One of the most popular panels I participate in at cons is the differences between real-life paranormal investigating and what we see on television. From my time hosting public investigations and working with new folks in the paranormal world, I’m often put in positions where I have to explain that what we see on television isn’t accurate to what happens in real life.
Simply put, paranormal reality television isn’t a reflection of what it’s like in real life. Here are some of the major differences between what you see on TV and what you may experience out in the field.
You May Not Have an Experience for Several Hours
Paranormal television shows show the best 30-45 minutes of an investigation that took place over the course of several hours, days, if not weeks. The clips you see on paranormal television shows may not have even been filmed on the same day. Usually, the first ghostly interactions happen within 15-minutes of the show’s start. This doesn’t happen in real life. And yet, I’m often asked within 30 minutes of a public ghost hunt where the ghosts are and why aren’t they talking? Well, it’s because these shows are very much a snip of a petal from a much larger flower.
It Might Be Boring
Ghost hunting television shows are exciting to watch. There’s music, dramatic clips, voiceovers, and more. This makes paranormal investigations look glamorous and dramatic. It’s not surprising that these television shows have managed to recruit most of the people in the paranormal community. But the real-life paranormal investigation isn’t nearly as interesting as what you see on TV. It’s much quieter, but it’s just as fulfilling if you set your expectations realistically.
Not Everything is Out to Get You
Paranormal reality television makes it seem like the spirits and entities are out to get the stars. But, in most scenarios I’ve encountered, the spirits are merely people. One of my favorite moments in a TV show was when the star is demanding that the spirits show themselves, and they respond with, “Do we have to?” How delightfully human is that? All in all, the entities that reside at a location are merely trying to get by in the afterlife. They aren’t the monsters you see on Scooby-Doo where they’re trying to get the stars.
Provocation Isn’t the First Thing to Do
Provocation is a jerk move, plain and simple. Yes, it’s great television and it’s entertaining. But have you seen what happens to television stars when they provoke? They get hit, bit, scratched, pushed, the list goes on. You wouldn’t walk into someone’s home and start provoking them, so how is it okay to do so during a paranormal investigation? While provoking is often used on TV, it is not the preference of most respected paranormal investigators. The only reason one provokes is to get a response. It’s not acceptable to do when one is alive, let alone doing it to someone who has since passed.
Television is Entertainment
Finally, you must remember that paranormal reality television is part of the entertainment business. Their goal is to entertain and maintain ratings. You will never see the ENTIRE story played out on camera. You’ll see snippets instead. While there may be some truth to some shows, that’s not the case with every show on TV. They have a storyboard. There are writers. A story needs to be told. What you see on a television show is the result of hundreds of pieces being put together. It’s the result of a team of dedicated filmmakers, all contributing something to the table.
Before you think I’m a complete hater of paranormal television, I’m not. Paranormal television has played a tremendous role in growing awareness of the paranormal and recruiting more people to the community. Therefore, it has value. As long as people know the difference between what they see on television and what is real-life, we’re going to be okay.
When we hear about haunted dolls, visions of Annabelle immediately come to mind. It seems that all the rage right now is haunted dolls. Whether it’s YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, having a haunted doll is the “thing” to do. I’ve read some really compelling journeys with haunted dolls, as well as fascinating videos with haunted dolls. I believe haunted dolls are great research tools and a way to study the paranormal without needing to go out for field work. In the age of COVID-19 and lockdowns, it’s an effective way to bring the paranormal home.
But there is more to buying a haunted doll than owning something spooky. I think there are things that one needs to consider before deciding to buy a haunted doll. While I haven’t owned a haunted doll myself, there is a specific reason for this. I’ve advised folks on dealing with their own haunted dolls and worked with other people with haunted dolls. Two of my favorite people on Instagram, Amanda Paulson and Cherise Williams, even conducted experiments with a haunted doll. You can check out one of the videos here.
Because I’m a skeptical believer, I must include this disclosure: There is no way to prove these considerations. This was written purely out of interviews and experiences with folks I know who own haunted dolls.
The Doll May Not Be Haunted
Depending on where you stand on the line between skeptic and believer, you may be making a risky purchase if you’re looking for a guaranteed haunted item. As you may know, we don’t have an exact science that can prove the existence of the paranormal. Therefore, “Buyer beware” resonates strongly in this area. Whether you pay $5 or $500 on a haunted object, the price is not a promise that you’re taking in a ghost.
Inviting Someone to Live with You
Okay, so let’s assume that the haunted IS indeed haunted. Have you ever had a roommate? Unless you’re in college and your roommate is assigned to you, usually you go through a process to choose your roommate. You interview people, do credit checks, and get to know the person as much as you can before they move in with you. There has to be a reassurance that there is some compatibility so that everyone who lives in the household can live in harmony. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you didn’t get to choose your roommate, then you know it’s like rolling dice. This is the situation that you will find yourself in when you purchase a haunted doll. It’s like inviting a roommate to come live with you and you don’t know whether or not you’ll get along.
