Ouija Boards & Talking Boards: Part 1

The Ouija board is by far the most common and popular of the "talking" boards.  Talking boards are made from all kinds of various materials such as wood, fiber, and even cardboard, and are used for divination purposes.  Divination is the practice of attempting to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means.  The word divination originates from the Latin word divinare: to foresee or to be inspired by a god; and is related to the word divinus, or divine.  Therein lies the root problem with talking boards, Ouija boards, or for that matter, any kind of divination: it is attempting and seeking to gain secret knowledge or power through lesser gods, and attempts to bypass the one true and living God.  That, in a word, is idolatry, and is strictly condemned and forbidden in scripture.  As a Christian demonologist, that is my objection to its use.

These talking boards usually have the letters of the alphabet on them, the numbers 0 through 9, as well as the words yes, no, and goodbye.  They don't even have to be on a "board" as such because these letters, numbers and words can be written on sheets of paper, and often are. In a series of posts, I would like to educate the reader on several aspects of the Ouija Board, or talking board. In a series of future posts the following topics of the Ouija Board will be presented (the first is presented below):

History & Origin
Name "Ouija"
American Version of the Ouija - a History
Typical Use of the Ouija Board
Various Views Regarding the Ouija Board
Possible Consequences
My Opinion: It Should Not Be Used
Proper Disposal of the Ouija Board   

History & Origin
The talking board has a mysterious origin.  No one can quite tell where they came from.  Stoker Hunt, in Ouija: The Most Dangerous Game, says, "The nature of the Ouija phenomenon is controversial ; so too are its roots.  No one person or culture can take credit for its development.  Ouija origins are multiple and ancient, having been independently reinvented and rediscovered in a wide variety of locations."  Having studied the axial period of the explosion of religion all across the globe (see the Russian theologian Alexander Men), I will say what many are not willing to say:  I think the origin of the board was ultimately not a human one, but the true originator worked through many humans in many parts of the world.  There, I said it.

Actually, I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to come up with that kind of conclusion.  I, as well as many others, see the world we live in as existing in two simultaneous interacting parts - the physical and the spiritual.  They are intertwined and interactive.  I think we have no real idea just how influenced and affected we are by the spiritual domain, and yet at the same time we in the material/physical domain influence and affect it too.  With the Ouija Board, which is complex and sometimes a bit hard to understand, I feel very strongly that while humans may think the origins lay with some inventor somewhere, the real inventor was not of this world.  Any time you see something come into the material - physical world in many different locations around the same time period, I would strongly suggest you look to an intelligence behind the human intelligence for the cause.

Hunt further says that the board was used in the days of Pythagoras, about 540 B.C., and is genuinely ancient in its origins and is "nothing less than a folk knowledge, a universal folk instrument." 


Bibliography:
Ouija: The Most Dangerous Game, by Stoker Hunt;  Harper Press, 1985, First edition.  ISBN: 0-06-093504 


The New Encyclopedia of the Occult, by John Michael Greer; Llewellyn Publications, 2009, First Edition.  ISBN: 13:978-1-56718-336-8.


The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, by Rosemary Ellen Guiley; Checkmark Books, 2007, Third Edition.  ISBN: 13:978-0-8160-6738-1.

Hebrews 9:27 Is Not A Verse That Refutes Purgatory

I have listened to and read some Christian fundamentalists attempt to use Hebrews 9:27 as a verse that refutes the theological concept of Purgatory.  As someone who was raised in this part of Christianity, I know a bit about their thinking and ways of processing scripture.  To be fair, there is much about fundamentalism that is good and that I still respect, but at the same time, some of where they are coming from is just plain mistaken.  That is the case with using Hebrews 9:27 to refute purgatory.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  A true exegesis of the verse shows that it does not refute purgatory at all, but does rather clearly refute the concept of reincarnation.

Here is the verse, in its context:

Hebrews 9:24-32 (New International Version, ©2010)

²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. ²⁵ Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

In looking at verse 27, the phrase in question is simply "people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."  The more accurate English translation from the Greek is found in the New American Standard, which has the phrase as: "it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." Fundamentalists often point to this phrase and say that this "refutes the idea that people get a second chance in some purgatory."  How do they reach this conclusion based on this verse?  It is impossible to do so simply on the face what the verse is saying.  Here is what can actually be drawn from the verse (exegesis):

