How To Tell If Your House Is Haunted

Having a friendly ghost at home is nothing to be scared of – it’s a supernatural privilege, says Angela Kennedy

Nobody’s frightened of fairies, scared of unicorns or apprehensive about angels, but mention there’s a ghost in your house and guests rapidly run away. However, the majority of house hauntings aren’t like the menacing phantoms in scary films. In fact, many consider it an honour to have a spook as a housemate. So, perhaps it’s time to face the fact that spirit beings have been given an unfairly bad rap because the truth is: most ghosts aren’t spooky! According to mediums who communicate with spirit, the ghost in your home could be trying to convey a constructive message to you rather than rattling the doors and windows just to scare you. Most mediums refer to the beings they contact as “people in spirit”. This dissolves the fear factor by reminding you that ghosts are people too – but existing on another spiritual level. “Ghost have good intentions and don’t mean to bother you,” says Nina Ashby of the British Astrological and Psychic Society. “You are both going about your own business in separate dimensions, yet you are both aware of each other’s presence,” she adds.

Most mediums refer to the beings they contact as “people in spirit”. This dissolves the fear factor by reminding you that ghosts are people too – but existing on another spiritual level. “Ghosts have good intentions and don’t mean to bother you,” says Nina Ashby of the British Astrological and Psychic Society. “You are both going about your own business in separate dimensions, yet you are both aware of each other’s presence,” she adds.

WHO’S SHARING YOUR ABODE…

A common and comforting ghost to have around the house is the spirit of a deceased relative or friend, who returns to reassure you they’re fine in the afterlife, or with a helpful message for you. Another welcome ghostly guest is a beloved pet who has passed on but revisits in spirit to remain close to you.

Some buildings come with previous owners still attached –but this usually goes unnoticed by those of us without psychic sight. The previous occupant of your home perhaps doesn’t realise they are in spirit, so just carries on with life as usual and that’s when we hear them!

Working out which type of ghost you have sitting on your sofa should be easy if you consider these different types of scenarios.

Family ghosts

This phantom has a message to pass on. Most likely to be a relative or friend, the spectre will flicker lights or move household objects to grab your attention. You may repeatedly hear your loved one’s favourite song on the radio, or perhaps you keep noticing an object which your deceased relative or pet was particularly fond of. These are all ghostly messages intended to show you that your loved one is watching over you from the afterlife.

Residual energy

This isn’t really a ghost but a psychic impression that’s replayed as if on a  loop of film. It’s perhaps the leftover imprint of strong emotional energy that hasn’t dissipated.

Elemental spirit

If you’re lucky, you might have an elemental spirit residing in your house. Guardians of the home, these spirits are also called fairies, elves, pixies or gnomes. An elemental will protect your abode and bring you good fortune.

House Rules For Your Ghostly Guests

A resident ghost won’t drop its smelly socks on the carpet or leave the kitchen sink overflowing with dirty dishes – living with a spirit could be much easier than sharing a house with some humans. Make friends by encouraging a positive flow of energy between you and your spirit guest:

Listen & acknowledge: What is the spirit trying to tell you? Consider if there’s an area of your life that might be causing a loved one concern or happiness. Speak out loud in your home to acknowledge you have understood the spirit’s message. Reassure your ghostly relative you won’t forget them.

Crystal cleanse: Place a clear quartz crystal in each corner of the haunted room to cleanse the atmosphere. Add rose quartz to the middle of the room to introduce a loving, nurturing energy.

6 Signs Your Home Is Spooked

• COLD SPOTS: if most of your room is toasty warm but there’s one persistent icy area – a ghostly presence could be drawing heat out of the room to allow its energetic body to manifest.

•LIGHTS FLICKERING: if an electrician can’t find fault with the wiring, perhaps a phantom is to blame? A spirit may try to get your attention by turning electrical devices off and on.

•BORROWER PHENOMENON: playful spirits seem to enjoy moving objects like car keys or coins around the house.

•UNEXPLAINED ORBS: anomalous balls of light that appear in your digital pictures could be other worldly beings. While some are specks of dust or insects, others can’t be explained away so easily.

•PECULIAR PETS: animals rely on their sixth sense, meaning they can pick up on paranormal happenings. So if your pet displays unusual behaviour, such as howling or staring at the same spot in your home – you may have a ghostly visitor.

•STRANGE SCENTS: friendly ghosts may waft a pleasant scent through your home to say hello. Floral scents are most often reported.