The Ghost in the Closet

        Enjoy the Paranormal Day Party!

May 3, 2016 

http://www.hauntjaunts.net/paranormal-day-party-invite/

 

As children, most of us were probably frightened, at one time or another, of the monster under the bed or in the closet. I never dreamed that, as a college student, I would be a witness to a string of eerie paranormal disturbances—some of which really did emanate from a bedroom closet.

        These strange events took place in the home of one of my friends. The room where the disturbances occurred did have a history; an older family member, years before, had been convinced there was a presence in the room. She had never felt comfortable there. Years later, when my friend “inherited” the room, and the presence began to make itself strongly known, I was one of the people who experienced it.

I heard the eerie rapping on the (second-story) walls; it would happen in different places in the room, sometimes close to where one of us was sitting, and sometimes in response to what that person had said. I felt the pervasive, unnatural cold that would settle on our clothes and skin. I saw objects move when no one was near them; once, a pack of cigarettes slid across a table. And I heard the distinct sounds of thumping and banging that sometimes came from the closet.

Needless to say, everyone wanted to stay away from that closet, and my friend decided she felt safer with a tall, heavy bureau wedged against the closet door. But: when items began disappearing from all over the house, she had a terrible feeling about where they might be. I was with her on two of the occasions when she finally looked inside the closet.

        I’ll never forget the chilling sense of shock I felt when I saw what was inside. The missing items from the house were there—plus some additional things that no one had realized were missing. We found a magazine, a ticket stub, drawings, photos, plaques, and other objects, tangled up with the old clothing and books stored in the closet. We also found a recent magazine illustration that didn’t belong to anyone in the house; we never did figure out where it came from. And a couple of the paper items were actually crumpled.

After the first two times we looked inside the closet, we took out the things that had been missing, and put everything else neatly on the shelf. The third time my friend opened the closet, she found that the items on the shelf had been tossed onto the floor.

        Was all of this a hoax, or some crazy practical joke? I don’t think so. I knew everyone who lived in that house; my friend and her brother were genuinely terrified about what was happening there. I can’t imagine either of them carrying on a hoax that lasted for over a year and a half. Their mother, a no-nonsense sort of woman, certainly wouldn’t have done it. And the other person in the house was too ill to be physically capable of it.

        I can’t find a rational explanation for all the strange occurrences that took place, either. Even if some of it was hysteria or exaggeration or a mistake, that wouldn’t explain everything. Having been there to witness these things first-hand, I knew I was in the midst of something totally beyond normal comprehension. My view of reality was never the same after that.

            I believe that the spirits of deceased people don’t always entirely leave our world, hovering between the seen and unseen, with their presence echoing back to us in what we call hauntings. I also believe that there are other kinds of non-corporeal beings who were never human, and whose presence occasionally seeps into our familiar reality. Maybe, sometimes, something in our own consciousness attracts or feeds or stirs up these “visitors”; I wondered about that in the case of my friend, who was an experimenter in some of the darker aspects of the occult. The presence in her home became much more disruptive after her experimenting started.

        So: do I think her visitor was a human spirit, or something entirely different? I had a feeling it was human, a male. But I’ll never really know for sure. I think that’s one of the things that intrigues me most.

 

Author Ann Young

Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction … and Fact

www.annyoungparanormal.com

Paranormal Favorites: "Ghost Whisperer"

            As someone who’s witnessed a real‑life haunting, I’m always interested in stories about ghosts. In all honesty, most of the supposedly “true” TV stories about ghosts leave me feeling unsatisfied, even indignant; they’re just not very credible. One of my favorite paranormal TV shows is a fictional one that’s been revived on Ion TV: the “Ghost Whisperer” series. Even though this show is fictional, I find it really enjoyable for many reasons—one of them being that the show reflects some of the things I believe to be true about ghosts.

            For anyone still unfamiliar with the show, “Ghost Whisperer” is the story of Melinda Gordon, played by actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. Since her childhood, Melinda has been able to see and talk to ghosts. As a newly-married young woman living in the town of Grandview, New York, she owns an antique store right on the town square.