It Might Not Be That Interesting
Once you have a haunted doll, it may not be haunted. Or, it might be haunted by an old woman who just wants to sit in silence. I’ve noticed a lot of people buy haunted dolls seem to want some adventure or something interesting in their lives.
Think About Your Why
You need to consider why you want to buy a haunted doll in the first place. Is it because you want to do some experiments? Are you looking for companionship? Are you simply wanting to add to your haunted collection? You need
You Have to Take Care of It
So, you have your haunted doll. Most people assume that it’s haunted child. So, let’s assume it’s a ghost child. If you have children, been a caregiver, or even just babysat kids, then you know they can be high maintenance. One of my friends who has a haunted doll treats her companion like a mother to a child. Sure, I guess you don’t have to be that intensively invested in your haunted doll as my friend. But at what cost? Is it possible that neglect might cause the spirit to feel restless and ignored? Who knows. But maintenance might be something to consider.
You Aren’t in Control
Anytime you are dealing with another person, conscious being, etc. you should understand that you’re not in control of the situation. It’s not a “master-squire” relationship where you are able to control the spirit that comes with your doll. Just like a parent isn’t in full control of their child, a friend with another friend, or a spouse with their partner, you aren’t in full control of the situation. Honestly, this is why I get skeptical of folks who say they can control the spirit in their own haunted doll. I don’t want to declare it’s not possible because this is very much a pseudoscience and nothing can be proven. But this is where my eyebrows raise.
Have a Plan
Finally, before you make your purchase, think about what your contingency plan will be. If you eventually want to part with your doll, what will you do? Will you give the doll away? Try to sell it? If you believe that the doll is causing unwanted supernatural activity, what will you do if the activity doesn’t stop once the call is gone? I don’t write this to scare anyone, but just some things to think about as you plan on making the purchase. Always have a plan.
Do you have a haunted doll? Do you want to obtain a haunted doll? What has your experience been like?
The paranormal community has mixed feelings when it comes to children and investigating. Many say that you should wait until you’re 18 before you start communicating with spirits. But many folks have their first paranormal encounters when they’re children. Also, it is commonly believed that children are more sensitive to the paranormal since they’re young and haven’t built up those walls over the years like adults. For me, I think that as long as the kids are safe, both spiritually and physically, I don’t see anything wrong with them investigating. Of course, as long as they have supervision.
We also need to remember that these kids are the future of the paranormal community. I think following and supporting the young ones in the paranormal community is especially important because they are our future. Thanks to social media, I’ve found myself interacting with a lot of kids lately (with their parents’ supervision of course) and offering them advice, answering questions, etc. They are truly a delight to talk to. I honestly wish I had this when I was a kid. I think it would have made me feel less alone.
Here are a few kids out there in the paranormal investigating world who are making a splash, kicking butt, and taking names.
Madison Smith
Madison Smith has been investigating since she was 10yrs old. Her first investigation was at the Renwick Mansion in Davenport Iowa. She first got interested in the paranormal when she was 5 yrs old by watching shows on YouTube. She has investigated some pretty awesome locations in the three years she has been investigating. Locations include Malvern Manor, Villisca Axe Murder House, Edinburg Manor, Farrah School House, Mineral Springs, Eloise Asylum, and many more. She is definitely making waves in the field and on social media. Madison has already been to some of the most famous locations in the United States. She also does a podcast called Spoopy Talk, which is a true delight to listen to! She has had guests like Elizabeth Saint, Nick Groff, Daniel Klaes, Ashley Godwin, Richard Estep, Megan Deputy, Brandon Alvis, and many more. You can listen on Paranormal Buzz Radio.
Madison has caught the attention of some of the most famous paranormal investigators around the world. Between her podcast and her paranormal adventures, she’s doing some fantastic work already at such a young age. She is definitely going places in this field! 2021 is promising to be a good year for Madison, as she has some events happening, and a big event happening at the Hinsdale House.
Grace and Vivi make up the Ghosty Girlz team. They are totally rocking it on Instagram too with over 7,000 followers! Another reason why I follow them is that they focus on the Southern California area. As you all know, I grew up in San Diego and lived there until I was 27. SoCal has a special place in my heart. I love following their paranormal adventures around the area and seeing where they go. They’ve managed to grab the attention of thousands on social media, and they are already great at networking. These girls are definitely GOALS!
I recently met Kiko on Instagram when he sent me a message. At 13 years old, he just starting out with his YouTube channel and I’ve really enjoyed watching him in action. He’s from across the pond and has access to some AMAZING locations. What really impressed me with Kiko is that he has such a calm about him while investigating. His social media presence is still new, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t kicking butt. I look forward to seeing what his future holds in the field.
The list is short for now. A lot of it had to do with whether I had permission to spotlight these amazing kids by the time I published this article. I hope this won’t be the last time I write about children in the paranormal. They are definitely out there. Some need mentoring, some need a boost, and some are already doing so well that we should be taking notes and learning from them!
