| GLOSSARY These are a group of terms gathered by the PROS team that may be used when learning or investigating the Paranormal. |
Angel: "Messenger of God," a celestial being, benevolent in nature and if visible, appearing in human form, and possessing
miraculous abilities such as teleportation, healing powers and knowledge of future events. There have been accounts of
angels aiding people in times of crisis throughout the ages, albeit with no real consistency to their 'modus operandi.'
Anomaly: An occurrence or condition removed from ordinarily understood experience.
Apparition: The projection or manifestation of a quasi-physical entity.
Astral Travel: Belief or theory that a person's spiritual awareness can temporarily detach itself from the physical body,
remaining connected by what is called the "silver cord," and experience things in other locations, time frames or dimensional
planes. Some refer to this as "Astral Projection" or "Mind Projection."
Avatar: Hindu belief in divine incarnation.
B
Banishing: Formal, ceremonial, procedure effected to cast an invisible presence or influence out from an area. This term
can refer either to a spiritual cleansing, or the closing of a magical rite, when the invoked powers are dismissed.
Bigfoot: A bulky, hair covered, bipedal humanoid which appears to possess both human and ape-like characteristics. Also
known as Sasquatch and Yeti, depending upon locale. Sightings of these creatures have for centuries been widely reported.
Chupacabra: Spanish for Goat sucker. In Puerto Rico, for twenty some years, numerous livestock and stray pets have been
found with throats torn out, drained of blood and bearing mysterious puncture wounds. On the scene sightings of the
creature supposed responsible are exceedingly rare, and descriptions always include "glowing red eyes." Locale and the
absence of distinct tracks rule out either wolverines or monitor lizards, both of which always drag off their prey. The most
feasible suggestion is a coyote or feral dog, but again, the behavior doesn't match. Whatever is the true culprit, Chupacabra
has become a popular sensation on the island.
Cleansing (Psychic): A less ritualized form of exorcism, where-in a dwelling or site is purified and malevolent influences are
banished through prayers, spoken as the petitioner moves through the area.
Crop Circles: During the past three centuries, throughout the British Isles but with a particular concentration in the
southern region of England, circular impressions spanning sometimes several hundred feet in diameter and often quite
intricate in design, have frequently nd inexplicably been appearing overnight in wheat and grain fields. Sometimes the
source can be traced to haoxters; sometimes the details do not allow for any satisfactory, mundane explanation. Much
documentation, as well as speculation, regarding this topic is available.
Crypto-zoology: The branch of paranormal research which deals with the exploration of legendary creatures such as
Bigfoot, lake and sea monsters, thunderbirds, etc. It should be noted that the Giant Squid (the "Kraken"), orangutans (the
"Red Men of the Forest"), Komodo Dragons and gigantic Nepalese elephants all were formerly included in the roster of
fabled creatures!
D
Demon: Hostile and resentful entity, supposedly of non-human origin, which some believe to be "fallen (from grace) angels."
Doppelganger: German for "Double-goer." A person's duplicate or identical counterpart, seen as a result of bi-locational or
astral travel. This phenomenon has been overshadowed by the more modern (and viable) concept of cloning, with its
speculative ramifications.
E
Elementals: In magical tradition and ceremony, spirits which govern the four corners of the earth and are associated with,
or reside within, the four basic elements. They are called Sylphs (the east, air), Salamanders (the south, fire), Undines (the
west, water), and Gnomes (the north, earth). Check out our Nature Spirit Dept.
Empath: An individual who is particularly sensitive to the psychic emanations of his or her surroundings, even to a degree of
telepathically receiving and experiencing the emotions of others in their proximity. Obviously, psychic empathy can be
regarded as a mixed blessing, and the empath must learn to gain a measure of control over this ability.
Entity: A disembodied "consciousness" commonly referred to as ghost, spirit or (if of an apparently malicious or resentful
nature) demon.
E.V.P: 'Electronic Voice Phenomena.' Disembodied "voices" and sounds imprinted on audio recording devices.
Exorcism: Ceremonial expulsion of invading spiritual/demonic entities from a person or dwelling, present in virtually every
worldly culture. The Jewish and Catholic Christian faiths each have a formal 'Rite of Exorcism' to be conducted by the
respective Rabbi or Priest.
Extra-terrestrials: Life forms originating on planets other than our own. This term usually refers to highly advanced visitors
from other worlds, who journey to our sphere in space crafts with the probable intention of observing and studying our
species.
F
Floating Orb: Spherical image, usually translucent white, though sometimes of a reddish or bluish hue, which inexplicably
registers on photographic film and videotape, also known as "Globule."
