50th Ave.
Feb. 4, 2006
Paranormal Evidence: To psy or not to psy?
In recent years there has been a plethora of paranormal-themed television shows. These shows provide technical "proof" of apparitions often based upon thermal imagers, infrared cameras, and other such devices. Yet, for some of these groups there is a lack of one element: psy-sensitives. So, that brings investigators to the following questions: What information processes should be used in investigation, and which should be discounted? Do psy-sensitives add information to an investigation or are they only subjectively guessing? Should paranormalists rely solely on equipment-based responses to considered information valid?
This month's featured article shows the complexities that come with answering these questions. A large group of SPIRITS members met at the home of a three-person family. Each teammate brought an assortment of equipment to be used, and the gathering also included a psy-sensitive. As per the SPIRITS' protocol, members were encouraged to record their personal experiences throughout the investigation.
In comparing the two techniques, the equipment used did yield some results. The SPIRITS captured several orb images via digital cameras, though most could be subject to explanation. Only one orb showed any form of texture and depth, differentiating it from dust. However, the orb image was captured outside and could be explained by the presence of humidity or pollen.
The team also used the EMF meter to try to communicate with the entity. We asked it to indicate a positive response to our questions by creating a "spike" on the meter. While this technique has worked in the past and has produced unusual behavior from the meter, the results were questionable in this investigation. We received emphatic spikes to several inquiries, especially concerning the minor who lived in the home. Yet, when we attempted to repeat the questions for verification, the meter provided no response. It was difficult to determine accuracy to this technique without this verification.
It was the intuitives that proved to provide the most accuracy on this night. Our primary sensitive was able to give a physical description of the entity, as well as a purpose to his haunting of the family. He was there to visit the homeowner’s child. The intuitive added additional details, as she heard a strong "jah" or "jer" sound as part of his name. Believing that the sound was the first syllable, the sensitive was incorrect in naming him. However, we later gained clarification to this information from the homeowner. Her brother, who had often told her that he wanted to be there to see her son grow up, was named Roger. The "jah"/”jer” sound was located not at the start of his name, but centrally to it.
Additionally, member experience proved beneficial to this investigation. Several members reported feeling the temperature in the room drop, though this was not verified with thermometers. Two female members also felt someone play with their hair during the investigation. The homeowner did verify that her brother liked women and often flirted with them.
Overall, the results remain mixed. For this investigation, it would appear that the human element was stronger, yet both human and equipment concurrently verify certain aspects of information given by the entity. The SPIRITS of St. Petersburg plans to continue with its current investigation style, though we would like to hear from other teams regarding their experiences and opinions.
Ideas are welcome for posting at the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg blog, located at MySpace.com: http://www.myspace.com/spiritsofstpetersburg
Brandy’s Report
50th Ave. North
2/4/06
Time: 6:45
Jen, Denise, Jo, Bobby, Anthony, Michelle, Amy, and potential member, Pras.
Note: before the investigation, I took half a migraine pill.
We split into three groups. I went with Michelle and Pras in one group.
Note: EMF on 0 – 3 scale unless otherwise noted.
Outside:
.6 EMF
54 degrees outside (55 degrees at backyard).
We had spikes on the EMF meter. Some seemed to be in response to questions. However, as we looked around we found external power cords coming into the house. Temperature seemed to drop in a certain area; however, it was probably because the IR beam had nothing to bounce off.
Master bedroom:
Note: musty smell
.6 EMF, with 2 spikes on the meter. .6 – 1.5 spike recorded.
68 – 67 degrees in the room.
Felt physically cooler in the room, though temperature didn’t fluctuate.
Felt cold spots on hand, though the fan was on in the other room.
Michelle sensed a male entity.
There were a series of spikes in the other room, hands and feet cold.
We tried asking if anyone was there and got spikes. We asked if it had interfered with the fan cord. No spike. Not conclusive, but interesting.
Exercise room:
1 spike
66 degrees
Hands still felt cold.
Energy in the back room felt flat.
Child’s room (fan on).
