Dreams

Dreams have fascinated people since the beginning of time. What are dreams, and what do they mean? Next month on my live blogtalk radio show, Joe Giaquinto and I will host a very special guest named Susie, who reads and interprets dreams. There is so much information out there on dreams, that I decided it would be a great topic for this month's written blog.

Did you know that over our lifetime we dream approximately 300,000 dreams? Everyone dreams. There's no escaping it. Adults spend about two hours of sleep time dreaming, where children spend about four hours. Since babies sleep an enormous amount of hours, they actually dream the most. Even animals can have dreams. Many a time I've seen my dog fast asleep and snoring, when suddenly her paws start moving, her eyes begin to twitch and she starts whimpering. I often wonder what it is my dog is dreaming about. With her paws moving quickly, maybe she's running after something in a big field, or dreaming of greeting me at the door.

We can dream several different dreams a night. Usually we recall only the dream we were having right before we woke up. Dreams are often forgotten quickly, so it's helpful to write them down as soon as you wake up. Later, you may be able to find out it's meaning. Dreams typically occur in color, although I've heard that it's more common for women to dream in color, while men seem to dream in black and white. It is believed that our dreams are reflections of ourselves. Dreams run parallel to the events going on in our lives, and can be quite significant.

Each dream is unique to the individual who is doing the dreaming, so no two dreams are alike. Dreams are extensions of ourselves, and we can actually learn from them. Some dreams have profound meaning, some contain symbolism, others can reveal secrets about our true selves, and some may spark creativity through writing and art. Even if dreams don't make sense to us, somewhere there is a hidden meaning or revelation. So having the ability to interpret dreams, can be a helpful tool and a wonderful gift for self-exploration. We can learn from our dreams!

Have you ever had a recurring dream? Sometimes these dreams have to do with our past lives. They can be memories that have been stored, which come forth during time of sleep, by way of dreaming. What about flying dreams? You're free as a bird. You can fly! Some believe that when this happens the dreamer has left their body temporarily in what is know as astral travel or an out-of-body experience.

Some people have precognitive dreams which can be quite disturbing to the person who is experiencing it. Basically, it is a means of seeing into the future, or seeing an event before it happens. The Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Native Americans have been known for having precognitive dreams, and they use them to foretell the future or impending doom. Through my research I discovered that a great many people dreamt of the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/ll before the events ever happened. Other people have had dreams related to medical issues or disasters, which changed their course of action, and possibly saved their lives. For example, maybe a person changed their mind about having an upcoming surgery, or maybe they avoided a dangerous plane trip or car ride because of having the dream.

Spirits who have passed on can also become part of the dream state. These dreams are often very vivid and very real. I have had countless people come up to me at lectures, wondering whether or not it was actually their loved one coming to them from the other side, or whether what they were experiencing was "just" a dream. I too, have had these dreams, and I do believe it is a visitation. When we are in a relaxed and open state of mind, such as during sleep, it is very easy for our family and friends in spirit to visit us. They are able to give us valuable messages, or simply show our love for us. These types of dreams from family members are called ADC visitation dreams, or after death communications.

There are four points that can differentiate between a visitation and a regular dream. First, an ADC dream has strong clarity and vivid detail, and can be easily described upon waking. Second, ADC dreams contain specific messages which have been given to the dreamer, even if it has been done telepathically. Examples are, the dreamer may be left with a sense not to worry, or not to feel sad because their loved one is now happy and safe. Third, the dream invokes very strong emotions both during the dream process and after waking. Relief, happiness, love and joy are some emotions that may surround you. The fourth point, is that the dream brings comfort. You can tell the dream to others or replay it in your head, but each time you do, you feel a great sense of contentment and happiness.

When you go to sleep at night, be open and receptive to the dreams you will have. Keep a paper and pen by your bedside to write down pertinent information that may bring meaning and comfort to your life. What a wonderful way to start the day.

Pleasant dreams!

Tune in on Thursday, May 26th at 10:00 PM EST when Susie will discuss and interpret dreams on "The Kerriann and Joe Show - Spirit Connection". Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/kerriannandjoeshow to listen to live or archived shows.