But Melinda has another, very serious mission: to figure out why the earthbound spirits who come to her have become trapped among the living. Assisted in her adventures by an intriguing cast of characters, Melinda unravels the mysteries underlying the hauntings. Often she also acts as a mediator between the living and dead, helping them resolve any issues between them. Then she assists the trapped souls in moving “into the light”. The Ghost Whisperer plot, which unfolded over five seasons, also has some juicy twists and turns. I won’t say any more, since I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who might want to discover the details on their own.

            There’s so much about this show that I really enjoy. First of all, “Ghost Whisperer” has a wonderfully spooky atmosphere, a must for a series about ghosts. The Grandview town square, which is featured often, seems almost super-real and in crisp focus—which contrasts nicely with the creepy, surreal appearance of the dead walking among the living or appearing to Melinda. The show also appeals to me because it has heart and a positive focus; call me sentimental, but I like the fact that Melinda Gordon is a gentle, caring soul who has an affectionate (and deliciously sensual) relationship with her husband. A nice contrast to the uglier side of humanity that’s so often portrayed on TV.

I also think that the moments of release, when the trapped souls go into the light, are beautifully poignant, one of the best parts of the show. It’s also refreshing to see a show, even a fictional one, where the focus is on helping tormented spirits, rather than hunting and/or antagonizing them.

Ghost Whisperer also portrays ghosts and hauntings in a way that reflects some of what I believe about ghosts. I think that many hauntings really are the result of deceased people becoming trapped here because of trauma, a sense of unfinished business, or a reluctance to let go. I also agree, based on personal experience, that spirits really can find ways—sometimes disruptive ones—to make themselves known. I also agree with the idea that there is a place of light, beyond the world of the living, where spirits can find healing and peace; but I think it isn’t the only place. I believe there are many realities for our spirits to explore after we’ve moved on from this one.

Even though Ghost Whisperer is not a new show, I think it’s still one of the best choices on paranormal TV. I’m really glad Ion decided to bring it back.

 Curious about some of my own experiences with ghosts and hauntings? Go to:

            http://annyoungfiction.blogspot.com/2013/10/ghostly-encounter-ghastly-coldness.html

            http://annyoungfiction.blogspot.com/2012/03/taunting-unknown.html

 

Author Ann Young

Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction ... and Fact

www.annyoungparanormal.com

 

Messages from Beyond

Over the years I’ve been surprised, more than once, by messages that came to me from loved ones who had passed away. I didn’t do anything in particular to seek out these experiences. But, even when I’m not actively exploring the paranormal, my openness and curiosity about such things doesn't leave me. I believe that if a person is open enough, uncanny things will probably happen.

There was an older cousin of mine who died suddenly. A few months after he passed away, he surprised me by showing up in one of my meditations. A brief impression of his tall, lanky figure flashed into my mind, and I felt a definite sense of his energy. Then I heard, conveyed as an idea rather than a set of words, that he had come to say goodbye and to let me know he was proud of me.

I had a similar experience after my dad passed away. At that time, as part of my meditations, I would imagine myself walking along the water’s edge on my favorite stretch of East Coast beach. One day, I felt startled to see my dad standing on the beach—surf-fishing, wearing his goofy fishing hat and baggy shorts, just like he did when he was alive. I stopped to talk to him, and he let me know he was watching over me and supporting me. He continued to come to me that way for years.

My mother also found a way to connect with me after her death. One night, a couple of months after she passed away, I was sitting alone on the sofa in my living room. I happened to glance over at the big armchair, and—I felt startled to see a brief but distinct impression of my mom sitting there. The image was shadowy but very solid, and I knew immediately that it was her. She had come to make contact with me and to say goodbye, which we had not been able to do before she died.

I’m convinced that the bonds we form with people in life don’t end when those people die. I’m glad that I'm open enough to recognize their presence, and to receive the messages they have for me.

 

Author Ann Young

Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction … and Fact

www.annyoungparanormal.com

What About Ouija?

