I’ve recently re-purposed a couple video cameras and a wireless router to add to my investigation gear.  At this point, I’ve probably got more stuff than most investigators not signed to a television deal, and I know how to use it all.  Coupled with 25 years of experience investigating a wide array of paranormal phenomena, and I think I’m in a good position now to go gather data!

So with that and the severe inactivity of the group I usually work with, I figured I’d mention that I am available to work as a guest investigator for any group in the southern NH area.  If you’d be interested in having me along, I can offer a “true skeptic” viewpoint as well as several methods of gathering data and analyzing it.  I’ve got two wireless security cameras (one remotely adjustable and another IR illuminated) which can capture video and detect motion.  I’m not famous and adding my name to your roster won’t get you screaming fans, but it will get you someone with serious experience and a level head.

If you might be interested, please email me at brian at arcanorum dot org and let me know what you’re looking for, when, and where.

Spring has definitely sprung here in southern New Hampshire!  That means it’s time for me to go out in search of the wierd, paranormal, and just plain fun!

The problem is, as usual, that I’m an independent researcher with a strong leaning towards the scientific side of paranormal investigation.  Here, in New England, you can’t swing a cat without hitting a psychic.  It seems to be something about the region.  I’m no exception.  I’ve had my share of experiences, too.  And I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but I’m sick of being dumped into the category of loony, crystal-waving fluff-bunnies out there.  So to counteract that possibility, I keep my paranormal investigations and the reports that come from them very clear.  I make a solid distinction between the subjective “psychic” impressions and solid, scientific fact.  That’s not easy in this business.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not a so-called “skeptic” who thinks it’s all bunk.  I’ve seen things.  But in order to be taken seriously by the world at large, we need to be able to present solid facts.  If we can figure out how these anomalies work, in a logical and scientific manner, we can better be able to help people understand what is going on around them and if they wish, to be rid of these happenings.

Well, that’s my basic philosophy in a nut shell.

The thing is, as an independent investigator, I don’t seek publicity.  I’d much rather get to the bottom of something than get my name and face plastered all over the newspapers.  I don’t do this for entertainment except in so far as it is entertaining to figure things out… kind of like Mr. Wizard made basic science entertaining.  I’m not out to get scared or to scare people.  I’ll leave that to the most excellent horror writers out there.

There is one major drawback to being an independent investigator who doesn’t seek publicity:  I don’t get many cases to investigate.  If I’m lucky, I usually get 2 or 3 a year.  And that’s where I hope you will come in.

I’d love to work with other people of similar minds.  Proper investigation cannot be done solo.  As the ancient Romans would put it, “Testus unus, testus nullus.”  The team I’ve been working with is on hold due to real life issues of a number of team members, so I’m back to looking.    I am basically fearless toward the supernatural, use a no-BS approach, and write good reports.  I won’t steal your group’s thunder, and you’ll get the credit.  I know the field, the tech, and the lo-tech.  I have over 20 years experience and am well versed in paranormal phenomena and occult philosophy and practices, both ancient and modern.  If you are part of a paranormal investigations team in the area around southern New Hampshire and would like me to work with you, please let me know.

I’ve asked and been asked many times over the years about demons and exorcisms. It seems to be a topic many are interested in and one which many know nothing beyond, possibly, what Hollywood has had to say on the matter. This blog is primarily about the scientific study of phenomena we call paranormal. The fact is that if you think there is little scientific research on ESP and ghosts, you’ll find there is even less about demons and exorcisms.

There is a lot out there on anomalous cognition. A bit less on healing by unexplained means. There is a LOT of information from unscientific sources of highly variable quality on ghosts and hauntings. If you want to study demons? Good luck.

To date, the best sources on demons and exorcisms all come from the Roman Catholic Church. While most religions have teachings on negative entities and how to get rid of them, the Catholic Church is known to have devoted a lot of good minds to the topic and the results show.

The Catholic requirements to denote a need for an exorcism are clear, concise, and well written. Talking about a quality of the priest to perform the exorcism, the old Rituale Romanum, their handbook on their rituals, the requirements are put forth:

3. Especially, he should not believe too readily that a person is possessed by an evil spirit; but he ought to ascertain the signs by which a person possessed can be distinguished from one who is suffering from some illness, especially one of a psychological nature.[1] Signs of possession may be the following: ability to speak with some facility in a strange tongue or to understand it when spoken by another; the faculty of divulging future and hidden events; display of powers which are beyond the subject’s age and natural condition; and various other indications which, when taken together as a whole, build up the evidence.