The Akashic Records

Paranormal investigator Joe Giaquinto and I recently attended a fascinating workshop with Scottish medium Bill Coller. The topic...The Akashic Records. Although I had heard of them, Edgar Cayce often referred to accessing the Akashic, I didn't fully understand its meaning or purpose. Mr. Coller's workshop was quite informative, and it shed new light on this interesting and often confusing subject.

Akashic is the Sanskrit word for "history", so Akashic records means historical records. Mediums refer to it as a giant spiritual hard drive, a data base which contains everything a person has ever done in life. This information is collected and stored in a type of energy registration that can be accessed by a medium. A medium is a person who can communicate with spirits from the other side through dialog. When Bill Coller gives a person a reading, he likes to give eight to ten points of evidence to prove that the communication is real. All this evidence should come together like a puzzle. It must be specific information, not general.

When a medium accesses the Akashic records, he is pulling out general background information, or flat information. It is not up-to-date. It's all in the past. So for instance, a medium can say to a person he is reading for, that "Your dad is in spirit, but while he lived on the Earth he lived in the countryside." This may be true, but it's too general and stereo-typical. A good medium will retrieve this basic information from the Akashic records, but then through dialog and communication he may say "Your dad lived in the countryside and went fishing by the river everyday. He loved the times you spent with him there." This is more specific information which definitely would prove spirit communication. The medium used the Akashic records to gain access to the background information, and then combined it with dialog and communication from the other side. The evidence is in the interaction.

The government also uses the Akashic records in what's called remote viewing. A psychic is called in to give the government intuitive information which is obtained through the Akashic records. For the government, it is used as a tool only. Nothing is real in Akashic. It has no reality, it's factual with no opinions. Simply, it's history.

The Akashic records is available to those in the spirit world as well. It shows the true picture of us. When we die, we are shown these records. We see our lives before us. Many people believe this to be purgatory. No one is punishing us for the things we've done over a lifetime, but we see what we have done and end up punishing ourselves. For example, it is very common during a reading for a spirit to come through and apologize for past actions. It wasn't until they died, that they saw what is was they did wrong. With the help of a medium, they are able to communicate with their loved ones on Earth, and say they are sorry for what they did while they were alive. They know all this information because of the Akashic records.

A medium can go into certain "file cabinets" in Akashic. For example, bereavement. How far does the medium go back in a person's bereavement file? He needs to draw out the most important loss, while encouraging that particular spirit to come through. Akashic is like TV. You go and look for a program. You know what channel it's on. You access the information on the program to find out what it's all about.

Through practice, even non-mediums can access information from the Akashic records. How do I know this? I actually did it! Towards the end of Bill Coller's workshop, he asked us to work with a partner and find out their "bucket list". We had to come up with an issue that stopped them from achieving something in their life. We were told to retrieve this information from the Akashic records. I was completely overwhelmed on how to do this. My friend Richard Schoeller, a medium and colleague of Bill Coller, came over to me and said he would assist me. He took my hand in both of his to help transfer some energy. He looked at Joe and pulled from the Akashic records "music". He then asked me to find out what that had to do with Joe. Although I was nervous, I was able to calm down and concentrate. Within seconds the word guitar kept popping into my head, so I said "guitar". Joe started to smile and Richard told me to keep going. The word teacher came to me, and suddenly I had a vision of a teacher telling Joe he'd never be good at playing guitar. I told Joe and Richard this information. It was correct. Prior to this, I had absolutely no idea that Joe had ever played the guitar. I went on to explain how Joe came to resent this teacher and how the teacher's comments to him left him without confidence, so he gave it up. Even Joe, a clairaudient medium, was amazed at what I was able to find out. My final word to him was "classical". I told him he had no intention on becoming a rock star. It was classical guitar that had interested him. I was correct once again. Both he and Richard were ecstatic that I had been able to retrieve this information from the Akashic records.

