We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt

WE’RE NOT SCARED!

Credit (and massive thanks) Mrs J

Michael Rosen was writing about hunting bears in his classic poem, but this seems a good starting point for a guide on what to expect from a ghost hunt, especially for your first one.

I do not profess to be an expert in anything but thinking back to my first field trip at Tonbridge Castle, not knowing what to expect was something that detracted from my initial experience. Sure, I had researched techniques and the equipment, but when your joining instructions tell you to dress appropriately, wear good shoes and bring a torch, how do you know what you are getting yourself into?

Firstly you have to consider what it is you are wanting to get out of the experience. Is it that you just want to be frightened? You want to know the spooky history of a location? Or is that you want to have the paranormal investigator experience and uncover some evidence of the hereafter?

If it is the burst of fear induced adrenaline you seek, then an investigation is probably not going to provide the experience that you are after. You are probably better off looking at a scare night or something similar, where performers and special effects will place you in the action of a horror film to get your guaranteed fix. The same is true for the history seekers as an investigation is unlikely to provide you the detail you are looking for and so a ghost walk or tour is more likely going to satisfy your knowledge cravings. However there are some companies that have successfully combined the walk with elements of investigation (which may be a good starting point if you are unsure of the direction you want to go in – see Secrets of Glastonbury Part 3)

If you are still with me, then I’m guessing you want to break out the cat balls and find some ghosts.

Finding a company that offers hunts or investigations is not hard, a simple search and you will find hundreds across the world, what is harder is finding a company that is right for you. The companies that I have investigated with have been fantastic, but they have their own personalities and their own way of doing things. So check the reviews and ask questions – what no reputable company will do is fake things and so you have to understand that you may not find anything paranormal at all. It is important to realise that 99% of the time you are just waiting for that hopeful 1% of activity.

What these companies do offer is the opportunity to be within locations that have some track record of hauntings. Places where there have been reported smells, sightings and activity; from historic inns, castles and museums to more modern sites of paranormal interest and legend for varying prices.

Credit: SJP

Everything comes at a price, and so this now becomes a financial decision. Many companies will offer part payment or deposit options but ultimately venues charge, equipment and insurance incur costs and an element of profit has to be factored in. As a rough guide £30 to £40 will get you a golden ticket, but more famous or more difficult to come by locations attract a higher price tag.

So once you have selected your evening and received that confirmation email, what do you do? You can research the history, previous experiences and get the famous names, but you could fall foul of a phenomenon known as priming. You are already going somewhere where you expect to experience a ghost, so having prior knowledge of who you may encounter can have an effect on your reasoning abilities once the lights start flashing and the planchette is moving. The advert will generally have enough information to peak your interest, with a brief history to get a feel (some others go much further with dramatic language promising terror and shadows at every turn – but sex sells right?) and this will be sufficient to get you going. My advice is to hold off on the research, that can come later if you decide to review your evidence.

Your night has arrived, you have read the joining instructions, but what to wear? A lot of this will depend on the venue that you are investigating and the time of year. Remember that central heating is a fairly modern invention, so layer up as even if it is warm outside. Standing around and calling out into the darkness whilst shivering is not what anyone would call fun. Talking about standing about, there can be a lot of this as well as staircases and uneven ground, so wear good shoes. No one will thank you if you roll an ankle because your footwear was inappropriate. It is also well worth remembering that history can be dusty, muddy and wet so wearing your finest comfortable attire might not be the best call for some locations (in the dark no one can see you anyway).

It is also well worth noting that most companies have a zero tolerance on alcohol and drug use, before and during an investigation. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is that alcohol and drugs affect your perceptions and behaviour, so having a strong one to calm your nerves may not be the best thing to do as the company may refuse you passage.

Wrapped up like the Michelin Man (and as sober as a judge), you arrive at your venue. You sign in (or your life away as some companies have waivers for their insurance) and you get your group number. My advice is get to know who you will be investigating with. As a solo investigator I find it good to talk to people as it could be a long, lonely night otherwise.

Once everyone has arrived the night will begin with a briefing, this covers an introduction to your team for the night, general health and safety, how the night will be structured, an overview of the equipment and a promise that there will be no fakery. Some companies will utilise a protection ritual but all will ask you for the most important thing – an open mind and a willingness to get involved.

Many theories state that spirits require energy, the more the better. Just as people are attracted to activity, to laughter, to something that will engage their interest, so are spirits. So making conversation, telling jokes and asking questions are all things that they can react and respond to. If you had a choice of being with two groups, one with their hands in their pockets, disinterested, or one who was loud and inquisitive where would you go? You’d go where their action is surely. Spirits are no different as they once were people too.

Credit:SJP

There is nothing wrong if there is a particular experiment or bit of kit (here’s looking at you spirit board) that makes you uncomfortable, no one is going to force you to do anything that you don’t want to do. But be engaged with what is going on, throw in a question or two (as after all you have paid the same as all the other guests) and help sustain the energy in the room.

I find it interesting talking to other guests at these events of the people they have come across that have negatively impacted on their previous experiences. I must have been lucky to avoid the worst offenders who have the following character profiles:

The Pier Medium – loud, obnoxious and domineering of the experiments with proclamations of what they can sense even if it is at odds with what is happening with the experiments because they are the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter and born with a caul under Uranus with the moon in the microwave.

The Septic Sceptic – the antithesis of the Pier Medium. Loudly debunking and ridiculing the experiments and its results. Often rude and abusive towards others and their theories.

