Category Archives: paranormal

My Interview with Bigfoot Expert Rick Reles!

Posted on May 4, 2024 | 7 comments

That picture above is the Bigfoot that we all grew up with. That bigfoot sighting was alleged to be a hoax, but has not been proven so. That’s fine. Whether it’s Bigfoot, aliens or ghosts, there’s always going to be some hoaxes. Despite that one Bigfoot sighting getting uncovered as a possible hoax, how do you explain that there are literally thousands of sightings of Bigfoot/Sasquatch/Yeti from people all over the world? My opinion is that obviously there is some race of large, hairy, reclusive creatures living in the undeveloped, remote parts of most countries.

I’m not an expert on cryptids, so I interviewed one of the most well known experts on Bigfoot/Sasquatch in the United States, Rick Reles. Rick is one of the founding members of the BFRO (Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization)

Pic from BoldLife.com

Founded in 1995, the BFRO is now the oldest and largest organization of its kind. It’s a virtual community of scientists, journalists, and specialists from diverse backgrounds. The researchers who compose the BFRO are engaged in projects, including field and laboratory investigations, designed to address various aspects of the bigfoot phenomenon.

TPF: Hi Rick, and welcome to The Phil Factor. Over the past year we’ve been digging into the paranormal, including cryptids, but I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to discuss the OG of cryptids, Bigfoot.  When people think of Bigfoot sightings, most people default to the Pacific Northwest, but there are a lot of places around the United States where Bigfoot type creatures have been spotted. What are some of the other hotspots?

Rick: Kentucky, The Appalachian Mountains, Upper Midwest ( Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois), Georgia mountains and Tennessee. Upstate New York, Western Pa.. Basically, where there are vast forests and plentiful water, there are populations of Sasquatch. BFRO.net lists vetted out witness reports by county, by state across the nation, so you can see where activity has been.

Pic from Britannica.com

TPF: Rick, I love that list of hotspots and especially your mention of upstate New York, which is where I live. How many personal sightings of a Bigfoot/Sasquatch/Yeti have you had?

Rick: I have 3 Class “A” sightings, meaning I knew it was not a human, or  animal (bear), I was seeing.

TPF: Have you ever felt that you were in physical danger when you spotted a Bigfoot?

Rick: Yes, I am in the woods all the time, as an active researcher. I lead expeditions, scout areas of reported activity, and investigate witness reports. Sometimes when in the presence of Bigfoots, meaning we hear them, can see their shadow movement, feel their presence, it can get scary. That is them projecting what we believe is “infrasound”, which drives a  “fight or flight” response, in humans. They want you to leave the area  then.

TPF: If you could give one piece of advice to amateurs who want to experience a Sasquatch sighting, what would it be?

Rick:  When in the woods, keep your eyes and ears open. Rely on your senses. Get your nose out of your phone. Listen… Pay attention to odd noises, movements in the forest, whistles, whoops, knocks, howls, stick breaks, etc… We often have blinders on, and these noises do not register. Conversely,  EVERY odd noise in the woods is not a Squatch! Keep your antenna up!

Pic from Jack Osbournes Night of Terror

TPF: You’re also the author of Field Guide to Bigfoot Stick Structures. Could you tell us a little about that and where we could order a copy? —

Rick: The field guide reviews stick structures that Bigfoots assemble in the forest. It speaks to 7 categories,  types that could be built by Bigfoots, and asks questions like: Why these are built? What are the meanings? Are they built for us? For them? And so on.. Photo evidence/examples are given. The Field guide is small, and can be carried easily in a back pack for hiking. It is available on ETSY, at IKNOWSQUATCH. We are also on IG and FB as IKNOWSQUATCH.

TPF: Thank you for your time and expertise. For me, it’s good to know that Bigfoot/Sasquatch/Yeti’s are still alive and well.  For readers interested in finding out if a Bigfoot has been spotted in your area, there is a list of sightings on the BFRO.net website and there are several online maps of sighting locations. I was surprised to find one sighting had been within a mile from my house. Take a look, you might be surprised. If you’re interested in Bigfoot/Sasquatch merch, check out Rick’s ETSY site. They have tons of great stuff! You can even get a bigfoot sticker specific to your state. I ordered that for my laptop and an awesome coffee mug.

