Ghosts want to be noticed.
Ghosts have no sense of passing time.
Often, they do not know that they are dead.
Sometimes they exist in a state of confusion, perhaps like being stuck in a dream.
Ghosts can smell things and love the smell of lemons.
Ghosts have a sense of humor and love to hear humans laugh.
Sometimes ghosts get bored with their surroundings
Most ghosts are happy, but some still cling to an emotional pain.
They can appear to the living in dreams.
They can leave behind certain scents, such as perfume.
They can make sounds that are audible.
They use their energies and ours to move things.
They are pranksters.
They usually appear as intense balls of light called orbs that are neon blue or violet.
Ghosts favor night due to the decrease in daytime energy use.
Ghosts may appear as mists or vapors.
A hooded black smoky figure is a dark entity and you should be careful around them. They usually appear at the foot of beds.
Some alleged hauntings are actually a "residue," which is a past event that replays itself over and over.
Certain places are portals or vortexes where ghosts transport themselves.
Hauntings are most intense around children entering puberty, as kids this age are emitting immense amounts of energy.
Ghosts can read your thoughts.
Ghosts retain all the memories and emotions of their lives.
Sometimes ghosts are trapped and need to be released. Let them know they can move on.
Noisy, troublesome ghosts are known as poltergeists.
Ghosts tend to be very temperamental.
If a spirit was a jerk while living, they will probably still be a jerk while a ghost.
Ghosts hang out in cliques with other ghosts.
Ghosts make friends with other ghosts from different eras.
If you hear a strange whisper in your ear when sleeping, it is probably a ghost.
Ghosts do not sleep.
Ghosts like to climb up and down stairs at night.
Most ghosts can't or won't hurt you.
Animals can see or sense spirits, that's why you often see them just staring intensely at what appears to be nothing.
If you are being haunted, if you simply ask them to leave, they will. Say something like "I know you are here but you are scaring me please leave."
When a ghost enters a room, the room usually gets cold.
Animal ghosts exist and have been sighted.
Ghosts who lived hundreds of years ago keep up with the trends.
Children perceive ghosts as imaginary friends.
SIGNS OF A HAUNTING
People in the house are having bad dreams.
You hear footsteps, taps on the walls or voices.
Objects are mysteriously disappear only to return later.
Pets react to something others can't see. A dog might be growling at thin air or its hackles may rise. Pets may refuse to go in a particular room.
Electrical appliances and lights turn on or off by themselves. Tap water turns on or off and toilets flush of their own accord. Doors open and close with unseen hands.
Unexplained cold drafts or cold spots can be felt.
Small children talk to people who are not there.
*Towards the end of his life, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin (who murdered an estimated 20 million people in "The Purges") became so paranoid that his victims would return to haunt him he had guards stationed in his bedroom while he slept.
*It isn't just godless dictators who are haunted, either.Gangster Al Capone claimed he was being haunted for years by the spirit of James Clark who was one of the seven victims of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929 which Capone had carried out against rival gang members.He was often heard screaming at the spirit to go away during the night and it alledgedly haunted him until his death about 20 years after the massacre had occured.
*Many parapsychologists believe as many as 1 in 8 households in America at any given time are experiencing some kind of paranormal phenomenon.
*Belief in ghosts is traced back to as far back as 3,500 B.C. in early Egyptian manuscripts which speak about spirits and out-of-body experiences.
*The Capital Building in Washington D.C. is alledgedly haunted by a demonic cat that appears in the basement to fortell national disaster.
*Thomas Edison worked on a device to contact the dead but died himself before even completing his project.
*Abraham Lincoln (who supposedly haunts the White House) alledgedly had a dream which fortold his own assasination only weeks before it happened in April of 1865.He claimed to have seen his body resting in state at the White House, mourners surrounding the casket.After his assasination, Lincoln's body was in fact lying in state at the White House.He has been seen off and on within the White House ever since.
*Legend has it that looking into the eyes of a person you kill will cause them to come back and haunt you.
*Anne Boleyn is probably the ghost with the most sightings.Executed at the Tower of London in 1536 for alledgedly cheating on her husband Henry the Eighth, she has been sighted over 70,000 times in nearly 500 years!
*Legend has it that a ghost cannot cross a body of water.
*Even though roungly one-quarter of all Americans believe in ghosts over 98% believe in life after death or at least the possibility thereof.
*The modern word "Poltergeist" comes from an old German phrase to describe a loud or even a violent ghost.The word "polter" meaning "noisy" and the word "geist" meaning "ghost".
*The Pennsylvania Dutch used the word "schpuk" when referring to spirits as far back as the 17th century.The word has now evolved into the modern term "spook" referring to a ghost.
*One in every six Americans believes they have seen, heard, of felt a spirit at least once in their lifetime.
*As late as 1953 attempting to conjure a spirit of ghost in Britain could mean a sentence of one year in prison as doing such an act was considered a form of "witchcraft".All "Witchcraft Laws" were repealed in Britain by the mid-1950's.
*The most vistied haunted spot on the entire globe is Gettysubrg, Pennsylvania where 53,000 Union and Confederate soliders were killed between July 1-3, 1863.Countless reports of hauntings stem from this battlefield.
*It is common lore that if you don't hold your breath when going by a cemetery you will breath in the spirit of a person who is recently deceased.
*President Roosevelt, of the USA who channelled this message, after his death, to a medium, -
"I wish that I could give one more fireside talk, to tell all people that the greatest humbug of all is death. I was very active at my funeral. The only one who paid any attention to me at the funeral was my dog Scottie.
I was very amused at all the best brains in the country, concentrating on the shabby old garment of mine, that was being put under the earth and there I was as large as life! And when my dog saw me, he rolled on the ground making a diversion! I went into a body like my own body, young, healthy, strong and no one at my funeral saw me, because this body was travelling faster than theirs!"
*US President Andrew Jackson alledgedly had a run-in with an infamous ghost called the "Bell Witch" in Tennessee during the early 1800's.While on his way to investigate the haunting for himself his carriage suddenly stopped and would move no further until he heard the spirit call out "You can go on, General" in which the carriage began to move again.
*Abraham Lincoln was known to hold seances at the White House on a regular basis and many continue to say he was a psychic.
*Some ghost photographs date as far back as 1839.
*Ghost hunting itself is at least 150 years old with many early ghost hunting organizations starting in Europe in the mid-1800's.
Seeing unexplained shadows, usually out of the corner of your eye. Sometimes the shadows take on a a vaguely human shape.
Feeling as though you're being watched when no one is there.
