Investigating the Paranormal - PowerPoint Presentation

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Investigating the Paranormal

Northfield Township Library, October 26, 2013Slide2
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What does paranormal mean?

Para – outside, beside, on the side ofNormal – what one considers typicalParanormal is a word used to describe events that occur “outside the range of normal experience or scientific explanation”.Slide4

So…what are ghosts?

Ghosts are the manifestation of the soul or the spirit of a person.Slide5

Why do they remain?Slide6

Traumatic or Violent Death

- automobile accidents- sudden death- suicide- murder- accidental deathSlide7

Unfinished Business

- direction to undiscovered items- comfort loved ones- desire to seek justice for crime- watch over bodySlide8

Unaware they are deadSlide9

Bound by grieving loved onesSlide10

Forms Apparitions TakeSlide11

OrbsSlide12

Drake House EVPSlide13

OrbsSlide14

OrbsSlide15

MistSlide16

Shadow PeopleWaverly HillsSlide17

Full-Bodied ApparitionSlide18

F.B.A.Slide19

Close-upSlide20
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Analyzing evidence

Look at the following photograph. Analyze it carefully and we will discuss what you see.Slide23
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See the ghost behind her?

You have to be really careful of photos like this! I took this picture of Kathy, the director of MPE, and edited in a spooky face with an app from my phone. It is so easy today to fake photos like this. Don’t be too quick to accept something like this as evidence.Slide25

In this photo it looks like a ghostly spirit is swooping down over this guy’s head. Actually, this picture was taken in complete darkness, on a slow shutter speed. I moved the camera slightly, causing the reflection of my flash on the window to be dragged down into the photograph. This is not paranormal at all.Slide26

Neither is thisSlide27

Analyzing evidence

Look at the following photograph. Analyze it carefully and we will discuss what you see.Slide28
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Pareidolia

Did you see a face? It is just a sink. Pareidolia refers to the imagined perception of a pattern or meaning where it does not exist.

Our brain seeks meaning and understanding. When your brain sees this picture and automatically picks out the eyes, nose and mouth of a face, that is

pareidolia

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Analyzing evidenceSlide31

Analyzing evidenceSlide32

Matrixing is a type of pareidolia

– the brain’s tendancy to attempt to find things we recognize in what we are seeing and hearing, often assigning human forms or facesSlide33

When you have a picture that may be paranormal, you have to examine it carefully and look for any logical explanation

This picture was taken at the Regent Theater in Allegan in a back storage room. The room was completely dark. I noticed this shadow in the upper left corner when I looked at my display screen. So I took one step backward and snapped another picture.Slide34

No shadow!!Slide35

Then the investigation began. What could have caused this shadow? Were there any boxes or other things hanging overhead off shelves? Was there something else blocking light that could have cast the shadow? There was nothing overhead. If the shadow had shown up in further pictures, I could rule it out as being natural, not paranormal. But since I found no logical explanation, and I could not recreate it, I had to accept it as possible evidence.Slide36

Areas of Paranormal ActivitySlide37

CemeteriesSlide38

BattlefieldsSlide39

HospitalsSlide40

MuseumsSlide41

PrisonsSlide42

Electronic Voice PhenomenaSlide43

Matrixing can also happen with audio.Slide44

Didn’t hear it? I will tell you what I think is being said, and listen to it again. I bet you will hear it this time.Slide45

Didn’t

hear it? I will tell you what I think is being said, and listen to it again. I bet you will hear it this time.“The one that lives here”Slide46

Reviewing audio

When reviewing audio I usually listen to a file three times. The first time I just listen intently. The second time I listen with a note pad, jotting down possible EVP and noting the time on the recording. The third time I listen to everything BUT the possible EVP. I listen to all the background noises to rule out any contamination.Finally, I use the program Audacity to pull out just the section with the possible EVP. I call these “cutouts”. If I am unsure what a voice says, I will email it to a few friends or fellow investigators to have them listen. I don’t tell them what I think it says to prevent matrixing. If we all think the same thing is being said, that is pretty compelling evidence. If we can’t agree, I throw it out.Slide47

Here are some evp

that I captured on investigations. What do you think is being said?

Allegan Lodge, ballroom. I am asking for spirits to turn on flashlight

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Allegan Lodge, in basement. Spirit talking about Kathy. This clip was used for our segment on “My Ghost Story”

Allegan Lodge, ballroom.

We heard this male voice with our ears.

Allegan Lodge, basement. Asking for a name.Slide48

Here is what I think is being said

Allegan Lodge, ballroom. I am asking for spirits to turn on flashlight.

Allegan Lodge, in basement. Spirit talking about Kathy. This clip was used for our segment on “My Ghost Story”

Allegan Lodge, ballroom.

We heard this male voice with our ears.

Allegan Lodge, basement. Asking for a name.

After I say “I barely touched it” there are two female voices. One says, “Let’s see!” and the other says, “Come on.”

We were talking about Kathy, who was upstairs, and the voice says, “She’s been here all week.” Kathy had, in fact, been there most of the week helping the owner.

I think the male voice says a name, “Jeff”.

The man asks for a name, and I hear a child clearly say, “George!” Notice that no one reacted to it…because we didn’t hear it.Slide49

What do you think is being said?