1.  People die once.
2.  Judgment is subsequent to death.

That is all that can be accurately and truthfully drawn from this verse.  Nothing more.  The verse points out the human beings die one time, and that judgment follows death.  So, how do the fundamentalists draw more out?  It is called eisegesis, and it happens frequently.  Eisegesis is reading into the verse rather than reading out of the verse what the meaning is.  The fundamentalists' mistake is that they are approaching the verse with a preconceived idea and so in reading the verse they incorrectly inject their bias.  To give them the benefit of the doubt, most of them probably are doing this naively and subconsciously, not overtly and with obvious intent.  They are reading into it more than what is there because they desperately want it to mean what they want it to.  They would rather hold on to what their understanding is rather than change their views to line up with scripture, because it is a very unsettling thing to have one's foundations rocked.  But, that is what Christians should do - is be more committed to scripture changing them rather than the other way around - changing scripture to fit their own ideas.  God's word is supposed to be over us and above us, and come into our hearts and minds infused with the Holy Spirit, so that we should shift our thinking to line up with it.  Romans 12:2 reads, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Yet, because they do not believe in the concept of purgatory, some people think the verse means "people are destined to die once, and after that to immediately face judgment."  Of course, the word "immediately" is not in the verse, but that is how they interpret it.  An honest reading of the Bible in its entirety clearly shows that scripture reveals that judgment occurs much later than the vast majority of human beings down through human history have died, and that is at the Great White Throne Judgment spoken of in the Book of Revelation in 20:11.  I also know that most do not understand what the doctrine of purgatory is to begin with.  They have a vague notion, and that notion is usually the result of a presentation of the doctrine from an extremely negative point of view.  They have never read a Catholic understanding or presentation of the subject, and I say this as a Protestant.  When one side has all the say, and the other side is never presented, then one can safely assume what the outcome is likely to be.  I think that's a bit closed-minded and narrow.  To pronounce such a judgment on something without even considering the other side is to live in a small box with no doors or windows, and perhaps even scripture has a hard time breaking through.  There is much assumption and presumption that goes on in such boxes.

So, it is clear that a true interpretation of Hebrews 9:27 shows that it does not refute the concept of purgatory at all, but rather clearly could and should be used to refute the pagan idea of reincarnation, such as the followers of the Hindu religion and Wicca believe.  Any honest Christian would stop using this verse to refute purgatory.  It simply does not.  It does not really matter to me if a Christian brother or sister chooses to not believe in purgatory.  What does bother me is when they use such verses to claim that the Bible refutes the idea.  That is what I will not stand by without some attempt to point out its folly.  

C.S. Lewis on Purgatory, Which Theologically Supports Ghosts as Former Humans

It would probably come as a shock to many in the Christian circles I grew up in, to note that the foremost Protestant theologian of all time, C.S. Lewis, believed in purgatory.  This doctrine, which I personally tend to believe as well, supports theologically how and why ghosts could be former humans who have passed on but who are somehow stuck in some "middle way."  In additional posts I will be discussing scriptures that some fundamentalists use to claim that there are no such things as ghosts, and show that they are, in my opinion, making incorrect assumptions in the classic scriptures used against the idea of ghosts.  I will exegete (not eisegete) what the scriptures are saying.  I submit that a very close scrutiny of these passages will likely surprise the average person and perhaps cause them to think a little deeper on the subject. 

I will also be presenting many scriptures (in future posts) that deal with the support of the idea of purgatory and ghosts as former humans.  I may not convince a single soul, but any fair-minded person should be able to take away from it that the idea is defensible, is sound scripturally and theologically from a positional point of view, and that it is not something that is clearly wrong or outlandish. The idea here is to establish that scripture, reason, experience and history all point to, at the very least, an arguable and defensible position that ghosts are real and that they are humans who have passed on.  This is the first of what probably will be dozens of posts on this subject over the coming months. Of course, we certainly regard those with a different opinion than ours as Christian also, but they are the ones who are claiming that we are theologically and scripturally unsound (that is putting what they are saying and thinking mildly). Good Christians ought to be able to disagree on this without one side deeming, with a gasp, the others' position as being scripturally or biblically untenable.  My purpose in these coming posts is to give those of us who are deeply committed Christians a solid defense for the idea that Christians can most certainly believe in ghosts and do not have to stand for others relegating us to being "heretical" in believing this way.  I would also caution against getting too worked up about being criticized.  It is unpleasant and absolutely should not happen to the degree it is, but we simply should learn to expect it, grow stronger through it, and keep right on helping the people we are helping.  The ones who are criticizing you are not out there with you helping our clients, they are too busy staying home working up arguments against you! Question: You do understand what that makes them, right?  Answer: Irrelevant.  My humble advice: focus your energy and attention on what you can influence and control, which is growing deeper in your relationship with God, and helping your clients. Of course, if you feel judged and condemned, that's another matter entirely, and each of us will have to carefully and prayerfully consider his or her path. 