Counting down from ten, kissing at midnight, watching the ball drop…these are all your typical New Year’s Eve traditions. We’ve all adopted these traditions as normal, and it almost feels strange to not do them. However, many of us ring in the New Year while fast asleep in our beds because we’re too old to stay up until midnight. This is also a very “American” thing to do these days. So, I was inspired to see how other parts of the world ring in the new year, and I was not disappointed. Some countries and cultures even ring in the new year in a spooky way, which always excites me. For some people, these traditions are going to seem pretty strange, and I’m here for all of it.
Here are eleven New Year’s traditions from around the world! For some people, these traditions are strange. For others, it’s normal. If you’re looking for a way to really shake off the bad energy that encompasses 2020, you might want to give a few of these traditions a try!
I had heard about this tradition while I was in Romania during the summer of 2004. Full disclosure: I was there for a mission trip and the tradition was disclosed to me like it was some evil Satanic ritual. I know better now. I actually had to do a little digging to find more information. This tradition is so fascinating! This isn’t the only tradition that Romanians do for New Year’s Eve, but it is certainly the most interesting. Romania has so much rich tradition that pre-dates Christianity. This tradition involves animal masks, bears, and dancing. People wear animal masks like goats, horses, and bears, and dance in their houses to ward off evil spirits, many going house to house. The “Dance of the Bear” is the most popular. These animal dances symbolize death, rebirth, and prosperity.
Germany – Lead Pouring
This is some witchy, fortune-telling business and I am here for it. In some parts of Germany, people participate in a practice called bleigiessen, also known as lead pouring. They will melt a dollop of lead, and then drop it in cold water. Whatever shape the lead forms, that is what may come your way in the new year. A heart obviously means love, a crown means wealth and prosperity, a ball or star means happiness. But if a cross forms, it means that you may experience death.
Ireland – Open Doors
A few days ago, I saw a meme floating around Facebook that said that according to Irish tradition, you open your door at midnight. Upon further investigating, there’s actually much more to this tradition. You have to open your front door and your back door! Just before midnight, you open your back door to let the “Olde year out.” Then, you open the front door to let the “new year in.” While doing this, you would also greet your neighbors (since they have their doors open too) and wish them a happy new year! I have a feeling people are going to open every door and cupboard in their house to show 2020 its way out.
Ecuador – Scarecrow Burning
I read this and immediately yelled, “YAS!” Basically, to banish anything bad like unfortunate events, bad luck, ill-fortunes, etc. Ecuadorians fill scarecrows with paper and light them on fire at midnight. But these scarecrows don’t just look like scarecrows. They can look like effigies of pop culture figures, politicians, and other icons of the year. You could say they are burning all of the bad stuff from the year and cleansing it so they can start the new year anew. For extra bonus points, you can jump through the flames 12 times. I also read that men will dress in drag as the widows of the burnt effigies and ask for small change. Something tells me Ecuador will have a LOT to light on fire for 2020.
Chile – Party with the Dead
In Chile, a small town called Talca celebrates the end of the year with the dead. Meaning, they have a cemetery sleepover. It’s customary to spend the night in a cemetery during the last night of the year. It is believed that the spirits of lost loved ones are waiting for their living relatives and ready to spend time with them.
Japan – 108 Rings
If you think the traditional New Year’s Eve countdown from ten is too much, imagine counting from 108! Before the stroke of midnight, Buddhist temples will ring their bells 107 times, and then ring once more when it’s midnight. This tradition is called joyanokane. It is believed that the ringing of these bells will cleanse us from the impurities and sins from the previous year. Why 108? According to Buddhist and Japanese traditions, there are 108 evil passions that all human beings possess. Japanese folks will also enjoy a dish of toshikoshi soba noodles that are said to bring good luck and wish for long life.
Cuba – Tossing Buckets of Water
If you’re looking for a way to get rid of all that negative energy from the year, then this next one might be the answer to your prayer. In Cuba, it is customary to throw out buckets of dirty water on New Year’s Eve. The dirty water represents bad omens and negativity, thus washing away bad energy. This is all for the sake of beginning the New Year with a fresh start.
Peru – Annual Fighting Festival
This tradition technically takes place on December 25th, but it is a tradition for the new year. Each December 25th, the Peruvian province of Chumbivilcas hosts a day of fist-fighting known as Takanakuy. There’s a sporting arena all set up for fistfights between children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. Along with that, there’s music, food, drinking, celebrations, just like a holiday festival. The idea behind Takanakuy is to “put all grievances behind” before entering the New Year. This may have been used as a form of the justice system back in the day. Basically, it’s your chance to settle disputes or let out all your rage before the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. You can punch out your frustrations and start the new year with a clean slate.
Italy – Kissing Fest
In Venice, Italy, sharing a kiss with someone you love on New Year’s Eve in Piazza San Marco is tradition. In 2008, Venice hosted over 60,000 people in Piazza San Marco for the world’s largest “kiss in.” The event included concerts, fireworks, and even lessons on how to achieve the perfect kiss.