Cemetery in Kalamazoo. We were leaving as we heard some noises coming from the bushes.

Jewish Cemetery. We were talking about the movie Schindler’s List.

Jewish Cemetery. Asking if there was anyone with us.

Funeral home, Kalamazoo. We noticed a chair that looked out of place, so the three of us were discussing if the chair had been in that spot or was moved. Listen when we stop talking. (Right around 14 sec)Slide50

Here’s what I think is being said.

Cemetery in Kalamazoo. We were leaving as we heard some noises coming from the bushes.

Jewish Cemetery. We were talking about the movie Schindler’s List.

Jewish Cemetery. Asking if there was anyone with us.

Funeral home, Kalamazoo. We noticed a chair that looked out of place.

A woman’s voice says, “Please stay here.”

A woman’s voice says, “Herr Schindler” which is Mr. Schindler in German.

“It’s not her fault…Rachael

Weissman

”

During a break in our conversation a voice says, “I have your attention.”Slide51

Equipment

1. A good quality flashlight with a supply of new batteries.2. A notebook and pencil.3. Cameras of choice with extra film and batteries (tripod)4. Audio recorders and tapes with extra batteries (remote mic if needed)5. Compass6. EMF Meter7. Non-contact thermometer8. Tri Field Meter9. K2 Meter

10. Watch

11. Wind gauge

12. Motion detector

13. Insect Repellent

14. Fully charged cell phone

15. Two-way radios

16. Batteries, batteries, and MORE batteries!

17. Flashlight and batteries

18. Carpenter's Level

19. Laser GridSlide52

So…you think you want to be a paranormal investigator? Here are some things to keep in mind.

Ghosts were people too. Respect them, respect their space.Not all ghosts are bad. Some just want to be noticed, others have unfinished business, some are just bored.You always need to protect yourself. Be aware of what you are opening yourself up to. Don’t invite what you don’t want.Ouija boards are not toys. Do NOT play with them.Obey rules and laws…if a cemetery closes at 9:00, leave at that time. Do not trespass. Stay out of dangerous and unsafe buildings.

Plan on not getting any EVPs or having any experiences. Most of the time you won’t get anything! This is not a job for the impatient.Slide53

Northfield Library ObservationsIn the back entrance room, Darrick first thought of a Native American connection to the property, but soon after he thought it was more along the lines of slavery. When slaves or slavery was mentioned we often got lots of hits on the KII meter.

I was saying that Darrick was very good at picking up emotions from spirit, and to open up to him. He felt a tap on the stomach, the KIIs were going off, and he felt another tap. I continue to ask them to reach out to us, to tap Darrick, and he felt another touch on the stomach. Darrick was getting lots of KII hits. He was also sensing that someone was shot in the head in that location. He was feeling a pressure in his head. He felt as though a defenseless person was at the mercy of others, and had totally surrendered and given up and was killed.Slide54

Notes from audio file from entrance room12.19 – “Did you live here?” Lots of hits on KII from green to orange in response.

13.13 – “Was this your land before the white man came?” KII orange twice. Darrick felt a female was present.16.16 – when asked if they lived or worked on this land, the KII went off multiple times.17.00 – Darrick suddenly mentioned that he felt “slavery”, and as he mentioned it the KII went off. He said that might be the “helplessness” he felt earlier.18.30 – “Did your master make you work?” KII went to orange.21.36 – “Do you feel unsafe talking to us?” KII hit orange multiple times. Darrick experienced extreme chills and pressure in his back during this.22.43 – I ask Kathy if there was any connection of this house to slavery or the Underground Railroad. She said she was just picking up, in another room, a young servant girl. Darrick felt as though “cooking” or “learning to cook” was going on, and she was wearing a dress. Kathy excitedly said, “Yes!”Slide55

Notes from audio file in the parlorWe settled into what was probably at one time the parlor room. Darrick was lying on the floor on his back, I was in the chair by the window, and Kathy was in a chair near the adjacent wall. Darrick was picking up on a strong, prominent, stern man who was also very lonely. He was feeling like he was wearing a top hat.

4.45 – there was a loud sound from the other room.5.51 – “Did you used to live in this house?” I hear a whispered “yes”6.16 – as Darrick was telling me about this prominent man, I hear a moan coming from within the room with my ears. Darrick did not hear it, and Kathy was out of the room investigating the noise. The moan sounded as though it was coming from the space between Darrick and myself.Slide56

Summary

Activity seemed to be prankish and interactive at times (ear tugging, taps/bangs, lights turned on after being turned off, touching Darrick on stomach).Seemed to be lots of energy, lots of different people, and energies changed multiple times.Both Kathy and Darrick picking up on young servant girls, possibly learning to or helping to cook and prepare food.Lots of hits on the KII when mentioning slavery or masters.

Absolutely no feeling of fear, danger, or anger from any of the spirit energy.Slide57

Questions to researchWas there any connection to Native Americans on the property?Was this house connected to the Underground Railroad?

Were there any slaves or servants (young girls) in the home?Is there any connection to a prominent, stern, powerful yet lonely man?Names…Ezra, Fred and JoeWere there any deaths on the property?