The Wizard Behind the Curtain, This One IS Real...

This summer has been rather eventful, with the great flood causing major problems; working two jobs; one of my Deputy Partners being shot in a bank robbery (he's fine and shot the suspect) - but which caused me to have to lead the shift; a close friend of the family who is very sick and does not have long to live; and my daughter coming down for a month to visit. This hasn't left much time at all for paranormal investigations or even writing. However, something happened the other day that I feel I must say a  word about, and that is the tragedy of the bombing and shootings near Oslo, Norway. I'd like to comment on what I believe has been taking place the last few years, behind the scenes of what is being played out in human affairs around the globe. For those of us who believe as Christians in the spiritual world and that this spiritual world does influence our own material world, the topic I speak of is indeed very relevant to paranormal activity - specifically demonic paranormal activity, which I believe is on the increase. However, in many instances, it is masking (hiding), pretending to be something other than what it truly is.


From 1995 - 1998, I was a student in Seminary taking various theology and philosophy courses on the way to my master's degree and, among other things, learning about post-modernity. Post-modernity is the major shift in world view taking place in our time, in which culture and society (which is all of us) are moving away from Modernity.  This is a major, profound event in our lifetime, on the same scale as the shift from the Middle Ages and the Romantic agricultural period of human development to the Renaissance and the Industrial Age. A bit of background and context might be helpful here.

The 20th Century, 1901-2000, saw the maturation of the rise of Modernity and what I believe to be a major strategy on the part of Satanic forces: the clash of the "isms" of ideological/political movements around the world. Examples?  How about just a few: last century, there unfolded the wars between competing world forces of huge political ideologies (or "isms") such as Imperialism (Japan), Nazism (Germany), National Socialism (Italy and Germany), Communism (Russia & Soviet Union, China, Cuba and Central America), Socialism (Spain & Europe) and Capitalism & Democracy (United States, Canada, Britain, Australia & New Zealand) which warred with one another and competed for dominance.

I believe behind some of these isms was Satan and his attempts to influence world affairs.  How else can one view the pure evil of Nazism, the butchery of Japanese Imperialism, and the evil empire of Communism that we warred against for much of that century? To be sure, the political warring during the age of Modernity is just one of Modernity's characteristics (actually more of a symptom than a characteristic), and the reader would be well advised to learn the basics of both Modernity and Post-modernity. However, it would be a grave mistake not to see the wizard behind the scene attempting to shape and influence these events and worldviews. His strategy of pitting political ideologies against one another succeeded very well. His strategy resulted in two major world wars and many other conflicts around the globe which resulted in hundreds of millions of deaths, horrific atrocities, and untold human suffering. It also resulted in disillusionment and a deep, profound sense of hopelessness...that we humans are all alone...that we have no destiny. Satan, through Modernity and the rise of science, destroyed belief in God, promoted hedonism and materialsim as salves to the wounds and despair, and offered up evolution as the only way to "explain" how we humans got here in the first place. It only took a little more than half of the century before man declared, "God is Dead." Evil was behind these events, pushing it, prodding it along, and influencing the humans that chose to follow it. A careful examination of the conflict between Nazi Germany and Communist Russia alone reveals evil turned upon evil which resulted in terrible human suffering and death. I firmly believe that while humans certainly bear responsibility in those crimes and brutality, it is clear to me that Satan was influencing and orchestrating it. As to the broader strategy of Modernity, while still ongoing in many ways, it has given way to a new plan added on top of the remnants of the old one.  

Satan's newly focused and prized strategy is different.  The age of Modernity, which is said to still be going on in certain ways with its philosophical and cultural momentum not yet fully wound down, symbolically ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the total collapse of European communism by the end of 1991. I arrived in Russia in January of 1993 and lived & worked there for more than two years, with many follow-up trips in the years since. My first child was born in Moscow. I had also served in the U.S. Army in West Germany from 1984 to early 1986, patrolling the border with Czechoslovakia. I know a bit about what I speak. 

