Have you ever noticed that most people who investigate the paranormal develop some type of sensitivity? It seems like everyone “feels” energy in a room or can “sense” a presence in a space. They will tell you a space “feels” haunted or they see a specific person in the shadows that no one else sees. Clearly, not everyone is a medium or sensitive so why do people who investigate the paranormal start to say they can feel changes in a space? I have a couple theories on this. 

First, many people are sensitive to environmental changes. We actually have innate senses that keep us safe from predators such as sharp hearing, keen eyesight, and the ability to sense low level frequencies. In addition, some people are sensitive to changes in the temperature while others have a great sense of smell. People with tinnitus may experience pressure changes differently than others and some people can tell when the EMF of a space is off because the hair raises on their arms or they suddenly get a headache. These types of sensitivities are not paranormal and do not lead to ghost detection. These are common environmental sensitivities. I don’t want to downplay these simple senses as they are useful and can be used in investigation but they do not increase the likelihood that someone will encounter a ghost. 

Second, people who investigate the paranormal may be susceptible to mimicking the talk of sensitives. Surely, if some people can “feel” the space as being “haunted” then everyone can feel that, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. It sure would make investigating easier if we all had a paranormal sense that would alert us to the presence of the dead, but we don’t. In my experience, there are very few people who have tapped into the portion of their mind that can sense something “other”. These individuals often find it frustrating and a bit annoying. They can sense something that others cannot or things appear for them when they are not searching for it. 

With all of that said, I don’t want people to think they aren’t bringing important skills to an investigation. Maybe you understand technology and can build things. Perhaps you are good at interviewing people or conducting interesting EVP sessions. Others have great hearing and can pinpoint where and what sounds may be present in a space. All of those environmental sensitivities can be used in one way or another to understand a “haunted” location. Just because you don’t “see” or “hear” ghosts doesn’t mean you can’t be a good investigator. This is one of the reasons why we work in teams. We bring our collective skills together to gather the most information possible. No one person is more important than the other. 

So, next time you feel the urge to say you “feel” something, ask yourself if this is a true “feeling”. Maybe you are experiencing an environmental change. These changes are important to note but they do not mean anything paranormal is occurring. I’ve caught myself many times trying to “feel” a space and I have to remind myself of the skills I bring to the investigation. I can note that the room is colder than expected or the air pressure feels different in this space. I cannot tell you that an angry ghost with a bowler hat is standing in the corner.  That’s ok. My role is to record and analyze data, conduct empathetic EVP sessions, and coordinate many onsite details throughout the investigation. I have other people to “feel” the space.  It may take time to find your investigative skills but you will find them. I hope you are proud of the skills you bring to the group and you find ways to use them with your teammates in the most effective way. 

Until next time, Happy Hunting!