Spooked in Seattle. Ross Allison

      Top 10 QUESTIONS ABOUT GHOSTS

      1. Are ghosts and hauntings real?

      The belief in ghosts continues to grow. Many believe in the possibility of ghosts and in what people claim to be hauntings or ghosts. But don’t take my word for it. The best way to find truth in anything is to make the discovery for yourself. This book might help you find that unique encounter with the unknown and help you decide if are ghosts real.

      2. What is a Ghost?

      There are many different beliefs regarding what a ghost is, but the most common is that the soul of a dead person still lingers among the living. In some cases the soul or energy can interact with the living or just play out a certain event over and over again without any interaction.

      3. How do you know if you have a ghost in your home?

      There are many different types of phenomena labeled as a ghost haunting. Here are a few to guide you: strange noises that cannot be explained; cold spots; objects that disappear never to be found or that move to different locations without explanation; doors and windows open or close on their own; electrical problems, or lights and appliances that turn on and off on their own. You may also see shadows, strange lights, or even transparent figures moving around the property.

      4. Can a building be haunted?

      The common belief is that ghosts can attach themselves to a person, place, or object. This can include a home, business, or land. Some also believe that a location may have the ability to record past events, and these events can be played out for unsuspecting guests.3

      5. Why does a ghost haunt?

      There are many reasons a ghost may choose to haunt a location. This may be a place where the ghost lived or where a tragic event happened to her. Somebody the ghost loves or knows might be on the property. The ghost has a message to pass on, unfinished business, or he might not even know he has passed on and so still goes about his everyday life.

      6. Can animals be ghosts?

      There have been many reports of animals seen as ghosts, especially pets. Some people claim to hear growling or barking from a dog, or hissing or meowing from a cat. Some people can feel animals crawling into bed with them, and, of course, there are claims of seeing a deceased pet or animal on the property.

      7. What is a poltergeist?

      There are many misunderstandings about the differences between a ghost and a poltergeist. The common mistake people make is that they think if there is any type of physical activity, such as moving objects or physical harm to a person, it must be a poltergeist. This is not true. A true poltergeist case is focused on what we call an agent, which is someone who emits unknown PK (psychokinesis) ability—the ability to move things with the mind. In a poltergeist case, the agent tends to be a child going through puberty or stressful conditions, or a woman going through menopause, who will unknowingly cause physical disturbance in their environment.

      8. What is a residual haunting?

      It is reported that 80 percent of hauntings are residual energy, where energy will repeat itself over and over like a trapped memory or a repeating movie sequence. This “energy” is not intelligent, so it will not react to the living or their environment. In cases where people see apparitions walk through walls, we often find after research there was formerly a door in that location. In some cases, even the living can leave residual energy behind.

      9. Can you get rid of ghosts?

      Yes and no. In most cases dealing with residual activity, the answer is no unless you can find the source that feeds the energy and remove it. Otherwise, these energies will continue to play themselves out. When it comes to an intelligent haunting, it may be possible to get rid of the ghost. The best way to banish an unwanted spirit is to make contact. If contact is made, then you might be able to convince the ghost to move on. But remember, you are dealing with something that has free will, and if it chooses to stay, you may have a bigger challenge ahead of you.

      10. Who ya gonna call?

      At a time when ghost hunting is becoming more popular, you may find many ghost hunting groups in your area willing to assist. You tend to find different types of groups and people involved. There are the thrill seekers, those who want to experience what they see on popular ghost hunting shows and don’t really follow through with the research needed. Then you have the groups that are really not educated in the field; their intent is true, but they may not be able to offer you the service you seek.

      When choosing a group to help identify your encounters, first research the groups you have to choose from, asking: How long have they been in service? Is there training involved? Do they charge a fee? What services do they provide? How much experience do they have? You can always ask for references as well. It is always good to get a second opinion.