SPECIAL REPORT!
Recently, I attended a special event at the Rhine Research Center. The program featured three different ghost groups and the techniques they employ to investigate hauntings. Spirit Hunters of the South, Port City Paranormal, and Haunted North Carolina (formerly Seven Paranormal Research) each presented some interesting protocols and ghost hunting etiquette, as well as personal experiences. Here’s what I learned:
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pirit Hunters of the South was established by Ashley Field and Pam Nance in 2008 and has investigated more than 70 haunted places. They spend a minimum of two weeks researching a place before they go to the site. During this time, they collect information on its chain of ownership by searching property records, etc. Next, they build a profile of the time period they believe or know the spirit was from, including foods and games from that era. They use this information to ask questions and attempt to interact with the spirit(s). They have gotten responses from French Huguenots, slaves, soldiers from War of 1812, animals, and Native Americans. The group does not conduct private investigations. They have some convincing EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) from Josiah Bell House, Wampee House, Palace Saloon, and Moon River Brewing Co. Favorite tool is the spirit box, which picks up white noise (sound waves) that human ear cannot detect. Best story: While investigating Charleston’s Old City Jail, they heard scurrying behind a couple of the team members. Next, an entity knocked one of the team members down, slamming her into the other team member.
Port City Paranormal conducts both public and private investigations. They were established in 2004. They have a series of forms that must be completed during after investigation so that they eliminate any inconsistencies that interfere with achieving a complete picture or solid data collection. They upload a file immediately after the investigation to their computer archives. They have no central command, instead each team member works independently of the rest of the group so as to have a fail-safe method. This group is not a big believer in “ghost tools.” They rely instead on cameras, digital recorders, and human perception. They also utilize a reputable psychic to add another layer or aspect of evidence. They do try to help with “crossover” if necessary, so the psychic is very helpful in this regards. Many believe that sudden death can cause disorientation. Someone may die as a result of an accident or abuse and remain scared and confused, even in death. Best story: The founder of the group, Doug Anderson, was attacked by the spirit of a former patient of the Willard Asylum (NY) during an investigation.
Haunted North Carolina: This is one of the oldest ghost groups in NC, dating back to 1992. Most of their investigations are private cases. They don’t get involved in helping ghosts “crossover.” One of their best investigations was Battleship NC. Like most ghost groups, they try to engage the entity. This is done by hanging out (and showing you mean no harm) and asking questions. This can include expecting an answer or asking for an object to be moved or a light to be turned on or off. Best story: The head of the group, Steve Barrell, stayed alone in the house they were investigating while the rest of the team went back to the motel. He was already questioning his decision when heard a knock on the door at 4 a.m. I’m sure he further doubted his decision when he answered the door and found no one was there.
Here are five more things I learned from this program:
1. Some ghost hunting groups DO try to help ghosts make the transition to the other side (commonly called ‘crossing over’).
2. When helping a spirit to crossover, it is standard to assure them that there is nothing they can accomplish by staying. The feeling of having unfinished business is what often causes spirits to linger). It is also pointed out that it is safe to crossover. They are not going to someplace bad, such as hell, but to be reunited with loved ones.
3. There are three classes of EVPs: A, B, and C (A=best quality, B=good quality, C=questionable quality).
4. It takes more than one hour to get less than five minutes of audio (EVP).
5. 99% of the time these groups find (through their interaction) that the ghost think the investigators are the ones who are ‘dead’. One theory, based on this information, is that there is no such thing as a ghost but rather multi-dimensions of time and space. Think physics, portals, and wormholes. Physics is the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space and time, along with energy and force. This is critical, scientists feel, to understanding how the universe works.
For more information on Rhine Research Center or its many paranormal courses and programs, visit www.rhine.org
For more information on Spirit Hunters of the South, go to www.spirithunter.us
For more information on Port City Paranormal, check out www.portcityparanormal.com
For more information on Haunted North Carolina, visit www.hauntednc.com
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