The Mammoth Book of True Hauntings

1. Ghost Hunting Evolved from Superstition to Scientific Inquiry

The serious science of ghost hunting – careful and meticulous enquiry into the supernatural – owes a great deal to the pioneer work of two women...

Early pioneers. The systematic study of the supernatural began to shift from mere superstition towards scientific inquiry in the 19th century, significantly influenced by figures like Catherine Crowe and Eleanor Sidgwick. These women meticulously documented accounts and advocated for rigorous investigation, laying the groundwork for future research. Their work aimed to separate fact from folklore and deception.

Founding the SPR. This push for a scientific approach culminated in the formation of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in 1882 by academics and scientists. Their manifesto outlined clear objectives for studying abnormal happenings, including:

• Mind-to-mind influence (telepathy)
• Clairvoyance
• Apparitions coinciding with events (like death)
• Communications from the dead
• Physical phenomena inexplicable by known laws

Bringing science to the unknown. The SPR and later organizations like the American Society for Psychical Research and the National Laboratory of Psychical Research brought a critical eye and experimental methods to the field. Investigators like William Barrett, Frank Podmore, and Harry Price conducted controlled experiments and documented cases, seeking empirical evidence for paranormal phenomena, even if definitive proof remained elusive.

2. Personal Encounters Fuel Belief, Even for Skeptics

I have never seen a ghost – but I have met hundreds of sane and sensible people who say they have.

Eyewitness accounts. Many individuals, including journalists and researchers, have reported personal experiences with the supernatural that have profoundly impacted their beliefs. These encounters often occur unexpectedly and defy simple explanation, leading even initially skeptical observers to reconsider their views. The author himself recounts several such instances, including mysterious sounds in his own home.

Journalists' investigations. Reporters, tasked with uncovering facts, have sometimes stumbled upon or actively investigated hauntings, leading to unsettling personal experiences. Examples include:

• A Daily Mail reporter hearing unexplained footsteps and a cough in a haunted house.
• Shaw Desmond witnessing a shadow detach itself and move down a corridor.
• Gerard Fairlie hearing a newspaper crumple and seeing a ghostly figure enter his home.
• Robert Aickman hearing distinct footsteps in an empty stairwell.

Transformative experiences. For some, a single, vivid encounter can be life-altering, prompting them to delve deeper into the paranormal. These personal brushes with the unknown serve as powerful motivators for investigation and contribute to the ongoing collection of anecdotal evidence, even when scientific validation is difficult.

3. Poltergeists Manifest as Physical Disturbances, Often Linked to Adolescents

It is a maxim that in Poltergeist cases, one practically never witnesses the displaced objects in flight, or the beginning of the telekinetic movements which are a feature of these cases.

Physical phenomena. Poltergeist activity is characterized by physical disturbances such as unexplained noises, objects moving or being thrown, spontaneous fires, and even physical assaults. Unlike apparitions, the source is often invisible, making direct observation of the cause challenging, though the effects are tangible. Reports include falling stones, furniture moving, and objects vibrating or flying.

Adolescent connection. A recurring theme in poltergeist cases is the presence of an adolescent, typically between the ages of 10 and 15, in the affected household. Theories suggest that the psychological or physiological energy associated with puberty might be linked to these phenomena, perhaps as a form of psychokinetic energy or projected emotional tension. Cases like Eleonore Zugun and the Baltimore Poltergeist are often cited examples.

Varied intensity. Poltergeist manifestations can range from minor, recurring annoyances like tapping or doors opening to violent events causing damage, injury, or intense fear. Examples include:

• The "Stone-Throwing Ghost" in Australia.
• The "Noisy Ghost" of Elkader tipping over a refrigerator.
• The "Fire-Raising Ghost" of Seron causing spontaneous combustion.
• Physical attacks and objects thrown at individuals.

4. Apparitions Appear in Diverse Forms and Locations

I can only say that, having made every effort to exercise reasonable scepticism, I yet do not feel equal to the degree of unbelief in human testimony to avoid at least provisionally reaching the conclusion that there are, in a sense, haunted houses...

Visual manifestations. Apparitions are perhaps the most classic form of haunting, involving the visual appearance of figures or faces. These can range from clear, detailed forms to misty, translucent shapes, and are reported in a vast array of locations, from historic buildings to modern homes and even open landscapes. The "Morton Ghost" and the "Brown Lady" photograph are famous examples.

