Classification of ghosts
We have seen before that a ghost is the physical manifestation of a soul, spirit, life force, or life energy. Most people use this term to describe the visual appearance of a human being or creature that has died and passed on to the other side. A ghost is most often residual in nature — it does not interact with our physical world.
There are many kinds of phenomenon that fall under the denomination of ghosts but as always with monsters, we have to make a clear distinction between the different categories and base ourselves on the following arbitrary criteria :
Human shape / mist and lights
Ghosts that act autonomously / apparitions that follow the same course of action
Hallucinations / collectively-observed hauntings
Some ghosts are the exact image of the person they were, others are only recognizable by their faces.
Often just a blur of white light is present. Some are said to be solid, some are translucent, others only noticeable by a breath of warm air or a cold hand. A ghost may not appear at all, but be recognized by eerie sounds or moving objects.
Other spirits such as poltergeists are said to cause mischief, ranging from split milk or tangled yarn to grave accidents, but never materialize visually to the eyes of the witness.
Phone calls
Description : This is a phenomenon in which people literally receive phone calls from the dead. The deceased caller usually had a closed relationship with the recipient. In such calls,
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Spectral animals
Origin : England Description : animals that appears under a ghostly form either as “pets” attached to a certain place or taking part in a larger ghostly activity. Records :
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Possessed objects
Origin : first accounts dated back from Antiquity Description : inanimate objects that move, make noise or change shape. Sometimes a particular piece of furniture will refuse to change place,
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Evil spirits
Aka : Demons, Devil, Faeries, Incubes, … Origin : first accounts dated back from Antiquity. The New Testament acknowledges the existence of demons, the real spiritual beings that tempt, lie,
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Residual haunting
Aka : repeated actions, residues Description : a ghost that is trapped in a continuous loop. Many apparitions are always viewed repeating the same motions or scenes. Usually these ghosts
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Ectoplasms
Aka : Ecto-mist, vapor, ghostly mist Origin : The term was originally used to describe the substance that oozed from spirit mediums during a séance from days gone by. It
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Collectives apparitions
When several individuals, independently or simultaneously, observe the same phantom under conditions that make deception or suggestion unlikely, the event can no longer be interpreted as a totally subjective experience.
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