Feelings of being touched or something brushing past - a gentle poke, push, or nudge.
Noticeable changes in temperature. Cold spots are most often reported.
Unexplained smells such as distinctive perfume or foul odors that have no explainable source.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An earthbound spirit is a human spirit that has not properly passed over. They have not gone onto the next level, the light, heaven, whatever you choose to call it. They remain behind, here on earth, and they account for many ghost sightings and haunted places.
The reasons for this are varied. Some are complicated and unique to that spirit and others are simple to understand and relate too. I will discuss a few of the most common reasons that a spirit remains earthbound.
Some spirits remain at or near the site of their death, especially if it was sudden and unexpected. They remain confused and don't know or accept that they have died. These spirits remain in the area and try to make contact with anyone that passes by that is sensitive to spirits. This type of spirit can be found almost anywhere a death has occurred.
Sometimes a spirit realizes that it is dead and that life continues beyond that. They do not go to the light for reasons such as the fear that their existence will end, fear of the unknown, fear of going to hell or being judged for past deeds. These spirits are bound here because of their own fears.
Other spirits stay behind to take care of unfinished business. It may be to make sure their finances and their loved ones are ok or to pass along one final message. Often these earthbound spirits do not remain here for long, once they can complete their goal, they normally pass over. If the deed that they are attempting to finish is complicated they will often contact the living to assist them. In many cases the living are unsure of what the spirit wants and it adds to the length of the time the spirit spends here. Almost anything that a spirit feels compelled to do before it goes to the light can make it remain here until it feels comfortable with how they have left things.
Guilt can also be a reason for a spirit being stuck here. They may feel like they have left the family or loved ones too soon and uncared for. This is also the main reason why suicide victims and other spirits whose death was caused by their actions (alcoholics, drug overdose, etc) remain behind. They feel guilty over taking their life or contributing to their death.
The living can also hold a spirit here. By not letting go of them, they can be bound here by our love and unable or unwilling to go on until the living can come to terms with the loss. This happens when people go beyond the normal grieving process and become obsessed with the deceased person. They feel that they left things unsaid, undone, etc. and they feel guilt over it. This keeps the spirit from going over many times simply because it does not want us to feel this way or be that upset.
There are many other reasons that a spirit cam remain earthbound,
WHERE GHOSTS ARE MOST OFTEN SEEN
In mirrors
On staircases
Peering out of windows.
Perched in chairs.
In hallways
WHERE 2 FIND?
Cemeteries - The age of the cemetery doesn't matter but the older it is, the more time it has had to accumulate restless spirits. Why cemeteries? Well there are theories such as they are portals to the other side or that some spirits are drawn to their former bodies. Why did we pick that spot to build a cemetery? American Indians looked for sacred ground to bury the dead. Were the people who picked a location for a cemetery drawn to a spot by other forces? There may be more at play here in the cemetery than meets the eye.
Schools - Schools and former sites of schools may have the build up of psychic energies and imprints of all the highly emotional events that have transpired there. All the energy, hormones, etc. create a place where there is a surplus of super charged energy. This always seems to attract spirits.
Theaters - The actors have run the gambit of human emotions inside the walls of a theater plus many have interesting hauntings attached to them. Many old theaters have interesting histories that may contribute to the likelihood that there are spirits there.
Battlefields - These are great locations simply because of their nature. Many violent deaths in one area will always hold some spirits and psychic energy there. A soldiers life and death struggle exudes a large amount of energy. this is also a great spot for residual hauntings.
Churches - There is a long history of the faithful returning to the church they worshipped at.
They may be looking for the salvation they were promised and cannot find. Churches also have large amounts of human emotional energy trapped there left behind from weddings, funerals, etc.
Hotels/Motels/Boarding houses - Many dark dealing and highly emotional events take places in
these rooms. They also have a lot of traffic, many people are in and out of these rooms.
Historic Locations - Many historic buildings, because of their age, have had more time to have
spirits attach to it. These buildings are often open the public and can give you a easy place to
start. Many even have known histories of hauntings and you may be able to gain access to the
building after hours after speaking with the caretakers.
As a general rule, human spirits normally do not follow people from location to location. Most seem to be drawn to or attached to a building or area. They will remain there regardless of who is living there. Some of the occupants will know there is a spirit present and others, who are less sensitive, will not. The location could have been the spirits home, a favorite place or the scene of it's death. There are a few exceptions to this rules and a few of them are as follows:
Relatives: Deceased relatives may return to visit the living and they are not bound by location. Even an earthbound relative who has remained here for reasons that link it to a living relative may follow that person. Spirits of close friends also fall into this category.
Sensitives or Psychics: People who are sensitive to spirits may have encounters in different location. Often these people assume that the first place they lived was haunted and the spirits have followed them to a new home. What may be happening is that the person is sensitive to spirits and they are now seeing new spirits in this new location. Many people are unaware that they are sensitive and just assume that these places are haunted. Spirits are everywhere, and they are drawn to people who are sensitive to them.
Haunted Objects: Spirits can also be attached to objects. It could be a favorite chair, family heirloom, anything that person valued greatly in life. Antique dealers often come across items that people claim are haunted. If the spirit in your home is attached to an object and you take that object with you when you move, the spirit comes along too.
Ghosts:
Yes, we here at Eeeek believe in ghosts. Generally the questions asked of us are:
What is a ghost? There are several types of ghosts according to most parapsychologists. The first being a spiritual being/soul of an individual that once lived in the physical form who continues to stay within the physical realm for one reason or another. The second type of ghost is what is known as a residual. A residual ghost is simply an event that was highly charged emotionally and that event repeats itself on the anniversary of the original event. This type of ghost isn’t truly a ghost but energy captured within the surroundings, like walls, fireplaces, etc. The third type is a poltergeist. A poltergeist is a ghost that actually interacts with physical people using physical objects. Poltergeists are frequently tied to teen-agers and their chemical changes during puberty. Though poltergeists can interact with people even though a child is not around.
The next question we are asked often is: I think I have a ghost what can I do to get rid of it? The only answer we have for you is to continue asking it leave. Tell it to cross over and find its loved ones on the other side. You may need to repeat this several times but eventually the ghost will get the picture. If you aren’t successful then seek a psychic in your area to help you eliminate the ghost from your home. If you don’t know of any psychics in your area write to us, tell us the city and state you are in and we’ll try to find someone to help you.
If you have lived in a house for sometime and suddenly start experiencing strange events then you need to ask several questions:
1) Is there are a child in the house that is just entering puberty?