The bottom line is, no one on this side of life knows for sure what a ghost is - but the fact is, ghosts exist.  Christ and his disciples knew they existed - they use the word ghost rather than demon in one passage.  It is senseless to refute that fact and what billions of people experience in their lives, both today and throughout history.  To claim differently is to render oneself irrelevant and unrealistic. True theological positions must fit with real life.  To hold that there are no such things as ghosts is simply not a cogent argument in face of overwhelming human experience to the contrary.  It doesn't stand up to biblical/scriptural scrutiny as well.  The argument should be, in my opinion, just what is a ghost - not whether they exist or not.  Are they figments of our imagination?  Residual energy? Demons in disguise?  Phenomena caused by psycho-kenesis?  Humans who have passed on but are somehow trapped, refuse to move on, or in purgatory?  This is where the debate should center.  In that debate, Christians who share Christian dogma as their unifying concern should be able to express their differing opinions on this lesser subject without being condemned, preached at, and made to feel that they are not in truth - especially those who are helping people who are beset with paranormal activity to the point they are so upset about it that they are desperate and crying. 

To treat the subject unwisely, as some fundamentalists Christians tend to do when we have a knee jerk reaction instead of getting down and really looking closely at all aspects of a subject, is to miss an incredible opportunity to teach our people (especially our youngsters) how to approach that subject and teach what truth is.  Being fair and measured instead of bashing people and ideas with a sledgehammer seems to me the way to go, when what we are dealing with is not a matter of dogma or even doctrine.  It just seems to me that good Christians could disagree over such a minor issue as ghosts.  It should be clear that all of us are clearly opposed to consorting with witches, tarot cards, Ouija boards, psychics and even reading your horoscope. God demands that we turn to him for all things for life and living, and not do an "end run" around him. We should not be confusing the word "paranormal" with "occult."  Christians should have a voice in the current paranormal field and scene, other than "it's just all wrong and bad."  People, deeply Christian people, simply know that's not true.

An example of treating a subject incorrectly and missing a great opportunity  is when we tell our young people and followers that there is no such thing as a ghost.  So, they turn away in frustration and consider us as unrealistic people who are out-of-touch with reality; or worse, nuts who are living in Oz.  They simply know better.  It relegates Christians to the same sphere as the pure scientists and materialists who blindly refuse to believe in anything spiritual or metaphysical.  On the street, everyone you talk to has a ghost story.  People who don't have their own personal story or experience knows someone close to them who does - a neighbor, a friend, a relative or coworker.  How much better to tell them about God, angels, ghosts, demons, and occult practices that are dangerous, and dive right into the whole subject with a knife-edged scalpel instead of bashing it all with a hammer.  It's a great opportunity to talk about Christ and His power over all of that. 

In my opinion, we should carefully and truthfully dissect this aspect and that aspect instead of dismissing the entire category or field.  That would be faith building and truth revealing.  That would be real, and engaging.  That would capture their hearts and deal with what is on their minds and in their lives.  We do the opposite (dismiss it all) and wonder why people view us as irrelevant and useless.  By telling people there are no such things as ghosts, we force them to create an "underground conversation " whereby certain "taboo topics" are off limits in the church.  Meanwhile, these discussions about topics and subjects that people know to be true are undertaken in the real world: the workplace, in the home, and in every place except the church.  That's because it is only the church hierarchy, too often so detached from ordinary life, that doesn't seem to get it. The church becomes a place that reality is not really a part of, an Alice-in-Wonderland hour of make-believe, and where God's truth isn't allowed to interact with my true and real personal life.  The rubber is never allowed to really hit the road.  There is no relevance and the opportunity is missed.

Update: 1/11/2011:  To underscore what I mean by what we do as being truly relevant and meaningful in the lives of suffering people, I share the following:  Just last night five of us on the S.O.R. Team visited a house with demonic activity.  The woman told us in near tears that she was so grateful that we would come to her house and help her and her two children, because she didn't have anyone to turn to.  She was fearful of what others would think of her.  She has been dealing with this in her home for over three years, and no, it is not her fault.  From the accounts we received the two young people that lived alone (without adult supervision) in the house before her were into witchcraft (Wicca), drugs, more than likely engaged in pre-marital sex, and used a Ouija board to conjure dark spirits, with one of the individuals reportedly dedicated to the dark side of witchcraft.  They were also rebellious.  The individual trying to be a dark witch was taken out of the home by ambulance stretcher after a psychotic episode and we were told was admitted to an in-patient psychological ward and a drug rehab center.  They moved out and sold the house to this lady, without telling her anything about what was going on in the house (the presence of spirits and entities).  There is even a current debate within the real estate legal field on whether paranormal activity or even activity that could contribute to a later haunting should be part of the "material" disclosure requirement when selling a home to a prospective buyer. This woman, her son and daughter received no such disclosure and moved into a bad situation that she did not cause, and that she was not aware of.  She felt helpless, and yet her father is a preacher.  Sadly, this is the second case we've encountered in which people felt that the local church was the last place they could turn to.  It simply shouldn't be that way, but it is.

