Tips For Ghost Hunting

General Tips For Seeking The Paranormal From Professional Ghost Hunters By John Fair There has been an enormous upsurge in the interest of paranormal phenomena in recent years. There have been manycauses speculated, from the weakening of the base of traditional western Judeo-Christian spirituality to a reaction to the mobility of American society manifest as a longing to commune with long dead ancestors. While the psychologists and sociologists continue to debate the issue, the popularity of so called ghost hunting continues to rise.

For those who believe in such paranormal phenomena and are seeking to strike out on their own, consider this advice from top ghost hunters. First, be sure to receive training from qualified ghost hunters before striking out on your own. According to professional ghost hunters, those who attempt to make contact with spirits without being reasonably prepared are at a risk to incur damage, either physically or, more likely, psychologically. While some ghost hunters argue over whether or not spirits can physically harm humans, there is a strong consensus that an encounter for one who is not psychologically ready can leave lasting mental and emotional scars. Most physical injury is caused by amateur ghosthunters fleeing the scene in the dark and running into or tripping over unseen obstacles. Seasoned ghost hunters suggest that you case the scene in the daylight before returning at night. Having a mental map of the area will help you to keep your bearings in the dark and can help you avoid injury. Ghost hunters say that knowing the lay of the land is also helpful in case the situation becomes uncomfortable and you feel the need to quickly retreat. Being certain of the path out of the encounter area can lead to a feeling of greater control over the situation and can reduce the feelings of fear and panic that can occur. Keep your mind open and discover the darkness.

Ghost Tours in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Ghost Tours --- Hunt The Haunted Tonight!

By Christian Rieger

Hunt ghosts with the Ghosts, Mysteries & Legends tour of OldFort Lauderdale, http://www.fortlauderdaleghosttours.com/, FortLauderdale's premier ghost tour. Ghost Guides introduce visitorsand locals to Fort Lauderdale's "other night life" as they walk along the banks of the New River in the city's historic district.

The ghost tour takes guests to the city's most haunted placesright in the heart of downtown, where the Tequesta Indians livedwhen the Spanish Conquistadors arrived and where the city as weknow it today began.

The tour's chief ghost guide, Christian Rieger, says, "We concentrate our tour in the area where Fort Lauderdale started as a modern city — where the Flagler railroad came through in 1896. "The freeze of 1895 that killed the citrus trees through central Florida, caused Henry Flagler to extend his Florida Eastcoast Railroad from Palm Beach to what is today Miami.

The city's first hotel, built because the railroad's coming through, was built next to the tracks at the river. Historianssay that it is this area, where we have our ghost hunting, that the city, as we know it today, began."

Ghost tour guides, wearing a cape, top hat and carrying a lantern, tell stories of the fabled New River, trading posts and 100 year-old mansions. Is the Ghost Train that speeds silently over the tracks the train that caused the death 500 people inthe Labor Day Hurricane of 1935? Some locals who claim to have seen it think so.

Visitors on the tour will discover the mystery of the woman inthe white wedding dress and why she stands alone on the balconyof the city's oldest standing hotel building. Guides also tell tales of Seminole Indians that still haunt the river, the ghosts of early settlers, and the haunts of a popular restaurant.

"It is great family entertainment," says Rieger, "something for the family to do after dinner besides watch television in the hotel room. It also works great for local families, because ghost tours are a clever way of introducing local history to children — a way of making history interesting and easy to listen to." "And bring your digital camera. We have had many guests who have photographed various images in the spirit world."

For more info, contact 954 523 1501oradmin@fortlauderdaleghosttours.com About the Author: http://www.fortlauderdaleghosttours.com/Christian Rieger has been writing financial and travel articlessince 1965. He has also written sightseeing scripts for NewYork, Savannah, Key West, San Juan and Fort Lauderdale. He operates tour companies in Key West and Fort Lauderdale.

Ancient Superstitions : Hag Stones

Hagstones are stones that have a hole running through them, and are ususally found in streams, rivers and the seaside, where running water has created a natural hole in the stone. This may be one of the reasons why they are considered so powerful. It is a common belief that they can protect people and animals from the powers of evil. A range of disorders were thought to be cured by hagstones.

It is called a hagstone from a stomach ache which they believed was caused by a hag or witch sitting on the stomach of the ill person.They were also worn around the neck or hung above doorways of homes and stables. These stones were hung above beds to prevent nightmares and fastened to the bows of boats to keep them safe at sea.

For a hagstone to keep its full power it was supposed to be found by the bearer or given in love.This practice continues today in parts of Britain and Europe.

The St.Vincent Guest House

The Most Haunted City -New Orleans, Louisiana USA

New Orleans is an old city founded by the French in 1718. It is not only a hedonistic pleasure capital, but a cultural and historical one. New Orleans goes by many names such as "The Big Easy" and "The City That Care Forgot".

In the 18th and 19th century yellow fever was wide spread. Symptoms were sudden and death soon followed. In 1853 an epidemic resulted in 8000 deaths. The primary victims were the young and the poor.Numerous orphanages arose to care for children who survived .

One such orphanage is now The St.Vincents Guest House. This 147 year old orphanage has been transformed into a Victorian style inn. Ceilings fans, wicker furniture and large courtyards all evoke the feeling of the south.

This imposing structure was built in 1861 while New Orleans was under Union occupation.There was a need for a large orphanage due to the many orphaned children. The financial backing came from Margaret Haughery, an Irish emigree who was an extremely successful business woman. She was also an orphan. On the day of her funeral in 1882 the entire city closed down .

While staying at The St.Vincents Guest House we were the only patrons due to the off season. We were put on the ground floor of the inn. The building inside evokes the feeling of the movie "The Shining" with huge staircases, long hallways and tall ceilings. The black and white photos on the walls of the orphans and nuns who cared for them gives the atmosphere of times passed and the hardships they endured.

That evening the inn clerk gave us a phone number for us to call if any problems arose. She would be back in the morning. Now hungry, we decided to go out for dinner to return later that night to watch television and relax.

After retiring for the evening we awoke shortly after 2 am to the sound of children laughing and carrying on, as if in a playground, but right outside our door. My first thought was who would let their children play that late. So I sent my brave husband out into the hall to investigate. While standing in the doorway he turned to me and said there was no one there. The hall was dark and empty , the laughter continued but seemed to move to the upper floors.

I thought he was joking around so I got up and joined him. The only lights on were the red exit signs and the small light in the office. We both decided to investigate further and made our way to the base of the grand staircase. The eerie sound of children still laughing made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. My feet felt like lead as we decided to walk to the first level of the staircase , and at that moment the laughter suddenly stopped. A ghostly silence came over the building. Our hearts pounding we decided rather hastily to return our bedroom, lock the door and hide under the blankets until morning.

In the morning we asked the desk clerk if anyone else had checked in that evening. She said no one else was there and we had been alone. We told her about our adventure . She said it was a common occurance that many other guests had experienced. Then she smiled and said "Why do you think I don't stay the night if I don't have to?"