Thanks for reading and GO BILLS!  ~Phil

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Do You Believe Paranormal Phenomena? Vote in The Polls!

Posted on May 3, 2024 | 5 comments

As I mentioned previously, May 3 was National Paranormal Day here in the states. Admittedly, I enjoy paranormal activity a little more than most. Wouldn’t the world would be so much more fun and interesting if paranormal things were actually true? Like Fox Mulder, I want to believe.  Most of the rest of this post is three polls that I’d love your responses to because in my next few blog posts I’m going to explore people’s beliefs in the paranormal, have some interesting interviews, and occasionally make jokes.

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Do You Believe in Ghosts?

12
Do You Believe that People Can Be Psychic?

12
Do You Believe There Are Aliens/UFO's That Visit Earth?

After answering and seeing the poll results, is there anything that surprises you about what people believe? If you’re a believer in any of those subjects, could you comment why?

Have a great day, and thanks for reading! ~Phil

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The Top Ten Paranormal Topics

Posted on May 2, 2024 | Leave a comment

Let’s be honest, when you think of the “paranormal” you think ghosts first, cryptids such as Bigfoot, Mothman, and The Loch Ness Monster second, and then you think aliens. As you might have noticed, over the last two years I’ve been getting into the paranormal quite a bit and it is a far larger landscape than what I would have imagined. So I’m just passing on what I’ve learned. I’ll go in order of popularity.

This is the best kind of #ghost

1. Ghosts! I like the idea of ghosts as much as anyone, but isn’t there way too many ghost hunting shows on TV?

Did you know that there are more than one type of alien? Read Craig Campobasso’s book!

2. Aliens: Now that the United States government has caught up with Blink-182 and admitted that aliens exist, the next few years are going to be interesting.

#Bigfoot riding the #Loch Ness Monster

3. Cryptids: Until about two years ago, I had never heard the word “cryptid“. Now I can’t get it out of my head. Cryptids are strange and unverifiable creatures. The big three of Bigfoot/Mothman/Loch Ness Monster have plenty of company in this category. Who wants next weeks top ten paranormal column to cover more cryptids?

Buy Yuri’s book and learn how to hone your psychic powers

4. Psychic powers: Yuri was much more than a spoon bender. His amazing psychic powers were verified by the Stanford Research Institute.  Also Uri is a great follow on IG. In his 70’s he looks like he has more energy than I do. The category of psychic powers covers a lot of specialties such as mind reading, telekinesis, remote viewing and many others.

5. Time travel and time slips: Are people traveling too and from the future to visit us? There’s a lot of interesting pictures out there.

Pic from iNews

6. Near Death Experiences: In most cases, it’s not near death. It’s after death experiences where the patient is clinically dead and their heart has stopped, but the medical folks manage to revive them. After being brought back from death, many patients report floating above the scene and can describe in detail what the doctors said and did.

7. Demonology/Exorcism: The pic above is Rich Valdes a professional demonologist that I interviewed last for this blog. Demons are different than ghosts. Ghosts are assumed to be spirits of humans who have died. Demons are believed to be sentient evil entities.

8. Objects appearing from Nowhere: There are many, many documented cases where solid objects have been summoned or just appeared in a place that was empty a moment ago.

9. Witchcraft: Is witchcraft for real? Just like any other paranormal subject, there are believers and non-believers. Witchcraft isn’t necessarily negative or evil. It depends on the person practicing witchcraft.

10. Out of Body experiences: Can you leave your body and visit other places and view things you couldn’t possibly see from your bed? Guess what? There’s some science that says yes!

If you have any other paranormal subjects that you think should be added to this list, let me know in the comments!

Have a happy Tuesday! ~Phil

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Paranormal Day? Not On My Watch!

Posted on May 1, 2024 | 1 comment

Pic from 13thHour.com

The paranormal is a wide ranging subject that includes witchcraft, tarot reading, ghosts, psychic skills, UFO’s/aliens, demons, cryptids, and haunted/cursed objects. If there are other things that you’d qualify as paranormal, please add them in the comments and I’ll make sure to hit on them this month.

