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16 Signs That Your House is Haunted

by RebelSnake | Published on October 30th, 2007, 7:05 am | Life
http://paranormal.about.com/od/ghosthuntinggeninfo/a/aa060704.htm
16 Signs That Your House is Haunted
From Stephen Wagner,
Your Guide to Paranormal Phenomena.
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What to watch for – and what to do about it
You hear heavy footsteps in the upstairs hallway when you know no one is up there. Doors slam unaccountably. Commonly used items disappear and reappear without cause. The kitchen light turns on by itself. There's the unmistakable scent of a strange perfume in the air.
These may be indications that your house is haunted. True hauntings are rare occurrences, and it may be difficult to determine whether or not any strange phenomena you are experiencing in your home might be due to a haunting. For one thing, no one really knows what a "real" haunting is - what causes it or why it starts. There are many theories, of course, which we have discussed in this space in the article "Ghosts: What Are They?" But if you think your house may really be haunted, what can you do about it?

The Signs of a Haunting

The first step is to determine, as best you can, whether or not you truly have a legitimate case of a haunting.

Not all hauntings are alike, and they may exhibit a variety of phenomena. Some hauntings feature a single phenomenon - such as a particular door slamming shut that occurs repeatedly - while others consist of many different phenomena, ranging from odd noises to full-blown apparitions.
Here's a partial list of phenomena that might indicate that your house is haunted:

Unexplained noises - footsteps; knocks, banging, rapping; scratching sounds; sounds of something being dropped. Sometimes these noises can be subtle and other times they can be quite loud.
Doors, cabinets and cupboards opening and closing - most often, these phenomena are not seen directly. The experiencer either hears the distinct sounds of the doors opening and closing (homeowners get to know quite well the distinctive sounds their houses make) or the experiencer will return to a room to find a door open or closed when they are certain that it was left in the opposite position. Sometimes furniture, like kitchen chairs, are perceived to have been moved. Very rarely will the experiencer actually witness the phenomenon taking place.
Lights turning off and on - likewise, these events are seldom seen actually occurring, but the lights are switched on or off when the experiencer knows they were not left that way. This can also happen with TVs, radios and other electrically powered items.
Items disappearing and reappearing - this phenomenon, which we have dubbed "the DOPler Effect" (DOP = Disappearing Object Phenomenon), has been examined in the article "The DOPler Effect." Others have called this "the borrowers" phenomenon, and it's the familiar experience of not being able to find a regularly used item - say, your set of car keys - which you believe you placed in a spot you routinely place them. But they're gone and you look high and low for them with no success. Some time later, the keys are found - in exactly the place you normally put them. It's as if the object was borrowed by someone or something for a short time, then returned. Sometimes they are not returned for days or even weeks, but when they are, it's in an obvious place that could not have been missed by even a casual search.
Unexplained shadows - the sighting of fleeting shapes and shadows, usually seen out of the corner of the eye. This phenomenon has also been discussed in some detail in "Shadow People." Many times, the shadows have vaguely human forms, while other times they are less distinguishable or smaller.
Strange animal behavior - a dog, cat or other pet behaves strangely. Dogs may bark at something unseen, cower without apparent reason or refuse to enter a room they normally do. Cats may seem to be "watching" something cross a room. Animals have sharper senses than humans, and many researchers think their psychic abilities might be more finely tuned also. (See "Animals and Ghosts" )
Feelings of being watched - this is not an uncommon feeling and can be attributed to many things, but it could have a paranormal source if the feeling consistently occurs in a particular part of the house at a particular time.
Those are some of the most common experiences of those who think their houses are haunted. Yet even stranger things can happen...
The following phenomena are more rare, but could be stronger evidence of a haunting:

Mild psychokinetic phenomena - hearing a door open or close is one thing. Actually seeing it happen is quite another. Similarly, actually seeing a light go on or off by itself is greater proof that something unexplained is happening. Do you see the TV or radio turn on? Or perhaps you're present when a child's powered toy begins to operate on its own. Doors and windows are locked or unlocked. Some people report that when they are in bed they can feel and/or hear something sitting on the bed.
Feelings of being touched - the feeling of being watched is one thing, and actually feeling like you are being touched is quite another.

Some people feel something brush past them, something touching their hair or "a hand" on the shoulder. Some feel a gentle poke, push or nudge.
Cries and whispers - on occasion, muffled voices, whispering and crying can be heard. Sometimes it's music from some unknown source. People hear their names being said. This phenomenon, as is true for the one above, gains more credibility if more than one person hears or sees the same thing at the same time.
Cold or hot spots - cold spots are classic haunting symptoms, but any instance of a noticeable variance in temperature without a discernable cause could be evidence.
Unexplained smells - the distinct fragrance of a perfume or cologne that you do not have in your house. This phenomenon comes and goes without any apparent cause and may accompany other phenomena, such as shadows, voices or psychokinetic phenomena. Foul odors can happen in the same way.
Rarer still are more extreme phenomena, some of which have been called poltergeist phenomena, and can be quite strong evidence of a true haunting:

