As a paranormal investigator I am often asked about which pieces of equipment are necessary to perform an investigation. Choosing equipment can seem pretty complicated to a beginner; especially those with limited funds. A starter kit can be relatively inexpensive and user friendly. It is not necessary for an individual or a newly formed team to start out with all the bells and whistles we see on the ghost hunter reality shows on television.

Some equipment is very basic and can be picked up at any hardware or department store. LED flashlights are inexpensive and easily obtainable. Some investigators also carry compass as a backup to EMF gauges. Again, these implements are readily available in most stores. A good watch, a small tablet, and a pen are common household objects that make up the starter kit.

A thermometer is used to detect changes in ambient temperature that may accompany ghostly entities. Theoretically, is not unusual for drastic drops in temperature to occur when an entity is trying to manifest. Having a thermometer handy is helpful in documenting such cold spots should they occur. Again, these are found at hardware stores and are generally affordable.

Electromagnetic field detectors are a great tool to measure changes in EMF throughout the investigation. It is a common theory in ghost hunting that when spiritual energy is afoot, there will be a corresponding increase in the electromagnetic fields in the area. EMF is measured in miligaus and most meters will have a numerical readout, alarm system, or a lighted scale to alert the investigator to changes in EMF as they occur. There are a variety of gauges available but the simplest models are fairly inexpensive and easy to use. I recommend the KII meter, which can be used to communicate simple “yes” and “no” answers during an EVP session as well as to detect changes in environmental EMF.

Voice recorders are a necessity when one hopes to capture extraneous sounds or voices known as electronic voice phenomena, or EVP, on audio media. It is theorized that spiritual entities make themselves known in sound frequencies not audible to the human ear. Analogue or Digital voice recorders are capable of detecting these frequencies and can be utilized during EVP sessions. My team, Synergy Paranormal Investigations, Harvard, Ne., uses digital voice recorders. Many are sold with USB ports that can be connected to the computer. This makes it very easy to utilize editing software to clip and edit the audio evidence. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive models out there. Some investigators recommend using the lower quality recorders because there is more white noise and static available for entities to modulate.

35mm or Digital Cameras and Camcorders with a good night vision shot should adequately meet video needs. Automatic digital cameras can be problematic when taking still shots. Light lag and lens flare can show up as light anomalies that can be quite impressive. They are not paranormal however. It is important to always rule out all natural explanations before designating any evidence as paranormal.

When the scope and expertise of the investigators grow, more equipment will be added to the mix but those mentioned above should suffice for a beginner’s ghost hunting kit.

Originally published on articlebase.com

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Image courtesy of kasiakay

Electronic voice phenomena or EVP is a term used to describe unexpected sounds or voices that often show up on replay of recording media during paranormal investigations. Some attribute such sounds to the disembodied voices of spiritual energy. To those who embrace the ideology of life after death, such spiritual communication can be validation that at least a portion of the human personality survives physical death.

EVP is most often captured through the use of digital voice recorders or the more old fashioned analogue recorders. Most video equipment utilized in ghost hunting also has an audio component that is capable of picking up ghostly voices along with the video. Until recently, these recording devices were the mainstay for catching EVP.

While studying instrumental transcommunication in 2002, Frank Sumption theorized that ghost voices could be picked up through fragmented radio transmissions and white noise. He built a device known as Frank’s Box designed to do just that. Sumption has built several models of his ghost box and others have followed suit.

The device; generally referred to as the ghost box, scans AM/FM and low band frequencies, thus creating a noise matrix that spirits, ghosts, and possibly other energies can modulate. There is constant sweeping through the bands to provide such a matrix.

My experience with the ghost box is fairly limited. My team, Synergy Paranormal Investigations, Harvard, NE., has only utilized this technology a few times in recent investigations. In theory, the concept is valid but I was not initially impressed with the results. During the scanning of the frequencies there is often portions of words or sentences spit out from nearby radio stations and I was doubtful whether or not anyone could ascertain whether or not potential EVP was actually just snippets from some broadcast in the area.

However, I have heard at least two very clear EVP from the ghost box that seem markedly different from the broadcast voices. In fact, they come from another place altogether with startling clarity in direct response to specific questions. I find this extremely intriguing and plan to continue to experiment with this piece of equipment for awhile yet before making any decisions about its value in paranormal research.

