Paranormal   

   Question of the Week

November 6, 2011

Why do ghosts appear clothed, holding objects, and sometimes emitting odors? Why don’t ghosts appear naked?

These questions were put to me during my appearance on KFOG radio in San Francisco on the morning of Halloween. Every time I am on KFOG – the Bay Area’s number one rock station – I get some weird questions but the persons asking those questions always seem sincere. Throughout the remainder of the day, despite the demands of an audio investigation at the Neptune Columbarium, a book signing, and an appearance on ABC News, I kept thinking about these questions, and the humor and the complexity behnd them.

The answer to these questions, of course, requires us to deal with a more elemental and difficult question: what is the nature of a ghost?

   To understand why a ghost appears to us to be clothed, holding an object, or emitting odors, requires a good theory that explains what a ghost is. If your idea of a ghost is some physical entity that is much “thinner” than a living being, then you can’t explain many unique behavioral characteristics such as walking through walks, or other objects, floating above ground, or passing through a living being. If you can discard the notion that ghosts have physicality, you may be able to answer the questions stated above.  

    The best theory about the nature of a ghost is that it is the consciousness of a dead person. This theory rests on another theory: human consciousness can exist outside the body. We have a lot of evidence that this is so. Many people have reported “out-of-body” experiences that have been documented by unbiased investigators who adhere closely to the principles of science. Other thoroughly documented phenomena, such as doppelgangers and remote viewing, support the theory that human consciousness can exist out the living body.

    If human conscious can exist outside the living body, it has been hypothesized that it can also exist outside the dead body. Hence, a ghost is simply consciousness that lacks a physical body. As far as we know, conscious is not a physical entity. In fact, we don’t have any satisfying theories that explain the composition of consciousness. We are certain, however, that it is not a physical entity. The lack of physicality enables the ghost to pass through physical objects and, in all likelihood, function without reference to time.   

    Now, getting back to our questions: why do we see ghosts clothed, holding objects, and emitting odors, not naked? That is because our perception of ghosts is a telepathic process, from one consciousness to another, not the physical process of seeing a physical entity that emits light in the visual spectrum. What we see, or perceive, is the ghost’s perception of itself transmitted from its conscious to ours.

   Some people receive this “transmitted” perception easily and clearly while others do not. This may account to the widely variability of success among paranormal investigations in seeing apparitions, hearing vocalizations and other sounds, and feeling a spiritual presence.

   Ghosts don’t appear naked because we see the ghost as it perceives itself, clothed, young or old, bloodied or clean and neat, sometimes holding a favored object. There are many documented cases in which a single entity has appeared at various ages or created vocalizations that may be characteristized as “old” or “young.” Others have seen an apparition missing an arm while displaying a bloody stump at the shoulder.

   Ghosts may create the perception of odors, too. When alive, an entity may have loved magnolias or a specific perfume. The entity may have loved cigars or worked as a slave, shoveling manure. In any case, the ghost may create perceptions in our minds of these telltale odors.

   The theory that ghosts are completely non-physical poses challenges fore those to search for them with technical devices. While it is likely that ghosts have the ability to manipulate technical devices, it is extremely difficult to develop a reasonable theory that explains how an EMF detector or infrared camera can detect a spirit that has no physicality.

   For more information about this fascinating topic, considering purchasingTHE ART AND SCIENCE OF PARANORNAL INVESTIGATION, now available at Amazon.com

 

Thanks for your questions and visiting this page for anwers.         

Stay in touch!                                          Jeff Dwyer   

 

Team OPPS view on this topic:

We often find that ghosts appear they way they were when they were alive and in the settings that was there as well. For those that have seen Scott Power's picture from the Gig Harbor Grange, the aparation in that photo appears to be stuck in the floor as it grabs the chair. We feel that maybe it is doing both, standing on the ground that was there prior to the building being there and holding onto the chair that is there in real time. The building is built on a slight slope that was built up to make a level floor. If the ghost was killed while they were naked, then maybe they would be seen naked. Who knows? That is the best part of the paranormal is the fact that nobody knows for sure what and why these ghosts are.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted October 30th, 2011

How can I protect myself against negative attachments?

I've written about this issue many times in the past ut in the past two weeks I've received inquiries from all over the co9untry about protection against the evil and angry spirit many of us encounter in our investigations. So, I thought it would be good to review the information about protection.

   Take a look at last week's Paranormal Question and Answer of the Week (posted below) for information about why spirits attach what what that attachment can do to you. If you want more inforamtion, purcahse by newst book, THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION now available at Amazon.com (click on "books" and then enter DWYER, JEFFREY).

   I recommend that all paranormal investigators have some kind of protection against evil spirits to avoid an unwanted attachment.  If an attachment does occur, the same elements used for protection can help rid the affected person of the attached evil spirits.