.8 EMF
1 spike
Fan on in child’s room
Hall:
Chill on legs, there is an attic entrance in the hall. Possible orb captured on the camera. EMF spike.
Kitchen:
.6 EMF
1 spike, about 2 steps from the dryer in the kitchn.
71 degrees
EmMF spike by Denise.
Discussion:
Amy: MA bedroom felt cool, but no recorded temp changes. By the bed something grabbed her leg.
Anthony: nothing notable
Jen: Orb by toilent in MA bedroom, orb in blue room, kitchen and backyard. Kitchen, right after spike, by freezer, orb captured.
Bobby: EMF spike 0 – 10; only time that has happened. Got an orb by the toy box. Drawn to rocking chair in MA bedroom.
Michelle: MA bedroom, drawn to rocking chair. Felt back room was “flat”; child’s room: felt something in doorway.
Pras: When she first came, felt drawn to house. In the MA bedroom, saw and was drawn to the rocking chair; backroom: drawn to dresser; hallway under attic access also had something.
Jo: Orbs in living room, 1 backyard, no unusual EMF, MA, bedroom, EMF acting up, no temp flux, drawn to the MA bedroom.
Denise: Nothing attached to the home, but a white male, 47 years old, related to the family, brother with a strong “Jah” name. (Jacob or Jason). He was 5’ 10”, 180 pounds. Wearing dark colors and a shirt, died suddenly (accidental). 1-2 weeks or month in duration – it was accidental but it took a while to happen. It wasn’t an immediate death. Running around. Going ghost group to group 00 he was in the hallway. He wants to pass out a message. Noises in the kitchen in the house are his.
Brandy: EMF spikes in response to questions in MA bedroom. Felt cold in MA bedroom
Group decided to visit MA bedroom, backroom, hall, and kitchen.
Second walkthrough
MA bedroom: Feels very cool, though it reads 69 – 70 degrees.
Felt cool on hands. Cameras turned off repeatedly, including a camcorder at a distance from the group. (Anthony’s camcorder and Jo’s camera)
Jen felt touched by someone on the head. (Video confirmed that there was a spike when Jen announced this).
Needle picking up; more EMF spikes.
Asked: What is your name? If she gets the right name, will you make the needle spike?
Tried names: Jeremiah, George (spike), Jason, Justin, Jacob….
Let me try again. Is it George? (none)
Did we get the name? (none)
Entity got tired. Had to “catch its breath”….
Temperature was 72 or 71….
Did he die in a car accident, while driving? The death was secondary in cause
Pneumonia, staff infection, cancer
Lying in bed when he died.
Someone got a tingle in the body. Triple spikes.
Denise felt overwhelmed. The room kept feeling colder.
Michelle told us that her husband had been in an accident and had pneumonia. So, it could be a residue….
He wanted to say goodbye, he was sorry. Guilty. Not seeing right people.
EMF steadily increasing.
He had a father relationship to one of the boys.
Didn’t get to pass on a message to them before he died.
Age: 40s to late 40s.
May have been a smoker.
Names: Sara and Helen, Alan or Adam mean something to him.
Message to pass on. Sorry for not being around when he should hab been.
Grandchild? Fatherly figure, ex-husband? Brother-in-law? Close family member.
Is he related to the boy? Double spike (twice).
Take care of boy, mother, daughter
Guilty to female homeowner.
Not blood relative to female.
Note: folks getting tired. Yawning. It was not as cold in the room.
We asked if we should move, but were advised to stay in the room. He would have to gather more energy up to give messages, and wanted to “get this done now”.
Tried to figure out how he was related to the family (the little boy). Asked if he was grandfather, father, uncle (Large notable spike).
Bobby suggested “grandfather” again with a spike.
Asked for clarification – “uncle”? Nothing. “grandfather” Nothing.
The boy is important to you? Double spike.
Energy is really sporadic from the entity.
Do you have a message to pass on? Multiple spikes.
He was important to a child. He should have been around. Do something. Because of my action, there was a chain reaction. Everything happened.
