Angels & Ghosts Website Archives - Page 3 of 16

Ghosts & Spirit Studies: July 2014 Newsletter

We’re blending old and new this month: old in that we are sharing some history of ghost and spirit studies. The past should be understood and not discarded or forgotten.

For something new, I’ve brought back with me some local ghostly lore from the Outer Banks. And for fun, we’ve added our new rate-a-photo widget to all of our picture and video galleries. Give it a try!
- Louis

History and Ghost Investigation
Let’s not forget the past. We wanted to look back at history to see what we could learn about the mystery of ghosts. Here are but a few articles and stories to consider…

Blog Post: History is Missing with Today’s Ghost Hunters
Article: Capturing Ghosts on Film
Story: First Documented Ghost in the United States
Story: Florida Poltergeist of 1967

New! Rate-a-Photo or Video
Rate a pic or video to see the voting results! It’s finally here! We’ve added a custom “rate-a-photo widget” to our picture and video galleries, site-wide. Now, you can vote, see the results, and share it on social media! Why not give it a try by rating some 2013-2014 Ghost Pictures?

Outer Banks: Haunted?
Tales of pirates, phantoms and hoodoos. We were surprised to find quite a few tales of haunting in and near North Carolina’s barrier islands. So, we made our basecamp at Roanoke Island and went exploring.

Article: Outer Banks Ghosts & Haunting

Paranormal Visuals & Perusals
More spirits & ghosts to read and see!

St Mary in the Castle Ghost? Is that a giant face in the mist?
What is a Banshee? The eerie lore behind this phantom tale…
Alcatraz Ghost Woman Prison ghost pic haunts the web recently!
Currituck Beach Light We explore the northern OBX haunt…
Can Ghosts Produce Snow? A mysterious snowstorm is witnessed inside a home!
Ghosts of the Whitehouse Historic spirit experiences in the Presidents residence…
Smithsonian Museum Ghost Update! A second pic of a man’s face near General Sheridan’s horse…
German Cemetery Ghost? A foto of a soldier spectre goes viral…and may be a fake!
What is an Apport? Old school ghost hunting term has application today.
Taxi Crash Angel Rescue A woman is pulled from a deadly cab and healed…
Can Ghost Photos Be Art? Blog post about photographic fakery of the supernatural…
Pengwern Arms Ghost Girl Did someone with Gwynned Paranormal snapshot a girl’s spirit?
Seeing Shadows She recalls seeing a shadow person stare her down…

Ghosts and Inspiration from Art

Have you ever wondered what the first, real ghost picture might have been? What about the first “faux” ghost photograph: when did it first occur to someone that they could fool humanity into believing the false?

But was it really fooling people or, perhaps, actually “inspiring” us to consider the supernatural?

Something (Capturing Ghosts on Film) great for us to contemplate was put forth by writer Robert Irving over a decade ago as a magazine article for Fortean Times, and I think Irving’s thoughts are still very relevant, even in light of today’s far-flung chicanery — the onslaught of false ghost and spirit photos we see being shared, daily, thanks to the smartphone apps that help to create the odd and eerie “phantasmal” imagery. I can sum up Irving’s idea as this: we are mesmerized by the metaphysical.

Mankind has certainly been inspired by media — first artistic renderings, statues, paintings and the like — and in modern times, photography and videography have been added to our art forms, allowing us to “conceive” glimpses into the afterlife, or at least what many of us might choose to believe is a depiction of what could await us at the end of our earthly lives.

In retrospect, I am beginning to wonder if we should continue to hold disdain for the faked photographs polluting the web. Could it be wiser to simply give in and share them with others? Of course, I hate the idea of contaminating possible real evidence with the false; but it seems even the real thing is discounted, anyway, even after laying out the best case possible for each ghostly experience.

Are we better off to share something that may spark an interest or, at least, a consideration of the paranormal? Sometimes, I think so. It could just be a new form of art.

Ghost Picture Alert!

smithsonian-winchester-horse-ghost-062014zx

We just received a second photo taken at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum that validates a ghost picture we had posted a few years ago.

