Sometimes a person will tell me about a happening in their own home.  It is usually something that has had a great impression on them.  They see it maybe as supernatural or of an occult nature.

Here is Wikipedias explanation of the word occult:

Occult

Many people believe in ghosts but what they actually believe ghosts are differs from person to person.

There are many ‘Ghost Busting’ or ‘Haunting Nights’ being held across the country at ancient sites and old properties.  There are also popular TV  programmes which delve into the ‘unknown’!  Ask any potential ghost buster just what he or she expects to see at the events and it differs greatly.

Some say that they fully expect to see a ghost,  as that is what they believe the event is for.  Others think that they will see things moving of their own accord, such as tables raising up and smaller items floating in mid air.

Ask what they think ghosts are, and this varies too. Lots of these seekers seem to believe that every spirit who has left their material body, is able to haunt places and appear at will. Others think it is only the ‘troubled’ souls who stay around to haunt and scare people.  Some kind of vengeance perhaps!

The simplest explanation to me is that a ghost is an image trapped in time. When people say they have seen the ‘white lady’ or the ‘small child crying’, the event is usually relayed in exactly the same way, with the same descriptions, by all those who say they witnessed it, every time. There is usually no variation in the event.

It came through the wall and floated over to the other wall before disappearing into it….

The room went cold and there was a bad feeling or bad smell in the air when the ghost appeared and did her usual thing, whilst carrying an object….

It appears at the side of the road sometimes at 2am and floats across as though the road was not there, doing the same thing each time….

My belief is that the reason the image is trapped in time, is because of a violent and unexpected passing, the shock of which somehow causes the effect to make an imprint upon this earthly plane. Spirits who pass over to the Spirit World in the usual manner do not seem to go in for haunting.

My experiences are usually of  the spirits of loved ones, who are wanting to let us know they are watching over us, and to give us reassurance at difficult times in our lives. They can communicate to us via a medium and bring messages of love, not scaring us or haunting our homes as this would achieve little.

Poltergeists are different altogether and I will discuss this subject in another post.

Having been on the ghost hunt last week, I have been asked if I will be doing others.  My answer is that I am unsure if I want to.  I find it hard to believe that anyone on these hunts can actually see a ghost.  As I have always said, I believe a ghost is just an image trapped in time and therefore not something you can really hunt for.  Though I know some people make a lot of money from these events.

 (Our event was certainly not done for money at all.)

The very best you could expect, is to go to a certain place at the exact time that the image has been seen by others, and on the right day.  Only then are you likely to see the replay of these ghostly happenings.  Spirits though, do not hang around to haunt places and are best contacted via a  mediums seance or circle.

I sometimes get asked to go to the homes of people who feel that either themselves or their house is haunted.  I go in good faith and with an open mind, but not to ghost hunt.  I just try my best to communicate with spirit and and solve the problem.

I will say a prayer and hold a seance in the person’s home and see what I ‘pick up’ mediumistically.  Sometimes I will need to go round the home asking for the troubled spirit to leave and I have developed my own methods of doing this.

Often, it appears to be one of the residents of the house who is troubled by spirits or even just troubled.  Again, I have my own way of dealing with this too.  By the time I leave the home, it is usually all calm and normal.

Often the home is normal anyway, and it turns out that it is just a lack of knowledge and understanding of spirit activity.  Imparting knowledge from my 25years plus experience of being a working medium, helps in these circumstances.  Sending out love to spirit helps too.

I love working with spirit and helping those who do not know the subject, to understand it all.  In some cases the troubled person turns out to be a psychic who has not learned to close down after working.  They pick up energies and go around living their life with their psychic centres open.  This is a BIG mistake.  Those who remain open pick up everything, from bad moods to bad tempers, and other people’s aches and pains.  It is not a nice way to live I can assure you.

You must learn to open up and close down properly if you wnat to work psychically or mediumistically.  Say prayers, keep grounded and stay safe.  Not all spirits are good, just as not all humans are good, but if you learn to protect yourself properly you will be fine.  Communicating with spirits is neither a game nor for amusement.

For more on development and safety, see earlier posts on this blog site, or email me and I will answer your questions and help all I can.  Do not take chances with your mind.  I have known those who remained open, preferring not to close down and it affected their life big style.  Use your intelligence to guide you.