One aspect of the ghost box that I find especially helpful is the fact that EVP can be heard in real time as opposed to listening to hours of audio from a digital recorder to determine whether any evidence was picked up. EVP is not often heard at the time of the recording. Sounds or voices emitted by spiritual energy are thought to be sent in frequencies not detectable by the human ear. Therefore, investigators must wade through the recordings later. This can be a daunting task after a lengthy investigation.

Real Time EVP recorders are available but they are much more expensive than the ghost box. It is possible to make a few minor adjustments to simple transistor radios to make your own ghost boxes for less than $25.00. They are available at any department store.

If ghost box technology turns out to be a valid tool in the ghost hunting arsenal I think I will become a big fan. At this point, I am still on the fence, however.

Originally published on articlebase.com

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Image courtesy of Luciano-ET

Built in 1766, The Homestead is one of the oldest resorts in America. As the story goes, in the early 1900s, a woman was set to be married at The Homestead, but on the day of her wedding her husband-to-be ran out and never returned. The bride became so distraught that she took her own life. Now, her spirit supposedly roams the 14th floor of the resort asking guests and staff for the time, with hopes that her groom will return. Guests of The Homestead resort can enjoy the sweet smells of fall at breakfast with the resort’s signature cinnamon donuts.

Originally published on today.com

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Image courtesy of thedailymeal.com 

This course was designed budding ghost hunters and armchair paranormal enthusiasts alike.  Join the Synergy Paranormal Investigations team and Evening Voices Paranormal for comprehensive educational sessions that explore the art and science of paranormal research in a four class series. In depth classes presented in a fun, interactive classroom environment will take you through current investigative techniques and theories utilizing real ghost hunting equipment.  We will review and analyze audio evidence, photographs, and video clips taken from actual investigations at some of the country’s most haunted locations, including Waverly Hills Sanatorium and the Villisca Axe Murder House.

Register for one class or the entire series.  Attendance at all classes prerequisite for admission to Advanced Ghost Hunting courses.

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La Posada de Santa Fe dates to 1882, when a Santa Fe Trail merchant, Abraham Staab, built it as a three-story Victorian mansion for his family. When Staab’s wife, Julia, died in 1896 at the age of 52, her presence continued to live on in the property. Today, the Staab House at La Posada de Santa Fe retains its original structure and is home to a cozy bar and Suite 100, which used to be Julia’s bedroom. To honor her, the hotel staff makes sure to invite her to parties held in the house and greet her when they enter her bedroom. The resort recently appointed a new executive chef Carmen Rodriguez, and his Nana’s Mexican Chocolate Mousse, a recipe passed on from his grandmother, is a must-try.

Originally published on today.com

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Image courtesy of www.laposadadesantafe.com

Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club (St. Petersburg, Fla.)

The 86-year-old Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club may add some “spirit” to the vacations of guests who request to stay in a room in the resort’s historical main tower built in 1925, which has reportedly been known to experience friendly paranormal activity. The hotel is getting ghoulish this Halloween with a Spirits Menu at Marchand’s Bar and Grill, the Promenade Lounge, and Alfresco’s, which features the Graveyard Brew ($10), Pumpkin Spook ($12) and the Ghost-tini ($12).

Originally published on today.com

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Shadow people appear as blacker than black human silhouettes. They stand out in the shadows
they hide in because of their extreme darkness. They are usually seen in the peripheral vision for
only fleeting seconds before disappearing back into the shadows. They are accompanied by
reports of the observers feeling like they are being watched and often initiate fear of impending
doom.

Many people automatically assume that shadow people connote evil or negative energy. This
isn’t necessarily always the case, in my opinion. Sometimes, I think our society is hard-wired to
contrast anything that manifests in darkness with malevolence. Conversely, those things made up
of light are associated with positive, even angelic energy, when it comes to spirituality. I believe
it is wise to stay aware of the fact that negative energy is deceitful. It can manifest in any manner
it chooses, designed to manipulate its surroundings. The lack of color or light is never an
indication of intention.

From my experience, as a paranormal investigator, I believe that what some people initially
believe are malevolent shadow people may be partial manifestations of intelligent energy that
has no ill intent. Perhaps they are unable to fully manifest in light or color for whatever reason,
but they are not out to cause any harm. Other haunting phenomena accompany these
manifestations and they do seem to want attention. They will interact and attempt to
communicate. In these situations, when the home-owners have overcome their fear of the
unknown and set limits, taking back their home, we have seen positive outcomes.

In other situations, similar to the above, the energy seems to be a simple residual energy that
does not make any attempt to interact with the living but do not exude any negativity or ill will,
either. Most clients can learn to co-exist without difficulty once the fear is removed from the
equation.

