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What
are Ghosts & Orbs? by J.Eaton
The below statement is evidence based on the
knowledge that is presently known concerning these things. Yes,
ghosts are real and they do share space with us in this life
although in a different realm of existence. Orbs are also believed
to be ghosts of people as well as other life forms.
Orbs are believed (by many) to be ghosts in the form of balls
of light. They are life forms that travel in groups and are
believed to be the human soul or life force of those that once
inhabited a physical body here on earth. Psychics claim to talk
to them on a regular basis, and ghost hunters encounter them
quite frequently. It is said that they are those spirits that
have willingly stayed behind because they feel bound to their
previous life or previous location for whatever reason. Because
of this obsession they tend to become similar to a psychotic
human beings. It should be said that the majority of us when
we die proceed gladly and willingly to the next level of existence
after saying our quiet good-byes, which means we're off to the
spirit world. Then again, as stated, a select few elect to stay
behind because of a refusal to move on. Apparently the longer
they stay behind, the harder it is to find their way to the
next level, which again, is the spirit world.
Ghostly orbs are the most photographed anomalies caught on film
by ghost hunters and are quite photogenic (when they want to
be). They can be completely transparent or display themselves
in a bright solid form. It is not hard to capture them on film
in their circular form. It is theorized that ghosts prefer the
form of an Orb (ball of light) because it takes less energy
thus being the mode of choice among the ghosts. The consensus
is that small orbs take up the least amount of energy and apparitions
and other fuller shapes take up the most. In the colder parts
of the year, it seems that ghosts tend to find it easier to
take on shapes other than orbs. That's when there is the most
static electricity in the atmosphere. Those months being October
through February. It is also believed that they are able to
draw on our own energy when needed. I've listed these ways but
there are obviously many ways for ghosts to draw energy from
the atmosphere and environment but I won't take the time for
that here.
If you're wondering, ghosts are normally harmless for the most
part and have relatively no desire to bring harm to anyone nor
do they have much of an awareness to act as such. Ghosts however,
have been known to disrupt the lives of those that they effect
and play pranks and move things about. To state it plainly,
they are actually limited in the activities that they are able
to carry out in their frame of existence. Non-human forms as
well as evil spirits and demons, who have never had a body,
have additional powers and have the ability to sway our thoughts
and tempt our reasoning. This is why Ouija boards and other
similar devices should be shunned! They have the ability to
open windows into other realms of existence and can attract
evil or bad spirits. If you are experiencing what you consider
to be the effects of an evil spirit or demon in your life then
it could be the location where you are living, but you must
also consider your life style as well. In other words, how you
are living or the activities that you involve yourself in that
might inadvertently be drawing them to you.
I might also mention a word or two about spirits in this forum.
First of all, as I have alluded to earlier, ghosts and spirits
are not quite the same. Spirits are capable of continuing a
full existence on the other side with their full mental and
emotional facilities intact, unlike their counterpart the ghost.
You will most likely not encounter a spirit on a ghost hunt
as you would a ghost. When they are detected, it is believed
that their appearance might be in the form of ectoplasm mist,
as well as a full bodied apparitions. They are permitted to
visit on occasion and even communicate a message when they have
permission to do so but for the most not they will not be picked
up on any ghost detection devices or be photographed by any
cameras (for the most part). Many believe that we have spirits
assigned to watch over us, and that might very well be true
but you won't normally be detecting them unless they have a
special purpose in making there presence known. In other words
Spirits (not ghosts) seem to have a finer spirit tissue that
is for the most part undetectable.
There are other theories concerning ORBS. I have in the past
heard such theories that orbs might simply be Nature spirits
or Airborne protoplasm as you would find under a microscope,
except far more advanced.
Other types of ghostly phenomenon are the vortex (funnel shaped
appearance) and Ectoplasm (it has a mist or foggy appearance)
also called Ecto Mist. These are often picked up on film and
video as well but are much more rare. I'm not making any determinations
to their origin but welcome any of your opinions on the subject.
J. Eaton
http://www.ghoststudy.com/a_what_are_orbs.html
What
are Orbs? by Cambridge Paranormal Research Society
What
are orbs? Are they the early manifestation of a spirit or do
they have a more rational explanation?