Diverse forms and settings. Ghosts are described in countless variations, including:

• Full human figures (e.g., Lady Elizabeth Hoby, the Roman Ghost).
• Partial figures or faces (e.g., The Face on the Floor, Phantom Face on TV).
• Animal ghosts (e.g., Ghost of an Elephant, Ghost Dog).
• Group apparitions (e.g., Phantom Army, Ghostly Monks).
• Appearing in specific locations (e.g., castles, rectories, public houses, roads).

Moment-of-death apparitions. A specific type involves the appearance of a person at or near the time of their death to someone close to them, often at a distance. These are sometimes seen by multiple witnesses or convey information unknown to the percipient, adding to their mystery and suggesting a connection beyond conventional perception.

5. Phantom Objects and Sounds Defy Rational Explanation

It is one thing to imagine the hooded and cowled figure of a monk disappearing amid the moonlit ruins of some desolate abbey but how about hearing the full-throttle roar of a motorcycle on the still air where none is visible.

Inexplicable phenomena. Beyond visible figures, hauntings often involve sounds or the appearance of objects that have no apparent physical source. These can be recurring or isolated incidents and contribute significantly to the eerie atmosphere of a haunted location, challenging conventional understanding of physics and reality.

Examples of phantom sounds:

• Mysterious footsteps (e.g., Borley Rectory, The Steps in the Stairwell).
• Unexplained music or chanting (e.g., Ghostly Submerged Bells, The Fen Mystery).
• Animal sounds (e.g., The Thing that Screams in the Night).
• Mechanical noises (e.g., Phantom Vehicle, Ghost Train, Phantom Engine Noises).

Examples of phantom objects:

• Objects appearing or disappearing (e.g., The Glowing Chest, Uri Geller's Unexpected Guest).
• Objects moving or vibrating without contact (e.g., Ghost Moves a Piano, Mysterious Falling Stones).
• Phantom vehicles or aircraft (e.g., Ghost Bus of Kensington, Phantom Ship Off Cape Town).

These phenomena, when witnessed by multiple individuals or recorded by equipment, add layers of complexity to the study of hauntings, suggesting forces or entities capable of interacting with the physical world in ways not yet understood.

6. Hauntings Span Modern Settings and Affect Various Groups

If you believe that old country mansions and sailing ships can be haunted – why not a jumbo jet?

Beyond traditional locations. While castles, old houses, and historical sites are common settings for hauntings, reports indicate that supernatural phenomena occur in a wide variety of locations, including modern buildings and vehicles. This suggests that hauntings are not solely tied to ancient history or specific architectural styles.

Diverse haunted locations:

• Public houses and hotels (e.g., Ghost Troubles Village Public House, Bargain at Ghost Hotel).
• Modern homes and council flats (e.g., Headless Ghost in Pre-fab, The Council House of Horrors).
• Transportation (e.g., Ghost Train, Ghost Bus, Jumbo the Jet Age Ghost, Haunted Wings in the Night).
• Workplaces (e.g., Ghost at the Dentists, The Haunted Supermarket).
• Public spaces (e.g., Haunted Park for Princess, Haunted House of Commons).

Affecting various people. Hauntings are not limited to specific types of individuals; they are reported by people from all walks of life, including professionals, celebrities, and ordinary citizens. This widespread reporting, often by credible witnesses, challenges the notion that ghost sightings are merely the product of overactive imaginations or mental instability.

7. Sexual Encounters with Ghosts, Though Rare, Are Reported Phenomena

Sex ranks with fear and love as the strongest emotion.

Intimate manifestations. While less common than other types of hauntings, there are documented accounts of spirits engaging in sexual interactions with the living. These range from fleeting touches and caresses to more aggressive assaults, sometimes leaving physical marks on the victim. Such reports touch upon ancient beliefs in Incubi and Succubi.

Forms of spectral sex:

• Nude or partially clothed apparitions (e.g., The Lady in Blue, Rattlesden Rectory ghost).
• Unseen hands touching or caressing (e.g., The Invisible Hands, Pinching ghosts).
• Physical pressure or weight on a bed (e.g., The Little House on the Hill, Rudolf Valentino's ghost).
• Attempted or actual sexual assault (e.g., Smurl Poltergeist, Spectral Rape case).