I know that May 3rd is the official government sanctioned Paranormal Day in the United States, but dammit, one day to celebrate all of the weird, spooky, and unexplainable things in our world is not enough. So, although I am not yet elected President or Sexiest Man Alive, I, Phil, do hereby declare the month of May to be Paranormal Month, and shall be celebrated as such to the end of time.

So, to start the awesome month of May off, I’ll tell you about a paranormal themed holiday that you’ve probably never heard of. Last night, the last day of April going into May, the eve of May Day is known as Walpurgis Night, Walpurgis Nacht in Germany (Sprechen sie Deutsch?). The eve of May Day is the night on which witches are believed to be riding to an appointed rendezvous. (To me, anyone who can confidently spell rendezvous without spellchecking is paranormal). It’s like a girls trip for witches! Although, lets not get too gender specific because dudes can also be witches, except witchy dudes are called Warlocks, which is a pretty damn cool title, right?

This is not at all terrifying, right?

It is not a singular holiday. In other parts of the world it is called Beltane and is celebrated with massive bonfires. Beltane and other festivals are celebrating the coming of Spring. The celebrations however have a certain wiccan-witch type vibe, especially when they’re burning a giant effigy of a person like that pic above. Or maybe dancing around like the couple below:

No weirdness here, right?

If you’ve been to one of these celebrations, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Suffice it to say, if you and I have woken up this morning and haven’t found ourselves cursed in any way, then we have survived one of the world’s most interesting holidays. Stay tuned, more and even weirder/interesting blog posts are on their way through the rest of Paranormal Month!

Thanks for reading me today! ~Phil

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I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost!

Posted on April 30, 2024 | 7 comments

Picture credit Collider.com & Sony Pictures

I just recently discovered that May 3rd is National Paranormal Day and I’m going to lean in hard here at The Phil Factor.

There’s two things I’m not sure if I believe in, ghosts and death. Well, I’m sure I don’t believe in my own death, and if by chance it does happen, I plan to overcome it by becoming a ghost. I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself What a weirdo! Hey, relax on the judgement there. I’m contractually bound to comeback after death, if I have one, a death that is.

Contractually bound? Yup. Nothing I can do about it now. It was many years ago in college. One night myself and two friends were drinking some adult beverages. You know how when you’re young, like 20 or so and you think you’re really deep thinkers even though you’re really idiots who don’t know anything? We had imbibed a few beverages and got to talking about death and the afterlife.

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We all were curious to know if there really was life after death, so right then and there we Googled and then re-enacted a centuries old Druid ceremony complete with a circle of salt, candles under a full moon and signing a pact with our own blood, which was flowing easily because of the alcohol we had been drinking. Ok, no we didn’t. I had you going there for a second, didn’t I?

There was also no Google when I was in college, but we did make a promise to each other that whoever died first would come back and haunt the other two so we would know that there’s life after death.

I don’t know where those two college friends are now and don’t even remember ones last name. Hopefully, because of our vow, some sort of afterlife mojo will help us find each other and keep our promise. As far as I know, none of us has ever shown up to haunt the others. With May 3rd being National Paranormal Day I got to thinking of this and what else I might do if I were to be a ghost.

Stars DEMI MOORE and PATRICK SWAYZE. Licenced by Channel 5 Broacasting. Contact Five Stills: 0207 550 5583/5509/5544. Free for editorial press and listings use in connection with the current broadcast of Channel 5 programmes only. This. image may only be reproduced with the prior written consent of Channel 5. All rights reserved. Not for any form of advertising, internet use or in connection with the sale of any product.

I know this may be hard for you to believe, but in my life I’ve been a bit of a practical joker at times. I’m pretty sure that if I ever come back  as a ghost I’m not going to take off my shirt and help anyone with pottery. Jeez, what a waste of an afterlife. I’ll probably be what we all know as a poltergeist. I’ll move a lot of peoples car keys just before they have to leave for work.

During live televised events I’ll show up invisibly and give the President or the Pope a wet willie. I’ll be on the field at all my favorite live sporting events, helping out a little to ensure my favorite teams win.