Orbs are small round shapes of light that vary in size, brightness
and density. With the increasing popularity of digital cameras
orbs have become the most popular photographic anomaly recorded
to date. Here at the CPRS we have seen thousands of photographs
captured by ourselves and submitted by members of the public.
We are of the firm opinion that an extremely high percentage
of all orb related photographs are of a natural origin and not
related to spirit.
A natural explanation.
Most of the orb photographs out there have been captured with
the use of digital cameras and nearly always with the use of
the cameras built in flash.
Only very rarely are they caught with SLR cameras with high
mounted flash units or in natural daylight conditions with out
any the use of an artificial light source.
The main reasons for this is the sensitivity of the CCD technology
used with digital cameras and the use of an artificial light
source close to the camera lens. Dust may contain moulds, fibres,
and dander from dogs, cats, and other animals, as well as tiny
dust mites. Dust particles close in to the camera focal range
are the normal culprits for most orb photographs.
When a digital photograph is taken using the flash any airborne
particles within the focal range and focal angle of the camera
lens are illuminated by the flash and reflected back to the
lens. As they are so close to the lens they are out of focus
and therefore appear often as translucent blobs. The shape of
the orb, normally round is due to the particular aperture type
of the camera being used. Virtually every kind of indoor environment
will contain an amount of dust in the air. Any movement in a
building will cause the dust to circulate and carry on the streams
of air caused by natural draughts, air condition units or central
heating.
Dust itself is does not have a particular reflective quality
and therefore it will be only the odd particle within the cameras
focal field and angle at the time the flash goes off that will
be picked up. Moisture particles are a lot more reflective and
by taking photographs outside at night with flash on a night
of high humidity will also give the appearance of an abundance
of orbs on your photographs.
http://www.cambridgeparanormal.co.uk/orbs.html
What
are Orbs? from Shadowseekers.co.uk
Orbs
appear in photographs as small spheres of light. They range
is size and vary in transparency and color. Many groups will
claim that orbs are ghosts and restless spirits, proof of the
haunted state of the location where they were photographed.
Several groups even claim a correspondence between an orbs color
and the emotions and intent of the spirit-orb being photographed.
The truth is, there is little to no evidence that suggests orbs
are spirits or ghosts in any way. We tend to lean towards the
explanation that orbs are nothing more than naturally occurring
particles photographed by today's highly sensitive cameras.
Before digital cameras found there way into every household,
orb photos were extremely rare. Have you ever seen an orb photo
from the 70's or 80's? Probably not. In fact, low end and first
run digital cameras are very likely the cause of this "paranormal"
phenomenon.
Digital cameras are the latest and hottest invention, and many
groups will tell you that they are perfect for ghost hunting.
Rumors abound that digital cameras are capable of photographing
the infra-red spectrum, and because of this, will allow you
to photograph ghosts..ghosts in the form of orbs. And since
many digital shots contain these round anomalies, at first glance
such statements may seem true. In fact, the highly sensitive
lens of a digital camera will photograph not only the object
you are intending to shoot, but any dust, dirt or moisture in
the air. When a camera engages it's flash, light reflects of
everything in the lens' view..including the particles in the
air. Also, the digital imaging chips in digital cameras vary
from those in standard film cameras. When these chips try to
function in a low light setting, they will often be incapable
of recording the entire range of the lens' view, and any gaps
in the pixels will show up in the picture as white circles.
In fact, the recent debate on orbs has prompted a response and
explanation from film industry giant FUJI Films A simple experiment
to aid in proving this theory would be to shake out a rug in
your living room then snap a pic with a digital camera. You
most likely will have several orbs in the photo. Also, look
closely at a beam of sunlight that shines through a nearby window.
In the sun's beam, you will see several tiny molecules of dirt
and dust moving randomly in the air. It is these particles that
are often illuminated by the intense light of a camera flash
and then captured by the camera's lens
As you look from group to group and encounter orb photo after
orb photo, you will encounter a variety of theories and defenses
for the "evidence" many groups so ardently defend.
Some will claim that no dust or dirt was present when they photographed
a particular orb. The truth is, the only dust free environment
known to man exists in outer space, and a simple breath is capable
of stirring up dirt and debris in the air. Some groups will
claim that an orb is a spirit because it looks different form
one that they admit is dust. In fact, dust particles look vastly
different from snow particles, which look different from rain
particles, which look different from dirt molecules. Thus, you
can have several orbs in a photo, each looking quite different
from the other, yet none being anything paranormal in nature.