Moving or levitating objects (severe psychokinetic phenomena) - dinner plates sliding across the table; pictures flying off walls; doors slamming shut with great force; furniture sliding across the floor.
Physical assault - scratches, slaps and hard shoves. This kind of personal assault is extremely rare, but obviously highly disturbing.
Other physical evidence - unexplained writing on paper or walls; handprints and footprints.
Apparitions - physical manifestation of a spirit or entity. These phenomena are also very rare and can take many forms: human-shaped mists or forming mists of some indistinguishable shape; transparent human forms that disappear quickly; and most rarely, human forms that look as real and solid as any living person, but that disappear into a room or even while being viewed.
A person who has experienced some of these phenomena might have cause to believe that his or her house is haunted. But maybe not. In fact, according to most experts, probably not. The human mind and human senses (as any magician will tell you) are easily fooled. And people can often mistake explainable (if unusual) occurrences in their homes for the paranormal.

Before you decide there's a ghost in your house or move out from fear, do your best to find rational explanations for what you are experiencing. Virtually all of the phenomena listed on the previous page could have perfectly natural causes:

noises could be house settling, plumbing or even vermin such as mice and squirrels
opening and closing doors could be faulty hinges or caused by drafts
DOPler phenomena could just be carelessness and forgetfulness
shadows could be just that - shadows caused, perhaps, by a passing car's headlights
as real as some of these things might seem to you, they really could be just products of your imagination
Of course, the more extreme the phenomena, the harder they are to dismiss.


And, as noted above, if multiple witnesses experience the same phenomena, they are likely to be taken more seriously.
Get help in finding rational explanations for the phenomena. A plumber might help you find the cause of that banging. A carpenter can fix that door from closing on its own. A friend or neighbor might be able to look at your particular experience in a different way and offer a reasonable explanation for your "haunting" that you might not have though of. In short, make every possible effort to prove that your house is not haunted.

Keep A Journal

If you feel you have ruled out rational explanations for the phenomena that are taking place in your house, and they are still occurring on a more or less regular basis, document them. Keep a journal of the phenomena as they happen. For example:

June 2, 2002; 10:30 p.m. - Was sitting watch TV when the bathroom light switched on by itself. Went in and turned it off again.
June 10, 2002; 9:14 p.m. - Was in the kitchen and heard the footsteps crossing the upstairs hallway again. No one was up there. Went up to investigate and could find no cause.
A journal such as this could help with any formal investigation of the phenomena by experts.

If you hear unexplained noises, attempt to record them with a portable tape recorder. If there are physical phenomena of any kind, photograph or videotape them. Keep your journal, recording and camera equipment readily available so you can document the phenomena as it happens.

Call the Experts

When should you call a paranormal investigator? Only when you have ruled out any rational explanations for the phenomena you are experiencing and are thoroughly convinced that your house is truly haunted should you contact the experts. Of course, if the phenomena are extreme and you feel that you and your family are in any kind of physical or psychological danger, you should call for help right away.

Who are the experts? There are hundreds of paranormal investigation organizations across the U.S. and Canada. You can find a state-by-state listing of many of them here, although I cannot vouch for the expertise of any of them. Most certainly, they vary in expertise and in the degree of their practical experience, so you should be careful in your choice. Troy Taylor, in his article "What Do To When Your House is Haunted," provides some very good advice for choosing paranormal investigators, including the qualities they should have and specific questions you should ask them before inviting them to check out your home.

Despite whatever strangeness you are experiencing, your house probably is not haunted. But if it is, perhaps it is a benign spirit or phenomenon that you can live with. Usually, it is something you need not fear.


Always seek out the rational before considering irrational explanations.
 
 
It's amazing to me to see that a recent poll shows that something like 35% of Americans actually believe in ghosts. I grew out of that phase when I was 12, for goodness' sake.

Now, I'll go out and enjoy a good ghost walk or stories around a campfire as well as anyone, but gee whiz, people! Grow up!
October 30th, 2007, 7:29 am
User avatar
SouthernFriedInfidel
 
Location: 5th circle of hell -- actually not very crowded at the moment.
I love a good ghost story and get a kick out of those 'spirit walks'. Never have seen ANYTHING to make me believe any of it, but I love it just the same! :D I think its possible to have a rational mind, yet still enjoy some irrational things.
"You can't put the civil rights of a minority up for a majority vote."
October 30th, 2007, 7:52 am
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Sanjuro
Expert...on everything...
 
Sanjuro wrote:I love a good ghost story and get a kick out of those 'spirit walks'. Never have seen ANYTHING to make me believe any of it, but I love it just the same! :D I think its possible to have a rational mind, yet still enjoy some irrational things.

Yeah, the key is to know when you need to be mindful of the difference between fantasy and reality.
October 30th, 2007, 8:10 am
User avatar
SouthernFriedInfidel
 
Location: 5th circle of hell -- actually not very crowded at the moment.
SouthernFriedInfidel wrote:Yeah, the key is to know when you need to be mindful of the difference between fantasy and reality.


