Category Archives: Tina R. McSwain

By Tina R. McSwain

Intelligent Haunts

Whereas last week we talked about residual haunts which are basically a past memory replayed in the present, an intelligent haunt involves the presence of a spirit. Thus, they are responsible for actual haunted houses. Said spirit may manifest itself in any number of ways. This type of haunting usually has a “personality” associated with it. Just as some living people are jovial, and some are crass; some spirits may be malevolent while others are mischievous and playful. A child’s ghost for example, would act like a child. You may hear childlike laughter or giggling, hear the pitter-patter of little feet, or a living child’s toys may get played with or moved about the room.

The “ghost” may only appear to one member of the household or may put on a show for the entire family. The family pets may react to this unseen force as well. Sometimes the entity simply wants to make its presence known. Other times it may appear as if going about its daily routine while alive. This is a probable explanation for doors being opened and closed, cabinets being opened, drawers being pulled out seemingly by themselves, or items moving on their own. The spirit is still going about his or her business as if still living in the house, or working in the office. A spirit may also manifest in defiance of changes to the property. We hear all the time of remodeling projects bringing out the past inhabitants of the home.

Whatever the nature of this paranormal activity; this type of spirit is there for a reason. Many times the person died with unfinished business, or met an untimely demise. They could have died so suddenly that they are still coming to grips with their passing. They may not even realize they have passed. They could be lost, confused, or angry about having to “leave”. They may just flatly refuse to go, wishing instead to remain in the home they have lived in during life. On occasion, some people will “come back” to watch over their relatives or their property.

Intelligent haunts take many forms; EVP or voices, certain smells like cigar smoke or perfume, footsteps, hot or cold spots, apparitions, physical movement of objects, or even touching of the living is possible. How and where it most commonly manifests is important as to who it may be. Interviews with the family or other witnesses may prove useful in identifying the entity. Research on the property can also provide clues to the identity of the spirit as well as its motives for appearing.

Documenting the presence of a spirit is easier said than done. You may employ everything from EMF detectors and audio recorders to special cameras and “trigger objects” (something the ghost may recognize and want to move). While there are many ways to coax activity from the spirit, you must remember it is an intelligent force with a mind of its own. It may or may not want to come out and play or interact with you in the way you would like. Provoking is dangerous and absolutely not recommended. Provoking, daring or belittling the spirit can lead to retaliation and escalation of activity. Something a frightened family does not need.

Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

By Tina R. McSwain

What is a Ghost?

The above question has many answers. Those answers will depend on your personal perspective of life and death, religious beliefs and practices, cultural influences, and even your nationality.

From Webster’s Dictionary, the word “ghost” is defined as “the apparition of a dead person, a specter, a disembodied spirit, semblance or shadow”. It can be viewed as the immortal part of man that remains once the body dies. The soul that has stayed on earth rather than journeying on to the next plane of existence. I believe it is possible to answer that question with one word…Energy. This view can be explained by science using The Law of Conservation of Mass which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be rearranged or converted into a different form (i.e. water changing form from a solid (ice) to liquid or gas (water vapor). The human body is basically a battery. We are made up primarily of water. Our brain sends electrical impulses, fires neurons, in order to make our body operate. The food we eat is metabolized to create the energy required within our bodies to live. We undergo chemical processes such as digestion and respiration. Does the energy of our bodies carry on after death in some new and different form to become the spiritual energy of the soul?

Some may try to use other terms in answer to the question of what constitutes a ghost. Even Webster’s has listed various synonyms as definitions of a ghost. Often these terms are used erroneously. Take the word Demon for example. This is not a ghost. A demon, from a religious point of view, is a minion of Satan. Just as an Angel would be a messenger of God. These entities are far beyond the scope of a ghost. One may say a ghost is a Banshee (but only if it is a wailing woman spirit from Ireland) or a Poltergeist (German for “noisy ghost” which may not be a ghost at all). Someone in a predominately Islamic country may call it a Jinn (a fiery spirit created by Allah that dwells in unclean places and plots the ruin of man) or a Ghoul (a sand dwelling evil spirit who robs graves and consumes the flesh of the dead). Followers of the various nature religions may deem it an Elemental (an entity composed of one of the four elements of earth, wind, fire or water). Certain Native Americans may call it a Chindi (an avenging spirit, released at death, to attack those who offended the deceased). More accurately, the following words could be used to describe a ghost: apparition, bogey, entity, haint (an antiquated term), haunt, phantasm, phantom, presence, revenant, shadow or shade, soul, specter, spectre, spirit, spook, or wraith.

The nature of a ghost is truly an age-old question. The Ancient Egyptians made a distinction between the soul and the spirit. They believed that, at the moment of death, the consciousness split into two different forms. The Ba represented the soul that continued on through reincarnation. The Ka represented the life force created at birth and released at death, and was considered the psychic residue of the previous human spirit. The Ka was left behind on earth.

Now, after all is said and done, my answer to this query is energy, or more aptly, spiritual energy. What is yours?