Manifestation Phenomena

There are many types of manifestations believed to be related to the presence of ghosts (or spirits). These phenomena can consist of apparitions (supernormal manifestations of people, animals and objects), noises, voices, strange smells, extreme cold, a feeling of being touched, the movement of objects and such. Apparitions, incidentally, are not seen in all cases, and those that are, vary in appearance. They can appear to resemble real people or animals, or appear fuzzy, transparent or nearly all white. They generally appear in clothes that were popular during the person's own lifetime, although some do change their appearance and age.

A mischievous and sometimes malevolent spirit manifestation is known as a poltergeist. A poltergeist will commonly manifest by moving or throwing (sometimes large) objects, making loud noises, emitting a vile odor, and by assaulting people and animals. There may also be apparitions, strange lights and the interfering with electronic equipment involved. Poltergeist activity usually occurs at night, and a person (known as an "agent") is the focal point of the activity. (Interestingly, the agent is generally a woman under 20.) Some poltergeist activity has been identified as psycho kinesis originating from a person with some sort of psychological dysfunction, and is unaware of the fact that they are the cause. Some researchers, however, claim that poltergeist activity does in fact involve spirits of the dead.

Low-level spirits which interact in the affairs of our world are commonly known as "demons." They are said to exist in many varieties, and may be good, evil, or capable of both. They exist in many cultures, but their origin lies in ancient Greek beliefs, where they were known as "Daimons," and were thought of as intermediary spirits between mankind and the gods. (In Christianity, they have been "cataloged" into hierarchies of hell, and have been given certain attributes and duties, all of which are associated with evil.)