Geist Research's 5 Types of Hauntings
Article © Geist Research
PREFACE:
The following information supplied within this page are what
this organization believes as the classic definition of
hauntings, tailored to fit our research, findings, and
conclusions.
TYPE 1: Residual
These are commonly accepted as still and/or moving imagery of
events in the past. They can appear as spectral visions that
will go on about its course like it had previously done long
ago. Unlike the other types of hauntings, Residual Hauntings
cannot physically disturb the observer (ie. these are not
palpable). It is theorized that the environment is able to
store energies from long ago and "replay" them back at a later
time. The environment can then be thought of as a
VCR playing back any given event that it had recorded in the
past. Although some people may visually see a Residual Haunting,
they can also hear it by means of EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon).
Because EVP recordings outnumber that of the visual playback,
Residual Hauntings are considered to be the most common form
of hauntings.
TYPE 2: Poltergeist
Classification [ A ]:
The term Poltergeist is a borrowed German word, which means Noisy
Spirit. Many researchers have noted these occurrence types to be
somewhat mischievous and/or violent. Some characteristics include
noises, the moving of objects, and unique odors (often at times,
pungent). The activity that these types engage in are like that
of mindless pranksters. Unlike the Residual Hauntings, Poltergeists
can inflict physical harm onto the living by means of "thrown"
objects or welts/scratches that appear on an observer's skin (see
Manifestations).
Classification [ B ]:
There is another theory accepted by many researchers which slightly
differs from what was defined in Type 2/Class A. The behavior of this
type is just like that of Type 2/Class A, except that the cause is of
it does not result from paranormal activity. Rather, it is believed
that the cause of this haunting stems from adolescents who have high
fluctuations within their emotional psyche. Because some believe the
mind is a powerful machine that can amplify such emotions, some have
gone as far as to say that some individuals can move objects (through
telekinetic means) and warp the natural fields around them, resulting
in what some may at first believe to be that of ghostly activity (when
in fact, it is the person him/herself causing it).
TYPE 3: Intelligent (aka Traditional)
Intelligent Hauntings are cases in which the observer sees a visual
of the haunting, as well as experience an aural perspective of the
occurrence in which the phenomenon will seemingly attempt to establish
some form of contact and/or communication. In this type of haunting,
the phenomenon will make it seem as if they are telling the observer
some kind of message, through means of symbolism, motion, color
formations, or even concrete audio and written dialogue. Likewise, the
observer will often try to maintain contact, and it will seem as if
the phenomenon is able to "understand" the observer. Stumbling into
an Intelligent Haunting does not happen all too often, and is noted
by most researchers to be among the rarest of the haunting types (second
only to that of the Type 4).
TYPE 4: Entity
The organization calls the Type 4 as Entity Hauntings. Technically,
many researchers don't acknowledge the existence of the Type 4,
although very rare case studies have concluded that these types
exist. Entity Hauntings are very similar to Intelligent hauntings
in the sense that these manifestations can communicate with the
observer. In the few cases that describes the Entity Haunting,
they are noted to be very malevolent and dangerous in nature.
Some have attributed Entities as being "territorial" where they
display unwelcomed behavior for the sake of driving unwanted company
away. Some have theorized that the existence of the Type 4 is
due to a collection of manifestations lumped into one. Taking
this theory into account, case studies show that its behavior
and patterns are erratic and inconsistent, and that may
be the result of several manifestations taking place within
itself. In most of these cases, the Entity is said to be a very
large manifestation and that there is enough force within it to
do potentially severe harm to any observant in its vicinity.
TYPE 5: Portal
The Portal Haunting is the most misunderstood type of haunting.
Some paranormal researchers have rejected this idea as a type
of haunting simply because the notion of it is far-fetched. For
the sake of the organization's beliefs and methodology, we have
simplified its definition without the implausibility of its
appended meanings (such as it being doorways or time warps).
This haunting involves specific areas of the environment where
ghosts will be attracted to and accumulate. Note that when we
use the term "attracted to", we are referring to the
electro-magnetic collection that builds in one such area to the
extent that it results in a mass assembly of ghosts. Some of
these areas have most noteably been graveyards, attics, and
basements (to name a few). Activity that happens at these places
are abundant and recur again and again over time, making it seem
like a gateway for several ghosts to manifest (hence why
some have dubbed this type as the Portal Haunting).
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