I have listed below what C.S. Lewis had to say about purgatory, to open my defense and treatment of Christians who are deeply committed to Christ, who are born-again, faithful to God, study the scriptures on the subject, and yet believe in ghosts as former humans.  This will be an ongoing subject of many future posts. 

One last thing: I am not trying to "prove" anything.  I am not trying to prove that ghosts exist, that ghosts are former humans who have passed on, or that purgatory is real.  I don't really care what a particular person reading this chooses to believe or not.  I certainly believe it, but my point in this post and those to come is to present the case to others that it is simply possible.  My desire is to have a fair place "at the table" of discussion.  I will be presenting ideas, opinions, facts and scripture exegesis that (hopefully) will help an honest person to take pause and think.  I am showing that scripture, reason, experience and history all say that it is possible, so it is disingenuous to state that it is impossible or a crazy, unbiblical idea. At present, it is fair to say that I am weary of being ridiculed and dismissed summarily because I (and others on the team) believe that it is possible that ghosts can be former humans.  We'd really appreciate it if our Christian brothers and sisters would at least accept the fact that our position is tenable.  So, without further adieu, here is Lewis on purgatory:


I BELIEVE IN PURGATORY..."Of course I pray for the dead. The action is so spontaneous, so all but inevitable, that only the most compulsive theological case against it would deter me. And I hardly know how the rest of my prayers would survive if those for the dead were forbidden. At our age, the majority of those we love best are dead. What sort of intercourse with God could I have if what I love best were unmentionable to him?

I believe in Purgatory.

Mind you, the Reformers had good reasons for throwing doubt on the 'Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory' as that Romish doctrine had then become.....

The right view returns magnificently in Newman's DREAM. There, if I remember it rightly, the saved soul, at the very foot of the throne, begs to be taken away and cleansed. It cannot bear for a moment longer 'With its darkness to affront that light'. Religion has claimed Purgatory.

Our souls demand Purgatory, don't they? Would it not break the heart if God said to us, 'It is true, my son, that your breath smells and your rags drip with mud and slime, but we are charitable here and no one will upbraid you with these things, nor draw away from you. Enter into the joy'? Should we not reply, 'With submission, sir, and if there is no objection, I'd rather be cleaned first.' 'It may hurt, you know' - 'Even so, sir.'

I assume that the process of purification will normally involve suffering. Partly from tradition; partly because most real good that has been done me in this life has involved it. But I don't think the suffering is the purpose of the purgation. I can well believe that people neither much worse nor much better than I will suffer less than I or more. . . . The treatment given will be the one required, whether it hurts little or much.

My favourite image on this matter comes from the dentist's chair. I hope that when the tooth of life is drawn and I am 'coming round',' a voice will say, 'Rinse your mouth out with this.' This will be Purgatory. The rinsing may take longer than I can now imagine. The taste of this may be more fiery and astringent than my present sensibility could endure. But . . . it will [not] be disgusting and unhallowed."

- C.S. Lewis, Letters To Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, chapter 20, paragraphs 7-10, pages 108-109.

Vocabulary: General Paranormal Terms & Concepts

Akasha: believed by many modern Pagans that the Akasha, Spirit, is the Fifth Element (in addition to earth, wind or air, fire, and water). In a pentagram’s five star points, it is said to be the upper star point. Scott Cunningham describes the Akasha as the spiritual force that Earth, Air, Fire, and Water descend from. Some also believe that the combination of the four elements make up that which is Akasha, and that Akasha exists in every living creature in existence; without Akasha, there is no spirit, no soul, no magic. The Five Elements are worked with to create positive changes on earth. This is done through meditation to bring about beneficial changes in one’s life. Akashan spirituality is holistic. Practitioners learn to maintain mental and physical health through meditation, exercise, ritual and diet. They are expected to have a profound commitment to their life path. The upward point of the pentacle, the pentagram or five pointed star within a circle, represents Akasha. The others represent Fire, Earth, Air and Water. While Earth is considered "north"; Fire is "south"; air is "east"; Water is "west", while Akasha is "center."

