A spirit which has not passed over correctly, into the light, the next level, Heaven or whichever way through your belief's you wish to call it. The reasons why they remain behind are diverse; unfinished business, ( a message need be told to a loved one, finger a murderer, etc. ), afraid of passing over, ( fear of being judged, Hell, what's on the other side, the unknown, etc. ), a sudden or unexpected death, ( leaves the spirit confused, or in denial of their own passing ), guilt or grief, ( not wanting to leave that special someone or loved one, the grief of a loved one of whom they wish to comfort ), etc. Once a spirit is satisfied it has accomplished it's goals it will eventually move on, or remain because it simply likes where it's at, and comfortable is the area in which it haunts. They are not bound to that place or area, and can move on when they wish, but that, entirely depends on them, and if they wish to, or not, leave this world, or plane of existence.

Since there is no definitive proof of the paranormal, it makes it hard to tell if one's house may be haunted or not. However, if strange occurrences happen on a regular basis, one idea is to start a journal and record all what you think is 'strange' and going on. Write down what the occurrences may be, times they take place, any changes within the area things occur, ( ie. cold spots, visible anomalies, etc. ), try to take pictures, something may show up in them to help determine if you may have a problem, ( or not ) weather conditions, tape recordings for strange sounds, video recordings, etc. You can also write down any information you can get about the place you live in, area, history, and anything that may have occurred there that is NOT of paranormal origin which may be the root of your problems - and those that may be. We also have to keep in mind that some hauntings are like a "photograph" of an occurrence of the past, that plays over and over - like a recording and not an actual "live" haunting.

Sometimes sounds like the water heater, wooden houses expanding/contracting, weather changes, etc. can cause all sorts of sounds that may seem spooky, but are all perfectly normal things and can often be mistaken for paranormal phenomena. ( Fluffy the cat jumping on the furniture, chasing a rat, it's tail or it's own shadow can do just this ). The human imagination has plenty to do with this, we often see or hear things that aren't what we think they may be, a nightmare, scary book, movie, story, can all help to influence your imagination even further. The journal will help you determine whether or not an actual paranormal occurrence is taking place, through your notes.

If it comes to be that you are really sure that a paranormal occurrence is happening, find some experienced ghost hunters in your area, ( children shouldn't do anything without their parents consent ), who can help you out with your situation. Show them your notes, ( what-when-how-where ), explain to them in detail what the occurrences are, your religious beliefs, things you, ( or your friends/family members), may have done to cause the haunting, ( summoning spirits through the Ouija board for example ), if you have done anything, ( prayer, house blessed, sea-salts, holy water, holy oils, etc. ), to try and stop the haunting, if you are sensitive or any other family member.. ( some spirits come about because they know that you can sense them ), if the problem started there, or at a previous residence, if the problems started with the previous tenants, etc. so that they can know exactly what the situation is about and help you. Most ghost hunters offer free services, and if an actual paranormal occurrence is present, can gather more information and possibly help you with your situation, ( depending on their services ). Don't challenge the spirit or anger it, that will not help your situation and may only cause more problems.

One way to get rid of ghosts is to ask the ghosts out loud in a firm yet respectful tone, to please leave and stop their activities. According to many stories and witness accounts, this seems to be the most effective way of dealing with the situation. No one, or anything, wishes to be disrespected, yelled at, etc., so treat it the way you'd like to be treated or treat a good friend. Many times, ghosts are just passing through, just wish to be noticed, and not mean any harm. Don't panic, take a deep breath and explain what your problem is and ask if they could stop. Try to remain calm and avoid fear and negativity, none of it will help you with your situation.

Only if it wishes to go. It may be afraid to leave, not wish to leave, ( being comfortable where it is at ), etc.. Again, you can also find ghost hunters in your area to help you with the situation, but this does not mean the spirit will leave. Some ghost hunting groups have a psychic/sensitive who is a part of the team and can help to move the spirit on and also tell you why the spirit may be there. Then again, you may not wish for it to go and can live and deal with the situation fine,  accepting the spirit(s) for what they are and realizing that there is no reason to fear them. It all depends on you - and your spirit.