     I remember, from when I was a child, the spooky reputation surrounding Ouija boards. Our family had a board, like almost everyone else; ours was stashed away in the cellar, a creepy location in any case. As a child, I never did more than stare at the eerie-looking, yellowed old Ouija. Even during my twenties, when my experiences in the paranormal began, I didn’t consider using a Ouija board—especially not then, when I was starting to realize that strange things really do happen, that non-corporeal beings do exist, and that they can find ways to make themselves known. I did a lot to court and invite strange happenings, I admit. But I just wasn’t certain what I would stir up with a Ouija board. Now, decades later, I still don’t use one.
     Let me be clear: I’m not one who’s convinced that Ouija is the gateway to the devil. And I’m not a believer in demonic possession. I do realize that non-corporeal beings, like living humans, can be angry and unpleasant. I just don’t think these beings can easily displace a living person’s will and personality. Most cases of “demonic possession”, I believe, are a product of autosuggestion or mental illness.
     Still, eerie things sometimes happen when Ouija is involved; at times, the mysterious Ouija really does seem to be an effective tool for communicating with the unseen. Problem is, who or what are you connecting with—and is the information you receive something you would really want to know? I don’t think most users have any control over that.
     My husband related a story from his childhood. One of his best friends had a brother who was away from home, serving in the military. The family was playing with Ouija one night, and the sister asked when her brother was coming home. The board said “Never”—and it turned out to be correct. The brother died in a non-combat mishap that claimed his life and many others. After that, his mother would not allow Ouija in the house again.
     This brings me to my main reason for not using a Ouija board: the paranormal, in my opinion, isn’t a game. I’ve had many strange experiences over the years, and I’ve come to develop a healthy respect for the unexplained. Ouija boards, from their beginnings in the late 1800’s, were made by toy and novelty companies, and promoted as such. But, like the pendulum, tarot, or other means of opening up to the unseen, Ouija isn’t a toy.
     It’s been my experience that, if there’s someone in the unseen who has a message for me, they’ll find a way to communicate with me. Two deceased members of my family—my dad and an older cousin—each surprised me by appearing in my meditations to speak to me. My mother, a few months after she died, also startled me by appearing in my living room to say goodbye. I truly believe that, if I remain positive and open, any message I need to receive will come to me, without the use of Ouija or any other divination tool.
     I think peoples’ curiosity about the notorious Ouija will probably continue. Being tempted to grab a glimpse of the future, or a taste of the unseen, seems to be part of just being human. Still, I’ll continue not to be a Ouija user. And I’ll keep myself open to those messages that have their own way of finding me.
    
     Want to learn about the history, and some of the strange lore about Ouija? Visit http://www.annyoungparanormal.com/archived-weekly-facts/216-fact-of-the-week-ouija-board  and http://www.annyoungparanormal.com/#Fact

Author Ann Young

Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction ... and Fact

www.annyoungparanormal.com   

Mastering the Mind

     In his book The Art of Life, Ernest Holmes said: "You must become the master of your own thinking. This is the only way you will realize freedom and joy." I really do believe this is true. And I've been thinking a lot about how to become the master of my thinking.
     We Americans, it seems, are constantly bombarded with suggestions from advertisers and the news media: "buy this," "do that," "eat this," "fear that." I think we're also influenced by the ideas and attitudes of the people around us. Conventional religion blasts us with messages about what we should believe and how we should think. And then there are the messages we hear in our own heads—messages that probably didn't come from us to start with, but came from the people around us when we were young. "You are this," "You’ll never be that," "This is what you can expect from life." Becoming the master of one's thinking seems like a difficult task indeed.
     But I believe we really can liberate ourselves from any idea that doesn't serve us. This requires practice, focus, and determination—but thoughts can be changed. We are free to examine every idea for its validity, and for its value in serving the best in us. Even if someone has been suggesting, for our entire lives, that a certain idea is the right way or the only way to think, we are still at liberty to discard that idea. And then we get to practice and reinforce a better idea in its place, until it becomes a part of us. I've started working on this myself, and I've had a bit of success. For the sake of having greater freedom and joy, I think it’s definitely worth the effort!