2) Have you made changes in the house recently, such as remodeling etc., that may have upset a spirit that was residing in the house but didn’t make itself known until you made those changes?
3) Has some highly charged emotional situation recently taken place in the house that could have activated a ghost that was otherwise docile?
A family member dies and suddenly strange things take place in my home!
Many people seem to have this same situation arise after a family member dies. Grandfather passes, or grandmother, or mom or dad and suddenly the radio or television is turning on and off by itself. Or doors are opening and closing. Or we hear someone calling our name but no one else is around! More than likely the family member that recently crossed over is trying to get your attention. Maybe to let you know that there is life after death. Maybe to let you know they love you. Or maybe to let you know they are there and are guarding and protecting you just as they did in life. You can ask them to cross over and tell them you know they care and love you but they must cross over to the next level of life. Be patient and ask as many times as it seems necessary until the odd things taking place stop!
What are the best conditions when looking for a ghost?
Simple answer, if no ghostly experience has ever been reported at a specific location there probably isn’t a ghost there. If you want to truly investigate and find a ghost then go where sightings of a ghost or ghosts have been reported. It is sort of like looking for gold – if no one ever found gold in your back yard that’s probably because there isn’t any there…go where gold has been found, otherwise you are probably wasting your time.
Ghosts and Dreams!
We are asked frequently if there is or can be a tie between a ghost and a dream. Truth is we don’t really know. We can tell you from our own experience what has happened with regards to this but beyond that it would have to be on a case-to-case base. For example, one of the members of the team lost their father when the team member was only 17. Her father appeared to her in a dream several times after his death and relayed many things to her. Was it a true interaction with a ghost being? She believes so. Can it be proven? No, not in scientific terminology anyway but that doesn’t make it any less real to the individual that experienced it.
Can you summons a ghost?
This isn’t a puppy dog that you can call and have come to you! This is a spiritual being that once was in physical form. You can’t just call upon a ghost to appear whenever you desire. Ghosts are like cats, call them and their attitude is, take a message and I’ll get back to you after my nap. They rarely appear when you want them to. This is one reason when Team Eeeek does investigate we try to do so over a couple of days not just one night. Frequently, if relying upon a one-night investigation, the results will yield nothing. Ghosts aren’t active all the time and won’t perform on command.
What about contacting a ghost by using a Ouija Board?
Some people will contend that a Ouija Board is a dangerous tool. Team Eeeek does, and has frequently used the Ouija Board to communicate with whatever entity we are attempting to investigate. One member of our team believes that a Ouija Board is a dangerous tool and can open the gates to a multitude of entities to cross over from the other side. The rest of the team doesn’t happen to agree with this philosophy. Before using the board we always ask to surround ourselves with positive energy and not allow any negative energy to cross into our circle. None of us have had any negative experiences using the board in this manner.
However, if you aren’t comfortable using the board or have the slightest fear of its use then don’t use it.
Can you find a lot of ghosts in a cemetery?
Many people ask this question and our answer generally is no…why would a ghost hang out in a cemetery anyway? Ghosts generally stay within a realm they knew well while in the physical form. True enough you can see ghosts in a cemetery but you will have better luck finding them where they’ve been spotted before and that is generally some how related to their physical life. Perfect example, the cemetery called Hollywood Forever, in Hollywood, California, commonly has ghost sightings. We’ve even seen a couple there ourselves. But I wouldn’t recommend hanging out there on the off chance that a ghost would show up.
Who Invented Ghosts?
No one invented ghosts. Though throughout recorded history there has been something written about people seeing the ghost of someone who once lived. When this actually began is unclear because we can only trace back history to the first time someone recorded it in either the form of a language or picture format.
What are shadow people?
No one truly knows what shadow people are. There are some paranormal investigators attempting to investigate shadow people but it is an extremely difficult thing to attempt. Shadow people are dark silhouettes of human-shape (generally) that the moment they are seen by someone they seem to flee. Making it very hard to investigate. Some people report seeing distinct features while others report the entity as merely a physical form but more like a blob than clear-cut features. Some people, because shadow people are dark, attribute evil to them but there is no real evidence of this either. The most reasonable explanation we’ve heard is that shadow people are actually people who live in a different dimension than ours and some how they cross into our dimension then disappear. Clearly there has been limited research and study done on shadow people, for obvious reasons, so there is no clear-cut answer that can be given regarding Shadow People!
Information on Ghosts
When dealing with ghosts don't look for any rules or absolutes. There are circumstances that seem to create a more ghostly atmosphere, but there are no guarantees on predicting when and where a ghost will appear. A ghost may appear once in a hundred years or once every Tuesday. It could haunt a house or dwell in a small spot in an open field.
Even with the perfect conditions for a ghost it doesn't mean that one will ever show up. In fact, even the ghost's appearance doesn't seem to follow any special pattern. Sometimes a ghost is nothing more than a sharp chill felt on your body. In other cases the ghosts cannot be distinguished from a living person. Ghosts can also be in the forms of animals, headless bodies or even as simple as a single ghostly hand carrying a book down a dark hallway.
Ghosts have been known to interact with the living or just make acknowledgment with a quick glance or eye contact. In other accounts the ghost seems unaware of the presence of living people and appears to be acting out some part of their own life.
When it comes to ghost hunting the only rule is be ready for anything.
Twenty Common Ghost Hunting Mistakes
Never do the following:
1. NEVER Trespass: Watch out for any posted warning signs. Always ask for permission before going onto someone else's property. Avoid all areas where access is prohibited. Trespassing will only get you thrown in jail or worse. Be careful.
2. NEVER Litter: Leave the area exactly as you found it. Pick up any trash, containers, and scraps of paper and tape. Wipe off any chalk marks unless the site is a secluded area and you plan on returning.
3. NEVER Go alone: Have at least one partner on ghost hunts. Even if the person doesn't know anything about ghost hunting. This provides a little more safety and also a witness to any strange events that might occur. If you're alone and there's an unforeseen accident or emergency, who will help?
4. NEVER Forget to Carry ID: If the police ever question you about being in a private area, you will need some form of picture identification. Preferably a divers license. They do have the right to ask any citizen for an ID and if you don't have one they also have the right to detain you for questioning.
5. NEVER Forget to tell people where you are: Tell someone where you'll be at and how long you plan on being gone. If you run late in the ghost hunt, call and explain the situation. Never leave friends or loved ones wondering where you are.