Psychological and physical impact. These encounters can be deeply disturbing, causing fear, confusion, and even physical injury. While some skeptics attribute such experiences to psychological factors like sexual repression or sleep paralysis, the consistency of reports and occasional physical evidence lead others to consider them as genuine, albeit rare, paranormal events.

8. Experts Propose Diverse Theories on the Nature of Ghosts

Real ghosts have human minds, but demons are an army and their general is Satan.

Seeking explanations. Faced with phenomena that defy conventional science, researchers and theorists have proposed various explanations for what ghosts might be. These range from psychological projections to residual energy imprints and conscious discarnate entities, reflecting the complexity and ambiguity of the evidence.

Proposed theories:

• Residual Hauntings: Energy imprints of past events or emotions left on a location, replaying under certain conditions (e.g., Brigadier Chris Holton's view).
• Conscious Spirits: The surviving personalities of deceased individuals attempting to communicate or tied to earthly concerns (e.g., W T Stead, Hannen Swaffer).
• Psychological Projection: Phenomena originating from the mind of a living person, often an adolescent, due to stress or psychological factors (e.g., Carl Jung's theory, Nandor Fodor's work).
• Elemental Spirits: Primitive, non-human entities tied to specific locations (e.g., Montague Summers, Robert Aickman).
• Cosmic Accidents: Unexplained phenomena resulting from temporal or spatial anomalies (e.g., Robert Graves' theory).

Ongoing debate. No single theory has gained universal acceptance, and the debate continues among researchers, psychologists, and theologians. The lack of consistent, replicable evidence makes it difficult to definitively prove or disprove any particular explanation, leaving the nature of ghosts an open question.

9. Clearing Hauntings Involves Prayer, Exorcism, or Addressing Underlying Causes

Find the frustrated creative gift, lift up a crushed ego, give love and confidence and the poltergeist will cease to be.

Intervention methods. When hauntings become disruptive or malevolent, various methods are employed to try and stop the activity or help the spirit move on. These approaches often combine religious rituals, psychological understanding, and sometimes, simply acknowledging the presence.

Common clearing methods:

• Religious Exorcism: Rituals performed by clergy to remove unwanted spirits or evil influences (e.g., Bishop Exorcizes Ghost, Canon John Pearce-Higgins' work).
• Psychological Intervention: Addressing the potential psychological factors in a living person believed to be the focus of the haunting (e.g., Nandor Fodor's approach with Ted Pauls).
• Communication and Release: Attempting to understand the spirit's reason for staying and helping it move towards "the Light" (e.g., Ena Twigg's cases, Eddie Burks' work).
• Blessings or Simple Requests: Asking the spirit politely to leave (e.g., Canon John Pearce-Higgins' advice).
• Addressing Underlying Issues: Resolving historical injustices or family conflicts believed to be tied to the haunting (e.g., The Talking Ghost of Saragossa, The Pyromaniac Ghost).

Varying success. The effectiveness of these methods varies greatly, and some hauntings persist despite numerous attempts to clear them. The success often seems to depend on the nature of the haunting, the skill of the practitioner, and the willingness of the living occupants to participate or change their behavior.

10. Belief in Ghosts Persists Despite Skepticism and Changing Times

Belief in ghosts, like belief in the devil, is dying out.

Enduring belief. Despite scientific skepticism and societal changes, belief in ghosts and paranormal phenomena remains widespread. While some historical accounts suggested a decline in belief due to modern illumination, contemporary surveys indicate that a significant portion of the population still believes in or has experienced paranormal events.

Modern challenges and adaptations. Technology and modern life present new contexts and potential challenges for hauntings. Reports of ghosts in modern buildings, vehicles, and even interacting with technology like computers and mobile phones suggest that if hauntings are real, they adapt to the times. Conversely, some speculate that technology, like mobile phones, might even interfere with or diminish paranormal activity.

Continued interest and research. The public fascination with ghosts endures, fueling media interest, tourism (e.g., Ghost Tours), and ongoing research efforts. While mainstream science largely remains unconvinced, dedicated parapsychologists and investigators continue to collect data and seek empirical evidence, ensuring that the question of whether ghosts are real remains a subject of active inquiry and debate in the 21st century.

Last updated: June 12, 2025