I have read extensively about other types of shadow people who are believed to be very negative.
In some instances these entities are described as being extremely small, only a few feet tall.
They lurk behind furniture and such things, hiding in the darkness, and are even more elusive
than those I spoke of earlier. I have yet to experience this variety of energy but literature
describes them as malevolent beings who feed off of negative energy in their environment.

There are also shadow people who are always seen wearing hats. These beings are taller and
very human-like. Again, I have never come across this variety so I cannot comment on their
activity but they, too, purportedly thrive on negative environments. They are attracted to
situations where anger, fear, or grief is stagnant. They show up in locations where tragic
circumstances have occurred. It seems these entities will feed and strengthen themselves on the
negative human emotion and energy around them.

So, what are shadow people? I’ve read a number of theories. Some mention astral beings,
demonic entities, pareidolia, and visitors from another dimension, as well as ghost theories. No
one knows for certain where these entities come from or what they are. I will say that if you
believe you’ve seen a shadow person there is no reason to panic.

I suggest starting a log or diary to track the experiences if there is more than one occurrence.
Pay attention to environmental influences, date, time of day, weather conditions, and anything
pertinent that may help you to rationally look at the experience with an open mind. Most
importantly, don’t let the fear of the unknown control you. Not all shadow people are negative
entities.

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Jumby Bay (Jumby Bay Island, Saint John’s, Antigua)
Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort located on the private island of Jumby Bay, takes its name from “jumbie,” Antiguan colloquial for “playful spirit.” In Antiguan culture, it is considered taboo to pass by graveyards at night for fear of becoming entrapped by jumbies, spirits of people who have become trapped in a state of limbo or purgatory who remain near their grave sites until they have served enough time to earn a place in heaven. The small island of Jumby Bay has an old graveyard near the main beach dating back to the 1700s. After avoiding ghost sightings (or seeking them out), visitors can feast at The Estate House, a Spanish Colonial plantation that was once the centerpiece of the island’s sugar plantation and now serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine like a palm heart salad with garden greens, tomato, celery and passion fruit dressing.

Originally published on today.com

Photo Courtesy Otesaga Resort Hotel

Otesaga Resort Hotel (Cooperstown, N.Y.)
For years, the 103-year-old Otesaga Resort Hotel was rumored to have paranormal activity. From 1920 to 1954, the hotel was the Knox School for Girls, a private girl’s school, and guests have reported hearing children playing and giggling in the third floor hallway. Voices have been heard in the Glimmerglass Room, apparitions have been seen walking hand-in-hand in period clothing, staff have heard their names being called from unseen sources and a security officer has heard people walking above him on the fifth floor. After a visit from Syfy Channel’s Ghost Hunters, the stories were found to be true, as the crew confirmed that the historic hotel is indeed haunted with “friendly spirits.” Guests should try chef Michael Gregory’s locally-sourced fare at The Hawkeye Bar & Grill.

Originally published on today.com

by Annette White.

I have never stayed in a bed & breakfast before, not even for one of my fifteen wedding anniversaries or forty-two birthdays. It was about time that this goal got a big fat check off the bucket list and a serious bonus: that my first Inn experience would be in historic downtown Savannah, where many of the charming B&Bs have a strong historical background. And a ghost story.

The Dresser Palmer House is part of Savannah Inns, a foursome of truly Southern Bed & Breakfasts that not only ooze charm, but also boast dynamic lady innkeepers who will enhance your stay and serve you up a breakfast fit for a princess.

My temporary Georgian home, The Dresser Palmer House, is the quintessential Southern Inn that you dreamed about, with a porch that beckons you in the evening hours.

The inn was a quick twenty-minute taxi ride from the airport and I was immediately greeted at the door by the innkeeper, Shannon. She was warm, welcoming, bubbly and evidently a serious multi-tasker by the way she was maneuvering around the home while still holding an engaging conversation.

These must be characteristics of true Southern hospitality.

She showed me to my room, the John Wesley. Who? Each of the 16 rooms are named after people and things representative of the city, Mr. Wesley was the founder of the Methodist movement in Savannah.

I think Mr. Wesley and I will be very happy in this room. Don’t tell my husband.

My two tall windows overlooked the inviting porch, where I would soon be spending most of my Inn existence.

Porch sitting is a valid pastime.

Luckily, everyday between 5-6 o’clock there are complimentary cocktails, snacks and mingling in the living room; a B&B happy hour so to speak. This got my butt off the porch.