Taken one year apart by two different photographers who do not know one another, a similar-looking ghostly head has appeared at the display case of the horse, “Winchester.” Though we have considered the phenomenon to be the product of similar lights shining on the case, or something of that nature, what is compelling is that the most recent ghost photograph has a more well defined nose and mouth when compared to the other photo. This would lead us to believe that, though similar, the face has been photographed at different phases of its manifestation.

You can see both photos of the ghost face, here: Smithsonian Ghost.

History is Missing with Today’s Ghost Hunters

ghost-investigator-harry-price-20145 Over the past ten years, I’ve observed the rise of ghost hunting on television and the paranormal craze it has stirred up. There’s been a lot of good come out of this. Recent advances in experimental “ghost hunting” technology could help us better detect ghosts or even communicate with them.

Not All Is Lost
But, there has been some not-so-good stuff appear on the scene, too, such as people wanting to become famous on TV, the faking of evidence (at least by some producers), and an ignorance toward the past. I, myself, am guilty of the latter and desire to chase down prior work done by early ghost investigators.

One such story I stumbled upon is worthy of researching: the ghost of Nelly Butler. Making her appearance over 200 years ago, the depths at which she went to confirm the existence of the human spirit after the body perishes is astounding. I say astounding because this ghost was confirmed, validated by those who investigated and tried to denounce the haunting at the time. (Read, The First Documented Ghost in the United States.)

History Is Something Ghost Investigators Need to Embrace
What I have come to realize is that we have numerous cases of studies and sightings that are important but seem forgotten because they are not modern day. I wonder if we look at some of the older witnesses and explorers of haunting as antiquated or even “loony.” If so, it is a shame, and I think we are remiss not to uncover what they wrote, what they explored. It was written for us, today. We are their future generations who they wished to communicate their stories to. It’s up to us whether or not to take their word as credible; but to do so, we need to at least consider them to be fellow researchers of the paranormal.

By studying the ideas and findings of our predecessors, I suspect we just may find that some of our beliefs are not new; and I think we will enhance our understanding of ghosts and spirits. Might we become inspired by their journeys, as well? I know I am.
- Louis

What Does a Ghost “Feel” Like?

What do ghosts feel like?

This may seem like an odd question, but I think it is a good one to consider. For, at times, it is possible that when we encounter haunting we might not be aware of its effect on us.

Many of us have heard, or even experienced, that when we encounter “spirit” a tingling sensation or goosebumps may arise for some people. I believe this to be true for many of us. After having had my own encounters over the years, dating back to the 1990s, I began recognizing when I am within a “presence,” at times. I have felt this in my own home, when attending certain churches (in the past), and while attempting to communicate with ghosts at haunted locations. So I am trying to say that there has been a wide variety of places and experiences that seem similar to me (as it relates to feeling “an unseen presence”).

Others, though, have had deeper experiences with ghosts, having felt dazed or out of it after encountering what they can only believe to be a ghost attack. Now using the word “attack” seems harsh, to me, because who knows what really happened. Perhaps the ghost didn’t have intentions of attacking another person at all. So let’s be careful about labeling such experiences as attacks, demonic, evil, nasty, etc. Let’s agree to call these feelings that we do not fully understand as “odd.”

Kathryn Johnson had such an experience when entering the door of a notedly haunted place in San Diego – the Whaley House. She didn’t expect to feel the way she did, and I do not believe she felt she was attacked. Her suspicion is that, maybe, a ghost passed through her (see Whaley House Ghost Experience). And why couldn’t that be the case? After all, it might be good fun for a spirit to make their essence known by walking through or near a person. I would want to try it if disembodied, I think!

This idea of another’s spirit mixing with our own does seem parallel to accounts we hear of ghost possession (or “attachment”). People who have suffered such encounters struggle to be in control of their body and mind, seeming foggy or pushed back out of the way. Quite frightening to hear about but a phenomenon that has been known about for thousands of years.

This subject is definitely something to ponder: the influence of ghosts, invisible, upon the living. How might they affect us if interacting with us? Something to consider…yes, indeed.

- Louis

Newly Added Photos and Stories

Since our new site launch, Angels & Ghosts has been adding content, some of which has been sitting in queue for several years.

We have a lot planned for 2014 with regard to site improvements, a new store, and a possible book project you can help us out with, hopefully.