If you're interested in learning more about the Akashic records and Bill Coller's workshop, you can listen to Joe and me discussing it on blogtalk radio. We have our own show, "The Kerriann and Joe Show - Spirit Connection" which airs live every Thursday night from 10:00 - 11:00 PM EST. The show on Akashic records aired on March 24, 2011 and is available in a free download from our archive library. Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/kerriannandjoeshow.

The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln

In celebration and in memory of President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday was on February 12, I thought it would be interesting to explore Lincoln's past, as well as the ghostly phenomena which surrounds our 16th president.

There are many rumors as to the White House being haunted by former presidents, but none seem to be as popular as those surrounding President Lincoln. There are several well-documented records which claim that Abe Lincoln has made his presence known in spirit form. It's not only the White House he presumably haunts, but Ford's Theatre where he was assassinated, his old homestead, his grave site and his funeral train.

It's important to look at Lincoln's life while on the earth plane first. He served as president during an exceptionally difficult time in our nation's history. It was the time of the Civil War, and it is said that it was a period of great sorrow for Lincoln. He was often seen at the window of the Oval Office with his hands behind his back, looking out toward the bloodied battlefields across the Potomac River. He was greatly saddened by the loss of life on both sides. Lincoln's greatest toll, however, was a personal tragedy which befell his family on February 20, 1862 when his young son Willie died from an unknown illness. It is said that President Lincoln took his son's death so terribly, that Abe was on the verge of committing suicide. His wife Mary was no better. She was completely distraught.

Abraham Lincoln had a strong interest in Spiritualism early on, and after Willie's death it became even more prominent in his life. In 1842, Lincoln wrote a letter to his friend Joshua F. Speed which stated that he 'had a strong tendency to mysticism' and that he often felt compelled 'by some other power than my own will'. He claimed this power came 'from above'. Mediums frequented the White House, and many believe that through their guidance and those of the spirit world, Abraham Lincoln came to free the slaves. Seances were even held at the White House, and many Spiritualists were guests there. Lincoln claimed that Willie's spirit was with him, and he often said he could 'feel' his presence on a regular basis. Some believe that Willie's spirit lingered before crossing over to the other side because Lincoln was so obsessed with the boy's death.

Lincoln was very private about his Spiritualism, and kept his beliefs from the public. His wife Mary, on the other hand, was very open and was later criticized for her beliefs. Through mediumship the Lincolns were able to connect to their beloved Willie, which ultimately helped to ease their grief. Abe Lincoln was 'sensitive' to the spirit world and he often had visions and premonitions including that of his own death. His report of this vision, which came to him in a dream, was written down and is well documented. It occurred ten days before his assassination from John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.

As if things weren't odd enough, the body of Abraham Lincoln was buried and exhumed five times for various reasons including that of a potential grave robbery. To this day it is still unclear as to why the body had to be reburied so many times, and there is mystery surrounding the fact that perhaps Lincoln is not really in the grave he is believed to be in. His final resting place is in an underground vault, covered in concrete, in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln's wife Mary was buried in the catacomb as well. Before she died, Mary claimed to have talked to her husband everyday. She even hired a spiritual photographer to photograph her, and when the photo was developed, a faint image of Lincoln appeared behind her. At their grave sites people claim to hear weeping, footsteps and voices.

The old Lincoln homestead in Springfield is maintained by a historical society and is open to the public. There have been many reports of ghostly phenomena. Visitors have claimed to see the figure of a tall thin man holding the hand of a little boy, which is believed to be Willie. Others have felt cold spots, while some claim to have been touched by an invisible person. There have also been reports of objects moving around, music being played from unknown sources, and voices talking.

At Ford's Theatre, guests and actors alike claim to hear the haunted footsteps of John Wilkes Booth as he ran up the stairs towards the President. Some people have seen the apparitions of both Lincoln and Booth together, apparently trying to work out their differences. Strange sounds, laughter, and crying have also been reported as well as lights going on and off. From the stage, many actors have said that during performances they've seen lights mysteriously flashing in Lincoln's box which is permanently closed to the public.