This new danger has arisen to take modernity's place. It is not the purpose of this brief article to go into all the characteristics of Post-Modernity, but suffice it to say that I said back in 1995 that what I saw for the coming century (the 21st) was a shift from the political warring of the last century to a shift to religious wars and religious ideology for the next century. This shift from wars of political nature to wars of a religious nature is a new satanic strategy. More precisely, the concept is not new (he's used it before), but never on the scale of what we are seeing today. Where the last century saw wars of political ideology, the next few decades will be wars of religious ideology.


Indeed we have already seen this prediction coming true with the rise of Al-Qaeda, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and our war against radical Islamic terrorism in its many forms, including the Taliban, Iran and Hamas, and Hezzbollah. The latest versions are al-shabaab and the rise of the Arab Spring. [The Arab Spring, while certainly potentially positive, also is a concern that in the distabilization radical Islamic Fundamentalists will rush in and fill the vacuum. Egypt, for example, is a huge concern in this respect.] The rise of religious wars would, I predicted, emerge as the global threat, and this is exactly what is happening. I predicted this on the basis of it being a shift in Satan's strategy. No, it is not that I am some genius. Many who make it part of their lives to try understand what is really going on in the events of our time, have active prayer lives, and attempt to "see" through eternal rather than temporal eyes, can sometimes get a picture of reality that reveals much of what is truly happening. The truth is revealed to those who have eyes to see and ears to listen to the Spirit of truth. That is actually the major portion of what prophecy is. Many think prophecy is future-telling, which is a minor part of prophecy. Most prophecy is fore-telling, which is simply accurately telling it the way it truly is, and being brave and bold enough to say it (despite being called a lunatic or being viewed as such). I don't consider myself some sort of prophet, but I can see the obvious. You can too.  Look at the evidence.

Lately, with the news from Oslo, I believe we are seeing the next micro step in this continued strategy, in what lies behind the curtain in the recent Norway bombing and shootings. There has been widespread press the last several days in the New York Times and the Washington Post (among many others) about how the bomber, Anders Breivik, is a right wing Christian fundamentalist, that he acted out of hatred for Muslims, and acted in the name of God, seeing himself as a Knight Templar. This young man wrote a 1,500 page manifesto which bears the red cross of the Knight's Templar. Apparently he saw himself as God's soldier. This is perfectly in line with Satanic strategy that I perceived so long ago - as now Satan is having evil people conduct heinous acts in the name of being a Christian. This understanding of what is happening, this glimpse behind the curtain, is being seen by a few who have their ears and eyes tuned to perceive where the enemy might strike next in a strategic sense, but the masses don't get it. There are also reports coming out of Mexico of a vicious Mexican drug gang that is calling itself the Knights Templar - killing and selling drugs in the name of God. There will be more in the coming days, months and years. Stay tuned.


A strategy whereby Satan can wreak havoc by using and misguiding people who are "Christian" in name but certainly not in reality, could (and will because many are fooled) strike a huge blow to the Church and the cause of true Christianity by totally discrediting it in the eyes of ordinary people who do not understand the subtleties of the ongoing cosmic war between Good and Evil. Such people are duped by this strategy and fall for it, coming away from news reports of such things with a negative view of God, the Church, and Christians. What better way to make it seem like all religious or religious interests are equally dangerous and that Christians are just as dangerous as Satan's true tools - radical Islamic fundamentalists. If Satan can get ordinary people who are not believers to morally equivocate Christianity with the radical fundamentalists Muslims, then he has succeeded in half his plan, and he has discredited the only force on earth that understands what the danger (and strategy) truly is. The way to marginalize and discredit true Christianity is to use misguided people who call themselves Christians and get them to do horrific acts under that name, never realizing that they are no where near being actual Christ followers.

What treachery! Indeed, a treachery that will, sadly, succeed in fooling many, many people. Go online and read some of the articles in the New York Times and by Sally Quinn in the Washington Post and you will read people already completely fooled. Not only have we declared and think that God is dead, we've also killed off Satan, demons, and hell, as hardly anyone believes in these realities anymore. Somewhere along the line, we also declared sin as being dead. Instead, sin has become a "disease," or addiction, or society's fault. Anyone that does anything will find some who declare them a victim or something or the other. Casey Anthony even has her supporters...quite a few in fact. There is no personal responsibility and no such thing as sin in the minds of moderns...no God, no Satan, no demonic, no hell, no heaven...no life beyond the natural. But some of us know better.

