Try our new Library of Things kit to add some extra spook to your season!
Have you ever wanted to see if those creaks in your attic are a spirit, or check if there are apparitions in your aunt's 200 year-old house? Check out one of the newest kits in our Library of Things! For those wishing to do some paranormal investigations, we have added a Ghost Hunting Kit to the collection at Southeast. This kit includes a Spirit Box, EVP recorder, EMF meter, infrared thermometer, motion light balls, and a red spectrum flash light. Keep reading to discover how each piece is used by a ghost-hunting team.
While the art of paranormal investigations dates back to at least 1534, it became popular in the Victorian era when the new genres of gothic and mystery fiction along with the Spiritualist movement brought the practice into the mainstream. Modern pop culture and ghost hunting TV shows have again made the supernatural so well known that even the most casual appreciator knows about monsters and ghosts. Our kit follows the modern trend of trying to find scientific proof of paranormal activity.
The Tools:
The ghost hunting tools are split into two groupings, communication and detection. The detection pieces will help you pinpoint an entity, while the communication pieces will help you, well, communicate with them.
EMF Meter
An Electromagnetic Field Meter is a typical device carried by electricians to detect faulty wiring, but for ghost hunting, it is used to detect entities. Based on the theory that ghosts are made of energy, fluctuations in the magnetic field could be attributed to the appearance of a spirit. The EMF device will pick up these fluctuations, but be careful as there can be a manmade or natural source for the readings. This device is typically used in conjunction with others in the kit, and is used as evidence of paranormal activity.
Infrared Thermometer
Another data point that may alert you to an entity is temperature changes, detected with the use of an Infrared Thermometer. Cold spots are often reported in haunted locations, and are attributed to the appearance of a ghost. This thermometer can read ambient room temperatures, as well as the surface temperature of furniture and structures. This again, is used to detect and pin point a spirit and is used in conjunction with other devices to provide documentation of a spirit.
Motion Light Up Balls
A low tech, but very entertaining bit of the Ghost Hunting Kit are the Light Up Balls, which may help a spirit indicate their presence. The only item in the detection portion of this kit where spirits would intentionally trigger the device, these balls (once set) will light up when moved by an entity. To use them, simply press the button and leave the balls in an area with reported activity. If the balls light up on their own, you can hope that a spirit is present. They are also really fun for cats.
Spirit Box
A Spirit Box is a communication device that quickly scans through radio frequencies. This creates a continuous sweep of short phrases or single words through a background of static. During an investigation, hunters will use the device during an questions & answer session with presumed spirits. Theoretically, entities can manipulate the sweeping signal to emphasize specific words or phrases to respond to the investigators questions.
If you want to take the investigation up a notch, employ this device in the Estes Method, where one person will don a sleep mask and headphones connected to the Spirit Box to deprive themselves of external sensory input, including the other hunters in the room. As the other investigators ask questions, the person listening to the device will repeat any words or phrases they hear.
EVP Recorder
Another communication device is the digital audio recorder, which is used to catch electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) and is a general way to review the investigation. To catch EVPs, a ghost hunter will find a quiet area where there is reported activity and leave the recorder turned on. They may or may not ask questions, but it is integral to minimize outside noise and movement. Afterwards, the investigator will listen to the playback to listen for any unexplained voices or sounds.
Red Spectrum Flashlight
The last item in our kit is not used for the detection or communication with spirits, but is instead a safety mechanism for you, dear person. The flashlight is to help you move around in the dark, but is red light tp preserve your night vision. This will help you not bump into things, but will keep your eyes ready to see that apparition.
Now that you know how to use all of the items in our kit, there are a few extra things that you may want to include from your own home.
- Pen and notebook: to record any observations without speaking. This will be helpful when you are listening for EVPs later, and can reconcile your personal notes with anything you hear on the recording.
- Smartphone or other camera: to take pictures and/or videos during your investigation. This can record apparitions or spirit orbs that you might not see with the naked eye, and provide evidence of a ghost.
- Walky-talkies: to communicate with your team in case you want to split up while investigating.
- Headphones and eye mask: if you desire to employ the Estes method while using our Spirit Box, you will need to supply your own noise cancelling headphone and an eye mask.
- Thermal imager: this is another detection device that can signal both cold spots or the outline of an apparition. Luckily we have one in our collection at Eastover if you don't have one handy.
Happy Ghost Hunting!
