Ghost Hunting Terms

Written by Cat

Apparition:

A form of a spirit that has definite physical features associated with it. Apparitions can be physically seen, video recorded, or photographed and appear as misty or shadowy figures in varying colors.

Benign Spirit:

A spirit that is not harmful to physical entities (people, animals, etc.). A benign spirit can manifest as physical sightings, smells, or sounds. They often will move objects, turn on or off electrical switches or even gently touch corporeals. Most spirit presences are of the benign nature.

Cold Reading:

A psychic or intuitive exploration with very little to no background on what they are exploring.

Cold Spots:

A definitive temperature change in the air or on an object that cannot be scientifically explained by drafts or other evidence. It is theorized f a spirit wishes to communicate physically or materialize in some way, they draw upon the energy of their surroundings. This ebb of energy causes a cold spot and therefore is an indication of a present spirit.

Disembodied:

Functioning without a physical form.

Dematerialization:

The sudden disappearance of a physically sensed object or spirit.

EMF:

Short for electromagnetic field. A field propagated by a combination of electric and magnetic energy which radiates from radio and light waves to gamma and cosmic rays. It is believed that when spirits manifest, they create an electromagnetic field.

EVP:

Short for Electronic Voice Phenomena. These are voices that are recorded on audiotape when people are not speaking or are not present. These voices often represent a physical manifestation of a spirit attempting to contact the living.

Haunting:

When a spirit presence has attached itself to an object, area or person and has exhibited physical manifestation of their presence.

Infrared/Night Vision:

The part of the spectrum that is below visible range. IR cameras allow one to see in the dark and pick up on activity that the physical eye cannot.

Malevolent/Malicious Spirit.

A spirit that wishes physical or psychological harm to the living entities around it. Malicious spirits can physically manifest as shoving, biting, scratching, or throwing of objects at a person, or they can manifest as partial or full possessions. These type of spirits are very rare.

Manifestation:

An appearance of a spirit or of spirit activity.

Materialization:

The sudden appearance of a spirit or object that can be detected with the physical senses.

Orb:

A small ball of light that can be visibly seen or recorded with video or photographic equipment. Orbs can be detected in numerous colors, they will move, and often interact with people. Careful study of any recorded orbs must be taken to insure that these are not dust or moisture particles.

Possession:

The presence and control of a spirit in a living host. This presence can be allowed, as in the case of a medium who channels spirits, or it can be forced by the spirit to varying degrees of control. Forced possessions are considered to be a malicious act by any spirit and an exorcism may be required to remove its influence.

Residual Haunting:

A series of spirit events that occurs repeatedly, with no change to the pattern of events. Residual hauntings are considered to be energy prints from the past of dramatic events. A residual haunting will never interact with the living.

Spirit:

An entity without a physical form.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE MAIN GHOST HUNTING 101 PAGE