Scotland – First Footing
Scotland is very passionate about the New Year, also known as Hogmanay! The song we sing at the stroke of midnight, “Auld Lang Syne” comes from Scotland. The Scottish New Year’s tradition is believed to date back to the 8th or 9th century and brought about by none other than the Vikings. Before midnight on the night of the 31st, you had to have all of your ashes taken out, clean the house, and clear your debts before the bells toll midnight. Then there’s the tradition of “first foot” or “first footing”, meaning the first person to cross the threshold into your home after midnight. If it’s a dark-haired person with gifts like bread, coins, coal, etc. is good luck. Otherwise, a light-haired man was thought to be bad luck. I almost forgot to mention that Hogmanay also has fireball festivals to ring in the new year, which is pretty awesome.
Denmark – Breaking Plates
If you want to show your friend that you love them, smash all of your chipped plates on their front door. The more broken plates you have at your front door, the more good luck you’ll have for the upcoming year. You could say it’s like a big popularity contest with broken china.
It’s Christmas! After you’re done opening presents and enjoying a wonderful dinner, it’s time to sit down and enjoy a story. Keeping with tradition, what’s Christmas without a good ghost story session?
When I see anything to do with “Headless Horseman”, I’m immediately taken to Washington Irving’s story and images of Ichabod Crane. But this isn’t quite the same story, but it’s just as charming and spooky. Located in Suffolk, Roos Hall is reportedly one of the most haunted places in the United Kingdom. The hall dates back to the 16th century and has seen a lot of history in its time. With lots of history, come stories of ghosts and specters. Inside one of the cupboards, there are reports of the Devil’s cloven hoofprint.
There’s also a hanging tree rumored to be haunted. Also known as Nelson’s Tree, the tree was on a gibbet where multiple criminals were executed. Now to the Christmas ghost story. Every Christmas Eve, a headless horseman is seen galloping down the driveway. But that’s not all. He’s pulling a coach with four horses. The horseman and his crew rush silently towards the hall before disappearing. Why does this happen? It’s a mystery.
In December 1878 at 136 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, Edward F. Smith was dealing with a strange occurrence. You can read the original story here if you have an account with the New York Times. A few weeks before Christmas, his doorbell rang. When he went to answer the door, no one was there. Sure, maybe this was a case of Edward being the victim of doorbell dash. But then the ringing happened again. Edward checked the door again…no one. The ringing continued throughout the night with the same result; no one was there. Then, the ringing escalated to banging. But no one was at the door. This continued nightly.
Edward enlisted the help of family and friends and stationed them throughout the house, trying to find the culprit. He even sprinkled ash and flour along with the doorway and the path leading up to the door. Nothing. He also called the cops, and detectives were sent to the house. The detectives were blown away by the occurrence and they came back with reinforcements the next night. That same night, a brick was thrown through the window. But again, no one was there. Even the cops stationed outside didn’t see anything. The house was also checked for wires and anything indicating fraud. Again…nothing.
Anne Boleyn
This may be one of the most heartbreaking holiday ghost sightings. We know Anne Boleyn as the second wife of Henry VIII. Even though Henry went through so much to divorce his first wife so he could marry Anne, he still had her beheaded after a whirlwind of wrong. Anne had a hard time in life, and she truly didn’t deserve what happened to her. She grew up at Hever Castle in Kent, UK, and it seems that where she was the happiest. According to legend, every Christmas Eve, the spirit of Anne Boleyn glides over the River Eden heading towards Hever Castle.
Most paranormal investigators and researchers are familiar with the famous photos of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. But what many don’t know is that the ghost story tied to this photo is actually a Christmas ghost story. In the 1700s, Charles Townsend married Dorothy Walpole. They lived in wedded bliss until Charles started becoming paranoid that Dorothy was cheating on him. Instead of sorting through it like a rational human, Charles locked Dorothy away in Raynham Hall. He actually told her friends and family that she had passed away. Dorothy lived the rest of her days in captivity and secrecy. All she could do is wander the halls of her home. Since then, a woman in a brown tattered dress is seen around the hall.
The first report of the Brown Lady was in 1835 by Lucia C. Stone during Christmas time. One of the reports even said that they saw a woman with a glowing face and empty sockets where her eyes should have been.
Christmas time is fast approaching. For anyone who has dealt with the loss of someone they love, that loss stays with them. Because of this, grief tends to permeate harder during the holidays. Yes, there’s Christmas cheer and merriment. However, it has lately turned into toxic positivity where the grieving may feel guilty for not being festive.
Even though I’m looking for spirits throughout the year, there’s something about the holidays that just doesn’t put me in a great place.
I find myself grieving just a bit more every year. It’s another Christmas without my mom, grandma, and grandpa. I’m celebrating another Christmas after a rough year of isolation, canceled shows, canceled events, and more. People this year will be hurting more than usual because COVID-19 sucks. It’s okay to not be cheerful and to feel out those emotions.
Does this mean everyone should feel depressed during the holidays? Of course not. But if grief hits you, embrace it and feel it out. Christmas isn’t just about being positive and cheerful all the time. It’s a time to embrace all those emotions because…it’s the Christmas spirit.