Yet, hope remains. A glimmer of light shines out in the darkness. The curtain is being pulled back not by Toto, but by the Holy Spirit. The wool is being pulled from over the eyes of at least some of those who are unaware of what is going on behind the scenes of world and even local events. Some are thus beginning to see. We have, as Gandalf said, fallen deeper into shadow. The days grow more evil. Only this is no novel, no movie, no Broadway show or theater production. This is real life. It is time, brave Helios, to mount your steed and take your place in the line of battle. Draw your sword, cross yourself and see the truth for what it is. See...truly open up your eyes and see.


In particular, I possess a grave concern for a woman named June, who has been in contact with me for over a month, from near Oslo, Norway. June recently and bravely decided to become a Christian in her country where that is largely frowned upon and considered to be almost intellectual suicide - to be very much out of vogue. Consider her horror now that this has happened right in her own back yard and having to defend to her family and friends that she has decided to become one of these "Christians." Never mind that this nut who did this is not a true Christian at all but was a tool in the hand of Satan, many will think so much worse of June for her decision to become one of Christ's followers.

Remember the line in the movie The Rite? "He's a deceiver Michael, he's a deceiver." Satan is a master deceiver. Imagine Satan's diabolical attack on June's own mind, perhaps making her doubt her own decision (which was going to prove to be a very difficult and monumental path  to begin with, even before this happened). That is Satan's goal, to make it virtually impossible...or at the least...very, very difficult...for people like June to decide to become Christians and to stay the course. How many would be so brave as to decide to believe and become Christians in a climate such as this, where so-called Christians bomb and slaughter in the name of God? Please remember June and the families of the victims in your prayers, and also pray that this strategy will be exposed and will somehow backfire. Most of all, be aware yourself of what is happening behind the curtain. Don't be duped by the wizard.

Of Determinism, Good & Evil, and Spirit-World Reality

"I believe those miracles and many more will return when we have learned from our mistakes - when we realize that the doubts, the fears, and the insecurities...the envy, the resentment, and the other dark feelings which we humans experience almost everyday and which we take for granted as a normal part of living here on earth, must all be kept under control when we are involved in any form of spiritual work, especially ITC (instrumental transcommunication, such as EVP) research.  It is easy for us to say we are in harmony with others, but our hidden doubts, fears, and insecurities say otherwise.  We have to find those dark feelings inside us and bring them into the light to heal.  After all, we humans are spirit magnets, attracting into our lives spiritual influences that resonate with our attitudes.  If we are in doubt or in fear, we will attract spirits into our lives who stir up our doubts and fears.  If we love and trust the people around us, then we will attract spirits into our lives who will support that love and trust."     - Mark Macy,  author of Miracles in the Storm, and The Project; and is one of the world's top ITC researchers 

I couldn't agree more with Mark.  My take: The world in which we find ourselves, is one of human self-determining freedom.  No Augustinian deterministic fatalism here, the world is far too dynamic than to be set inside of some static, chronological trap that tick-tocks us through the maze, to the edge and off into the abyss.  To be sure, this freedom is set within a struggle of blood, bone and tears, but at the end of the tug-and-be-tugged-at day it is we who determine our own destiny - by our choices, our attitude and our decisions, in spite of the bastards who would "have us their way."  And, the not-so-normal-world flexes and pulses all around us, both influencing and being influenced.  So I ask, which invisible pals do you want to be hanging out with?    - Mike Chapman, Team Leader & Lead Investigator of the Natchez Area Paranormal Society, and a Demonologist; he also holds a Master's in Theology and is an ordained minister. 

Demonology Studies: The Rite - Book & Movie

Last fall I purchased, read and studied (twice) a book that I found to be very helpful in my always continuing demonology studies.  It is entitled The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist, and was written by Matt Baglio. It is a book I recommend to anyone wishing to further their studies in this field. 

