Types of Paranormal Phenomena

The blank term of paranormal phenomena refers to a number of unexplained paranormal activities. There are many different categories that encompass this field of inquiry, including demonic possessions, a haunting, clairvoyance, cryptozoology and UFOs. Over the years, skeptics, scientists, swindlers and enthusiasts alike have sought to capture and verify proof of otherworldly intercessions. Since there has been so much fraudulent activity and people looking to make a quick buck, proving paranormal occurrences may never be possible on a broad scale. Even so, passionate paranormal groups still like to try and feel it's only a matter of time before the supernatural elements become known.

"There are more things in heaven and earth than man can possibly account for," said Shakespeare. Despite the lack of scientific evidence that proves the existence of paranormal phenomena beyond a shadow of a doubt, more than half of all Americans believe in the existence of spirits or paranormal activity. For many people, it's important to consider the possibility of life after death and to remain open to alternate realities. As the past has shown us, just because we can't explain it, doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist.

Paranormal phenomena are occurrences that cannot be explained by accepted orthodox scientific methodology. The word "paranormal" has been used in the English language since 1920, meaning above and beyond (para) the normal realm of existence (normal). This broad field encompasses ghost stories, demonic possessions, clairvoyance, cryptozoology and UFOs. Even though it's considered a fringe or pseudoscience, there is a widespread interest in uncovering new truths about this mysterious world of ours.

Reports of paranormal phenomena are nothing new. Ancient Sumerians wrote about demonic possession on stone tablets and Christ's apostles wrote of angels and spirits in their gospels. Legends of vampires, werewolves and monsters go back centuries and span countries all around the world. Ghostly stories meet with a captive audience, as more than half of all Americans believe in the supernatural and paranormal powers. There are several different categories that a paranormal experience may be classified under.

Demonic possession is one type of paranormal phenomena that has been investigated over the years. Cuneiform writings were found on ancient Sumerian tablets, praying for safety from demons. The Bible talks about "demon-possessed" people in the gospels of Luke, John, Matthew, Mark and in the Acts of the Apostles. The Catholic Church believes that individuals can become possessed in order to be tested; often following occult practices, mortal sin, loss of faith or psychological trauma. Possession is also recognized in the medical community, especially in cases of dissociative personality disorder, where a third of the afflicted refer to themselves as demons and paranormal beings.

One type of paranormal phenomena is demonic possession. Perhaps what made the movie "The Exorcist" so chilling was that it was based on a real, documented case. Over the years, numerous inexplicable instances of possession have been reported. In March 2008, a team of academics led by Dr. Richard E. Gallagher published a chilling report in the Oxford Review of a woman possessed by demonic paranormal spirits. They reported that Julia, a woman with a history of involvement in Satanic cults, was seen levitating six inches off the ground for thirty minutes, screaming in clearly discernable foreign languages that she had no knowledge of, yelling out personal information about witnesses in the room, causing books to fly off the shelves, and making animal-like growls. Researchers hope to outline the standard textbook cases of possession in a way that the medical community accepts. "Possession is very rare, though not as exceedingly so as many imagine," Gallagher concludes.

Spirit encounters and paranormal phenomena may arrive in many different forms. Some observers have reported shadowy dark masses that suddenly appear and disappear, or slide across the walls. Others report "orbs" or small balls of light that travel on their own. Apparitions are filmy visions of people, with or without facial details. Poltergeists cannot be seen, but these mischievous spirits move objects and make sounds. Angels appear as good paranormal spirits, while demons appear as malevolent spirits. Some ghosts appear stuck in their daily routines, unaware that they are dead; while others may be relatives that drop by to comfort grieving loved ones. Ghosts might wish to explain what happened to them, relay a message, protect a living person on earth, or just downright annoy.

Paranormal happenings also include a haunting, which is a recurring paranormal activity in a set location. There is the "intelligent haunting," where thinking spirits interact and communicate with living humans. There is the "residual haunting," which seem more like a movie or recording comprised of residual energy, where there is no conscious interaction but the spirits remain. Then there is the "inhuman haunting," which is one of the most terrifying encounters because they're typically attributed to demons, the paranormal and poltergeists.

Extrasensory perception is another broad category of paranormal phenomena; this one dealing with psychic abilities, rather than otherworldly paranormal supernatural spirits. Clairvoyants can gain knowledge about people, places and events they have not previously read or heard about. An offshoot of clairvoyance includes precognition, where psychics may receive detailed information about the future. Telepathy involves the transfer of information between people, using their minds only. Telekinesis is the ability to move objects solely through the power of the mind and a "medium" has the ability to communicate with departed spirits. Astral projection is another term for out-of-body travel, where the soul leaves the body and returns at will, without causing death.

Unexplained mysteries are also a form of paranormal phenomena. The Bermuda Triangle's long list of bizarre disappearances and sightings is one of these mystery paranormal happenings. Other mysteries that defy standard perceptions include the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, the Abominable Snowman, El Chupacabra and UFOs. Folklore, myths and legends about vampires, werewolves, ghouls, zombies, dragons and giants also fall under this category. The study of unknown species of creatures is also referred to as "cryptozoology."

There are hundreds of paranormal research teams investigating paranormal phenomena in the U.S., including The Atlantic Paranormal Society and the New York Pennsylvania Paranormal Society. They use a variety of electrical equipment to gather evidence, including paranormal video cameras, digital audio recorders, white noise generators, EMF detectors, digital thermometers, GPS devices, computers, infrared cameras, and night vision cameras. It can be difficult to document spirits, but hopefully one day there will be convincing evidence either for or against the supernatural.