When I began ghost hunting almost 15 years ago, I was in awe of the information I had at my discretion. There were many different authors from years past that wrote books on ghosts and how they detected them that I was surprised I had information to follow. Ghost hunting has been ongoing since the late 1800's. Then, just as now, there has been deceit and confusion. Many different groups today are trying to dispel the myths surrounding ghost hunting as well as coming up with new ideas, techniques and theories.
One of those techniques is EVP or electronic voice phenomenon. There are many different thoughts on EVP and how and why it's supposed to work. There was even recently a movie, "White Noise" that was supposed to shed some light on this subject but failed poorly at its' attempt. EVP has been around for years and we are only now beginning to really understand how it works. Very basically, EVP is the voice of the dead. It is a voice that is heard either by a person performing their regular activities of daily living or by a recorder set up specifically for trying to capture the voice. It is thought that ghosts surround us every day. We do believe that they are everywhere. We have no real idea what they are doing except for the very real possibiility that ghosts show up at our homes to console, guide and watch over their loved ones. Ghosts were people. Most passed on under normal circumstances. It is these ghosts that can come back to visit and check on their loved ones.
During these visits, ghosts are able to capture the living's attention. They make things happen to get that attention. They might slam a door, make footsteps, knock something off a table or take something and hide it. They are trying to get your attention. They want to be acknowledged and will go to many different lengths to get that attention. They may even touch you. Once you allow your rational mind to understand that this is a possibility, you will get more contact. The ghost may have a message and want you to have it. It is up to you how this is dealt with.
One way of getting your attention is to talk. They may be able to whisper in your ear. If you are fortunate enough to have that happen, you should at least acknowledge that you hear them. They may be able to continue with a few more words. It is very difficult for ghosts to talk or do anything else for that matter. If you will only listen, they will talk to you and have wonderful things to tell you. EVP can be heard with your ear or a recorder and will be crisp and clear. We do not believe that it is necessary to manipulate the voice in any way. If it is a true EVP, you will not need to do that.
I remember the first time I got my first EVP. I was ecstatic. I had gone to a local historical building at Halloween where I was to be a guest on a local radio show and they were broadcasting the show from this building. I had my tape recorder with me. I always have some sort of media with me to play back when I get home so I can listen to myself and make sure I don't sound like some idiot. I set my recorder in front of me on the table. There were two of the show personalities on my right at the table and one tarot card reader, giving readings, on my left at the table. No one was ever near my recorder and I never left the table. Following the radio show, I went home and listened to the taping while working at my computer. Much to my surprise, as I was listening to the recording I received a voice as clear as can be, sounding like an older woman, telling me, "get out", not in a nice way. I was amazed. I had to call anyone I could get ahold of and let them listen to it. Everyone was congratulating me. I had always said that this historic building was not haunted. I had been in it often over the years and swore that it was not haunted. To my surprise, I got one of the best EVP's I have ever received and really cherish it to this day. It is not often that you are able to get EVP, let alone one so clear. I felt very honored. A ghost somewhere felt I was worthy of receiving an EVP, even if it wasn't a really nice one. They apparently had issues that haven't been dealt with and wanted to be alone. Unfortunately, there were probably 50 people nearby that I couldn't have been able to get rid of, so the ghost was going to have to deal with the intrusion of this building a bit longer.
EVP can be obtained. The old adage, "if at first your don't succeed, try, try again" really holds full weight here. You need to keep working at it and working at it. Talk to the ghosts wherever you are trying to get EVP, ask them to talk to you. Be polite, considerate, respectful. They are people too. You can use any type of recorder. Digital has been proven to be the best but tape works as well. Most of all, keep trying. You will find that ghosts will begin to talk to you and may give you messages if you want them. You can talk to ghosts too!!
EVP: Part Deux
EVP or electronic voice phenomenon has been attempted since at least the turn of the century in one form or another. In 1848, the Fox sisters probably attempted the earliest form of spirit communication called spirit rapping. Over the years, EVP has become more sophisticated and in tune with the times. It began with dual-reel tape recorders that were very big and very bulky. Scientists and other interested persons would attempt experiments with these items but really didn't get the results they wanted. Over the years, manufacturers have updated, improved and condensed the tape recorders they make only to provide excellent results when used under controlled conditions. Ghost hunters began experimenting with these recorders and discovered a whole new world that had opened up with their use. In an attempt to share their evidence, they were met with resistance from the scientific community. There was no way to prove their evidence and how they obtained it.
Tranquil, Elegant and Haunted!!
Nestled among the East San Jose foothills with only a two-lane road leading to the park through the mountains, the Joseph D. Grant County Park can easily be missed. This park boasts a beautiful house coupled with a few other out-buildings renovated to remind visitors of the days of yesteryear. The house has period pieces of furniture, an all wood foyer, hardwood floors in the rooms….and residents they never expected. For years the park rangers never questioned the footsteps, door slams, noises and moving things from the corners of their eyes. They merely chalked it up to someone else being in the house. When visitors stated that they saw someone or heard something in the house, the park rangers chalked that up to nothing more than imaginations.
Ghosts vs. Demons: Real or Coincidence
As a ghost hunter and ... ... I have had my share of ... with ghosts. I have also had my share of people asking me how I know it was a ghost that made those ... happe