Prayer; the spiritual disciplines; scripture memorization; constantly reading and studying the Bible; reading and studying books and articles by exorcists and demonologists; talking and working with leading people in the field such as Keith Johnson and Bishop James Long; and my own field experiences in demonic cases are all a part of what I do to learn and grow, so I can be effective for those who reach out for my help. My team and prayer support group is a constant source of learning for me also, as we sharpen one another as "iron sharpens iron." My main purpose and energy however, is simply to practice my faith and grow stronger the tie that exists between Christ the Lord and myself.  There comes a balance that must be found in this work, between being and doing.  Faith, strong faith, is the key to confronting the evil one.  It is a struggle between good and evil in which knowledge, truth, and power are manifested in many kinds of encounters.  It is truly a humbling, challenging, and utterly exhausting work.  It is mind and soul bending, it is weighty, but yet it is thoroughly rewarding.  It is indeed, a calling.  He bids select ones of us to come take our place in the battle line, this cosmic battle of good and evil.

In The Rite, the book, Baglio accompanied Father Gary Thomas to Rome and had full access to him as Father Gary trained in the rite of exorcism.  Father Jose Antonio Fortea, whose books I also have studied, called The Rite "one of the best books ever written on the topic of exorcism.  I have read very few books that give a description as appropriate, as precise, or as detailed."

Now, The Rite has been made into a movie, starring Academy Award winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. The movie takes a bit of artistic license, but in many ways stays true to the book.  It was released early this year, and is set to be released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 17, 2011.   Recently Father Gary Thomas, the priest whose experiences the movie is loosed based upon, commented on the movie.

Photo on Left: The real Father Gary Thomas, who is with Sacred Heart Parish in Saratoga, California.

In an interview with CNA on Jan. 19, Fr. Thomas – who currently serves as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Saratoga, California –  explained that he served as a consultant for the film,  particularly the scenes featuring exorcisms.  For a week in June last year, he said he was on the movie set working with cast members and producers. The priest added that “to their credit,” the directors and producers wanted the exorcism scenes to be as accurate as possible. “The environment of that movie set was very reverential towards the Church,” Fr. Thomas said. “The producer and the director and the cast whom I worked with at the time were very open.” Fr. Thomas said he recently saw a screening of the film alongside Anthony Hopkins at a New Line Cinema studio in Los Angeles.

In his words, the movie has a “loose” basis in Baglio's book. One discrepancy Fr. Thomas pointed out was that he went to Rome as a 50-year-old seasoned priest with a desire to learn more about the rite of exorcism  – hardly a cynical seminarian in the midst of a faith crisis. Despite the differences, however, he called the film “very good.” “The human side of the priesthood is very well developed,” he said, adding that the portrayal of “the institutional Church comes out very positively.” Fr. Thomas said that given the reality of the subject matter, the experience was very powerful and even frightening for many involved in the movie. He said that Hopkins, a professed Christian, and O'Donoghue – a practicing Catholic who serves as a lector at his parish in Dublin – “very much” believe in the existence of evil and feared possible demonic attacks as a result of working on the film. “The producer and the two key actors all asked me privately if they could be attacked by doing this movie,” he said. “I said, I can't absolutely say yes or no – which lead me to say  'possibly.'”  “I do think that a person can get attacked, and I don't know if they did but they were afraid,” he said. “I just tried to reassure them.”

Fr. Thomas also said that the intensely eery trailers for the film are “deceptive” in the sense that they make it look like a “horror movie,” which he says is inaccurate. “There's some very riveting scenes – I wouldn't say they're scary, but they're a little startling.” Ultimately, however, “this is a movie about faith,” said Fr. Thomas. “People are going to be very surprised.”

It's certainly refreshing in an age where many (most?) Americans have lost their understanding of true evil as personal beings (Satan and fallen angels), to discover that Hopkins and O'Donoghue are traditional Christians.  A great read on that unfortunate reality is Andrew Delbanco's The Death of Satan: How Americans Have Lost the Sense of Evil.  To see the official trailer of the movie The Rite, click here:  THE RITE:  TRAILER

