A haunting can seem like a nightmare scenario straight out of a horror movie. Doors slamming unaccountably, whispered voices and the feeling of being watched can make anyone feel spooked. But while ghosts often get a bad rap, they can be friendly and helpful.
The classic signs of a haunting are footsteps in an upstairs hallway that you can’t explain, a voice calling out your name or the feeling that someone is following you. Unexplained smells – such as cigar smoke, perfume or coffee – can also indicate the presence of spirits. More extreme phenomena are known as poltergeist activity and can include objects flying off shelves, moving or levitating furniture and even physical assaults like slaps and hard shoves. These types of phenomena are rare and usually accompanied by shadows or full-bodied apparitions.
Another sign of a haunting is erratic fluctuations in temperature. This is because ghosts use energy and can pull it from the environment, which can cause sudden drops in temperature. You may also experience flickering lights and shadows that move when you change the light’s position. However, these aren’t always a sign of a haunting as they could simply be caused by environmental factors such as dust or methane gas.
If you’re experiencing these types of activities in your home, try to talk to the spirit and lay down ground rules – just as you would with a disruptive houseguest. For example, say to the spirit that your kids can’t play in the basement or that you don’t want it to mess with electronics.