                                    Author Ann Young
                      Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction ... and Fact
                            www.annyoungparanormal.com

Ghost Encounters: Ghastly Coldness

I’ll never forget the first time I experienced that sudden, unnatural coldness that’s described so often in ghost stories. I don’t profess to understand why these sudden drops in temperature happen, but I can tell you that they really do occur.

During my college years, I witnessed some incredible haunting phenomena in a friend’s house. I saw and heard things I hadn’t thought possible—such as rapping on the (second-story) walls, objects moving by themselves, a stereo turning on and off when no one was near it, and more. My friend’s bedroom was the place where most of the disturbances occurred.

For some reason, I went into the room alone one day, something I didn’t usually do. Almost immediately, an eerie, instantaneous chill settled on my clothes and skin; I had never felt anything like it. It was like being chilled by a sudden, frigid blast of air, but there was no blast. Then, before I could even think, a wordless terror surged up; the sour taste of bile shot up into my throat, and I had to get out of there. I remember gulping down ginger ale afterward, trying to kill the awful taste, as I struggled to unparalyze my mind and figure out what had happened.

I hadn’t seen or heard anything bizarre this time; that eerie cold was the only thing. But I realized that a part of me much deeper than the conscious part had reacted to that cold with a kind of primal terror—as if, perhaps, I was engaging with the unseen presence in the room on a level of consciousness primarily hidden to me. A rather chilling idea.

You might be wondering if I ever went back into the room after that. In fact, I did, a number of times. And the manifestations would actually escalate over the next year and a half. Why did I keep going back? As terrified as I was, I felt totally fascinated by what was happening in that house.

I had always been a staunch pragmatist who didn’t believe in anything intangible. But now I was witnessing so many strange things that hinted at other levels of reality and consciousness, other forms of existence. I just had to experience as much as I could. Even after the house was sold, and I ended my association with the friend who had lived there, I had to continue exploring, seeking experiences, and delving into the mysteries of the paranormal. Hauntings, psychic phenomena, astral projection, spiritual healing, reincarnation, Wicca—I had to learn about them all.

I’ve come to believe that some of the deepest mysteries really do exist side-by-side with our ordinary world—and that everyday reality is just the merest sliver of what our incredible, multidimensional Universe holds. Those of us who seek to explore these things will certainly experience the extraordinary. I know, because it's happened to me.

What do you think?

Paranormal Witness: Trumbull County UFO

Enjoy the Paranormal Day Party!

May 3, 2016 

http://www.hauntjaunts.net/paranormal-day-party-invite/

I saw an intriguing account on “Paranormal Witness” called Trumbull County UFO—the story of a mass UFO sighting involving both private citizens and police personnel from multiple jurisdictions. I’m always especially interested in UFO sightings reported by police; police officers are trained observers, after all. And in my mind, the police are less likely to perpetrate a hoax. When multiple law enforcement personnel are involved, that really gets my attention.

         This particular story is fascinating, too, because it includes many of the actual communications from that night, retrieved from the Police Archive. It was amazing to hear the reactions of these seasoned, no-nonsense officers as they began to realize they were dealing with something they couldn’t explain.

         The Trumbull County incident took place in Ohio on December 14, 1994. It all began when a call came in to Dispatcher Roy Anne Rudolph of the Liberty Township Police Department. A man reported seeing some type of aircraft angling downward in the sky, with flames trailing from behind. Roy Anne’s first thought was that this could be a plane in distress. But other calls soon followed, with citizens reporting lights in the sky that didn’t appear to be any kind of plane—they hovered without noise, were strangely colored, and one of the callers again saw fire coming out the back. A call even came in from the media, who had received a report of their own.

         In the actual conversation between Roy Anne and the media, she could be heard making jokes, trying to laugh off the sightings with wry good nature. But because of the number of calls, she finally decided to ask an officer to investigate. She expected that he would probably go there and find nothing, laying the matter to rest. Still, she didn’t want to send a message about a possible UFO over the radio, so she used her own phone to call Sergeant Toby Meloro. He went to the site to investigate.