You know that feeling you get when you feel like someone’s behind you but you turn around and no one’s there? That’ll be me.  Who knows? Ghost Phil may even zip into the internet and follow the connection to your computer and cause embarrassing typos when you’re posting pictures.

So do you believe in life after death? Do you think there are real ghosts? Have you ever had an experience with what you think was a ghost? What would you do if you were a ghost?

Have a great day, and yes, I do think we should celebrate National Paranormal Day by pulling out the Halloween decorations! ~Phil

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Paranormal Tools of the Trade: EVP Recorders

Posted on February 29, 2024 | 3 comments

You can find The Ovilus at Ghostop.com

In the realm of the unexplained, where whispers linger and shadows dance, lies the fascination of paranormal investigation. Delving into the unknown, seekers of the supernatural employ various tools to capture evidence and unlock the mysteries that lie beyond our comprehension. Among these tools, EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recorders stand out as potent instruments, offering a gateway to communication with realms unseen.

The creme de la creme of paranormal evidence is either visual or auditory. Both are difficult to get due to the fleeting nature of paranormal “stuff”. It’s not like ghosts pose for pictures, right? It also isn’t exactly easy for them to keep up a lengthy conversation either. So how do we prove that we’ve had an interaction with a paranormal entity? We record it right? That’s not so easy is it?

To get a good EVP, investigators select locations purportedly haunted, setting the stage for potential encounters. In these settings, EVP sessions unfold, with investigators posing questions and awaiting responses from unseen entities, their voices captured by the sensitive microphones of the EVP recorder.

We’ve all heard those static-filled, iffy recordings. Then like a bolt of lightning from the sky, one word lights up the room because it is clear and relevant to what the investigators said. There are also recordings of invisible voices saying people’s names, or other specific details about the investigators.

You can find this one at Ghoststop.com

The Ovilus, shown in the picture at the top of this post, is considered the best EVP recorder because it converts environmental readings into words. but that’s a little out of my price range.  The wristwatch EVP recorder in the picture above is the one that I want.  You can wear it on your wrist like a watch and it will pick up everything while you walk around with other things like an EMF meter or dowsing rods in your hands. Mark my words, this will be the next piece of paranormal tech that I buy.

Have a great Thursday and thanks for reading! ~Phil

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Kickin’ It Old School: Dowsing Rods in Paranormal Investigations

Posted on February 22, 2024 | Leave a comment

Cool dowsing rods pic from Funkylighting.com

It was hard to find a cool picture of dowsing rods. In the vast realm of paranormal exploration, most of the tools and techniques have gone high tech. If it’s stamped with the words ‘ghost hunting’ and  it can beep and light up, people will buy it. Among the cadre of cool paranormal tools, dowsing rods stand out as as a quaint, old method. Often associated with water divination in traditional folklore.  For some, dowsing rods have found a place in modern paranormal investigations.

At first glance, dowsing rods may appear simplistic, consisting of nothing more than two L-shaped rods typically made of metal or wood. However, proponents argue that these humble instruments possess a unique sensitivity to subtle energy fields, making them valuable assets in the quest to uncover paranormal activity.

One of the primary applications of dowsing rods in paranormal investigations is for locating energy hotspots or ley lines. Advocates suggest that these rods can detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields or spiritual energies that might indicate the presence of supernatural entities or residual energy imprints.

Moreover, dowsing rods are often utilized in spirit communication sessions. Investigators believe that spirits may influence the movement of the rods, either by manipulating energy or communicating telepathically with the operator. Through a series of yes or no questions, investigators attempt to establish communication with any entities present, seeking insights into their identity, intentions, or the circumstances surrounding their existence.

That is something that I can speak to from personal experience. I was on a ghost hunt with several people and they all had different tech tools. Two young guys brought some nice EMF meters. My weapon of choice that night was dowsing rods.

The ghost hunt took place in a well known haunted restaurant. When I’m on a ghost hunt with others, I like to get away from the crowd so that I can clearly see and hear anything that might occur. I sat alone at the bar away from groups of others and I planted my forearms on on the bar to make sure I wouldn’t shakily move the dowsing rods.