The color of particles in the air can be altered by atmospheric
conditions and moisture, thus helping to explain the varying
colors of orbs. Many investigators will claim that because the
orb was capture in a reportedly haunted location, it must be
evidence of a ghost. By that logic, a picture taken of a man
in the same location would mean that the man was also a ghost.
http://www.shadowseekers.org/orbs.html
The
Gauss Master

The
Gauss Master EMF Meter is the ghost hunters EMF meter of choice.
Hand-held, lightweight and durable,
with an easy to read scale (0-10 mG), and audio signal. It can
also measure between 0.1 -1mG by holding in the button on the
side of the unit. A Great meter for demonstrating the presence
of dangerous EMFs as well as for paranormal work. Requires one
9V battery (not included). Calibrated at 50-60 Hz.
This EMF meter is an excellent
introduction to ghost detection equipment. This is the same
item as used and featured in UK Living Most Haunted Program.
Put your mind at rest, perform professional investigations:
we are not all born with the natural ability to detect ghosts!
.
This
meter measures the level of EMF magnetic field radiation from
power lines, computers, kitchen appliances, and more! The easy
to read scale, unique built-in audio signal and auto shut-off
make it simple to use and a great way to find hidden sources
of EMF frequency magnetic fields.
Includes a useful introduction to Ghost Hunting with EMF meters.
You will also have fun taking readings with the EMF meter, of
signals that surround us during everyday life. Most experts
agree that chronic exposure to more than 2.5 milli-Gauss is
inadvisable. This meter will show you which areas are above
or below 2.5 milli-Gauss in the 50 - 60 Hz
http://gaussmaster.com
EXPLAINING
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
(EMF METERS)
Anyone who has become interested in the field of paranormal research
today has probably heard of the gadgets that the modern researcher
uses. Among those instruments is a devise called an electromagnetic
verify probable hauntings. EMF meters provide a starting point
and can eliminate things that we can not see in the walls and
floors, etc. Such meters make our job a little easier as we struggle
to document or disprove a haunting. However, the EMF meter is
only a tool that can help us; it can not “prove” a
ghost is there.
What is an electromagnetic field (EMF)? An electromagnetic field
occurs any time electricity passes through a wire or an appliance
that is operating. An appliance that is plugged in, but not turned
on emits an electrostatic field, not an electromagnetic field.
For the purpose of studying parapsychology we will only need to
learn about electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields weaken
with distance from the source. Electromagnetic fields are measured
in units called mill Gauss. A high mill Gauss reading indicates
a strong electromagnetic field. The EMF meter will measure these
fields but you must determine what is an unusual field. What is
considered a normal field, though? Most buildings generally have
an ambient background reading of .5 to 2 mill Gauss (mG).
There are several factors to consider when using an EMF detector
inside a building.
1) Walls are not barriers to EMF. Something on the other side
of the wall may be causing your reading. Find out what is on the
other side of the wall and decide if that could be the source.
2) Electric wiring with current running through it gives off a
slight EMF. Look for possible wiring around the area where you
are picking up a reading. Active wiring will only register if
you are within a few inches.
3) Electric junction boxes or fuse boxes will register stronger
than wiring. Be aware of their locations.
4) Fluorescent lights give off an EMF that could register. Incandescent
lights give off a minimal, usually undetectable EMF.
5) Appliances of all types give off an EMF when operating. These
include, but are not limited to, televisions, computers, microwaves,
refrigerators, and electric ovens. You can determine the strength
of an appliance’s EMF by taking readings from different
directions and distances. If you are picking up a reading that
is appliance related it the EMF reading should drop off significantly
when you are a couple feet from the appliance.
Likewise, there are specific factors to consider when using an
EMF meter outside. Technically there should be no EMF readings
outside. If you find EMF readings outside, consider these factors:
1) Are there any buildings close by? It is possible that a nearby
building is causing your reading.
2) Consider power lines. These will cause an increase in the EMF
reading. You should be aware of overhead and buried power lines
in your area.
3) A high iron content in the ground could also give you a higher
than expected EMF reading. This is the same reason that a compass
will not work properly in an area that is rich in iron ore.
Now that you know some things that could give false positive readings,
what do you look for? If you do find a higher reading that expected,
and one not explained by normal electrical sources, then you may
have found something paranormal. Remember that you have to account
for all the factors above before you can hope to reach any true
conclusions.
