Haunted Spirit

Take Me to the Other Side: Moral Responsibilities of Ghost Hunters as Related to Spirits and the Afterlife

This article is an open query to all ghost hunters, paranormal investigators, psychics, mediums, parapsychologists, and theologians regarding the possible moral obligations concerning assisting certain types of ghosts–as defined as the consciousness of deceased persons possibly trapped in the material realm–to move on to ‘the other side.’

I am an amateur paranormal investigator with limited experience and many questions cross my mind, not only about the research and gathering ‘evidence’ of the paranormal, but also questions related to the moral, ethical, and spiritual aspects of this endeavor.

My question is this:

Do we have an obligation to assist ghosts in their transition to ‘the other side’?

The question is based on a series of assumptions as follows.

1. Ghosts are the consciousness of deceased humans and certain ghosts are ‘stuck’ in the material realm.

2. Some ghosts may be unaware that they are ghosts and/or they are unable to muster the actions/steps necessary to ‘move on.’

3. There is something beyond the material realm. A place or state exists that is a natural and probably desirable next step, and getting there is  necessary to complete the spiritual evolution of these free-floating ‘minds’ called ghosts.

4.  Thus we, as the living, being knowledgeable of the condition of their existence–and theoretically having the tools to assist them in their spiritual evolution–should render this assistance.

The above assumptions possibly place us–as paranormal investigators and others concerned with the spiritual evolution of our species–in a unique position to be able to provide this assistance. If the assumptions above are true and/or you believe in ghosts, to not act based on these assumptions be could something akin to leaving Kitty Genovese bleeding on the street.

If you believe that people should be altruistic–that is being obligated and willing to help our fellow humans (and ghosts)–we should seriously consider this issue.

There is research that shows that humans can be altruistic. They certainly may demonstrate this trait. We operate in groups for the greater good and are social creatures. However, there is also social psychological research that demonstrates that we are very selfish, e.g. we may only clearly operate altruistically when it serves our own needs/ideals or that of our family. We may be unique in the animal kingdom considering our combination of altruistic and selfish traits. The discussion of  these psychological and sociological ideas certainly goes beyond the constrains of this article, but they do bear mentioning.

So, when considering this question, one has to look deep into oneself and society and consider whether your answer to the question is self-serving or genuinely altruistic.

Considering the popular television show Ghost Hunters, rarely do they televise cleansing efforts, involve religious authorities or psychics specific to this issue, and it appears that their activities in regards to their clients mostly involve educating their clients to paranormal phenomena with the tenet that knowledge reduces fear–and that there is really nothing to fear. At least for the humans involved.

This is just on the surface, and TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) certainly provides more services than is discernable from their television show and  has demonstrated the capability to provide referrals to professionals and experts capable of operating under the assumptions I mentioned earlier.

Anyone that has done any background research on Grant, Jason, and Steve–the force behind TAPS– realizes that their paranormal experiences far exceeds what is able to be shown in an hour television show. For all the commercialization and debates to as to whether the ‘evidence’ they present is valid, they do deserve immense credit to bringing the realm of the paranormal–and implications on the spiritual evolution of the human race–to light and educating the general public in regards to these type of phenomena as genuine and legitimate human experiences.

Other television shows have a bent that lends themselves more toward addressing the possible  moral and ethical responsibilities that this article is questioning. Paranormal State, the team of young investigators and paranormal entrepreneurs from Penn State, definitely deserves credit for bringing this issue more to light and embracing a wider spirituality that underlies the entire endeavor.

Both groups, Ghost Hunters and Paranormal State, are clearly human-centric. The living are more important then the dead. Their needs take precedent, being the primary needs in any case. This is a premise I have to believe, as my belief in ghosts and the afterlife are unresolved at best. If a child is scared, or an adult is being tormented by paranormal experiences, the impact on their quality of life is obvious. Why the supposed ‘ghosts’ are exhibiting this ‘behavior’ is always secondary to the needs of the living..

Are we racist against ghosts? Do we neglect their needs in support of the living? Absolutely, but this is the way it is. There is a conscious and unconscious assigning of priorities in any paranormal investigation, and whether we are ‘racists’ considering ghosts is fodder for another article, the implications of which are not discussed here.

