Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator or just starting out, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the terminology used in the field. Here are 60 paranormal terms every ghosthunter should know!
Paranormal terms with their meanings
Apparition: A visual manifestation of a spirit or ghost.
Apport: A physical object that appears suddenly, often during a séance.
Astral Projection: The experience of separating one’s consciousness from their physical body to travel in the astral realm.
Aura: The energy field surrounding a living person or object, sometimes perceived as a visible light.
Channeling: The act of communicating with a spirit or entity to pass on messages to the living.
Clairsaudience: The ability to hear the voices or thoughts of ghosts.
Clairsentience: The ability to sense or feel the presence of a ghost.
Clairvoyance: The ability to see ghosts or visions from the spirit realm.
Cranial Electromagnetic Sensitivity (CES): A condition in which an individual is sensitive to electromagnetic fields, often associated with paranormal experiences.
Déjà vu: The feeling that one has lived through a similar event or experience before.
Demon: An evil spirit or supernatural being, often associated with possession.
Demonology: The study of demons and their actions.
Divination: The practice of predicting the future through supernatural means, such as tarot cards or scrying.
Doppelganger: A ghostly double or counterpart of a living person, often seen as an omen of death.
Ectoplasm: A white, translucent substance sometimes seen during spiritualist séances.
EMF (Electromagnetic Field): The measurement of electromagnetic energy in the environment, often associated with paranormal activity.
Entity: A non-physical being or ghost.
EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena): The capture of unexplained sounds or voices on electronic recording devices.
Exorcism: The practice of banishing evil spirits or demons from a person or location.
Ghosthunter: A word for someone who investigates the paranormal, in particular, phenomena that involves ghosts or hauntings.
Ghost Light: A mysterious, floating light seen in the night, often associated with the spirits of deceased miners or railroad workers.
Ghost Ship: A haunted ship or boat, often seen as an apparition at sea.
Ghost Train: A haunted locomotive or train, often seen or heard in the night.
Ghost: The spirit or soul of a deceased person that lingers in the physical world.
Grudge Holding: The phenomenon in which a ghost holds a grudge or resentment against the living.
Haunting: A paranormal phenomenon in which a ghost repeatedly appears in a specific location.
Hellhound: A supernatural dog or hound, often associated with death or the underworld.
Incantation: A chant or spell used in magic or witchcraft to invoke or banish spirits.
Incubus: A male demon that visits women during the night to engage in sexual activity.
Infestation: The presence of multiple or persistent ghostly entities in a specific location.
Infrared Camera: A device that captures images or videos in the infrared spectrum, often used in paranormal investigations. See Amazon for Infred Cameras.
Intuition: A feeling or perception that something is true without having concrete evidence.
Levitation: The ability of a person or object to rise into the air without any visible means of support.
Medium: A person who can communicate with the dead or spirits.
Oculus: An eye-shaped opening in a building or structure, sometimes believed to attract or trap spirits.
Orbs: Circular or spherical anomalies caught on camera, often associated with paranormal activity.
Ouija Board: A tool used for communicating with the spirit world, consisting of a board with letters, numbers, and “yes” and “no” answers.
Paranormal Investigator: An individual who studies and investigates paranormal activity.
Paranormal Phenomena: Unusual events or experiences that cannot be explained by scientific means.
Poltergeist: A mischievous ghost that causes physical disturbances, such as moving objects or making noises.
Possession: The act of a ghost or demon taking control of a person’s body.
Precognition: The ability to see events or information from the future.
Precognitive Dream: A dream that foretells future events or information.
Psychicokinesis: The ability to move objects with the power of the mind.
Psychometry: The ability to receive information about a person or object by touching it.
Residual Haunting: A type of haunting in which a ghost repeats a specific action or event, often associated with strong emotions or trauma.
Revenant: A ghost that returns from the dead to seek revenge or complete unfinished business.
Scrying: The practice of divination through gazing into a reflective surface, such as a crystal ball or black mirror.a
Séance: A gathering in which a medium communicates with the dead.
Shadow Entity: A dark, amorphous shape seen in the peripheral vision, often associated with negative energies.
Shadow People: Dark, humanoid shapes seen in the peripheral vision, often associated with negative energies.
Spectre: A ghostly apparition or phantom.
Spirit Guides: Non-physical beings that assist and guide individuals in their spiritual journey.
Spirit: The non-physical essence of a person, often associated with their personality or consciousness.
Spiritual Warfare: The struggle between good and evil forces in the spiritual realm.
Succubus: A female demon that visits men during the night to engage in sexual activity.
Supernatural: Events or experiences that cannot be explained by natural or scientific means.
Telekinesis: The ability to move objects at a distance with the power of the mind.
Telepathy: The ability to communicate with others without using physical means.
Vortex: A swirling energy field, sometimes associated with paranormal activity.
Please do get in touch if we’ve missed any paranormal term think would help your fellow investigators into the unknown!
