A haunting is a mysterious, eerie, and often terrifying experience. Hauntings are generally considered to be the presence or activity of a ghost, but they can also include poltergeists, apparitions, and other supernatural phenomenon. They can occur anywhere, but most commonly in houses and other buildings. A haunting can be a single event or a constant stream of events that occur over and over again. They can be seen, heard, felt and even smelled. They can be triggered by many different things including certain times of day, the weather, emotions or specific people.
A common theory is that a haunting is caused by an event that imprints itself on the atmosphere of a place. This imprint is like a stone tape that can discharge and play at random times, often as smells, sounds, or even as the famous phantom footsteps that are reported in haunted locations.
Many cultures believe that the soul or essence of a person continues to exist after death. This belief is the basis for ghosts. This spirit, or ghost, can be seen in haunted places and is usually associated with a tragic or violent past. It is also believed that a haunting can be caused by an object, such as a cursed crucifix or talisman. Magicians and sorcerers have been known to put evil spirits and djinns in antiques and other objects, and these can be released when someone unknowingly picks up the item.
A more advanced haunting is that of a poltergeist. These are generally thought to be intelligent hauntings that interact with their human counterparts and can even communicate on occasion. It is believed that a poltergeist is mostly associated with females in their teen years and is most active when the occupants are insecure, in fear or in high stress situations.