There is no short answer to this question, but I will tell you about the event and what we did become aware of.  You can make up your own mind too.

We first had the guided tour led by Peter, who works for the Sheffield Markets.  Peter is very knowledgeable about the market and its origins.  Along with Peter we had a local historian, Dave.  Between them they were a font of knowledge and could answer most of our questions.

There were health and safety issues which had to be obeyed, so we were limited in where we wandered.  For instance, there are tunnels underneath the markets (and also under a lot of the buildings in central Sheffield) but the public are forbidden entry via the manholes because of these health and safety issues.

We had an agreement with Peter not to divulge any information which would get in the way of our experiments.  Once you have all of the information in your mind it tends to block off the inspiration from spirit.  Peter agreed not to tell us about any market events unless we ‘picked them up’ first.  Then he would fill in the details for us.

We first went to the ruins of the early castle wall.  This was remarkable and made me feel a great sense of history.  Whilst John, the healer, picked up a lot of shivers, his hair standing on end and other things, I picked up nothing, but I was over awed by the sense of history.  John is clairsentient and does pick up feelings etc, whereas I am more clairvoyant and tend to tune into spirit.

We next went on a tour of the market itself.  Two of the mediums, Kevin and Andrew, used dowsing rods and the rods did start to quiver and cross whenever we were in an area where Peter later told us that there had been a death.  Again, John picked up the ‘feelings’, which were on these same spots.  Sue and Gill also felt the energy in these areas, as did Keith.

We all seemed to pick up things in the same areas and it was good that Peter could fill in the details for us later.  It reassured us that we were not imagining it all.  Plus, as they were items of recent history it is possible to check on some of them.

Sue, picked up information clairvoyantly and made notes. Kevin and Andrew were working clairvoyantly as well as using the dowsing rods.  We would all state aloud what we were feeling and picking up as we went along and ask if others were aware of the same thing.  If the energy was strong we would all stop and try to tune in.

There were three areas in particular where we all picked up feelings and information which was linked.  It was at these three places that we decided to use the table tappings to try to get more information.  Three sat at the table whilst the rest looked on.

Although the table did rock and tap and spell out letters, bringing information for us, it was of recent history rather than Elizabethan history.  We noted the information and Peter agreed to look into it for us.  This was information previously unknown to Peter.

There was one spot in particular where we all picked up things.  I recall telling Peter that I was clairvoyantly picking up on someone who was panicking and gasping for air.  He later told us that a lady had had a heart attck at that same spot.  She panicked because she could not get air.  Sadly, she later died.

Most of us used recorders and cameras as well as note books.  Power of suggestion can be overwhelming, so we kept some things to ourselves until later.  It was quite interesting that often some of the notes were the same.

Whilst the evening was interesting and exciting, it was also very tiring ,but that did not stop us from having one last visit to the castle walls in darkness.  Again, it was awesome but we saw no ghosts.  John picked up the energies again.

I have search my camera images looking for anomalies or maybe some orbs, but I found nothing.  Although John picked up orbs on his camera but not on his camcorder.  Both John and myself left recorders in one area in the hope of picking up ghostly noises but to no avail.

My personal verdict is no ghosts but lots of spirit energy.  The energies seemed to come from the spirits of those who had died during the market’s history.  I will keep you informed of any feedback we get and as usual look forward to your comments and questions.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!  A big thankyou to the market management and to Peter and Dave. And a very big thankyou to Linda, a market cafe owner,  who kept us fed and watered throughout.

In 1184 the first mention of Castellum de Sedfield was noted in history documents and in 1266 the original wooden Sheffield Castle was destroyed. The wooden castle was replaced by the stone castle in 1270.

In 1570, the castle’s most famous ‘guest’ was Mary Queen of Scots.  Mary was imprisoned for 15 years, mainly in the Turret House in the grounds of Sheffield Manor Castle, but she also spent time in the Sheffield Castle, Chatsworth Hall  and  Hardwick Hall.

In 1927, ruins of Sheffield Castle were discovered during building excavations, which were being carried out prior to building on the site of the now Castle Market.

Most of what was found, was unfortunately lost when building of the ‘modern’ market took place.  A lot of the excavations undertaken by archaeologists unearthed remains, but they disappeared into archives somewhere in Sheffield, never to see the light of day again.

