Ghost Hunting Terms 101

Afterlife - One of several terms used interchangeably to refer to life after death.

Apparition - Since the early 17th century, this refers to any ghost that seems to have material substance. If it appears in .......any physical form, including a vapor-like image, it may be called an apparition.

EMF - Electro Magnetic Field, or Electro Magnetic Frequency. As the name suggests, it's a combination of electrical and .......magnetic fields. You'll find high EMF levels around power sources, fuse boxes, electrical outlets, computer monitors, .......microwave ovens, etc.

EVP - Electronic Voice Phenomena, or the recording of unexplained voices, usually in haunted settings.

Ghost - A sentient entity or spirit that visits or lingers in our world, after he or she lived among us as a
....... human/animal being.

Haunted - Describes a setting where ghosts, poltergeists, and/or residual energy seem to produce significant paranormal .......activity. The word "haunt" originally meant to frequent.

Medium -- Someone who can communicate between our world and the other side.

Orb - A round, whitish or pastel-colored translucent area in photos. Rarely seen in real life. Generally, these are perfectly .......circular, not oval. Many researchers believe that they represent spirits or ghosts. (See our article, Ghost hunting tips: .......Where the orbs are.)

Paranormal - The prefix, "para" indicates something that is irregular, faulty, or operating outside the usual boundaries. .......So, "paranormal" refers to anything outside the realm and experiences that we consider normal.

Parapsychology - The study of mental abilities and effects outside the usual realm of psychology. Parapsychology includes .......the study of ESP, ghosts, luck, psychokinesis, and other paranormal phenomena. (If you're interested in a degree in .......parapsychology, see our article, Parapsychology degrees.)

Pendulum - A small weight at the end of a cord or chain that is usually about six to ten inches long. The movement of the .......weight, when uninfluenced by other factors, can be used to detect areas of paranormal energy.

Poltergeist - From the German meaning "noisy ghost," this term has been in use since the early 19th century to mean a .......spirit that makes noise, or otherwise plays pranks… often annoying. Unlike other ghosts, poltergeists can move from .......one location to another, following the person they've chosen to torment.

Psi - Popular term used to mean any psychic phenomena, psychic abilities, and sometimes inclusive of paranormal ..............disturbances as well.

Psychic - From the Greek word meaning of the soul, or of life, this word usually refers to the world outside the domain of .......physical law. "Psychic" can relate to the spirit or the mind, depending upon the context. When someone is described .......as a psychic, it usually means that he or she is able to perceive things that are outside traditional physical laws and .......perceptions.

Psychokinesis, or psycho kinesis - To move something with the powers of one's mind, alone. It may be a factor in some .......hauntings, and particularly in poltergeist phenomena. It's usually called "PK." (Also see telekinesis.)

Residual energy - Many ghost hunters believe that emotionally charged events leave an imprint or energy residue on the .......physical objects nearby. What distinguishes residual energy from an active haunting is that the energy/impressions .......repeat consistently, as if on a loop. The energy levels may increase or decrease, but the content remains the same .......with each manifestation.

Spirit - This word comes from the Latin, meaning that which breathes. It means that which animates life,
....... or the soul of the being.

Tarot - The history of Tarot cards is still unclear. However, since its use in 14th century Italy, "Tarot" refers to playing .......cards that are also used for fortune-telling or divination.

Telekinesis - From a Greek word meaning any motion that is activated from a distance. Technically, this could describe a .......remote-controlled toy boat, so we use the word psychokinesis for our research.

Vortex - Since the time of Descartes, this has indicated the rotation of cosmic energy around a central point or axis. ..............Beginning in the mid-19th century, the word "vortex" has meant any whirling movement of energy or particles.