As for the White House, there have been many sightings and occurrences. President Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman all claimed to have heard knocking on their bedroom doors. When the door was opened, no one was there. For reasons unknown, they all believed it to be the ghost of Lincoln. During Calvin Coolidge's stay at the White House, his wife reported actually seeing Lincoln in the Oval office. What she described was Lincoln staring out the window with his hands folded behind his back. As mentioned earlier, this was how he was often seen while he was alive. Lincoln's biographer, Carl Sandburg, claimed to 'feel a strong presence' of Lincoln in this same area, although he did not see him.

It was during Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration when the ghost of Lincoln seemed to be most active. Many say it is because both presidents were in power during a time of war. Whatever the reason may be, during Roosevelt's thirteen year occupancy of the White House many people actually saw Lincoln's ghost. Lincoln's former bedroom had been turned into a study for first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She consistently reported having the feeling that someone was watching her or that someone was in the room with her. Without a doubt, she believed this to be Lincoln. One of Eleanor's maids actually saw Lincoln sitting on one of the beds in the White House, pulling off his shoes.

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was a guest at the White House during Roosevelt's time. She claimed to be awaken from sleep by a knock at her bedroom door. When she got up and opened the door, she saw the ghost of Lincoln standing before her, staring at her. She actually fainted from the site of him, and when she finally woke the apparition was gone.

One of the best stories I've heard has to do with Sir Winston Churchill's White House stay. Apparently Churchill was very into taking long baths. On one occasion he climbed out of the bath and walked naked into the adjoining bedroom. To his utter surprise, Abraham Lincoln was standing by the fireplace leaning on the mantle and staring at him. Churchill, who was never at a loss for words said, "Good evening Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage." The ghost smiled, looked away and then disappeared.

Things seemed to calm down after that, and since the Truman administration there have been less reports. During Truman's stay at the White House there was extensive remodeling done on the home. Perhaps Lincoln didn't like the changes. However, Lyndon B. Johnson claimed to have spoken to Lincoln's ghost, and Ronald Reagan's daughter Maureen and her husband saw 'a transparent figure' several times in Lincoln's old bedroom.

Lastly, Lincoln's ghostly funeral train was seen for years by hundreds of people. At the time of his death there was a great demand for the public to see his body, so a special funeral train carried him from Washington through New York State and then west to his hometown of Springfield, Illinois. The trip took over two weeks because of the number of cities it stopped in. In total, over two million mourners filed past the open coffin. From that time on, every April two trains have been seen marking the anniversary of Lincoln's death. One ghostly train pulls a line of black-draped railroad cars, while the other train pulls a flatbed car on which Lincoln's casket rests.

The stories and mysteries surrounding our great president are endless. I've only touched upon them here. For reasons unknown, Abraham Lincoln's spirit has continued to visit the earth plane. As fascinating as this is, it is important to remember the president that he was, and the important role he played in the development of our country.

This story of Abraham Lincoln is dedicated to my nephew Peter.

Auras

I never gave much thought to auras until two separate women came up to me at a lecture claiming to see my aura. It was the fall of 2008, and Ghosts of Long Island II: More Stories of the Paranormal had just been released. I had thirty speaking engagements lined-up over the course of a little over three weeks, and I was getting substantial media attention. I was completely engulfed in my book tour. I've always been comfortable lecturing, and it's something I truly enjoy. Having given so many lectures that particular season, I knew the material I was presenting quite well, and I was at ease. My overall passion for the subject matter prepared me for the weeks ahead.

Midway through my lecture series I was at a very small library in Glen Cove, NY. The area where I would be speaking was small, so I knew to expect a small group of listeners. It suited me fine. I had been speaking to groups ranging from forty to a hundred people, and I was looking forward to the intimacy a small group provides. Fifteen to twenty people showed up, and I could tell by the expressions on their faces that they were interested in what I was talking about. During the question period toward the end of the lecture, we had a wonderful discussion in which everyone was interacting. I can't tell you the happiness I receive when people "get" what I'm talking about. I love making a difference in people's lives through my stories and research. I felt truly in my element that night. Well, that energy must have shown through, because during the book signing portion of the evening, two women who did not know each other, nor were they sitting near each other, claimed to see an aura glowing around my head toward the end of the lecture. I was completely surprised and thrown off guard. I had never had anyone tell me that before, and at the time I really didn't know what to make of it. It was from that point on, that I became interested in auras.

