annie Palmer, but her story is so much different and not as interesting. Her maiden name was Annie Mary Paterson, and she was a Jamaican of Scots descent. She married John Palmer in 1820, and was her only husband.

Neither Annie or John died at Rose Hall. In fact, John couldn’t handle the debts and they eventually abandoned Rose Hall. It stood abandoned for 130 years. John died in 1827, after about seven years of marriage to Annie.

When they were at Rose Hall, they only had one or two slaves. After they lost Rose Hall to debt, they lost their slaves too. After John died, Annie sold what was left of their estate for about £200. She passed away in 1846, around her mid-40’s.

Why the Rumors?

Another portrait of Annie

We can thank a newspaper clipping from 1868 that actually labeled Rosa Palmer as the White Witch of Rose Hall. That honestly would make more sense to me given the number of marriages she had.

Then in 1911, another story came out about the White Witch, only this time it labeled Annie with the title. In 1929, Herbert G. de Lisser wrote a book called, The White Witch of Rose Hall, with Annie once again labeled as the White Witch. The book was meant to be fiction, but it soon became reality.

I don’t think the writers had any ill will towards Annie. I think this is a perfect example of how fiction and fact can meld into something completely different from the true story. This is how legends and rumors are born. But in Annie’s case, it’s grossly disrespectful to her memory and legacy.

What About the Ghosts?

If there is paranormal activity, it surely isn’t Annie or the slaves she didn’t torture. If there is any activity, it could be from any time in history with the land and the home. It could even be Rosa Palmer and her husbands. We’ll never know for sure.

But here’s the big question; did Johnny Cash have a paranormal experience while he was living at Rose Hall? The answer is yes! During a dinner party one evening, he saw the apparition of a woman in white, she was in her 30’s, and she went into the dining room and towards the kitchen. In fact, Johnny wrote about his encounters with the spirits of Rose Hall in his biography:

“We’ve never had any trouble with these souls. They mean us no harm, I believe, and we’re certainly not scared of them; they just don’t produce that kind of emotion.”

Also, keep in mind that Johnny Cash was a strong Christian. There’s a chance that he wasn’t bothered by the spirits because he felt he was protected by Christ.

As we close out this blog, take a listen to Johnny Cash’s “The Ballad of Annie Hall”

Sources:

Johnny Cash’s Haunted Plantation Home: What Happened There Will Chill You To The Bone

Rose Hall Great House & The Haunting of Johnny Cash

https://exemplore.com/paranormal/The-White-Witch-of-Rose-Hall-A-Jamaican-Ghost-Story

The post Johnny Cash’s Haunted Mansion & the White Witch of Rose Hall appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

Keep in mind, I’m not a doctor. I’m only going to be expressing my experience and what has worked for me personally. If you find something useful, that’s awesome! If not, I’m glad you stopped by and I appreciate your time.

Physical Care

I was in a car accident in 2005 that basically broke my pelvis in half as well as several bones in my spine. I was hit by a car and thrown off a freeway ramp after my car hydroplaned. Long story for another time. Anyway, I got surgery and two titanium screws were put in my pelvis to level things out. When the accident occurred, I was 19 years old and still invincible to the world. I felt even more so after surviving that car accident.

Fast forward to 2015 and I’ve started to hurt. I can do a lot physically, but boy do I pay for it. Not only that, I have fibromyalgia that really makes everything even spicier. I hope my sarcasm isn’t offensive. Sometimes, I have a great night and I can go all night on an investigation, but I have to prepare for it. I can’t overdo it, or I’ll find myself in a tremendous amount of pain.

For example, when I was in New York City about a month ago, I walked 18,000 steps in a day. I hadn’t done that in a while. That night and even the next day, I couldn’t bear weight on my right leg because my hip hurt like hell and kept popping. It wasn’t even the side where the screws were. Simply put, moving was miserable.