I take this type of bias as possible indication of genuine altruism exhibited by the human race. It is one of the ways that demonstrates that we, as living humans, are part of the same family. Ghosts, by definition, are not, though perhaps they once were. Thus ghosts become the second-class citizens of any paranormal investigation. Though ghosts are the reason we’re investigating in the first place, in reality they are not. We are investigating for us, and sometimes ghosts are treated like nothing more then strange animals in a zoo where we go to gawk. Again, these issues are very interesting, but beyond the bounds of this article.

So, we come back to the original question:

Do we have an obligation to help ghosts move to the other side?

Consider the following series of questions which represent a potential can of worms related to the question above.

1. What if some ghosts choose to stay?

There are documented cases of people who are alive, astrally traveling or presumably engaging in ESP and appearing as apparitions to people, family members, or even complete strangers. How do you determine the difference between this phenomena and that of a  haunting?

Then we would need to determine the difference between a residual haunting and an intelligent haunting, assuming that residual haunting is not caused by a conscious spirit.

What’s left may be an intelligent haunting. If so, how would we decide if the ghost wants to be here, or that it doesn’t know it is trapped? What if the ghost knows it’s trapped, and believes that the other side is hell? Again, we have a can of worms here which may place us–as paranormal investigators–casting judgements that have already been decided by the concepts of God across a variety of religions.

2. How do we determine the reasons why an intelligent ghost is staying?  How do we decide those reasons presumably using the tools we have now?

3. Once we’ve determined the answers to #1 and #2, what do we do next? How do we decide which ghosts to help, and those that don’t need or want our help? What tactics do we employ to accomplish this?

So, we are left with a series of questions that are very important, addressing the basic premise of what it is to be human–and to be a ghost–and our obligations and responsibilities as to what that means. Ranging from theology, spirituality, psychology, to the tactics of Ghost Hunting, this “hobby” certainly generates questions–and possibly answers–that may affect all of the human race.

I have no answers, only questions. However, in my quest to become a more competent paranormal investigator, I believe the techniques and technology are the relatively easy questions to address. The questions behind why we are employing such tactics–the difficult part in my opinion–and our eventual goals become very important for all ghost hunters to consider.

I firmly believe that we cannot flail blindly in the dark when dealing with such questions. I think, whether we believe in ghosts or not, we do have an obligation to help them if they need it. Not to do so makes you less human in my opinion. And, I feel that many groups neglect these questions or when they are addressed, it is done so in an cursory and self-serving way. I certainly do not exempt myself from this, and perhaps writing this makes me a hypocrite.

In my opinion, there are many obstacles in the way of developing any type of consensus in these matters. One of the main obstacles is inconsistent use of language and even a basic ignorance, and perhaps disagreement, in regards to various terminology.

For example, many groups state that their goal is to find proof of the paranormal. This is a misnomer. The fact is that paranormal phenomena does exist. I define paranormal as something that is currently unexplainable by science. There is plenty of phenomena that is unexplainable by science, as every scientist will tell you.

One needs to clearly define the words they are using if they pretend they are doing something remotely resembling scientific research. If everyone uses the same word in a different way, no one has any idea what anyone is talking about. In scientific research, one doesn’t generally have to worry about this. In the field of paranormal investigation, I feel this problem is pervasive.

Some groups clearly state that their goal is to prove the existence of the afterlife or life after death. These groups come more closely to presenting themselves in a way that elucidates their goals. But what exactly are their goals?

Lets be frank, no one is probably ever going to prove the existence of the afterlife in the foreseeable future. A lofty goal, sure, but one in all likelihood is probably  unobtainable. Setting realistic goals is important in any endeavor, and ghost hunting is no different. Perhaps setting such an all encompassing goal undermines the method, and the ability to work toward obtaining this goal.

Running around, taking strange photographs, capturing audio of unexplained voices, and documenting cold spots and spikes in EMF activity may not be advancing the body of knowledge toward proving the afterlife in any meaningful way. However, at this point, these are some the most popular tools we have.

If you do want to prove the existence of the afterlife, and you capture some evidence of what you feel is a ghost, how come most people just walk away from it? They put the picture on their Web site and show it off, with little regard to the ghost itself. Even worse then that, they may return to the location–even bringing in more investigators–in an attempt to capture further ‘evidence.’ And yet, what is done as far as attempts to determine why the ‘ghost’ is there and what can be done to help it’s spiritual evolution? Again, this unfortunate spirit is reduced to an exhibit, a zoo animal, and something to be harassed.