Sheffield Castle was one of the four largest in the country, in its time.  What a waste of our heritage!  All that can now be viewed is part of a very thick castle wall.  Still very much worth seeing. The market gives guided tours to anyone interested. 

On our visit, we were shown around by a gentleman named Peter, who was very protective of the history under his care.  He expressed his regret at the lost chances to save our heritage and turn it into a visitor centre.  He has lots of ideas about how to rescue and promote what remains of Sheffield Castle.  They get visitors from overseas as well as local folk.

Under ground are lots of tunnels which lead to other areas in the city.  Areas which were of importance in the castle’s heyday.  These tunnels are no longer usable due to health and safety issues, but  nevertheless, they are still there.  The tunnels apparently go under Castle House and other large buildings.

The Time Team would have a field day working on Sheffield Castle!  They could help save our heritage. Most cities would have utilised such heritage and attracted many visitors, who in turn would help finance a tourist industry.  It is not too late.

The present market is due to be demolished in about three years time.  The city could use this last chance to rescue and restore some of the best parts of the walls and tunnels, and whatever else is unearthed during modern day excavations.

Just being in the same space as the castle wall ruins was a treat.  Our group toured the market as well as the ruins and I will tell you more about our findings in my next post.  In the meantime, here are some links to information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Castle

http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/SouthYorkshire.htm

http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/SouthYorkshire.htm

http://homepage.mac.com/philipdavis/English%20sites/3040.html

Good Hunting!

My title should remind you of my feelings on the difference between spirits coming close, and the images of a traumatic event trapped in time.  Those of you who read this blog regularly will know how I feel very strongly that these are indeed two different events.  The ghost replaying the same trauma over and again, draws the attention of the public, who seem to become aware of it at the same time of day or night on each occasion.

The spirits however, draw close to prove that there really is a continuation of the human consciousness and therefore, life after death.  The spirit will not only bring comfort but will bring advice and give a brief history of their earthly existence.  Some more than others of course.

Yesterday we experienced more of the latter, spirits rather than ghostly hauntings.

I am not dismayed or unhappy, as it is what I personally expected.  Others of our group were hoping to see ghosts and therefore they are probably a little miffed.  For me, being a spiritualist, I enjoyed the contact of spirit and would have enjoyed holding a spiritualist type seance there, as I am sure we would have received greater proof of their existence, if we had.

Overall, it was a very interesting experience, during which we used table tilting and dowsing rods along with tape recorders, cameras and camcorders.  We often all picked up similar things along the way around the modern part of the building.  But for me, the best part was when we toured the very historical part of the building.

Apart from my spiritual and mediumistic interests, the history of the place really got to me, and I urge you to take a tour of the place yourselves.  Especially as the whole historic place may soon disappear, thanks to those concrete monsters which local buiders put in their stead. 

Please, don’t let this happen.  If enough people take an interest, the city council may decide to have a visitor centre and make the most of our heritage.  Meanwhile, a more in depth write up will be posted here tomorrow along with links to websites that have more information about this and other local sites.

On Tuesday I am joining a ghost hunting group at a secret location.  I am going with an open mind and lots of curiosity.  My next post will be about the event and our findings.  There are other mediums and psychics and also my favourite healer who will be there.

It is just a small group, as we need to know we are surrounded by those who we can trust.  It is no good going to an event like this with people who make things up or exaggerate.  It is not a TV programme.  We have no one to prove anything to except oursleves.  We are seeking only the truth.

We are taking along cameras and recorders etc in the hope there is something to capture on tape and film. As usual, I will write with honesty and you will get a true picture of the event.  Until then……………

In a previous post I talked about the ghosts and hauntings.  As I have said,  ghosts seem to be images trapped in time.  Usually this is because of a violent death or unexpected death.  There is trauma and shock and it somehow causes the image to stay there.

The ghost’s image seems to take on a recurrent theme.  It usually repeats the same movements, at the same time of day or night, each time the haunting occurs.  This often means it appears to walk through walls and may be missing it’s head or other body part.

You have to take into account how long ago their death took place.  There may well have been a lot or alterations to buildings in the area since then.  Sometimes walls are bricked up or blocked off in some way.  There may have been major building alterations.  In some case whole communities have been demolished and new homes built in their place.