I don’t want to feel miserable while on an investigation. Here are my tips on dealing with the physical side of self-care before an investigation:

1. Eat Well: It’s easy to fall into the trap of chips, Red Bull, candy, basically sugar and caffeine in order to stay awake. I eat a decent amount of protein before investigating. If I’m in the mood, I’ll throw in some vegetables too.
2. SLEEP: If you’re going to do an all-nighter, you need to fit in sleep if you’re physically inhibited. Whether you plan a nap during the investigation, snooze beforehand, just be sure to get enough rest before going for several hours.
3. Check In With Yourself: During transitions or break time, check in with yourself to see how you feel. I try to do a self check in every hour just to make sure I can keep going.
4. Consider a Workout: One of the fibro friends is also a paranormal investigator, and she fits in a 30-minute workout before her investigation. She finds that it reduces her flare ups and calms her body down. I haven’t tried this yet, but I’m considering trying it out for myself. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
5. There’s No Shame in Rest: If you find yourself needing to take a break, TAKE A BREAK. You will feel so much better taking a breather than pushing through and feeling sore, miserable, and just unhappy for the remainder of the investigation. Some people can go all night, but don’t feel bad if you can’t.

Mental Care

Anyone who knows and sees me regularly know that I have ridiculous anxiety. My anxiety flares up my fibromyalgia, sometimes it’s the other way around. Anyway, add in a pinch of depression and other mental health issues, and you have the perfect recipe for ghosts (and people) to mess with you. Oftentimes, my anxiety isn’t triggered by spookiness…it’s triggered by the real world. However, if you’re someone who gets scared, and you have concerns with your mental health, then talk to your health care professional before proceeding. If you get the all clear, talk to whoever is in charge of the paranormal investigation you’re going to participate in and let them know what is going on. Perhaps even email them ahead of time to let them know so they’re prepared if you need to step out.

Again, I don’t want to be miserable on an investigation because of what’s happening in my head. Here are some things that help me when I’m feeling out of it:

1. Separate Yourself If You Need To: Sometimes, a paranormal investigation can get intense. Not just physically, but emotionally. You could be scared, you might be feeling emotional, or you just might not be in the right head space. Within the bounds of being safe, separate yourself from the situation and regroup if you need to.
2. Ask for Distance, But Let a Friend Stick By: I’ve only had this happen to me once or twice, but I got really exhausted randomly and really REALLY moody at a haunted location. I felt the need to nap. In this situation, my team (nor I) knew what was going on with me. However, I was stuck because I didn’t want to inhibit my team’s time at this location, but I just couldn’t bring myself to investigate at that time. So, I got out my jacket and took a nap in the break room. During that time, I needed space. Yet, the location’s staff and my team made sure that I was never alone. They just let me “be”, if that makes sense. Knowing that someone was there if I needed them meant a lot.
3. Consider Grounding & Shielding: If you find that you’re especially emotionally vulnerable and feeling unsteady during an investigation, I would recommend that you consider grounding and shielding. Grounding is recommended by psychologists anyway. Getting grounded is key to help you through an investigation. Check out our Tips & Tricks on Grounding & Shielding for more information.
4. Take a Shower After the Investigation: You will probably want to do this anyway, but if there’s a way you can grab a shower after the investigation, it will really help in your post-investigation head space as well as get off all that grime, especially if you’re investigating an older location that isn’t well-maintained.
5. It’s Okay to Feel: The most important thing is to feel those emotions. It’s okay to cry, it’s okay to feel mad, it’s okay to feel confused, and it’s okay to not feel at all. Don’t try to bury your emotions for the sake of letting things move. I always recommend having a trust friend with you on investigations so that you have someone who is on your side. Meaning, if you need to step out, get some space, or just hold a hand, you have a support system. Ghost hunts and investigations are a very private experience that can be overwhelming at times. It’s okay to process and work on why you’re feeling the way you do.

Finally (and maybe there’s 11 tips instead of 10), if you need to stop…STOP. Pushing through a ghost hunt or investigation could potentially be more harmful than just stopping. There can be some guilt since you might have paid for that investigation, but definitely self-assess your limitations and abilities as much as possible.

I hope these self-care tips are useful to some of you. They certainly help me when I’m on an investigation, especially one that is over 10 hours. Happy investigating!

The post 10 Self-Care Tips for the Paranormal Investigator appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

How Far Do We Go Back?