An aura is an electromagnetic field that surrounds and radiates off people, animals and even plants. This auric energy, as it is also known, usually extends anywhere from two to three feet above the head, but can also appear below the feet. An aura is not easily seen, but people can be trained to see auras in themselves and others. Clairvoyants can often see these energy fields and can interpret their meanings.

A person's emotional state of mind and/or state of health can come through an aura, although it cannot be proven scientifically. It is believed there are seven levels or layers of auras, and each layer affects the others. The layers link emotions, feelings, behavior, health, spirituality and even divinity. That is why angels and saints are so often depicted with a glowing aura around their heads.

People have been encountering auras for centuries, and it dates back to Rome, Greece, India and Egypt. The aura is very subtle and can come and go quickly. Auras also come in many colors. It is said, that the more vibrant, colorful and brighter the aura, the more spiritually advanced the person. If the aura is very muddy looking, showing colors of brown, gray or black, it can mean health problems, emotional unrest, depression, disease or a dark personality. The one good thing is that auras can change depending on what is happening in a person's life. If the aura's energy is very uniform, the healthier and more balanced the person is in most areas of life.

There are many meanings and interpretations to the various colors which appear as auras. Red is probably the least favorite to appear, because oftentimes it represents a person who is angry, unforgiving and materialistic. This is not true in all cases. A deep red color can symbolize being grounded, powerful, and having lots of energy and will-power. Oranges and yellows appear above creative, detail oriented people or perfectionists. These people are often very uplifting, although sometimes they like to control others. They are more grounded spiritually, and they are inspired easily. Greens signify the heart both physically and emotionally. Those with greenish auras are people who are balanced, and enjoy and love people, animals and nature. They are restful and natural healers and they are very peaceful people, at ease with themselves and others. Blues represent balanced people who are calm, caring, loving and sensitive. They are also intuitive and can be clairvoyant. Purples and lavenders symbolize people who have great vision and imagination. It is not a very strong color, however, because it can also mean the person is a bit of a daydreamer who experiences fleeting thoughts and emotions. A gold aura represents divine protection and enlightenment. People with gold auras are often wise people who have inner knowledge and receive spiritual guidance. Finally, the white aura is the purest state of light and represents purity, truth, spirituality, and divinity.

There are many books out there about auras that delve much deeper into their meanings. To try to read a person's aura, you must be relaxed and calm. Look slightly past the person you are trying to read, and allow your eyes to focus on the area above the head, while still keeping the person in view. Within a few minutes, you may begin to see an aura. You can apply this same technique on yourself by using a mirror. The more you practice, the easier it will become.

Charles Dickens and the "Spirit" of Christmas

Let us be moral. Let us contemplate existence. It is customary for me to begin each of my books with a meaningful quote. It was this quote, by Charles Dickens, that I chose to use for Ghosts of Long Island II: More Stories of the Paranormal Not only did it capture the essence of my book, but it was written by a person I hold in high regard, and one who also happened to believe in ghosts.

As a writer, how could I not respect a man who was one of the most popular and successful authors in British history. Born in Portsmouth, England in February of 1812, Charles Dickens wrote over fifteen novels, some of his most memorable being, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and of course, one of the most famous of all, A Christmas Carol, which he wrote in 1843. Dickens was known for his memorable characters and rich storytelling. In A Christmas Carol we are introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge and three infamous ghosts: the Ghost of Old Marley, the Ghost of Christmas Past, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Ghost stories at Christmas? Who would have thought? However A Christmas Carol became one of Dickens most well-known stories, one which has been turned into plays and movies continuously since its debut. This creative work has become part of our holiday traditions today.

