| There
are several types of ghosts out there and it's important to know them
all for the purpose of advanced knowledge & research. Basically, dividing
certain types of phenomena into certain groups is for identification purposes.
Below you will find below a brief explanation of each type of ghostly
phenomena along with it's basic characteristics and a photo depicting
it's normal appearance. It's important to understand that the definitions
below are the present thoughts on the types listed and may be subject
to change as new information becomes available.
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Ectoplasm,
Ecto-mist, vapor, ghostly mist
Appearance
& Characteristics: Cloudy
vaporous mist
This term was originally used to describe the substance that oozed
from spirit mediums during a séance. Now it is associated
and referred to as a mist or fog, and it usually displays a swirl
effect within a vaporous cloud. It normally appears several feet
off the ground and can linger or travel quickly at will. It's usual
colors are gray or white but has also been seen and photographed
in several other colors. Ecto-mist has been caught on both video
& all types of cameras. It's important to note that a camera
can inadvertently create this effect artificially in cold weather
by a person exhaling to close to the lens when taking the picture.
The exhaled breath looks similar to ectoplasm but without the swirls.
There are several strange characteristics associated with ectoplasm.
It is warm to the touch and has a wax like composition with weight
and mass. It is sometimes a gelatinous rubbery substance that disappears
suddenly when exposed to bright light.
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Locations
spotted:
All locations but most generally spotted outdoors and most particularly
at cemeteries, battlefields & historical sites.
Present
Theories:
Believed by many to be the soul or spirit of those that have passed. Ecto-mist
may be the result of a collapsed electromagnetic cascade shower or perhaps
even plasma.
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Globes,
Orbs, balls of Light
Appearance
& Characteristics:
Orbs are the most photographed anomalies captured on film by ghost
hunters. They most often show up as transparent or translucent balls
of light hovering above the ground. Another feature is when they
are captured on film they have a lingering trail. All photographed orbs are inadvertently created by the camera's flash
refracting off a airborne particle or by weather conditions such
as rain or snow. Here is an article
that describes how to tell if an orb is a false positive.
"Orbs" have also been seen on video hovering in the same position
for short periods of time but most often are caught traveling erratically
through the air in a rather care free pattern. |
Locations
spotted:
They have been seen in every location imaginable. Temperature changes
and different climates do not seem to affect them. They are most often
seen outdoors and especially seem to be drawn to historic surroundings.
Present
Theories:
Believed by many to be the soul or spirit of those that have passed on
from this life, these items are not paranormal.
| Apparitions,
disembodied spirit
Appearance & Characteristics:
Catching an apparition on film is what every
ghost hunter aspires to but seldom, if ever sees. They show up in
forms ranging from a transparent to solid human form and wear the
clothing of their period. Some may appear faint and disfigured as
in being incomplete. There are four classes of apparations;
Class
1:
Partials. Apparations that show up incompletely, having no legs
for example.
Class 2: Invisible. These are invisible
to the naked eye, but will show up on film when photographed
Class 3: Visible. These are visible
to the naked eye. Usually transparent in nature.
Class 4: Solids. Appear very solid.
Witnesses commonly mistake them for real people, until they vanish
before their eyes.
In addition, there are four subtypes to each
of these classes;
Type
1: Historical
Apparations. They typically haunt older buildings and appear in
solid forms acting natural.
Type 2: Recurring Apparations. ghosts
that occur in regular cycles over a period of time.
Type 3: Modern Apparations. The spirits
of present day ghosts. they are relatively new, looking and sounding
like modern people.
Type 4: Crisis and Family Aparations.
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Locations
spotted:
They are most often reported being seen in older homes, hotels, theaters
and cemeteries.
Speculations:
It's unsure why they are able to show up on these rare occasions. Your
opinions on this will be most helpful. Some comments will be posted. It
should be noted that visiting relatives from the spirit world could also
be considered an apparition.
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Shadow
ghosts, dark entities
Appearance
& Characteristics:
These ghosts usually appear as shadows. They look a bit like Ecto-mist
but with form and are normally reported to be two feet in length
or longer and tend to travel at a height of two to ten feet. In
photographs it's easy to confuse them with natural shadows so be
careful. They are usually sneaky and evasive. When they are spotted
it's usually out of the corner of your eye or as they are darting
through a wall. They are often spotted in mirrors.
Locations
spotted:
Most often spotted in homes. Have also been seen outdoors at a distance.
Present
Theories:
I guess the general consensus would be that they are ghosts in one
of their forms. Some would say that they are demonic spirits but
that doesn't seem to be the case.
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