Basics EMF Motion Detector Night Vision Compass Camera Thermometer
Recent years have brought the eternal curiosity about the afterlife to new, more technical levels on a wide scale. Paranormal investigators, trying to shake their pseudo-scientist status, have worked to bring a more controlled environment into the investigation of unexplained spiritual phenomena. These are some of the tools they use to try to bring validity into their experiments.
It is theorized that the
best times to hunt are during the full moon or new moon (no visible moon)
phases, the solstices and equinox (see dates below for 2005), and the harvest
moon: the full moon nearest the Fall (Autumnal) Equinox. The best time of
day is said to be the hours just before and after sunset.
Vernal Equinox - March 20, 2005
Summer Solstice - June 21, 2005
Autumnal Equinox - September 22, 2005
Winter Solstice - December 21, 2005
According to people in the know, you shouldn't even begin to start a serious paranormal investigation without the following items:
+Permission to go wherever it is
you want to go. I myself have had very uncomfortable run-ins with owners of
property, and believe me - they consider it less than valid that you are
trespassing to "look for ghosts". No one wants to end up in jail, ripped to
shreds by a guard dog, or shot, for God's sake...
+An ID is always a nice idea, in case you
happen to become acquainted with a police officer at some point...
+A companion. In case you need help, of
course. And who believes some ya-hoo who says he saw a ghost in the cemetery at
2 AM, by himself.
+A flashlight with spare batteries. You need
to see. Ghosthunters say that their batteries always go dead on expeditions.
Bring some for any equipment you have, as well.
+Some people bring a candle,
in case all of their batteries fail and they want to test out any possible
drafts in an area. Plus it lends that spooky Vincent Price touch to an evening.
But don't burn anything down.
+Establish a base area nearby to put all of your
excess junk. The less noise you make in your travels, the better. It's best to
examine the places you will go during the day first if you are planning a night
visit.
+It is wise to keep a log book
of what you hear, see, smell, whatever. So should your companion.
+Zip lock bags
are handy to store any evidence you find, like little witch dolls made from a
former friend's shirt, teeth and hair.
+Chalk can be used to draw circles around
any objects that you are monitoring for movement. For instance, if you are
investigating a possessed raggedy Ann doll, draw a circle around her to see if
she moved while you weren't looking... Also use it to mark your way back if
you're in a large building with no lights.
+A regular glass thermometer
is better than a digital thermometer to record cold spots in the case of ghost
hunting. Electronics short out. Be aware that it takes a full 3 minutes for a
mercury thermometer to reach an accurate temperature reading. If you want to go
all out, there's always the infrared thermometer.
+Don't drink booze or imbibe in any chemical
revelry during or before your ghost hunting trip if you want to be considered
serious in your pursuits.
+It's a nice gesture to tell your ghosts a fond
"Thank You" when you're done.
+You shouldn't develop your own film, as people
will think you are full of crap if anything does show up. Take it to Wal Mart,
like everyone else.
more ghost hunting tricks
A primitive way to detect fluctuations in EMF, as well as a very handy tool to keep you from getting caught in a "Blair Witch Project" situation.
Paranormal investigators recommend a very cheap 35 mm camera using 400 speed film, because it gives the most "raw" exposure... Apparently cameras that utilize newer technology don't work as well. A disposable camera is one of the cheapest and best alternatives. Polaroid instant cameras are said to take interesting images as well, and give immediate results.
Tape Recorder
Many paranormal investigators feel this is an essential for any trip. You should use a brand new tape with each excursion. Listen closely afterward for any bizarre noises or sounds you might have picked up. There are many websites that feature noises that sound like voices that were recorded in empty, silent rooms during paranormal investigations.
Many paranormal investigators feel that fluctuations in magnetic fields occur when a ghost or supernatural being is near. The EMF meter gauges these fluctuations. It can read through physical barriers, like walls. Be aware, however, that these same fields are given off by many electronic devices, including: electrical wiring, fuse boxes, power lines (buried or elevated), fluorescent lights, (to a lesser extent incandescent lights), cell phones, and any electrical appliance or device while it is running (including TV's, refrigerators, fans, clocks, and anything else that needs plugged in). Ground that has a high iron content can cause false readings. Also, the meter has to be held in a steady position to read properly. If moved around too much, it can give false readings.
Jumps in the readings of EMF are said to be a positive indicator on a ghost investigation. Ideally, any of the poor conditions stated above will be eliminated in an investigation. If that is impossible (i.e., you are investigating near a power line), baseline readings must be taken to account for already elevated EMF fields.
Some investigators say that you can actually track movement of an elevated EMF field through an area where strange activity has been reported - through houses from one floor to the next, and so on.
For obvious reasons: to detect motion. If you want to go the really cheap route, Baby powder or flour can be sprinkled down to pick up phantom footprints.
So you don't fall into an open grave at midnight in Iowa... and to see more than 10 feet ahead of you.
Quicker than mercury, more reliable than an electronic thermometer. Use this to read temperature fluctuations, as "cold spots" are a common finding in haunted places.
Books
Really into this? Earn your "degree" in parapsychology or paranormal investigation here!!
Bibliography
http://www.ohio-ghost-researchers.com/101.htm
http://www.mysticalblaze.com/GhostsWeather.htm
http://www.paraseek.com/store2.html
http://ghostsrus.com/explaining_electromagnetic_fields.htm