I said aloud, “if there’s anyone here that would like to talk to me, cross the rods.” Suddenly goosebumps swept over my entire body and the rods practically jumped across each other. Then, about ten feet away, one of the young guys with an EMF meter said loudly, “I’ve got a big reading over here!” That’s double verification, two sources of confirmation. It also happened one more time during the investigation that the EMF guys were near me and shouted about a big reading when I had a response from an entity.

However, skepticism abounds regarding the reliability of dowsing rods in paranormal investigations. Critics argue that the perceived movements of the rods are the result of unconscious muscular cues from the operator, known as the ideomotor effect, rather than genuine paranormal activity. That is why I sit down and anchor my arms on a solid, immoveable surface.

For many investigators, the proof of efficacy comes from personal encounters and the tangible results achieved during investigations. While that isn’t something that can be documented by a device, it seems pretty definitive when you experience it.

The utility of dowsing rods in paranormal investigations remains a subject of debate within the paranormal community and beyond. I say try them and make up your own mind. They’re pretty cheap and you can get a nice set on Amazon. For me, seeing those rods move on their own in response to a question was all the confirmation I needed.

Happy Thursday folks! Thanks for reading! ~Phil

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Paranormal Tools of The Trade: The EMF Meter

Posted on February 15, 2024 | 2 comments

Rook #EMFMeter This is one of the coolest looking pieces of paranormal tech I’ve seen. It looks like you could fight a ghost with this thing. (find it at GhostStop)

The EMF (Electromagnetic Field) meter is a staple tool in the arsenal of paranormal investigators, purportedly aiding in the detection of paranormal activity by measuring fluctuations in electromagnetic fields. However, its usefulness in such investigations is a topic of contention within both scientific and paranormal communities. While proponents argue that EMF meters provide valuable data indicative of supernatural presence, skeptics question their reliability and validity, often attributing detected anomalies to environmental factors or technical limitations.

One of the primary arguments for the usefulness of EMF meters in paranormal investigations is rooted in the belief that ghosts or spirits manifest themselves by manipulating electromagnetic fields. Proponents suggest that anomalous readings captured by EMF meters could signify the presence of these entities, offering empirical evidence of paranormal phenomena. This notion is often supported by anecdotal accounts from investigators who claim to have experienced correlations between EMF spikes and reported paranormal occurrences.

I can speak from experience. I was on a ghost hunt with several people and they all had different tech tools. Two young guys brought some nice EMF meters. My weapon of choice that night was dowsing rods. A very organic tool that I will dedicate a column to next week.

Pic from The Other Side TV

The ghost hunt took place in a well known haunted restaurant. When I’m on a ghost hunt with others, I like to get away from the crowd so that I can clearly see and hear anything that might occur. I sat alone at the bar away from groups of others and I planted my forearms on on the bar to make sure I wouldn’t shakily move the dowsing rods.

I said aloud, “if there’s anyone here that would like to talk to me, cross the rods.” Suddenly goosebumps swept over my entire body and the rods practically jumped across each other. Then, about ten feet away, one of the young guys with an EMF meter said loudly, “I’ve got a big reading over here!” That’s double verification, two sources of confirmation. It also happened one more time during the investigation that the EMF guys were near me and shouted about a big reading when I had a response from an entity.

The picture above this is my personal EMF meter. Obviously not nearly as cool as the GhostStop one at the top of this column, but it does the job in a very basic way. As you can see, from having my EMF meter near my laptop, the reading is somewhat elevated. If I walk by my big TV in the living room, this thing red-lines and starts yelling at me. Watch this:

Critics argue that electromagnetic fields are ubiquitous in modern environments, originating from numerous sources such as electrical wiring, appliances, and electronic devices. As a result, fluctuations detected by EMF meters are often attributed to mundane factors rather than supernatural influences. Moreover, the lack of standardized protocols for EMF meter usage and data interpretation undermines the reliability of findings.

In conclusion, the usefulness of EMF meters in paranormal investigations will hinge on the development of standardized methodologies, rigorous data analysis, and scrutiny of findings to distinguish genuine anomalies from environmental noise.