From the “Rituale Romanum” 1964 Edition in English

Clearly, they make a distinction between possession and mental illness, a distinction not always made by less respectable people.

The rite itself was changed in 1999 and more recently, bishops are no longer required to get explicit permission from Rome, but these requirements are effectively unchanged. The revisions actually make it even more clear that all physical, mental, and psychological conditions must be ruled out before the rite is to be performed. The new rite has come under some criticism.

In the 25+ years I’ve studied the paranormal and occult, I have not once, personally witnessed anything I would consider clear proof of demons, let alone a possession needing an exorcism. At one point, I had contacts within the Catholic Church who informed me that exorcisms for demonic possession were extremely rare. At the time, there were less than a dozen full time exorcists in the entire Catholic Church. Recent news about more and more priests being trained and qualified as exorcists has come out, but I’ve heard nothing about the priests who do this full time. The newest rules now allow bishops to authorize exorcisms without the intercession of Rome, and so they need people who can properly perform the rite.

I have personally witnessed hauntings, ghosts, full-bodied apparitions, nature spirits, trance possession, precognition, micro-psychokinesis, spells, etc. But demons? Hardly. I’ve experienced what some would call “negative entities” who’s origin I don’t claim to know, but they never have been able to show me much power beyond making people freaked out. They were always easy enough to shoo away by anyone with sufficient ability, whether natural or trained.

So, beware of people who see demons in every shadow. Are they out there? Something certainly is, but so are ebola, giant squids, worm holes etc. They’re all pretty exceptional things in the world.

Would I like to study a real demon? Sure. Bring it on. I’ll call in the specialists if needed.

The title here refers to this: http://scifake.com/?p=914

The equipment I use, I know how to use properly and I use it to rule out explainable things while trying to learn more about those I cannot explain.

In talking with a fellow investigator from P.E.A.S.E. this evening, we touched upon the idea of paying to investigate.

While we could both see the point from the point of view of someone owning a purportedly haunted location, neither one of us felt all that comfortable paying.  Charging?  Ok.  It’s your home or business or whatever.  These are hard times, and if you need the money, you’re perfectly free to charge people to come on to your property for whatever reason you want to allow.  As seasoned investigators, though, we don’t feel right being your customers.

So I wonder, who goes to these things?  And the answer I keep returning to the idea that those who pay for these events are new to the field or are looking to be entertained.  I’m in search of answers, not entertainment.  I have no compunction to bump elbows with stars, psychic or not.  I’ve met stars, paranormal and otherwise and their fame means nothing to me.  Their skills, knowledge, and personality – those I admire, but fame?  Who cares?  I’m certainly not paying to participate in an investigation, no matter who I’ll be working with.  I invest enough of my time, energy, and frankly, money into my investigations, that paying on top of all that is pretty much out of the question.  In one case a team I was working with was expected to investigate a location, but the date was not determined… and then a more commercial “investigation” was done in the place.  I can’t wait to see what we find… and report back to you all my results.

As for expensive equipment, yes, I own an EMF meter a couple digital cameras,, a really good sound recorder, and a slew of flashlights.  I neither own nor really want a K2 meter.  It’s nothing more than a conveniently designed EMF meter with an LED readout.  My $30 Cell Sensor works just fine, thanks.  It’s also got a readable level meter where I can see the EMF strength in miligauss.  Half the investigators out there couldn’t tell you the difference between a miligauss and a nanotesla, let alone use their EMF meter or IR thermometer correctly.  If they’re buying $7-9000 thermal imaging systems, I have no reason to believe they’ll use them any better.  None of these things are “ghost detectors” yet each has its place in an investigation.  Yes, even the IR thermometer.

Why investigate ghosts when they have never been scientifically proven? Because they’re there.  And because we know almost nothing about what they are, their properties, origins, etc.  Reports of ghosts have come from all cultures in all times through history.  Whether they are really spirits of the departed or figments of our imaginations, they do exist and deserve study.  Even in a recession.

(tip of the hat to @GhostHunterBlog)