EMF spiked. Bobby reported that his arms were tingling. (A lot of action in the room).
Brandy: Was it related to a crime of some sort?
Jen: Was it cancer?
(I felt he was related to a crime for his “guilty” feelings towards homeowner).
We tried the backroom next. Nothing really happened, though there was a cold spot back in the area. (I wondered if the dresser that Pras “felt” something towards was the dead man’s).
Asked if we would get much else going through the other areas. Sensitives did not think so.
Homeowner interview:
Summary of homeowner questions:
Yes to: Unusual dreams (featuring deceased relatives)
Lucid dreams
Paralysis dreams
Animals attached to homeowner
Sees shadows (cast by entity)
Apportation of objects
1 time abnormal behavior of telephones (called grandmother’s number; she was recently deceased. The person who answered the phone sounded just like the grandmother).
SLIder (both present)
Homeonwer can “feel” someone watching her, “hear it” walking by
Had “rain” phenomena in a hallway possibly predicting a large storm that happened the Friday before the investigation.
--asked the entity to move her dog’s ear, and it did.
Had a person who took items from graveyard staying in her home at one time. She heard noise from his room and opened the door to find all of his personal items lined up against the door. He was not there and there was no one in the room.
--Hears closet door open a few inches (distinct sound)
Homeowner discussion
Told us that we described her brother to a “T”.
He was 46 when he died. Diagnosed with lymphoma 6 months before he died.
Felt pain in his stomach, gone earlier, would have been diagnosed. He did smoke, but not cigarettes.
His name was “Rodger” – “J” sound name.
He did like girls. (Amy, Jen’s hair)
He was 5 foot 10
The way he communicated matched Denise feeling overwhelmed, the build up of EMF (bursts of energy that were quickly spent).
The table next to the dresser in the back room did belong to him. He was the uncle to the young man who stayed in the house in the back. Often times said he wanted to be here to see him grow up.
Told homeowner that if he died first he would “scare her”.
Homeowner was surprised that her brother showed up. She confirmed that he was guilty towards her for a crime committed. She never thought it was him.
Her mother died in the bathroom near the master bedroom.
Her dog recently passed away. The dog used to sleep against the dresser; it opens on its own (as if the dog is still pressing against it).
Light bulbs die quickly.
Her actual brother-in-law was staying in the MA bedroom once when something grabbed him and held him down.
Sees shadows in the bathroom while she is trying to take a shower.
Note: The musty odor in the bedroom was from the rain leaking in from the deluge (unusual weather pattern) from the day prior.
Conclusion: This was another good investigation for a couple of reasons. One, the homeowner did not expect to have anything happen concerning her brother. She thought the entities would be her mother or the dog. There is no mention of any named entities on the homeowner’s document, which I did not see nor did the homeowner discuss with me.
We have set up a second investigation for May to check the home. We suggested that the homeowner talk to her brother to alleviate him of the guilt he feels. We hope that the next investigation we can see if there are any other entities in the home. Sensitives reported that this one character seems to have eclipsed, pushed out the others, and taken strong control of the investigation.
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Investigator’s Log
Name: Jo Wilkins
Date: February 4, 2006
Time: 6:35 PM
Location: Residence on 50th Avenue in St. Petersburg
NOAA Data: Solar X-Rays and Geomagnetic Activity (Data not collected)
Moon Phase: 49% of Full
Equipment Used: Sony IC Digital Voice Recorder, Infrared Thermal Scanner, Sony Digital Video Camera (Super NightVision mode), Sony Digital Camera, EMF Field Tester
Photo Summary
Film used: 35 mm camera not used
Total number of photos taken (film): 0
Total number of photos taken (digital): 72
Positive Photos: 3
Several orbs can be seen near the recliner chair in living room. They could be reflections from imperfections in the vertical blinds or dust.
There is a possible orb in back yard. I don’t think it’s a reflection from any of the nearby items. As I recall, none of them were metallic.
There is a possible orb visible near Denise in living room taken during debriefing session.