G
Ghost: The image of a person witnessed after his/her death, reflecting the appearance of the living, physical body yet less
substantial. These forms often seem to exist in a dream-like state of semi-awareness, at times though not always cognizant
of their human observers.
Globule: An anomaly where-in floating, circular forms appear on photographs or videotape, which seem indicative of spirit
activity. Globes are a natural containment formation of the meniscus of liquid, as in gas containing bubbles; perhaps the
interaction of energy and a quasi-physical substance produced by spiritual manifestations results in a similar effect, the
globules being an initial containment of energy. Presently, all we know is that they continue to appear, and extraneous
possible causes such as moisture, light refraction or emulsion seepage, etc., have been considered and ruled out.
Golden-rod: A rare anomaly seen in videotape recorded at the site of a suspected haunting, appearing as bright, white or
yellowish lines rapidly moving across a room.
See Also: Globule, Vortex
Grey: The most frequently reported visitor from an alien world, described as having grayish skin, a bulbous cranium,
tapered chin, straight, unmoving, horizontal line for a mouth, slits substituting for a nose, slanted eyes, and a slight body. In
some accounts, it has three fingers plus an opposable thumb on each hand. Supposedly, such beings were encountered by
Betty and (the late) Barney Hill during their abduction in New Hampshire in September, 1961.
H
Halloween: 'The Eve of All Hallows,' also known by Pagan Celts and Wiccans as 'Samhain' (pronounced, 'Sow'-an'),
October 31, the night preceding the Catholic Church's 'All Saints Day.' For a millennium, in much of Europe and the British
Isles, this was held to be the night when departed relatives were especially remembered, and the veil separating the realms
of the living and the dead was rendered thinner than usual. Jack-o' lanterns were placed on stoops and window-sills to
frightened off malicious spirits. Hallowe'en is presently celebrated as a night of revels and masquerading, and in Mexico it is
part of a traditional annual festival known as 'El Dia De Los Muertos' ('The Day of the Dead').
Haunting: The manifestation of a ghostly presence, or presences, attached to a specific locale. Hauntings can be
categorized into four (usually) distinct types, these being Intelligent (responsive), Poltergeist (likely initiated by pent-up
stress on a subconscious level), Residual (replay) and Demonic (non-human origin).
Hex: A magical working, or "spell," cast to influence a person's will or fate, most often referring to a curse rather than a
blessing or healing.
Hobgoblin: Mischievous sprite (fairy, spirit) who delights in perpetrating pranks upon hapless humans, once widely believed
in and dreaded throughout Europe and Celtic regions. (Caution: It is theorized that these diminutive denizens of the
netherworld will, upon occasion, interfere in psychic investigations by devices such as misplacing directions and telephone
numbers, draining flashlight and camera batteries, and even pulling keys right out of investigators' pockets!)
Hypnosis: A state of profound mental focus, actually self-induced although an external agent - a "hypnotist" - often acts as
the catalyst, or director, for the subject entering this state. Also known as "Mesmerism" after Franz Anton Mesmer who first
popularized this practice (utilizing magnets as his props) during the last two decades of the 18th century. As concerns
paranormal investigation, hypnosis is sometimes used as a vehicle for "past lives regression" and memory restoration in
suspected (alien?) abduction cases.
I
Infestation: Repeated and persistent paranormal phenomena, generally centered around a particular location or
person(s). Also known as a haunting.
Influence: An invisible entity of undetermined nature, effecting the inhabitants of a dwelling. This may initially manifest as
an inexplicable feeling of uneasiness, then be followed by more definite signs which reveal a haunting.
J K L
Lepke: A very unique and interesting type of spiritual manifestation, a ghost which has the appearance of a solid, living
person, may even converse with someone, then suddenly vanishes. "We were talking, I turned to face her again, and she
was just gone!" Such apparitions are most often reported to have been encountered within, or immediately outside of
cemeteries.
Levitation: A phenomenon sometimes encountered in hauntings, particularly with Poltergeists, rare yet credibly reported,
where solid objects (including persons) are moved and lifted by an unseen force. The first historically documented
occurrence was that of St. Francis of Assisi in the 14th century.
Lycanthrope: A person who projects a frenzied display of their innate savagery for periodic episodes, believing themselves
to be overcome by the spirit of a beast.
M
Miracle: A wondrous and beneficial event, apparently brought about by supernatural/divine agent.
Materialization: A ghost appearing visually, suddenly or gradually, sometimes indistinct, sometimes seemingly quite solid.
