Odd Noise

        So, the USS Hornet, huh?

A place of afterlife legends atop the water, where certain sections are still closed for asbestos removal.  Many areas are flat-out off limits, and there are plenty of living bodies around to tell you where not to go.  Of course those sectors always make me most curious. :)

It was early August, 2015.  The ALPS team took me to the ship.  It started on a top level, the museum full of aircrafts and other era artillery.  A fantastic place to see familiar faces that all seemed to start with the Spirits of the Old West event at the Washoe Club back in 2012.

The ship was packed with different exhibits that appeared around winding corners and in unexpected rooms.

Many people coming and going, much merchandise on display from vendors and our current paranormal generation of grinders.
Early on, a tour guide briefly led the team down to an engine room where unexplained things were heard by naked ears and also recorded on audio.  Off to a good start.
My next question... where will I crash?
At first I was worried to have to rest my head surrounded by many people on the top level.  Couples, strangers, snorers!  But then we were shown down to the bunks that were yet another level below the busy and packed area of the others.  A less-occupied level that Faye had mentioned earlier.
Indeed, it was dark.  So I paid attention to the guide when he flipped switches for lighting.  When I saw Faye ask him the procedure a moment later, I knew there was backup as usual.
In the evening they served us dinner.  A filling meal that made me just right for a smoke.  I stepped back above, where the dark museum opened up to the rear of the ship– and this sight hit me.

The sunset was far beyond the bridges, the ships, and the water, far beyond the buildings of San Francisco.  It made plenty of colors as we socialized, smoked, discussed, then prepared for when the sun went down behind the city.

Many people were assigned in different groups that explored separate areas.  We passed by each other and BSed.

Sommer took us up to the control room, a fantastic display of blue radars and yellow charts.  How many emotions and energies from important decisions had made their way through that place over the years?

We explored lonely rooms that branched off shadowed hallways.  Supernatural experiments with different strangers. The hallways were ominous at all times.  Several people later found EVP’s in their archives.  One from Scott seemed to mention me by name, and it touched on a major past nerve. 

And who knows what else was found by the many investigators who were there?  Do share your evidence if your eyes reach this post.

We were guided to some of the most notorious spots, and it was easy to feel uneasy in most of them.  Being surrounded by so many people made the areas easy to face.

But the night got quiet, and other groups seemed to fade off like souls in time.  The USS Hornet is not a place you want to be stranded in the dark.  Odd noises from all directions is enough to make the mind wonder– but the things that are really there?

Four of us were on the grind latest into twilight hours. Myself, Faye, Scott Litaea, and some guy who followed us, said nothing, and crunched on vending machine snacks that made me envious.  Everything seemed quiet, except for the hum of the ship.  Time came to call it quits around five in the morning.

I was tired enough that the bunk felt like a bed.

The alarm in the morning, a surprising siren that blasted like the good old military days.  It was a sound meant to rise you from that bunk and be ready for plans in store for you.  I can’t say, after maybe an hour of deep sleep, that I was entirely annoyed when I reached a lower deck.  The kitchen area!  It was an awesome breakfast.

The experience felt like a camping trip aboard a haunted and historic American vessel.  It was a mixture of so many different people with goals that revolve around a similar subject.  What can ever go wrong there?

How amazing it was to see so many familiar faces who are currently working hard on the grind for their passions and for the future.  Here’s links to some of their Facebook accounts where you can find further links to their projects:

Josh Heard:    https://www.facebook.com/josh.heard.9 

Conner Hopkins:     https://www.facebook.com/connor.hopkins.9

Scott Litaea:     https://www.facebook.com/scottdlitaea

Sommer Jonez:     https://www.facebook.com/sommer.jonez

Jessie Garcia:     https://www.facebook.com/JessiePGarcia

.... and so many more. 

