What's Stopping You from Ghost Hunting-Don't Let GAC or TAPS Stop Ya

My son and I love watching all the paranormal shows that come on during the week :) GAC, TAPS Paranormal challenge, pretty much all of them lol! We get a real kick out of all the advanced high tech equipment they use...this got me thinking though...there are probably quite a few people out there, really wanting to see if this is something they would like to do for themselves, but are thinking they cant afford such equipment. " So they never even bother, to even try to see if it's something they might actually enjoy, and have a knack at lol!"

All the shows creates the illusion that the only way you can capture
any kind of paranormal activity would be to have all sorts of these
advanced techno tools.

Just because you don't have high dollar ghost hunting equipment
does not mean you can't have an effective paranormal investigation.
A lot of people make that assumption when they first think of going
on a ghost hunt.

This is a myth and simply not true, don't let the lack of the high
tech equipment be the one reason that holds you back from trying
something you may really enjoy.


What if you invested 100's or 1000's into ghost
hunting equipment and dicovered it wasn't your cup of tea.

Here's my point...

95% of all successful ghost hunts comes down to one main factor,
"Being in the right place at the right time".

In order to capture that great photo or record that fantastic EVP
you have to find yourself in a specific place at an exact second,
as we all know Ghost don't appear on command.

There are no magical paranormal investigations tools or electronic
ghost hunting equipment that will "make things happen" in an
investigation. The only way to get the great photo or EVP is to be
persistent in your quest and hunt things down.

So let's get to the basics and discuss what you really need verses
what you've been trained to believe you have to have.

The following list is very short and I think you will be very
surprised how easy it is to get started.

(1) A disposable Camera with flash - around $12 dollars or less
(2) A digital recorder or mini cassette - $25 to $48 dollars
(3) A flashlight - with batteries - under $5 bucks
(4) EMF detector. Not needed right away however runs about $40
dollars and up.

That's about it...

Cameras:
If you own a "Film Camera" use it, if you have a digital camera...use
it, but do it with integrity and don't add, subtract or manipulate
the actual photo in anyway.

Recorders:
Cassettes, digital recorders and even MP3 players....Yes, I have even
used an MP3 player to record with and had very good luck. If you
have one of these ...use it!

Flash lights:
More than likely you already own one but later down the road you
may want to upgrade to a GOOD L.E.D. hand held version.

I use a L.E.D. headset it has 3 white L.E.D. lights and with the
flick of a switch can go to red for night vision. You can snag one
for yourself in the sporting goods dept. at Wal-Mart for around $15
bucks.

EMF detectors:
Helps detect any electromagnetic fluctuations or disturbances in a
given area. The disturbances do not necessarily have to be
paranormal. EMF or Electromagnetic Fields can be found anywhere
that has electric wiring or requires electricity to work.

High EMF can cause a variety of effects, symtoms like nausea,
headaches, skin irritations and rashes. Often when placed in
confined spaces people report mood swings, feelings of being
watched and overall uneasiness.

Using a good EMF detector may help to find "probable causes" of
many paranormal events and could enable you to give an alternative
scientific explanation other than something paranormal.

On the other hand should something paranormal try to manifest
itself the EMF detector will tell you if an locations magnetic
field is, or has changed thus making you aware of the possibility
of paranormal activity.

Hopefully this post breaks the illusion of you having to invest 1000s of dollars in equipment, just to find out if  ghost hunting is something you would really enjoy doing! :)

Just do it! :)

Information on Ghosts-How to Ghost Hunt

I was going to use this as a companion to my Ghost Seeker guide, because of the length of this post. But decided to just do the post instead, I figured it might help all those on their next ghost hunt to have a little information on ghosts before they head out for the first time.

NOW BEFORE WE GET STARTED...

I really feel the need to warn you... This is a lengthy post, so please bare with me... You may even want to print it out, and find a nice comfortably place to read at your leisure :)


Ok so here we go... you have totally and fully decided that you would like to try your hand at ghost hunting... Now for the big question...Do you believe you will fully understand what you're interacting with if
you're lucky enough to find anything?

Do you know there are many distinct varieties of ghosts?

I believed that it's important that all of us have a basic theory of
how a number of types and ways a energy or entity can manifest, and what
makes them completely different from each other.

BEFORE WE START...

I have got to advise you the following is an in-depth report so you may want to print
it out and find somewhere comfortable to sit and read it.