6. NEVER Record false equipment readings: Test all of your equipment several times before leaving on an investigation. Replace batteries as needed. Learn to correctly use all of the equipment before even thinking about trying to use them in the field. Remember to take background readings at the site.
7. NEVER Go directly to a site at night: Thoroughly check over the site in the daylight for any dangerous obstacles that may be invisible in the darkness.
8. NEVER Smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs: Don't do anything that will impair your judgment or infect the site's environment. Use common sense.
9. NEVER Wear colognes, after shave, or perfumes: Never wear anything that creates a noticeable odor. The smells may infect other ghost hunter's judgments. The air needs to be clear to detect any abnormal odors. Some outside ghost hunts may require misquote repellants. Use odor free bug sprays. Log their use.
10. NEVER Forget to carry a notebook: Everything needs to be recorded and logged. No detail is too small. Keep lists of events, actions, and times. Record with audio and video if possible.
11. NEVER Forget to wear a watch: This goes along with the Logbook. You can't record times if you don't know what time it is.
12. NEVER Whisper: Always speak clearly, especially if you're recording the ghost hunt. You don't want to later confuse your whispering as something supernatural. If there are ghosts around your voice is not going to scare them off.
13. NEVER Forget to do research and profiles: To many ghost hunters don't do the proper research before going out into the field. What they are failing to understand is that good research will only help them with the possibilities of seeing a ghost.
14. NEVER Use a car's headlights as a main source of light: Sometimes a car's headlights come in handy for setting up campsites or equipment, but don't use them as a long-term light source. You could drain the battery enough that the car will not start.
15. NEVER Try to bring everything: Don't try to carry along every piece of equipment. Just bring the basics and the equipment that you absolutely need. Getting bogged down will only take your attention away from the ghost hunt.
16. NEVER Forget to bring flashlights: Always have plenty of working flashlights. Everyone should have two flashlights on hand.
17. NEVER Forget extra batteries: Know what kind of batteries each piece of equipment takes and how to change them. Always carry extra sets of batteries.
18. NEVER Forget to take lots of pictures: Take as many photographs as you can. That goes the same for video. You can't have enough of either. Just keep an eye on your film supplies. Don't run out before the ghost hunt is over. Always have emergency rolls of film.
19. NEVER Forget to bring food and drinks: It may sound trivial, but you would be surprised how many ghost-hunts have been ruined or have been cut short because of the lack of snacks.
20. NEVER Go into any physically dangerous location: It may be temping to conduct ghost hunts in old condemned buildings or on the edge of a spooky cliff side, but don't do it. The risk is simply not worth it. Also, never go to any place when the weather conditions are bad. Ghost hunts are meant to be fun and it won't be fun if someone gets hurt, has to go to the hospital, or worse.
Ghost: Soul, Spirit, Demon. The disembodied spirit of a dead person, conceived of an appearing to the living as a pale, shadowy apparition.
Phantom: Something that seems to appear to the sight but has no physical exsistance; Apparition, Vision, Spector. Something to be feared or deaded.
Wraith: Guardian; a ghost. Spectral figure of a person supposedly seen as a premonition just before that person dies.
Poltergeist: Responsible for mysterious noisy disturbances or moving, misplacing of objects. Some poltergeists have been reported to cause physical harm to people.
Haunt: Visit often or continually. Frequented by ghosts.
Science and Ghost Hunting
When scientists debunk ghosts their first statement is usually, “there is no scientific proof of the existence of ghosts.” This is wrong. There is scientific proof. Science even has theories that explain something must be happening beyond what we know and what we can see.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955), Time Magazine's Man of the Century and one of the greatest minds the world has known, taught us that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form of energy into another form of energy. This means that no matter what is done energy cannot be destroyed.
What the average man calls Death, I believe to be merely the beginning of Life itself. We simply live beyond the shell. We emerge from out of its narrow confines like a chrysalis. Why call it Death? Or, if we give it the name Death, why surround it with dark fears and sick imaginings? I am not afraid of the Unknown.
-- From Rudolph Valentino's diary.
After having lived in the limelight with attention from the press and fans, some of our nation's famous and infamous celebrities are seemingly just not ready to move on. So, if you never had the opportunity to meet them in real life, according to these tales you might still be able to catch a glimpse of them as they continue to haunt the places of their pasts.
Lucille Ball – When Lucille Ball died during surgery on April 26, 1989, at the age of 77, she was still living in her home at 100 North Roxbury Drive. Since her death, she is said to remain in the home that experiences a number of strange happenings. New owners tell of unexplained broken windows, loud voices being heard from an empty attic, and furniture and other objects moving around inside the house.
Bonnie and Clyde – This pair of notorious outlaws of the 1930’s were finally tracked down and killed on May 23, 1934 outside of Arcadia, Louisiana. There bullet-ridden car was then towed into town with their bodies still in the vehicle. Today, a marker stands at the site where they died and is said to be haunted by the pair. Photographs taken of the marker often come out with ghostly forms.
Aaron Burr – Burr was the third Vice President under Thomas Jefferson, but he is not known so much for that as he is for duel with Alexander Hamilton. After killing Hamilton in the duel, Burr was placed on trial for treason but was acquitted. Today, Burr is said to haunt the One If By Land, Two If By Sea Restaurant, in New York City. Located in what was once Burr’s carriage house at 17 Barrow Street. Both visitors and staff alike have observed dishes that fly of their own accord and have had chairs pulled out from under them by unseen hands. Also said to haunt the restaurant is Burr’s daughter, Theodosia Burr Alston, who vanished off the coast of North Carolina en route to visit her father in New York.
Al Capone – The notorious Chicago gangster who led the city's illegal activities during the Prohibition era has been rumored to haunt a couple of locations. Allegedly, when people are disrespectful while visiting his family plot at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois, he is said to appear. Also, at Alcatraz, where Capone was one of the first inmates, spectral banjo music has often been heard coming from inside his old cell.
Lon Chaney, Sr. – Remembered primarily as the pioneer actor of horror films during the silent film era, Chaney died in 1930. Today, his spirit is said to haunt Sound Stage 28 at Universal Studios. This stage was used for the film Phantom of the Opera, and Chaney’s caped spirit has been seen running along the catwalks above the stage. Other phenomena reported to occur here include lights that turn on and off and doors that open and close by themselves.