Apparition: the appearance of a ghost or spirit, usually taking the form of a visual image of a deceased individual in either real life or on film; there are apparitions based upon each of the five senses.  Usually visual, auditory, tactile, or olfactory apparitions appear in conjunction with each other, but occasionally only one of the senses are involved.  Very rarely is the sense of taste involved:

     Visual: the appearance of a person who was commonly associated with the area in life

     Auditory: sounds of walking, voices, doors opening, or battle sounds are the most common types of auditory apparitions

     Olfactory: smells or odors, such as perfume (lavender is the most common) or cigar smoke, commonly associated with the area or an individual or event

     Tactile: feeling a slight wind on a closed-off room, or a slight tug on a person’s clothing with nobody in the immediate vicinity (HTBAGH)

Augary: divination from auspices or omens; also, an instance of this (some believe that a broken mirror is an augary of seven year's bad luck) [Source: online dictionary]

Aura: energy or life force surrounding all living individuals.  The color of an aura can determine the mood or physical condition of an individual.  Spirits can sometimes use a physical aura for energy, thereby depleting the person whose energy was taken. (HTBAGH)

Casting the Circle: creating a circle of protection before a ritual; or used in Wicca or witchcraft to begin a ritual

Clairalience: (“clear smelling”); the sense of psychic smelling or olfactory sensation by psychic means

Clairaudience: (“clear hearing/listening” or psychic hearing) people who have this gift are called clairaudient; they hear a voice inside their head, very common to hear your name called even though on one (physically) is there (EGHB); Clairaudient: one who hears clearly

Claircognizance: (“clear knowing or psychic knowing) psychic intuition and the ability to simply know an event about to take place or what happened in the past; no physical sensation is involved, it is simply a knowledge that comes (EGHB)

Clairgustance: (“clear tasting” or psychic sense of taste); the sense of psychic tasting or a taste in one’s mouth without actual material substance in one’s mouth

Clairsentience: (“clear feeling – touching, or physic feeling) the sense of psychic feeling, what people mean when they have a gut feeling or a hunch; when people have a feeling something is about to go wrong (EGHB)

Clairvoyance: (“clear seeing” or psychic seeing) perhaps the best known psychic skill; that of the ability to “see” an image, as if one is viewing the scene through your mind’s eye (EGHB); Clairvoyant: one who “sees clearly.”

Cryptomnesia: also spelled Cryptoamnesia, is a subconscious memory of material read many years previously; Cryptomnesia occurs when a forgotten memory returns without it being recognised as such by the subject, who believes it is something new and original. (ITP)

Cryptozoology: the study of unusual, mythical or rare animals

Devil’s Mark: a mark that indicates a pact with the devil; the were often merely birthmarks or skin blemishes that were perceived to be the mark’s of the Devil.

Dream Communication: an experience in which the departed individual (spirit) can manifest in the form of a dream in order to communicate with the living; usually associated with the very recent death of the individual attempting to make contact in order to inform the dreamer of his or her death. (HTBAGH)

Epicenter: a person or persons that a poltergeist or haunting tends to focus upon; paranormal phenomena usually increase when the epicenter is present. (HTBAGH)

ESP: extrasensory perception; most individuals have this ability, although it can be dormant in their life.  In many cases, a traumatic event may allow a percipient to actually communicate with the spirit of a dead individual. (HTBAGH)

Etiology: the study of causation or cause

EVP: electronic voice phenomena; asubset of ITC.  The best (prime) time for recording EVPs, according to many EVP Teams, is 3 or 4 days before and after a full moon.  NAPS has not found this to necessarily to be the case.

EVP Session: a session or time where one conducts recordings in an attempt to capture EVP

Five-Fold Kiss: tradition to show respect to a Catholic priest.

Ghost: in the case of a residual haunting, a ghost is a “recording” of one or more persons or objects that had either a repetitious routine or a very intense emotional experience.  This “recording” is not sentient, but rather simply something that plays over and over, gradually losing energy over time.  This recording can be recharged under certain circumstances, such as the appearance of certain individuals with like auras to the individual ghost(s). (HTBAGH)

Ghost Hunter: a person who investigates hauntings to find explanations for possible paranormal phenomena involved.  According to Richard Southall, there are two types of ghost hunters: the first kind is the scientific hunter who uses scientific methods and equipment in order to make accurate calculations and observations about a haunting; the second type is the psychic or intuitive ghost hunter, who uses psychic impressions or intuition to learn about a haunted area (HTBAGH); N.A.P.S. trains and develops a third type of investigator, called a holistic paranormal investigator, who does both: we use science as far as scientific methods and research will take us (instruments, meters, cameras, recorders, research, interviews, etc.); then we use intuition, experience, deduction, and spiritual gifts of discernment to learn and state even more about a haunted area. (NAPS)

Ghost Hunting: generally refers to the action of setting out to find proof of afterlife-based paranormal activity. This is typically done in a location previously deemed as active (or full of 'ghosts').

