WNY Paranormal

TOOLS
Of The Trade

01/31/05 - You've decided you want to go ghost hunting, but you have no idea what equipment you need to take. Here are some basic items you want to be sure you have on hand.

Flashlight - Red lens flashlights or those covered with red cellophane are best. The red coloring is easier on your night vision & is less likely to cause night blindness.

Camera - Either digital or film. Digital cameras are believed to be more sensitive in recording anomalies, but you don't have the negative to back up the picture. However, you have instant results with those digitals that have an LCD display. You can delete or keep pictures as you wish. Film cameras can still pick up spirit energy, but are more expensive in the long run because of developing costs. The average hunt can mean hundreds of pictures taken, with typically only a few results. Also, commercial developers will often throw out "bad photos".

Video Camera - Great for recording moving orbs, mist, etc. If you're going to be in a dark environment, a camera equipped with night vision should be used. It can be either analog or digital.

Compass - A good indicator of changing magnetic/energy fields. The needle on a compass will often swing widely from one point to another when encountering shifting energy fields. Cameras aimed in the direction of the pointing needle many times will pick up orbs, mists, or other spirit energy.

Voice Recorders - Either analog (tape) or digital recorders. The recorder should also have an external microphone. Do not use the microphone internal to the recorder - it can pick up the internal motor of the recorder. Voice recorders are used to ask questions of spirits, in the hopes of picking up a spirit voice answering. This is known as Electronic Voice Phenomena, or EVP. In our experience, analog recorders produce better results than digital.

Thermometer - A thermometer can be an essential tool in a paranormal investigation. Research has shown that in areas of paranormal activity that temperatures will dramatically increase or decrease while an event occurs. You would expect a change in as little as five degrees or as much as forty degrees.

Headphones - For reviewing voice recordings either on site or later at home. EVPs can come across as only whispers & headphones are an invaluable piece of equipment.

Note Book - It's important to have a notebook to record any unusual activity that a group may experience during an investigation. It's important to record the event and the time.

Batteries, Batteries, Batteries - Spirits love energy & batteries are easy storage for energy. It's very common for fresh batteries to instantly drain in a spirit-active area. Bring lots of extra batteries for all your equipment.

Then there is the more specialized equipment for the advanced hunter:

Infrared Cameras - Used in dark rooms. Most spirit energy is on the level of the infrared band. These cameras pick up that energy.

EMF meters - Electro-magnetic Field Meters. These meters measure the presence of electro-magnetic fields. While good to use in an outdoor environment, these meters can give false readings indoors by picking up the energy from TV's, microwaves, or power lines.

Tri-field Meters - Another type of EMF meter, this one can triangulate an electro-magnetic field, giving an investigator an idea of the size of the field.

Dousing Rods - Used by sensitives to detect energy fields. These metal rods in the shape of an L are held loosely in the hands. Yes & No questions can be asked, with the rods either crossing or uncrossing, depending on the answer & the user. (Most often crossed for yes & open for no.) When approaching an energy area, the rods usually cross. They can also point to an area when asked for the heaviest concentration of energy.

Pendulum - This is usually a pendant on a chain or string. Most often these are made of a stone or crystal. Also used by sensitives, similar to the dousing rods. Yes & No answers are indicated by the stone either swaying back & forth (most often No) or in a circle (most often Yes). Yes & No indications can change with the user. They can also indicate an energy flow by swinging in the direction of the energy.

Our group does not use Ouija boards as a divination tool. Ouija boards can open the way to negative or low-level spirits & such beings cannot be trusted to give honest answers to questions. Also, users that may be easily influenced or vulnerable can be invaded by such entities & find their personalities drastically altered.

So there you have it - some of the tools of the trade. Some you have lying around your home, some more specialized. But all used in the pursuit of the paranormal. For additional questions please contact WNY Paranormal at www.wnyparanormal.com or e-mail wnyparanormal@aol.com