Happy hours. Also a valid pastime.

Breakfast is a big part of the B&B schtick and, truth be told, I am just not a breakfast person. A decaf, nonfat cappuccino (otherwise known as a ‘why bother’) and a yogurt is the typical a.m. meal. Usually I am waiting for the clock to strike 11:00, when it’s appropriate to eat a burger.

But then there was creme brulee french toast. And sausage, pecan and pear quiche. I thought I didn’t like eggs.

Each morning the innkeeper whipped up something delicious and different. This chick can cook. I may be rethinking this whole anti-breakfast thing.

Not until the second night did I learn about Madeline Dresser, the little girl ghost that leaves random pennies around the Inn. She was the daughter of the previous home owner and tragically died in a fire when she was nine.

No biggie. I am not afraid of ghosts. Really.

I didn’t sleep that night for other reasons, NOT because I was afraid that a spooky ghost would sneak into my room and appear over my head, staring down at me while dropping pennies on my face as I slept. Nope. That wasn’t the reason for my insomnia.

I also was able to tour the other three inns that make up Savannah Inns, which I am sure I would have been just as happy at, but for different reasons.

Zeigler House The Zeigler House is the oldest of the four Savannah Inns and a former bordello, built in 1856. It is located on Jones Street, voted one of the most beautiful in North America by Southern Living. And it is. The stunning chandeliers will make your neck hurt from the time you will spend staring at them. The breakfasts at Zeigler are not done as a group; instead, each room is stocked with fresh-baked breakfast goodies. Romantic.

Azalea Inn The spunky, kick-in-the-pants innkeeper, Teresa, is enough reason to stay at the Azaela Inn. But, there are others, too. When you are feeling sleepy, the resident four-pound Yorkie, Joey, will take a nap with you. Perfect for us dog lovers. Also, they have a pool to cool off in on those humid August nights — and the artwork in the dining room. Though it looks historical, search for the numerous oddities, such as the dog shadow that goes backwards. Azaela also has their own custom-blended lotion, shampoo and conditioner.

Green Palm Inn If you are looking for a more cozy experience, the Green Palm Inn only has four guest rooms. Or stay in their 2-story private cottage overlooking Historic Greene Square. This B&B caters the menu to the clientele. Request the gluten-free Chewy Chocolate Cookies; you won’t miss an ounce of flour in these babies.

I’ve had so much fun with this book. I hope the readers out there enjoy reading it as much as I have creating it.

Then, to start on Brian Harnois story. Are you kidding me? It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Sending out a huge Thank You God for your many blessings!

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Image courtesy of JosephHart

“Mark Dorsett of Sycamore works full time as a psychic and medium. He is routinely featured at Tinker’s paranormal talks and tours, as well as those hosted by Haunted Rockford at Briggs Mansion in Rockford.

The onslaught of TV shows about ghosts has “opened up people’s eyes” to the paranormal, he said. “It’s OK to talk about the afterlife.”

And what does he say to naysayers? “They have not experienced it themselves.””

Read more about this topic.

Read more on this topic in this recent article.

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Image courtesy of cdpayne

So, if you follow us on facebook, you know that we have a couple of very active haunts that we visit regularly to conduct experiments and gather  data related to the site and the history involved with the haunting phenomena. The County Cage bar in St. Paul NE. is one our favorite locations.

On January 31, 2013 we were back at the Cage for another investigation. We were orienting two new investigators in the hope of giving them some real experience in a very active location. We started on the ground floor of the bar, doing EVP sessions, ghost box sessions, trying to capture some really good audio evidence as we have in the past. We had a lot of fluctuations in EMF around the bar in places where there shouldn’t have been any, and some strange movement of a piñata that hung from the ceiling, but not much else.

We decided to take a break and I headed for the car to retrieve the thermos of coffee I had forgotten to bring into the bar. Marcus, the client, handed me the keys to the back door so I could let myself out. Amber Johnson, one of our newbies, said she wanted to go outside with me. As I started down the hallway to the back door, Amber was right behind me. I could hear her footsteps two steps behind mine and I could see her blonde hair, just a little with my peripheral vision as we made our way to the door. I was talking away, giving her advice about EVP sessions, taking advantage of a teaching moment in the dark hallway.

When I reached the door, I struggled with the key a bit and paused to look back over my shoulder a little more toward Amber. I clearly saw her in my peripheral vision and made a smart remark about not being smarter than the key. She made no comment so I turned around to face her.