Odd Silence

There was a strange silence at the Miner’s Cabin.
        The Gold Hill nights were cold, but the stars exposed themselves in spirit.  I watched the moon have a strange eclipse then vanish behind the horizon.
         Inside the cabin, the Angels kept it warm.  November cold drafts made their way in, but their source was always questionable.  The T.V. played Ghost Adventures.  It turned off when time to communicate, of course  :)

        You might have heard of the Miner’s Cabin on the premises of the Gold Hill Hotel.  It’s a saloon, too.  Rumored to be near the bodies (and souls) of men who perished in flames of a nearby mine.

A woman guided me through the hotel itself, years ago.  She let me have keys and pointed the way to some of the haunted rooms.  A property caretaker told me that the wooden side of the building was added in the 80's, but the stone section is the original hotel/ crash spot/ area for bizarre happenings.

The bartender spoke of plenty strangeness, some stories even happening on this staircase.  I believe there are other photos the very same, only with strange anomalies.

        The night was not kind on temperature.

Jen, Faye, myself– the three of us stood outside, a recorder on the table that sat under the ruins of an old elevator shaft.

 

        My focus pulled me to a place off in the dark.  An odd feeling coming from there, where most tense darkness hid.  Humans who are in tune can often feel watchful energy.

        Jen pointed and said, “Over there.  To the left.”

        A presence we both felt in the shadows.  I was surprised she verbally expressed what I started feeling just a moment before.  But we heard no voices, and we received no definite signals.  November drove us back inside.

        During a session when we asked questions and walked back and forth through the cabin I was nervous to be the only person to come face to face with something.  My main fear being that I would have to tell the tale with no witnesses.  But I walked back and forth through the cabin, a short route from the living room to the back bedroom.

It was almost a relief to not see an apparition.  And I thought we were ever so alone those nights.

But time always tells, and there is no denying the EVPs calling Faye’s name.  (Or did they say “Hey”?)  And it certainly sounds like someone addressing me by name in one audio clip that Faye sent my way.

I was provided food to eat, and a spot to sleep.    But most of all, good company.  There was silence at the Miner’s Cabin.  Or so I thought.  Either way, it was a ghostly one.

- JEB

Halloween... The night of ghosts, ghouls, and most things that go bump in the night.

It is no surprise that many paranormal investigators love Halloween, or at least this time of year. Many believe that it is the one time of the year that the veil between the dead and the living is at its weakest. Many others believe that its a night of evil rather than good. So, who is right, who is wrong? To better answer this let's look at where the idea of where Halloween came from.

The Origins of Halloween

In ancient times, Celtic speaking countries  many had pagan (Middle English, from late Latin 'paganus' country dweller)  roots and belief system that marked the end of the harvest time and the beginning of winter. The festival known at Samhain (pronounced 'sah-win') was the time where they would honor their ancestors, have a great feast, dance, play games, and give offerings from the last of the harvests to their goddesses and gods. They would hollow out turnips, pumpkins or what ever they could carve a face on in hopes that the eerie face would ward of an evil that may be lurking near. This was considered the best time to contact the dead. The celebration would be an all day event, and by the night fall, candles were lit and rituals preformed to help honor the memory of their loved ones that had passed during the year and those before. 

It was not until 609 AD that the celebration of All Saints Day was moved to November 1st from May 13th  by Pope Gregory IV. Scholars believe that he moved the day to help counter the pagan festival. There would be a Mass that would honor the saints who did not have their own day, so that all that were considered 'hallowed' (regarded as holy; venerated; sacred) would be honored. The day before became known as All Hallows Eve. During this time, it was felt by many Christians the pagan festival was bringing forth evil spirits, and the devil. It is thought that in the 12th century,  people would put on masks and costumes so that they would not be spirited away or influenced by the dead. They hope it would conceal their identity long enough till midnight, where they felt the dangers were over and unmask themselves to prove that they were truly one of the living.

By the time the twentieth century was in full bloom both celebrations were practiced, but mostly by the Irish and Scottish immigrant communities. People were dressing in costumes, wearing masks, carving pumpkins, holding dances, going to church, and still honoring the dead.

