Glossary of Paranormal Terms

 

Amulet - A symbol with magical significance, which is worn as a pendant or ring.

Angel - "Messenger of God," a celestial being, benevolent in nature and if visible, appearing in human form, and possessing miraculous abilities such as teleportation, healing powers and knowledge of future events. There have been accounts of angels aiding people in times of crisis throughout the ages, albeit with no real consistency to their 'modus operandi.'

Angelology - The study or science of angels.

Animism - A belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and all living things, a belief that everything possesses a spiritual essence or soul.

Anomaly - An occurrence or condition removed from ordinarily understood experience.

Anthropomorphize - The humanocentric tendency of imposing human perceptions and priorities upon spirits and other worldly creatures or forces, assuming that all consciousness' must be akin to ours on some basic levels. (This is a logical assumption when applied to the survival instinct and perhaps to physical procreation; anything more is merely a guess.)

Apparition - Phenomenon where a spirit takes on a physical form that can be seen.  Generally appearing to be transparent, and can be full figured or only partially figured.

Apport - A physical object that which has materialized apparently from nowhere.

Astral Travel - Belief or theory that a person's spiritual awareness can temporarily detach itself from the physical body, remaining connected by what is called the "silver cord," and experience things in other locations, time frames or dimensional planes. Some refer to this as "Astral Projection" or "Mind Projection." This can be accidental or one can be trained to do this at will.

Aura - Energy that surrounds all living things. Has been known to change with a persons mood.

Automatic Writing - The act in which a spirit can communicate through a medium (person) by the means of writing.

Automatism - A theory that the body is a machine whose functions are accompanied but not controlled by consciousness. Theory is that a person can perform physical activities such as drawing, painting, dancing, writing and musical performances can be done by an individual without them being consciously aware of their actions.

Banishing - Formal, ceremonial, procedure effected to cast an invisible presence or influence out from an area. This term can refer either to a spiritual cleansing, or the closing of a magical rite, when the invoked powers are dismissed.

Cleansing (Psychic) - A less ritualized form of exorcism, where-in a dwelling or site is purified and malevolent influences are banished through prayers, spoken as the petitioner moves through the area.

Crisis Apparition - The act of a person in crisis, ill, in pain, or dying telepathically sends out an image of themselves. This is seen as an apparition of the afflicted person while that person is still alive. A Delayed Crisis Apparition can occur hours after the persons death.

Crypto-zoology - The study or science of animals whose existence has not yet been confirmed. (Abominable Snowman, Werewolf, Sasquatch). - The branch of paranormal research which deals with the exploration of legendary creatures such as Bigfoot, lake and sea monsters, thunderbirds, etc. It should be noted that the Giant Squid (the "Kraken"), orangutans (the "Red Men of the Forest"), Komodo Dragons and gigantic Nepalese elephants all were formerly included in the roster of fabled creatures!

Daemon (Daimon) - A guardian spirit or guardian angel most times associated with the
communication of advice and inspiration.

Deja Vu - The illusion of having already experienced something actually being experienced for the first time.

Demon - Hostile and resentful entity, supposedly of non-human origin, which some believe to be "fallen (from grace) angels.

Demonology - The study or science of demons.

Disembodied - Term that refers to voices and spirits. A disembodied spirit describes spirits that have no physical body, also known as a ghost. A disembodied voice refers to an audible voice that has no connection to a physical body or source.

Ectoplasm - Dispersed energy that can be formed before and/or after the manifestation of a spirit. Also believed to emit from a spiritual medium while in a trance.  Appears as a smoke-like substance. - A filmy, quasi-solid substance which supposedly issues from the bodies of mediums (from the mouth, nostrils, eyes, ears, navel or nipples) during trance states. In photographs, this phenomenon seems to resemble soaked muslin fabric. Whether or not it has ever been genuine, curiously, virtually no ectoplasm has been reported in the past fifty years.

Electrokinesis - The term used to describe electricity from the mind.

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) - A form of energy with electrical and magnetic components that is given off by electrical devices. This field is known to be manipulated and used by spirits.

Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) - The capturing of disembodied voices on a recording
medium such as a tape or digital recording device.

Elementals - In magical tradition and ceremony, spirits which govern the four corners of the earth and are associated with, or reside within, the four basic elements. They are called Sylphs (the east, air), Salamanders (the south, fire), Undines (the west, water), and Gnomes (the north, earth).

Empath - An individual who is particularly sensitive to the psychic emanations of his or her surroundings, even to a degree of telepathically receiving and experiencing the emotions of others in their proximity. Obviously, psychic empathy can be regarded as a mixed blessing, and the empath must learn to gain a measure of control over this ability.

Entity - A disembodied "consciousness" commonly referred to as ghost, spirit or (if of an apparently malicious or resentful nature) demon.

Exorcism - Ceremonial expulsion of invading spiritual/demonic entities from a person or dwelling, present in virtually every worldly culture. The Jewish and Catholic Christian faiths each have a formal 'Rite of Exorcism' to be conducted by the respective Rabbi or Priest.