The Veruca Salt – Demanding of the attention of the spirit, identified by the catchphrases “I want a ghost to touch me now!!” or “Make a ghost appear now!!.” The spoiled brat of the golden ticket  winners The Veruca Salt often doesn’t make the full night before a tried and tested excuse means they have to leave because they haven’t got what they wanted.

The Quiet Riot – hiding in the shadows and not wanting to get involved during any of the experiments during the evening, the Quiet Riot comes into their own in the review section the morning after, slating the team, the company and everyone else because there was minimal activity or the event they expected was not what was advertised.

The Reluctant Lurker – A curious creature who is willing to pay to attend an investigation but doesn’t want to get involved. A group of these together can make for a long night for all involved.

The Scare-Me Scare-Me – this beast is illiterate, expecting jump-scares at every corner and disappointed when all they get is a flashing cat ball (should have read the advert).

The Faker – An interesting character, especially when in packs (as they can become competitive), who will knock walls, throw objects and move planchettes to show off, often will claim possession but not provide any award-winning performances.

The Screamer – every knock, bang or bit activity becomes a drama with the piercing wail of the Screamer. Appears to enjoy being centre of attention, can be headache inducing.

Part of the reason that public paranormal investigations attract these people is television. The expectation that in 30 minutes you can go from nothing to prime time poltergeist activity with demons at every turn, makes good watching but is not reality. The reality of the hours of standing in the dark hoping that you might get a flicker of an orange LED on a K-II meter or the flashing lights of a cat ball is left on the cutting room floor. They only present the good stuff as that is what will get the green light for a second season.

So don’t be one of these characters, you spoil it for the rest of the guests, and make the crew’s job harder. They are mostly volunteers, giving up their time to give you the experience of the world that they love so please just get involved. And if you don’t know what to say, ask. I’ve not met anyone running these events who will judge you and there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Credit: SJP

So your first session is in full swing, maybe you have some activity on some of the equipment, maybe the temperature is dropping, maybe there is nothing going on at all. You have to keep going. Keep asking questions – but more importantly check how you are feeling and call it out, no one will judge you and more than likely there will be someone else feeling or experiencing the same thing.

As I have said before I am as sensitive as a house brick. I am not a medium or a sensitive and do not profess to be, but the human body is an amazing sensory device. It is important to check how you feel, when you enter a room – check; when you are mid experiment – check. Are you comfortable in this environment? Any emotional or physical change? This is all part of the investigative process and the reason why you are here, stood in the dark, talking to the invisible.

Fear is a powerful response, adrenaline flooding your body prompts a flight or fight response. Your senses become heightened and this can be useful when investigating, but also be mindful of it. Try to remain grounded and use your logical thought to process what is going on around you. Remember that the companies want you to come back and they will do everything they can to keep you physically and spiritually safe.

Spiritual protection has more focus with some organisations than others. But there are things that you can do if you want to. One of the techniques that I use is a white light protection, where I take a moment before I even enter the location and close my eyes. I imagine a white light shining down and covering my body and ask to be kept safe from any harm as I explore the unknown. Companies that employ a ritual will have you stood in a circle around a candle, holding hands with your fellow investigators as they recite a prayer or spell of protection (with some more liberal with the condiments than others). It is important to be mindful of others’ beliefs and opinions, so remember keep you mind open (and if you can’t, keep your mouth shut).

Shielded with light armour you may feel that you are invincible, you’re not, so my other advice is not to antagonise. There is a time and a place to be forceful, but you should only do this when you feel able and comfortable to do so – your first foray into the field is probably not the time. You are not expected to be a street-corner exorcist, casting out demons – you are there with respect to find out answers and discover evidence.

There is nothing wrong with owning your personal space, so if you feel hemmed in and encroached upon then say so and ask for whatever is causing this feeling to step back. There is a theory that newcomers to paranormal investigation are of a greater interest to the spirit world and as such attract more attention than the seasoned hunter, like moths to a flame. So be respectful but maintain your boundaries and if you need help, ask someone.

Hopefully, as time is called on your first session, you are buzzing (especially if you have had some interesting activity) and wanting to continue. I know you will not want to stop what you are doing, but breaks are important. Use them to process what you have experienced, talk to your group (be mindful of priming other groups if they have not yet experienced your location), have a drink and use the loo as it is important to look after yourself.

Your night will continue, and hopefully you will see a wide variety of techniques, equipment and get involved with lots of experiments. Maintain your energy and get involved as soon it will be over.

You will traipse back to a muster point to say your goodbyes, provide feedback and check out. Companies that use a protection ritual may have a further circle to close down the spell but if they don’t you can borrow one that I borrowed from Richard Estep (who borrowed it from a friend of his)

After you have left your location, stop and take a moment. Close your eyes if this helps. Imagine a white light enveloping your body. Then either in your head or out loud (whatever is your preference) thank the spirits for their interaction this evening, but firmly tell them that their place is here and they do not have permission to attach themselves to or follow you home. Once you have told them allow the white light to dissipate. Now drink lots of water and go home and get some sleep.

The morning after the night before will complete your investigation experience. My advice for what is termed the paranormal hangover is to drink plenty of water and have something nice to eat. The feeling of being drained is not uncommon after an investigation as you have been expending and sharing your own energy during the evening. After a bit of rest you will soon be searching for your next adventure, and who knows maybe planning on writing a blog of your own.

Happy Hunting