ORBS...

I'll start here because they are the most well-known and also the most
common to be mistaken as a paranormal experience.

A orb is quite simply a ball of light that shows up unexpectedly in a
photo. Normally white or bluish in color, one or more may appear on
an in any other case normal photos, and are in some cases captured on
videotape as well (in which case they are usually moving, often at
a high level of speed.)

The human brain creates electricity and when one passes away their
energy still remains. Albert Einstein had at one time shown
scientifically proved that when electricity has been created, it
cannot be destroyed. So where does it go?

Be careful if you decide to tag a spot on a photograph or see
something zipping by on video as an orb, 9 times out of 10 it's
dust or a flying insect, if your outdoors rain and even high
humidity can cause unique effects when using image capturing
devices.

SHADOW PEOPLE 

It takes more energy to configure into a full body apparition than
a small ball of light or perhaps mist energies.

Easily confused with normal shadows, these dark ghostly apparitions
are often spotted at a distance or in peripheral vision, and are
between two and ten feet long. They are quite often experienced as a
small darting essence in the corner of the eye, or as a larger and
more menacing humanoid presence.

Unique enough, light will not pass through them, these type
spirit energies have density and can make a shadow on the ground
or the wall.

Shadows are relatively common and have been cast when orbs and
vortex's are photographed. Shadow People because of their dark
forms are often considered to be evil.

Again TV and movies portray these ghostly apparitions as being bad
and evil. This in truth is a misconception, shadow people are
simply another manifestation of spirit energies.

There are actually three separate types:

Type 1 - Appear as a small dark misty cloud and are almost always
under two feet in length, but can hover or drift up to 8 feet high.

Type 2 - Appear as a huge glob of thick cloudy mass. They traditionally
range from 2 to 8 feet in size.    

Type 3- Appear in human form and some may be seen wearing a hat.
They typically appear up to 8 feet in height. Most often came across in
homes. They have also been reported to have been seen outdoors at a
extended distance. Birds and cats are certainly sensitive to them.

APPARITION

Apparitions are the appearance of a ghost or spirit, often taking
the kind of a visual image of a passed individual in either real
life or on film. Then again there are apparitions based on each of the
five senses.

Usually visual, auditory, tactile, or olfactory, very rarely is the
sense of taste involved.

Examples include:

* Visual: The appearance of a person who was commonly associated
with the area in life.

* Auditory: Sounds of walking, voices, doors opening, or battle are
the most common types of auditory apparitions.

* Olfactory: Smells or odors, such as perfume or cigar smoke,
commonly associated with the area or an individual or event.

* Tactile: Feeling a slight wind in a closed-off room, or a slight
tug on a person's clothing with nobody in the immediate vicinity.
A spirit that is in human form and usually visible to the naked
eye; or may appear in a photo originally undetected.

Often this anomaly is dressed in period clothing. Very very difficult to
capture on film but many have recorded seeing this type of ghost.
This is the "Most Featured" ghost in many movie channels.
               
DOPPLEGANGER

A ghost of the present that looks exactly the same to a living person but
behaves differently.

A wonderful example would be if you were standing in front of a mirror
brushing your teeth and turned to pick up your toothbrush, But....The
reflection in the mirror continued looking forward.

POLTERGEIST

The term poltergeist is a German word for noisy ghost.  This appertains
to a rambunctious behavior of an assumed entity.
Traditionally, poltergeists were thought to be mischievous spirits
who enjoyed frightening people, pulling pranks, and being extremely
interactive with the physical environment.

Unlike traditional hauntings, this phenomenon was temporary,
usually a few days to a few months.  The most significant trait is
the fact that it seems to center around one person, called the
agent.

In most cases this individual was an adolescent female. This
eventually led researchers to develop new theories in which
teenage females going through intensive hormonal changes use up a
great deal of emotional energy.

Mainly because of this it seemed likely that a poltergeist was a
mysterious entity that fed off of this energy. Another theory
believes that poltergeists are not an entity at all.

Through telekinesis it appeared possible that these young women
subconsciously released their pent-up frustrations of energy.  Once
the period of hormonal stress and mental tension has passed, the
activity would cease.

1. Is dependent upon the presence of a specific individual or
individuals, often referred to as agent(s).

2. Usually makes the biggest impact on physical objects.

3. Is usually temporary.

HARBINGER

A ghost of the future that brings warning of impending events. This
is a friendly ghost and seems to choose it's contacts to deliver
messages of impending danger.

