As the autumn air chills your skin, cafe menus fill with pumpkin spice and spooky-themed drinks, so too does eeriness begin to seep into day-to-day life. A bump in the night, shadows just out of sight, and a feeling you are not alone…all of these comprise the possible presence of a phantom. In fact, it is said that the days leading up to Halloween and on the day of are when these presences are most powerful. The veil between the human and spirit realms wears thinner. Therefore, October is the best time to throw on your costume and become a ghost hunter for the night! 

Ghost hunting entails investigating an area said to have ghost sightings or reported paranormal energy. To a skeptic, this sounds absolutely ridiculous. However, being a skeptic does not mean you do not have a curiosity to be quenched. If you are a believer, ghost hunting will allow you to explore the spirit realm and solidify your truth. Ghosthunting is an experience open to all! Ghost hunting is much more enjoyable, safer, and efficient with a group of people. There is less of a chance of your spiritual energy being disrupted, and there are more eyes to witness a sighting! Be sure to research a place’s haunted history you wish to explore, but keep in mind to never trespass, ask permission, and choose somewhere safe to traverse at night. You never want to disturb not only the dead, but the living as well. 

Gear-wise, most hunters use EMF detectors, which detect changes in the surrounding electromagnetic field, REM Pods, which create their own electromagnetic fields to sense any disturbances, spirit boxes, which rapidly flip through radio channels and allow for spirits to communicate, there are motion detectors, thermal cameras, and even more expensive gear. Though for beginners, notepads, flashlights, a camera, phones, maybe an app with “ghost” somewhere in the name, and copper rods, which a ghost can move to answer “yes” or “no” answers if you have the cash. When hunting, keep questions respectful, speak in the present tense, be aware of your surroundings, and how you feel. If everything seems too overwhelming, it is wise to take a step back. Never under any circumstances, hunt in a graveyard, provoke a spirit, or use an Ouija board. This is supposed to be fun, not a real-life horror movie. 

Once the hunt is over, thank the spirits for speaking to you and politely ask that they stay put in the place where they reside, hang out with friends for the rest of the night, eat candy, watch movies, and, of course, have a debrief. Happy hunting and stay safe this Halloween!