The SMAPIS ghost hunters have much to say about the paranormal. Read their opinions, investigation notes, findings and post comments here. If you disagree with their evidence, tell them! They love a good debate.
Mission Drahner barn: SUCCESS
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Drahner barn investigation has come to a close and it was a quantifiable success! (See the
Investigations page on smapis.com for investigation details.)
The crew have captured several convincing EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon). One in particular makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up every time I hear it. It sounds like a gruff, old man's voice saying, "I only want the most times to have it." According to the backstory of the barn, William Drahner became depressed and ended his own life. The statement is chilling because it represents William's despair in reliving this residual moment every year on October 24th for almost 70 years.
Other EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon) captured that night include but are not limited to:
"No, it's not."
"I'm Fred Drahner."
"Uhhhhhhhhhh."
"I tell about it on the wind." or "I talk around it on the wind."
In addition to EVP, the crew have captured several compelling images. Some of orbs, some mists, some vortex's and the most convincing shadow man shot I've ever seen. These EVPs and photos will be posted soon.
Stay tuned!
Rodger
Lead Paranormal Investigator
SMAPIS
Labels: announcement, documentary, evp, news, personal experience, shadow people
posted by SMAPIS Admin at
The Art and Science of Capturing EVP
Thursday, August 20, 2009
EVP stands for electronic voice phenomenon. Simply put, its the capturing of a voice on an electronic recording device that is not heard by the observers at the time of the recording.
I first experienced this phenomenon about 13 years ago when trying to communicate with a deceased occupant of the rental house I was living in. I created a parabolic microphone out of a computer condenser mic, milk carton, egg carton, fishing line, coat hanger, Elmer's glue stick, and aluminum foil. I began asking questions of the etherial resident such as, "How did you die? How old are you? What is your favorite food?" etcetera. To my surprise, when prompted, "Tell us your name," a voice was captured on the tape that clearly said, "I don't want to." This recording was thoroughly scrutinized by industry experts with the conclusion that it was not a fake. I have since lost the clip due to a flood that destroyed the tape.
There are several theories for and against the validity of EVPs as proof of an afterlife. Many conventional scientists believe that EVPs are merely auditory hallucination or auditory suggestion. This is a phenomenon where a person listening to a supposed EVP will subconsciously fill in the blanks to create vocal phrases out of otherwise random noises in the environment. Some parapsychologists believe that electronic recording devices are capable of capturing the electro magnetic energy emitted by a spirit who is trying to say something. This energy is not audible to the human ear, but is transfered to the tape as voices we can decipher.
I learned something that fateful night thirteen years ago. I learned that, regardless of how scientists interpret EVP, I know in my heart of hearts that there are spirits in that nether realm trying to communicate with us.
Thanks for reading,
Labels: evp, personal experience, techniques
posted by SMAPIS Admin at
The act of powdering
Friday, May 1, 2009
Very few ghost hunters today, practice the dying art of powdering. This is the act of sprinkling baby powder in and around areas of investigation. Covering floor boards, table surfaces, and any other flat objects in hopes to track the physical movement of an entity.
Since the dawn of paranormal investigation, many cases have been reported. One in particular involves baby powder footprints across a hardwood floor. On an investigation in the spring of 1926, Dr. Horris Buchenstein, curator of the Philadelphia metropolitan museum of natural history, placed such powder across the floor of a 1750's inn. To his amazement, baby footprints extended from the closet to the entrance on the opposite side of the room. His findings were scrutinized by various members of the press to the conclusion that indeed, a ghostly baby inhabited the old inn.
My recent attempts with this technique have not been quite as fruitful, but my research is ongoing. I have been conducting controlled experiments using various powders, such as powdered sugar, baking powder, bleached and wheat flour, baking soda, Chinese 5 spice, nutmeg, comet cleanser, powdered milk, facial powder, bullion granules, ranch dip powder, vanilla pudding powder, malted milk powder, non-dairy coffee creamer, and white cake mix. I will continue to update this post as new information arises.
Please share your powdering techniques and findings here.
Labels: personal experience, techniques
posted by SMAPIS Admin at
Shadow Hat Man
Sunday, April 26, 2009
We all have those moments of self doubt. A moment when sound pessimism floods through our veins and we ask ourselves, "Did I really just see a ghost? Is that even possible?" And during that moment, we come to the realization that no sound, scientific principle can explain the visual, still lingering in the back of our mind; its impression, still imposed on our retina. We close our eyes and can still see it. Proof to only ourselves.
I experienced such an event last Saturday night, while working on my book. Seated comfortably in my easy chair with my tattered, papyrus notebook, fountain pen and glass of scotch on the rocks, I saw it. A blacker-than-black etherial, smokey mass, wavering in the doorway of my office. I caught it in my right peripheral vision, and when I turned to look, it vanished.
It seemed to be an outlined figure of a cloaked man with a 1930's fedora. Although I could make out no facial details, I could sense malevolence. Even after it vanished, the pressing feeling of despair and foreboding remained for the rest of the night.
According to
Wikipedia's page about shadow people,
they may be creatures from another reality whose "dimension" occasionally overlaps with ours, allowing them to be partially visible, or that they represent creatures that exist on a separate plane of existence.
Have you ever experience a shadow figure? Do you have an opinion of theory about shadow people? Please post a comment and share.
Labels: personal experience, shadow people
posted by SMAPIS Admin at