Matrixing: The natural tendency for the human mind to interpret sensory input, what is perceived visually, audibly or
tactilely, as something familiar or more easily understood and accepted, in effect mentally "filling in the blanks."
Moon Madness: As the Lunar cycle waxes to its full point, incidents of psychotic behavior, violence and crime seem to
escalate. To a lesser degree, the phase of the New Moon seems correlated to a rash of abnormal behavior. Current
understanding of human psychology and physiology refutes the observation that our moon can exert significant influence on
the human mind, 'though statistics support it. (Hence the term "lunatic" for crazy person.) Naturally, it is during the nights of
the full Moon when cult activities will be at their zenith.
N
Necromancy: The practice of communicating with the dead to obtain knowledge of the future, others' secrets, etc. An
archaic term, the necromancer was said to employ magic spells and conjuration to summon, then banish, the spirits of the
dead.
Nexus: The transitional, or joining point connecting physical matter (which, in a sense, is energy condensed) and pure
energy, and containing properties of both de finites, i.e. the physical brain producing a mind through its network of dendrites
and firing axions, or the body's connection to the spirit. The concept of the Nexus is the basis for much conjecture and
postulating.
Non-religionist: A materialist, one who embraces no formal religious beliefs; a more descriptive term than atheist or
agnostic.
O
Oracle: A prophet, seer and visionary, especially one of renown. Also, a special device which aids in prognostication, such
as a crystal ball. (i.e. "The Mystifying Oracle" of William Fuld's Ouija Board.)
Oui-ja (Board): A divining implement consisting of a small, round or more often rectangular platform with letters, numbers
and various symbols printed upon it, and a "plancette" which, when the fingers of two participants are lightly placed along its
edges, is intended to glide across the smooth surface of the inscribed platform and indicate messages. Conceived of as a
parlour game in the wake of popular spiritualism, this is potentially a very dangerous tool for inviting in unpredictable,
invasive forces. Experienced researchers vehemently advise against their usage.
P
Pact: The belief, prevalent in the late middle ages through the Renaissance, that someone could trade his or her soul in
return for worldly gain.
See also: Faustus, Doctor Johann
Paranormal: The realm of occurrences and phenomena removed from those to which people are accustomed and
comprehend, and presently uncategorized by standard academia.
Parapsychology: The avenue of paranormal studies and research relating chiefly to psychic abilities (e.s.p., telepathy) and
spiritual phenomena.
Pentacle/Pentagram: The traditional five-pointed star design, with its interior pentagon delineated, generally representing
both spirituality and protection when point "up"; when inverted, it is said to signify diabolism.
Phantom Lights: Sometimes they can be attributed to blue methane flame produced by swamp gas, or electrical discharges
in the form of what is termed ball lightning or perhaps even misplaced fireflies. Yet, in other instances, the phenomenon of
floating lights observed over water, the edge of woods, , lonely back roads and in the windows of darkened houses just can't
be dismissed by ordinary explanations. These might be globules which coalesce and intensify in luminosity to the point
where they become visible in dark surroundings.
Poltergiest: German for "noisy ghost." This is an extremely rare occurrence wherein random objects are moved and
sounds produced by an unseen force, the sole purpose of which seems to be to draw attention to itself. The phenomenon
always involves a specific individual, frequently a child or adolescent. [Read More]
Possession: Invasion of the human mind by a spiritual or demonic entity, where the invading agent for a span of time,
influences or entirely subverts the personality of the human host. It is in these instances that the boundaries of psychology,
religion and spiritualism are rendered less distinct.
Precognition: The psychic perception of future events or conditions.
Psychic: Relating to the psyche, of the mind or soul, rather than the mundane. Psychic is the most familiar and
bandied-about term encountered in paranormal research ( "a psychic," "psychic investigation," etc.).
Psychokinesis: A psychic phenomenon where-in objects are remotely imprinted or displaced and moved around, solely by
the powers of the mind (psychic force).
Q R
Residual (Haunting): Psychic imprint of a scene which is repeatedly played out, where the witness of such phenomenon
essentially is peering into the past. The ghostly participants of these time-displacements often seem unaware of their living
observers.
S
Sanguinor: A person exhibiting vampiric tendencies (the desire to ingest blood) and attributes. These may be either
contrived or pathological.
Satan: Hebraic term for "Adversary," the "Tester" in the Biblical Book of Job, the most familiar name of the Devil, the "Falled
Angel" and the "Evil One." Investigators sometimes come across evidence of the activities of Satanic cults, who perform
animal sacrifices and apparently believe that desecrations and obscenities are devotions to their dark lord.