Floating Orb - Spherical image, usually translucent white, though sometimes of a reddish or bluish hue, which inexplicably registers on photographic film and videotape, also known as "Globule."

Ghost - The image of a person witnessed after his/her death, reflecting the appearance of the living, physical body yet less substantial. These forms often seem to exist in a dream-like state of semi-awareness, at times though not always cognizant of their human observers.

Globule - An anomaly where-in floating, circular forms appear on photographs or videotape, which seem indicative of spirit activity. Globes are a natural containment formation of the miniscus of liquid, as in gas containing bubbles; perhaps the interaction of energy and a quasi-physical substance produced by spiritual manifestations results in a similar effect, the globules being an initial containment of energy. Presently, all we know is that they continue to appear, and extraneous
possible causes such as moisture, light refraction or emulsion seepage, etc., have been considered and ruled out.

Golden-rod - A rare anomaly seen in videotape recorded at the site of a suspected haunting, appearing as bright, white or yellowish lines rapidly moving across a room.

Hallowe'en - 'The Eve of All Hallows,' also known by Pagan Celts and Wiccans as 'Samhain' (pronounced, 'Sow'-an'), October 31, the night preceding the Catholic Church's 'All Saints Day.' For a millenium, in much of Europe and the British Isles, this was held to be the night when departed relatives were especially remembered, and the veil separating the realms of the living and the dead was rendered thinner than usual. Jack-o' lanterns were placed on stoops and window-sills to frightened off malicious spirits. Hallowe'en is presently celebrated as a night of revels and
masquerading, and in Mexico it is part of a traditional annual festival known as 'El Dia De Los Muertos' ('The Day of the Dead').

Haunting - The manifestation of a ghostly presence, or presence's, attached to a specific locale. Hauntings can be categorized into four (usually) distinct types, these being Intelligent (responsive), Poltergeist (likely initiated by pent-up stress on a subconscious level), Residual (replay) and Demonic (non-human origin).

Infestation - Repeated and persistent paranormal phenomena, generally centered around a particular location or person(s). Also known as a haunting.

Influence - An invisible entity of undetermined nature, effecting the inhabitants of a dwelling. This may initially manifest as an inexplicable feeling of uneasiness, then be followed by more definite signs which reveal a haunting.

Intelligent Haunting - A type of haunting in which the spirits can interact with its surroundings.

Jamais Vu - Doing something that has been done numerous times that should be familiar but instead feels as if it is being experienced for the first time.

Lepke - A very unique and interesting type of spiritual manifestation, a ghost which has the appearance of a solid, living person, may even converse with someone, then suddenly vanishes. "We were talking, I turned to face her again, and she was just gone!" Such apparitions are most often reported to have been encountered within, or immediately outside of cemeteries.

Levitation - A phenomenon sometimes encountered in hauntings, particularly with Poltergeists, rare yet credibly reported, where solid objects (including persons) are moved and lifted by an unseen force. The first historically documented occurrence was that of St. Francis of Assisi in the 14th century.

Malevolent Spirit - An intelligent spirit which is negative in nature and generally wishes to cause harm.

Metaphysics - Said to have been instituted by Aristotle, the line of philosophical thought which seeks the "why and wherefore," the intrinsic meaning of existence and human endeavor.

Miracle - A wondrous and beneficial event, apparently brought about by supernatural/divine agent.

Materialization - A ghost appearing visually, suddenly or gradually, sometimes indistinct, sometimes seemingly quite solid.

Matrixing - The natural tendency for the human mind to interpret sensory input, what is perceived visually, audibly or tactiley, as something familiar or more easily understood and accepted, in effect mentally "filling in the blanks."

Moon Madness - As the Lunar cycle waxes to its full point, incidents of psychotic behavior, violence and crime seem to escalate. To a lesser degree, the phase of the New Moon seems correlated to a rash of abnormal behavior. Current understanding of human psychology and physiology refutes the observation that our moon can exert significant influence on the human mind, 'though statistics support it. (Hence the term "lunatic" for crazy person.)

Mumiai - Native American Indian spirit which behaves in the manner of a Poltergeist.

Non-religionist - A materialist, one who embraces no formal religious beliefs; a more descriptive term than atheist or agnostic.

Oracle - A prophet, seer and visionary, especially one of renown. Also, a special device which aids in prognostication, such as a crystal ball. (i.e. "The Mystifying Oracle" of William Fuld's Ouija Board.)

Orb - A collection of energy that appears as a sphere. The argument continues over whether or not orbs are spirits but one thing that it certain is that they continually are found in locations where a haunting is present.

Oui-ja (Board) - A divining implement consisting of a small, round or more often rectangular platform with letters, numbers and various symbols printed upon it, and a "plancette" which, when the fingers of two participants are lightly placed along its edges, is intended to glide across the smooth surface of the inscribed platform and indicate messages. Conceived of as a parlor game in the wake of popular spiritualism, this is potentially a very dangerous tool for inviting in unpredictable, invasive
forces. Experienced researchers vehemently advise against their usage.