There has to be more then that, and as a Ghost Hunter or paranormal investigator, especially if you believe in ghosts, you should do something about it, and hopefully something that will help on a spiritual level. Otherwise, in my opinion, you are nothing better then a tourist and an amateur, and are solely thinking of Your Own needs and desires. In other words, you are being self-serving.

Many groups are very committed to debunking. In my mind, these groups have less of an obligation to assist these disembodied spirits. For myself, I am not convinced of the existence of ghosts. The paranormal phenomena I have captured evidence of is simply that in my mind. It’s paranormal–unexplained by science. Subsequently calling such phenomena a ghost is a leap of faith I can’t make with any degree of certainty at this time. Thus, I’m fairly comfortable not attaching any spiritual implications or obligations to any such phenomena.

Until I am actually convinced that there are such things as ghosts, I don’t necessarily feel any obligation to take further steps beyond just trying to figure out what “it” is. However, I do articulate this, and don’t run around identifying such phenomena as ghosts, then do nothing about it. Also, I do work with people who study these aspects of paranormal investigations, and feel that they have the skills to address these aspects if necessary.

Of course, I may be wrong and self-serving and–in an effort to justify my actions and reconcile them with my thoughts and opinions on the subject–may be neglecting a very important piece of the puzzle. In fact, I have a nagging feeling in the back of my head this may be the very case.

Given the original premise of this article, ghost hunters become elevated to a unique group– a group who has to have an understanding of human psychology, culture, and spirituality, and be able to offer advice and take action concerning a spirits spiritual well-being.

The field of paranormal investigation will evolved only  if people consider the basic questions, motivations, and drives beyond just capturing evidence. Look at the original question underneath it all…why do we do this?

To take a basic tenet of ethics, one must first do no harm. Regardless of whether ghosts exist–and by default this implies the existence of an afterlife–I sincerely don’t believe that most paranormal investigators are causing any harm. But if one does consider the spiritual implications regarding helping a trapped spirit, we are acting on a body of imperfect knowledge, and thus by doing so, perhaps could cause harm if we aren’t very careful and thoughtful in our methods.

So, are there any answers in this article? Probably not, but there are many questions and the half-baked musings of an amateur ghost hunter who may just be in over his head.

About the Author

Bobby Elgee is an investigator for Sights Unseen Paranormal,a ghost hunting team based in New England.

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A Haunting: Spirits from the Past – Tin Case (DVD) $11.38 Four episodes of the chilling Discovery Channel series are included in this terrifying two-volume set: “Spirits of the Dead,” “Spellbound,” “Echoes of the Past,” and “Monster in the Apartment.” In this collection, no one is safe from possession by evil…

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Haunted $2.99 ATAC Briefing for Agents Frank and Joe Hardy: Special Paranormal Operation MISSION : Investigate possible supernatural disturbances at the Undercliff House of Detention, formerly an insane asylum in the 1800s. LOCATION : Juvenile detention center in Glastonbury, CT. POTENTIAL VICTIMS : Many of the inmates appear to be dying from pure terror! SUSPECTS : Lara Renner claims to be a psychic with a direct line to the spirit behind the hauntings, but perhaps her motives are more down-to-earth. Then there’s the cafeteria worker with a major grudge. Or could it be the culprits are truly ghosts?

Haunted Dallas $18.5 Dallas, Texas, the third largest city in Texas. Founded in 1841, Dallas has a long history of settlement and skirmishes. From Flag Pole Hill, said to be the location of a malicious spirit, to the Lizard Lounge and its man in black, The Big D is filled with stories of historic hauntings and supernatural events. Other supposed haunted locations include the LBJ house, local cemeteries, and the Majestic Theater.

Haunted Air $7.99 Jack is back, for 2002. F. Paul Wilson’s engaging, self-employed, off-the-books fixer, Repairman Jack, returns for another intense, action-packed adventure just a little over the border into the weird, in The Haunted Air . First introduced years ago in the bestseller The Tomb , Jack has been the hero of a series of exciting novels set in and around New York City including Legacies, Conspiracies, All the Rage, and Hosts. "Repairman Jack is a wonderful character, ultracompetent but still vulnerable. Wilson strolls into X-Files territory and makes it his own, keeping the action brisk and the level of suspense steadily rising," said the San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle. In Astoria, Queens, the lively ethnic neighborhood just across the river from Manhattan, a house is being haunted by the ghost of a nine-year-old girl in riding clothes. More than two decades before, she’d been abducted from stables in Brooklyn. Now it’s up to Jack to uncover the truth of her story and liberate the pretty, blond spirit. Perhaps the answer is in the odd little store called the Shurio Coppe? Ah, but that would be telling. Jack does things no human being should be able to do, but we watch, in horrified fascination, as the forces of evil seem about to triumph and fill the world with eternal darkness. And then– but you must read the book.