Séance: A group effort to contact the spirit world. In standardized format, the lighting of the chamber in which the séance is
conducted is subdued, and the participants sit around the table, either holding hands or with hands palm down, flat against
the table's surface and with fingertips touching those of the adjacent partners. A candle generally is set on the center of the
table. The appointed director or "medium" addresses the spirit(s) with whom contact is sought, and then it's "We await a
sign..." TAPS Note: We do not endorse the use of séances.
Shade: An entity resembling a once-living being (human or animal).
Signet: A ring bearing a personal or family emblem.
Spirit: Existence apart from, or transcending, the purely physical; also, the life-force of an organism. A spirit commonly
refers to a ghost.
Spirit Rescue: Attempting contact with entities, intended to alleviate the entities' distress and aid them in the resolution of
their conflicts, and in "crossing over" to a higher, spiritual plane.
Stigmata: Persons have been observed periodically bleeding from points on their bodies corresponding to the wounds of
the Crucifixion. Although the physiological mechanisms which produce this effect are not understood, it is apparently and
externalization of religious fervor. Stigmata has been thought to be an indication of sanctity. St. Francis of Assisi was said to
have displayed the stigmatic bleeding.
Succubus: "Female" counterpart of the incubus, a demonic entity said to inspire lust in men (and most inconveniently!),
sometimes capable of physically attacking and inflicting injuries (bruises & slashes). Following a nocturnal visitation from a
succubus, the human victim will always feel ill and depleted of vitality, and inexplicably "unclean."
Synchronicity: Unexplained system of causal interaction which binds together events, actions and thought, manifesting as
uncanny coincidences. Term for and existence of this phenomenon was first proposed by pioneering psycho-analyst, Carl
Gustav Jung (a contemporary of Sigmund Freud). Synchronicity indicates there is more to the Universe than our
understanding of simple cause and effect, and that the subtleties of the mind and matter are somehow interconnected.
T
Talisman: A design or inscription that is worn, carried or displayed, for the purpose of invoking strength, power, protection
or the aid of spirits.
Tash: Irish name for a ghost which can appear in either human or animal form. Also called Thevshi.
Telekinesis: A psychic phenomenon where-in objects are remotely displaced and moved around, solely by the powers of
the mind.
Thought Transference: Telepathic transmitting of images and messages from the mind of one person to that of another.
U V
Voodoo: African magic traditions with a veneer of imposed Catholicism from the new world, taking root in the Caribbean,
particularly the dark populous of Haiti. Similarities in origin and practices exist in the beliefs of 'Obia' (Jamaica) and 'Santeria'
(Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic).
Vortex: pl. Vortexes or Vortices. An anomaly which sometimes shows up in still photographs taken at the site of a suspected
haunting, appearing as a translucent white, tube or funnel shaped mass. Some researchers believe this may be a porthole
to the spirit realm.
W
Warlock: Term originally meant "deceiver" or " one who misleads," in more modern parlance has become associated with a
male witch.
Werewolf: (Old/Middle English word for man = were) A human being capable of transforming into the form of a wolf (or any
variety of animals), then back to human; sometimes referred to as a "Shape-Shifter." See also "Lycanthrope"
Wicca: Witchcraft as a recognized religion, the practitioners of which refer to their system as, "The Old Way" and "The
Ancient Religion." Wiccans in their rituals align themselves with elementals and the earth's natural magnetic fields,
personified by the names of ancient Greek, Egyptian and Sumerian deities.
Witch: Broadly, a practitioner of the magic arts, spec. A woman who employs charms, herbs and incantations to effect the
workings of her will. Also, a practitioner of the Wicca craft.
Wizard: A male sorcerer and conjurer who is especially adept and experienced in his craft.
Wraith/Wrayth: The image of a person appearing shortly before or after his or her death; term can also be applied to a
ghost.
Y
Yeti: A legendary creature of Tibet's Himalayan Mountains region, an anthropoid with both human and ape characteristics,
the "Abominable Snow Man." As with its western counterpart, the Sasquatch or Bigfoot, credible witnesses have reported
sightings and numerous tracks have been found, but photographs and purported bodily remnants of the creature remain
inconclusive.
Z
Zombie: Prevalent in Haitian lore, a cadaver disinterred shortly after burial (ere it spoils) and reanimated through the use of
Voodoo, its sole purpose thereafter being servitude as a mindless slave. Combine secret pharmaceuticals inducing
simulated death with oxygen deprivation in a tomb, then a hasty exhumation in the dark of night, and there emerges the
horrid premise behind the myth.
Zoo morphism: Representation of a deity or devil with animal attributes.
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