From Samhain, to All Hallows Eve, to Halloween, started with pagan roots, re-routed by Christians, and then settled into the holiday of Halloween as we know it today. This Halloween many of all ages will dress up in costume and either trick or treat, go to parties, go to a harvest festival put on by a local church, or participates at a haunted house or maze. There are some that just stay at home and hand out candy to the trick or treaters perhaps while watching a scary movie.

Halloween has also been the theme for movies over the years. The theme varies from the gruesome to the light at heart. Many take the Halloween traditions to the extreme, and some follow the traditions of both Samhain. Very few follow the theme of All Saints Day.

Movies for the adults:

Halloween

The Houses October Built

House of 1000 Corpses

Trick r' Treat

                  Some movies are for the young at heart or just for kids:

                                                 Nightmare Before Christmas

                                                 Halloween Town

                                                 The Halloween Tree

                                                  Hocus Pocus

Even television stations have Halloween specials or Halloween themed shows. 

So who is right and who is wrong? Nobody.

It is up for the individual to decide what they believe about Halloween. There is only one question left to ask: What will you be doing this O' Hallow's Eve?

For more information about Halloween and its traditions feel free to visit these sites.

The History Channel

Wikipedia on Halloween

Samhain

All Saints Day

So what's a cleansing anyway?

There is no right or wrong way to cleanse a home or person, just right or wrong intentions.

So what is a cleansing anyway?
I am not referring to dusting and vacuuming your home, nor am I referring to getting rid of old furniture, clothing, or the garbage that has littered your home. Cleansing in this case means to either bring in positive energies, or removing negative ones.

I am often asked "How or why would any one require or want this done?"
Majority of my clients want to feel safe and feel peaceful in their homes. When the house feels stale, empty, or negative; people want those feelings to disappear. Sometimes people of religious faith want to have the home blessed and have a removal of any evil that may be lurking within.

Now I am asked, "What about haunting, negative feelings or evil beings?"
People that claim to live in a haunted home might have a spirit or ghost that is playful, helpful and kind. In these cases, the people would like to have what ever is there to be calmed and relaxed. Most are okay with sharing there home with spirits, ghosts or beings that lurk in the shadows. Now when it comes to a spirit or ghost that is constantly noisy, poking, or pushing people and things; a client wants these things to stop or to away. As far as evil beings such as demons, majority of people would rather move from their home than have it dealt with. In any case, each is treated accordingly to the wishes of the home owners. Unfortunately there are no guarantees.


When I prepare for a cleansing there are a few herbs I like to use.


Sage

The use of sage is for healing. The smoke is used to bless, cleanse and heal the person or object. Sage is used to wash off' the outside world when one enters a home. Objects are likewise washed off with sage smoke to rid them of unwanted influences. 

Cedar

Cedar is an herb of protection. Cedar is often used to cleanse a home or an apartment when first moving in. This will help unwanted spirits to leave and the cedar will help protect a person, place or object from unwanted influences.  

Sweet Grass

Its sweet aroma reminds people of the gentleness, love and kindness; this is why Native people pick it and braid it in 3 strands representing love, kindness and honesty. Sweet grass is used for smudging and purification of the home and individual person. When Sweet grass is used, it has a calming effect on people and the area around it. It is said that it attracts the good energies. It can also be use it to call in spirits.

Other herbs

Herbs for calming and bringing in positive energies:

lavender, chamomile, rose, gardenia, lilac, and flowers that give off a light scent that is pleasing.

Herbs for protection and making you feel rooted:

cinnamon, mint, caraway, dill, and any herb that is earthy scented.

  

Herbs for banishment and getting rid of negative energies:  

rosemary, garlic.cloves, juniper, wormwood, and any herb that has an unpleasant scent.

       

These are items I like to use for blessings and banishment.

Sea Salt: used to sprinkle across thresholds and windows of your home. Known for keeping out negative energies and unwanted spirits.

Holy Water: used manly in christian belief system, the ideas behind it are relatively  the same. It has many uses across many modern religions to protect, banish, heal, curse, cleanse, purify, and the list goes on and on.

Rose Water: used to bless the living and/or the dead.

