How to Ghost Hunt

A ghost hunt is something of a misnomer, since no one has ever actually captured a ghost. However, paranormal investigators often hunt for signs of a supernatural presence, seeking irrefutable evidence that, as Shakespeare said, "there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy." You can ghost hunt with little more than an open mind and a willingness to conduct research, if you follow a few careful steps.

Things You'll Need

• EMF meters
• Digital thermometers
• Audio recorders
• Cameras and video cameras

Instructions

1. Research the site where you intend to conduct your ghost hunt. You want to know as much as possible not only about the site, but about the ghost said to frequent there, the ghost's identity and history in life, previous supernatural incidents and the form which any past manifestations have taken.

2. Scout out the location and get a good feel for it before you begin a ghost hunt. If the property is privately held, approach the owners politely and ask for permission to visit there. You should also check the area for any dangerous spots such as deadfalls or loose floorboards, and make sure you and anyone with you knows about them before you go stumbling over them in the dark.

3. Determine the best time to hunt for your ghost. Specifics vary according to individual hauntings. Most ghosts will appear at night, but some come at all times of the day, and certain experts also claim that the "magic hour" at dusk or dawn is most conducive for spirits to enter our world.

4. Gather any equipment you may need. Theoretically, you need only warm clothes and an ability to observe, but if you are serious about hunting your ghost, you may want to include devices to help detect it, such as EMF meters and digital thermometers, as well as cameras and audio recorders to collect evidence of manifestations. A few flashlights couldn't hurt either, especially if you're conducting your hunt after dark. You can purchase them at online sites such as Strange Happenings and Ghost Mart (see Resources below).

5. Arrive in time to set up your gear and to find the best place to wait for the ghost. If you are recording, you should set up your cameras to capture as wide an area as possible, and if you have more than one person along, you can split up to make sure someone is watching anywhere the ghost might appear. Make sure you cover every spot where the ghost is likely to manifest.

6. Stay quiet and keep your eyes open. When you hunt a ghost, you need a great deal of patience. It might not appear for many nights, if at all. Wait quietly while you keep vigil, but stay alert and watch for any signs of the ghost's presence.

7. Keep a diary of everything you see, even if it seems incidental. Write down the time and date of any sounds, visions or incidents, and try to describe them as objectively as possible.

8. Record anything which appears, be it with the cameras, audio recorders or electromagnetic detectors. Tangible evidence is the ultimate goal of any ghost hunt and the more solid information you can retain and present, the easier it will be to prove the existence of a ghost.

Tips & Warnings

• Dress appropriately whenever you wish to hunt a ghost, especially if it's in an outdoor locale such as a cemetery. Wear warm clothes to protect against the chill and a pair of good sturdy shoes to help you move quickly if need be.

Resources

• Strange Happenings.org for gear to hunt ghosts.
• Ghost Mart for ghost hunting tools.