Montgomery Clift – A popular film star of the 1950’s and 60’s, Montgomery Clift was a four-time Oscar nominated actor who is best known for his roles in A Place in the Sun, From Here to Eternity and Judgment at Nuremberg. His spirit has been seen at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, most often in Room 928. It was here that he spent a three months in 1953 where he was known to pace back and forth, memorizing his lines for From Here to Eternity. Today, unexplained loud noises are often heard coming from the otherwise empty suite, phone is continually found to be off the hook, and unexplainable cold spots are felt in the room. Others sense the actor’s presence and reportedly, one guest felt an invisible hand patting her shoulder.
Joan Crawford – From silent star to camp queen, Joan Crawford’s film career spanned some 45 years. Her former home, the Crawford House, is said to be haunted by her spirit as well as many others. Though the house has been exorcised many times, these ghosts refuse to leave.
James Dean – While no actual reports have been made of Dean’s spirit, an extremely interesting legend persists of a curse on his beloved Porsche Spyder. Dean, the popular fresh faced Hollywood star of the early 1950’s, was known to live in the “fast-lane.” He paid for it with his life when he was killed in a head on collision on September 30, 1955. Dean purchased the car with the intent to race it; however, he never got the chance, as just weeks after its purchase, he died in the vehicle. Afterwards, anyone who came in contact with the car or its parts began to suffer injuries and death until the vehicle finally mysteriously disappeared.
James Dean and his Porsche Spyder before he was
killed in the car.
Redd Foxx – The popular star of the long running “Sanford & Son” television series has been known to haunt Stage 31 at Paramount Studios where he died of a heart attack. At the studio people have heard him laughing at the jokes and claim he just kind of hangs around. More often, the comedian is known to haunt his former home in Las Vegas. After a terrible battle with the IRS, he lost the home when the IRS forced the sale. The new owner reportedly saw Foxx’s apparition walking around in a bathrobe. Other strange occurrences included lights that turned on and off by themselves and a sliding glass door constantly opening of its own accord. Today the building houses offices for Nevada Aqua Air Systems. Continuing to have trouble with the sliding door, they finally replaced it with a wooden swinging door. However, this didn’t stop the door from opening with invisible hands.
Benjamin Franklin – Instrumental in laying the government’s foundation when the United States was first established, Franklin was also known for his work as a writer, inventor, philosopher, and scientist. Today, Franklin is said to haunt the Philosophical Society’s library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some people have even reported that the Philosophical Society's statue of Franklin has been seen dancing along the streets.
Clark Gable – One of the biggest box office stars during the 1930’s and ‘40’s, both Clark Gable and his wife, Carole Lombard are said to haunt the Oatman Hotel in Oatman, Arizona. After they married, in Kingman, they spent their honeymoon at the Oatman Hotel.
Jean Harlow – The phrase “blonde bombshell” was coined for Jean Harlow during her short career in Hollywood. In 1932, she married MGM studio executive Paul Bern who was said to have beaten her viciously. Bern killed committed suicide the same year in their upstairs bedroom. After appearing in three dozen films between 1927 and 1937, her career was cut short when she died at the age of 26 of kidney failure. Though the kidney failure is partially attributed to a childhood illness, some say it was made worse by the frequent beatings she suffered at the hands of Bern. Both Harlow and Bern have been seen numerous times in the mansion they once called home.
Harry Houdini – Though Houdini didn’t believe in spiritualism, his ghost is said to haunt a couple of locations. At Jacki Gaughan’s Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, a magic show held here is a tribute to Houdini’s talents as an escape artist and magician. Staff believes the showroom is haunted by a ghost who likes to play pranks and move items around. Many of these same people think the ghost is none other than Houdini himself, perhaps lingering to ensure they are “doing it right.” The most common place that Houdini has been sighted is the property where his mansion once stood in Laurel Canyon. Though destroyed by fire in 1959, many people have allegedly seen his apparition lurking about the old property.
Thomas Ince – considered one of the visionary pioneers of American movies, Ince was one of the most respected directors of the silent film era. He was a co-founder of Culver Studios which would later become MGM. In 1924 he died of heart failure but apparently remains at the lot that was once Culver Studios.
Andrew Jackson – Jackson was the seventh President of the United States, serving from 1829 to 1837. After his death, he was heard stomping and swearing in the Rose Room of the White house by none other than Mary Todd Lincoln.
Jesse James – Jesse James was originally buried at the family farm in Kearney, Missouri, however, his body was later moved to the Mount Olivet Cemetery in town to be buried next to his wife. Though his remains are no longer at the farm, many believe he has never left. All kinds of strange events continually occur at the farm such as doors that slam closed by themselves, lights that move both inside and outside of the property buildings, and an overwhelming sense that an unearthly presence lingers. Others report hearing the sounds of pounding hooves, muffled shots and cries that are reminiscent of the area history, dating back to events of the Civil War.
Thomas Jefferson – The third President of the United States, from 1801 to 1809 was known to retire to the Oval Office on numerous occasions to relax and play the violin. Over the years, there have been numerous reports of the sounds of those ghostly strings coming from the Oval Office.
Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum - Black Jack was the only train robber ever hanged for this crime in the State of New Mexico . Known to be a charming man, he was also a renowned road agent, making off with loot from the steam engines of the day. Today, this Old West outlaw is said to haunt one of his favorite hideout caves near Folsom, New Mexico .
Robert E. Lee – Confederate General in the Civil War, Lee led a number of successful battles before his surrender at the Appomatox Court House in April of 1865. Today, his spirit has regressed back to a four year old child where he has been spied playing in the yard of his childhood home in Alexandria, Virginia. Said to be an impish spirit, he is known to play pranks like ringing the doorbell and moving objects within the house. His giggles are often heard throughout the house. Sometimes he is seen with a ghostly black dog and the spirits of two young girls, who are thought to be his sisters.
John Lennon – This former Beatle is said to haunt The Dakota building at 1 west 72nd Street in New York City, where he was shot to death.
Liberace – Known for his incredible piano playing skills, along with his charisma and diamonds, Liberace died of AIDs in 1987. According to numerous reports, the entertainer’s spirit has taken up residence at a restaurant called Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens. Liberace once owned the restaurant located just a few block off the Las Vegas Strip. Next to the dining room, Liberace had his own private lounge where he entertained close friends. From here, he was known to sometimes slip into the main dinging room to tinkle the keys of the piano to the delight of unsuspecting diners. Today, staff and guests alike believe that the flamboyant pianist has never left, as there are numerous reports of electrical surges, bottles that tip over for no reason, and ladies' restroom stalls that lock and unlock themselves. On one occasion the electricity went off and would not come back on until someone realized it was Liberace’s birthday. After they wished him a happy one, the lights inexplicably came back on. Some report seeing his spirit outside the windows.