What many people don't know, is that Charles Dickens had a fascination with ghosts, thus he chose to use them as subjects in many of his lesser known works, both in his novels and short stories. The Signal-Man, Pickwick Papers, The Haunted Man and The Haunted House are several examples where Dickens used ghosts as subjects. He was absolutely fascinated with them, and he simply loved a well-told ghost tale.

In 1862, The Ghost Club was officially founded in London, and Charles Dickens was one of its earliest members. Its roots go back to Trinity College in 1855, when discussions of ghosts and psychic phenomena were prevalent. Today, The Ghost Club remains to be one of the oldest paranormal organizations in the world associated with psychical research. It's primary focus is on "debating, exploring and investigating" ghosts and hauntings, and its membership spans the world. In the 1870's, following the death of Dickens, The Ghost Club dissolved, but was relaunched in 1882.

Although Charles Dickens was interested in ghosts and visiting some of England's ghostly hot spots, he surprisingly wanted nothing to do with spiritualism which was at the height during the later part of Dickens career. Some believed that Dickens was quite the skeptic and did not truly believe in the paranormal and communicating with the deceased. Most of the evidence I have come across leads me to believe that he did in fact, truly believe in ghosts.

Dickens final novel was The Mystery of Edwin Drood,which was left unfinished because Charles died before he could complete the ending. His poor character Drood had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. No ending to the book could be found. Not long after Charles' death, a medium reported that Mr. Dickens had come to him and dictated the rest of the unfinished novel. Of course it could not be proven, but it created quite a stir, to say the least.

The spirit of Charles Dickens and his wonderful works live on, as does the spirit of Christmas as told to us by Ebenezer Scrooge. So during this holiday season I leave you this quote...

"Ghost of the Future," he exclaimed, "I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?"- A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year....

Spirit Guides

Many people are confused when it comes to understanding spirit guides. What exactly are they and why do we need them? First off I'd like to explain that spirit guides are not angels or deceased family members, nor are they ghosts. According to psychic medium Sylvia Brown, who has written several books on the subject matter, spirit guides are "advanced entities who exist on a very high vibrational level". They work with both God and the person they have been chosen to follow on the earth plane. It is said that a soul often picks their guide before being born. That guide remains with us throughout our earthly life. They are with us during birth, and they are with us when we die. They help us to cross over and make the transition to the other side easier.

Spirit guides differ from angels. The spirit guides give advice and guidance throughout our lifetime, usually by sending messages and information to the subconscious mind. We all have angels as well, but the goal of the angel is to protect and heal, and bring us divine messages from God. Angels are celestial beings where spirit guides are entities who have at some point lived life on the earth plane. It is because of this that they are able to understand and relate to human problems.

Our loved ones who have passed are also with us and guiding us, but they are not the same as spirit guides who are exceptionally wise. Angels, spirit guides, and loved ones are all there for us during our earthly journey. With all this help one would think we'd have an easier time in life! It is important to remember, however, that we were given free will to live our lives. No beings from the other side can make changes for us, they can only guide, suggest and support. It is up to us to believe that they are a part of our lives and that we can call upon them. We need to be open to allow the flow of communication. Just because we may not hear or see a spirit guide, it doesn't mean they are not there. They are always with us, and that should bring us some comfort.

What we may believe to be our own thoughts can actually be our spirit guides communicating with us. For instance, everyone has experienced that nagging voice inside your head saying, "You really should call so-and-so". It's on your mind so much that you finally call and you find out that person really needed you or they were in trouble. Sixth sense? Perhaps, but it could be your spirit guide giving you a gentle nudge to tell you to make the call...somebody needs you.

It is said that we plan our own life's course before we are born. What we do in this life depends on the level we're at spiritually and the lessons we need to learn. The spirit guide works with us on planning this course and helps us to follow through. They watch over us like a trusted friend.

Sometimes spirit guides can appear to us in a dream and give us messages. Children, at a young age, may experience their spirit guides. Children are more open to communication when a guide makes itself know. This can sometimes be a child's "imaginary" friend which isn't really imaginary at all. Also, it doesn't matter what religion you are. Everyone has a spirit guide helping them along life's journey.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about spirit guides, I highly recommend you read Sylvia Browne's book "Contacting Your Spirit Guide". It's a fascinating study on how to go about recognizing and communicating with your spirit guide. She tells not only her own fascinating encounters, but she reveals amazing stories her readers have shared with her.

