1. Poltergeists

The word literally means "noisy or racketing ghost" in German. Although some parapsychologists call poltergeists "the riff-raff of the spirit world," they are not really spirits or ghosts in the true sense of the word. Poltergeists are random energy psychokinetically generated by a living person.

Typical scenario: A house with at least one child, usually entering adolescence (although exceptions are many), is suddenly terrorized by inexplicable phenomena: ghostly knockings, broken dishes, showers of stones, mysterious fires, objects that levitate, materialize, and dematerialize. Usually disturbances end in 6 months to a year, although some families have suffered for years. Very often, towards the end of the ordeal one of the children is caught in the act of throwing an object or knocking over furniture. The authorities then state that the whole episode was caused by the child as an attention-getting device, even though it has been phenomenon.

Psychological factors: In most poltergeist cases, it has been documented that the child or individual involved often feels powerless: that there is an unresolved anger, frustration, or stressful situation in the household. This may simply be the sexual stresses of puberty. Some authorities have found that the manifestations are physically caused by a child in a disassociated state--as in a split personality case.

How to get rid of the poltergeist: WARNING Exorcism or house blessing is not effective and may actually make things worse since the child's rage is directed towards authority. Family therapy is highly recommended to resolve the tensions that have created the situation in the first place. Or you can simply wait for the problem to go away, which it often does, within 6 months.

2. Ghosts with a Purpose/Situational Apparitions

These ghosts, which are recognizable as former living persons, by friends or relatives, "come back" for a definite reason: to warn of impending danger, to point out the missing will in the secret desk drawer, or just to say, "Hello, I love you".

Typical scenario: Widow or widower feels, sees, smells, or otherwise senses the presence of the departed loved one, either while awake or in dreams. 75% of all bereaved persons experience something like this.

Usually appears only once, although repeated visits in times of stress are also reported. Generates a feeling of great comfort for survivor.

Psychological Factors: Grieving sometimes triggers these apparitions, but it isn't always necessary.

To rid: No need, will go away by itself.

3. The Confused Dead

These form the majority of hauntings. They are dead people who don't know they are dead.

Typical scenario: Disturbances occur such as lights and water being turned on and off, objects disappearing, appearing, or being moved, footsteps, apparitions, and written messages. A presence is very palpably sensed or seen. There is a feeling that someone is trying to get in touch. In fact, the ghost is bewildered and frustrated because no one can see or hear him.

Psychological factors: These ghosts are often the victims of violent death or suicide. Persons who die while unconscious or insane are also frequently not aware that they have died. Insane spirits are particularly difficult to help.

To rid: If you know the name of the spirit, call him or her by that name. Explain gently that they are dead and they need to move on and they will be much happier moving on. Ask them to look around for a light. It may just be a spark of light at first, but it will get larger and larger until the spirit can see a loved one waiting for them in the light. If this doesn't work--and there will be occasional spirits who won't listen--find a person who specializes in spirit rescue (brief lists are found in the back of Haunted Ohio and Haunted Ohio II).

4. Guardian Spirits

These are spirits of persons who have chosen to stay with a person or place as its guardian spirit.

Typical scenario: A family moves into an old house. The former owner manifests him/herself and announces that he/she loved the place so much, can't bear to leave it and has appointed him/herself guardian. These ghosts are usually described as "comfortable" or "helpful" presences.

Psychological factors: The family wants the ghost to remain. Or perhaps a lonely person likes the ghost's company.

To rid: Follow the steps above. It is very selfish and unkind to keep spirits from where they belong. Ghosts are not pets.

5. Spectral Video Tapes/Time Slips

Apparitions that do not interact with the living, they simply exist.

Typical scenario: A person sees person in room in recognizable historical dress, like the woman who saw a wounded Civil War soldier in her attic in Zanesville. The figure does not seem to see the observer and does not try to speak or interact. These apparitions walk through walls where once there was a door: they walk up precious staircases, which may indicate that these "spirits" exist in some other time level.

Psychological factors: Fatigue or the hypnopompic state (between sleep and waking, where dream figures persist into reality) may play a role. It can be suggested that these are mere hallucinations, except for the many cases where the ghost exhibits knowledge of a historical fact (like doors that have been bricked up) that the observer does not possess.

To rid: Practically nothing can be done except move. However, most timeslips only occur once.

6. Demons and Elementals

Demons are emissaries of evil. Elementals are random, somewhat malicious earth spirits. Some symptoms of demonic possession are 1) speaking or understanding foreign languages not normally understood 2) revulsion in the presence of religious objects 3) levitation 4) dreadful smells 5) a bestial look in the eyes.

Elementals generally materialize water, wind, or cause mysterious outbreaks of fire. Elementals can be confused with poltergeists or may work parallel with them and may persist after a poltergeist-afflicted family has undergone therapy.

Typical scenario: A substance-abusing teenager plays with ouija boards. The "spirits" tell him to read The Satanic Bible and other questionable works. They also urge him to set up an altar, burn black candles, and display pentagrams and other symbols. In response, he and his friends raid graveyards for skulls and other unsavory objects to use in their rituals. Eventually the quest for power becomes an obsession, yet the more power he thinks he has, the more he loses. Often the teen realizes that everything he has been doing is a sham and commits suicide.

Psychological factors: Dwelling on the powers of evil, particularly as is common in certain religious groups, only gives those powers more credibility and strength. While we must recognize the existence of evil, we should not dwell on it. The devil likes recognition. Persons with substance abuse problems are particularly susceptible to possession since the use of drugs and alcohol breaks down the protective aura and allows evil influences to slip. The use of ouija boards, role-playing games, and the reading of satanic literature also are to be deplored. Weak-minded, frustrated adolescents are often seduced by the promise of power to be gained through satanic rituals. Seek your power through the Light of Christ.

To rid: Exorcism is a very difficult process. Often it is only temporary because some victims have invited the demonic presence. You cannot be possessed against your will! Exorcism is the only thing to try against possession, but the best cure is prevention.

There is very little that can be done to rid a house of an elemental except to try to balance the energies of the house as in the Chinese practice of Feng Shui. In other words, if you have a fire elemental, "cool" the site down by adding water in the form of bowls of water, an aquarium or fountain. If you have a water elemental, "dry" the environment by proper drainage, ventilation, bowls of salt or sand, living plants or candles.