PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THE INFORMATION MENTIONED BELOW IS MEANT FOR THE GUESTS OF CHICAGO GHOST INVESTIGATIONS, WHO ARE RECEIVING AN INTRODUCTION TO PARANORMAL RESEARCH FOR OUR GHOST TOURS IN CHICAGO.
Q) What is a ghost?
A) We could make it easy and say that a ghost is a person no different from you and me. We have flesh and bones, but ghosts do not.
A ghost can also be described as an intelligence that exists after death. As living beings, we have a mind/soul/personality that is utilizing our current body and brain; but our body and brain are not who we are — the mind/soul/personality is. A ghost is a person who has evolved beyond their earthly body.
Q) What is an apparition?
A) An apparition is a spirit/personality/ghost that reveals itself to humans purposefully. An apparition can also be ghost that is visible to the naked eye. This type of ghost most likely will appear in human form; however other versions have occurred as well.
Q) Why do they stay here?
A) This is a very complicated question. Just like us, they are individuals that have issues as well. Most people seem to be fascinated with traumatized entities. By traumatized, we are speaking of those who are seen performing repeated actions. These repeated actions are referred to as residual hauntings. Those that we consider to "haunt" sometimes make noises, moan and seem to suffer. Many of these spirits do not realize that they are dead. They have often been taken before their time suddenly, in an accident, by disease, by murder, suicide or by harboring horrible guilt. These entities are very often misunderstood and really need compassion. They are not usually trying to scare anyone. They are just trying to work through their own issues. These souls are trapped by their own confusion in a dimension and may not know or understand how to set themselves free. The ones that harbor the horrible guilt cannot forgive themselves, and feel the need to punish themselves forever.
Most of the ghosts around us might be considered less interesting, but they are in the majority. They are the fully competent and exhibit intelligence just like you and me. They remain for several reasons. We encounter them occasionally because we are in their space. We may live somewhere when they were most happy in their lives. We may have purchased a home that they once owned. Sometimes these ghosts are strangers and sometimes they are not. It is very likely for someone to pass away and choose to never leave their business or family. One may have some unresolved issues that may need to be taken care of on our level. The reasons are endless, but they are their own. They fully comprehend our realm and their own. They will often demonstrate an interest in interacting with those here in this dimension. Even if these entities do not have unresolved issues on this realm, they may still desire to remain here. Interaction with these entities can be quite fulfilling, because they understand much out of this realm that we do not.
Finally, we can give credit to everybody’s favorite, yet mischievous ghosts. Very simple, they are bored and have nothing better to do. These childlike qualities cause these entities to find their entertainment in noise. Some people like to call these poltergeists (see poltergeist below), German for noisy ghost. This type of energy is referred to as kinetic energy. This type of ghost is able to throw or destroy objects. They are still entities, nonetheless. It is just possible they may want a little attention or acknowledgment. They might just be mischievous or may want to get a message across. Most of the time, a little attention will suit their needs.
Q) Why don’t they stay with their bodies?
A) While there isn't a shortage of ghosts in the cemeteries, most have no need for their physical bodies after death. Cemeteries are mostly for us to mourn our loved ones. Humans have a need for something physical to see and touch. These entities no longer need their bodies, so they have no need to linger any longer, although some do for their own reasons.
Q) What if I suspect ghosts in my home?
A) You may have to be the investigator first. Pay close attention to your home. Question yourself regarding any existing problems your home already has. Keep in mind that structural, electrical and plumbing issues can often be to blame. After you feel your home has been checked thoroughly for these types of things, then move your investigation further by contacting a reputable source in order to conduct a detailed investigation.
Q) What if my results are positive and I have a ghost in my home?
If you need an investigation, please contact us.
A) We suggest you attain some photographs. With your very open mind, remember: be respectful at all times — your roommate just may be your grandmother! Try to think of it as if you are in their home — it will be difficult, but try. You are better off making a friend rather than a foe. Try speaking kindly to your housemate. You never know just what may happen — that new "friend" of yours may reveal itself to be a friend or relative that passed on. Your roommate might really be there to help you out and look after you. Keep these things in mind before you decide to chase anyone away. Do not, under any circumstances, harass this entity — please. If you feel the need to seek help anyway, talk to a priest, spiritualist, clairvoyant or a paranormal investigator.
