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O Death, rock me asleep, bring me to quiet rest, let pass my weary guiltless ghost out of my careful breast.
Anne Boleyn
No ghost was ever seen by two pair of eyes.
Thomas Carlyle, historian (1795-1881)
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Greetings, fellow ‘ghost-hunters’
As promised, when I left you in the un-flashlit dark last week, we return to the ghost hunt, that apparently became a ghost's haunt.
* * *
I squatted to reach my fingers towards the worn, mottled paperback book in the tumbled cell, fallen open on the metal floor, dropped as sleep claimed the reader. When the beam from my flashlight went dark, as did those of my companions, I wasn’t afraid. I stood right up and peered into the darkness of the cell, seeking the source of the sudden chill that wrapped itself around me. It embraced me in a loose hug, not constricting or threatening, but a sadness permeated my skin, from within or without, I don't know. Accepting the darkness, I sought, but couldn't locate, a breath of draft, a scent of direction, something to mark an opening to account for the centralized coolness. Finding no discernible grate or vent, I wasn’t afraid. I was sad.
I turned away from the cell, looked back once and sighed, then left the book and the chill behind as I paced along the narrow walkway, fingering the cool metal rail as it turned and led me down metal steps. Our flashlights, all but one, came back on as we neared the ground level. Proof that it wasn't a coincidence; that one must have had low batteries. We each were a bit more pensive and, perhaps, observant and cautious, the remainder of our time at the Mansfield Reformatory. I think that even the skeptics in our group, whether they admitted it or not, knew we had encountered a being no longer of this plane. Perhaps he had been reading, or re-reading, the book and didn’t want me to mess with it; perhaps he just didn’t want to be disturbed; or perhaps he was just saying ‘hello.’
We had been cautioned to not buy the prisoners’ books, some of which were at the time for sale, that we not take something of them, of their crime, back home with us. But that’s another issue. I don’t think the ghost meant us harm. It would likely not have taken much for one of our group to panic and fall over the rail and down six flights; so no malice was apparently intended. We didn’t have any more such vivid encounters the remainder of our time there, although by then it was but an hour before dawn. We remained watchful, however, even the skeptics among us.
* * *
Now, let's explore the possible nature or identity of the entity we may have met (or which chose to meet us).
Apparitions, defined as the supernatural manifestation of the soul of a deceased person or animal, typically referred to as ghosts. Apparitions are sensory encounters - some say always visual, but I believe they may engage any one of our senses (hearing, smell, for example) individually. Now, I'm focusing here on 'persons,' in concert with my experience. Ghosts are as unique as a living person, with no two alike. Every ghost has it's own cause, origin and meaning - and most will have a single focus.
Atmospheric Apparition - A visual “imprint” left behind in the environment from a past event, most often, but not always, violent or tragic. This is where witnesses report seeing (and sometimes hearing) a replay of events that occurred in the past, kind of like an old black and white or technicolor movie, or a hologram. Scientists investigating this phenomenon postulate that light particles become frozen in the atmosphere until they are stimulated, at which time they vibrate and replay the event, with perhaps each replay allowing it to move closer to resolution, until one day it attains rest in another form or state of being we have yet to encounter. See, we're dealing in hard science now - physics to offer proof of of psychic eencounter.
Historical Apparitions, as their name states, typically haunt older homes or communities and appear in solid forms acting natural. Dressed in period clothing, they do not speak, communicate or acknowledge the presence of the living. They continue replaying their own experience..
Recurring Apparitions are ghosts that return to commemorate a specific event, anniversary, or other such event which it held important or dear in its past mortal existence. Often they return to commemorate a tragic event or battle.
Family Apparitions are members of a family who remain attached to succeeding generations long after their passing. Even if they originally were not lineal relations, their attachment over generations gives them an 'adoptive' family status. Think of House of Usher and you'll get the picture. When these apparitions are manifest, some tragedy is imminent - are they warning, or inciting? Intriguing question with not yet a proof ~ want to try?
Photographic Apparitions are those ghosts which are not seen with mortal eyes directly, but by photograph. These may appear as shades, nearly transparent, or orbs of near transparent light, or perhaps movement in videos that has no understandable, logical reason for its occurrence.