Charles Dickens Felt This Way
Yes, the man who created Christmas as we knew it believed that we need to embrace the dead more than anything during the holidays. But one of these beliefs didn’t really stick to modern-day; that Christmas necessitated ghost stories. Ghost stories are not only entertaining, but they also make us reflect on our own losses and ghosts.
Did you know that in 1851, Charles Dickens lost his father, his infant daughter Dora, his sister, and his sister’s son? Yes, it was the Victorian times and death like this wasn’t uncommon. However, losing four critical members of your family in one year is a lot to deal with. Because of this tremendous loss, Dickens firmly believed that we should remember the dead during Christmas more than any other time of the year. That same year, Dickens wrote a heartbreaking essay called, “What Christmas Is As We Grow Older.” I think it’s especially appropriate for this year.
Christmas Is More than Cheerfulness
Not only did Dickens believe that we should remember the dead aggressively during Christmas, but he also believed in celebrating everything. What does this mean? It means celebrating and reflecting on not only successes but failures as well. That also includes heartbreaks, financial losses, plans abandoned, and goals unachieved. That’s a startling difference from what Christmas has become today. For me, this outlook makes more sense, and it makes me feel a bit more validated.
Since my grandma died in 2000, I’ve had this melancholy outlook on Christmas. I realized that year that she was the glue that held my entire family together. I also realized that Christmas would permanently be different. The Christmas after, I had my first devastating heartbreak. Every Christmas after, there was some devastating loss or traumatic event that seemed to damper the holidays. Since then, I always felt like I was a fraud for putting on a happy face during the holidays. Who knew I was celebrating Christmas the way Dickens intended?
Valid and Loved During This Time
This idea of completely embracing all the sides of myself during the holidays has been a challenge. It’s truly a roller coaster of emotions. I guess my reason for writing this blog is to not only tell myself but to also tell my dear readers, that it’s okay to embrace it all. You’re not a fraud for trying to fake a smile during the holidays. You’re not a grump because you’re not feeling the Christmas spirit. If anything, you are capturing the true nature of Christmas. This has truly been the hardest year we have experienced as a collective population. Grief is in the spirit of Christmas. You are valid and loved during this time.
I think one of those most beautiful, and yet sad, parts of A Christmas Carol is that Scrooge is shown shadows of his past. He is shown his broken childhood, his heartbreak, and everything that made him the person he is today. He’s faced with his hurts head-on. This was an integral part of Scrooge becoming a changed man…or in this case, healed.
Interpersonal communication is so important in the paranormal field. At some point, you have to interact with someone in the paranormal, especially on social media. As I continue to get requests to work with certain people, I’ve heard it all. I’ll be honest and say that this list mainly consists of the things that *I* am sick of hearing.
1. “A team like nothing else…”
Newsflash, if you have to promote that your team is unique or different “like no other team out there”, chances are, you’re just like everyone else. Unless you’re doing something experimental like using Jell-O and zombie squirrels as a trigger object or something. Or, you managed to recruit aliens from several different galaxies and you’re investigating other worlds. It’s okay that we’re all pretty similar. It’s fine.
2. “You’re closed-minded…”
Paranormal investigators mainly run into this when they’re debunking someone’s evidence. I find this statement so ironic because the person who usually says it is more closed-minded than the investigator. If you’re asking people for their opinions and thoughts, it’s a bit rude to clap back with statements like this. Most paranormal investigators won’t tell you what you want to hear, especially when it involves an orb.
3. “No one is an expert…”
This one…is weird. Of course, when it comes to solving the mysteries of the other side, yeah no one is an expert. But, there are experts in the field in different specialties like psychology, architecture, photography, videography, socialogy, and certain areas of history. But yet, I’ve watched people ignore some really sound advice and input because “no one is an expert.” Yeah, maybe we can’t say what a spirit is, but we can at least listen to the folks in other areas who know more than us. Especially if you’re doing residential cases and working with the general public.
4. “Ghosts don’t do that…”
So, if “no one is an expert”, then why do the same people then tell us what ghosts and spirits can or don’t do? It’s like the whole argument that spirits disappear after 200 years. I’ve had people argue with me until they’re blue in the face saying this is a thing. Based on what? There are many problems with statements like these because, even though they’re not proven, they’re being used as facts. But I thought there were no experts?
5. “It’s a demon…”
If you ever want to get a paranormal invesigator to roll their eyes harder than bread dough, say this. This is problematic for so many reasons. For one, how do you know it’s a demon? Especially if you’re just watching a video or looking at a photo. Just because something may freak you out or give you bad vibes, it doesn’t mean it’s automatically a demon. A lot of things can give us negative vibes and it’s because of our flawed personal interpretation. Yes, I said it. Sometimes we misinterpret things and go flying off the handles. It happens. But awareness of said behavior helps prevent it in the future.
6. “Well, I’ve been on TV…”
So have many many many other people. If you’re a regular star on TV, okay, yeah, I’ll give you kudos. I’m impressed by how many people get catapulted to “celebrity status” in the paranormal field because they were on a mainstream show for 30 seconds. But then again, I see this happening beyond the paranormal field. If you were an extra on The Walking Dead, you can walk into almost any fan convention and have a line to your fan table out the door.