Haunted Alaska $11.91 They are watching us, these ghosts of the North. They cook breakfast, play cards, mine gold, turn on radios, and play the piano. A logger sees a ghostly Model T drive through his truck. The smell of tobacco wafts through a room where no one is smoking. Fresh footprints are found in the snow, but there is no one for miles around. "Haunted Alaska" is a collection of ghost stories that will make the hair rise on the back of your neck. These astonishing stories tell of miners terrorized by spirits wandering their claims, of roadhouse owners visited daily by ghosts, of reindeer herders who run in fear as one of their own departed comes back in spirit form to continue his duties after death, and of human voices and dog barking heard in empty woods, complete with the smell of a campfire that isn’t there. Some ghosts are found in — you guessed it — ghost towns.

Revenants: Haunted People and Haunted Places $15.48 It is with the utmost enthusiasm that I recommend Brian Allan’s latest work, "Revenants, Haunted People and Haunted Places." Brian’s objective investigative skills, combined with a keen intellect that leaves no stone unturned in his examination of all things paranormal, is redefining the definitions and interpretations of all such phenomena. Consciousness itself is part of this mystery, and rather than being a result of simple biological processes, seems to be tied into an electromagnetic superspectrum that has simplistically been termed "astral," "spiritual," or "the spirit world." Brian’s research and insight makes this abundantly clear, and all of the old paradigms are falling away or shifting aside, like doors concealing hidden passageways leading to deeper mysteries, and perhaps, answers. Join Brian in those close, cramped, frightening passageways, as he works toward the light at the end of each dark tunnel. Wm. Michael Mott – Author of Caverns, Cauldrons, and Concealed Creatures, This Tragic Earth: The Art and World of Richard Sharpe Shaver, The Pulsifer Saga Omnibus Edition, and Pulp Winds: Pulse-Pounding Adventures in Fiction and Verse.

Haunted Holidays $3.94 From Columbus Day to Christmas, from Labor Day to the Fourth of July, here are thirteen original stories of dark fantasy and the supernatural that give new meaning to the term holiday spirit. Includes stories by: Julie E. Czerneda Peter Crowther Esther Friesner David Bischoff and others

The Haunted Man And The Ghost’s Bargain $3.59 Another entrant in his astoundingly popular series of Christmas parables, Dickens revisits many of the themes and plot devices he first explored in A Christmas Carol in The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain . This novella recounts the supernatural experiences of Professor Redlaw, who learns several life-changing lessons from a mysterious spirit.

Haunted Travels of Indiana $12.94 "Haunted Travels of Indiana" is a veritable tour guide to the legends and ghostlore of the Hoosier State. Readers are treated to a haunted itinerary of some of the historic tales of the state. Mark Marimen, author of the "Haunted Indiana" series of books, acts as tour guide and storyteller, and readers journey across the state to such places as a historic Fort Wayne where the spirit of a 19th century lieutenant is said to walk the grounds, seeking to vindicate his name, and a Bed and Breakfast with more than a few spirited "guests." Also included are some of the haunted tales attached to Indiana’s famed Covered Bridges; the site of the Battle of Tippecanoe, where some believe the battle still rages; the famous Gray Lady of the Willard Library in Evansville; as well as many others.

Haunted Marietta $17.36 Few places have continued to grow, prosper and maintain a small-town atmosphere and sense of history like Marietta, Georgia. Of course, a sense of community is not the only preserved presence from the past… Paranormal specialist and Marietta resident Rhetta Akamatsu combines her research with a passion for history to deliver a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the area’s rich and, in some cases, undying spirit. Hear the whispers of Confederate generals still echoing in the Kolb farmhouse; cozy up with the unsettled spirits of the 1848 House; meet the phantoms lurking throughout Marietta Square; and brush up on your local history if you dare summon the ghosts of Marietta.

