Editor Katelin assigned the Blog Staff to explore “Spirits.” Luke, with plans to go to college, has a Plan B–Ghost Hunting.–S.Z.

By Luke Langlois

Have you ever been trying to fall asleep at night when, suddenly, you hear a chilling whoooosh or an eerie creaking? Being the mature and fearless person you are, perhaps you brush these noises off as your cat doing cat things or the refrigerator… refrigerating. But, let’s be real. The thought has passed through your mind that these mysterious noises originate from a much more sinister source: spirits and ghosts. Although we may not know the intentions of these lost souls, do we want to be taking any risks that could land us on a one-way train to a similar state of being? Don’t just sit around and wait for the ghosts to get you; get up and go ghost hunting! In honor of the “spirit” theme, here are some basic tips for hunting the specters and phantoms creepily whirling around our mortal plane of existence.

1. Always Bring a Friend: Before you do anything, you must find a buddy to assist you in this ghost hunting endeavor. Working alone may sound appealing because, after all, it is what Batman does, but you are not Batman. If you’ve ever seen a horror movie, you would know that if you hunt alone, you may end up becoming the hunted. . .  So, whether it’s your puppy, your goldfish, your ant colony, or your best friend Joe, you can find your strength in numbers, as long as you all are brave. 
2. Do Your Research: When dealing with spirits, the element of surprise is on their side. You have no idea what the spirits may manifest themselves as! If you go hunting without knowing what threats the spirits pose, you may find yourself in a lethal situation. Ghosts were once living creatures themselves, and, like living creatures, each ghost is unique. Depending on your location, the type of ghost you encounter may be different. If your house was built on the site of a Mafia shootout, for example, you must be prepared for an aggressive and vengeful spirit. 
3. Bring the Proper Equipment: Fending off the paranormal is not something you can do with just your hands and mental fortitude. Just like with any other activity, you will have more success hunting ghosts if you have the proper equipment, especially if that equipment is of a high-tier quality. For a ghost hunt, you will need a pen, paper, camera, flashlight, and a mobile phone. You will want concrete evidence when you find your ghost, and if you are unable to ward the ghost off the first time, you will have more information for your next attack. If you’re dealing with a more advanced ghost, you will want to look into digital laser thermometers to detect their spectral energy. Spooky! 
4. Movies Are Not Reality: Just like with anything else, movies are not reality. Don’t believe that one viewing of Ghostbusters makes you an experienced ghost hunter. All of the ghosts in that movie are heavily exaggerated. The ghosts won’t typically be giant ectoplasmic monsters. Real ghost hunting can be boring, and sometimes you won’t find anything. Look, practicing your ghost hunting isn’t an exciting process ALL the time, but it is just so rewarding when it does pay off. Patience is key when hunting ghosts.  

If you are afraid of ghosts, today is the best day to begin conquering your fear. If you learn to conquer the unseen, is there anything that could stop you? I think not! Begin your ghost hunting journey today…  

*Luke does not condone hunting ghosts, nor does he hunt ghosts himself. 

Spirit Editor: Katelin