Not everyone in a house may experience a haunting, this doesn't mean you are loosing your mind. Try to take hold of yourself and the situation at hand, again, write in your journal, gather the 'evidence' and people may assist you. Many people have gone through this, especially while growing up, being the only one in a family experiencing paranormal phenomena. Some seek schools, groups or centers to educate themselves and learn how to Handel these situations. Others have another person, or people whom also go through the experiences, ( or separate experiences ), and so may all help each other. Some ghosts hunters can even help educate you living with ghosts.

They just may do. Think of those cases where the supposed ghost came back to tell who murdered them, or that have lingered and haunted an area, place or home, until their last wishes were made done, or that have come back to save that family member or friend/stranger from danger, to comfort a loved one who grieves for them, or to wait until that loved one passes and joins them. All this denotes emotion though not yet proven to be so. Best not to hurt, summon, or manipulate them and consider them as you would your best friend or Loved one or stranger.

It is believed that everyone has the potential to see ghosts. Some people are more open minded, or on "the right brain wave usage" to see them, ( like sensitives/clairvoyants/psychics ). Denial, fear, emotions, distress at seeing one, religious beliefs, etc., can all cause a person not to see one. Maybe they have seen one, and yet still won't admit to it.

It all depends on beliefs, sensitivity, emotions, etc., that will determine if you'll ever see a ghost or not. Sometimes you may capture an anomaly on film in an area you were in and never see or sense anything - Luck? That may play a role in this!

Not everyone "sees" a ghost in the same ways. Some see with their "third eye," others with the naked eye, or from the corner of their eye. You may see a "wisp" of smoke, a shadowy figure, an orb, a streak of light, or ectoplasm, a movement of an inanimate object, a full blown apparition to sounds or voices and still many other different ways to explain or express the "seeing" of a ghost.

There are 3 kinds of manifestations: 

A. Psychic holograms or residual hauntings -  a kind of recording left behind, usually due to powerful emotions. These are the vast majority of "hauntings". They are characterized by repetitive actions, ie. the manifestation always does pretty much the same things in the same ways over and over again. 

B. Actual spirit visitations or "live" hauntings. Rarer than the recordings because it takes a relatively powerful spirit to manifest itself, ( show itself in full form ),  to incarnate humans, especially in human form and appearance. Orbs, balls of light, and things like that are easier and take less power/energy. Also, most incarnate humans are not sensitive enough, or have conditioned themselves to not perceive such manifestations. 

C. When a spirit appears in a frightening or gross form, it is usually to get the human's attention and shock them for the purpose of teaching or telling them something, or it is one of the recordings.

 - Think of it this way, if you are shocked, you WILL pay attention, the message will be passed on, for they'll have your complete and utter attention. Then again, it may cause you to faint or run away, in the case they may wish you to go away, off of what they consider as their property and you are invading on their space, etc.. If they are angered spirits, have a mean disposition, etc., can be another reason in which to appear to you in this form. 

Be it that some spirits are "playful" or "mischievous," they may also do it to get a good laugh at seeing you run away - VERY quickly, scream - just be frightened to the point it amuses them. They can have that "power" over you through your fears.

The innocence of children, being that their minds have not been conditioned not to believe in such things, open mindedness, the "wanting of a playmate or friend," ( hence the imaginary friend factor - who may not be so imaginary after all ), being curious of things and surroundings, all help and influence children to see ghosts easier than adults do.

As children grow older, teachings of parents, schools, adult figures, religion, being sensitive, belief's of other children, etc., will all influence if the child will continue to see spirits or not, or later on learn to accept or fear them also - or both.

If a child is taunted or made fun of, or called "evil" for saying he or she sees ghosts, may cause the child to either begin to disbelieve or doubt what they are seeing, think of themselves as different or "weird," make them keep to themselves what they see, ( block what they are seeing ), or stop seeing/believing all together. It may also later affect them to the point they feel there is something wrong with them or the "I am loosing my mind" feelings of distress.

For example as a parent will tell a child, "There's no such things as Ghosts," or one of the most famous, "The bogeyman will get you," will also factor into how the child will react to seeing a ghost, fearing, accepting, believing or disbelieving also.