If you’re going on a ghost hunt with an EMF, make sure that you’ve turned your phone off and that TV’s, radios and any other device

My opinion is that EMF meters have some utility, Until then, the true utility of EMF meters in unraveling the mysteries of the paranormal realm remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Keep it spooky! Thanks for reading! ~Phil

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The Ghost Hunting Housewives!

Posted on February 1, 2024 | Leave a comment

When I came across the Ghost Hunting Housewives, my first thought was, “Wow, that’s a real catchy name for a paranormal team.” That thought was immediately followed by, “How cool! I’m interested in how they got into this!” In addition to being the most interesting paranormal team in the world, they are also super nice and got back to me immediately when I asked if they’d like to be featured on The Phil Factor.

The Ghost Hunting Housewives are Carol Windham and Crystal Hill and they’ve been best friends for over 20 years.  Let’s find out more about them:

TPF: When you created your team name, did you realize that it’s the catchiest paranormal team name out there?

Carol & Crystal: When we came up with our team name, we were aiming for something that would stick in your memory and shout out our love for all things paranormal. We’re a group of housewives, juggling home life like pros, but still making time for our passion. We’re thrilled to hear you find it’s catchy! It’s like our way of saying, “Hey, ghosts and ghouls, we’re here, and we mean business… while also managing the chaos of daily life!”

TPF: What has been the most rewarding part of being paranormal investigators?

Crystal & Carol: One of the absolute best things about being paranormal investigators is being able to help people find answers and some peace of mind. When we can show them evidence or offer explanations for those spooky occurrences, it’s like lifting a weight off their shoulders. Seeing that relief and reassurance on their faces after a bout of uncertainty or fear is what makes our job truly rewarding.

TPF: Do you limit your investigations to possible ghosts, or do you work in other paranormal specialties?

Carol & Crystal: While our primary focus is investigating possible ghosts and hauntings. We love digging into the history of a location to uncover more about its ghostly past. But hey, we’re not ones to shy away from a good adventure—bring on the Bigfoot hunts! We got inspired by our favorite paranormal investigator, Jack Osbourne, especially that episode where he went on the search for Bigfoot. We thought, “Why not? That sounds like a blast!” Who knows, maybe our next investigation will involve more than just ghosts – the wild world of Bigfoot might be calling!

TPF: As someone who appreciates a good Bigfoot sighting and has recently interviewed a Bigfoot expert, I love that you’re open to Bigfoot adventures. I bet that in your neck of the woods there are a lot of Bigfoot sightings. What has been the scariest thing that has occurred during one of your investigations?

Crystal & Carol: One of the scariest moments from our investigations happened at Pauly Jail.

Picture this: A late-night session, a storm rolling in, and us busy with an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) session upstairs. Out of nowhere, we hear these loud, echoing footsteps marching up the stairs, coming closer and closer, and then suddenly, silence. It was like someone—or something—decided to pay us a visit. We went to check it out, but there was no one around. Guess a curious ghost wanted to join in on the investigation fun!

TPF: What’s been the funniest thing that has ever happened during an investigation?

Carol & Crystal: We were deep in the woods during one of our investigations, cameras rolling, all serious about our ghostly business. And then, out of the blue, here comes this dog, full-speed ahead! Cameras everywhere, recording everything, and none of us saw it coming. We all practically jumped out of our skin because, well, unexpected canine companions aren’t usually part of the paranormal package. It was a hilarious moment that caught us totally off guard!

TPF: Would you be interested in having your own paranormal show if a network approached you? (I’m just putting this out there in the universe to help it manifest)

Crystal & Carol: We are definitely open to the idea of having our own paranormal show if a network approached us. It would be a fantastic opportunity to share our investigations, evidence, and experiences with a wider audience.

TPF: Could you tell my readers more about your mission to save historical properties?

Carol & Crystal: We hold a deep appreciation for historical properties and the narratives they encapsulate. Our mission goes beyond exploring potential hauntings; we’re dedicated to playing a role in the preservation and restoration of these historical sites. We organize events to raise funds, contributing to various projects. Additionally, we conduct raffles at the paracons we attend, and the proceeds go towards supporting these projects. We often invite friends to join us during investigations, encouraging voluntary donations for these initiatives. It’s important to emphasize that contributing is entirely voluntary. We hope that we can raise awareness and foster enthusiasm for supporting the maintenance of these historical wonders.

