Glossary Of Ghostly Terms

Anomaly (or anomalous)
That which is not naturally or scientifically explained, different from the norm.

Apparition
The unlikely and unusual lifelike appearance of the deceased. It is not necessarily full bodied and may be dressed in clothing from their time period. Also sometimes called a phantom, specter, or ghost.

Astral body
That part of an individual which contains the feelings and experiences of their lifetime. Usually thought to be in the form of energy or light. Sometimes called the lifespirit, essence, or soul.

Aura
The luminous energy that surrounds all living things and is said to shift in size, color and intensity with state of being.

Channeling
A form of paranormal communication that allows the use of another live persons body parts (vocal cords, hearing, vision, etc.) by another entity. Ancillary channeling involves only listening to and repeating information without direct contact between the two.

Clairaudence
The ability to hear voices and other non audible sounds of another dimension.

Clairvoyance
The ability to "see" residual memories.

Disincarnate
A form that exists outside of the physical body.

Dowsing
A type of divination using rods to determine the location of something.

Ectoplasm
Most reports of this have been debunked and/or disputed. There are many theories and thoughts on ectoplasm, with few of them resembling the green goo in that 1980s popular ghost hunting film.

Theory 1: energy of a spirit present before manifestation, milky white or transparent and smells like ozone.

Theory 2: oily substance similar to plasma that appears mysteriously and leaves no stain or residue.

Theory 3: the appearance of a solid, liquid or vapor which is the final outcome of paranormal materialization resulting from the expansion of so much energy.

Theory 4: basis of all physic phenomena giving consistence and providing contact with other dimensions.

Theory 5: In a process called transfiguration, a medium uses magnetic energy to project this substance which is a spiritual counterpart to protoplasm.

Theory 6: a whitish emission of light that forms into a solid and shapes

Entity
Anyone or anything that exists, or is thought to exist Benevolant-passive, helpful, dormant, loving intentions/behaviors Malevolent- destructive, harmful, angry, frightening intentions/behaviors

Electronic Visual or Voice Phenomena (EVP)
Loosely based on Thomas Edison theory that a machine can be built to capture the voices of the dead. It is thought to be the spiritual manifestation that appears in TV, radio static, or are captured speech on recorded forms, supposedly of the dead.

Extra Sensory Perception (ESP)
Most real episodes involve in a spontaneous occurrence and traumatic or crisis situations. It may appear as a movie or sound and occurs most often in dreams followed by intuitive feelings or hallucinations. The information gained is not always accurate and may be symbolic. The individual who experiences ESP may be more open to paranormal activity.

Ghost
The disembodied soul or recurring apparition of a spirit which may be trapped or earth bound. It may make its presence known thru visual images, scents, hot/cold spots, movement of objects, etc. Many believe that this occurs because of unfinished business, wrongful death, messages that need to be given, punishment of enemies, protection or advice for loved ones, rewarding the living, etc. Normally ghosts are not associated to certain places and can move.

Ghost/Spirit Light
Usually circular shape that can be seen with the naked eye and can move up and down, lasting approximately 15 seconds.

Ghost Hunt
Using methods and techniques in searching areas rumored, thought to, or seem a likely candidate for a possible haunt.

Ghost Investigation
using methods and techniques in investigating actual reports of different forms of hauntings and determining if the phenomena present is natural or paranormal in nature. In some but not most cases, it is also to provide any support and/or help possible to anyone involved.

Haunting
This exists in every culture in historical review. There are several types of hauntings, but they are all usually connected with an object, location, or residence with reported manifestation of unexplained phenomena that is thought to be caused by ghost activity.

Medium
Or "sensitive" person who attempts to communicate with the paranormal realm.

Necromancy
The conjuring up of the dead for magical purposes.

Orb
This is currently of great interest and scrutiny in many investigations. They are not seen with the naked eye, but seem to often be captured on film, seen as sparkles when camera flashes go off, or sometimes there is an anomalous reading in electrical magnetic field meter (EMF).

Theory 1: the life force or spirit of a person usually seen as a white/transparent circular shape

Theory 2: electrons and protons of an electrical-magnetic field moving so fast that it cannot be seen

Theory 3: unknown in origin but often captured on film in haunted locations and cemeteries

Theory 4: nature spirits, which are found everywhere

Theory 5: totally natural in occurrence, i.e., moisture in the air, dust, reflections, etc.

Paranormal
Also called supernatural, it is something unexplainable beyond normal experiences and rational cause and effect and defies the laws of nature.

Psychokinesis (PK)
the minds ability to affect the external world either spontaneously or by projection.

Psychical Research
Sometimes called parapsychology, is a branch of science concerned with the study of ESP and PK and gathering evidence that consciousness survives the bodies death.

Spirit
The human soul after leaving the body, similar to ghost with the exception that many researchers feel that the spirit has "crossed over" and exists separately on another plane or dimension and has the capability to return for various purposes.

Spiritualism
A mid 1800s movement which later became a religion centering on proving life everlasting for the spirit.

Vortex
Sometimes called a tuber, is unexplained energy caught on film in a suspected haunted location. Can appear in various shape and colors and has a tubular shape. It may look like a camera strap.

Theory 1: several orbs captured possibly in motion

Theory 2: connected with a portal

Theory 3: geomagnetic energy

Will o the Wisp
Thought to be a ghost light (see above) in that they appear in remote areas, only seen from certain angles and distances, react to noise and light, often a humming or buzzing noise associated with them, tragic event, and local folklore.

German: believe it to be a lost or trapped soul

Native American: fire spirit warning of danger

Some African cultures: witch light to scare people into doing good and right

Russia: souls of stillborn children

Other European: not good enough for heaven, or bad enough for hell

Respectfully submitted by msghosthunter, aka Rachel

Glossary Of Ghostly Terms

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