N.A.P.S. Performs House Blessing & Clearing in Clinton, MS

Friday evening, N.A.P.S. Investigators from its S.O.R. Unit conducted a home blessing at a residence in Clinton, Mississippi, just outside of Jackson, the State's capitol. The case involved both human spirit activity as well as demonic activity on the level of "Infestation," the second level of six as rated by the Unit. The first level is that of Influence, and is the least serious. Complete Possession is the most serious, and is extremely rare. At the Infestation level, the demonic activity is becoming less covert and beginning to come more out into the open and overt. N.A.P.S. is very much a solution-based team and enters investigations only when it feels like it can help the family or individual resolve their situation. Friday night, team members used a three-part solution consisting of an evidence reveal, including both technical and non-technical evidence; provided detailed counseling and packets of follow-up information and action points; and conducted a Christian house clearing & blessing ritual using scripture, prayers, holy water, and blessed oil during a rite often used to exorcise and bless a dwelling. The S.O.R. Unit, made up of the team's Spiritual and Occult Research members, assessed the evening as being both humbling and successful.

Angelology: 9 Choirs of Angels

Due simply to the nature of my undergraduate and master's degrees in biblical literature, theology, and ministry, the odds are that I probably have a better grasp of the biblical (and true) concept of angels than most.  I don't say that to brag, but in fact, to point out that even despite my years of theological and biblical studies, there is much more information about angels to be learned.  Recently I have engaged in a much deeper and more intense study of Angels, which is revealing a lot of very interesting information.  I have added to my resource library of books dealing with the subject of angels, and also taken a closer look at the many scriptural passages regarding them. 

Of course, some of the authors and books on the subject are far better than others.  There is a lot of information and current thought about angels that is absolutely wrong and even ludicrous in some instances.  Furthermore, as a demonologist, I feel strongly that one must become an Angelologist before you can become a true demonologist.  That's simply because demons are fallen angels, who retain much of their power and ability, as well as rank structure and hierarchy.  One must be steadfast in regarding information and facts which can be tied to scripture, directly or indirectly, as more authoritative.  There is plenty that has been written about angels that is absolutely incorrect.  In "googling" angel and looking at the images, almost none of them depict anything close to what the real thing would be like.  Angels are not fat little toddlers, nor are they female.  They do however, have wings.  One of the more interesting aspects of angels, to me, is their rank structure - known as "Choirs" - of which there are nine.  These nine choirs are further subdivided into three hierarchies, or triads. 

The first triad are those choirs of angels that surround and occupy the throne room of God.  Their work is mostly to worship and serve the throne of the Lord Himself.  The second triad consists of those choirs which seem to be a go-between, mediating between the choirs of angels that deal most closely with humans (the third triad) and the heavenly realm.  They also seem to be those angels that deal with world structure, systems, character and virtue.  Finally, the third triad are those choirs which deal most closely with humans and contact with humans.  Below is the listing of the nine choirs.  In the future I will post more information about the realm of each hierarchy, or triad, and also the basic characteristics and work of each individual choir.

First Triad or Hierarchy:
1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones

Second Triad or Hierarchy:
4. Dominions (or Dominations)
5. Virtues
6. Powers

Third Triad or Hierarchy:
7. Principalities
8. Archangels
9. Angels

As most people know, angel is translated literally from the original Greek of the New Testament as "messenger."  Most scholars, as well as the early Church Fathers, believe strongly that each of us has a guardian angel.  Humans can never become angels, as is popularly believed.  They are an entire other race of creature created by God.  Angels don't ever become human, humans never become angels.  Of the first two choirs - seraphim and cherubim - the "im" ending is the plural form.  So, it is incorrect to say "Seraphs" and "Cherubs."  Rather, they are seraphim and cherubim.  A single angel of these two choirs would be a seraph and cherub, respectively.  

A "Masculine" Handmade Rosary by Trendy Traditions

The Rosary

Photo at Left:  My new prized Rosary that I received handmade from Florida from Melanie (the Rosary Chick) at Trendy Traditions.  Thanks again Melanie - your work is amazing! It is specifically masculine in nature, and was personalized for my work against demonic presences in paranormal activity investigations. I love the large crucifix, and the color of the oversized beads. The Medalions and Crucifix were made in Italy.

It has a special additional medalion of St. Michael the Archangel on it, and the words at the top of the necklace (in the photo it shows "Father") on mine is "Ranger"  depicting my work as similar to Stryder in Lord of the Rings as a Ranger who protects the Shire and is a guide to Frodo the Ringbearer.

