Keeping A Paranormal Journal
DATE AND TIME
Through the years we have kept detailed case notes on every investigation date. These notes can eventually be placed in a graph which can eventually show patterns, like months that are more active than others. Noting the date of the occurrences could potentially lead you or a paranormal team to a person, historic event, or other detail that could uncover the who of the haunting. At the very least it can determine the time of year that the paranormal experiences occur most prominently. This also applies to the time. Many paranormal researchers who subscribe to the Stone Tape Theory or Residual Haunting would say that if a spirit is only manifesting at a certain date and time, it narrows the window down of the time frame that the home or location should be investigated.
AREA THAT IT OCCURRED
Knowing the area that it occurred allows for a team or you to go back to exactly where it happened to see if you can debunk or find more data. When investigators go into a location they want to do readings of the area that any phenomena occurs. Radon, EMF, carbon monoxide, infrasound, and more can be the culprit for generating possible illness that can cause hallucinations or illness. Investigators will also want to set cameras, recorders, and other data logging devices to determine if the potential "hot spot" generates any data that supports the claims.
PEOPLE PRESENT (INCLUDING PETS)
Journals should include the percipients (the persons that experienced the phenomena) and anyone else in the location itself. I always recommend noting where everyone was at any given time and what they were doing. I once had a gentleman contact me about his young grandson. The only time the activity occurred was when his grandson was in the home. Knives would fly out of the holder, the freezer would slam open and frozen food would shoot down the hallway, and items would just move randomly. No one was ever hurt but it was determined that due to the issues in his grandson's life, he may have RSPK (recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis). Having the details allows for you and others to determine if there is a focus or living agent that is the center of the "haunting". Pets are a given. Pets sometimes could be the cause of the issues and pet parents don't realize the things their furry friends are up to.
ARE THERE ANY ISSUES?
The hardest part of paranormal cases is the potential that someone in the home either has misinterpreted what happened or that they may be the cause of the "haunting". There are various types of hauntings that can be possible from mental or emotional turmoil occurring in the location. It can be hard to disclose drug problems or mental illness, however it is your best bet to have these things monitored by a medical professional before attributing any occurrence to paranormal phenomena. Many people may find even if it is paranormal, things drastically calm down when you are in a better place physically, mentally, and emotionally. For your journal note these details if anyone is having issues or illnesses, you may find patterns.
DID YOU CHANGE ANYTHING OR PURCHASE ANYTHING?
When things start to happen note what changed. Did you buy an antique? Inherit something old from a relative? Move your living room around? Make a minor renovation? Every detail tells a story, keep track of all things that could possibly be the cause. Make notes in your journal if/ when you think of things that changed around the time that it all started happening.
WHAT DID YOU EXPERIENCE?
Every. Detail. Which way did the door swing? Where was the object before it reappeared? What did it sound like? Note every single detail that you can. What was everyone else doing when it happened? Write the details of the experience down as soon as possible when it is fresh in your mind, things get hazy after a while. Having this information may help you determine that things aren't really paranormal and just need to be fixed or adjusted. Like a fridge light coming on when the door is closed, it may not be paranormal at all. And above all, be able to say you were wrong if it can be explained and it wasn't paranormal. Otherwise it could give more ability to you and potentially a paranormal team the ability to find good ways to capture what you are experiencing.
HOW DID YOU FEEL?
My first paranormal experience was interesting in the way that I wasn't frightened. I was home alone and in that time frame my shadow spooked me, but when I experienced hearing something so terrifying; I felt an abnormal calm come over me. I think I feel more interested in that calm feeling that I got than hearing a spirit move what sounded like a steamroller across my attic. Pay attention to what you were feeling and make notes, you may just feel fear but either way your feelings could be important.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
Last I recommend that you make notes of things you may have done to combat the paranormal occurrences. Did you start a conversation with them? Did you yell? Get angry? Did you use sage or having a blessing? Make notes of what is done and how things are during and after. I have noticed that many spirits get really pissed off when you sage "their" home. Be aware that things that pop culture say are ways to help, don't help at all, they just tick them off. Keep every detail noted for future reference.
Having this journal can be valuable for you and others. I always say there is no such thing as too much documentation, but there is too little. Over time things become distorted and hazy, they don't always stay true to the facts. The journal will keep the facts and help you over time. It may also just be your outlet for noting your own paranormal journey and one day you may just read it with a smile.
Rebecca Boyer
Co-Founder/ Case Manager
Antietam Paranormal Society
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