Paranormal 101 : Paranormal 101 Or What to do with that darn Ghost
Paranormal 101 : Paranormal 101 Belief in the Paranormal, Spirits and Ghosts thru the Ages
Raynham Hall’s Brown Lady
Introduction and Overview : Introduction and Overview "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door, the window, or the chimney. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room, as there is no concealment possible. When, then, did he come?" Sherlock Holmes The Sign of the Four, (1890) (Doubleday p. 111)
What is Paranormal? : What is Paranormal? In parapsychology, it is used to describe the potentially psychic phenomena of
telepathy
extra-sensory perception
psychokinesis
ghosts
hauntings
Belief in the Paranormal : Belief in the Paranormal Gallup survey 2006 The 10 items selected for the survey were chosen because they "require the belief that humans have more than the 'normal' five senses.
Extrasensory perception - 41%, haunted houses - 37%, ghosts - 32%, communication with the dead - 21%,
Monash University 2006 survey (Australia)
70% of the respondents believe to have had an unexplained paranormal event that changed their life
Types of paranormal investigation : Types of paranormal investigation Anecdotal approach – Collecting accounts of events. Personal Ghost stories or events
Experimental approach – mainly used in parapsychology – testing ESP with cards, Kirlian photography, and other equipment
Participant-observer approach - a study might consist of a researcher visiting a place where paranormal activity is said to occur and recording observations while there. In studying a supposedly haunted location, for example, the researcher may conduct a séance, take pictures, EVPs or temp reading.
Debunking approach – trying to show a “normal” reason for the event.
Ancient History of Ghosts and Spirits : Ancient History of Ghosts and Spirits The belief in survival after death in some form can be found though out the history of mankind.
Shamen and the Spirit World
Guide/Guardians of Souls and the afterlife - Hecate, Hades, Thanatos, Anubis, the Valkyries, Hel, Papa Ghede
Spirits and Ghost returning to visit the living -holidays of Halloween, the Celtic Samhain, Mexican Day of the Dead, Chinese Ghost Month
Ancient Ghost reports : Ancient Ghost reports
The Chinese philosopher, Mo Tzu (470-391) BC : The Chinese philosopher, Mo Tzu (470-391) BC King Hsuan (827-783 BC) executed his minister, Tu Po, on false charges even after being warned that Tu Po's ghost would seek revenge. Three years later, according to historical chronicles, Tu Po's ghost shot and killed Hsuan with a bow and arrow before an assembly of feudal lords
Athenodoros Cananites(c. 74 BC – 7 AD)Stoic philosopher : Athenodoros Cananites(c. 74 BC – 7 AD)Stoic philosopher One of the earliest known ghost "sightings" in the west took place in Athens, Greece. Pliny the Younger (c. 50 AD) described it in a letter to Licinius Sura
Saul and the spirit of Samuel (Bible event) : Saul and the spirit of Samuel (Bible event) the theory developed is that the necromancer(person who summons Spirits of the dead) sees the spirit but is unable to hear his speech, while the person at whose instance the spirit is called hears the voice but fails to see; bystanders neither hear nor see
Modern History of Ghost groups : Modern History of Ghost groups
1850 to present : 1850 to present 1850 - the Fox sisters started Spiritualism.
1862 - The Ghost Club, founded in London is believed to be the oldest paranormal research organization in the world.
1882 the Society of Psychical Research was founded by Edmund Gurney, Henry Sedgwick & Frederick Myers
In 1885, a sister society was founded in America, which like the SPR, is still in existence today.
Slide 14 : In 1885 Society for Psychical Research was founded by William James
1925 National Laboratory of Psychical Research was found by Harry Price
The 1950s, 60s and 70s were the age of the Independent Researchers.
1972 International Society for Paranormal Research or ISPR
The 70s, 80, 90s the age of the parapsychology laboratory
TYPES OF HAUNTINGS : TYPES OF HAUNTINGS According to a poll conducted in 2006 by the Gallup Organization
41% of Americans believe in Haunted Houses
32% of Americans believe in ghosts .
21% in communication with the dead .
There are generally accepted 5 types of “hauntings” or Ghosts : There are generally accepted 5 types of “hauntings” or Ghosts Residue haunting – like a movie stuck on a loop. Actions are played over and over again.
Seems unaware of anything else
Intelligent Hauntings – you are aware of the Ghost and they are aware of you. And they seem to interact with you
The Poltergeist - noisy spirits, tend to be centered around one person and famous for throwing thing s, making objects appear and disappear, and knocking
Slide 17 : Inhuman/Demonic - never was a living person – tends to be considered a evil ghost.
Other – Ghosts of Pets, trains, ships and other objects.