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| The Arizona Paranormal Research Society |
| PARANORMAL TERMS GLOSSARY |
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| Sceptic A person inclined to discount the reality of the paranormal and to be critical of parapsychological research. Generally seeks rational or scientific explanations for the phenomena studied by parapsychologists. Seance A mediumistic session. Sensory deprivation Conditions of greatly restricted sensory input. Scrying A term used to cover a wide range of divination techniques which parapsychology would tend to classify as types of ESP. Most scrying techniques involve some degree of fixation on a surface with a clear optical depth (e.g. a crystal ball, a pool of ink or deep water) or on an area which shows random patterns (e.g. flames in a fire, smoke), the idea being that subconscious information available to the scrying will be manifested in their interpretation of the imagery or random patterns they see. Techniques using a clear optical depth are actually very similar to the idea behind the homogenous visual field used in Ganzfeld ESP research. Shadow Beings These are generally considered intelligent, if not just watchful beings. Shadow beings are an anomaly that has been reported throughout written works. Although these beings have no definable facial features, other than the occasional red eyes, having a solid and dense shadow look to them is what usually sets a shadow being apart from regular spirit activity. Side views include the same facial points, as you would expect to see on a human. Some shadow beings also have definable other characteristics, such as hats, canes and purses – all in the same shadow look. There are many theories on what exactly these beings are, up to and including a form of deceased spirit. Video and photographic evidence has been obtained of these beings, however, all evidence has been written off or simply covered up by the scientific community. Shaman A witchdoctor or medicine (wo)man who communicates with spirits while in trance and who has the power of healing. May also show other paranormal abilities. Shape-Shifting Paranormal ability to assume the form of another person, an animal or other entity. Simultaneous Dream A dream whose elements correspond closely with those in the dream of another person. Sitter A person who has a session with a medium. Sitting A seance. Sixth sense Popular term for ESP. Skeptic See sceptic. Slate-Writing Writing that appears on a slate during a seance. Often produced by fraudulent mediums and mentalists. Sleep Paralysis An often frightening state of seeming to be awake but unable to move. Smoke Ghosts A curious phenomenon not to be confused with "ectoplasm" or "mist" phenomena, these are curious ghost forms which give the appearance of columns of smoke and are often accompanied by the pungent odor of burning wood. These ghostly columns are reported to move of their own accord while maintaining a disciplined column shape, though it may assume other similar forms, before dissipating in a manner, which is alleged to be altogether different from smoke drifting in the wind. Somnambule (a) a person who performs physical activity while asleep (e.g., sleep-walking). (b) a person in a deep hypnotic state. Soul The spiritual element of a person, generally believed to be immortal. Spectre A ghost or apparition. Spirit A discarnate entity, soul or divine essence. Spirit Cure Healing that is believed to result from the intervention of spirits. Spirit Photography Photographs of figures or faces, believed by some to be those of deceased persons. These photographs are generally revealed as fraudulent. Spontaneous Cases Paranormal phenomena that occur in everyday life, unsought and unexpected. Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC) Refers to cases in which a badly burned human body has been discovered in circumstances suggesting that the fire originated spontaneously in or on the body of the victim. Spook Lights Also known as ghost lights, these are lights, which sometimes appear in haunted houses or in some cases, woods. Not necessarily evil, these lights are often photographed by psychic researchers. Stigmata Unexplained markings on a person's body that correspond to the wounds of Christ. Subjective Paranormal Experience An experience that the person who has it believes it to be paranormal. Subliminal Perception Sensory impressions below the threshold of conscious awareness. Succubus In medieval legend, a succubus (plural succubi; from Latin succubare, "to lie under") is a female demon which comes to men, especially monks, in their dreams to seduce them and have sexual intercourse, drawing energy from the men to sustain themselves, often until the point of exhaustion or death. This legend was an explanation for the phenomena of wet dreams and sleep paralysis. Supercharged Orb These are orbs that tend to leave long streaks behind them, probably from them moving so fast. Watch for light sources in the area though. Moving the camera around quickly will usually produce streaks of light on the photo of whatever light sources are present. Keep your camera steady and try not to move it around at all. If the rest of the photo is clear (as in the camera was being shaken around a lot) and there weren't any light sources in the area of the streaks of light, yet you get them in your photo, you may have caught some super charged orbs. Supernatural The supernatural refers to conscious magical, religious or unknown forces that cannot ordinarily be perceived except through their effects. This word is often used interchangeably with preternatural or paranormal. Unlike natural forces, these putative supernatural forces cannot be shown to exist by the scientific method. Supernatural claims assert phenomena beyond the realm of current scientific understanding, which are often in direct conflict with current scientific theory. Super-ESP Hypothesis The suggestion that people are capable of unlimited ESP. The super-ESP hypothesis is often presented as an alternative to the survival hypothesis in explaining mediumistic phenomena (the medium is believed to obtain information using super-ESP powers and not directly from the spirit of a deceased person). Supernatural Paranormal. Survival The belief that some aspect of the person (e.g., consciousness, mind, personality, soul) lives on after death of the body. Synchronicity Meaningful coincidences that often are mediated by subconscious psi activity. Our intuitive/psi faculty nudges our paths into meaningful intersections in times of need. Telekinesis (psychokinesis, levitation) The ability to move objects with the mind. To move an object or your body without physical means. Telempathy The mental communication of thoughts from one entity to another. Telepathy To know what others are thinking as if to hear thoughts in your head. Thought transference including the sending and receiving of thoughts. Teleportation Paranormal transportation of objects to a distant place. Temporal Lobe Activity Electrical activity in the temporal lobes of the brain. Often associated with strange sensations, time distortions and hallucinations. Sometimes used as an explanation for seemingly paranormal experiences such as apparitions