Look for EMF’s that appear and disappear. The area you are
investigating must remain constant to pick up appearing and disappearing
fields. If you have the lights on when the high reading appeared,
then they must still be on when the lower reading is recorded.
The same would apply for all appliances and equipment. Never turn
off anything while in the middle of a search. If you find a field
that appears and disappears when the background remains constant,
then you may have activity.
EMF's that seem to move are a significant indicator of activity.
The background needs to remain constant in order to locate such
fields. I have found moving EMF's in several locations. They will
either move away from you or follow you. In one case I was able
to follow a moving EMF through two floors of a building. On another
occasion, I followed a moving EMF into a room and through a wall.
Closer inspection of this wall indicated that there had once been
a doorway there.
I hope that you now have a better understanding of electromagnetic
fields and what can cause them. If anyone is interested in obtaining
an EMF detector, they can be ordered through any major electrical
supply company. I ordered mine through Hite Company in Altoona
for less than fifty dollars. Now when you see me with my box of
little red lights, you will know what I am doing. Good hunting.
Working together as a team a photographer and a person with an
EMF meter can sometimes capture bursts of energy called orbs.
when he is picking up anomalous readings at a location and I snap
a photograph with my digital camera, we will have captured an
orb. Almost always there is a temperature change happening at
this time if an orb is present. These we call cold spots that
often signal a ghost or spirit is present. What is believed to
happen is that the ghost uses the energy in that spot to manifest
itself and, in return, produces a cold mass. These spots can sometimes
be extremely cold. (Cold spots are normally defined as unexplained
temperature variances not accounted for by normal means i.e.:
cold leaking from the seal of a refrigerator, breezes, open windows
etc.)
What
are Orbs? by Dave Juliane

What
are these balls of transparent light we find in photos taken
in allegedly haunted places? I won't tell you I know the answer
to this question. No one has the true answer to this question
yet, but that's part of the job of researchers and investigator.
One of the leading theories
concerning what orbs are and the one that I lean towards the
most is that they are not the spirit at all. The orb is the
energy being transferred from a source (i.e. powerlines, heat
energy, batteries, people, etc) to the spirit so they can manifest.
This may not even be a conscious thing the spirit is doing,
just a natural way they get their energy. This would explain
why the orbs are round balls. According to the laws of Physics
energy being transferring like that would assume is natural
shape of a sphere. This theory can also be tied into the EMF
readings we get during spirit activity.
I always approach things with
a bit of skepticism, so when I saw all these websites start
showing off these photos as ghosts, I was just as weary as most
of you. I just had to try it for myself. I took a 35mm camera
that I had used regularly for 6 years in all types of lighting
and weather and had never gotten an orb or other unexplainable
photo before and went out with a few seasoned field investigators
on a cemetery investigation. One of the investigators was psychic
and she pointed out a few areas we should take photos, so I
did. I also had ghost footsteps walkup behind me twice and I
turned around quickly and took photos of the empty air. When
I got my photos developed, I had these orbs and fog in those
photos that I was told to take, as well as the footstep ones.
All my other photos were normal. Coincidence?
Since we do not know what orbs
truly are, just that they seem to be found mainly in areas where
there is ghost activity, I will tell you what they are not.
On a normal investigation there are about 10 people using 10
different cameras, 35mm and digital, and many speeds and brands
of film. They all get their film developed at separate places.
Let's say only half of these investigators get some orb photos.
Are these water spots or dirt on the lens? That would mean that
5 people all had similar dirt on their lens and all 5 did not
clean their lens either. Are these orbs film processing errors?
Well the 35mm cameras all had their film developed in different
locations and used different film so that is very unlikely.
The digital cameras can't have film-processing errors. I am
aware that some people feel that the orbs on a digital camera
are an error in the digital processing of the image. When that
error does occur in digital photos, the objects tend to be square
in nature, not round and they cannot be semi-transparent, the
pixel behind would have to be corrupted also. I will not even
address the precipitation theory, no legitimate researchers
takes photos in any form of precipitation. What about dust and
dirt being stirred up? Can that be the cause of the orbs? If
that were the case, I would think that there would not be normal
photos in a sequence of photos from the same camera and location.
