Types of Ghosts

 

Most people, when they hear the word ‘haunted’, imagine things being thrown about by an unseen hand, or a complete apparition. While both of these are, in a sense true, they do not give the whole picture.

Firstly, most researchers in the paranormal differentiate between ghosts and spirits.

Each spirit person is unique, each was alive once, and retains aspects of their personality after death.

The same could be said of a ghost, but the personality is missing. A ghost cannot interact.

Interactive Spirits

These are the classification that most investigators love to deal with. They are still referred to as ghosts for the most part, because it is easier. This type of ghost is capable of communication with the living. They can and do alter the flow of electricity, a particular feature being the ability to dim lights, and can also sometimes be detected on an EMF meter, which measures electrical fields.

These are the ghosts that will rap in response to a question, or even move objects. They are NOT poltergeists which we will deal with later. Interactive spirits will often communicate easily with mediums, and it is possible to learn from them their names, how they passed on, and how they looked.

These are also the spirits that can cause most harm. They are able to push people, scratch, and throw objects. Despite what is seen on TV, this is very rare.

People who have died retain much of the personality they had in life, so can be playful, kind, funny or downright nasty.... just as in life.

 Interactive spirits are rarely seen, seldom appearing as an apparition, although it is not unknown.

Ghosts (non interactive)

 

A ghost is almost exclusively an apparition. This is the category that is most often reported.

These are seen in castles, stately homes and just about anywhere people have lived and died. Common apparitions are monks for some reason, and famous people like Anne Boleyn and Charles Dickens. In ordinary people’s homes, ghosts are often seen passing through a wall or a closed door. This is because they are totally unaware of these obstacles. They do not see them, and they do not see you. They cannot hurt you.

This type of ghost cannot interact with the living, and are largely believed to be ‘playbacks’, like a paranormal video recording. They are often seen by more than one person, and this is the one that paranormal investigators would love to catch on a camera.

 

Poltergeists

 

Poltergeists were believed to be ghosts until fairly recently, and the name means ‘noisy spirit’. They seem to arrive mostly when there is a disturbed adolescent or teenage living in the house, although an adult undergoing severe emotional trauma can also trigger this phenomenon. It is believed generally today, that the massive energy built up by emotional instability causes things like books flying around a room.

Poltergeists also seem to make contact with the person they are focussing on, often leaving writing on a wall, or even whispering or shouting. This leads people to believe that these ‘ghosts’ are in fact spirits.

The other side of the argument is that this only happens to some people, not all. Surely most teenagers go through a tormented phase in their lives? Why then, are poltergeists not a common occurrence?

Some people believe poltergeists to be discarnate beings, attracted to the turmoil.

Either way, activity rarely goes on beyond six months, and stops as suddenly as it began with no intervention.

Crisis Apparition

A crisis apparition is when the spirit of someone close is seen at their moment of death. This is actually fairly commonly reported. Sometimes it has been known for this type of spirit to appear to more than one person at the same time, although they could be living hundreds of miles away. It is believed that it is the soul coming to say goodbye.

A crisis apparition is always known to the person.

 

Doppelganger

Although these are not generally classified as ghosts, some people believe them to be so. There have been cases reported where a friend has been met and chatted to in the street. Five minutes later, this same friend turns the corner and greets you as though they hadn’t seen you for weeks. They will have no recollection of meeting you five minutes ago, or of the conversation.

 

Walkthrough

This is not commonly reported, and is when you suddenly find yourself occupying the same space as a ghost. The ghost literally walks through you, or vice versa. Although you are aware of it, the ghost appears to be unaware of you. When this happens, you have a vey clear sense of what they are wearing, because you can actually feel the weight of their clothes.

 

This is by no means a comprehensive list, and I am sure there are many more descriptions and definitions out there. If you have any experiences of ghosts, please share them with us.

 

Article submitted 5th November 2007 by Wendy Starr.