Ghost Hunting

1. T.A.P.S. Prioritizes Helping Those Genuinely Distressed by Paranormal Activity

That's our primary goal--to help.

Focus on alleviating suffering. The Atlantic Paranormal Society (T.A.P.S.) doesn't just chase ghosts; their core mission is to assist individuals who are genuinely troubled by perceived paranormal events. This involves assessing the client's level of distress and determining if their concerns warrant investigation. The team's sensitivity towards those who fear they are losing their minds due to paranormal experiences underscores their commitment to providing support and validation.

Beyond the thrill of the hunt. While the excitement of investigating the unknown is a factor, T.A.P.S. places greater emphasis on offering practical help. This can range from documenting the activity to blessing the affected location. This approach distinguishes them from groups solely focused on sensationalism.

Teamwork and shared perspective. Decisions about taking on a case aren't made in isolation. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, the founders of T.A.P.S., rely on each other's perspectives to ensure a balanced and thoughtful approach. This collaborative decision-making process reflects the organization's commitment to responsible and ethical paranormal investigation.

2. A Scientific Approach to Ghost Hunting Involves Objective Observation and Debunking

If you set out to prove a haunting, anything will seem like evidence. If you set out to disprove it, you'll end up with only those things you can't explain away.

Ruling out the mundane. T.A.P.S. distinguishes itself by prioritizing the elimination of natural explanations before attributing phenomena to supernatural causes. This involves a systematic approach to data collection, analysis, and experimentation. The goal is to debunk claims of ghostly activity, ensuring that only the truly unexplainable remains.

Data-driven investigation. The team employs a variety of tools and techniques to gather evidence, including:

• Different types of cameras (infrared, video)
• EMF meters
• Voice recorders
• Observations and reports of strange experiences

Objectivity and skepticism. Even with compelling evidence, T.A.P.S. maintains a healthy dose of skepticism. This balanced perspective, combining belief with a commitment to scientific rigor, is crucial for advancing the study of the paranormal.

3. Emotional Turmoil Can Manifest as or Attract Paranormal Phenomena

As far as we could tell, all the activity in the house was revolving around Mary.

Human emotions as a catalyst. The book highlights instances where intense emotional states, particularly negative ones, appear to be linked to paranormal activity. In one case, a couple's marital strife seemed to fuel the disturbances in their home. This suggests that strong emotions can act as a beacon, attracting or even generating supernatural phenomena.

Mary's case. The investigation of Mary and David Green's house revealed that the paranormal activity, including moving objects and strange lights, intensified when Mary expressed unhappiness with her husband. This led T.A.P.S. to theorize that Mary's emotional state was somehow influencing the events.

Addressing the root cause. Recognizing the potential connection between emotional well-being and paranormal activity, T.A.P.S. emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying issues. In the Greens' case, their marital separation led to a cessation of the disturbances, further supporting the link between emotional turmoil and supernatural events.

4. Spirits Can Be Tied to Objects or Locations, Requiring Specific Actions for Resolution

Sometimes it's the only way to make a house livable again.

Attachments to belongings. The story of Sarah and Donald Wrenn illustrates how spirits can become attached to specific objects. The family's paranormal experiences began after acquiring belongings from a deceased great-aunt. This suggests that spirits can linger near items that held significance in their lives.

The Wrenn's case. The Wrenn family's experience highlights the importance of identifying and addressing the source of a haunting. By removing the great-aunt's belongings and having their home blessed, the family was able to eliminate the paranormal activity.

Communication and respect. The case of Casey and Dan Kelly demonstrates that spirits can sometimes be reasoned with. By communicating her family's situation and politely requesting the spirit to remain hidden, Casey was able to resolve the haunting. This underscores the importance of treating spirits with respect and understanding.

5. Occult Practices Can Open Doors to Malevolent Entities, Endangering Others

When we experiment with the occult, we're not just endangering ourselves--we're endangering those around us.

The Ouija board's danger. The story of the Sawyer family serves as a stark warning against dabbling in the occult. Annie's use of a Ouija board opened a doorway for a demonic entity to possess her younger sister, Emily. This highlights the potential dangers of engaging in practices that can invite unwanted supernatural forces.

Annie's case. The Sawyer family's experience underscores the importance of understanding the potential consequences of occult practices. By engaging in black magic, Annie inadvertently put her sister at risk, leading to a terrifying possession.

Protecting the vulnerable. The book emphasizes that younger members of a household are particularly vulnerable to the risks associated with occult practices. When Annie engaged in black magic, she unknowingly placed her sister in harm's way. This highlights the responsibility of older family members to protect those who may be more susceptible to supernatural influence.

6. Communication and Respect Can Resolve Hauntings, Even with Negative Entities

If you had a neighbor who was doing something bothersome, you would talk to him, wouldn't you? It's the same with a ghost.

Addressing the spirit directly. The book presents several cases where direct communication with spirits proved effective in resolving hauntings. This approach involves explaining the situation, setting boundaries, and politely requesting the spirit to cease its disruptive behavior.

