
by Sylvia, co founder of C.A.P.E.R.S.
If you were to gather several paranormal research groups together, chances are you would hear as many different opinions as there are people in the room. Ghost hunting is a cutting edge activity and few things about it are tangible. Bringing up orbs usually gets a good discussion going. Saying the word occult garners a reaction too. Then there's the psychic impressions issue. Some groups have a psychic or medium on board, others don't. In my opinion, not utilizing psychic or sensory impressions is like going into an investigation with one eye closed.
What exactly is a psychic? To answer that question thoroughly would take more than one blog entry, but in essence, it is someone who has honed a natural ability to discern information through sensory means. Everyone has psychic potential although the methods vary from person to person. Some people just know in an instinctual, quiet inner voice kind of way. They are Intuitive. Others see with the mind's eye and are Clairvoyant. Another type is known as Empathic. They feel what others around them are feeling and often take on those emotions for their own. Those are just a few examples, there are many others. Most people have abilities in several areas, but are proficient in one or two. Many people are unaware of their psychic nature because they have shut that part of themselves down, thinking it is hogwash or even something of an evil nature.
Mediums are able to communicate with the spirit world by opening themselves, usually in a trance or altered state. In my opinion this is a bit more tricky, but with precautions and guidance, it is a safe way to gather information whether it be of a healing nature or a communicative message from beyond the Veil. A good psychic or medium will clear away their biases and assumptions first in order to have clarity of perception. Know Thyself
But how reliable is this information? While not always spot on, some of the impressions CAPERS team members have had during an investigation were later found to be remarkably accurate! During a recent investigation, one C.A.P.E.R.S. team member felt that water was somehow important to the paranormal occurrences in the home. A young mother, who had lost two infant sons and is buried on the property, was known only as R.L. _______ from the name carved on the broken tombstone. Her name was sensed as Rebecca by a second team member. A third team member felt that someone had arrived at that location from Pennsylvania. After the investigation, researching death, census and burial records proved that an occupant of the home had drowned in 1850, probably the father-in-law of the young woman mentioned above, whose name was indeed Rebecca and who was born in Pennsylvania! Coincidence? We think not.
Tools are sometimes used by a psychic or medium to access their sensory impressions and receive messages. Again, these are as varied as the individual, but some examples are: Tarot and Oracle cards, Pendulums, Mirrors and Crystal balls, etc. While these objects have an energy of their own, their real strength lies in helping one to open to the Divine within.
Unfortunately, there have always been unethical people that allow their ego to use their psychic abilities for self serving interests. These types are best avoided!
Really, paranormal investigating is a kind of puzzle, with the pieces being information that the client may have, psychic impressions, evidence captured on video or audio and research that can tie it all together. C.A.P.E.R.S. likes the "Full Spectrum" approach to paranormal investigating, utilizing both the latest scientific equipment and sensory impressions!
If you were to gather several paranormal research groups together, chances are you would hear as many different opinions as there are people in the room. Ghost hunting is a cutting edge activity and few things about it are tangible. Bringing up orbs usually gets a good discussion going. Saying the word occult garners a reaction too. Then there's the psychic impressions issue. Some groups have a psychic or medium on board, others don't. In my opinion, not utilizing psychic or sensory impressions is like going into an investigation with one eye closed.
What exactly is a psychic? To answer that question thoroughly would take more than one blog entry, but in essence, it is someone who has honed a natural ability to discern information through sensory means. Everyone has psychic potential although the methods vary from person to person. Some people just know in an instinctual, quiet inner voice kind of way. They are Intuitive. Others see with the mind's eye and are Clairvoyant. Another type is known as Empathic. They feel what others around them are feeling and often take on those emotions for their own. Those are just a few examples, there are many others. Most people have abilities in several areas, but are proficient in one or two. Many people are unaware of their psychic nature because they have shut that part of themselves down, thinking it is hogwash or even something of an evil nature.
Mediums are able to communicate with the spirit world by opening themselves, usually in a trance or altered state. In my opinion this is a bit more tricky, but with precautions and guidance, it is a safe way to gather information whether it be of a healing nature or a communicative message from beyond the Veil. A good psychic or medium will clear away their biases and assumptions first in order to have clarity of perception. Know Thyself
But how reliable is this information? While not always spot on, some of the impressions CAPERS team members have had during an investigation were later found to be remarkably accurate! During a recent investigation, one C.A.P.E.R.S. team member felt that water was somehow important to the paranormal occurrences in the home. A young mother, who had lost two infant sons and is buried on the property, was known only as R.L. _______ from the name carved on the broken tombstone. Her name was sensed as Rebecca by a second team member. A third team member felt that someone had arrived at that location from Pennsylvania. After the investigation, researching death, census and burial records proved that an occupant of the home had drowned in 1850, probably the father-in-law of the young woman mentioned above, whose name was indeed Rebecca and who was born in Pennsylvania! Coincidence? We think not.
Tools are sometimes used by a psychic or medium to access their sensory impressions and receive messages. Again, these are as varied as the individual, but some examples are: Tarot and Oracle cards, Pendulums, Mirrors and Crystal balls, etc. While these objects have an energy of their own, their real strength lies in helping one to open to the Divine within.
Unfortunately, there have always been unethical people that allow their ego to use their psychic abilities for self serving interests. These types are best avoided!
Really, paranormal investigating is a kind of puzzle, with the pieces being information that the client may have, psychic impressions, evidence captured on video or audio and research that can tie it all together. C.A.P.E.R.S. likes the "Full Spectrum" approach to paranormal investigating, utilizing both the latest scientific equipment and sensory impressions!