Audio Summary
Audiotapes used: None
Total length of (DVR) audio recording: Segment 1 (Master Bedroom) – 00:11:43; Segment 2 (Living Room during post-investigation debriefing) – 00:18:02
EVP sessions: Both segments were recorded while conversation was taking place. Segment 1 included question/answer session in master bedroom.
Positive EVPs: No audible EVP was detected.
Video Summary
Videotapes used: Sony Premium DVC 60
Total length of video recording: 34:29 minutes
Video Segment (1) Master Bedroom
Segment Length: 26:02 minutes
Time of Recording: 8:07 PM – 8:33 PM
Video Segment (2) Walk-thru (back bedroom, sport room, hallway, kitchen, living room) and debriefing session
Segment Length: 08:27 minutes
Time of Recording: 8:33 PM – 8:42 PM
Positive video events: No anomalous images or sounds recorded
Other physical evidence obtained
Total positive anomalous EMF readings: I experienced very little unusual EMF activity. There were a couple of transient spikes in the master bedroom, but all other fluctuations seemed to be attributed to electrical appliances, electronic equipment or wires.
Total positive anomalous temperature changes: No unusual temperature readings noted.
Other notable events: While in the master bedroom during the question and answer session, my digital camera shut-off at least 6 times indicating no battery power. I would turn on the camera and see that the battery power was again at 100%. The batteries were the rechargeable type and had been recently charged in preparation for the investigation. I detected a noticeable “musty” smell in the master bedroom that was not present in any of the other rooms. I also very briefly detected a floral scent while I was setting up the video camera near the bathroom in the master bedroom.
Psychic Impressions
I did not experience any psychic impressions during this investigation.
Conclusion
Based upon the collective investigative findings of the group, the impressions of the sensitives on the team and the supporting statements of the homeowner, I believe there is strong evidence to suggest that paranormal activity is occurring at this residence.
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Jennifer's Report
Saturday, February 4, 2006
50th Ave North
6:30 PM
Attending: Brandy, Pras, Jo, Michelle, Bobby, Anthony, Amy, Denise and myself.
My group: Amy, Bobby & myself
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Arriving at the home I felt at peace, it was a comforting feeling. Good vibes at the home. There was not anything menacing.  After setting up shop we split into groups, where I had the pleasure of Bobby and Amy’s presence.   The first “episode†happened in the kitchen where Bobby had one large spike on his EMF at which time I snapped a picture and caught an orb over the fridge. We continued to move throughout the house focusing on the master bedroom mostly.
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The group decided the master bedroom was the best place to do our second round where we set up more cameras, recorders and EMF. There was a lot of action during this time, on and off, as the spirit’s energy seemed to fluctuate. At one point I had something playing with my hair and I also got two shots of a small orb directly on or next to Amy’s head. The homeowner said her brother was a lover of the women!
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During our initial walk through something drew my attention toward the master bath from a distance and I snapped a picture. It revealed a nice orb on or very close to the toilet. At this time I turned to Bobby (I think) and mentioned the orb and said someone must have passed away on the commode.  Later at the end discussion the owner asked if anyone picked up on anything in the master bathroom.  She then told us that her mother had passed away in that bathroom! I believe that orb was representative of her mother!
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This hunt was good for both the spirit and the home owner. They both needed closure and I feel that they both got what they needed. Again, this was an example of family bonds that death cannot change. Many things were left unsaid by both parties and now with some closure and understanding both can begin to heal and move on!
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Pras’s report
Location: 50th Ave
Date: 4th Feb 2006
Time begin: 1830
Time end: 2130
Weather condition: Cool, slight Easterly wind, clear skies, avg. temp 70-
71˚F.
This would be my first instrument aided, and formal investigation since picking up the interest in the paranormal since 1981. I grew up being sensitive to “unusual” energy, but I never had the opportunities to put any of my senses to the test, and on this day with the SPIRITS of ST. Petersburg, has allowed me to stretch any probable intuitions I may have or not have.