7. “Well, I know _________”
The paranormal community is a small world. It’s likely you’ve interacted with someone who’s been on TV at least once. That’s cool and such, but it’s not a replacement for education or credibility. I know some folks who will name drop like they’re throwing rocks. I’m usually okay with that until they use it as some sort of clout or trying to assert some sort of authority. I’ve already gotten that a few times from folks who want to be a guest on my podcast.
8. “We’re a professional team…”
Everyone should act professionally in this field. Period. Yet, the paranormal field is one of the only communities I’ve encountered that throws this word around. Again, like point number seven, it’s used as clout. It even goes back to point number one like it should be something unique. It’s not. And thank goodness it’s not. There are tons of investigators out there who act professionally. Using this term has the potential to be so problematic and it causes unnecessary discord when it’s being used to seem like they’re “better” than other teams. Another bit of irony: The folks who keep bragging that they’re professional are usually not. It reminds me of that quote that says, “A lion doesn’t have to say it’s a lion.”
Are there teams out there who are unprofessional? Definitely. But it’s best to not give them your attention. They eventually fade away while tripping all over themselves on the way out.
What are you sick of hearing as a paranormal investigator?
If you think that spooky season is over just because Halloween has passed, think again! December and Christmas have more than enough paranormal elements to make it just as spooky, if not MORE spooky, than Halloween. We all know by now that there are a lot of pagan elements integrated into Christmas traditions already. Sure, that’s creepy when you think about it. But there are so many other elements about Christmas that make it supernatural. Should spooky season continue into the holidays? YES!
1. Santa Claus
What being is more supernatural than Santa Claus? I’ve always wondered about Santa. Is he a magical human being? Or is he an elemental? The fact that Santa has the ability to stop space and time so that he can deliver presents to every child around the world is nothing short of impressive. But it’s also mildly terrifying. A being with that much power can certainly dismantle society and the human race as we know it. And yet, he chooses to deliver presents instead. How lucky are we?
2. Spooky Stories Were Told in Winter
Even back before Christmas was a thing, this time of year signaled the end of summer. Mother Earth literally goes to sleep. It’s a time where nature dies, so to speak. And what doesn’t die, goes to sleep. The days are shorter and the nights are longer. Plus, it’s cold outside. There’s snow. No one is traveling, let alone going outside to see friends after dark. So, people were inside their homes much more. Think of a crackling fire and flickering candlelight. It is the perfect setting for telling ghost stories. This was a thing for several centuries even after Christmas was introduced. Even Charles Dickens called Christmas Eve, “the witching hour for storytelling.” Sure, the tradition has died off a little, but it’s making a comeback.
3. Christmas Monsters
I recently covered ten of my favorite Christmas monsters in a recent blog. Seriously, what is more paranormal than monsters, witches, goblins, and more? We have Frau Perchta, Krampus, Gryla, and more! These monsters were mainly used as incentives to behave not only during the holidays but throughout the year. Most of these monsters would come out during the 12 Days of Christmas, which I’ll be covering later in this blog. But seriously, while Halloween has its plethora of traditional monsters, Christmas monsters might be a bit scarier!
4. Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice has both scientific and spiritual significance. It happens the instant the North Pole is aimed furthest away from the sun on the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis. Also, this is the time that the sun shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. Usually, the Winter Solstice happens between December 20th and 23rd, but most celebrate it on December 21st. Spiritually, it’s a significant event for us because it signifies a shift around the world. It’s a time for rest and reflection as the Earth goes to sleep. It’s a time for personal growth and discovering yearnings within yourself.
5. Flying Reindeer
Flying. Reindeer. Let’s think about that! These reindeer pals of Santa Claus can not only fly, but they can move at super sonic speed around the world. Or, they aren’t affected by Santa freezing time and are able to trying. Either way, flying reindeer might be the most extraordinary cryptid out there. What gives them the ability to fly? Well, most people say it’s magic. But what if they were born with the ability to fly? And why reindeer? Couldn’t Santa’s sleigh be pulled by a legion of Mothman instead? Well, if you didn’t have nightmares before, that’s a doozy for you.
6. Frosty the Snowman
This is another element of Christmas that’s honestly quite terrifying when you think about it. Remember the movie, Jack Frost? Yes, a kids’ movie but also the producer of nightmares. Snowmen are inanimate objects. They aren’t supposed to come to life. That is unless you put a magic hat on it. I’ve always been fascinated by the Frosty lore because it does have significant paranormal ties. The first thing I think of is haunted objects. Could you give something a bit more life by manifesting it into reality?
7. Inhuman Entities
Inhuman doesn’t mean evil! Not to be redundant from the Christmas monsters topic, but can we talk about elves and fairies? Yes, these inhuman entities, or elementals, play a significant role during the holidays. Elves are working tirelessly in Santa’s workshop to make toys. Fairies are contributing their powers to make the season more magical. If you look up different Christmas lore, there are a ton of stories featuring inhuman entities. It’s pretty cool when you think about it. But what I find really funny is that during the rest of the year, these inhuman entities are evil and want to end us.