I can't say I pray the complete Rosary every day, but I try to.

The Face of Evil. The Cosmic War of Good versus Evil is Real

Evil is real.  Evil is driven by personal beings called demons.  They are led in their dark kingdom by Satan, a fallen angel.  They rebelled in heaven against God and were thrown down.  Get that - understand it fully - and live your life as if you get it.

The photo at left is not a fake, it was taken by a German journalist Michael Mannheimer, known as the bravest man to stand up to Islam.  Some of Michael Mannheimer's books can be found in stores and on the Internet, though most are in German.  He speaks out a lot about the takeover of Europe by Islamists, and paints the picture accurately, without all of the political correctness that tries to ignore the reality of what is coming (and what is obviously already here).  He has taken many photos like this at scenes of crimes against Christians.  In the second photo below - notice that the hands have been severed.  Go ahead, right click on the photos and download them to your photo editor for a close-up.  You need to see the reality of demonic evil.  That is what we all face with demonic evil, and with radical Islam (one of their strategies) if we don't all wake up.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..."  - John 10:10

Many in the West, materialists and scientific-minded purists, deny the spiritual world exists.  Some who even call themselves Christians deny that Satan exists.  They are deceived.  Many other Christians would say they believe in the afterlife, and even believe in Satan, but they live like they don't, and go about their merry way totally oblivious to the carnage and spiritual warfare that occurs everyday all around them.  With all three groups above, Satan and his demonic kingdom has succeeded.  They are oblivious to the threat, and often actually blame bad things happening to them - on God!  I'm sure the demons really love that one.  They perpetrate evil and bad things upon humans - through and by using humans whom they influence greatly; they have convinced many humans they don't exist; and so God gets blamed and many lose what little faith they have and drop out of church because they are angry at God for the bad thing that happened.  Do you see the blindness we often have to what is really happening behind the scenes?

I personally believe that the spiritual world and the material world overlap - almost entirely.  What happens in that realm has huge consequences is this realm, and we in the physical-material realm also can affect the spiritual world.  I have no doubt in my mind that Satan is real and is very active today.  I also have no doubt in my mind that what was done by humans to these women - because they were Christians - had demonic entities directly behind it tempting, driving, urging on just what was done to them.  There is a cosmic war of good and evil going on in the universe, and it is being played out in part, right here on earth as well.  I believe that the worldwide radical Islamist movement is merely one current strategy of Satan in this war, and is part of the cosmic war being played out like moving rooks and pawns on a chess set. 

Please: wake up!

"Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus."  -Revelation 12:17

St. Michael the Archangel Prayer (Latin & English)

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

How To Diagnose Whether Paranormal Activity Is Demonic

The intent of this post is to give you a very comprehensive list of things to check for if you suspect demonic attachment, influence, oppression or control on some level.

Last updated: October 31, 2011

Please be aware that any one of these things by themselves is not a sure sign, but just things to be on the lookout for, and to first check physiological, psychological, and environmental causes before you leap to a demonic causation. At the same time, don't be naive either. Sometimes BOTH can be present, and often are, such as severe demonic oppression can be accompanied by psychological disorders. I will add to this list as I expand it, both by my experience and the experience of others.

Below is a list of phenomena that I use to help me determine whether a case is caused by inhuman, demonic entities.  Some of these, taken individually, would not cause me to make a definitive determination immediately - such as paralysis, foul odors or shadow figures.  However, other single phenomena would - such as major levitation or clear, unequivocal Xenoglossy. Naturally, several of these together make for a much stronger likelihood of it being an authentic demonic case.  Be acutely aware of possible mental illness, but frankly, as Father Gabriel Amorth says, "Some symptoms, however, are so inconsistent with known illnesses that they point with certainty to their evil origins."  This is something no amateur should go into alone, in trying to diagnose.  I wish I had this list when I first started.  Hopefully, you will find it helpful:

The Big Three (according to the Roman Catholic Church):
Abnormal Strength
Ability to speak or understand a previously unknown language
Knowledge of hidden things (with no way to have known them)