We initiated our investigation in three groups (my group would commence outside the home while the other two groups would commence their walk-through in the home). On my initial walk-through, I would walk this one under the guidance of Brandy, one of the original founders of SPIRITS. We first took readings outside the property and had a couple of EMF spikes on the Eastern side of the house, but we had attributed the spikes to (probable power) lines that were running through and above the property. We also had a low temperature reading off a palm tree, 44˚F, but this can be attributed to my rookie skills as a state-of-the-art temperature gage operator. (Note: This would be my first time using a typical ghost hunter tool and everyone realized I was on a learning curve.) One curious feeling I had was coming from the owner’s shed in the backyard. We did not acquire any spikes or temperature changes in this area, but I had the distinct feeling the fishing rods, stored in the shed may be connected to the haunting somehow… But being a new probable member, I was a bit gun shy and didn’t wish to disturb the rest of the investigation quite yet, so I made a note of it and stayed quiet. (The issue with the rods would not be addressed on this investigation, though an odd photograph of a light anomaly would surface from one of the other teams, when they performed their outdoor walkthrough. After looking at this photograph, off the viewfinder screen, I tend to think it may have been a distortion off the camera from the flash, a reflection off of a tree, or an unseen metal object. Might need to look at this area once again during daylight hours)
Entering the house was a whole new experience. I was strangely drawn to the kitchen, but did not know or understand why? I had the odd feeling there was something there that was not connected to the family, but something older? Or not human? We proceeded into the Master bedroom and had a few spikes on the EMF meter. There was no extreme temp change in the room (as I was able to finally master the temperature gage J) and it remained at around 67-68˚F. The drop in temperature could have been attributed to anything, plus being an older home the insulation is probably not equal to current standards. A ceiling fan was still running in the adjacent room, and could have attributed to the slight breeze derivations the investigators were experiencing. We decided to shut the ceiling fan off and agreed to return to this room since we were getting frequent spikes on the meter in this area. At this point, an investigator sensed a presence of a male in the room and we asked the presence to appear to us in pictures while we shot some digitals. There were also two very large windows surrounding the room, that didn’t seem to be well insulated. It’s almost understandable, one may feel that there’s a presence in this room since it is slightly cooler than the rest of the home. Many paranormal researchers say temperature derivations are caused by entities drawing energy from anything around them. Including drawing heat (energy) from the room.
While in this bedroom, I was attracted to the Master bathroom and an old rocking chair that sat in the room. I entered the bathroom and took a quick moment there. I was not sure what I was feeling, but I might have felt some sort of residual emotion there. I also mentioned that I sensed something in the chair and another investigator agreed, but Brandy did warn us, and to be careful, that this can be a psychological reaction to an antique chair, though I was still drawn to the chair none-the-less.
Another room, I had those strange feelings from, was in the owner’s son’s room, but particularly the dresser and an end table that sat in the corner of the room. Several words used to describe the room were, “I don’t sense any energy here” or “It doesn’t feel attached to the rest of the house” and “it may be an addition to the room,” but I believe I felt a hollowness, not necessarily the lack of feeling but more of a feeling of missing something? We didn’t get too many spikes in the room, and they commented that the room didn’t feel like it harbored any energy, but the dresser was almost screaming at me. Plus, I had that extreme feeling of lost. (On the second walk-through, I was really paying attention to that end table, particularly what was on it. A feeling came over me to pay attention to the way a group of quarters were laid out on top of the dresser, and how this feeling that came over me was really proud? of them or that there was a pertinence to the way they were arranged?) SPIRITS would later learn the end table and maybe the dresser, in this room, belonged to one of the owner’s deceased brother.
We continued to walk through the house and immediately, one of the investigators felt something at the entrance of the owner’s grandson room, in the hallway, and there was an EMF spike. The door happened to be located in the vicinity of the attic entrance and I pondered the possibility of if the owners may have acquired something, either from a loved one or not, with a lot of energy from someone passed attached to it, and they’re storing it in the attic. This question would not be answered, and maybe should be looked into with future investigations. Again, it could just be me projecting an idea that things might possibly go bump in the night, especially in the attic. A note to myself, since I’m still learning, is to separate the traditional ideas of “haunting” and to look at things with an open mind, yet scientific mind.