Casey's case. Casey Kelly's experience demonstrates the power of respectful communication. By explaining her family's situation and asking the spirit to remain hidden, she was able to resolve the haunting.

Frank's case. Frank Edison's experience demonstrates the power of respectful communication. By cutting a deal with the spirit, he was able to resolve the hostile incidents.

7. Children's Perceptions of Spirits Offer Unique Insights, Requiring Sensitivity

It was one of the eeriest moments I have ever experienced.

Innocence and clarity. The book highlights the unique perspective that children can offer in paranormal investigations. Their innocence and lack of preconceived notions can allow them to perceive things that adults may miss. However, it's crucial to approach these situations with sensitivity and care.

Selena's case. Selena Taylor's ability to communicate with her deceased grandmother provided valuable insights into the haunting of her family's home. Her descriptions and interactions with the spirit helped T.A.P.S. understand the entity's motivations and resolve the situation.

Validating children's experiences. The book emphasizes the importance of validating children's experiences and addressing their fears. By taking Selena's claims seriously and investigating them with respect, T.A.P.S. was able to help the Taylor family find peace.

8. Unfinished Business and Traumatic Events Often Anchor Spirits to the Living World

Spirits are limited in the ways they can communicate with the living.

Tied to earthly concerns. The book suggests that spirits often remain in the living world due to unfinished business or unresolved trauma. This can include a desire to protect loved ones, seek revenge, or fulfill a promise. Understanding the nature of this unfinished business is crucial for resolving the haunting.

Jennifer's case. The story of Jennifer Edison illustrates how a spirit's attachment to earthly concerns can manifest as paranormal activity. By helping Jennifer's parents fulfill her wish to be buried near the ocean, T.A.P.S. was able to set her spirit free.

The three wives' case. The story of Becky Jones illustrates how a spirit's attachment to earthly concerns can manifest as paranormal activity. By performing an exorcism, T.A.P.S. was able to set the spirits free.

9. Houses of Worship and Historic Sites Can Become Hotspots for Supernatural Activity

We look to our houses of worship for shelter in spiritual matters. But what happens when a house of worship is itself haunted?

Echoes of the past. The book highlights how places with a long history, particularly those that have witnessed significant events or tragedies, can become hotspots for supernatural activity. Houses of worship and historic sites often carry the weight of past experiences, creating an environment conducive to hauntings.

The Baptist church case. The investigation of the old Baptist church in eastern Connecticut revealed that the building was haunted by the spirits of Civil War soldiers who had perished in a fire at an earlier church on the same site. This underscores how past events can leave an indelible mark on a location.

The ghost lot case. The investigation of Maura's grandparents' house revealed that the building was built on a "ghost lot"--an area marked on old maps to denote a territory held sacred by its original Native American inhabitants. This underscores how past events can leave an indelible mark on a location.

10. Teamwork, Trust, and a Balance of Skepticism and Belief Are Essential for Effective Ghost Hunting

What makes us click," Grant once observed of our partnership, "is that we're total opposites."

Complementary skills. The book emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in paranormal investigations. A successful team requires members with diverse skills and perspectives, including technical expertise, sensitivity, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Hawes and Wilson's partnership. The dynamic between Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson exemplifies the value of complementary skills. Hawes' skepticism balances Wilson's belief, while Wilson's technical expertise complements Hawes' management abilities.

Trust and communication. Effective teamwork requires trust, open communication, and a willingness to learn from each other. The book highlights instances where team members relied on each other's observations and insights to piece together the puzzle of a haunting.

11. The Most Important Mission is Helping People, Even if it Means Facing Danger

But our business is helping people, and we do that any way we can.

Putting others first. The book underscores the commitment of T.A.P.S. to helping those in need, even when it involves personal risk. This dedication to service is evident in their willingness to travel long distances, work in hazardous conditions, and confront potentially dangerous entities.

The leaky pipe case. The story of the leaky pipe in the ghost lot case illustrates the team's willingness to go above and beyond to help their clients. Despite the challenging and potentially dangerous conditions, Grant and Jason repaired the pipe, demonstrating their commitment to providing practical assistance.

The lighthouse case. The story of the lighthouse case illustrates the team's willingness to go above and beyond to help others. By saving the two men in the boat, T.A.P.S. demonstrated their commitment to providing practical assistance.

12. The Line Between the Normal and Paranormal is Often Blurred, Requiring Diligence

Make sure you rule out the normal before you concede the possibility of the paranormal.

The power of suggestion. The book highlights the importance of considering psychological factors in paranormal investigations. The power of suggestion, confirmation bias, and the tendency to see patterns where none exist can all influence people's perceptions and experiences.

The high-rise haunting case. The high-rise haunting case demonstrates the importance of considering psychological factors in paranormal investigations. The tenants' fear and anxiety may have amplified their perceptions of the events, leading them to attribute them to supernatural causes.

The intruder case. The intruder case demonstrates the importance of considering psychological factors in paranormal investigations. Deena Jackson's fear and anxiety may have amplified her perceptions of the events, leading her to attribute them to supernatural causes.

Last updated: April 13, 2025