ENTITIES

Are ghosts that appear to be conscious and often interactive; can
apply to something other than human.
These are the most intense of infestations, and fortunately, very
rare.

Many people have beliefs on what this final level of ghosts
are - some people think they are extremely violent individuals,
murderers, psychotics, and just plain evil people.

Strangely enough, they are almost exclusively called forth through
Ouija Boards, séances, and necromancy ceremonies. If someone else
called forth an entity in a home - it can remain dormant for years
- even decades - until circumstances are right for it to manifest.

1. It will wait until it can emerge at its strongest.

2. It feeds on anger, strive, depression, arguments, and general
turmoil.

3. It can make these emotions worse.

4. The more psychologically drained an individual becomes, the
stronger it will become.

5. Are usually humans or animals that have died.

6. Often use the electrical environment to manifest.

7. Can create both subjective and objective experiences.

8. Can come from the past, present or future.

A word to the wise:

Paranormal Investigation and Ouija Boards DO NOT GO TOGETHER.

Ouija Boards are used in programs such as "Most Haunted" but they
have no place in a paranormal researching as they pull in (As you
read above) really mean spirited energies often leave you a lot more than
you ever bargain for...Ouija Boards - " Just Don't "

Having to wrap this up... there has been a lot written about ghosts,
nothing has been demonstrated beyond a shadow of doubt that ghost are a
actuality.

Scientists still believe that ghosts and spirits are something that
has been born out of the fear of person's.

Who knows, maybe you'll be the one to capture the undisputable,
scientific information that testifies once and for all of which ghosts do
really exist...

Hey all you awesome ghost hunters out there...Yeah I'm talking to you! :) If you found this post helpful in any way whatsoever, will you please give me a shout out, share this post with your friends and be sure to visit my facebook profile add me as your friend & while your at it drop by my fanpage.

http://www.facebook.com/fpotterstone    

http://www.facebook.com/FrankPotterstoneBooks

Happy Ghost Hunting!!!

Ghost Seeker Guide Vol:1- Free Chapter Read...Ghost Seeker Checklist

Hey guys getting ready to head out for an overnight Ghost Hunt, at the Swedish National Sanatorium, we are so stoked about this one! A lot of the maintenance people there report machines being turned on for no reason whatsoever, huge chains that hang from the rafters that they use to move heavy equipment start to sway back & forth from a dead stop, countless voices are heard, there are even reports of an apparition who looks to be choking on something. Anyway, we are so stoked about this one as you can probably tell by now! I wanted to leave all my wonderful Twitter & Facebook friends this little Gift! A free chapter from my Ghost Seeker guide vol:1 about Getting Permission and other important factors that should be followed before doing your very first Ghost Hunt for yourselves :) Well hope you enjoy, need to stop at radio shack and pick up a few things...batteries mainly lol! Have an awesome weekend!!!   

Ghost Seeker Checklist

1.      Always and I mean always, get written permission to hunt on the premises. Some would say verbal permission is just as good, but in reality when your dealing with bumping around through someones house whether vacant or not...written permission will save your butt in more ways then one.

"personally for myself and my team, we wont touch a property if they are not willing to sign a written permission slip to be on the property."

Better to be safe and avoid any lawsuits later on down the road, in case you end up breaking something by accident.

This little signed contract, that only takes a few seconds to sign, will save you a whole lot of headaches on down the road...trust me I’ve been totally there!

2. Do you have any identification on you? This should be a no brainer,but you would be surprised at how many people don't carry it on them. And if for some reason your stopped by local authorities, not having this can ruin your entire evening of ghost seeking. The main reason being, they will need this to verify that you do indeed have permission by the owner who signed the written agreement to be on the property. And I guarantee you they will check!

3. Make sure that you always hunt with somebody,never venture off on your own. You never know what dangers may be lurking about the property, and I'm not speaking of just the paranormal activity. Depending on the age of the house your investigating, there can be many physical hazards all over the place. Not to mention, if your investigating an abandoned building, there can be a different kind of danger namely gang members or homeless people that only go there at night. So it might be a good idea, if your un-sure of the surroundings to see if the local police department can do a quick sweep for you, if you have any doubts whatsoever.