Abraham Lincoln – The most often spied spirit of all of our American Presidents, Lincoln was know to be a believer in the supernatural. President Lincoln is known to haunt not only the White House, but also several sites in Springfield, Illinois where his political career began. Famous occupants of the White House, including President Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady Grace Coolidge, reported seeing a tall, gaunt figure in several rooms of the residence. Others who have been walking by the White House have reported seeing a shadow of Lincoln's dimensions in the window of the Oval Office where the president often stood gazing at the Potomac River during the days of the Civil War. In Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln's spirit is most often linked his tomb at Oakridge Cemetery. Over the years, a number of stories have been told by tourists and staff members of experiencing uncomfortable feelings and hearing phantom footsteps, whispers, muffled voices, and weeping. Lincoln has also been reported to have been seen walking the streets surrounding Springfield's original courthouse, as well as the hallways of his former home. Others have reported seeing the ghost of Mary Lincoln at their old home located at 413 South Eighth Street.
Carole Lombard - Carole Lombard was one of Hollywood's top comedy actresses in the 1930s. She married Clark Gable in 1939 and the pair were said to have one of Hollywood's ideal marriages. However, their love was cut short when Lombard was killed in a plane crash just three years later. Her spirit has been seen near the suite she shared with Clark Gable at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Both her and beloved husband, Gable, allegedly also haunt the Oatman Hotel in Oatman, Arizona, where they spent their honeymoon.
Marilyn Monroe - This glamorous film star of the 1950’s slipped into a coma caused by an overdose of sleeping pills on August 4, 1962. She never woke up and was pronounced dead the next day. Today, her ghostly spirit is known to haunt the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. At the height of her popularity, she often stayed at the hotel where her image is seen in a full-length mirror that once hung in her poolside suite. It now hangs in the lobby where people see her image reflected in the glass. Her ghost has also been spotted hovering near her tomb at Westwood Memorial Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Lastly, she is also said to haunt the house where she took the fatal dose of sleeping pills. According to psychics, Marilyn has relayed to them that her death was not a suicide, but an accident.
Ozzie Nelson – Band leader, Ozzie married Harriet in 1935. In 1944, they started The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on radio which later switched to television in a run that would stretch to twenty-two years: eight on radio and fourteen on television. In 1941 the couple purchased a house where they lived for the next 40 years. When their popular sitcom was aired on television, beginning in 1852, the exterior of the television house was modeled on the real-life Nelson home. Subsequent owners believe that Ozzie’s ghost continues to remain in his beloved home, as unseen hands open and close doors, turn on faucets, and lights turn on and off by themselves in otherwise empty rooms. One owner even tells a story that “someone” got fresh with her during the night when her blankets were pulled back and she felt someone kissing her neck and breasts.
Elvis Presley – Just as flamboyant in death as he was in life, the legendary singer continues to haunt his beloved home in Memphis. A white-sequined Elvis has been seen by stagehands at the Las Vegas Hilton where he often performed in the early 1970s. He has also been “seen” in a rambling old building just off Nashville’s Music Row. At one time, the building housed the recording studios of RCA in the 1950’s and it was here that Elvis recorded his breakthrough 1956 hit single, Heartbreak Hotel. Though RCA is no longer there, the building continues to house a TV production studio that produces music-related programs. According to people that have worked there, every time Elvis’ names is mentioned something strange happens, such as ladders falling down, lights blowing out, and unexplained noises coming through the sound system. A white-sequined Elvis has reportedly been spotted by stagehands at this hotel where he performed in the early 1970s.
George Reeves – The star to the 1950’s television series, Superman, committed suicide in 1959 by shooting himself in the head. Though due to be married in just three days time, Reeves was despondent at his stalled career, when he had become so type-casted as Superman he couldn’t find other parts. Today, he allegedly still appears in his old bedroom, fully outfitted in his Superman costume before slowly fading away.
Betsy Ross – Credited with sewing the first American flag, Ross continues to lurk within her old home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ross, who is buried on the property, has often been seen crying, while sitting at the foot of the bed in her former home.
Bugsy Siegel – One of the most colorful of Las Vegas’ underworld figures, Bugsy is often attributed to envisioning the sparkling city that Las Vegas is today. While there were a number of small gambling spots in Las Vegas, there was nothing like the Flamingo Hilton that Siegel opened in 1946. But, the Flamingo cost the mob millions to build and took much longer than they had anticipated. Sure that Bugsy was skimming from the them, they had him killed in his girlfriend’s mansion in Beverly Hills. On June 20, 1947, he was sitting in the living room when two shots came through the front window, hitting him in the head. Today, Siegel is known to haunt the mansion. Witnesses have reported seeing the apparition of a man running and ducking across the living room of the house, only to disappear as suddenly as he came. He also lurks about the Flamingo hotel, appearing nattily dressed in a smoking jacket with a wide smile on his handsome face. Most often, he is seen in the presidential suite at the hotel which was his home for many years. He has also been spied in and around the rose garden or in the wedding chapel area.
Dylan Thomas – Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet and writer, drank 18 shots of scotch in the White Horse Tavern in New York City in 1953. Afterwards, as you can imagine, he collapsed and died. Today, his spirit is said to return to the scene time after time, where he rotates his favorite corner table like he used to do when he was alive. The White Horse Tavern is located at 567 Hudson Street at West 11th Street in New York City.
Thelma Todd – A popular young star in the 1930’s, Todd was featured in a number of hit comedies with The Marx Brothers, Buster Keaton, and Laurel and Hardy. During the height of her stardom, she opened a restaurant called Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Café and lived in a luxurious apartment above the restaurant. In 1935 her success came to an untimely end when she was found in her car at the garage of the Sidewalk Café. Killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, her death was ruled an accidental suicide. Today, the building that once housed the café near the ocean on Roosevelt Highway is owned by Paulist Productions. Employees have reported Todd’s ghostly image descending the stairs.
Mark Twain – Popular American humorist, novelist, writer and lecturer, Twain once lived in downtown New York at 14 West 10th Street (near Fifth Avenue) between the years of 1900 and 1901. Today, his spirit allegedly haunts the building’s stairwell.
Clifton Webb – A popular star in the 1940’s and ‘50’s, Webb is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Belvedere in a series of films. He died of heart disease at the age of 76. During his life he never married and shared his home with his mother until she died, who he said visited him nightly. He was known to tell his friends at this time, that he too would haunt the house after his death. True to his word, his ghost has been seen at parties, standing in the library uttering his favorite phrase "well, well, well..." A lifelong chain-smoker, non-smokers have awakened in the house covered with ashes. He also is said to not like women sitting in his old armchair, which begins to bounce and make noise when a female sits in it. Webb has also been spied at the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum in the Hollywood Forever Memorial Park, where his body is interred.