Q) How do you know a ghost is around?
A) We coexist with the spirit world, so this can mean they are pretty much everywhere. Our loved ones that have passed on before us look after us and sometimes they never leave us at all. With tragedies that occur all of the time — some accidental, some just by man’s malice — we can expect haunted areas. Death will always occur, and it is a part of life. With consistent death and energy cycles, we can always expect to have plenty of ghosts around. Each entity can give signs physically, scientifically and psychically. Some will allow their presence to be known by electrical changes, such as light flickering, TV and radio channel changing, bulbs burning out, batteries dying out and telephone ringing. These are all fine examples of how they will communicate at times. Temperature changes are also clues. Hot spots and cold spots may reveal an aura (see aura below). A cool breeze in a room or along your body for no apparent reason (no open windows, etc.) may signify an entity. Noises, such as moans or footsteps are wonderful, but will need to be recorded, in case an EVP (see EVPs below) is detected. Movement detectors in different rooms along with cameras make for a great surveillance. Digital cameras, EMF indicators (see EMF detector below), thermal indicators (see thermal indicator below), EVP recording devices (see EVPs below) are also good to bring along for the investigation. Different precautions are taken depending on the situation; if the investigation is to take place in the evening, some infrared equipment may be used. Each investigation will be handled individually. If there is a ghost around, it will be detected.
Q) What is a thermal indicator?
A) It is a device used to detect hot and cold spots. We generally use the scanner to get a general idea of the temperature in the room: if there are drastic fluctuations, there could be paranormal activity.
Q) I have heard of EVPs, what are they?
A) It stands for electronic voice phenomena. It is a recording of a ghost speaking. Often, their voices are faint and we cannot hear them, audio recordings will detect these often. These voices are not usually heard at the time of the actual recording. The voices are revealed afterwards when the recording is played. A digital and traditional audio recorder can be used to record an EVP. Microphones should be and are mostly used in recording situations.
Q) What is clairvoyance?
A) The ability to understand or see things without normal human senses. It is an intuition sometimes referred to as the sixth sense, third eye, ESP or psychic ability. Dreams can be considered clairvoyant as well. Any message received without normal senses, which reveals itself to be true, is a form of clairvoyance. This future awareness or intuition cannot be explained by common human abilities. The word prophet has a Greek origin meaning "spokesman." A prophet is a teacher, a predictor of the future — an individual who is supposed to deliver messages inspired by God. In biblical times, a person with all of these gifts would have been revered and declared a prophet. Today, we refer to someone with prophetic visions as a clairvoyant.
Q) What is clairaudience?
A) To hear something or someone psychically. A voice is heard, maybe words or a message is completely audible. When this voice is heard, the recipient does not comprehend where this voice is coming from. The person hearing this voice cannot see anyone at the time. When clairaudience occurs, it is very clear that an unknown force, ghost or spirit is giving the recipient information. This does not include voices heard while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This also does not include voices heard by one that may be schizophrenic or otherwise mentally disturbed.
Q) What is clairempathy?
A) To feel an emotion psychically. This emotion does not belong to oneself. This emotion is clearly brought on by another source. The source causing the emotion can be an entity or another person.
Q) What is clairsentience?
A) To feel physical touch, when one should not. To feel any sensation on the body without being physically touched. This type of sensation is delivered psychically by an entity or telepathically by another human being.
Q) What is clairgustance?
A) To taste or perceive something in the mouth when one has not placed anything in the mouth. This sensation is delivered psychically.
Q) Can I smell a ghost?
A) Our olfactory system is often triggered by our unseen friends. There have been many times when people have noted smelling things when they should not have. Roses seem to be very popular among these smells. The scents that an entity might have been known for when there were alive can commonly be smelled when these ghosts try to indicate their presence: at times, without reason, there may be an odor of perfume, a whiff of a cigar or an aroma of food. As mentioned above, roses are popular; this usually occurs after death, and is always a good message.
Q) What is an orb?