Glossolalia: comprises the utterance of semantically meaningless syllables. Glossolalia is claimed by some to be an unknown mystical language others claim that glossolalia is the speaking of an unlearned foreign language. Glossolalic utterances sometimes occur as part of religious worship (religious glossolalia).

Golem: In Jewish tradition the golem is most widely known as an artificial creature created by magic, often to serve its creator. The word "golem" appears only once in the Bible (Psalms139:16). In Hebrew, "golem" stands for "shapeless mass." The Talmud uses the word as "unformed" or "imperfect" and according to Talmudic legend, Adam is called "golem," meaning "body without a soul" (Sanhedrin 38b) for the first 12 hours of his existence. The golem appears in other places in the Talmud as well.

Haunting: any repeated appearance of phenomena commonly associated with ghosts, spirits, poltergeists, or other entities; usually a combination of cold spots, apparitions, missing objects, and other forms of paranormal activity that tend to be witnessed by more than one person over an extended period of time. (HTBAGH)

Hellmouth: a site believed to be a portal for the demonic.

IC: Integrated Circuit, another way of referring to digital voice recorder

Initial Pause: upon turning on any audio recording equipment, pause before you do you initial tag or speak, because this is a prime time for something to be caught on tape.

ITC: Instrumental TransCommunication; associated with EVP (Source INT)

Kabbalah: a discipline and school of thought concerned with the mystical aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It is a set of esoteric teachings meant to explain the relationship between an eternal and mysterious Creator and the mortal and finite universe (His creation). While it is heavily used by some denominations, it is not a denomination in and of itself; it is a set of scriptures that exist outside the traditional Jewish Scriptures. Kabbalah seeks to define the nature of the universe and the human being, the nature and purpose of existence, and various other ontological questions. It also presents methods to aid understanding of these concepts and to thereby attain spiritual realization. Kabbalah originally developed entirely within the realm of Jewish thought and constantly uses classical Jewish sources to explain and demonstrate its esoteric teachings. These teachings are thus held by kabbalists to define the inner meaning of both the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and traditional rabbinic literature, as well as to explain the significance of Jewish religious observances. (WIK)

Kinesthesia: sensation of a paranormal presence nearby

Ley Lines: the hypothetical alignment between underground watercourses and various ancient holy sites; believed by some to possess a mystical energy, which would explain why so many paranormal events occur in their vicinity; Thomas Lethbridge one of first researchers to postulate the existence of them. (EGHB)

Maleficium:  another word for sorcery; is a Latin term meaning "wrongdoing" or "mischief" and is used to describe malevolent, dangerous, or harmful magic, "evildoing" or "malevolent sorcery". In general, the term applies to any magical act intended to cause harm or death to people or property.

Matrixing: the name given to the way the human brain sometimes fools the eyes; it makes normal situations seem strange and puts faces where we least expect them.

Metempsychosis: literally "to animate the soul"; the passing of the soul at death into another body either human or animal [Source: Webster's online dictionary] 

Necromancer: a person who uses divination to gain information from the world of spirits.  Necromancers may use tarot cards, crystal balls, or séances and Ouija boards.  They have been known to use the mummified hands of corpses or paws of animals.  They open themselves up to paranormal influences and all the dangers inherent in that process.  (Source EGHB, pg 39)

Necromancy: consulting or consorting with the dead; a form of magic in which the practitioner seeks to summon the spirit of a deceased person, either as an apparition or ghost, or to raise them bodily, for the purpose of divination. In Renaissance magic, necromancy (or nigromancy, by popular association with niger "black") was classified as a forbidden art, and Johannes Hartlieb (1456) lists demonology in general under the heading. The word necromancy derives from the Greek νεκρός (nekrós), "dead body", and μαντεία (manteía), "prophecy, divination". The compound νεκρομαντεία itself is post-classical, first used by Origen in the 3rd century. The classical Greek term is nekyia (ἡ νέκυια), in Hellenistic Greek also νεκυιομαντεία, rendered in Latin as necyomantia and in 17th century English as necyomancy.  (WIK)

NDE: near death experience

Numinous: supernatural, mysterious; filled with a sense of the presence of divinity; Holy; appealing to the higher emotions or to the aesthetic sense; spiritual [Source: Merriam-Webster online]

Occult: as an adjective: not revealed, secret, hidden from view; not easily understood or apprehended (abtruse, mysterious); not manifest or detectable by clinical methods alone; matters regarded as involving the action or influence of supernatural or supernormal powers or some secret knowledge of them [Source: Webster's online dictionary] 
 OBE: out of body experience

Omen: an occurence or phenomenon believed to portend a future event; see Portent [Source: Webster's online dictionary]

Paranormal Investigation: in contrast to “ghost hunting,” paranormal investigation is performed by a team who sets out to collect evidence to prove or disprove claims or suggestions of paranormal activity. This is typically performed as a result of a client requesting assistance in validating or debunking claims of paranormal experiences.

