Ghost Classifications: Apparitions, Hauntings & Poltergeists

Classifications of “Ghosts”

There are three main classifications of what we call “Ghosts”, They are as follows:

Apparitions

These are what we commonly refer to as “Ghosts” These are usually visual (Though only sometimes only heard, smelled or felt) clues of a ghost. Apparitions appear in human form and appear as they want to be seen. Apparitions are different form the others, as they display intelligence to the world around them, meaning that they interact with the living. They may communicate verbally or visually (letting you see them), they may move objects or merely leave behind scents. Apparitions may only last a few days to a few weeks or months, and may disappear completely or make random appearances. Generally they move on within a few months, or if asked to do so by the ones they are communicating with.

Hauntings

These are events that are recorded in time, either in a place or an object. A haunting does not show any intelligence or communication as an apparition does. Although an apparition may occur with a haunting, but instead of showing any type of communication, they will just go about their business without noticing anything around them. Behavior similar to apparitions may also occur such as: Smells, Sounds, Voices, or Moving objects. In the case of hauntings there never seems to be any motive for the events of communication with the living. Hauntings may last years or decades. They may appear regularly or whenever the conditions are right for them to appear. There are many reasons and theories for hauntings to occur. Most popularly is the sudden or extreme death of a person. Possibly guilt or conflict may also be a cause.

Poltergeist

The word “Poltergeist” usually brings with it the fear of angry demons or angry ghosts. Poltergeists have been traced to psychokinetic activity of living under stress, referred to as RSPK (recurrent spontaneous psychokinetic activity) by parapsychologists. It is the unconscious release of stress into the living environment of someone who cannot release stress by any other means. At times the release is due to the relief of stress (yelling, arguing, difficult situations.) the person causing these things is usually not aware that they are causing these things to happen. Events surrounding poltergeists include: Movement of objects, Disappearing and re-appearing of objects, Electrical disturbances, Water coming from no apparent source, Apparitions, Smells, (Usually most unpleasant), Objects raining down from the ceiling or from outside (Rocks from no apparent source), Small spontaneous fires, Poltergeist activity is usually short in duration, as little as a few days or weeks. They are usually thought of as coming from children going through puberty, but can happen to anyone at any age.

Types of Hauntings

Intelligent or “traditional”

This type of haunting is what most people think of when they hear the word ghost.   Unfortunately these types of hauntings are very rare.  An intelligent or traditional ghost is kind of like Casper in the sense that they interact with people.  The most common belief is that the ghost is connected to the site or people in some way.
Some reasons the ghost may be tied to the site or people:

1. Died as a result of a traumatic event, murder, car accident, etc.
2. Due to unfinished business.
3. The spirit may have died suddenly and not realized he/she died.
4. The living loved ones are so emotionally distraught they can’t let go.
5. The spirit is emotionally connected to their loved ones.
6. They cannot rest due to an injustice done to them.
7. Fear of the other side or judgment

These ghosts are generally associated with physical activity like slamming, opening, closing, unlocking doors and windows, voices, and sounds.  A strong presence, a scent, or touch may be experienced.  People rarely see a manifestation of the ghost in the form of an apparition or mist.

Residual Haunting

A residual haunt is believed to be activity of reoccurring or traumatic actions from past events that leave an imprint on the environment.
This type is probably the most common type of haunting. Because its’ characteristics are similar to the intelligent haunting, people often mistake it for an intelligent/traditional haunting.  Like intelligent haunts, some examples of activity are phantom footsteps, sounds, images, and scents. One major difference between this haunting and the intelligent/traditional haunting, is that this type of haunting is not considered to be that of a ghost, and there is no interaction with the living.
It is believed that this activity is the dissipation of stored energy from the site. The theory is the energy is stored or absorbed by the site due to repetitive or traumatic events of the energy expended while performing such actions. Similar to a tape player, the energy is stored in the magnetic field of the environment. Over time the energy builds up and is discharged showing a replay of the event, and then the cycle starts again. Some suggest that atmospheric conditions such as storms may initiate the playback.  There is also a quantum physics theory that relates the energy as light particles that are dormant until they are stimulated by an outside variable under the proper conditions. (Brandon, The Ghost Hunters Bible) Researchers have observed that the energy tends to diminish over periods of time until it is either exhausted or the level is so low that it is not experienced again.