But is it possible we’re engaging with someone (or something) from even earlier in time? For example, we know the history of the Trivette Clinic from 1932 on. But what about pre-1932? What was happening on the land 100 years before? Or even 1000 years before? Why do we limit ourselves to what we can only find on websites and in the history books? Granted, this is a realm of paranormal investigating I have not engaged in yet. In fact, it’s an older thought I’ve had which was reintroduced to me at the recent Trivette Clinic investigation by one of our attendees.

I must confess that this pondering is not my own. I was first introduced to researching the layers of a haunting by none other than John Sabol. If you’re not familiar with his work, I highly recommend visiting his website and checking out his books. Their fantastic, and it has truly opened my eyes to a method that makes sense in my eyes.

Even the land you’re standing or sitting on right now as you read this blog has a history. To us, it might be just a slab of concrete or a patch of asphalt, or even just a patch of grass. But we truly don’t know what was happening on that spot over 1000 years ago.

For areas that have more paranormal activity, why limit ourselves to just the last few hundred years? What is something happened on these haunted locations centuries ago that started to attract paranormal activity in that area, and we just think the events of the standing building are responsible for the haunting?

Hitting the Books

In order to embark on this thought properly, we need to get acquainted with our knowledge of history and anthropology. I would love to see if there are correlations with trends in ancient history and a haunted location. Ideally, what if there was something, let’s say a ritual, a spell, an alien visitation 5,000 years ago, something…happened on the spot where a haunting stands today? Or, what happens when a more recent haunting or energy imprint lingers in an area where a great battle happened 155 years ago?

This goes into an area of paranormal research where the single trunk splits off into hundreds of tiny branches. But I truly believe that if we keep testing and experimenting new investigation methods, we’re going to find something that eventually sticks. That might involve digging deeper into the layers of history and see how far into the past we can go.

The post Layers of a Haunting: Why Limit Ourselves? appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

Because of their electromagnetism, which was proven by James Clerk Maxwell, we can use the vibration frequencies that crystals emit in many different ways in the paranormal field. Their vibrations effect our nervous system and the transmission of information to the brain. This can amplify our clairvoyant abilities and ability to communicate and experience these paranormal happenings. They can also effect the activity that occurs during paranormal investigation either by use of the investigator or the spirits themselves. Some are used to ward off negative entities and others used as a conduit of sorts to further activity. Some are even used in the process of “crossing a spirit over” or moving them on to their final destination. However used, worn or carried, I find them to be an integral part of the process.

I personally carry Obsidian and clear Quartz on every investigation I have ever done. I use the Obsidian to protect me from any harm-doers and the clear Quartz to keep my mind open and clear for any transmission. One of the more versatile and powerful stones in Selenite. It is used to enhance psychic awareness and intuition largely due to it’s direct effects on the 3rd eye chakra. It also clears energy allowing you to be completely open to accept any unseen energies that may be around at the time. Many investigators and mediums consider this stone to be the most important of all the stones to have during an investigation as well as in everyday life.

There are many Minerals and Crystals that can be an important tool during communication with the spiritual realm. You will find some of them listed below. It is up to you to decide which ones are best suited for your needs. Also up to you, is the discernment of whether these stones do actually have these powers or if the real power is in the belief in them. Either way, I am sure that you will find them useful none the less. Remember to cleanse your crystals after each use and some of them need to be charged in the sun or moonlight for best results. Happy Hunting!

Please note that the stones listed have many purposes and powers, I have only listed the ones useful in investigation situations

• Labradorite: Aid in Magic & Transformation; stimulates imagination
• Quartz: Helps attain mental clarity; aids in concentration and memory retention; amplifies other stones when used in combination
• Agate: Protection & Harmony
• Amethyst: Clairvoyance
• Amber: Healing & Wisdom
• Garnet: Manifestation & Protection
• Malachite: Transformation & Protection
• Onyx: Protection & Healing
• Tourmaline: Promote Positive Energy
• Black Tourmaline: Ward off Negativity
• Kyanite: Enhance Psychic Ability
• Tiger’s Eye: Courage
• Obsidian: Grounding Stone
• Turquoise: Protection & Spiritual Connection

Do you use utilize stones in your life or in your paranormal research? Tell us about it in the comments!