Pareidolia: the pseudo-phenomena of “seeing faces in clouds” that is brought about often by the high expectation to see or experience something that is not there (also known as "matrixing"); a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant. Common examples include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon or the Moon rabbit, and hearing hidden messages on records played in reverse. The word comes from the Greek para – "beside", "with", or "alongside"—meaning, in this context, something faulty or wrong (as in paraphasia, disordered speech) and eidōlon – "image"; the diminutive of eidos – "image", "form", "shape". Pareidolia is a type of apophenia.

Phantomania: the paralysis that occurs when an individual is under attack by preternatural or supernatural forces; also known as psychic paralysis. Phantomania basically feels the same as Sleep Paralysis, but is often accompanied by scratches, and/or bruises on the body of the one trapped during the paralysis.

Plasma: is the fourth state of matter. Many places teach that there are three states of matter; solid, liquid and gas, but there are actually four. The fourth is plasma. To put it very simply, a plasma is an ionized gas, a gas into which sufficient energy is provided to free electrons from atoms or molecules and to allow both species, ions and electrons, to coexist. The funny thing about that is, that as far as we know, plasmas are the most common state of matter in the universe. They are even common here on earth. A plasma is a gas that has been energized to the point that some of the electrons break free from, but travel with, their nucleus. Gases can become plasmas in several ways, but all include pumping the gas with energy. A spark in a gas will create a plasma. A hot gas passing through a big spark will turn the gas stream into a plasma that can be useful. Plasma torches like that are used in industry to cut metals. The biggest chunk of plasma you will see is that dear friend to all of us, the sun. The sun's enormous heat rips electrons off the hydrogen and helium molecules that make up the sun. Essentially, the sun, like most stars, is a great big ball of plasma. (INT)

Polyglossia: multiple languages from the same area or source.

Portent: something that foreshadows a coming event; a prophetic indication or significance (a red sky can be a portent of a coming storm) [Source: Webster's online dictionary]
Preternatural: existing outside of nature; exceeding what is natural or regular; unexplainable by ordinary means; usually refers to demons or demonic activity 

Quantum Jumping: a new age technique used to tap into your subconscious mind to draw out guidance and wisdom to help you progress toward your goals.  It is based on the Theory of Parallel Minds (which is a blend of the Eastern Philosophy of Multiple Lives and Western Quantum Physics). (INT)

Reiki: a spiritual practice developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing as a form of complementary and alternative medicine and is sometimes classified as oriental medicine by some professional bodies. Through the use of this technique, practitioners claim to transfer healing energy in the form of ki through the palms. There are two main branches of Reiki, commonly referred to as Traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki. Within both Traditional and Westernized forms of Reiki, there are three forms of degrees, commonly referred to as the First, Second, and Master/Teacher degree. According to Reiki practitioners and Masters, at First Degree, a Reiki practitioner is able to heal himself and others, at Second Degree is able to heal others distantly (commonly called distant healing) with the use of specialized symbols, and at Master level (specifically Master/Teacher level) is able to teach and attune others to Reiki. A 2008 systematic review of randomized clinical trials concluded that "..the evidence is insufficient to suggest that Reiki is an effective treatment.." for the conditions studied (depression, pain and anxiety, and others).

Remote Surveillance Plan: a plan and design on how, who, what, where, and when to exactly and thoughtfully conduct an EVP or Video Surveillance Session – planning the location of the “base” away from the primary target area of phenomena, so that chaos, clutter and activity are kept to a minimum in the main area of interest; who will be where, location of equipment and base, which equipment to use, time of session begin and end, etc.  There are 2 types of Remote Surveillance Sessions:  Covert and Overt (most are overt, because how can the spirit not know you are there?)

RVP: radio voice phenomena; subset of ITC.

Security Camera: a secondary (but very important) camera that is positioned to capture a shot of the primary camera in case of something happening; can be positioned across the room looking back at the primary, at right angles to or even behind the primary.