Spirit $3.99 “It’s something of a Romeo and Juliet story. There was a young couple in Salem, long ago . . . And the girl’s mother, she hated the boy. When the witch-hunting began, mother, daughter, and suitor all ended up at the Blackthorne hanging.” Now, ages later, in the cold, dark heart of the Victorian era, an age of black clothes and black moods, one train is bound for Blackthorne, near Salem, where a winter carnival awaits. The cars are full of the promise of fireworks, sleigh rides, and skating. But for Tess and Tobias Goodraven, this train will take them to a place much darker than they imagined. Even a seasoned pair of ghost hunters like Tess and Tobias didn’t expect a witch like Old Mother Malgore – a witch who stalks the forests, silent as snowfall, hunting, hungering. When the train derails and the casualties climb, the Goodravens must bridge the gap between past and present tragedies if they have any chance of quieting the souls of the living, the dead, and the haunted.

Haunted Seduction $5.59 Jaz O'Neill is a beautiful young photographer who can't seem to make it in the art world with her sensual black and white photographs. Frustrated, she drives to an isolated beach, where she breaks into an abandoned amusement park to take a new series of photos that may bring her the fame she seeks. Suddenly, she finds herself trapped with others who have visited the park over the last 100 years, but have not been allowed to leave. These people, still as young and lovely as they were when they arrived, wander the park at night, surrounded by strange auras that drive them into a sexual frenzy when they come close to one another. Each night, from midnight until dawn, the rides spin and whirl, and carnival food appears at the concession stands. Jaz senses an evil, powerful presence at work. Jaz meets handsome young musician Will, who has been prisoner in the park since 1925. Together, they must find the dark secret behind their entrapment, and discover a way to overpower the evil spirit to gain their freedom. In the midst of it all, Jaz and Will explore the surprising love and passion they discover with each other. Will they find their escape-and will they be able to hold onto their heated passion once they do?

Haunted Sister $3.95 How can you have a ghost story without a ghost? What if the ghost is only in your head? How would you know that you aren’t losing your mind? By medical standards, sixteen-year-old Janine Palmer dies on the day of her automobile accident. When her spirit travels to the "other side," however, she is told that it isn’t her time to die, and is sent back to live out her life. When she awakens from her coma, though, she discovers that she hasn’t come back alone. There is someone else inside her mind. The voice in Janine’s head claims to be the ghost of Lenore, Janine’s twin sister, who drowned twelve years earlier. Lenore blames her own death on Janine and is determined to live again in her sister’s body. Now the two girls must vie for one body. Can Janine be sure that her twin is really inside her, or is she simply going crazy?

The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain $10.71 "The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain" is Charles Dickens 19th century novella that concludes his series of five Christmas books written between 1843 and 1848. It is the story of Professor Redlaw, a chemistry teacher who is constantly brooding over the grief caused by past wrongs done to him. Redlaw is haunted by a spirit who takes from him these painful memories, which leaves him unexpectedly bitter. Ultimately the conflict of the novella is resolved in an uplifting way which asserts the moral of the story, that ‘it is important to remember past sorrows and wrongs so that you can then forgive those responsible and, in doing so, unburden your soul and mature as a human being.’

Haunted Manitou Springs $18.5 Manitou Springs has long been known as a spiritual hot spot. From the healing waters of the local springs to the town’s patron spirit, the benevolent Emma Crawford, whose life and afterlife is celebrated annually at Halloween, Manitou Springs takes pride in its legends and legendary residents. Join haunted tour guide Stephanie Waters as she uncovers the stories behind some of Manitou’s most famous ghostly tales: the historic spirit lights on Pikes Peak, the specters of Red Stone Castle where poor Emma’s sister went mad and the phantoms of the stately Cliff House and Briarhurst Manor.

Haunted Christmas: Ghost Stories $3.95 LET THE "SPIRITS OF CHRISTMAS" BRIGHTEN YOUR FESTIVE SEASON Heart-warming stories of angels and kindly spirits intervening on behalf of those in need, perfect for sharing at this special time of the year. Affordable and memorable gifts for friends and family. In the spirit of the author’s Ghost Stories of Christmas (Lone Pine, 2001), Haunted Christmas continues the tradition of sharing captivating and heart-warming tales of ghosts and angels during a magical time of year. Gather round and enjoy these enchanting stories of the true spirits of the season.

