paranormal terms

Anomaly - An irregular or unusual event which does not fit a standard rule or law. An anomaly is something which cannot be explained by currently accepted scientific theories. Anything weird, abnormal, strange, odd, or difficult to classify is considered an anomaly. 

Apparition - a spectral image of a person that materializes even though a physical body is not present.

Cold spot- a term used by paranormal practitioners to describe an area of localized coldness or sudden drop in temperature that they claim to be the result of paranormal activity.

Control – This is a procedure in paranormal psychology that ensures that the experiment is conducted in a standard fashion so that the results will no be influenced by any extraneous factors.

Control Group – A group of outside subjects whose performance or abilities are compared with the experimental subjects.

Debunk/Debunking - When a simple, logical and non-paranormal explanation can account for the reported event(s) or item with an alleged paranormal instance.

Dowsing - The ability to use a pair of rods held in the hands to locate objects, most commonly water. A Y-shaped tree branch can also be used fro finding water. In the paranormal investigation field Dowsing Rods are sometimes used to locate energy sources that could be paranormal in nature.

Ectoplasm – An immaterial or ethereal substance associated with spirit manifestations.  

Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) – Voices and sounds from beyond that are captured and recorded on magnetic tape. Here's some questions you may want to ask during your own EVP session.

EMF/Electromagnetic Field - is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field. 

Entity - is used in a general sense of a being, whether or not the referent has material existence; e.g., is often referred to as an entity with no corporeal form, such as a language. It is also often used to refer to ghosts and other spirits. 

Floating Orb - Spherical image, usually translucent white, though sometimes of a reddish or bluish hue, which registers on photographic film and videotape. (most believe it is a bug flying by at a fast speed, or dust)

Frank's Box - A device used for contacting spirits through the use of radio frequency. (Also known as: Ghost box, Spirit box)

Ghost – A generic term referring to a form of apparition or supernatural entity which is typically the visual appearance of a deceased human's spirit soul.

Ghost Hunting – A carefully controlled research project in which various methods and equipment are used to investigate reports of ghosts and haunting(s). Otherwise known as Paranormal Investigation.

Hallucination – The perception of sights and sounds that are not actually present.

Haunting – Reoccurring ghostly phenomena that returns to a location where no one is physically present. Ghosts generally haunt places and not people.

Hot Spot - An area or place where frequent paranormal activity occurs, such as haunting's.

Lore - Collective beliefs and legendary relating to a subject. (could also be referred to as Urban Legend)

Marian Apparitions – The event in which the Virgin Mary is seen.

Materialization – The act of forming something solid from the air. One of the most difficult and impressive materialization is when part or all of a ghost or spirit can be seen, especially if the face is recognizable.

Medium - Someone who professes to be able communicate with spirits on behalf of another living being, acting as a midway point halfway between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Mist – A Photographed anomaly that appears as a blanket of light.  There is no substantial proof that these are related to paranormal phenomenon.

Near Death Experience (NDE) – An experience that is reported by people who clinically die, or come close to actual death and are revived. (Also related to OBE).

Occult - Latin, meaning something that is concealed or covered. 

Orb – A photographed anomaly that theoretically represents the “spirit” of a deceased person.  It will appear as a ball of light on film though is some cases; they are not seen at the time of the photo.  (most believe it is a bug flying by at a fast speed, or dust)

Ouija Board - A pre-printed board with letters, numerals, and words used to receive spirit communications. 

Out-of-body experience (OBE) – A sensation or experience in which ones self or spirit travels to a different location than their physical body 

Paranormal – Referring to something that is beyond the range of normal human experience or scientific explanation.

Paranormal Group - A group of individuals dedicated to discussing, investigating, or exploring possible explanations to haunting and other paranormal or supernatural events.

Paranormal Research - The study of phenomena currently considered unexplained by the mainstream sciences.

Parapsychology - The study of the evidence for psychological phenomena that are inexplicable by science.

Phantom - Something that is seen, heard, or sensed, but has no physical reality (See Ghost).

Poltergeist - a non-human spirit entity which literally means "noisy ghost" but is usually more malicious and destructive than ghosts of dead human beings. Traditional poltergeists activities are thumping and banging, levitating or the moving of objects, stone throwing and starting fires.  It is thought that poltergeist activity in some instances may be brought on subconsciously by an adolescent agent or females under the age of 25.

Primary Readings - The initial measurements of energy taken at a haunted location, used for establishing an investigation's direction.

Psychic - A person who is responsive to psychic forces with above average ESP abilities.

Radio Voice Phenomenon (RVP) - Receiving the voice of a deceased human being through a regular radio. (tool: spirit box)

Remote Viewing – Used by some psychics, this is a procedure in which the percipient or psychic attempts to become physically aware of the experience of an agent who is at a distant, unknown location through ESP. 

Residual energy - Energy as a result of emotionally charged events leaving an imprint or energy residue on the physical objects nearby.  The energy/impressions repeat consistently, as if doing a loop in a movie clip.

Residual Haunting - This is the playback/psychic imprint of a past event, trapped in a continuous loop, where residual energy is the source.

Seance - A meeting or gathering of people, usually lead by a medium to receive spiritualistic messages, manifestations or communication with the dead.

Sensitive - a person or medium that has the ability to detect spirit energy with more awareness than the average person through some or all of their senses 

Shadow People - are considered supernatural shadow-like figures of both modern folklore and paranormal popular culture that believers claim appear as dark humanoid forms or evasive specters seen mostly in peripheral vision. (also known as shadow figures, shadow beings, shadow men, or shadow folk) 

Specter – A ghostly apparition; a phantom (See Ghost).

Spirit - A spirit commonly refers to a ghost.

Stigmata – Unexplained bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain corresponding in location to the crucifixion wounds of Christ.

Supernatural - Of or relating to existence outside the natural world.  As opposed to paranormal, the term "supernatural" often connotes divine or demonic intervention.

UFO/Unidentified Flying Object - Any airborne object that does not fit known descriptions of existing aircraft.

White Noise – An Acoustical or electrical noise of which the intensity is the same at all frequencies within a given band.