Types of Hauntings

Hello friends,

Sorry for not posting any new entries for awhile. I don't know if its just me, but it just seems that the following I thought I'd have is... well... not following so to speak. I guess people might be expecting actual video/audio personal experiences rather than a science lesson.


If you're liking what I'm doing, please feel free to comment here or on my Facebook Page, so I know this is all not in vein.


Anyways, lets continue with today's lesson (Har har!)


If you've ever watched a Ghost Hunters episode, or any show on TV that has to do with the paranormal, it's very likely that you will hear 2 of 3 words:

• Residual
• Intelligent
• Poltergeist
• Demonic

These 4 words in fact describe the types of hauntings that paranormal researchers deal with, more so the first two, with every investigation. Whether you are an investigator, someone who wants to get into the field, or have some strange things occurring in your home, these terms can help you determine what just may be going on.


Residual - A residual haunting can be described as a recording that is being replayed over and over whether you are there to experience it or not. This type of haunt can be small things from auditory sounds all the way up to full bodied apparitions. The first things that the witness to a residual haunting will notice is that the spirit does not seem to interact, or acknowledge that there is anyone present. It will happen whether you are there or not and its not always guaranteed that you will hear or see the activity every single time it happens. Even though this particular style is categorized under a "haunting", there is no actual entity present.


The best way to think of it is some major or traumatic event imprinting its energy in a location. Some theories out there believe that a high amount of quartz, limestone or magnetic deposits can store this energy, thus "playing" this imprint, which can play every day, every month, or once every year. There have also been documented cases that renovations to a home or business can also kick up residual hauntings. If you happen to see an entity go through a wall, its very likely there could have been a door there at one point and it was just following its regular pattern.


Intelligent Haunting - An intelligent haunting is the opposite of a residual haunting. An intelligent haunting can (and often does) interact with the living and with its surroundings. Intelligent hauntings seem to occur for many different reasons. It could be the spirit simply may not realize that their life has ended and they are trying to continue living as if they would if they were still alive, and people invading its private space can often spark up activity, most common with renovations. There is consciousness behind these beings and their personalities will be just as different as you and I have different personalities. There may be some really friendly intelligent hauntings, and then there may be intelligent hauntings that seem quite ominous.


There are several different types of intelligent hauntings, and the type of phenomena experienced varies depending on the type. Interaction is the big key here with intelligent hauntings. The common types are your auditory sounds of knocking, banging, or footsteps, up to disembodied voices that you can hear there and then, or with a recording device played back later.  The more uncommon are that of actual interaction and manipulation. Seeing apparitions could be considered common, but as far as video proof its very rare. You also have the manipulation of moving objects, or using them. One device that has been getting a good praise for this is the K2 Meter, which is able to measure the magnetic field in an area. So if spirits are indeed energy, when they get close to the K2 meter, it can set it off. Many researchers can use this tool to have actual Yes/No conversations with these spirits.

This video shows a private un-aired field session with TAPS at Fort Mifflin, using the K2 Meter to interact with an entity.

Poltergeist - Poltergeist hauntings can range from mild to terrifying. A mild poltergeist haunt may involve unexplained noises or voices being heard.  A stronger poltergeist may move objects. Sometimes objects can go missing, and then reappear without explanation. In rare cases a poltergeist can become violent. People have been slapped, tripped or scratched.  Often these types of hauntings can be misread as demonic hauntings.

Demonic Haunting - I don't think really needs explanation. Its pretty much there for one of two reason. Malicious intent, or possession. I won't go much into detail about this haunting for two reasons. As I said, its self explanatory, and second, I feel there really isn't a lot of hard proof evidence that this type of style exists. Its possible there could be a demonic presence haunting a location, but have you ever considered it could just be some grumpy old spirit wanting to have their privacy back, and the only way it knows how to try and do this is by scaring people?

But if you are concerned that you might have a demonic haunting, some things to look for are the following:
A heavy, oppressive feeling in the air, growling, scratches, irrational feelings of anger, nightmares, and personality changes. In rare cases demonic haunts are accompanied by the smell of sulphur, feces, or rotting flesh.

That pretty much covers the basics here. I hope this article was very enlightening. And as I mentioned before, please comment here or on Facebook about this or any of my other entries!

-Brett