A) An orb when photographed is best described as a glowing ball of light. These balls of light are not usually apparent to the naked eye. They are mostly detected on film, photographs and by video cameras. Orbs are ghosts/entities/energies. Many orbs are photographed regularly, and mistaken as glare. Some paranormal experts believe orbs are a more evolved form of spirit, while others feel that orbs are just a form that the sprits have taken on.
Q) What is ectoplasm?
A) It is best described as fog, smoke, or mist. Ectoplasms are not detectable by the human eye. Ectoplasms will most likely appear in photographs and in images recorded by video cameras. Many times these phenomena are seen to be hovering near people. They often appear to be very large. Reasons for this are generally unknown, however there are many theories: some psychics claim that the spirits are manipulating the magnetic fields, while others feel ectoplasm is simply a ghost’s residue.
Q) What are dowsing rods?
A) Dowsing rods are also referred to as divination rods. These simple L-shaped rods have been used for thousands of years, dating back to the Romans. They were used for finding water, oil, buried treasure, precious metals, coal, burial grounds or whatever was needed. This practice went on well into the Middle Ages until 1659, when Jesuit Gaspar Schott declared divination rods to be Satanic and ordered a halt to their use. Needless to say, the use of divination rods is not Satanic, and people all over the world continue to practice dowsing. It is common today for dowsing rods to be used in a more psychic environment. Not all people have the psychic ability to use dowsing rods; still, these items are excellent tools for detecting paranormal activity.
Q) What is an EMF detector?
A) EMF is an abbreviation for electromagnetic field. This detector measures these fields. This tool is useful because ghosts are known to manipulate or create their own electromagnetic fields. A basic EMF reading should be relatively low, except for when the detector is near energy sources, such a microwave ovens, electrical outlets or other obvious electrical areas. The EMF reading will rise if an entity is near. This tool can give an investigator a very accurate idea as to where to locate the entity.
Q) Why do we use a camera?
A) Film in cameras and video recorders have a tendency to detect anomalies the naked eye cannot see. These entities are not traveling in our electromagnetic field; they are moving at another speed. Cameras can move much quicker than the eye, thus capturing the desired image. When the photograph is being taken, the entity is not seen until afterwards. In our investigations, we prefer to use a digital camera, but 35 mm cameras can be used as well. There are pros and cons to using either.
Q) How do you know these are ghosts in your photos and videos?
A) Careful precautions are taken at all times regarding all camera work. Weather precautions are made as well. Anything that may infringe or damage the lens is inspected beforehand. Dust and particles must be cleared away from the camera and its lens before any photo work can commence. Any and all straps or equipment that may impose upon the photography must be removed. All equipment is inspected in general before all investigations. As a final note, when you see them, you will know that they are ghosts.
Q) What is an aura?
A) Everything has an aura: people, plants, animals, etc. An aura is an electromagnetic field surrounding an object or person. Electromagnetic fields can also be referred to as a bio-energy fields. An aura is all around you, within you and also moves with you. The aura vibrates to colors, sound and light frequency. Auras are constantly changing and will always vary according to a person's mood as well as their mental, emotional and spiritual state. Auras are almost always more than one color at a time. To some indviduals, and at various times to other individuals, auras can be seen physically and psychically.
Q) What is a spirit guide? Is that a ghost, too?
A) A spirit guide is an entity that helps and watches over us. This entity has a goal to enlighten as well. For the most part, our spirit guide is able to communicate with us psychically. At other times, they will have to be more forward and reach us telekinetically.
Q) What are poltergeist?
A) From the German poltern (to knock) and geist (spirit), the term poltergeist can be used to refer to a noisy, usually mischievous ghost held to be responsible for unexplained noises. However, some experts use the term poltergeist to refer to poltergeist activity in which events from the past are "replayed" in the form of spontaneous psychokinetic activity. Other experts believe that the living can give rise to poltergeist activity as well. See psychokinesis below.
Q) What is psychokinesis?
A) Psychokinesis is the ability to move objects purely with the mind. No other force may be used. See poltergeist above.
Q) What is psychometry?
A) Psychometry is the ability to have some level of psychic awareness purely by touching an object. The subject may experience various forms of this awareness— an odor, taste, emotion or prophetic vision . This is also called scrying.
