Mid-Atlantic Paranormal Investigations
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Ghost Hunting 101
-There are generally 2 types of spirits you may encounter. One was a human at one time and it has remained on this level for some reason. It may not know it's dead, may be held here by unfinished business, guilt, etc. These spirits are like the person was when they were alive, so they could be good or bad, just like the living, but not normally dangerous. This human spirit is the type you will encounter 95% of the time. You could also witness a residual haunting which is just a playback of a past event. This is just like watching a video from the past playing over and over. The other type of spirit you may encounter were never human and are generally bad news. You must be aware of this type but not obsessed with them, the chances that you will encounter them in a regular ghost hunt are slim. I have experienced both types and I just want to make you aware of their existence. So be aware and protect yourself and you should have no problem. (Courtesy of http://www.theshadowlands.net)
-Always be sure to check the area in which you plan on conducting an investigation during the day (if it's an outdoor investigation), or with all lights on (if it's an indoor investigation).
-Always be aware of your surroundings. Check for things you may step on, bump in to, trip over, signs, things that reflect light, etc.. Safety is very important!
-Never go alone! It's very important to have someone with you at all times, always pair up with at least one other person. Conducting an investigation alone is not a good thing to do for a number of different reasons.
-You should read up on the area you plan on investigating. This helps to make sure you're allowed on the property. You may not realize it, but nearly everything is owned by someone.. so respect that!
-It's a good idea to log the investigation. Make sure to write down the time of different occurences. Once you have all your "evidence" it really helps to know the times.
-Cemeteries, Schools, Historic Locations, Theatres, Churches, Battlefields, and Hotels/Motels are good places to begin your investigating. Once again, make sure you do not trespass! Check with the owners or the building or with another official.
-Make sure the weather is clear! Rain, snow, fog, etc. are poor conditions to conduct an investigation in. These weather conditions can greatly effect the outcome of your investigation. Once you've been on an investigation under these conditions, you will understand why.
-Always question your findings! Make sure you've ruled everything out before claiming the piece of evidence you got is an evidence of the paranormal. If you don't carefully analyze, then be prepared for lots of scrutiny!
-Refrain from whispering, smoking, alcohol, and drugs for obvious reasons! And also, try and refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, etc..
-Make sure nothing gets in vision of the camera! Many people have claimed that camera straps, strands of hair, etc. where piece of paranormal evidence. Obviously, they are not.
-Avoid lights, whether they be natural lights or man-made, they can often throw your evidence off. And make sure to remove all camera lenses before taking photos.
-Know how to use your equipment. It is very important to know how to use all of your equipment. Its not magically going to work itself. Before conducting an investigation know what your doing and how to use your equipment.
-Be quiet! Respect people that may be living near or in the area of investigation. Being loud can also effect your outcome.
-Take more pictures when you feel a presence, feel a cold spot, or get a reading on the EMF meter. This may indicate a supernatural presence. This is the best time to be able to capture something on film, tape, etc..
These are just some of the many tips to remember when ghost hunting. Always remember to obey rules and respect the living and the dead! Once you have all these tips/steps down, you are ready to conduct an investigation. But always remember to start out small, this is important! Happy Hunting!!