Mysteries Unwrapped: Haunted U.S.A. $2.49 All across the U.S., thereÂ’s a strange kind of American “spirit” surfacing: the ghosts, specters, and wraiths that make up the countryÂ’s phantom population. TheyÂ’re the native citizens of Haunted U.S.A., and they come in every size, shape, type, and personality. Meet these spine-tingling characters, from the creatures occupying Washington D.C.Â’s most hallowed halls (including a demon cat that prowls Congress) to apparitions that materialize in graveyards and once-bloody battlefields. Find out about the nationÂ’s most haunted houses; a mammoth cave thatÂ’s the site of more than 150 encounters; and HawaiiÂ’s “Lava Lady,” a goddess who bubbles up from the depths of the earth with the lava that created the islands. Fun sidebars provide extra information.

Haunted Willoughby, Ohio $19.84 Behind the ghost tales of Willoughby are local folklore, the long memories of residents and even the strange but hard facts of history. This collection of haunted lore will leave skeptics and believers alike shivering with stories of Willoughby Cemetery, where the Girl in Blue’s restless spirit lingers near her grave, and rumors of Willoughby Coal and the menacing apparitions that peer from its darkened windows. From ancient Whittlesey legends and echoes of events that have shaped the course of the town to tales of the tragic and bizarre, Haunted Willoughby, Ohio may even have doubters looking over their shoulders. Join local ghost expert Cathi Weber and explore the traditions, spooky heritage and true stories that are part of Willoughby’s high-spirited history.

Haunted Texas: A Travel Guide $15.75 Texas history buffs and travelers have an eerie need for this book, which offers an unusual twist to seeing the " sights" in the Lone Star state. Organized by region– Gulf Coast, Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, Central Texas, North Texas, and West Texas– this book is the complete guide for both hardcore ghost hunters and more earthly tourists seeking to add some spirited fun to their travels. Complete practical information on non-haunted accommodations, attractions, and restaurants are also included, making this the only guide your Texan spirit will need. Scott Williams, who lives in Corpus Christi, is a journalist and the author also of "The Insiders’ Guide to Corpus Christi."

Stories from the Haunted South $21.44 When Alan Brown published his well-received "Haunted Places in the American South," a kind of seance swirled around him. Locals who knew ghost stories began haunting him with ghoulish reports from houses, schools, libraries, sanitariums, inns, battlefields, train depots, radio stations, and bridges. Following these leads, he uncovered even more ghost-ridden southern locales. In Kentucky’s White Hall, the ghost of Cassius Clay’s first wife Mary Jane roams the upstairs in a black dress, and the night air smells of candle wax, perfume, and bourbon. The spirit of a boy who died in a tragic accident half a century before plagues Mississippi’s Cahill Mansion. Written in the vein of its successful predecessor, "Stories from the Haunted South" contains fifty-three accounts from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Balancing the history with the legends of each supernatural locale, Brown focuses on personal stories of ghostly encounters. From folk archives across the South, Brown also includes nearly forgotten legends, such as the Headless Horseman of Hobkirk. With directions to each place, "Stories from the Haunted South" will be an important addition to the ghostlore of Dixie. Alan Brown is a professor of English at the University of West Alabama. His books include "Haunted Places in the American South" and "Shadows and Cypress: Southern Ghost Stories" (both from University Press of Mississippi).

Poems Bewitched and Haunted $13.25 A delightfully ghoulish array of specters and sorceresses, witches and ghosts, hags and apparitions haunt these pages-a literary parade of phantoms and shades to add to the revelry of All Hallow’s Eve. From Homer to Horace, Pope to Poe, Randall Jarrell to James Merrill, "Poems Bewitched and Haunted "draws on three thousand years of poetic forays into the supernatural. Ovid conjures the witch Medea, Virgil channels Aeneas’s wife from the afterlife, Baudelaire lays bare the wiles of the incubus, and Emily Dickinson records two souls conversing in a crypt, in poems that call out to be read aloud, whether around the campfire or the Ouija board. From ballads and odes, to spells and chants, to dialogues and incantations, here is a veritable witches’ brew of poems from the spirit world.