The post Stones & Their Uses in the Paranormal appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

While I was attending the Excavation of Victorian Ghosts event up in Bedford, Pennsylvania, one of the speakers was Rosemary Ellen Guiley. I know we keep talking about this event, but it was truly a great event where some really intelligent minds from the field come in and present their research and theories. Anyway, Rosemary had a fascinating talk on black mirrors and scrying, and she made a really interesting comment. Of course, I’ll be paraphrasing; the gist of it was that it seems that teams that are tech-heavy tend to not have as many experiences as someone who isn’t looking at a screen. At first, I guffawed because I believed that the central point of investigating is to have the equipment for data collection. However, as I sat and listened to Rosemary speak, I started to ponder my previous experiences.

Most know that one of the most dramatic experiences I had involved a camera that was turned off. This would be the event that happened on the USS Hornet in 2012. Yet, no matter how many times I recollect the experience and retell the story, I know there are people who won’t believe me. I kick myself thinking about how our equipment was shut off, even though we don’t remember turning anything off. However, that experience gave me something that I needed at the time. Looking back, I think that experience was just meant to be that…an experience. Had the equipment not malfunctioned, I really wonder what would have been captured on film and audio. Furthermore, what would MY experience have been like if I was monitoring through headphones or looking through a viewfinder? Would I have seen the same thing?

Take, for example, the experience of a photographer. They will experience something like a wedding or childbirth through a completely different experience. They are behind a piece of equipment. They see things through a tunnel, meant to capture images and video in a certain way. For the paranormal investigator, they are trying to reach the widest scope possible so that they don’t miss a moment. However, data collection still requires monitoring…therefore compromising the person’s experience. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Proper data collection is crucial if we’re going to make any strides in the field.

Yet, we need to acknowledge that when we’re taking pictures, taking video, or listening through audio equipment, our experience will be different than those who aren’t fixed on their equipment. How many times do we allow a piece of equipment dictate the course of an investigation? By this, I mean equipment like the Ovilus, shack hacks, etc.? What if we’re being led astray and missing out on the incredible anomaly that’s happening right before our eyes?

So, how do we implement a compromise into a meaningful experience? Do we ask someone to bow out of having the “full” experience for the sake of data collection? I believe that we can still have an experience while collecting data. But first, we have to know why we’re collecting data. Are we trying to provide proof of the paranormal? Do we just want to remember the experience? Do we want material for our YouTube channel? By knowing this, we can really figure out why we’re lugging all of this equipment in the first place. From there, we can work on implementing a compromise that includes thorough and effective data collection while having that “experience.”

To me, there are grey areas. I believe that we need to be persistent in data collection. Also, I believe there are moments where we don’t have to always look at a screen, and we can just experience the unknown.

Yet, that’s what tripods and stands are for. There are happy mediums, no pun intended. We can take a break from watching through a screen and look up occasionally.

The post Are Hauntings Just Meant to Be Experienced? appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

I love any and all things paranormal. Whether it be related to cryptozoology, hauntings, religion or ufology, if it’s anything mysterious or spooky, down the rabbit hole I will go. One thing I love most about the paranormal community is that people love to share their stories, opinions and ideas. That’s why I always jump at the chance to go to con’s, conventions, meetings and other such events. I enjoy seeing people so passionate about what they believe in that they want to stand up and tell the world.

I recently attended The Excavation of Victorian Ghosts at Bedford Springs in Pennsylvania. There were many wonderful people and presenters and I bought a couple of books that caught my attention. Among them was the book “The Ghost Studies – New Perspectives on the Origins of Paranormal Experiences” written by Brandon Massullo. Of course I immediately turn the book over to get a quick idea of the topic and it states that “this book is far more than a compilation of ghost stories. This book provides scientific explanation for paranormal occurrences that include theories to explain apparitions, hauntings and spirit communications.” It is indicated that the role of energy, electricity, emotions, bioenergetics and the environment are also covered. As someone who has always erred on the side of psychology and science in relation to the paranormal, these topics really jumped out at me.

