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We don’t usually think of games when we consider the paranormal. The paranormal is something to be investigated, researched and taken seriously, not trifled with in something as frivolous as what we’d consider a “game.” We’re not talking about the harmless games children play at Halloween or even the various paranormal-themed action and role-playing computer games available. We’re talking about the games that are played in the dark of night that truly can be paranormal in nature and have unexpected, even terrifying results. Games such as “Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board,” the Ouija board, “Bloody Mary” and spoon bending seem to be favorites of teenagers particularly.

At parties, sleepovers and when the opportunity arises to sneak into an abandoned or rumored-to-be-haunted building, these games are very often played. Teens like them not only because they challenge the unknown, but also for the same reason they love horror and slasher movies – they like to be scared. Adults and paranormal researchers usually discourage such games – particularly the Ouija and Bloody Mary – because of the negative psychological impact they can have on the participants. Whether the game players are merely scaring themselves or they really are tapping into negative realms, many researchers advise that these “games” are best left alone. And for that reason, we cannot recommend their practice. Light as a Feather and spoon bending are more harmless and may have a scientific basis, but some argue that any game that has elements of the unknown should be avoided. People, play them at their own risk.

Bloody Mary : The conjuring of Bloody Mary has been a favorite way for teenagers, girls in particular, to scare themselves silly. The appearance of the Bloody Mary spirit has become the stuff of urban legend, yet many have testified that she really does appear. Basically, the ritual goes like this: stand in a darkened or lightless room where there is a mirror. Stare into the mirror and chant “Bloody Mary” 13 times. The gruesome spirit of Bloody Mary will appear behind you in the mirror...

What is electronic voice phenomena? : Electronic voice phenomena - or EVP - is a mysterious event in which human-sounding voices from an unknown source are heard on recording tape, in radio station noise and other electronic media. Most often, EVPs have been captured on audiotape. The mysterious voices are not heard at the time of recording; it is only when the tape is played back that the voices are heard. Sometimes amplification and noise filtering is required to hear the voices. Some EVP is more easily heard and understood than others. And they vary in gender (men and women), age (women and children), tone and emotion. They usually speak in single-words, phrases and short sentences. Sometimes they are just grunts, groans, growling and other vocal noises. EVP has been recorded speaking in various languages. The quality of EVP also varies. Some are difficult to distinguish and are open to interpretation as to what they are saying. Some EVP, however, are quite clear and easy to understand. EVP often has an electronic or mechanical character to it; sometimes it is natural sounding. The quality of EVP is categorized by researchers: Class A: Easily understood by almost anyone with little or no dispute. These are also usually the loudest EVPs.  Class B: Usually characterized by warping of the voice in certain syllables. Lower in volume or more distant sounding than Class A. Class B is the most common type of EVP. Class C: Characterized by excessive warping. They are the lowest in volume (often whispering) and are the hardest to understand...

© Skeptical Inquirer,  by Joe Nickell

The word Poltergeist is German for 'Noisy Spirit' and this particular phenomenon has been recorded for many years. This is probably the most destructive and terrifying of all paranormal activity. British paranormal investigator, Harry Price didn't hold back his objectives. Price stated that poltergeist can be cruel and spiteful. He also stated ghosts seem to haunt where poltergeists infest. There is a possibility that the haunting phenomenon and the poltergeist phenomenon may not be related, however, there does not seem to be enough scientific evidence for such a theory. Some scientific establishments refer to poltergeist activity as being caused by a suppression of sexual energy which is often found in adolescents.

Poltergeist are known to have attempted communication audibly or by writing, even though most messages are malicious. The most common question is that, do these incidents occur from a single entity or from within the witnesses themselves? Children have been known to have been attacked or maimed by unseen forces, and also injured by flying projectiles. Houses have been plagued with a constant pelting of small rocks and stones. Formings are also known to have occurred during this type of activity such as, water, oil, tar and even on the odd occasion blood. Most haunting's refer to haunted places; poltergeists have been described as haunted people. The extra-ordinary and often destructive action of poltergeists is usually attributed to one person around whom the phenomenon focuses. This has given rise to the theory that poltergeists are either internally generated by people in a state of stress or that external discarnate entities are able to latch on to one particular person through whom they then act. By its nature,

poltergeist activity is probably the most frequently reported type of haunting and is a world wide phenomenon which dates back centuries beyond centuries.

The 'traditional' or non-SGHA Ghost Hunter still believes the turn of the century myth that poltergeist activity are caused by hormonal reactions of a young female having psychological problems. This turn of the century belief has never been proven nor is it accepted by those of us in SGHA.
It seems that the parapsychologist and psychologist have quickly jump on this bandwagon to disprove spirit activity. What does a poltergeist really mean? This is a German word for Noisy Ghost, not psychic energy because of hormones in a adolescent female. Consider: When pranks are played on a
family, such hearing footsteps, muffled voices, objects being dropped or knocking on the wall or wood, then you have experienced a poltergeist event.

The SGHA Ghost Hunter will not fall victim to the myths and folklore that is still popular among some writers who profess to be ghost hunters and continue to spread these misconceptions and representations. Most homes will have poltergeist activity at one time or another. Mostly it centers around the full and new moon for this type of activity. Children need not be presence for this activity to happen because it is not related to children, teenagers or adults, but represents spirit activity outside of our understanding.

The above article can be originally found in http://www.sgha.net/poltergeists.html