8. 12 Days of Christmas
We all know the famous song, but what are the 12 days of Christmas, really? Today, we know it as the time between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the Magi. But the 12 days of Christmas has several meanings to different cultures. You might notice in Christmas monster folklore that a lot of these creatures are rampant during the 12 days of Christmas. There’s a reason for this. During the olden days in some parts of the world, these dozen days were considered unholy. Therefore, these Christmas monsters had the ability to roam the Earth. In other folklore, like the Kallikantzaros, the sun stops moving. So, it seems like the 12 Days of Christmas are a holiday version of The Purge for monsters.
9. Magic
Magic is everywhere during the holidays. It’s in movies, songs, and cards. We hear “Christmas magic,” “holiday magic”, “magic of Santa Claus”, the list goes on. Why is Christmas magic more acceptable during the month of December but not for the rest of the year? I may or may not be looking at a certain religious group here. Perhaps it’s not really magic coming into play, but everyone falling for the commercialization of Christmas? I just find it ironic. It seems the holidays are a time where people are less afraid of the occult.
10. Ghosts & Spirits
Besides ghost stories being an old holiday tradition, did you know that more hauntings are reported during the holidays? Well, there hasn’t been an official study on this yet. But there should be! I can only speak for myself and my team about it. We usually get a spike in requests around the holidays. I have a theory. I urge you to take it with a grain of salt, as it is just a thought. With Winter Solstice around this time, plus, the holidays being a time for family, I think spirits want to come back and spend the holidays with their living relatives.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
These are just ten of my favorites. For more, check out my favorites list on Etsy. Why Etsy? Because I love supporting small businesses! I did include a few things from Amazon as well.
The gifts on this list include things I would enjoy as a paranormal investigator and celebrate my interests and hobbies. If you’re looking for gifts for mediums, witches, and other spiritual areas, feel free to contact me for recommendations! I hope this list inspires you in your gift-giving adventure!
Who doesn’t love a little paranormal humor? I also love, “This is My Ghost Hunting Shirt.” There are a multitude of different shirts on sites like Amazon, RedBubble, CafePress, and others. I do recommend supporting a local artist for gifts like this, which is why I’ll usually go to RedBubble instead. But Amazon has its perks with Prime and such.
A mug is a great ghost hunting gift, or better yet, a travel mug with their favorite type of coffee! You could say that ghosts and caffeine come together like peanut butter and jelly, or cereal and milk. Since your paranormal investigator will likely be fueling up with caffeine, something to help them drink it is a fun gift idea!
This hat is absolutely adorable! I love the play on the Dunkin’ Donuts logo. What I also like about this hat is that it works year round in any situation. The white color means it’s not absorbing heat, making it a great hat for exploring battlefields and going on picnics. This is a hat that can also stir up some questions about your favorite past time!
I love cats, and I love the paranormal. Full disclosure, I want this shirt! I love the design, and I love how versatile it is and comes in different styles. It also comes in a tank top, long sleeve shirt, and a hoodie! I have to say BRAVO to this shop owner because this design WINS!
In our current times, having a “ghost hunter” themed mask is a great way to express myself. Or, freak out a fellow shopper at Target. Since masks are a thing and will likely be a part of our lives for a while, why not get this awesome “I’d Rather Be Hunting Ghosts” mask? Because truly, that’s what I’d rather be doing.
If there was any product where I truly saw myself in, this is it. I often tell people that if I’m being quiet, talking about the paranormal will get me talking. Pretty soon, you’ll want me to shut up. But seriously, this is an amazing shirt for anyone with similar feelings!
I know some people feel funny about the Ouija board. Many people aren’t comfortable using it. Then we have people who love it, love the design, or just appreciate Ouija as a whole This is why I’m recommending this Ouija tumbler. It’s great for drinking your coffee during those long nights of ghost hunting for sure!
I left the most expensive item for last. But, it could also be the most valuable. Paranormal investigators are faced with the unknown during every investigation. You never know what you might run into! I found this gorgeous protection bracelet set, and it’s made with black onyx. Many believe black onyx can absorb and transform negative energy, as well as prevent the drain of personal energy.
When we think of Christmas, images of lights, Christmas trees, cookies, presents, snow, and Santa Claus flood the mind. We think of the holidays as the “most wonderful time of the year.” Rarely do we think of spooky things. Thanks to the Puritans and Halloween, scary entities like ghosts and monsters are typically kept to the fall. But, in parts of Europe, Christmas monsters are not only an integral part of the holidays, they play a starring role.
The holiday season in Europe, not only includes Christmas, but also the 12 Days of Christmas. They are seen as the 12 days between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the Magi.
In some parts of the world, the 12 days of Christmas were seen as unholy days. This would be when Christmas monsters would be able to come out back in the olden days.
Let’s take a look at ten Christmas monsters to make your Christmas more spooky!