She was gone! The ladies room is in that hallway so I stepped in the doorway to see if she had stopped there. The bathroom door was open and the room was dark and empty. Confused, I looked down the hall to the far end of the bar and there was Amber a few steps behind the other newbie, Tara Dowse, slipping her coat on, heading in my direction.

I immediately asked how she had gotten to the other end of the bar so quickly. She had no idea what I was talking about. She had not followed me to the back door. According to my entire team, NOBODY did. They had all gone to the front of the bar to grab their coats because it was quite cold out.

I have goosebumps right now and the hair on both my arms is stand straight up! I was and still am completely blown away by the fact that someone followed me down that hall and then disappeared into thin air. The thing that makes me crazy, as an investigator, is the fact that the girl was so real, so solid and formed, that I didn’t even think for a moment that it could have been one of the spirits we visit so often at the Cage. I wish I’d had reason to pay attention to the style of the girls clothing, her hair style, or anything else about her that may tell us more about her. But, I didn’t; I thought she was Amber.

“You can buy a lot of weird stuff on eBay — royal underwear, a woman’s soul, a sculpture of a mummified cat dunking a mummified bird (seriously) — but this “very possibly haunted” mirror might be the scariest item on sale.”

Read the full article.

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I’m so enthralled with black-eyed children that I’ve decided to write a non-fiction book about them in the very near future. I hope to connect with those who have had real-life encounters and those who have researched their history. Please comment in the section below if you would like to connect with me on this topic.

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“In what sounds like the script for another sequel to Ghostbusters, a pair of New York tour guides are offering visitors the chance to go checking for paranormal activity at the city’s Grand Central Station.”

Read full details on how you can be involved.

Learn more about ghost hunting with Synergy Paranormal Investigations.

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Image courtesy of bshafer

“If you believe in ghosts, you’re not alone: A 2005 Gallup poll found that 37 percent of Americans believe in haunted houses, and about one-third believe in ghosts. Tens of thousands of people around the world actively search for ghosts as a hobby. Researcher Sharon Hill of the Doubtful Newsblog counted about 2,000 active amateur ghost-hunting groups in America.”

Continue reading this article.

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Image courtesy of BeverlyLR

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Image courtesy of crewe1

These the best haunted Ghost Tours in the USA are well known for actual reported ghostly encounters.

1. Ghost Tours of Galveston Island
2. French Quarter Phantoms
3. Ghosts of Gettysburg
4. Spellbound Tours
5. The Haunted Haight Walking Tour
6. Appalachian GhostWalk
7. Haunted Heartland Tours
8. Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours
9. Haunted Vegas Tours
10. Ursula Bielski’s Chicago Ghost Tours

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List provided by Haunted America Tours.

Image courtesy of antibarbie

Unscripted ghost hunting on TV has been around for a while now (paranormal documentary series go back to the mid-1990s at least) and shows no sign of flagging. After all creating a ghost-hunting “reality” series is relatively straightforward, and the best part is you can reiterate the concept across a variety of locales. And making fun of the unscripted ghost hunters can furnish the scripted professionals with some of their most memorable episodes, as we’ve seen on everything from Ghost Whisperer to Castle to Supernatural.

Read the full article.

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Originally published on scifi.about.com

Image courtesy of skibek

All of our members follow strict analytical protocols during investigations we conduct and attempt to rule out all naturally occurring phenomenon, such as human influence, environmental affects, etc., by reasonable assumption and scientific processes so that the only other explanation is scientifically inexplicable or paranormal in nature.

We will scientifically research, investigate and document all reports of paranormal phenomenon with integrity, honesty and discretion.

WHO WE ARE:
We are a team of paranormal investigators whose primary goal is to document, to educate the public, and help those who live with hauntings deal with their fears and experiences.

We are a serious group of professionally-minded adults who believe that skepticism is healthy, and that all reasonable explanations should be ruled out prior to declaring an experience to be paranormal in nature.

Read our team bios.

Thanks for a great review YA Booklover! I thought I would share a portion of it here with my paranormal readers!

“I will say a quick note about demons though! I give Kris Sedersten huge props for all her demon ation in this book. She really portrayed them to be creepy and spine chilling! This is the first book I’ve read in a long time that really spooked me! (okay, granted, I barely ever read scary books, but still!)”

Read the full review.

Additionally, you can listen to these sound clips.

A voice captured on our ITC device while attempting to communicate with children at a private location.

An EVP we caught during a ghost box session. Interestingly, the voice comes from the room–not through the box…