If someone died a tragic death at the time of there being a castle on site, the ghost may still appear to be in the same castle and may disregard the fact that it is now perhaps a cottage or whole new estate.  The image will still seem to walk the same distance, repeating the same actions as ever before but, because the building is now changed, it appears to walk through the new wall.

You often hear people say things like ‘The girl walks through the wall as if crossing a landing, and then disappears.  It is always at about 11pm.’  The girl obviously died a traumatic death about 11pm and there was obviously a landing for her to walk across at the time of her death.  The landing was where the walls now are, therefore, she appears to walk through the walls.  She is not there anymore.  Only the image is retained. 

When loved ones come from the spirit world to give you assurances that they are still watching over you and there is life after death, it is quite different.  They come to communicate for a very short time and as soon as they have imparted their message they say goodbye and are gone.  They do not come to haunt at all.

Spirits usually come via a spiritualist clairvoyant medium.  They also sometimes can make their loved ones on the earth plane become aware of their presence.  This may take practice on the spirits part and also on the human relative.  Ultimately it is all worthwhile and does bring a lot of comfort.  Unlike a haunting which is very interesting but not what I would call comforting.

I will be talking more about this subject next week.  Take care until then.

The word Poltergeist means “noisy spirit.” A poltergeist is neither a spirit nor a ghost according to paranormal and parapsychology experts. Described as an invisible force and entity, poltergeists have been a topic of debate within paranormal circles for some considerable time.

Poltergeists are not the same as ghosts. Ghosts are usually thought to be the spirits of dead people, who are trapped in time and are often the tormented spirits of murder victims or victims of other violent and unexpected deaths. Poltergeists on the other hand are different from the usual haunting ghost. They seem to be able to interact with the material world and sometimes with violence.

During poltergeist activity stones can be thrown inside the house and windows can be broken by objects being flung around by unseen energy. Objects can float through the air, water and other liquids can pour from walls and ceilings. The subjects of this activity can appear to be bitten or have scratch marks on their bodies.

Depending on the power of a poltergeist, its activity can range from cold air, strange sounds, and nasty smells to floating objects and sometimes includes physical abuse.

Because of the progress made by paranormal science and parapsychology there are new ideas about poltergeists. They now believe that poltergeist activity is not paranormal entities but human beings.

Theories on the poltergeist and human connection, the force usually blamed on poltergeists, are emotional and mental triggers in humans. This is because poltergeist activity usually occurs in places which have seen much violence and suffering or around persons who are experiencing deep emotional problems. Or at times of puberty, when hormones cause changes within a teenager and leave them troubled and repressed.

Intense emotion like anger and tension, from a human being, can cause inexplicable events such as floating objects, strange noises, and other strange phenomena: water too often features in poltergeist activity. The human is usually oblivious to the fact they may be causing the problem because the subconscious mind has finally found a way to release their repressed emotion.

Whether poltergeists are paranormal entities or psychic forces, they are one of the most popular paranormal beings and often talked about.

My personal belief is that poltergeists are psychic energy coming from a troubled individual, usually a pubescent and troubled teenager. This energy runs amok causing havok. There is nothing to suggest it is a spirit nor, indeed, a ghost. But what do you think?

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st.  Halloween activities include trick or treating, ghost tours, and costume parties.  Visiting so called haunted sites, carving lanterns out of pumpkins or turnips and  watching horror films are also popular.

 Halloween is celebrated in many countries of the Western world, mostly in the USA, Canada, Ireland and the UK.  In the UK it is only in the recent past that it has become popular. We seem to have copied the Americans.

There is often a lot of fun put into the event but sometimes there is mischief. I don’t mean the sort created by ghosts either, it seems to be the human element that sees it as a cause for mischief making.

I would like to know your opinions on this subject. Do you see any obvious reason why ghosts or spirits would see the 31st of October as a reason to come out and haunt earthlings?

There is no time in the Spirit World, so why would they mark this particular date? Or any other date for that matter, except perhaps dates which have a personal link to their time on this Earth. 

I know there is folk lore about the event but there is no natural reason. I cannot envisage the spirits in the Spirit World suddenly saying ‘Oh, its Halloween, we had better get out and start haunting the humans’!

You of course are welcome to your beliefs just as I am and therefore, I look forward to your responses on this subject.

Of real interest would be any personal experiences of halloween hauntings. Or any hauntings, on any dates, if you have some evidence to share. I of course will share all interesting comments with all my readers.