In some cases I tend to use candles.
White Candles: to help bring in positive energies
Black Candles: to help absorb the negative energies










Like others who preform cleansings, I tend to use an array of "tools" to help with focus.

crystals: amplifies whatever energy or intent that is needed. 

stones: helps to give a sense of strength and balance

mirrors: reflect light, and help spread energies around














Here is an example of a simple cleansing I would do in a home:

1. light a white candle
2. prepare a charcoal burner for the incense I made for the situation of the home
3. open the front door and leave it open.
4. go room to room starting in the back ringing a bell to start to help knell the energies within
5. take the incense burner from room to room making sure to waft the smoke to every wall, across every window and anything that might be considered and opening to the unknown world.
6. while using salt water, holy water, rose water, or my own concoction  I chant a blessing or a banishment depending what is required.
7. I ask the clients to please come with me from room to room and tell them that they need to vocalize that this is their house and what ever has been dwelling within to either respect their wishes and is allowed to stay or to leave and not return.
8. take sea salt from room to room and sprinkle it across the thresholds and windows and any other opening in the room.
9. light a black candle and go from room to room asking only good remain and all negative energies to go into the candle.
10. gather up the remaining incense, the little bit of water used, and the black candle and take it out the front door.
11. at the edge of the front of the property I dump out the incense, poor the water on it, and then blow out the black candle away from the house.
12. when I return to the front door I sprinkle the threshold with salt and then blow out the white candle.
13. I then (depending on client) give them the white and black candle, a pouch of the incense. I tell them to light the candles (white for positive, black for negative) when they feel they need a sense of calming or peace. The incense may or many not be used by them, but i like to give them what I used (tends to give them a sense of empowerment)

DISCLAIMER
Each cleansing is different depending on the need of the client/s. Each cleansing is unique and carters to the client/s beliefs and /or religion. I have great faith in what I do, but I do not guarantee that a cleansing or banishment will work, especially when the client starts to have doubts or questions if any thing I do will work. I am upfront with all the herbs I use; this allows the client a chance to say what they want or do not want, or perhaps they may have an allergy to a certain herb. I do not go against the client/s wishes. If they want a follow up, I am happy to comply. My views and opinions are my own.

Dream Visitation

What is dream visitation? Well, it is thought to be when a love one, that has passed away, comes back and visits you.
Wow, what a thought of having loved ones who have past to visit while you are sleeping! To grieve and get that chance to once again talk with them and hold them. To feel that love and know they are there with you. Such a wonderful feeling!

I had not heard of dream visitation until someone had posted an article on a group on Facebook. I read the article and realized wow, so this is what I have experienced most of my life off and on?

I had on occasion looked up sleep paralysis but the description and others experiences were nothing like what I have experienced time and time again. Imagine being a young kid, lying in bed, just dozing off still aware of the sounds and smells in the room when you get this overwhelming feeling that someone is coming... you look and see a figure coming towards you. The best way I could describe the figure is someone wearing a dark cloak. You think you are awake because you see your room as it was when you went to bed. The only difference, at this point, is you have this figure coming towards you from the door. You try to scream for help, but nothing comes out. You try to move, but can't. You then realize that you are not awake. I had this happen from time to time from Jr. high until current. When I did manage to wake myself I would go talk to my grandmother who, has always been there for me during these strange occurrences.

 Fast forward to about 10 years ago.... I had moved in with my now husband and for a while had nothing happen. Then when I started taking naps during the day, weather it was in bed or dozing off on the couch, I would start having these occurrences happening again. I could hear and smell everything, the feeling of fear came over me, and once again I saw this figure come towards me. I would struggle to wake knowing I was in a cat nap type state. I never wanted to really see what it was that would come towards me. I started to think maybe it's my subconscious trying to tell me something? I was researching dream paralysis, just anything I could think of.

