Not all ghost sightings in Maine fit the description of a residual haunting. Some, like the tales of Edith at the Lombard School in Springfield, involve what is known as an intelligent spirit. No, this isn’t a reflection of the mental capacity of the ghost – but rather the ability of the ghostly entity to interact with the living.
Intelligent spirits are thought to linger in the area either because they have unfinished business to attend to before crossing over to the afterlife, or they have chosen to remain in an area that they love. This is all theory, of course, and no one knows for sure why some ghosts remain here on earth and why some do not.
Characteristics of an intelligent haunting include voices that seem directed to you or happen in response to your actions, light objects being moved to get your attention (movement of heavy objects are more likely to have another cause – like poltergeist activity or inhuman spirits) and apparitions that speak to or look at you.
The spirit may be curios about your activity or upset when you move things that belong to them. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson from TAPS explain that intelligent spirits typically retain the personality of the person before they passed away. Although some may be kind and loving, others may be angry or deceitful. Some may even enjoy a good trick or two to keep you on your toes.
Some intelligent spirits attempt to make physical contact by tapping or touching you. A gentle tug on the hair, a tap on the shoulder or a pat on the back may be the intelligent spirits way of saying that you are safe with them.
Intelligent spirits may be annoying – or frightening to those who do not understand them – but typically are not dangerous and will not harm you. Think of the intelligent ghost as an invisible houseguest with a personality of his own.
If an intelligent spirit haunts you, talking to them may be the answer to ridding them from your home. Many prefer to simply state their ground rules or tell the spirit they are welcome to stay, as long as they leave the residents alone. Others insist that the spirit vacate the premises. While still others prefer to simply accept the spirit and cohabitate in peace. What you decide to do is up to you.
To receive notices of new articles by Nannette Richford, click on the subscribe button located under the author profile.
Comments