         As Meloro approached the area, a man, obviously frightened, flagged him down, insisting he had seen “a huge light in the sky” over his house. Meloro drove on a little further, and to his amazement, he did see a bright light, a red pulsating light, and a large, indeterminate object. “Maybe it’s a UFO,” he said over the radio to dispatcher Roy Anne, who listened in disbelief—and then sheepishly called the nearby airbase to check on the sightings. She was told they were seeing nothing on radar within a “60-mile diameter of Youngstown—nothing out there.” Meloro, still onsite, drove on a little further toward the bright light. And then his car just stopped; he couldn’t restart it. His portable radio went dead as well. Now he was alone and cut off from communication with Liberty.

         While Roy Anne tried unsuccessfully to reach Meloro, his disabled police car—with him still inside—was hit by “a huge light”. He climbed out with his hand on his pistol. He could see, hovering above the tree line on a double, wooded lot, a huge object enveloped in blinding light. “The light was so intense that I had to shield my eyes,” he said. “It was almost like looking at the sun.” The object was about the size of a football field, and there seemed to be a “structure there”, but he couldn’t distinguish what. The object made no sound as it hovered. And then it began to move off. Now Meloro’s car restarted, and he heard the radio come back on. Finally in contact with Roy Anne again, he said he needed a few minutes to gather his thoughts. And he sat, trying to make sense of what he had just seen.

         He didn’t want to make a report about seeing a UFO; “they’ll think I’m crazy." So he told Roy Anne over the phone, not the radio. And then the other reports flooded in. Hubbard and Hartford Townships called in. “Every agency in the county’s got a visual on it, that I can hear,” someone reported. “Multiple departments have sightings,” another voice said. Officers in various locations could be heard pursuing the object, trying to catch up to it. Even “sergeants and seasoned veterans” were excited, Roy Anne said. Toby Meloro, still onsite in his car, was hearing all this. So, with police lights blazing and sirens screaming, he took off after the object.

         One officer in Brookfield climbed up an old radio tower to observe the strange sight in the sky. There were “four discernible colors,” he said: red, yellow, green, and blue. “Please be a plane, please. I ain’t ready for this,” he said.

         At Toby Meloro’s request, Roy Anne called the airbase a second time, reporting multiple sightings; again she was told they were seeing nothing on radar. By this time, she wanted to see the strange object for herself. One of the officers at Liberty, going against policy, did take her out to the site. Gaping at the strange object through a set of binoculars, Roy Anne saw “something hanging from the bottom, with a red light on it.” The object was “just still”, and she wondered, “Why am I not hearing it?” Then it just shot away, still without sound.

         Sergeant Meloro, meanwhile, had continued to chase the object in his police car. But he never did catch up to it. He felt angry, he said, because he really wanted to catch it and see what it was. The strange events of this night would leave a lasting impression on him—and on Roy Anne Rudolph as well.

         “I get teased endlessly,” she said in the Paranormal Witness account. “Other officers in this get teased endlessly.” She wanted to believe that what she saw was related to the airbase. “But it was like nothing I’d ever seen or experienced.”

         “Everybody denied knowing or seeing anything,” Toby Meloro said. “But I felt there was nothing wrong with what happened. This was something unexplained that happened in the town I live in.” He had never believed in UFO’s, but he felt unquestionably certain that what he saw that night wasn’t any kind of familiar object in the sky. He did contact NASA and the military after the incident, but they claimed to have no knowledge of it. The Trumbull County sightings still remain unexplained.

         An intriguing story. I’ve never sighted a UFO myself, and I’m not convinced about extraterrestrials. But: I’ve heard a couple of personal accounts that really caught my attention. Two people who didn’t even know each other told me eerily similar stories about a strange, silent object hovering above the trees near their homes—in two different states. And I’ve heard other stories, like the one from Trumbull County, that seem to have a strong validity to them. My feeling is that something outside the ordinary really is happening in some of these cases; I think these people really are seeing something that is beyond our familiar reality. The Universe is such a vast place—filled, some say, with a multitude of realities. Who’s to say that these strange sights in the sky aren’t sometimes a glimpse of a different reality that has somehow intersected with ours?

       What do you think?