Bingo!! :mrgreen:
October 30th, 2007, 9:13 am
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RebelSnake
 
Location: Greensboro
SouthernFriedInfidel wrote:Yeah, the key is to know when you need to be mindful of the difference between fantasy and reality.

But not at the expense of the imagination! I think it takes a healthy imagination to be able to live in the fantasy for a while. And ya know what, its ok!
October 30th, 2007, 9:25 am
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Sanjuro
Expert...on everything...
 
I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'm somewhat atheist leaning... you all know that, but honestly, Ghosts.... I think could be real on some level.

Suppose multi-dimensions are real, or that timelines aren't chronological in all aspects. I'm not scientist, but what if Ghosts are "real-alive" people in other timelines, or dimensions which somehow blead through to our own?

Anyhow.... Ginger my dog from when I was 10 sleeps behind the couch. Or atleast that's the joke.
October 30th, 2007, 9:38 am
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Liv
I show you something fantastic and you find fault.
 
Location: Greensboro, NC
Liv wrote:I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'm somewhat atheist leaning... you all know that, but honestly, Ghosts.... I think could be real on some level.


Well here's my take on it.. if it is able to be sensed by our five senses, it should be able to be recorded in some way. With all the 'haunted' places around, there has been not one shred of concrete evidence that anything like this exists. Even rare animals leave some evidence behind or are recorded on video that leaves little room to be refuted. In this age of camera phones, video surveillance, and 24 hour news, something would have been recorded.
October 30th, 2007, 10:11 am
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Sanjuro
Expert...on everything...
 
Yeah, but look some animals we've discovered lately which we thought were only Sci Fi till we discovered them.

Perhaps just the fact that we have some sort of phenomenon by which we've labeled as Ghost is enough for us to say some sort of human perception recognizes it, even if it's not in the part of the brain we can clearly understand.

Perhaps we're not evolved enough to see it, or build technology to capture it?
October 30th, 2007, 11:40 am
User avatar
Liv
I show you something fantastic and you find fault.
 
Location: Greensboro, NC
Liv wrote:Yeah, but look some animals we've discovered lately which we thought were only Sci Fi till we discovered them.

Perhaps just the fact that we have some sort of phenomenon by which we've labeled as Ghost is enough for us to say some sort of human perception recognizes it, even if it's not in the part of the brain we can clearly understand.

Perhaps we're not evolved enough to see it, or build technology to capture it?


Heres the problem with that argument. Lets say a lot of people claim to see the rare "spotted three headed eel", but see it for only a fleeting second before it disappears. There is a lot of ocean out there and we cant always know where said eel will be. Therefore detection is very hard.

Now, lets say due to reports from people that we "know" a certain house is haunted. You can set up all the scientific equipment you want and cover every conceivable aspect of it and still not capture anything. Now, if the "Spotted three headed eel" was confined to that house, it would be picked up and detected instantly 'somewhere'. See my point?
October 31st, 2007, 8:44 am
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Sanjuro
Expert...on everything...
 
Well, I'm just being a Devils advocate, but many "Ghost Hunters" would take the same house you say nothing is detected in, and would suggest the orbs in pictures or that electrical noise phenomenon thing is definitive proof of detection.

The problem is we don't know what we are dealing with or if our means of detection is detecting "it" or some side-effect of it's presence.

I mean it's not so hard to believe in any aspect. I mean if energy and matter are interchangeable, why would it be such a stretch.

I mean if I pull out my multi-meter and test my electrical switch in the wall, I can prove it's existence because the display will alternate between 120 and 0.... but if I shut of the power to that switch and put a tester to it, it shows 0.... I could sit there for weeks and not detect anything, but the moment the switch is turned on I'd show it's existence. Truly what I'm arguing here is we don't know what or for what reasons these phenomenons would be detected and if they're directly related to the "ghost"
October 31st, 2007, 7:23 pm
User avatar
Liv
I show you something fantastic and you find fault.
 
Location: Greensboro, NC
My dog is always shaking nonstop and barking for no reason. One time when he was doing this he was in the corner of the room frightend when nothing or no one was down there. Kinda creeped out... :o :shock:
July 18th, 2010, 5:57 pm
livly1013
 
Sounds like a canine teabagger
All stupid ideas pass through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is ridiculed. Third, it is ridiculed
July 19th, 2010, 9:56 am
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A Person
 
Location: Slightly west of the Great White North
A Person wrote:Sounds like a canine teabagger


Don't you need peanut butter for that?!
July 19th, 2010, 10:46 am
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Sanjuro
Expert...on everything...
 
Dogs prefer marmite
July 19th, 2010, 11:07 am
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A Person
 
Location: Slightly west of the Great White North
Sanjuro wrote:
A Person wrote:Sounds like a canine teabagger


Don't you need peanut butter for that?!


Ok trolls... I'm gonna have to ask you to keep the thread on topic or I'll just have to report ya to the mods.

Sound familiar? :whistle:
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second,it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
July 19th, 2010, 6:51 pm
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BecauseHeLives
 
humorverboten.jpg
July 20th, 2010, 10:54 am
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A Person
 
Location: Slightly west of the Great White North

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