Rudolph Valentino – Rudolph Valentino was one of the greatest romantic idols of Hollywood’s silent movie era. His career, however, was cut short when he died at the age of 31 from complications of an ulcer. Immediately after his death, the “Latin Lover” began to haunt his home grounds of Hollywood and to this day, is said to be its most active ghost. Valentino has been spotted in a number of places, most often in his former mansion – the Falcon’s Lair. Here, his image has been seen in the hallways, in his old bedroom, peering from a window on the second floor, and in the stables. One stable worker, after having seen Valentino petting his favorite horse, promptly quit his job and never returned. He has also been spied at his beach house in Oxnard and the Santa Maria Inn in Santa Maria Inn where he has been known to continuously knock and the door and reclines on the bed. The Sheik’s shimmering form has also been seen floating among the costume department at Paramount Studios and roaming the catwalks above Studio Five. Lastly, he has also been sighted near his resting place in the Cathedral Mausoleum at Hollywood Forever Memorial Park.
John Wayne – The old “Duke” himself has been seen on his old yacht, the Wild Goose. When psychics investigated the ghost, they felt that Wayne isn’t “trapped” here, but rather just returns to one of his favorite places.
Orson Welles – Considered to be one of Hollywood’s greatest directors, as well as fine writer, actor, and producer, Welles died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California at age 70 on October 10, 1985. A man who loved to eat, his spirit continues to be seen at Sweet Lady Jane's Restaurant, known for its great food and exquisite deserts. Both customers and staff have reported seeing Welles' caped apparition sitting at his favorite table. Additionally, the smell of his favorite brandy and cigars often accompany these sightings.
Human beings have both electrical and chemical energy in our bodies. We are organically designed to carry our electrically charged brain and nervous systems. When we die our chemical bodies begin to break down and decompose. The organic side returns to wear it came from - energy changing into a different form of energy as Einstein's law says. So what happens to the electrical energy that flows through our brain? It can't simply disappear or fade away out of existence. That would break the laws of science. That energy has to still be somewhere only now it has changed into a different form of energy. What happens to the energy is really determined by personal faith. No one knows exactly what waits beyond this life. What we do know, thanks to science, is that the electrical pulse energy in each human being will always exist because as a rule it “cannot be destroyed.”
Another great scientist who believed in life after death was Thomas Edison, (1847-1931). Edison was a genius ahead of his time. He invented the light bulb, phonograph, typewriter, electric motor, stock ticker, and 1093 other patented inventions. One of the inventions that he worked on at the end of his career was a secret project, a machine that would let the living see and communicate with the souls of the dead.
Edison believed that that the soul was made up of what he referred to as “life units.” These microscopic particles or life units could rearrange into any form. They retained full memory, personality and were indestructible. Edison's machine would detect these life units in the environment and allow living individual to communicate with the dead. He put many years of hard work into his new creation, but sadly, he died before it was finished. Some called Edison crazy. Others thought that he was onto something bigger than the idea of the light bulb. They believed that if he would have had a little more time, we might all today be living in a very different world.
It's been found that in almost every ghost haunting and poltergeist that there are certain electrical elements at work. Using EMF detectors ghost hunters can monitor these electrical forces. These devices can examine and record even the smallest fluctuation in the surrounding electromagnetic field. Everything gives off some kind of electromagnetic field, even our own bodies. Electrical appliances, like television sets and computers give off higher distortions than a lamp or a toaster would. When ghosts are present there are higher levels of electromagnetic distortions. Many times the distortions are so high that they interfere with the working abilities of computers systems and audio/video equipment. High levels of static electricity are also detectable.
Recording temperature changes is another scientific way of detecting the presence of ghosts. Fluctuations of more than 10 degrees have been recorded in small areas of rooms with constant temperatures. It's a scientific fact that there has to be some form of energy present to alter the temperature. Temperature does not change unless "something" is affecting it one way or the other. In many ghost sightings witnesses report feeling a cold spot. This could be caused by the fact that light does not seem to reflect correctly off of most ghosts, which also gives them a dark form. The light seems to be absorbed into the ghost. The theory is that ghosts absorb both light and heat energy causing the general area around that ghost to be several degrees cooler. There are also hot spots recorded, which could be just the reverse affect occurring. Instead of soaking up the light and heat the ghost is reflecting it back, causing the area to be warmer.
These unexplainable electromagnetic fluctuations and temperature changes are scientific evidence that something is happening. Ghosts are real.
Definitions of Ghost Names
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: from time to time you will see 4 digits in brackets (1095) and
this refers to the year in which that word was first used with that
particular meaning. The source is the big 20 volume Oxford English
Dictionary (see below).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANKOU: from the Celtic folk lore of Brittany (France?) it means "king of
the dead" and it is a death omen that comes to collect the souls of the
dead; the ankou is the last person to die in a parish in a given year --
sometimes portrayed as a skeleton with a rotating head (ie it can see in
every direction); it drives a spectral cart, is accompanied by two ghosts
on foot and stops at the house of one who is about to die (for that (next)
year).