and alien abduction experiences. Terrafirm To be connected with the planet Earth as if it were a part of you. The Arizona Paranormal Research Society A science based paranormal research and investigation group based in central Arizona serving clients throughout the entire state. Thoughtography Paranormal ability to produce images on photographic film (e.g., by concentrating on a mental image). Most famously demonstrated by Ted Serios. Time Travel To project your soul's consciousness out of your body and into a past or future time. Tone Healing Your tone of voice affects others by disturbing, catalyzing, soothing, lulling, inspiring and quite often healing them. Touch Healing To impart through your hands soothing and healing vibrations of energy. Trance A dissociated state of consciousness, generally involving reduced awareness of surroundings and external events. Trance Medium A person who enters a state of trance in order to produce mediumistic phenomena. Transmediumship / Transchanneling To have severe personality shifts. Transcendental Meditation / TM A technique of meditation taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, involving the repetition of a sound (mantra). Transpersonal Psychology The study of experiences, beliefs and practices that suggest that the sense of self can extend beyond our personal or individual reality. The subject matter of transpersonal psychology overlaps to some extent with parapsychology, but the two disciplines tend to have different approaches and emphases. Parapsychology is primarily concerned to investigate evidence for and against the reality of paranormal phenomena. Transpersonal psychology, on the other hand, is more interested in investigating the transpersonal significance of such phenomena (i.e., the ways in which they may give people a sense of connectedness with a larger, more universal or spiritual reality). See also mysticism. Travelling Clairvoyance (a) An early term for the out of body experience. (b) Clairvoyance exhibited when a subject travels in imagination to another location. Ufology The study of UFOs. Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) Unexplained sightings of lights or objects in the sky, often taken to be evidence of extraterrestrial visitations. Vampire Ghosts A distinctly different form of the "vampire", these spirits have been recorded in the histories of several European countries, as well as India, where traditions surrounding this spirit type are very prevalent. These spirits are generally regarded as invisible entities which occasionally attack human beings, leaving behind a characteristic bite mark in the flesh. Veridical Information or experience that is confirmed by facts and events. Veridical Dream A dream that corresponds to real events (past, present or future) that are unknown to the dreamer. Vision A religious apparition. Vortexes In paranormal terms, a 'vortex' is a manifestation of energy, often associated with ghosts and spirits. Most often spotted indoors, these swirling funnel-shaped anomalies show up in photographs with a funnel-like quality in the body. There are a lot of theories regarding the exact nature of this phenomenon, some believe a vortex to be a gateway to the spirit world, through which spirits can travel, while others class them alongside orbs, as manifestations of spirits. They are often seen with orbs but have also been spotted alone. What are also referred to, as vortices can sometimes appear as anomalous whirlwind-shaped objects on photographs taken in allegedly haunted locations. Warm Spot This term is another one that is fairly self-explanatory. Warm spots are pockets of air that are warmer (rarely, but can be hot) than the rest of the air in a given location. Heat vents, door leaks, physical problem, windows and sun reflection are just some of the causes for reported warm spots. All reasonable causes should be ruled out prior to noting a warm spot in an evidence log. Whereas cold spots are generally thought to be more common, warm spots do happen on a regular enough basis to warrant further investigation. Conversely to cold spots though, warm spots are thought to be when a spirit is pushing out energy instead of taking it in. There is a seemingly incorrect association of warm spots with negative or malevolent spirits. Evidence thus far collected does not support such a theory. Warm spots can be detected and recorded with an ambient air thermometer. A change of 5 degrees or more is considered sufficient. White Ladies White ladies are a commonly reported type of "ghost" with traditions found worldwide. In England, they are believed to be the spirits of noblewomen who were either murdered or died under tragic circumstances. In France, these spirits are said to be strikingly beautiful and found generally found in areas near bridges. The reason for this, according to some legends, was that it was once customary to offer young women as sacrifices to river spirits to allow people to cross the bridge in safety. In both England and France, some legends also hold that these spirit types are seen in old castles and manor houses, occasionally carrying a cup of poison. The term, overall, has come to generally mean any female apparitional which is reported to be clothed in white. White Magic Magical spells or rituals to produce beneficial effects. White Noise The word “white” is used to describe this type of noise for the same reason that white is used to describe lights. White light is created when all the colors in the light spectrum combine. White noise (also called white sound) is a combination of equal amounts of different frequencies of sound, just like white light is a combination of colors. You can think of white noise as 20,000 tones all playing at the same time and at the same level. For investigation purposes, white noise is controversially thought to attract spirits and perhaps give them a “boost” when they try to interact with an investigator. However, there have been reports of a few spirits who showed (by activity or EVP) that they dislike the noise. Should you find that white noise upsets or angers a spirit, discontinue use immediately. Depending on which investigator you talk to, you will find varying opinions about the use of white noise when recording or as a steady background to an investigation. One of the positive aspects about using white noise is that it gives you a constant background noise. This helps to make your recording more credible if you do capture an E.V.P., as it makes it harder to fake one while keeping the background noise unbroken. One of the downsides that many complain about is the fact that they have more noise to deal with on a recording and that it can “mask” some EVP. The choice is left to the group, but it should at least be experimented with to see if there could be a documented change in activity. Wicca System of witchcraft, especially as practiced today in western countries. Witch Someone who practices witchcraft. Witchdoctor A medicine wo(man) or shaman. Xenoglossy The ability to speak or write in a language that has not been learned. Zombie A corpse that has been brought back to (soul-less) life by magic. |
| References: paranormalabout.com ; psychicscience.org |
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