" Having a cell phone with you,which I'm sure most of you are going to have is a must! After all the team comes first, you never want to jeopardize yourself or anyone else in danger!"

4.      Keep all your equipment in immaculately clean shape. By having a routine, of always keeping your equipment clean and well packed away when not in use, will prevent the possibilities of registering "false positives" and destroying your findings when it comes time to reveal the activity you found to the property owner. Thus, hurting your credentials and your rep in the property owners eyes.

"This is never a good thing!"

5.      Always keep in good spirits, and emit from your body as much positive energy that you can muster. Show respect for the deceased. Although, there are times when provoking does have it's advantages, but for now that’s not the scope of this guide, I will go over this more in a future guide. Most of the time ghosts/spirits respond and manifest themselves to you,if you don't appear threatening in anyway to them.

6.      Another must, but it does take some practice, is to interview witnesses who have had an experience with the paranormal activity. just make sure you remain objective, try to find out if anything can be re-created by a natural means. "Debunk if you can..." but remain respectful and act in a professional manner. Remember, a lot of these folks are in some cases genuinely concerned of what's going on in their home or on their property. And gosh forbid if children are involved the level of concern rises 100 fold.

7.      Do not contaminate your investigation with cigarette smoke this alone has given more false positives then anything else. "If you must smoke take it far away from where your investigating!" And if your drinking this surely ruins all your credibility as far as if you thought you heard something. 'nobody's going to believe you...' And besides all that...it's down right disrespectful to the property owners and the very spirits your trying to seek. "So just don't do it!"

8.      Always be sure that all your audio and video is starting on a fresh file. This practice ensures that all your recordings will have no cross contamination from recording over dirty files.

9.      All team members involved in the ghost seeking should keep a detailed journal of everything they do,say and hear. That means if Bill clears his throat or happens to bump into something creating a sound, Bill needs to take note of it in his journal along with the exact time it occurred. That way, when it comes time to review the audio,video etc... Each member of the team can compare notes, and make rule out what was paranormal and what was just team noise or outside noise.

"A good habit to get into, is to practice speaking to your partner,in a soft but legible speaking tone, and do so as quietly as you possibly can."

10.  Under no circumstances wear cologne or perfume, reason being some spirits will let you know there around by emitting a fragrant odor. From research and even personal experience, a floral type of scent, usually represents a pleasant spirit. But, a foul pungent odor has in more cases then any represented a possible hostile spirit.

11.  Is ghost hunting an expensive venture? No! It can be...but, you don't really need $25,000 worth of equipment to get some great evidence! A simple $250 to $400 digital video camera will do a great job. You can go to Radio Shack or really any electronic store and pick up a DVR (Digital Voice Recorder), on the cheap, about $90. As far as the computer software, a basic sound enhancement program, would be fine. The only other expense you really don't want to go, to cheap with, would be your batteries "There your life blood!" These you'll want to make sure that they are specifically designed for use in your digital equipment.

12.  During your recording of EVP's (Electronic Voice Phenomena) Be sure the area you decide to set the DVR down on is level, this will help rule out any vibrations from a shaky unsteady hand.

13.  A couple of team members along with the client should do a quick walk-through of the house or property to be investigated. "Remember to take plenty of pictures and physically take note of areas of most paranormal activity that the property or home owner states. "This is what is known as your beginning base reading."

14.  Last but not least...don't come to your own conclusions on-site. It's always best to go over all the evidence as a team and compare notes amongst yourselves before ever coming to any kinda conclusion. Keep any conclusions or personal opinions to yourself, until all pic's, videos, and any audio has been studied fully and completely. If someone happens to ask you for your opinion on something, simply say, "We really need to try and find out what's making this happen." Never ever yell paranormal or ghost until all your investigated work has been fully completed.

The tips mentioned during this 2nd chapter ,are mere guidelines to be followed to the letter, before even thinking about investigating a location. What you will learn in the upcoming chapters is everything our team does to the letter, not to mention our exact step by step process for getting the best results from all our Ghost Adventures quests.... Of course other groups of ghost seekers may or may not do things a bit different, some manage to find certain techniques work better for them then others. But the focus of this first field guide in the series of Ghost Seekers is to be as newbie friendly in the beginning, ( not to overwhelm!) to get you started on bottom floor to insure that all your ghost hunts are following a well laid out process of protocols to keep you and your team members in check & safe.