   So, what devices or methods can be used for protection against and repulsion of an evil spirit? There are three basic devices;

Religious icons

Holy water

Herbs

   I want to point out that each element can be used effectively regardless of the user’s religious faith, practices, beliefs, or disbeliefs. That is because it is the belief of the evil spirit that matters, not the belief of the living person who seeks protection or repulsion of an evil spirit.

Holy Water 

   Contrary to popular belief, Holy water is used by virtually every major religion. In Catholicism, Anglicism Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, holy water is use for baptism, the blessing of person, places, and special objects, and as a device of protection against or repulsion of evil spirits. In Hinduism and Sikhism, holy water is used for spiritual cleansing. In Islam, “healing water” is used to treat spiritual afflictions that may include the effects of evils spirits. It used as a sacrament to combat evil spirits, including demons, is a generally believed to be an exclusive rite of the Roman Catholic Church.

   Holy water is ordinary tap water that has been blessed by a priest or bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. Protestant churches have holy water, too, but many paranormal investigators believe that Catholic holy water is most potent.

   Holy water may be used by dipping a finger in the liquid and then drawing the finger across the skin, in the sign of the cross, usually on the forehead. This leaves a trace of holy water on the skin, an object that is abhorrent to evil spirits. When done repeatedly, may result in expulsion of the evil spirit from the affect person or place.

   Some practitioners soak a bandana in Holy water and tie it around the head or neck. If you like to keep a room free of evil spirits while you conduct an investigation, wet a finger and leave the liquid, in the sign of the cross, over every door and window at your location.

   When trying to repulse or expel an evil spirit, it is useful to recite adictate or prayer that gets the attention of the evil spirit. Again, regardless of the affected person’s religious orientation, a tormented person might cross the forehead with holy water while saying, “By this holy water, and the precious blood of Jesus Christ, wash away all evil. You are not welcome in this body. You are not welcome in this place.”

   Protection may be greatest if you drink a tablespoon of holy before entering the haunted venue.

  It is interesting to note that most of the information available about holy water suggests that no additives are used. However, I have one source that says when holy water is used to combat the supernatural, salt is added.

 

Religious Icons

   Holy water can be more effective if it is used with religious symbols or iconology. The user can carry the icon or place it in a place believed to be occupied by evil spirits. The most potent religious icon is the crucifix. It has been used for centuries to oppose demons and ward off evil including vampires and succubi. Father Gabriel Amorth, the Roman Catholic Church’s foremost exorcist has stated that the crucifix has great power over demons.  Many believe the Saint Benedict Medal has similar power because inscribed on the backside are letters representing Jesus’ admonition “Step back, Satan.”

   St. Benedict medals can be carried on your person, in your equipment bag, placed in your car, or placed within a site tormented by evil spirits.

   Non-religious icons may have power over evil spirits depending upon numerous factors including the spirit’s recognition of the device and past history with those who have used it. These icons include; a bell or wind chime, a violet candle, various gemstones, incense, salt, brass, silver, magical charms and hagstones.

 

Herbs

   Most of us have known for a long time that burning sage in a place tends to drive away rambunctious or evil spirits. Sage is only one of many herbs believed to be irritating to evil spirits. Others include ague weed, agrimony, dill, heather, lavender, pine, and garlic. These herbs can be carried in a plastic bag on your person or in your equipment bag. Some of them can be burned and used for smudging rituals.

 

Protection Device

   It is easy to create a small bag that can be carried during paranormal investigations that confers protection against evil spirits. A sandwich sized baggie may be filled with a few sprigs of sage, a St. Benedict medal, a crucifix, and small vial of holy water.

Expulsion

   If you or a client has an evil spirit attached, do the following;

   1. Dampen your finger with holy water and make the sign of the cross on your forehead several times each day while reciting a dictate that reminds the spirit that you have invoked the protection of the great power of the Church.

   2. Drink a tablespoon of holy water 4 times each day.

   3. Carry a crucifix or other religious icon, including a Bible as close to your body as possible.

   4. Place religious iconology and herbs in your home, work place, and your car. (Evil spirits do travel.)

   5. If you use these devices asoon as an attachment is discovered, you have a good chance of breaking that attachment quickly.If a few days pass before the attachment is discovered, be prepared for a long process; expulsion often takes weeks and, in many cases, may require several months before the evil spirit gets bored, becomes weaker, or realizes the host is not going to give-in.

    If you believe the evil spirit is a demon, I advise you to seek a consultation at the nearest Roman Catholic Church.  

Thanks for your questions and visiting this page for answers.  Stay in touch!       

                                                                    Jeff Dwyer

Team OPPS view on this topic:

We here at OPPS have the same view point as Jeff on this subject. We use Sage for our protection and even use the power of certain stones to enhance our own protection. Sometimes we even use the power of stones to enhance our ability. Whether these stones work or not is up to discussion. However, we always try to protect ourselves when ever possible. We also try to avoid doing investigation styles that might promote added need for protection, such as the use of Oujai Boards or other investigations styles.