All of the shots in a sequence should have the dust or dirt
in it. We find that most orb photos do not appear in consecutive
photos. All photographers present should get orbs if it is dust
being stirred up as well.
These
are just a few things for the skeptics to think of when they
are condemning an orb photo as a fake or fraud and some things
for investigators to consider when checking their photos for
positives.
http://theshadowlands.net/ghost/orbs.htm
Ouija
Boards

History
The use of talking boards has roots in the modern Spiritualism
movement that began in The United States in the mid-nineteenth
century. Methods of divination at that time used various ways
to spell out messages, including swinging a pendulum over a
plate that had letters around the edge or using an entire table
to indicate letters drawn on the floor. Often used was a small
wooden tablet supported on casters. This tablet, called a planchette,
was affixed with a pencil that would write out messages in a
fashion similar to automatic writing. It should be noted that
many of these methods predate modern Spiritualism.
During the late 1800s, planchettes
were widely sold as a novelty. In 1890, businessmen Elijah Bond
and Charles Kennard had the idea to patent a planchette sold
with a board on which the alphabet was printed, and thus had
invented the first Ouija board. An employee of Kennard, William
Fuld took over the talking board production and in 1901, he
started production of his own boards under the name "Ouija"
[1].
The Fuld name would become synonymous
with the Ouija board, as Fuld reinventing its history claimed
that he himself had invented it. Countless talking boards from
Fuld's competitors flooded the market and all these boards enjoyed
a heyday from the 1920s through the 1960s. Fuld sued many companies
over the "Ouija" name and concept right up until his
death in 1927. In 1966, Fuld's estate sold the entire business
to Parker Brothers, who continues to hold all trademarks and
patents. About 10 brands of talking boards are sold today under
various names [2]. See also: Ka-Bala
How is it done?
A Ouija board is operated by one or more users. They place the
planchette on the board and then rest their fingers on the planchette.
The users start moving the planchette around the board and speaking
to the entity (or entities) they wish to summon; They then begin
asking questions of it. Eventually the planchette will come
to rest on one letter after another, spelling out a message.
Often an additional participant records the messages on paper.
As with automatic writing, the messages are often vague and
open to interpretation, or complete gibberish.
Some talking boards have words
or phrases written on them to simplify the interpretation of
the messages. Tarot, zodiac, and other esoteric symbols are
frequently incorporated into talking board's design, along with
dramatic and mystical artwork. Some users prefer to improvise
their own Ouija board. They may use a sheet of paper with the
alphabet written on it or lettered cards placed around a table,
together with an object like an overturned glass or coin as
the indicator. Hand-made Ouija boards produced by artists are
valued by talking board enthusiasts and collectors.
Many users feel that the spirit
with whom they are communicating is controlling their motions
to guide their hands, spelling out messages. They see the board
as a tool or medium through which they communicate with the
spirit realm. These believers often take offence at the dismissal
of the talking board as merely a game. Other users contend that
they are in control of their own actions, but that the talking
board allows communication with their inner psychic voice or
subconscious.
Proponents of Ouija boards do
not believe there is any harm in communicating with spiritual
entities, provided basic guidelines are followed. These rules
often vary from user to user, but usually include things like
never playing alone, beginning and ending a séance "properly",
and always using the board in "comfortable" environment.
Numerous superstitions surround Ouija board use.
Skeptical view
Few people who have investigated Ouija boards from a skeptical
viewpoint accept that a piece of cardboard sold as a game can
conjure spirits, evil or benevolent. The accepted theory among
psychologists and skeptics is that the participants are subconsciously
making small, involuntary, physical movements using a well-known,
and well-understood, phenomenon called the Ideomotor effect.
Experiments consistently suggest that, at best, the messages
are received involuntarily from the participants themselves,
and, at worst, by a manipulative player, possibly with the connivance
of confederates within the group present.
In some instances, users of
talking boards have communicated with "ghosts" of
people who were not dead, as demonstrated by the British mentalist
Derren Brown in his 2004 television special Derren Brown: Séance.
Skeptic and magician James Randi, in his book An Encyclopedia
of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural,
points out that when blindfolded, Ouija board operators are
unable to produce intelligible messages. Magicians Penn &
Teller performed a similar demonstration in an episode of their
television show Bullshit!.
