Definition of Terms
Apparition: A spectral image resembling a human
being. These images may be opaque, translucent, or
shadowy in appearance.
Apport: A physical object that can materialize
and appear at will, often associated with personal
trinkets that once belonged to the deceased or other
items that are used to capture the attention of the
living.
Collective Apparition: An ethereal image that is
witnessed by two or more witnesses.
EVP: (Electronic Voice Phenomena) Ethereal sounds
and voices that are captured on electronic media that
are not heard at the time of recording, but upon
playback.
Haunting: The repeated activity or manifestations
of supernatural phenomena in a specific location. These
manifestations include but are not limited to: cold
spots, phantom odors, unexplained sounds or voices,
physical apparitions, or materializations.
Intellectual Haunting: A haunting that involves
alleged activity of contact from intelligent or
conscious spirit energy. Also described as a personality
of one who has died that attempts to make its’ presence
known through personal interaction.
Manifestation: The sudden or prolonged appearance
of images or sounds that are created without logic or
explanation.
Materialization: The sudden appearance of an
object or apparition that occurs in front of witnesses
or that is recorded and identified as supernatural.
Matrixing: Common investigators term used to
describe Simulacra. “See Simulacra”
Orbs: Round or oblong luminous objects that are
observed, videoed or photographed. Most orb activity is
believed to be dust, moister, or flying insects that
reflect natural or artificial light.
Paranormal: A word meaning unknown or beyond the
normal.
Poltergeist: Literal translation from German
meaning a noisy ghost. Term used to identify paranormal
activity that includes the moving of heavy objects,
knocking and rapping, apports, and violent interactions.
Reciprocal action: A sighting in which the
witness and apparition both see and respond to each
other.
Simulacra: Shapes and faces reported in inanimate
objects and photographs. The faces and shapes are caused
by the brains natural tendency to make since out of
unrecognizable patterns and shapes. A result of the mind
creating a recognizable image out of random patterns,
and falsely identifying them as true and accurate
images. Also referred to as matrixing.