Be a Paranormal Investigator
Learn the Steps to Becoming a Ghost Hunter
By: EMILY (on behalf of Suite101)
If you’re serious about hunting for ghosts, there are classes you can take to learn how to become a paranormal investigator. While many are free, others do charge. However, there are so many other resources available that you shouldn’t have to pay to take a class. There are countless theories regarding the realm of the paranormal, so it’s certainly possible to do your own research and come to your own conclusions. In order to become a paranormal investigator, here are some important steps to take.
Decide Whether You’re Ready for Paranormal Investigating
Most importantly, a fascination with the paranormal doesn’t always equate to an ability to investigate. To discover whether the investigative environment is a comfortable setting for you, do a test run. Take another person and go somewhere local. Go to this location during the daytime and go there at night. Don’t take anything elaborate. Take a notepad, a pencil, a digital camera, a simple voice recorder and lots of batteries.
Go to your location more than once. Research the location’s history. Write down everything that happens. If you feel comfortable doing all this, then you know you can take more steps to become an investigator. If you were totally scared, however, maybe that’s a sign you shouldn’t go any further. You don’t want to put yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable. You need to be able to think, interact and react to all events, paranormal or not, rationally.
Respect the location. You’re there to observe and listen. Acquire permission to investigate a location if necessary and leave the location in the same condition you found it.
Another factor to recognize when you first start out is your level of patience. Did you find yourself getting intensely bored? Ghosts don’t jump out screaming, “Here I am!” as soon as you walk into a location. Some investigations go on for hours and hours before something ever happens - if anything happens at all. Plenty of investigations never turn up any evidence so patience is key. If you don’t have an abundance of patience, then paranormal investigation might not be the right fit for you.
Join a Local Paranormal Group
Next step – join a group. There are paranormal groups in most areas. Ask to go along on an investigation so you can get a feel for how that particular group works. You may have to test out several groups before you find one that fits. Some groups are small while other groups have lots of members.
Depending on the group you join, you’ll likely have to undergo some kind of training process. When testing out a paranormal group or organization, be sure to monitor the group’s professionalism and seriousness toward the field. If you’re serious about investigating the supernatural, then you’ll want to be surrounded by like-minded people.
Rather than spend money on equipment by yourself, see what your local paranormal group already has. You’ll probably come into contact with various equipment used by the group and you’ll learn from others how everything works. Once you establish some preferences and acquire knowledge of the equipment, you can start buying your own.
Research the Paranormal Field
Lastly, make it a habit to read and research. There are many books that discuss first-account paranormal experiences, investigative techniques and theories of the field. While no one set of beliefs or techniques can be correctly labeled true at this point in time, there are many commonly held theories and beliefs that you’ll want to know. Steer clear of stuff that you can’t take seriously. Paranormal topics are easy to sensationalize. If you want to be an investigator, read material that takes the subject seriously.
Ask questions of other investigators. Listen to other investigators and people that research paranormal topics. There are several good radio shows where different people involved in the field are interviewed weekly. Stay up-to-date on the latest research, theories and events. You can also do this by attending paranormal conferences.
Sources:
Southall, Richard. How to be a Ghost Hunter. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, Minnesota. 2005.
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I am interested in joining your organization. I am a firm believer that there is something out there. I can be a sensitive. I can be reached by email. I was told your organization is taking applications for new investigators.
August 7th, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Hello, My name is Alicia Capano. Im currently a receptionist at my family’s business. I have been interested and studying the paranormal for years now. My ultimate goal is to become a paranormal investigator, and to get a PHD in parapsychology. Ive had many unexplained experiences, some while i was alone other times ive been with family or friends. I full heartedly believe in spirits. I know a lot about hauntings and the many different kinds that exist such as residual, intelligent, poltergeist ect.. I also know about the different kind of spirits that exist. I would absolutely love to investigate locations with others who are just as fascinated and intrigued as i am. I ve been told that i stir up activity in active places, i believe its because i may be sensitive and open to these things, but i am not claiming meduimship in anyway. However i am friends with many mediums and i do believe in that as well. I would give anything to work with you guys, it would be an honor and an amazing experience, it is my passion to search for the unknown, and possibly help spirits move on, and help people who are afraid, especially if they are terrified of their own home. id like to help people understand the paranormal more and to ultimately believe because it is real. Hope to hear from you soon, Thank you have a great day! Alicia Capano
August 12th, 2009 at 2:46 PM
This was very informative thank you.
Ghosts and spirits have been a major interest to me ever since a night at a friends house (when I was 18) resulted in a very terrifying yet amazing experience that left me on a quest to find out more on the subject. Afterall, having a shelf shake violently and then hurl a picture frame across the room isn’t something you soon forget.
Since that night I began reading various accounts and experiences that left me even more interested in this topic and it sparked a personal quest to find out more, which brings me to your organization. I’m very interested in doing some fieldwork, and If your still hiring I would very much like a chance to apply. I’m 23 and I’m afraid i’ve had no professional experience but I’m willing to learn, am quick with a camera and not easily frightened. Please feel free to email me at the address provided.
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Hello, my name is Wanda Loughrey and I am very interested in doing some investagation. I have be visited by two family members who have passed so I kinda know how it is, I would love to get involved. Please feel free to email me and let me know what I need to do. Thanks and hope to hear back from you soon.
Wanda
September 8th, 2009 at 3:25 PM
I am interested in the paranormal and always have been. I tried going into a cemetery near my house and got a weird recording. It sounded like a music box playing, but two of my other friends and me included never heard the sound. It was pretty cool. I am a teenager and would like to try this out some time if you let me.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:08 PM
I am very interested in becoming a member of your group. I have wanted to study the paranormal for quite some time now. I lived in 2 very old houses that had unexplained activity that my daughters and boyfriend all experienced as well. I have had other unexplained instances in the past when i was younger. I believe the spirits gravitate to people that are open to their world. Please send me information on how i can join your group, I believe I would be an asset to your organization.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I am very interested in joining a paranormal investigative group. I have interest in this field and feel I have gone as far as I can with self study. I would like to go to the next step and get into investigations but not alone, I would like the safety of a group. I’m willing to help the group in any way I can and work from the bottom up as I’m sure you have several talented investigators already. I am not a medium, claravoyant, or sensitive, I’m just an ordinary person with this extraordinary interest.