Haunted Houses Around the World $21.87 In this, his fifth entry in the paranormal and ghosts, Gregory Branson-Trent presensts a huge volume packed with haunted locations worldwide. With over 400 entries, this book has it all, packed into a 6×9 format in alomst 400 pages. Nothing has been left out as Branson-Trent has set out to make one of the most complete collections of hauntings on the market. Every neighborhood has one of those houses that gives you chills. They’re rumored to be haunted, but no one knows for sure. The houses were once filled with life and energy. Now only the shell remains, with a brief remembrance of those who once fed life into it. They stand empty and alone, but are they what they seem? Or are the caretakers still there living in silence. Among many cultures and religions it is believed that the essence of a being such as the ‘soul’ continues to exist. Some philosophical and religious views argue that the ‘spirits’ of those who have died have not ‘passed over’ and are trapped inside the property where their memories and energy are strong. Entities which are said to ‘haunt’ homes are often believed to make noises, appear as apparitions, and shift or launch physical objects. This is sometimes manifested into ‘poltergeist activity’, poltergeist meaning ‘noisy spirit’. Traditionally an exorcism is the method used to remove unwelcome spirits from the property. In general, ghosts can appear anywhere, but history and perhaps geography, usually provide good reasons why the site may be haunted. Residual energy hauntings are just locations that "feel" haunted. There may be some activity, and even an apparition or two… but it’s the same thing, every time. The activity usually occurs on a certain day or date, and sometimes at a particular time. Or, it might be activated by a specific trigger, such as when a certain song is played on the radio. Active hauntings are similar to residual energy hauntings, but the ghost (or ghosts) will respond to modern-day events in its vicinity. That is, if you talk to the ghost, it will respond or at least pause what it’s doing. Are you living with ghosts? Most people who’ve lived in older homes, or stayed in a vintage hotel or inn, have encountered a ghost or two. Whether real or not, the fact is these events do exist and so do paranormal phenomena. In this book, you will find classic cases of these houses and other buildings worldwide. You will learn about famous hauntings and some that are barely known. Are you brave enough to seek out a ghost? Read through this book and decide for yourself.

The Crossroads: A Haunted Mystery $3.49 ZACK, HIS DAD, and new stepmother have just moved back to his father’s hometown, not knowing that their new house has a dark history. Fifty years ago, a crazed killer caused an accident at the nearby crossroads that took 40 innocent lives. He died when his car hit a tree in a fiery crash, and his malevolent spirit has inhabited the tree ever since. During a huge storm, lightning hits the tree, releasing the spirit, who decides his evil spree isn’t over . . . and Zack is directly in his sights. Award-winning thriller author Chris Grabenstein fills his first book for younger readers with the same humorous and spine-tingling storytelling that has made him a fast favorite with adults. From the Hardcover edition.

The Hanging Hill: A Haunted Mystery $5.49 How serious is stage fright? At the Hanging Hill Playhouse, it can kill you. After narrowly escaping a malevolent spirit in The Crossroads, Zack and Judy are hoping to relax during the rehearsals for a show based on Judy’s bestselling children’s books. Little do they know that the director is planning to raise a horde of evil specters from the dead, and to accomplish this, he needs a human sacrifice . . . and Zack fits the bill perfectly. This second book featuring the intrepid Zack and his stepmother, Judy, is full of the same humorous and spine-tingling storytelling that has made Chris Grabenstein a fast favorite with young and old alike. From the Hardcover edition.

Haunted Indiana 2 $14.81 Here are eleven more spine-tingling tales from the Hoosier state. Read about the ghost of Amelia Earhart at Purdue University… the Lady in Red who haunts the Lanier Mansion… the spirit of a nun who watches over patients at a Mishawaka hospital… the terrifying story of a poltergeist who set twenty-eight separate fires at an Odon farmhouse in one day… and much more. Along the way you’ll chuckle at the yarn of the world’s largest ghost hunt that put a reluctant Porter County on the map, along with the hilarious story of Madame Mimi’s unmasking in "The Ghost Story That Never Was."

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The Haunted Hotel $3.29 The Haunted Hotel

The Haunted House $2.39 The Haunted House

Silent Night, Haunted Night $6.59 All I haunt for christmas is you . . . Joe Bascombe is no stranger to desire, but when a sexy spirit begins haunting his dreams, he finds himself ensnared by dark passions. What he doesn’t realize is that the devious demon and her two sisters, otherwise known as the Three Fates, are out to teach the woman he loves a lesson . . . Unwilling psychic Nicki Styx survived a near-death experience to find herself able to see and hear the dead, but she only has eyes for Joe. Together they’ve conquered evil spirits, saved lost souls, and beaten back the Devil himself, but they’re about to learn that there are more things in Heaven and Hell than they ever imagined. As far as Nicki is concerned, Joe is the man of her dreams, but now they’re at the mercy of the creature who’s invaded his. It’ll be a Christmas to remember . . . and it could be Joe and Nicki’s last.