Other Important Factors to be considered:
Knocks or Rapping in 3's or multiples of 3's
Foul Odors (especially sulfur like smells)
Phantomania (paralysis) - be careful this isn't sleep paralysis but paralysis caused by demons
Levitation of people or objects (especially heavier objects)
Vomiting of objects such as glass or nails, even small animals such as a frog
Spontaneous combustion
Counterclockwise motion or rotation
Activity regularly happening around 3:00AM
Dark shadow men or figures (these can be human spirit activity - so don't judge too quickly)
Desecration of crosses, crucifixes or other Christian symbols & objects
Scratching, claw marks or biting (especially scratches in threes)
Violent Attack: Shoving, Pushing & Hitting
Intense Sensation of Evil (especially by people with gift of discernment) 
Extreme Sense of Evil & Fear (especially by several people independently)
Apparitions of Evil Entities
Assault Sexually by an unseen force
Growling, Hissing & Other Threatening Sounds
History of occult involvement, Ouija, tarot cards, seances, Wicca, witchcraft, spells, psychics, mediums, palm readers, etc
Knowledge of a curse
Involvement with Hoodoo, Voodoo, Sanetria, Palo, etc.

Added Summer of 2011:
The inability to pray or recite a rosary
The inability to take Holy Communion (the Eucharist)
The inability to go to Mass or to Church worship servicesIt is also very important to note also, just because a person can do some of the things listed above that it does not mean the absence of a demonic influence either.  For example, sometimes strong demons can allow a person to take Holy Communion, pray or say the Name of Christ.  It is the sustained "assault" on the demon of such things that eventually will wear it down and the demon will manifest - like a boxer tiring in the late rounds of a fight.

Knowledge of supernatural

Going about naked

Unable to hear, speak

Seizures

Blindness

Use of “different” type of voice

Presence of distinct personalities      

Bizarre behavior

Fierce, violent behavior

Unusual behavior/attitudes (e.g., vicious toward self)

Feeling of overpowering evil

Self-report of demonic influence

Added 10/31/2011 based upon recent cases and experiences:

Confusion
Syncretism (mixing in with Christianity outside beliefs and practices)
Consorting with syncretic or wholly other practitioners for demonology solutions for advice and solutions

Depression (severe, ongoing)
Obstinacy, refusal to follow advice or do what you are asking them to do which are entirely reasonable
Hopelessness or fatalism
Reclusiveness or extreme isolation
No local Church home or membership, or extreme aversion to organized religion
No local pastor, priest, or clergy to turn to
No accountability
No regular reception of sacraments such as the Eucharist, no baptism, etc.
No regular reception of sacramentals such as Holy Water, rosary, prayers, creeds, crucifixes, scapulars, etc.
Poor or non-existent prayer life
Poor or non-existent scriptural reading/study
No devotional life
No social life, friends, family, etc.
Extreme obsession with paranormal activities and interests to the exclusion of other endeavors & interests; obsessed with the paranormal or aspects of it

Other Evidence or Manifestations to Consider:
Other things to consider and pay close attention to are things such as:

Aversion to Christian religious objects, such as cringing in the sight of a Crucifix

The inability to say prayers or say the name "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" or to praise God

The inability to go to Church or be around a priest, clergy, or a very righteous person

Strange bizarre behavior of animals or children that seem to be reacting to evil

External physical pain that is caused by Satan

Involuntary action and words (especially very foul and vile language)

Seizures (again, must be extremely careful to eliminate physiological and psychological causes first by examination by professionals)

Consistent health, job, relationship problems that seem extraordinarily unusual

Consistent diabolical dreams

Obsessive thoughts and/or habits

Attempts at suicide, thoughts of suicide that seem to come from nowhere

Fascination with the occult and/or occult practices





Note: The pentacle shown above (with the pentagram turned upside down - a classic symbol of satanic worship) is not something we normally post.  It is a powerful symbol of evil and capable of drawing evil entities to it (the Law of Recognition).  We show it only as an educational aid and tool.  We show it here because we feel strongly that such symbols should be known to the discerning Christian so he or she can recognize it when they see it. The symbol used in the illustration has been prayed over and annulled (sealed) in the Name of Jesus Christ so that no demonic, evil spirit(s) will be drawn to it or this post and those reading it. Exploring and studying such topics and symbols should be taken seriously, and done prayerfully and responsibly.

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