Post by auntym on Oct 17, 2012 11:15:34 GMT -6
blog.pennlive.com/life/2012/10/ghost_hunting_tips_paranormal.html
Hunting for ghosts: Paranormal investigation tips[/color]
By JULIA HATMAKER, The Patriot-News
on October 16, 2012
On Monday, we showed you some of the haunted places in the midstate.
Today, we’re showing you how to investigate them.
Central Pennsylvania is filled with paranormal investigators and enthusiasts. So we chatted with a few of them to get their tips of the trade.
But first things first. All the investigators we talked with insisted that ghost hunting is not like what you see on television. It’s a time-consuming task that requires lots of patience and true dedication.
“When we do these investigations, so much of it is boring and monotonous,” said John Weaver, co-founder of the Spirit Society of PA. “If you took it as it was and put it on TV, nobody would watch because it would be boring. You may be there for hours before something happens.”
But when something does happen, it makes all that time spent waiting worthwhile. A brush with the paranormal can happen just about anywhere and at any time.
“You can take a walk through a cemetery during the day with a digital voice recorder and you’d be surprised by what you might catch,” said Doug Hockenberry, founder of Cumberland Perry Paranormal. “People don’t realize [spirits] are everywhere.”
Ready to catch a ghost? Here are tips on how to conduct your own paranormal investigation from Weaver and Hockenberry, as well as Mark Cook, co-founder of Cove Paranormal Research Society; Keith Morrison, founder of Complete Paranormal Services; and John Curley, founder of Harrisburg Area Paranormal Society:
Don’t just do night investigations. Night is great for infrared cameras and getting audio recordings (because places are typically quieter), but early morning can be just as good for ghost hunting, and less scary.
Bring at least two flashlights. They’re useful tools when it comes to lighting your way or communicating with the dead. Loyal viewers of “Ghost Hunters” know that one tactic for chatting with spirits is by asking questions and having the spirit turn on and off the flashlight for answers.
Have multiple digital voice recorders. Most of the ghost teams use multiple recorders, each placed in various locations.
Bring lots of batteries. The dead pull energy from a variety of sources in order to communicate with the living, Hockenberry said. When it comes to energy sources, batteries are a prime target. So always bring extras.
Take loads of photos. Hockenberry and his crew take scores of random photos. “You always snap three pictures in the same direction because you never know what you’re going to get,” he said.
Don’t expect a result every time. “You may go off to a place and take 500 photos and get nothing,” Hockenberry said. “Then you go back and you’ll get stuff.” That’s the way of the paranormal — not every visit will be a gold mine of haunted happenings.
Choose your team well. “You need to have members that are reliable, trustworthy and professional,” Curley said. Also, everyone on the team needs to get along.
Ask permission. Many haunted locations require permission to visit, so be sure to ask for it from the proper authorities.
CONTINUE READING: blog.pennlive.com/life/2012/10/ghost_hunting_tips_paranormal.html
Hunting for ghosts: Paranormal investigation tips[/color]
By JULIA HATMAKER, The Patriot-News
on October 16, 2012
On Monday, we showed you some of the haunted places in the midstate.
Today, we’re showing you how to investigate them.
Central Pennsylvania is filled with paranormal investigators and enthusiasts. So we chatted with a few of them to get their tips of the trade.
But first things first. All the investigators we talked with insisted that ghost hunting is not like what you see on television. It’s a time-consuming task that requires lots of patience and true dedication.
“When we do these investigations, so much of it is boring and monotonous,” said John Weaver, co-founder of the Spirit Society of PA. “If you took it as it was and put it on TV, nobody would watch because it would be boring. You may be there for hours before something happens.”
But when something does happen, it makes all that time spent waiting worthwhile. A brush with the paranormal can happen just about anywhere and at any time.
“You can take a walk through a cemetery during the day with a digital voice recorder and you’d be surprised by what you might catch,” said Doug Hockenberry, founder of Cumberland Perry Paranormal. “People don’t realize [spirits] are everywhere.”
Ready to catch a ghost? Here are tips on how to conduct your own paranormal investigation from Weaver and Hockenberry, as well as Mark Cook, co-founder of Cove Paranormal Research Society; Keith Morrison, founder of Complete Paranormal Services; and John Curley, founder of Harrisburg Area Paranormal Society:
Don’t just do night investigations. Night is great for infrared cameras and getting audio recordings (because places are typically quieter), but early morning can be just as good for ghost hunting, and less scary.
Bring at least two flashlights. They’re useful tools when it comes to lighting your way or communicating with the dead. Loyal viewers of “Ghost Hunters” know that one tactic for chatting with spirits is by asking questions and having the spirit turn on and off the flashlight for answers.
Have multiple digital voice recorders. Most of the ghost teams use multiple recorders, each placed in various locations.
Bring lots of batteries. The dead pull energy from a variety of sources in order to communicate with the living, Hockenberry said. When it comes to energy sources, batteries are a prime target. So always bring extras.
Take loads of photos. Hockenberry and his crew take scores of random photos. “You always snap three pictures in the same direction because you never know what you’re going to get,” he said.
Don’t expect a result every time. “You may go off to a place and take 500 photos and get nothing,” Hockenberry said. “Then you go back and you’ll get stuff.” That’s the way of the paranormal — not every visit will be a gold mine of haunted happenings.
Choose your team well. “You need to have members that are reliable, trustworthy and professional,” Curley said. Also, everyone on the team needs to get along.
Ask permission. Many haunted locations require permission to visit, so be sure to ask for it from the proper authorities.
CONTINUE READING: blog.pennlive.com/life/2012/10/ghost_hunting_tips_paranormal.html