Paranormal - The realm of occurrences and phenomena removed from those to which people
are accustomed and comprehend, and presently uncategorized by standard academia.

Parapsychology - The avenue of paranormal studies and research relating chiefly to psychic abilities (e.s.p., telepathy) and spiritual phenomena.

Pentacle/Pentagram - The traditional five-pointed star design, with its interior pentagon delineated, generally representing both spirituality and protection when point "up"; when inverted, it is said to signify diabolism.

Phantom Lights - Sometimes they can be attributed to blue methane flame produced by swamp gas, or electrical discharges in the form of what is termed ball lightning or perhaps even misplaced fireflies. Yet, in other instances, the phenomenon of floating lights observed over water, the edge of woods, , lonely back roads and in the windows of darkened houses just can't be dismissed by ordinary explanations. These might be globules which coalesce and intensify in luminosity to the point where they become visible in dark surroundings.

Poltergeist - German for "noisy ghost." This is an extremely rare occurrence wherein random objects are moved and sounds produced by an unseen force, the sole purpose of which seems to be to draw attention to itself. The phenomenon always involves a specific individual, frequently a child or adolescent. - A mischievious and intelligent spirit whose actions include throwing objects, moving items, and causing multiple items to be disturbed all at once.

Possession - The act in which a spirit enters the body of a person and assumes control of that persons actions. Possessions can be voluntary as well as involuntary. - Invasion of the human mind by a spiritual or demonic entity, where the invading agent for a span of time, influences or entirely subverts the personality of the human host. It is in these instances that the boundaries of psychology, religion and spiritualism are rendered less distinct.

Precognition - The psychic perception of future events or conditions.

Premonition - A warning or emotion about a future event. This can come in the form of dreams or visions.

Psychic - Relating to the psyche, of the mind or soul, rather than the mundane.  Psychic is the most familiar and bandied-about term encountered in paranormal research ( "a psychic," "psychic investigation," etc.).

Psychic Vampire - This is a term for individuals who seem to instinctively draw and absorb the psychic energies from others, usually while conversing with (or at) them.

Psychokinesis - A psychic phenomenon where-in objects are remotely imprinted or displaced and moved around, solely by the powers of the mind (psychic force).

Psychometry - The practice of gaining paranormal insights or knowledge from a physical object which is used as a focus.

Radiant Child - The apparition of a child which is seen glowing or surrounded by a bright aura.

Reincarnation - The belief that a person's soul will, following bodily death, inhabit a new body in a long cycle of rebirths, purportedly for the soul's evolution through gaining experience.

Residual (Haunting) - Psychic imprint of a scene which is repeatedly played out, where the witness of such phenomenon essentially is peering into the past. The ghostly participants of these time-displacements often seem unaware of their living observers.

Retrocognition - The psychic perception of past events or conditions.

Revenant - An entity which projects an appearance of being distressed or misplaced.

Rune - An archaic character inscribed upon a stone or clay tablet, signifying some virtue or property, as with the Norse Runes, and used for divination and as a talisman.

Séance - A group effort to contact the spirit world. In standardized format, the lighting of the chamber in which the séance is conducted is subdued, and the participants sit around the table, either holding hands or with hands palm down, flat against the table's surface and with fingertips touching those of the adjacent partners. A candle generally is set on the center of the table. The appointed director
or "medium" addresses the spirit(s) with whom contact is sought, and then it's "We await a sign..." LSPS Note: We do not endorse the use of séances.

Shade - An entity resembling a once-living being (human or animal).

Shaman - A tribal priest who, following much preparation and rite of initiation, uses the forces of magic to effect healings and divinations.

Spirit Rescue - Attempting contact with entities, intended to alleviate the entities' distress and aid them in the resolution of their conflicts, and in "crossing over" to a higher, spiritual plane.

Spiritual Medium - A person who can communicate with the deceased and can relay messages to and from.

Spook - Benevolent spirit exclusively of America which comes from the legends of the Red Indians.

Stigmata - Persons have been observed periodically bleeding from points on their bodies corresponding to the wounds of the Crucifixion. Although the physiological mechanisms which produce this effect are not understood, it is apparently and externalization of religious fervor. Stigmata has been thought to be an indication of sanctity. St. Francis of Assisi was said to have displayed the stigmatic bleeding, and the best documented case is that of Padre Pio (b. 1887, d. 1968).

Talisman - A design or inscription that is worn, carried or displayed, for the purpose of invoking strength, power, protection or the aid of spirits.

Telekinesis - A psychic phenomenon where-in objects are remotely displaced and moved around, solely by the powers of the mind.

Thought Transference - Telepathic transmitting of images and messages from the mind of one person to that of another.

Time-displacement - The experience of a time span separate from the native time span of the observer. The phenomenon is sometimes merely viewed and not participated in; sometimes a person seems to actually time-travel to another era.

Vortex - pl. Vortexes or Vortices. An anomaly which sometimes shows up in still photographs taken at the site of a suspected haunting, appearing as a translucent white, tube or funnel shaped mass. Some researchers believe this may be a porthole to the spirit realm.