Ghosts, Spirits & Things That Go Bump in the Night...
What if that ghost isn't a ghost at all--but something even more intriguing?
by Rose Claire
Years ago, I bought a house with a beautiful hutch that the previous owner had left behind.
One day, my brother came over to check something for me. He was babysitting my niece’s dog, so he let her out of his truck, and they headed toward the house. Only, the dog took a few steps before bolting back to the truck and jumping into the front seat. My brother coaxed her out, but she turned right around and did it again; she wouldn’t budge.
He finally had to carry the pup into the house.
Once inside, the dog paused in front of the hutch and whimpered loudly. She then stared at it, barking and growling. My brother tried to console her with no luck. He ended up carrying her around the house like a baby.
Later, he called me and told me about what happened. He was genuinely puzzled about why the hutch freaked her out.
“Oh, yeah. There’s an old man’s spirit connected to the hutch. I didn’t tell you because you don’t believe in spirits.”
“Yeah, well I wish you would have, because apparently, the dog does.”
Ghosts and spirits: What’s the difference?
As an evidential medium, I’ve never distinguished between ghosts and spirits. To me, they are all spirits, and I believe they eventually cross over.
For example, when someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly, they may experience a period of disorientation. Their physical body has taken its last breath, but their consciousness remains. They may not understand what happened or why they’re no longer connected to their body. For a time, they may remain earthbound until getting their spiritual bearings and crossing over. Oh, and sometimes those spiritual bearings come courtesy a medium who helps them reach the other side.
But not everyone shares the same beliefs. There are those that define ghosts as earthbound spirits tied to a particular location and lacking in consciousness, while others believe ghosts retain their consciousness. And then, there are those paranormal traditions that distinguish between conscious spirits and something quite different: residual hauntings. And that raises an interesting question: What if some hauntings aren’t spirits at all?
Can a house remember its past?
We’ve all seen the spooky movies of the ghostly woman who glides through the dark attic to the window and then stares longingly out the window. She repeats the movements over and over, at exactly the same time. Even when someone is watching, she is oblivious to their presence.
Some might call her a ghost, an earthbound spirit tied to a particular location. But others suggest something quite different: a residual haunting, sometimes explained by what’s been called the Stone Tape Theory.
What makes this fascinating is that the apparition may not be a conscious spirit at all. Instead, it might be an energetic imprint of something a person did while alive, like a recording of the past.
According to the Stone Tape Theory, stone, brick, and other building materials somehow absorb and retain impressions of events, looping their images, sounds, or emotions over time. Some versions suggest that highly sensitive individuals may act as receivers, perceiving these impressions while others notice nothing.
And here's another intriguing possibility: The original event doesn't necessarily have to be traumatic. It might simply be an ordinary activity repeated so often that, according to the theory, it leaves an impression behind.
What if some hauntings aren't spirits at all?
Of course, as fascinating as this theory is, science has yet to demonstrate that buildings or their materials can record and replay human experiences in this way.
But what happens when a ghost notices you?
Many moons ago, I worked at a little metaphysical shop known for its resident spirits. One of the most interesting was a tabby cat who had a penchant for rubbing against my legs. Sometimes, I would see the spirit cat walking like a prince through his kingdom, but more often, he made himself known with an invisible fuzzy rub around my ankles.
One night, we brought in a local paranormal investigation group. Their equipment registered unusual electromagnetic readings, and several investigators reported being tapped on the shoulders. But what intrigued them most was the tabby cat, who reportedly nuzzled their legs and occasionally strutted through his domain.
To me, this was no residual haunting. This spirit cat seemed very much aware of his surroundings—and of us. He appeared to want to interact and made a conscious effort to do so.
In my experience, it takes considerable energy for spirits to make themselves known to those of us still doing our earthly dance, and even more to make physical contact. If that was the case here, this little fellow certainly knew how to make an impression!
... I'm especially grateful when a spirit I'm communicating with shares a place where their loved one might feel their presence.
Not every spirit is stuck
I can’t tell you how often a client tells me that they wish they could feel the presence of their loved one on the other side. It breaks my heart because I know how deep and painful grief can be.
That's why I'm especially grateful when a spirit I'm communicating with shares a place where their loved one might feel their presence.
I once worked with a woman whose husband had died unexpectedly in his forties. She was devastated and struggling to get through each day. During our sitting, I connected with her husband, who told me she could feel his presence near his beloved vinyl record collection.
When she was feeling sad or lonely, she began spending more time near the records. At first, she felt nothing unusual. But after several visits, she began to sense what she described as his energy around her.
For her, the experience was profound and healing. It affirmed her belief that life continues beyond the physical body.
And here's what I believe is important: Just because a spirit returns to a familiar place doesn't mean it's trapped there. Sometimes, it's simply a way of staying connected to the people they love.
Just a thought in closing
So, the next time something goes bump in the night, it might not be your friendly neighborhood ghost. It could be a visiting spirit, an echo of the past replaying in the shadows, or… well, you fill in the blank.
Comments