Capturing ghosts isn't as simple as it sounds - you need to know where to look for them, how to confirm their presence, and the best techniques for capturing them. You also have to be extremely brave! If this sounds fun to you, keep reading this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Locating the Ghosts
In order to catch a ghost, you first need to know where to look for it. Fortunately, there are many places that could have haunted areas - from ancient cemeteries and abandoned schools to battlegrounds to buildings that were once asylums.
Step 1. Look for ghosts in old houses
Old houses (100 or 200 years old, not those built in the 1970s) are the perfect place to look for ghosts.
- Sometimes when a person dies, his spirit returns to the place where he died or to a place he cannot leave behind and often this is the house he grew up in.
- Usually these spirits are not hostile (unless they have died a violent death), so they are perfect for novice ghost catchers.
- Make sure you have permission before starting a ghost hunt on private property.
Step 2. Look for ghosts in graveyards
Cemeteries are another great alternative for ghost hunting, even if they can be a bit scary at night!
Sometimes, ghosts can't leave their physical bodies behind after death, while others (especially those who can't get past) return to visit the graves of relatives and friends
Step 3. Look for ghosts in old schools
Among the best places to look for ghosts are those where there have been tragic deaths, such as old schools, prisons or asylums.
Not all old schools are haunted, but maybe there is a facility in your area where students or teachers have died from a tragic accident such as a fire or smoke poisoning (it was very common around the time that classrooms were were heated by iron stoves)
Step 4. Look for ghosts in buildings that were once prisons
Many prisoners may have died in these buildings, perhaps of old age, illness or murder or death sentences.
Even if the prisoners did not die there, the prison is usually a place of extreme loneliness, fear and anger for some people, and this could bring their spirits back to you
Step 5. Look for ghosts in former asylums
Asylums were famous for the mistreatment of patients, through inhumane methods such as electroshock therapy, full immersion in water and lobotomies, causing patients a lot of pain and suffering. This makes asylums the first place to look for haunted spirits.
Be careful, however - these spirits may be angry and violent, seeking revenge for the unfair treatment they received in life
Step 6. Look for ghosts in battle locations
The places where many deaths have occurred are very popular for ghost hunting, especially if the deaths were violent. This makes the battlefields (although there are buildings now) the primary place to hunt ghosts.
Step 7. Look for ghosts at the scene of a murder or accident
As we have already said, people who have died tragically or violently often return to earth as spirits.
Furthermore, if you are the family member of a person murdered or died in a tragic accident (such as a car accident, a drowning or a fatal fall) it could be a good opportunity to test your ghost hunter skills
Step 8. Learn about local legends
The haunted places in a particular area depend on the history of the place and the number of paranormal experiences reported by the inhabitants.
- Also, it's a good idea to listen to people's stories and do some research in the local library to figure out where to look.
- Many cities and towns may have their own cursed bridge, road, or tunnel where unusual activity has been recorded for countless years.
Part 2 of 3: Confirming the Presence of a Ghost
Even if you find the most haunted place in town, a ghost won't necessarily show its presence (at least in most cases). In addition, you will need to have a variety of hunting tools in order to confirm the presence of the spirit and determine its exact location before you can capture it.
Step 1. Use a manual camera
A manual camera is better than a digital camera because you will have more control over the exposure, and in this way you may be able to take a "picture" of the ghost. The spirit may appear as a blur or streak of light in developed photography.
Furthermore, paranormal activity tends to interfere with electronic equipment, making a digital camera unreliable
Step 2. Use a video camera
You can also use a video camera to catch a glimpse of an unusual shape, movement or activity in the place you have chosen to hunt ghosts.
- Remember to record the session from start to finish. It will be easier for you if you place the camera on a tripod for the duration of the session.
- If your camera has a night vision device, remember to activate it, so it will be easier to capture the appearance of a ghost.
Step 3. Use a tape recorder
Sometimes a tape recorder may pick up sounds that you are unable to hear normally. These sounds will only reveal themselves when you listen to the recording.
Remember that you may need to slow down or speed up the audio and use headphones to make sense of what you hear
Step 4. Use an EMF detector
An EMF (electromagnetic field) detector measures changes or disturbances in the surrounding electric fields, which could indicate the presence of a spirit.
- Good EMF detectors can intercept interference in a wide range of frequencies.
- You can buy an EMF detectors online, with prices ranging from $ 20 to a few hundred dollars.
Step 5. Use other specific equipment
Other specific equipment that might come in handy on a professional ghost hunt could be:
- An infrared thermal scanner, used to locate cold or hot places due to spirits capable of sucking up energy.
- An ion counter in the air, which measures the number of positive and negative ions in the air. In fact, ghosts are thought to emit high amounts of positive ions.
- However, these devices are expensive and require considerable familiarity and knowledge to correctly interpret the results.
Step 6. Download a ghost hunting app
In recent years, several smartphone apps have come out that are said to be able to do the same job as specialist and professional ghost hunting equipment.
- The most advanced applications include the EMF detector, audio recorders, EVP tools (electronic voice phenomena) and other ghost hunting features.
- The reliability of these applications is hotly debated, but they are definitely worth trying if you don't want to invest in much more expensive equipment.
Step 7. Look for any form of paranormal activity
In addition to relying on electronic equipment, you will need to be attentive to perceive any physical indication of the presence of a spirit.
- Notice objects falling or moving, as if they come to life.
- Keep your ears open to register any unusual noises, such as knocks or footsteps.
- Pay attention to any sudden change in temperature, feelings of discomfort or if you have the impression of being observed.
Part 3 of 3: Capturing the Ghosts
For some, it is enough to identify the presence of a ghost to be satisfied, while there are those who want to go a step further and capture the spirit. Think very hard before trying to catch a ghost, you certainly don't want to be haunted for life! If you decide to do it anyway, use one of the two methods explained below.
Step 1. Use the buried box method
If you want to give eternal rest to a tormented spirit, you should use this method.
- Take an airtight metal container, cover the bottom with an even layer of earth taken from a sacred place, such as a church or a cemetery.
- Leave the container open in the place where you found the ghost. The sanctified earth will draw him into it.
- Once you have used the ghost hunting equipment and confirmed that the spirit is in the container, close it gently with its lid and sprinkle a pinch of salt on it.
- Bury the container in sanctified ground.
Step 2. Use the candle method
The candle method is perfect for trapping spiteful spirits who are causing problems around the house.
- Take a large glass jar, open the lid and put a candle in it. At midnight, light the candle and place the jar in the center of the infested area.
- The ghost will be attracted by the energy generated by the lit candle, which will trap it inside the jar.
- Once you have confirmed the presence of the spirit in the jar, close it tightly. The candle will continue to burn by itself.
- Keep the jar tightly sealed until you want to keep the ghost locked inside. Should it open or break, the spirit will be released and may want to take revenge on whoever captured it!
Advice
- Always stay with a friend. Your imagination may be playing tricks on you, so never be alone.
- Keep a diary. If you are talking to a ghost, use body language, such as waving your hands to say hello. Never say anything bad to a spirit, because it could be an evil spirit.
Warnings
- If paranormal phenomena increase in intensity, stay outside the house or in an area that is not haunted.
- Paranormal phenomena could increase in intensity. That's the time to call the pros.
- Evil spirits can hurt you and even break bones. Be very careful when you find that you are dealing with a powerful spirit.