My first thought on this book is one of gratitude. Thank you Brandon for approaching these topics in straightforward, clear-cut ways. This book could be read by a novice or seasoned investigator, the slightly curious, skeptic or believer and it will still have an impact on the reader. The first chapter touches on popular ghost theories,spiritual and pop culture views and the paranormal investigator him/herself. It provides a solid starting point for the later chapters. Electricity, EMF’s and apparitions are then discussed and even though I feel like i have a rather decent grasp on this, I was still intrigued by Massullo’s discussion of the God Helmet. There are many investigators out there that have a basic understanding of EMF but don’t understand how it affects us personally and these chapters explain this relationship in such a way that it can be understood by even the layman.

Topics like telekinesis, esp, quantum mechanics and near death experiences are just some of the topics approached in this book.

Author Brandon Massullo

While it’s easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole with any one of those topics individually, the author provides enough explanation on each to enlighten the reader but he does a great job at not weighing down the book with too much information. While this book isn’t ‘just a compilation of ghost stories’  there are plenty tales of first hand experiences presented for discussion.

What I enjoyed the most about this book, however, is the attention that Massullo spends discussing the psychology of experiences. It has always been my belief that our minds and emotions don’t get near the attention that they should in regards to evaluating paranormal experiences. I agree strongly with the author and I’m encouraged that this book is really opening the floor for that conversation. For so long paranormal experiences have been discussed as events that have happened TO you and there hasn’t been much discussion about the fact that these events may have happened BECAUSE of you.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the paranormal. You may or may not agree with all the theories discussed but they will definitely make you think. This book is well written and opens the doors for countless areas of study and discussion and it is one that you will find yourself going back to again and again.

Order Brandon’s book on Amazon

Listen to Alex and Maeve interview Brandon Massullo on “The Wicked Domain”

The post Book Review: “The Ghost Studies” by Brandon Massullo appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.

I started journaling my dreams about 5 years ago when I started getting massive deja vu. This had been happening for a while. But not only did I feel like I had been somewhere before, I could pinpoint where I had the experience…in my dreams. My dream journal is full of writing as well as sketching, since I work from a more visual aspect. I’ve discovered that when I have those deja vu moments, dream journaling gives me a reference point. I’ve actually started to digitize my journal and categorize them for certain situations. Think of it like tagging a blog. If I see a certain thing that I remember from a dream, I can easily access my previous entries. I’m straying from the point. In short, I’m keeping track of my dreams.

I don’t want to pull the “dead mother” card so people won’t contest or discuss other alternatives with me. So, I’m going to approach this objectively as best I can. My birthday was recent, and the day before the big milestone, I put it out to my mother that I wanted to see her. She doesn’t always appear when I do this. I’m not saying it is actually her in my dreams. Perhaps it is my mind creating her image and personality, thus giving me the chance to talk to her in some form. What interests me is the fact that our conversations are very organic. She ended up appearing my dreams after the clock struck midnight on my birthday. Our conversation? She asked me how Christmas was and she wanted to know how the family was doing.

But I’d be withholding information if I didn’t mention that Rue McClanahan also made a very brief appearance. She was also my mom’s favorite Golden Girl so I wouldn’t be shocked if they actually met up in the afterlife.

Anyway, as mentioned before, my mother doesn’t always make these appearances. Lately, she seems to appear on significant days…last she made herself known was on Mother’s Day. That alone was an interesting experience…was it her? I sure hope so.

That hope can be both a positive and negative thing. I am not so desperate to see and talk to my mom that I will chalk up every dream and abnormal thing as a visit from her. I also don’t want my team members to enable me in that way, and thankfully they won’t. While I try not to enable people in this area, I have learned to tow the line letting people believe what they believe unless it is causing harm to their quality of life.

Dreams are an amazing field of study. There are so many variables that can explain why we see certain things in our dreams. Of all the crazy explanations…I truly hope that it’s really my mom I’m talking to.

The post With You In Your Dreams appeared first on Association of Paranormal Study.