Next week, I’ll be heading to San Diego to explore the haunted Del Coronado Hotel and the infamous Whaley House. My hope is that I may bring you back some stories about these famous haunts that I can share with you. Stay tuned.

The following pages were newly added in the past few days, alone:
Virgin Mary in Clouds
Mysterious Head Photo
Motorcycle Crash Ghost Pic
Peaches Geldof Ghost Hand
Our Friendly Ghost
Toddler Teenager Out of Body Experiences
Death Dreams Near Death Experience
Blue Bell Hill Ghost Sighting

Do Ghosts Haunt Washington D.C. Sites?

When we think of ghosts and haunting, especially, where a disembodied person might want to perpetually visit, attractions come to mind. If you were a ghost, would you want to visit places you haven’t seen before? Perhaps. What about retracing steps to other earthly sites that hold fond memories? It would seem the possibilities could be endless, a real “ghosts on vacation” type of scenario. You could visit tourist sites, amusement parks, even the universe, maybe. I certainly might give that a go, for sure. And, think about this: you could visit the busy, tourist traps undetected and for free!

This month, we posted a particularly interesting ghost photo taken at the Lincoln Memorial (Lincoln Memorial Ghost). This ghost traveler did not go undetected. A gray-ish man, wearing a hat or helmet, walked among visitors. Only the camera’s eye saw him, and now we can show him to you.

Whoever he is, I cannot help but wonder why he would be there. Was he on vacation? Did the Washington D.C. ghost travel there with family or friends? Or, does he continually hang around Lincoln’s seated statue, ever guarding it from vandals? One can only imagine the reasons why…

- Louis

Unseen Family Are With Us in Spirit

Spirits With Us Always

Loved Ones Are With You – Change Your Beliefs
During the holidays, many people become saddened by memories of family and friends who have passed before them. It can be a very somber time if we lock our minds into the idea of loss, grief and separation from people we love.

At Angels & Ghosts, we encourage readers that our loved ones are indeed with us. Just because you do not see them or hear them does not mean that death has to be an impenetrable wall, separating us from those whom we cherish. Instead, this time of year, begin by changing your thinking – believe that family and friends are with us in spirit. Imagine them taking part in the festivities and not missing out on the events in our lives.

We could talk at length about scriptures in the Bible, even words that Jesus had purportedly uttered, that reveal that people are not dead when their bodies expire; that humanity is much bigger than meets the eye. In fact, Jesus, we read, refused to call anyone “dead” who had physically passed. He said they were “sleeping.” And if we look into the epistles, this scripture is very encouraging:

“We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” – Hebrews 12:1

And that verse mirrors what we have found in the evidence we have been collecting for 10 years: All of us are surrounded by people in spirit! We become more and more convinced of this each year, remaining awed by the different ways spirits make their presence known to us.

All Family Are With Us During the Holidays!

Nicolas McCabe Makes His Presence Known to Family
Nic McCabe died in a tornado that destroyed an elementary school in Oklahoma. Because his family was suffering the loss of their son, we believe Nic has been remaining with them to watch over their lives and bring comfort – he’s worried about them. (And, who wouldn’t worry about loved ones who are grieving?) Unwittingly, his essence was photographed, proving to family, who had suspected he was there by their sides, that he was indeed HERE – not some place far away; but he is with them here, now. Don’t believe it? Take a look at the photo “Family Spirits With Us.”

To some religious institutions, that may seem impossible. But remember that it is possible that some religious beliefs are incorrect – especially those that are based upon fear and separation. (And some religious ideas are flat out wrong. They have to be; otherwise, there wouldn’t be differing beliefs. I mean someone has got to be wrong!)

We have found that there is no separation except for the person who chooses to believe in it. But, deny the idea of all of humanity being separate, and your view of the world will begin to change.

Happy Holidays,

Louis

Moving Shadowed Form – Hot Off the Press!

Often, we receive shadow ghost photos, but few of them demonstrate movement and interaction with the living. To be sure, Laura Lyn had no idea that she had recorded the spirit person in several photos, but she was aware of activity in the room (she’s intuitive). Take a look at these photos from her: Rogue’s Hollow Shadow Ghost Photos