Types Of Hauntings
There are 3 basic types of hauntings, this section will explain the differences in the 3 types.
All ghost hunters should be aware of the characteristics of these types of hauntings.
The first type is known as a Residual Haunting.
The theory behind this type of haunting is that since everything is made up of energy, sometimes energy from an event can can be recorded by certain materials and played back when atmospheric conditions trigger it. This type of haunting is like a video playback of an event that has previously occurred. As the events unfold there is no interaction between you and the events. These events have been imprinted on the area and are played back later when conditions are right.
The ghosts sometimes present in these hauntings are not really earthbound spirits at all, just a form of visual playback.
The next type of haunting is the most common type, sometimes referred to as a Classic Haunting.
This haunting involves an interactive spirit that manifests itself in many ways.
This ghost is the spirit of a deceased human being. These types of spirits have the same human motivations as you or I would have.
With this type of haunting, many experiences occur such as objects moving, hearing footsteps, seeing orbs, or even apparitions. In this type of haunting the spirit is usually just trying to get the attention of the people around. You will encounter good and bad spirits just as you would with anyone who is alive. Usually a human spirit is stuck here for reasons such as tragic death, fear of moving on, guilt or unfinished business. In most cases these spirits are playful, but harmless.
Spirits associated with this type of haunting are commonly referred to as Poltergeists.
The third type of haunting is somewhat rare in that the entity will interact with the living on a much more "conscious" level.
This type of haunting is referred to as a Possession.
This type of spirit is non-human, and is commonly known as a demon. Non-human spirits often will disguise themselves as friendly and helpful human spirits. They very often appear in cases dealing with Ouija boards, black magic and satanic worship. This is why a ghost hunter should never attempt to use a Ouija board to attempt contact with spirits. This type of spirit is very dangerous, and CAN cause harm to the living.
If you encounter an entity of this type, never attempt to "exorcise" them yourself. This type of haunting should be dealt with by spiritual experts.
This information is summarized based on info from
TheShadowlands.net
This is basic information on these types of spirits and hauntings.
It is recommended to always continue educating yourself on these types of spirits.
One article highly recommended for any aspiring paranormal investigator to read is the Ghosts 101 page at www.WVGhosts.com.
This article is rather long but well worth reading because it goes into detail about all the haunting types and gives you more information on ghost hunting.