  One day I came home from grocery shopping, came in, put my bags on the table, and went back out to get the rest of the groceries. At the time we had an indoor dog that was part Doberman and Rottweiler. I was talking with him when all of a sudden I heard a man's voice come from the bedroom area that said "Get out!" I was so frightened! I mean crap, was there someone in my house? How did he get in? Why is the dog just sitting next to me looking in the direction of the voice but doing nothing? There is no way someone got in with the dog in the house. Could that have happened? Honestly I was frozen with fear! I couldn't move. The layout of the house is simple, it goes in circles of sorts. I was afraid of going towards the front door. I was afraid that a guy would be standing near the first bedroom. Not even within 2 minutes of hearing the voice my husband which, was boyfriend at the time, pulled up and walked in. He opened the door and looked at me. I was so frightened! Tears were filling up in my eyes because I was so scared. He said, "what's wrong"? I asked him to please just go look in both rooms to make sure no one is in the house. He looked at me funny, but did go and there was no one. There were no TV’s on, none of the windows were open, and no fans were on. I know for a fact what I heard. I don't live in a busy city, I live in the mountains, and our neighbors are quiet. We have a lot of elderly neighbors. I couldn't make sense of it, neither could my husband.

A couple of nights later, as we were in bed watching TV, I started dozing off to sleep. I could feel the warmth of his body next to mine and I could hear the program still on the TV. Then I started getting that feeling again and looked towards the door to see this figure once again coming towards me. I knew I was in a sleep like state not fully awake. I thought to myself that I needed to look at it not be frighten, see what it is...
Well, I looked at the foot of my bed and saw a man... yes a man! He had jeans on, no shirt, skinny build, light brown hair, pale blue eyes, and he was so sad. You could see the pain in his eyes. So you know, I do believe in spirits/ghost whatever you might call them. I believe that sometimes they get lost or don't pass on.

I looked at the man and said, "you don't belong here, you need to leave, you are not welcomed here." He looked at me and said, “I can't leave." I asked him why? He looked at me and said, while pointing towards the hallway, "I hung myself out there, I can't leave." I then told him, "all you need to do is forgive yourself and move on." He looked at me like oh, that's it? He walked to the hallway and was gone. After that I woke up and asked my husband if I acted strangely while laying there and how long was I asleep. He had told me no and I wasn't out very long. The reason I wanted to know if I acted strangely is when I get frightened I try and shake my head or a part of my body in hopes to wake up. This only confirmed that even though I thought I was moving, in reality, I had not moved a muscle. I told him what happened. Of course, he didn't know what to say. I still didn't know what to think. Was that my imagination or was it something else? I hadn't watched a movie or program that had something like that so, it couldn't have been brought on by that. So I just considered it to be just my icky dreams. That's what I would call these episodes. Years later I joined a paranormal team. I love the thought of helping people, the living and the dead. Well, the founder of the team had told us how she has, since childhood, dealt with dream paralysis so, once again, I looked into it, but it wasn't what I would experience.

Then one day that article was posted about dream visitation. It talked about recently decease loved ones coming to help you, to help give you messages. The way it was described was high frequency of love. Then it talked about earth bound spirits and how they give off a low frequency which, tends to frighten people. That they come to people for help, to not be afraid, and to know that you are in charge. After reading the article I was like wow so this is what I've been experiencing. Granted, we have moved into a new house and not much has happened here. If in fact this is what my experiences are, the occurrences could also correspond to location. Last residence seemed more active, but the house was old. Really makes one wonder, Doesn't it? So now with a little in-sight of something different, I have been looking more into information on dream visitation. Now I have a new journey for myself to try and find more information. I am not saying that is what I fully experience, but it is a more plausible explanation of my experiences.

There are so many articles out there about dream visitation and really dreams who knows, right? All I know is that I have written down all the individual experiences from the past and present. With each new one I experienced I have been keeping record of weather, stress levels, what I have eaten, had to drink, and the time. Just about everything I can remember just to see if there are any similarities other than my nap time. These visitations are never in a middle of a dream, in some type of magical world, and someone I know pops in and it feels real. I did have one of those which was my dad visiting, but that is the only one that was full of love and reassurance. All the others ones are just in the house, as if I am awake, and witnessing people and feeling frightened. 

I guess I am putting this out there to see if others experience anything similar. All I know is what I experience and it's real for me. You decide.