The Kallikantzaros
The Kallikantzaros are from Southeastern European and Anatolian folklore. Their lore is so interesting! Throughout the year, the Kallikantzaroi spend their days trying to cut down the World Tree in the underworld. They use this big saw and work together nonstop. But then, during the 12 Days of Christmas, or when the sun stops moving, the Kallikantzaroi come to the Earth’s surface. While here, they wreak havoc on sinners! They are even known to sit on the door frames outside brothels and attack sinners as they leave. By the time they return to the underworld, the World Tree healed itself. Thus, the Kallikantzaroi start all over trying to cut down the World Tree.
Krampus
As mentioned in this video, Krampus was my gateway Christmas monster. The day before St. Nicholas Day, Krampus and St. Nick go to houses and give away presents or punishment. St. Nicholas will reward the good children with presents. Krampus will “reward” the naughty children in the most terrifying way. He will beat them with birch sticks, put them in a basket, and take them to hell. If you look at the Germanic lore of Krampus, he will actually EAT the naughty children. This seems to be more effective than Elf on the Shelf, right?
Lussi
Lussi is from Norway and Sweden, and she’s another one you don’t want to mess with. Today, Lussi is portrayed as a beautiful woman in a white sash, and St. Lucia’s Day is on December 13th. St. Lucia is seen as angelic, and pleasant. But just a few centuries earlier, Lucia was known as Lussi, and she wasn’t quite so nice. Back then, Lussi is portrayed as a hideous demon who travels by broomstick with her legion of demons, trolls, and other evil spirits. If you aren’t tucked safely into bed, Lussi and her crew would kidnap or kill you!
Frau Perchta
While Krampus was my first love, Frau Perchta is my current love. To be honest, she makes Krampus seem a bit soft. Frau Perchta is the upholder of cultural taboos, especially when it comes to spinning and weaving. You should have your spinning done by Christmas. Plus, eat fish and gruel on Frau Perchta‘s feast day. If you haven’t finished your spinning, or abide by Frau Perchta’s feast day, there’s hell to pay. During the 12 Days of Christmas, she roams the countryside going into homes. She will know immediately if you’re naughty or nice, finished spinning, and ate fish and gruel. If you’re nice, you get a coin. If you’re naughty, she will slit your belly open, take out your insides, and stuff you with garbage and straw.
Straggele
The Straggele are the helpers of Frau Perchta in Switzerland. That’s right, she has groupies! The Straggele are a band of demons that help Frau Perchta during the 12 Days of Christmas. They love feasting on leftovers during this time. If you don’t leave out your leftovers, then they go for something much more succulent; your wallet and your children. According to lore, they will rip your children to pieces. In some variations, they will just rob the kids. In others, they throw the kids in the air while ripping them apart. #FeedtheStraggele
Grýla
If Frau Perchta is my first love, Grýla is a close second. She is a giantess from Icelandic folklore, and she can really scare some kids into behaving! Each Christmas, Grýla comes from her cave in the volcanic mountains, and she will take all of the naughty children in town and puts them in the bag. She will carry all the naughty kids back to her cave. Then, she boils them alive and eats them! The Icelandic government ended up banning the use of Grýla to get kids to behave. She’s also the mother of the Yule Lads, who you will meet next!
The Yule Lads are a band of brothers you don’t want to mess with. These thirteen brothers wreak havoc in the nearby village. They come to town one by one, visiting kids during the thirteen days before Christmas. Children leave their shoes out on window sills and each Yule Lad will leave a present in their shoe. If the kid is naughty, they will get a potato. The Yule Lads will also cause chaos based on the name. For example, Spoon Licker will lick spoons. Window Peeper will peep into widows and steal stuff inside. Sausage Swiper steals sausages.
Also known as the Yule Cat, Jólakötturinn is Grýla’s house cat. Remember, Grýla is a giantess, which means that Jólakötturinn is a giant cat! It is a black cat that prowls the countryside on Christmas Eve that eats anyone who isn’t wearing at least one new piece of clothing. If you’ve ever wondered where the tradition of Christmas jammies and Christmas socks came from, this might be connected. The oldest written account dates back to the 18th century and may have been used to motivate people to finish their chores by Christmas. Why? The reward was for new clothes.
Belsnickel
via DenofGeek
You might know who Belsnickel is if you’ve watched The Office. Belsnickel has many of the same characteristics as Krampus, but he’s not as scary. He’s a crotchety old-man dressed in fur who works alongside Saint Nicholas. He will bring presents for good children and whipping naughty children. He may be based on Knecht Ruprecht. What’s interesting is that he has also been known to wear a mask with a long tongue, which sounds like Krampus.
Mari Lwyd
Mari Lwyd is a delightful custom in South Wales. To put it very simply, Mari Lwyd is a Christmas zombie horse that wants to eat and drink everything in your house. As you can see in the picture, dressing up as Mari Lwyd involves a horse’s skull on a pole while the person is hiding under a cloth. During Christmas, Mari Lwyd stands outside your door and sings songs to get inside. The person living inside has to respond with their own song. This back and forth of singing continues until someone relents. If it’s the homeowner, Mari Lwyd gets to raid their pantry and drink all of their beer.