Portal Haunting

Portals aren’t really a new concept, as we’ve seen them in a lot of sci-fi flicks. But in the real world portal hauntings are considered controversial as there is little known and the idea is mostly theory or speculation. Portals are thought to be doorways to another world or dimension in which entities travel through.  It’s speculated that portals are not limited to one location, region or limited to sacred ground. Typically places that experience a wide array of different types of anomalous activity such as glowing balls of light, odd creatures, strange shapes, or unexplained mists or fog, are suspected to have a portal in which these energies are traveling back and forth.

Poltergeist Haunting

Description : Initially meaning  “noisy ghosts” (from the German poltern “to knock” and geist “spirit”),  the term in its modern definition is now associated with physical paranormal activity inside homes such as mysterious noisy disturbances or moving, misplacing of objects. Included in the most common types of poltergeist activities are the rains of stones and other small objects; moving or throwing of objects, including large pieces of furniture; voices, loud noises and shrieks; odors which sources cannot be found (i.e. pipe tobacco when no one smokes). Poltergeists are known to have caused interference in telephones and electronic equipment, and turning lights and appliances on and off. The poltergeist might even become a full bodied or partial bodied apparition. Some poltergeists are said to pinch, bite, hit, and sexually attack the living.

The primary distinction between spirits and ghosts as understood by other researchers, is that ghosts are earthbound, whereas spirits have allegedly passed on to the light and are free to move between realms. Both types are known as discarnates. Apparitions are ghosts that are clearly seen as such. There are many different types.

1. Atmospheric- Also known as a residual or replay haunting, these are typically seen in only one location repeating a certain action again and again, usually something attached to a traumatic event.

1. Crisis or Deathbed – These appear to family or friends around the time of death. According to Trent Brandon: “They are very common ghost sightings, but almost never occur more than four days after death.”

1. Family – Ghosts which are connected to a particular family, they often foretell death and disaster.

1. Haunted Objects – Instead of haunting a location, a particular object is the anchor for a ghost.

1. Object Apparitions – Manifestations of ghostly items which can be natural or man made objects.

1. Photographic – Ghosts that are not seen until after a photo is taken and examined. These MAY include orbs, mists, (ectoplasm) vortexes, shadows and other unusual light or optical effects. Many debate whether they are actually ghosts, spirits, or souls; personally We feel they are some kind of energetic or spiritual byproduct.

1. Historical – These are like atmospheric except they have can be seen in more than one location going about their business. Non-interactive, so they would fall into Location Based. Typically dressed in period clothing and often appear solid.

1. Recurring – Ghosts that appear on a certain time schedule or anniversary; usually annually.

1. Modern – As Historical, but they resemble more contemporary people.

1. Transportation – Also known as Phantom Craft, they are often associated with the final moments of some tragic accident. The wreckage itself can attach energy in such a way as to become haunted. There are some kinds that are not necessarily relegated to one location, but can be seen anywhere that it would have normally been seen in pre-spirit existence. The Flying Dutchman is a famous example and usually sighting one is a bad omen.

1. Marian – What some believe to be appearances of the Virgin Mary. This could also cover cameos by other saints or religious/spiritual figures.

1. Out of Body – The appearance of a living person who is actually in another location. They are not necessarily ill or dying, and can be either solid or translucent. Some claim to recall their OBE and can give verifiable details about the location they were seen. Probably related to Astral Projection.

1. Battlefield – Also known as floating battlefields, they resemble an actual reenactment of war, but for some reason, they typically occur above the ground. From several, to a hundred feet up, in some cases.

1. Grey Ladies – The ghosts of women who died in sadness over love or betrayal. They can be white, grey, or black.

Phantoms – These are ghosts which so closely resemble the living that they are often not realized as ghosts until they do something uncanny, like walk through a wall.

1. Phantom Hitchhikers – According to many urban legends, these are ghosts who typically interact with the living in such a way that they ask for a ride, and before arriving at the destination, they mysteriously disappear. Usually occurs on the anniversary of their death.

1. Phantom Travelers – Ghosts that are found along a certain route, usually as a result of a deadly accident. They can be riding horses, or prepared to board a train or plane. Most manifest on the anniversary of their death