Scrying: gazing into reflective surfaces, crystal balls or black mirrors (even ink, water, or crystals – any reflective surface might be utilized); it is another form of divination, often used to foretell the future and communicate with the spirit world; practitioners are called “scryers;”  the premise behind scrying is that when the person gazes into the reflective surface in the proper state of relaxation, he will see images that unfold either before him or in his mind’s eye – glimpse of a future time, a far-off place, or a past event. (Source EGHB, pg 39)

Shadow People: also called shadow men or shadow beings; a type of apparition; often described as black humanoid silhouettes, usually without any details, although sometimes reported a shaving red or yellow eyes; movements are often reported as being very jiggly and abnormal, or extremely slow and slippery, like a liquid shadow. (EGHB)

Simulacrum: an image or representation; a vague resemblance to something. The phenomenon of seeing a familiar shape or form such as a face in random combinations of shadow and light is known as pareidolia or matrixing, and the thing itself is called a simulacrum. It is very common to see what appears to be a face in smoke, clouds, jagged rocks, grass, dirt, water, flames, clouds of dust, visible gas, even rumpled clothing.
Spectrophilia: sexual attraction to ghosts; engaging in sexual activity with a ghost.

Surveillant: the investigator or “ghost hunter” performing the surveillance.

Tagging: the process of voicing any natural noises that you make or hear while recording, so that when listening to audio playback, the sound you hear is explained as being caused by you, or someone or something (such as a car passing by, or dropping a pen); done especially during EVP sessions; also involves the initial "stamping" of the recording by beginning the recording stating where you are, who is present, the time and date, the target of the session (if any) and any era cues or trigger objects being used. (by MCC)

Target: the spirit or area of past or recent phenomena under surveillance.

TVP:  television voice phenomena; subset of ITC.

VIT:  video instrumental trans-communication.

Voodoo: there is a separate entire Vocabulary post just for Voodoo which lists many of the terms related to Voodoo - please refer to that separate listing.

Witching Hour: 12:00 midnight; True Witching Hour: 3:00AM

Wraith: the exact likeness of a living person seen usually just before death as an apparition (ghost, spector); an insubstantial form or substance; shadow; a barely visible gaseous or vaporous column [Source: Merriam-Webster online] 

Xenoglossy:  the putative phenomenon in which a person is able to speak a language that he or she could not have acquired by natural means. For example, a person who speaks German fluently and as a native would, but has never studied German, been to a German-speaking country, or associated with German-speakers, would be said to exhibit xenoglossy.

Xenology: the scientific study of all aspects of extraterrestrial life, intelligence, and civilization.

Source Codes

INT – Internet

ITP – Introduction to Parapsychology textbook

EGHB – The Everything Ghost Hunting Book, by

HTBAGH – How to be a Ghost Hunter, by Richard Southall

WIK – Wikipedia

Vocabulary: Voodoo (Vodoun, Vodun, Voudoun)

Asson:  a rattle used in the rituals and ceremonies

Bokor:  the priest who serves with his left hand (the evil)

Cata:  the smallest Vodoun drum

Houngan:  a Vodoun priest (the good)

Hounfour:  a houngan’s temple, a sanctuary, and shrine

Hounsis:  an initiate into the temple

Loa:  the spirit(s) being invoked

Maman:  the largest and deepest pitch drum

Mambo:  Vodoun priestess

Peristyle:  the roofed court of the Hounfour; they move around it in a counterclockwise direction

Poteau Mitan:  centerpost of the Peristyle

Satyr:  a man with strong sexual desires

Seconde:  the middle drum of three used in Vodoun ceremonies

Rites of Rada:  derived almost directly from the services of the deities of Dahomey; in Haiti the Rada have come to represent the emotional stability and warmth of Africa, the hearth of the nation; drum beats and dancing are on beat

Rites of Petro:  the new nation of spirits that follow the rites of the Rada; forged directly in the steel and blood of the colonial era; they reflect all of the rage, violence, and delirium that threw off the shackles of slavery; drums, dancing and rhythm are distinct from the Rada – offbeat, sharp and unforgiving

Veve:  the symbol of the loa

SOURCES:

The Serpent and The Rainbow, by Wade Davis, 1985 (ISBN: 13: 978-0-671-50247-8).

Secrets of Voodoo, by Milo Rigaud, 1969 (ISBN: 0-87286-171-6).

The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook, by Denise Alvarado, 2009 (ISBN: 10: 144211892X).

The Book on Palo: Deities, Initiatory Rituals & Ceremonies, by Baba Raul Cantizares, 2002 (ISBN: 0-942272-66-8).

Faces in the Smoke: An Eyewitness Experience of Voodoo, Shamanism. Psychic Healing & Other Amazing Human Powers, by Douchan Gersi,  1991.

The Twilight Labyrinth: Why Does Spiritual Darkness Linger Where It Does?, by George Otis, Jr, 1997 (ISBN: 0-8007-9255-6).