Again, I’m still not confident with my abilities, or lack-thereof, but I was surprised at some of what I may have been sensing, and what other investigators were sensing, would later be validated by the owner.
We ended in the kitchen and there was a quick spike on the EMF meter by the washing machine. Again, I took a long hard look at the kitchen and I found myself looking at the stove with a fluorescent light over it. The light over the stove was making a very loud buzzing noise, and may be giving off a lot of electro magnetic waves, causing some of the strange feelings I or the owners may have felt.
After we completed our initial walk-thru, we walked through those areas we felt needed further investigation, with the rest of the investigators. We all returned to the Master bedroom. There, our experienced “sensitive” Denise picked up on the energy of a deceased man of a probable relative to one of the owners. We asked the spirit several questions, and using the EMF meter as the rap on the table; the spirit proceeded to be extremely “talkative” and may have managed to spike the meter several times. (We were video taping the session, taking photos with digital cameras, and recorded the session with a digital voice recorder) The video camera set up to record the session was drained of its power a couple of times, and there were problems with some of the digital cameras. Though Denise may have felt otherwise, I felt the spirit had a cancer and died, and I decided to quietly blurt that out to the group during the session. Now I’m glad I did because the owner later verified that her brother has passed of Lymphoma…
While questioning the entity in the Master bedroom, many on the team were experiencing their heads being touched or the feeling that their energy was being drained, some even reported being tired and having chills, but I’ll admit I fought this urge to fall into the trap of group think, (monkey see, monkey do). But at one point, I did feel numbness in my hands as the meter spiked more frequently. (Another observation I made earlier, but failed to mention, was when we were initially calibrating our instruments prior to our initial walk-through. Brandy placed an EMF meter on the dining room table, right next to my bag and close to me, and the meter proceeded to spike erratically. I quickly thought to myself about the SLIder phenomenon many researchers are beginning to investigate and members of SPIRITS have written on, on the website. Just interesting.) I also found myself paying attention to the master bathroom again and staring at that direction during our line of questioning by the bed.
The owner later verified that her grandmother? passed in the Master bathroom, and that the rocking chair in the master bedroom belonged to the grandmother. The owners also mentioned that there were strange occurrences in the hallway and in the kitchen, but this may have to be looked into on future investigations since we were concentrating most of our time on the deceased relative in the master bedroom. The team agreed that on this day, the deceased brother would be the primary target of this investigation.
One thing that may have been accomplished on this particular investigation is that the spirit of the deceased brother was probably communicating with us and the family because he wished to convey a message. The spirit may just have needed to get this message across, and the owners seemed to have understood it.
In conclusion, this was a great experience and I’m extremely thankful to have been a part of it. I hope we helped the owners by providing some of our findings, and offered them some probable explanations for the occurrences. I do hope I’ll have future opportunities to go on investigations with this team and hope to, in the future, hone in on any probable senses I may have or not. This was definitely an eye opener for me. I have a lot to learn!
Investigator: Pras K. Wilisch
Bobby's rwport:
Location: 50th Ave
Date: 2/4/06
Time: 18:45 – 20:00
Notes from: Bobby H
Equipment: 8mm Camcorder, EMF Meter, and Digital Camera
Cold Spots: Felt cold chills twice in Master Bedroom during silent walk through and while
communicating via Tri-field meter.
EMF: Spike on EMF meter to ‘10’ by the freezer in the kitchen. Was not able to replicate and EMF readings near the area. Seconds later, Jen’s batteries went dead in her camera.
Photos: 40 digital pictures were taken. Orb found near child’s toy box resulted in ‘dust’.
Video: Over 2 hours of video was reviewed. No unordinary video or audio found.
Brandy's pic
Jen's pics:
Orb--->
Jo's Orb--->
<---Brandy's Orb