APPARITION: to appear when summoned; "the supernatural; appearance of
invisible beings -- ie the apparition of a ghost" (1525); a manifestation
or something invisible being made visible to the eye" (1533); an immaterial
appearance (1601 -- Shakespeare); encyclopedia of Ghosts also suggests that
an apparition is more often that of a living person; they appear and
disappear and reappear suddenly, they CAN cast shadows, and can walk
through and can be reflected in mirrors walls
BANSHEE: from the Gaelic "bean si" (= "fairy women") -- a death omen --
loud wailing from a female demon just before someone dies -- limited to
"ancient families of pure descent" .... very Celtic; they are particularly
attached to irish families whose surnames begins with "Mac" or "O";
Banshees do not (according to misguided popular belief) "scream" -- they
just cry; in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands, the Banshee is also known
as Bean-Nighe or Little-Washer-By-the-Ford (the latter case signals a
person's imminent and violent death by washing that person's bloody clothes
in a stream); this Bean-Nighe is unlike the Bean Si in a number of ways;
the Bean Nighe is ugly and deformed (whereas the other is beautiful) and
the Bean Nighe has 1 nostril, a large protruding front tooth, red webbed
feet and long pendulous breasts; this Bean Nighe (aka Little Washer by the
Ford) is said to be the ghost of a woman who has died prematurely in child
birth and has to spend the rest of (what would have been her allotted time
on earth) washing clothes by the river until it is the "natural" time for
her to die
BEELZEBUB (also Baal-zebub): means "lord of the flies"
CHUREL: From India .. the evil ghost of a woman who dies in childbirth or
ceremonial impurity; usually of a lower caste person whose corpse was
buried face down to prevent their escape; they have reversed feet & no
mouths and haunt squalid places; they can appear as beautiful (albeit
slightly deformed( women who can capture and hold men prisoner until they
(the men) are old
CORPSE CANDLES: death omens in Wales & elsewhere in the British Isles --
they are mysterious lights which bob over the ground and stop at houses
where a death is imminent; they are also said to warn of those who see them
or alternatively they appear halfway between the doomed's home and their
grave-to-be or presage the death of an infant
CUCUBUTH: vampire & a werewolf together (consumes flesh and blood)
DEMON: an inferior divinity; a genius; and attendant spirit; the devil; the
name means "replete with wisdom" and is derived from the Greek "daimon"
which means "divine power" or "fate" or "god"
ELVES: Teutonic in origin; small, dwarfish, thought to act as
incubi/succubi, steal children and substitute fake ones in their place,
generally malicious beings until the 19th century; generally more malignant
than a fairy
FAIRY: plural: "fays"; small, diminutive beings having great influence
(good and bad) over the affairs of men (1393); delicate & finely woven; the
word fairy comes from the Latin "fata" meaning "fate"; there are varying
theories on their origins -- 1) Souls of the pagan dead not baptized and
therefore caught between heaven and earth 2) the guardians of the dead 3)
ghosts of venerated ancestors 4) fallen angels who were condemned with
Lucifer but who were also condemned to remain with the elements of earth
and not to be in Hell 5) nature spirits. In Irish mythology the Fairies are
the "TUATHA DE" (sic) or people of the goddess -- they are thought to be
strong in the craft of magic and (still in Irish myth) they are part
mortal, part spirit and part god and they can intermarry with humans." They
are thought (also in Irish legends) to steal human women away for wives, to
steal unprotected children and leave their in their place ("changelings").
To stay in their good graces households left out food and drink for them
(they are said to be nocturnal). In Celtic lore, Fairies dance circular
dances under the moonlight, especially around ancient burial cites
FETCH: In Irish and Welsh folklore, the term for one's double, [to see
yourself then, literally and symbolically] an apparition of a living person
(sometimes called a "co-walker" in England). In general, seeing one is a
sign of ill-boding although in Irish lore, to see a fetch in the morning
means you will have long life but at night means death
GENIUS (GENII): protective spirits who guide human beings; in Etruscan &
Roman art they were portrayed as naked winged (male) youths but since the
17th century they can be either male or female; Genius was also a Roman
deity, a personification of the creative powers invested in man (the female
equivalent is Juno); every man has his own "genius." My source for this
information comes from Manfred Lurker's Gods and Goddesses, Devils and
Demons New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1984, rpt. 1987, p. 130.
However, Marco Di Marcantonio has also pointed out the following:
(1)The Etruscans had spirits called "Lasa" ......they were winged youthful
Females (never male).....they carried a perfumed vase in their left hand
... they were very common in Etruscan art works. There is another spirit of
the Etruscan culture "Vanth"...... they are clothed, rainbow-winged, mature
females, with scrolls in the left hand; the were escorts of the dead. The
LASA & VANTH were believed to be souls in transition; they were called "The
Ancient One".
(2)The Romans adopted the Etruscan spirit, renaming it "Laris." They were
"House Spirits " that protected the Roman household. They are clothed
(wingless) females with wreaths of rosemary adorning the heads. It was
common to have shrines for them in Ancient households and daily offerings
were made to them (eg. Rosemary was offered because of what it
symbolized).They were welcome presents in the Roman dewelling.
GHOST: a disembodied spirit ... has root words possibly connected to
"terrify" and "anger." The etymology is "to wound, tear, pull to pieces"
(OED) also "anger" (Dict of Ety.). "The soul or spirit as the principle of
life" (900 AD); "the immaterial part of man associated with feeling,
thought and moral action" (1000 AD); "an corporeal being" (1297); a good
being (900); and evil being (1000); the soul of a deceased person
inhabiting the unseen world" (800); and "the soul of a deceased person
appearing in visible form or otherwise making its presence known to humans"
(1385 -- Chaucer)
GHOST DOGS/CATS: in Wales and Scotland and there are special GUARDIAN
SPIRITS called BLACK DOGS; there is also the BARGHEST (aka BARGUEST) from
Cornwall and Northern England -- it is a death omen and in Lancashire it is
called a "SHRIKER" after the shrieks it makes when it is invisible
GHOSTESS: a female Ghost (1842)
GHOUL: a demon (usually female) feeding on flesh, dead or alive ... often
associated with a house where tragedy has taken place but they also tend to
live alone in desolate spots and/or graveyards. Strictly speaking, Lamia
are ghouls (ie they hang out in cemeteries, disinter bodies and eat the
flesh). Also, Arabic: an evil spirit who robs graves and preys on human
corpses. The etymology is "to seize"; first occurrence is Beckford's Vathek
(1786); comes from Arabic terms ghul (masculine) and ghula (feminine); in
Islamic lore it is the female ghul who is to be most feared since she can
(unlike the male) appear as a fully normal person
GIAOUR: a non-Moslem (Christian usually)
GLAMOUR: any bewitched illusion satanically inspired; a magic enchantment
or spell; "a magical or fictitious beauty" (1840)
GOBLIN: mischievous, ugly spirit (1327) often (not always) conjured up by
rogues ; the prefix "hob" (ie hob-goblin") usually differentiates the
merely mischievous ones from the malicious ones; either way they are
believed to live in grottos but are said to be attracted to homes that have
beautiful children; when they move in to a home they can help with the
children (giving them presents when they are good and punishing them when
they are bad) and the goblins can also help with household chores (!!) if
they have the whim to do so
GOLEM: an artificial human (a la Frankenstein) but created by (in this
case) magical means. The term is used to describe Adam's body in its first
hours of existence before it gets consciousness and a soul. To raise one,
walk around it using the appropriate combination of letters & mystical
names of God; to kill it walk the other way and say the words backwards!!!!
See also German film Der Golem (1920)
GRATEFUL DEAD: no, not the band; this is a MOTIF in which ghosts of the
deceased return
Ghosts AR