So if you're having a rough day, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Besides God, we have our very own fleet of "helpers" in the forms of angels, our loved ones and our spirit guide.

Ghost Hunting Tools of the Trade

It's my busy time of year, and I've been spending the last two weeks of October lecturing on Ghosts of Long Island II: More Stories of the Paranormal. I give lectures year round, but due to the nature of my books, things tend to get a bit busy around Halloween. During my lectures I often get asked what kinds of tools or ghost hunting equipment do paranormal investigator Joe Giaquinto and I use during our investigations.

There are many tools-of-the-trade, but Joe and I choose to use only a few. We mainly rely on our own intuition, but there are a few items which come in handy while we're working. Our two main pieces of equipment are our digital cameras and our digital recorders. Digital cameras are great for getting orb photos, and we've even captured an apparition or two. Digital recorders are used for getting EVP's, Electronic Voice Phenomenon. When Joe first told me about EVP's I thought he was crazy. Spirits can leave a message on a recorder? It seemed hard to believe. I wasn't convinced until I received a Class "A" EVP during my first interview with a couple in Greenlawn, NY. Right there in the middle of our conversation, was the voice of a little girl in spirit who said "hold me" in a loud whisper. I almost fell off my chair when I heard it! Although Joe is clearly the expert when it comes to EVP's, I'm proud to say I've capture several more over the years.

For Ghost II I started using an Electromagnetic Field Indicator, more commonly known as a ghost meter. The meter is designed to pick up energy, or electronic fields, at various frequencies. If you are away from an electrical source in a particular area, and all of a sudden your meter starts beeping and going wild, chances are there is a ghostly disturbance taking place. Spirits use energy to manifest themselves. The EMF detector can help capture this. Once the area of the energy source has been determined, you can then use your camera and photograph with the hope of capturing a ghostly image or orb. Use your digital recorder too, and ask the spirit who he is and if he's willing to say something. Ghost meters simply lead us in the right direction. They are fairly inexpensive and can be found and purchased online.

Joe Giaquinto on occasion will use divining rods, also known as dowsing rods. It works similar to the ghost meter in that it locates energy sources and paranormal activity. The history of the diving rods goes way back. Its use during paranormal investigations is relatively new. These L-shaped metal rods were used for centuries as a way of finding underground water. In fact, it is still used to find water today. Other uses for the rods have included locating treasures or minerals. They have even been used for determining the sex of an unborn child. When used by a paranormal investigator, the short end of the rods are held loosely, while the longer ends point out, away from the body. As one walks around, the rods will point in a particular direction. The investigator will follow until the rods cross, which means the source of the energy has been found. To confirm it is actually a ghost being tracked, the paranormal investigator will often use the EMF detector in conjunction with the diving rods. If the EMF detector also shows an energy source, chances are you are dealing with paranormal activity.

The Ouija board is a tool I do not recommend for the inexperienced ghost hunter. What appears to be simple play, can often have a very negative impact. A Ouija board is a powerful tool that can create a vortex for all kinds of spirits to enter. Many of these spirits can be strong or menacing entities. The Ouija board is not something I feel comfortable using for these reasons. There are so many better ways to communicate with spirits which bring about positive results.

In short, Joe and I travel light when it comes to equipment. Many of the paranormal groups you see on television use a vast array of tools and technology. These may include such items as night vision equipment, thermometers and infrared thermal scanners. More equipment doesn't always mean more results however, and Joe and I stick to the fact that your own intuition is often your best tool.

In closing, anytime one is searching for ghosts it is important to remain upbeat and positive. Most of all show the spirits respect. After all, they are people just like us who have simply moved on to the next realm. We have found the more respect you have, the more the spirits will work with you, and the more you will discover. So happy ghost hunting, and have a wonderful Halloween!