Out-Of-Body Apparitions are meetings between a person with someone living today, but who cannot physically be in that location in that moment in time because he/she is provably somewhere else. These apparitions may appear as solid (doppelganger?) or near-transparent. The person whose ghost appears often remembers the encounter and can relate the experience as if he or she was recalling a recent memory. This would therefore to me appear to be less a true 'ghost' than a person exercising some extra sensory manipulation (using more than the 10% of brain most humans currently utilize).
If you've encountered such an 'Apparition,' in your daily life or perhaps your writer's muse inscribed, consider offering your (and his/her) story to the editors at Shade Works, who welcome emerging writers of dark, speculative, horror stories and artwork - check out their guidelines and do let us know when your 'Apparition' debuts ~
http://www.shadeworks.org/submissions
I'll be back next month to explore some non-human (if not always 'inhuman') encounters. Until then, keep reading our Newsletters for insights to the realm beyond the veil,and always,
Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading |
Enter the haunted/haunting abode of some of our members ~ and do let the 'apparition' know how you enjoyed your stay
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Read about, then consider adding your 'voice' to this ghostly saga
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Now that you're attuned to their presence, doesn't prompt #2 in the following incite a 'flash' perchance?
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some words from our readers
Submitted To: Horror/Scary
From: Blair Lamonte 
hey, i liked the issue about ghosts, really good ;) i'm a big believer in the paranormal so...thanks again :)
Thanks for writing, and I hope your encounters are enlightening journeys for the muse creative
From: KimChi
Kate,
Thanks for the great discussion of ghosts. I've seen a shadowy figure or two in the basement of my house. Overactive imagination or my father-in-law?
It comforts me to think he's just popping in to say hello. The alternative is just too spooky to cogitate.
I agree that it's a comfort ~ he's looking out for you, or perhaps has some guidance for you. The veil between worlds is thin for those who choose to look
From: esprit
Interesting editorial about ghosts, Kate. Your writing brought me along on your tour and let me see and feel the ominous atmosphere. Good writing!
Thanks for the encouragement ~ keeps me motivated in my exploration of the realm beyond the obvious.
From: Adriana Noir
Awesome newsletter! I live about 45 minutes away from Mansfield Reformatory and that place is incredible! The feeling I got in the basement containing ad seg and the "hole" was one I hope to never feel again. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your experience; the Ghosts who have yet to finish their 'time' there ~ or perhaps relate their stories or their fears or dreams ~ find voice in those who know how to listen ~ I look forward to reading of your encounter.
From: Mara ♣ McBain 
The opening paragraphs of this newsletter were as descriptive as anything I have ever read. Amazing work. You make me look forward to my trip to Mansfield even more!
It really does get to you when you go there with an open mind, and observe with all your senses ~ I hope to read of your journey as well.
From: drifter46
Solitary Traveler drifter46
Interesting newsletter Kate. I am a believer not because of what science has failed to disprove but because of what I've seen. I have a well on my property and if you don't know, a well is presumed to be a portal for the spirits. I believe this to be true since I've seen SHADOWS. I'm not the only one. My wife along with former residents have noticed them as well. So I'll be interested in reading your next letter. Remember, keep writing. You never know WHO's reading over your shoulder
Yes! It's knowing, not mere belief. You have encountered ghosts, and know them to be as real as you and I. Proving with your own eyes, because you perceive the depth as well, what physicists observe superficially with their high-tech equipment. I do often welcome the input from those Who read over my shoulder. Keep Writing!
From: Michelle Broughton
I became enraptured the beginning of your letter, but my attention came to an abrupt halt when it turned into a list of ghost types. Far more interesting would have been an actual meeting with an apparition.
I'm sorry that I let you down ~ hope this week's continuation redeemed me somewhat. I was trying to show the relevance of Ghosts in our mortal lives ~ not only for those of us who seek to know more than the mundane, but those who try (in vain) to prove that this life is finite by seeking mundane explanations for all things.
From: lkokko
One of my favorite shows is Ghost Hunters, I watch it religously. They show things that just cannot be explained. Also makes good basis for stories.
Thanks for the tip ~ I will make a point to catch it and expand the breadth of my journey!
Until we next meet,may your ghostly encounters be beneficient and inspiring.
Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Horror/Scary: April 22, 2009 Issue [#3009]
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