Across the Great Divide
Spiritual Work and Paranormal Investigations (Part 2 of 3)
There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to particular parapsychological concepts such as soul rescues, possession, and exorcisms. Centuries of religious propaganda and dogma have colored our understanding and acceptance of the phenomena and Hollywood has not helped to shed light on the truth either. In fact, classic flicks such as The Exorcist and Poltergeist have added so much sensationalistic garbage to the pop culture viewpoint that objectivity is out the window.
Alright, you and your team have catalogued some irrefutable evidence that a location is haunted. Now what?
When a location has legitimate paranormal activity then the real work begins. You can’t just come in, run your investigation, and say, “Yep, you’re place is haunted” then simply pack up and leave the landowner scratching their head. The nature of the activity has to be dealt with in a manner satisfying the wishes of the landowner but also taking into account the well-being of the entities at the center.
Hauntings aren’t all interactive or dualistic in character with Casper the Friendly Ghost on one side and the Headless Horsemen at the other. A full spectrum of personalities, characteristics and levels of awareness come into play.
Hauntings can be broken down into the sub categories of apparition, imprints, and demonic.
In parapsychological terminology an apparition is defined as the projection or manifestation of a quasi-physical entity. The rarest such entity being a full-body apparition; a collective apparition is one seen by more than one person; and a vapor apparition appears as a misty, white form. Apparitions are generally intelligent and thus not only aware of their presence in the physical world but responsive to the individuals and environment around them.
The origin, nature, and reasons behind apparitions and intelligent hauntings are subject to intense philosophical, cultural, and scientific debate. Are they the trapped souls of those who have come before? Why are they still here after their bodies have ceased to function? How do they exist within, around, or outside the physical realm? Are they truly the intelligent and interactive continuation of loved ones? These questions are complex and each worthy of separate discussions in their own right. But this is the very reason parapsychology exists- to explore those answers. Even ‘accepted’ scientific areas of study, such as genetics and medical healing, have scientific, cultural, ethical, and religious debates and issues.
Dealing with the effects of intelligent hauntings consequently is extremely dangerous and must be handled with utmost caution. There is a major psychological impact on both the entity and those who are affected by its presence. The emotional state of the entity must be determined and research into the deceased person and the events leading up to and following their death must be conducted.
If they are angry or violent this first off makes any sort of help on your part difficult- if possible at all. I actually dealt with an entity that died over 100 years ago and they had no idea they were dead. According to him, we were trespassers in HIS house.
I would suggest that if this is the case then religious authorities familiar to the deceased and experts from psychological or sociological disciplines be consulted for how best to proceed. Often these experts can also counsel the homeowners and your team in how to deal with the impact of the activity. Just like with people with addiction or behavioral issues, if they are in denial or don’t want help, then nothing you say or do will improve the situation. More accurately you’ll just make the situation worse.
Residual hauntings are more recently referred to as Imprints (alternatively Psychic Imprints). These phenomena have no observable awareness to their environment and repeat the same behavior over and over again. A frequent analogy is the environment acts like a video recorder, in essence capturing a moment of time and playing it over in an endless loop.
In physics, physical energy has a clear definition, and can be quantified in established units. Psychic or emotional energy has no universally accepted definition, and can’t be measured in the precise dimensions. Specifically, physical energy obeys an inverse square law- double the distance from an object and the energy received is one quarter of what it was before. Yet intuitive or emotional energy can be detected by sensitive individuals in another continent as easily as someone in the same room, and prayer appears to reach across equally vast distances with little reduction in its effect. The energy involved is not obeying the basic laws of physical energy.
The theory behind imprints argues that at times an event has enough physical or emotional charge behind it that the environment collects and traps that energy in objects and minerals present at the time. That is how at times an imprinted haunting is tied to a geological location and other times to an object from the area- for example, a chair in which a person can be seen sitting in whether it’s in the same house or a museum halfway around the world.
The initial incident of this energy release is called the flashpoint. There have been examples that the imprint has slowly degraded over time with each playback as the energy trapped within the area slowly releases and dissipates with each occurrence.
Demonic hauntings are frightening to the individual(s) that experiences it and those who are researching it. If you’re not afraid, then you’re in the wrong field and ignorant. Naturally, the spirit behind this type of haunting will not be human. In this respect normal psychological and biological considerations are pointless. In many instances of hauntings that fit into this category, it was noted that the paranormal events were relatively small. However, as time progressed, so did the hauntings and various types of paranormal and unexplained activity. Case studies of demonic hauntings have indicated that these types of spirits tend to attack individuals that are experiencing weaknesses on a psychological, physical, or emotional level.
Some of the most common signs associated with these types of spirits include objects being moved; objects are seen levitating and moving in and around the area; electrical disruptions such as blinking lights and appliances turning on and off; animals have long had a keen sense to emotional and physical stimuli and may begin to act in an odd fashion; and feeling as if you have been touched or are being watched. These hauntings are intelligent and work to manipulate their environment. This can be a terrifying experience for the individual(s) tormented by this type of haunting.
This phenomenon should be dealt with only by professionals with extensive training, knowledge, and experience in this type of activity. Period.
Poltergeist is German for “noisy ghost.” This is an extremely rare occurrence wherein random objects are moved and sounds are produced by an unseen force, the sole purpose of which seems to be to draw attention to itself. The phenomenon always involves a specific individual, frequently a child or adolescent, with unvented negative energies. Despite the name, it refers to a psychokinetic manifestation rather than a spirit manifestation. Psychokinesis is psychic phenomena generated by a living person. These energies produce loud, destructive results which mimic true paranormal events. Epicenter refers to the focal point or origin of activity used in relation to poltergeist phenomena through unconscious projection of strong negative energies.