These failures indicate, as
skeptics believe, that people are simply very willing to fool
themselves, for example, by the Forer effect. The public (and
frequently energetically flaunted) expression of native and
genuine fears and subconscious desires, often concerning death
or sex, while appearing genuine, can frighten impressionable
people, or cause them to loosen their purse strings (or both).
It is for this reason alone that many skeptics suggest that
the Ouija board is best avoided, particularly when each player
may not absolutely trust, or know, every other player.
Source:
wikipedia
Séance

The
word Seance comes from French séance, 'seat', 'session',
from Old French seoir, 'to sit.' In French as in English the
word came to be used specifically for a meeting of people to
receive spiritualistic messages (a sense first recorded in English
in 1845), but earlier in French and English the word had been
used for meetings more generally.
Part of our human conditioning
tells us that we are part of something more than third dimension.
We envision gods, angels, guides, and others on the other side
who sometimes interact in this realm. As we expand our conscious
awareness - we seek to hear their messages and make a connection
that is far more powerful than that in 3D. It is how we are
programmed. humans have always sought to connect with their
creators - who exist above this realm.
The history of seance communication
can be traced back to the third century. Often a seance was
connect to Occult practices brining fear to those who attended
or heard about them. To many people - the concepts of spirits
on the other side who wished to communicate seemed impossible
often linked to Black Ceremonial Rituals and Magic and of course
the Trickster. This comes from Fear of the Unknown. FEAR is
part of human consciousness. As a soul group we are often ruled
by our issues and fears.
It was during the 1800's that
the seance became popular mainly due to the stardom of the Fox
sisters who began a spiritualist movement. Spiritualism is about
Life After Death - the Spirit Realms.
The Spiritualism movement began with what Allen Kardec termed
typtology. Typtology is a mode of spirit communication in which
spirits lift and tilt a table during a seance to produce rapping
sounds. In organized seances, a number of people would sit around
a table, hold hands, concentrate, and ask questions of the spirits.
The spirits would then answer their questions through a series
of raps, or knocks, similar to someone knocking on a door. In
order to question the spirits, sometimes a simple yes or no
would be indicated by a prescribed number of knocks. In another
method, called alphabetical typtology, letters of the alphabet
were recited and when the letter that the spirit wanted to draw
attention to was called, a rap could be heard; thus spelling
out words, sentences, and so on. Using this method, it was possible
to hold lengthy, detailed conversations with the mysterious
entities responsible for spirit-rapping.
The first recorded spirit-rapping began in America in 1848 with
the playful efforts of Margaretta and Kate Fox to communicate
with the spirits of the dead. Much to their astonishment, they
succeeded in establishing a ghostly dialogue with the spirit
of Charles Haynes. Using rapping noises as its means of communication,
Hayne's spirit conveyed the message that he had been killed
and buried in the basement of their home. When bones were found
in their basement, what had begun as innocent fun became a sensation.
From these humble beginnings, what came to be known as the Spiritualism
movement took root and grew to international proportions. As
a result of their spiritualistic activities, the Fox sisters
were condemned and lived in constant danger. They were attacked
by religious fanatics in their community, and besieged by angry
mobs several times. They were also exploited, and eventually
betrayed by their own sister, Leah, who was said to have been
the beneficiary of most of the donations collected from those
who came to the Fox sisters for spiritual counseling.
As the spiritualism movement
got underway in America and Europe, the strange but well-documented
manifestations of spirit communication such as spirit-rapping
and seance channeling were regarded as weird and unexplainable
events. The great majority of Americans and Europeans viewed
it as nothing more than a bizarre form of entertainment. For
those who took the spirit communications seriously, however,
it quickly became apparent that something more was happening.
Many of the messages received from the spirits were discovered
to be quite accurate. In addition to the messages, other phenomena
were being witnessed and verified by many of the most credible
individuals in American and European society. By 1854, spirit-directed
paranormal phenomenon had reached the level of an interdimensional
invasion. Leading spiritualists in the United States decided
that it was time to undertake an official investigation. The
erudite and well-respected spiritualists petitioned Congress
to appoint a scientific commission to investigate the perplexing
paranormal phenomenon that had been witnessed by so many people.
The petition entitled 'A Memorial'
described the phenomenon produced by the spirits in great detail.