TPF: If one of my readers were interested in having you do an investigation of their home, what part of the country do you work in?

Crystal & Carol: We are based in Louisiana and Alabama, but we are willing to travel anywhere for investigations in the USA, as long as we have enough time to get our affairs in order. If your readers are interested, they can contact us to discuss the possibility of investigating their home or location anytime, and free of charge. Our email is: ghosthuntinghousewives505@gmail.com

TPF: Thanks so much Carol and Crystal!  Thank you for your time and insights. I certainly hope you get that TV series! I think you two would be great! For my readers who want to find them on the socials, just look for Ghost Hunting Housewives everywhere! From the YouTube link above you can subscribe to them there and here’s their FB: https://www.facebook.com/ghosthuntinghousewives .

Thanks for reading and keep it spooky! ~Phil

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Mirror, Mirror On The Wall…Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Posted on January 26, 2024 | 5 comments

Pic by Kelsey Booth

Do you remember when we were kids and there was this word of mouth legend about standing in front of a mirror and repeating the name “Bloody Mary” until a vengeful spirit appeared? I did it at school in 4th grade and I swear I saw something starting to form in the mirror before I ran out of the bathroom. Anyone else?

Photo by Stefano Pollio

Mirrors have always had a mystique in the paranormal realm, believed to be portals to other dimensions. The fascination with mirrors and their connection to the supernatural can be traced back through many cultures for centuries. This column will delve into the folklore, superstitions and explore the role and history of mirrors in the paranormal.

Throughout history, mirrors have been considered more than just reflective surfaces. The first mirrors were pools of water, as illustrated in the Greek legend of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image and drowned while staring at himself. Interestingly, there are some scientific studies indicating that people see weird things after staring at themselves in the mirror for a while. I guess that explains the Kardashians.

In folklore and the media mirrors are associated as doorways to the spirit world. Some cultures even believe that mirrors can capture and hold spirits or serve as a portal for entities to come into our world. This belief has led to many rituals centered around mirrors, with some even using them as tools for communication with the deceased. The idea of mirrors holding a connection to one’s soul has persisted across time and cultures.

Photo by Tuva Mathilde Løland on Unsplash

Scrying mirrors: That is not a typo. It‘s not crying, it’s scrying mirrors. The concept of scrying, or gazing into reflective surfaces to see the unknown, has deep historical roots. Mirrors have been used for scrying in various cultures, with practitioners seeking insights into the future and glimpses of other realms and facilitating communication with spirits.

In some instances people have had very disturbing interactions with scrying mirrors that left them emotionally scarred for a very long time. If you get a chance, the Haunted Objects podcast featuring Greg and Dana Newkirk, has an episode, Season 1, episode 2, that discusses the history of a particular scrying mirror. Based on that episode, I have no interest in ever looking into a scrying mirror for the rest of my life. Look it up and listen. It’s a great paranormal podcast.

The legendary psychic, Nostradamus was said to have used a mirror for his psychic visions, adding to the notoriety surrounding mirrors and the supernatural.

Pic from OpenArt

Mirrors have also played a role in various cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Feng Shui, the Chinese belief of harmonizing energy in spaces, often involves the strategic positioning of mirrors to enhance a positive energy flow.

Similarly, some believe that mirrors can ward off evil spirits when they are placed facing outward, reflecting negativity away from a space. Just the other day I saw an example of that when watching a video from a local paranormal investigation group. If you watch the video, just after the 9 minute mark during an investigation, they decided to turn a mirror to face the wall to decrease the chance of another entity entering the already haunted home.

Whether serving as portals to other dimensions, tools for divination, or sources of fear and fascination, mirrors have transcended their practical purpose to become symbols of the unknown. As we gaze into these reflective surfaces, we are reminded that the boundary between our world and the supernatural is often blurred, leaving room for wonder and awe in the face of the unexplained.

So what do you think? Are mirrors portals to the unknown? Are they dangerous when in the wrong hands? Have you ever seen something disturbing in a mirror?

Thanks for reading! ~Phil

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