As this is a cause of emotional or psychological distress, a more behavioral approach is called for. Psychic phenomenon and ‘ghost’ talk has a negative connotation in some cultures and that must be taken into consideration first. Without divulging too much information on the paranormal aspects, seek out behavioral health professionals to explore what issues and stress-inducing factors are affecting the individual in question. Often times as the issues are taken care of, the psychokinetic activity will reduce as well.
Time and again, paranormal research groups and parapsychologists will employ the services or advice of demonologists, mystics, and clerics. As pointed out earlier we are dealing with a realm steeped in myth, mystery, and faith. Just as in life there are good and bad sides to the character of a person, so it is in the afterlife. We give names like “angel” and “demon” to these opposing sides to classify and differentiate their meaning, their intent, and their place.
Well-known groups like TAPS use demonologists when the reported events are of a clearly malicious nature. The demonologist will explain to all parties involved what they may be up against or provide suggestions on what to expect and how to react. Often the demonologist will attempt to cleanse or purge the entity or negativity from the home or location via whatever means are agreed upon by the owner. It is not unheard of after or during an investigation for a member of the investigative team to take on the additional role of priest or cleric for the purposes of cleansing the location- so long as that person has the training and ability to take on such a role. A soul rescue is the act of metaphysical intervention between a living person and a spirit whereby the earthbound energy is advised and instructed on how to leave the earthly plane and begin its afterlife existence. This type of cleansing should never be attempted by a lone individual but rather in pairs. This helps provide a system of checks and balances so that the energies involved do not overwhelm or malevolently take over the living or non-living characters in this spiritual dance.
As I stated before, often an entity may be in denial or in an angry or violent state of being. If that is the case, then the first step is to gain understanding and trust between the entity and rescuer to establish a communication level in which it becomes possible to ask permission to help it pass safely and willingly on its journey.
Next will be to determine the history and cause for the attachment be it emotional, physical, or a matter of unfinished business. In matters of unfinished business the range of difficulty logically lies in what the issues are. Generally, once those issues are dealt with the entity will no longer have a reason or desire to stay. If it is an attachment to a place or object often the entity needs reassurance that the object in question is taken care of or handled in a manner respectful to its desires. Emotional issues are far more difficult to handle. These are hard enough for those among the living to deal with, imagine how difficult it must be for those trapped between worlds dealing with lost family or loved ones, the anger and pain of murder victims, guilt, desire, the list of possibilities is endless and therefore, so are the methods and avenues needed to resolve those issues.
I mention working in pairs because of the possibility of those involved causing high stress to each other. This leads me to possessions. This is the act of being physically or mentally controlled by spiritual forces, usually in a negative way. The invasion of the human mind by a spiritual or demonic entity for a span of time influences or entirely submerges the personality of the human host. In contrast, atavism is not the invasion of a separate entity but a reversion of the self to an earlier, ancestral type.
Possessions typically involve a resonating, or correlating, emotional connection between host and spirit. Think of this like a parasite which needs a symbiotic relationship with its host in order to survive.
This is really getting into a level of spiritual work that increases exponentially in danger and intensity. The resulting methods are not cut-and-dry or quick-fix solutions. This is not a matter of simply lighting a candle, spouting off a few words, and life goes on.
An exorcism is the ceremonial removal of invading spiritual/demonic entities from a person or dwelling. This practice is present in virtually every worldly culture. The Jewish and Catholic faiths each have a formal “Rite of Exorcism” to be conducted by the respective Rabbi or Priest. This is also known as banishing or clearing.
Countless books, internet sites, and individuals offer up the information and techniques involved in exorcisms but be mindful of the source when seeking or relaying information. Once again, it would be downright irresponsible to attempt this activity yourself. I have been studying the paranormal and I have been practicing magickal crafts for nearly 20 years and even I would never attempt to handle a possession case by myself nor do I pretend to know all that is involved in their process. These clerics go through years of specific mental and physical training and undergo extensive study in order to be entrusted with carrying out this high risk spiritual work.
A psychic cleansing is a less ritualized form of exorcism, in which a home or site is purified and malicious influences are banished through prayers, spoken as the petitioner moves through the area. Often the silent practice of smudging will accompany or replace the verbal chants used in a cleansing.
The following is a cleansing ritual for use during an investigation where a cooperative entity is encountered and needs help to pass on. This ceremony uses natural herbs and spices to ward off spirit energies via a smudge pot and distributed throughout an area and over people.
Collect smudge sticks of sweet grass and white sage and 4 white candles.
Light the candles and place them at the 4 corners of the room. Using a smudge pot or other fire safe bowl, light the smudge and while sitting in the center of the room close your eyes. Visualize yourself lying in a green field. There is nothing around you; you are alone and at peace. Feel the warmth of the sun beating down on you.
Say aloud:
“What is dark fill with light, remove this spirit from this site. It is time for you to leave here; all is well. There is nothing here for you now. Go now, complete your passing, and with our blessing fare well.”
Always be firm and deal with negative spirits strongly, but always with respect.
For further reading on possessions and spiritual cleansing I would suggest Reincarnation, Channeling and Possession: A Parapsychologist’s Handbook by Loyd Auerbach. He is a professor of parapsychology and a prominent field investigator in psychic phenomena. Also try Spirit Release: A Practical Handbook by Sue Allen. You can also visit http://dfps.deepforestproductions.com for a glossary of common terms and topics.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment and I’ll provide a quick response. Through open and intellectual dialogue we learn and grow. In the meantime, as always, hold to your personal journey and be mindful and respectful of the things that lurk in the shadows seeking understanding.