The object of the investigation was described in the petition
as: 1) an occult force, exhibited in sliding, raising, arresting,
holding, suspending, and otherwise disturbing, numerous ponderable
bodies, apparently in direct opposition to the acknowledged
laws of matter, and altogether transcending the accredited powers
of the human mind; 2) lights of various forms and colors, and
of different degrees of intensity, which appear in dark rooms,
where no substances exist, which are liable to develop a chemical
action or phosphorescent illumination, and in the absence of
all the means and instruments whereby electricity is generated
or combustion produced; 3) sounds which are extremely frequent
in their occurrence, widely diversified in their character,
and more or less significant in their import; and 4) how the
functions of the human body and mind are often and strangely
influenced in what appear to be certain abnormal states of the
system, and by causes which are neither adequately defined nor
understood.
This document was delivered
by the former governor of Wisconsin, Nathaniel Tallmadge, to
Senator James Shields to be presented before Congress. Much
to the consternation of the petitioners, Shields scorned the
spiritualists by saying, "the prevalence of this delusion
at this age of the world, among any considerable portion of
our citizens, must originate, in my opinion, in a defective
system of education, or in a partial derangement of the mental
faculties, produced by a diseased condition of the physical
organization. I cannot, therefore, believe that it prevails
to the extent indicated in this petition." Responding to
Shield's criticism, Eliab Capron, a chronicler of the spiritualism
movement, wrote, "It is not probable that any of the Memorialists
expected more favorable treatment than they received. The carpenters
and fishermen of this world are the ones to investigate new
truths, and make senates and crowns believe and respect them.
It is in vain to look for the reception or respect of new truths
by men in high places." The widely documented and verified
invasion of the spirits described above never received a plausible
explanation and is still regarded as a mystery.
In the fifty years that elapsed
between the publication of Kardec's books and the incorporation
of the Union, the spiritualism movement declined in the United
States and Europe. Numerous scandals undermined the credibility
of some of its foremost proponents. By 1888, both of the Fox
sisters confessed that they were cheats. In fact, both sisters
had developed serious drinking problems over the years. At the
behest of her sister Leah, Kate Fox's children were taken from
her by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children,
and placed in foster care. This act led to a great deal of bitterness
and anger against Leah by both Margaretta and Kate. Feeling
exploited and betrayed by their sister Leah, who had collected
and spent the great majority of the money paid to them...Margaretta
and Kate appeared publicly at the New York Academy of Music.
Margaretta confessed that she
had made all the rapping noises that fostered the movement by
means of a double-jointed big toe. Kate remained silent and
would neither confirm nor deny the confession of her sister.
It was later learned that a reporter had offered $1,500 to them
if they would confess and give him an exclusive on the story.
Desperate for money and liquor, the sisters apparently agreed,
and then proceeded to drink their earnings away. Margaretta
recanted her confession in writing shortly before she died in
1895. Kate never recanted, and died shortly afterwards. Both
sisters were buried in pauper's graves.
There has been a lot of investigation
concerning Spiritualism, but not about Spiritualism in general.
The early and later researchers were all concerned about how
to prove or disprove Spiritualistic mediums, the Spiritual world,
the eventually afterlife or to explain strange phenomena's that
occur during seances, or PK and telekinesis, among other related
phenomena which all are claimed to rest upon spiritual or (occult)
mental power.
The
seances in the 19th century tended to be filled with theatrics.
These seances usually took place in darkened parlors with a
round table that sometimes moved.
A
seance generally involves communication between the physical
realms and one or more entities in other dimensions. It is also
called Mediumship. A Medium is the person who contacts 'the
other side.'
We
live in an age when many people are connecting with those on
the other side through a psychic medium - on their own - or
in dream time. The seance does not have to be negative, scary
or spooky.
I
have acted as a 'medium' for many seances. I have personally
never had a negative experience.
As
a Medium I speak with deceased entities in many of my daily
readings. I do not consider these experiences - seances as there
is none of the fan-fare involved with what we associate with
that word.
You
really don't have to do 'spooky stuff' to communicate with spirits.
They are around us all the time and are generally ready to communicate
if someone in third dimension is able to tap into their frequency.
A
group of people mentally calling to spirits will create a stronger
energy field than one person. That is why people often feel
that group energy is needed - called a seance.
When
planning a seacne there are many factors to consider - especially
with teenagers are around as their energies sometimes attract
souls that are dysfunctional.
An
experienced medium should be part of the group to understand
the symbols and messages given by Spirits. If a medium is not
present - one person should lead the group.
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