Silent Night Haunted Night $5.59 All I haunt for christmas is you . . . Joe Bascombe is no stranger to desire but when a sexy spirit begins haunting his dreams he finds himself ensnared by dark passions. What he doesn’t realize is that the devious demon and her two sisters otherwise known as the Three Fates are out to teach the woman he loves a lesson . . . Unwilling psychic Nicki Styx survived a near-death experience to find herself able to see and hear the dead but she only has eyes for Joe. Together they’ve conquered evil spirits saved lost souls and beaten back the Devil himself but they’re about to learn that there are more things in Heaven and Hell than they ever imagined. As far as Nicki is concerned Joe is the man of her dreams but now they’re at the mercy of the creature who’s invaded his. It’ll be a Christmas to remember . . . and it could be Joe and Nicki’s last.

Spirit In The Woods $6.29 Life changes dramatically for Jennifer. Leaving Florida is hard enough; does she have to be haunted by a ghost too? Follow her life changing journey into the past.

A Haunted Love Story: The Ghosts of the Allen House $15.44 A Haunted Love Story is two tales in one: a modern family’s attempt to embrace their strange, spiritinhabited home and a vintage love affair kept secret for six decades. When Mark Spencer bought the beautiful old Allen House in Monticello, Arkansas, he knew that it was famously haunted. According to ghost lore, the troubled spirit of Ladell Allen, who mysteriously commited suicide in the master bedroom in 1948, still roamed the historic mansion. Yet Mark remained skeptical–until he and his family began witnessing faceless phantoms, a doppelganger spirit, and other paranormal phenomena. Ensuing ghost investigations offered convincing evidence that six spirits, including Ladell, inhabited their home. But the most shocking event occured the day Mark followed a strange urge to explore the attic and found, crammed under a floorboard, secret love letters that touchingly depict Ladell Allen’s forbidden, heart-searing romance–and shed light on her tragic end.

Spirit Hunters $28.92 Spirit Hunters has quickly become the top-rated show on the Network. Chris, Matt, and Anne lead the exciting team of paranormal investigators, and they are about to reach a new pinnacle of success when they are invited to penetrate the dark depths of Americaas most imposing haunted house yetaDeath Manor. They travel to the small town of Mayonette, Kansas, and meet up with the local clairvoyant who testifies to the houseas evil adventures. aDonat go in the house a is the explicit warning she issues them. Follow Spirit Hunters in this horrifying tale of death, torture, and demonic forces; the spirit hunters must somehow prevail and defeat Death Manor before the house can claim their souls.

Midnight Mysteries: Haunted Houdini Collector’s Edition $19.99 “The Collector’s Edition of Midnight Mysteries: Haunted Houdini is an exciting hidden object adventure game that continues the popular series! Famed illusionist Harry Houdini knew he wouldn’t escape death forever. When he promised his wife that he would try to reach her from the afterlife, it was seen as the ultimate stunt. But after years of séances, Bess couldn’t reach Harry in this life or the next, and her spirit has come to you in a final plea to reunite her with her partner! Digging deeper into Houdini’s past, you’ll find bitter rivalries and interview Harry’s closest friends and staunchest critics. Consult famous friends like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and rival magician Thurston, while you solve puzzles and track Houdini’s ties to a super secret society. Help Bess and Harry reconnect in the Collector’s Edition of Midnight Mysteries: Haunted Houdini!”

Our Haunted Lives: True Life Ghost Encounters $15.86 Ghost encounters are happening everyday to people everywhere, and the events prove that we are not alone. When people encounter what they perceive to be a ghost or spirit, their lives are forever changed. The ultimate question – Is there life after death? – has just been answered for them. Ghosts cross every culture and continent, and the belief in their existence is on the rise. Our Haunted Lives features the stories of dozens of people who have witnessed the supernatural firsthand in their homes, at work, and in numerous other locations. Our Haunted Lives explores the profound nature of ghosts and spirits. Through personal interviews, the author captures the many different facets of experience – the touching, where people come in contact with a loved one who’s passed on; the funny, where pranks are played or peculiar disembodied sounds are heard; and the frightening, where people still feel shaken by what they saw, heard, and felt. No, we are not alone.

The Haunted $13.16 No Synopsis Available