There are also certain parents, families, etc., who will nurture the child's gift's or abilities and teach them to accept, not fear, handle the seeing of such spirits.

It all comes down again to the teachings the child receives in life and their belief's, the people around them, being strong or weak minded, which all will influence if they continue to see or not later on into adulthood.

Ghosts are usually attached to a specific area or location and won't follow you, or pass the boundaries of said place or location. ( For example, cemeteries, houses, etc. ). 

Also there's the situation of a ghost being attached/binded to an inanimate object and so will go where said object or item goes. 

Being attached to a Loved one may also cause the spirit to "follow" or move where that person goes. 

If a spirit is bound to you for any other reason, ( a summoning you did for example ), may cause said spirit to follow you also.

These are spirits that are passing through on their way to a certain area or place, and being drawn to your energy or sensitivity, or being curious, will stop and appear to you, enter your home, cause some sort of distraction, weird occurrence, etc. ( Again it brings up the topic of being summoned ). These "visitations" usually last for a moment to a few days or weeks and then the spirit moves on. 

Ghosts - other common questions ( summary ):  

Being that everyone has their own belief's of the afterlife, this adds to theories and the "why" spirits may come back to haunt an area and not pass onto the other side as they should have.

Yes and No. 

People are realizing that spirits they see are not usually harmful in any way. ( Just like you getting that orb or shadow/mist picture in a cemetery and yet nothing happened to you while in said cemetery ). You see a ghost and being it's unexpected, the fear of the situation may make you relate to it as being evil or religious beliefs also play a role for some teach that all said entities are evil. They usually just wish to be noticed or pass through a place, be in a place they are comfortable in since they don't wish yet to move on, or not ready to move on because of any other reason. 

An evil entity can be encountered, and do exist, and one of the reasons respect and care to all places should be observed and followed through. Although some spirits may be harmful, having a mean disposition, angered, you did something to anger it, entered in a place or area which they take as you being on their property, summoning it, etc.. This is not to scare you, but to make you aware that even as you meet good and bad people in life, same goes with spirit entities in death.

Using any form of summoning of spirits, without experience, is an invitation to trouble and you may get more than what you bargained for. You may be summoning, ( giving permission to enter, calling upon, etc. ), any entity in the area - or beyond - with whom you may not be able to handle. All summonings of spirits require the summoner to close the opening, etc., of what they have opened, and a non-experienced person whom has no knowledge in these things will then have a spirit who will stay with them, or the area in which it was summoned. A professional medium or psychic can help you to summon a loved one with the knowledge of what to do after the summoning, which may help you to communicate with whom you wished to without inviting in or binding uninvited entities.

Spirits haunt an area because of many different reasons and not only because it's old, has history or a death will they haunt it. Unfinished business, a loved one, etc. can all make a spirit remain in an area. Objects and items can also retain a spirit, being that they really loved their home, car, desk, etc..

Ghosts are around us all the time and everyone "sees" ghosts differently. You may perceive them through smells, inanimate objects moving, sounds, items disappearing or misplaced, feeling of being touched, etc.. Then again, the ghost may not wish to present itself to you and so you may never perceive it, or because of your beliefs, or ways of thinking/perceiving you may never see one . It all comes down to you, and the spirit - if your open minded and if it wishes to be known or seen.

It may make you more open minded and so better to perceive a ghost, but not attract it ( unless again, you summon it ).

No. A Demon will possess an area, home, place, person, item etc., but is totally different in relation to a ghost. A ghost is from human origin while a "demon" is an entity of a whole different classification.

First know there are two types of answers to "Should I communicate with a Ghost?" 

YES AND NO.

Yes:

- If you feel or are aware the spirit is a loved one or friend, you can start by trying to say out loud in a nice tone of voice, "Hi! How are you?"

No: 

- If you feel the presence is of malicious intent, leave it alone, don't try to communicate with it on your own and seek professional help. Younger Children, seek the permission of your parents BEFORE contacting Any Ghost Hunter/Ghost Hunting Group/Psychic.

 There are several ways ghosts/spirits may attempt to contact you. Messages through our dreams, is an example. The dream(s) are usually not scary, but may seem so to see a loved one, friend, ( or neither - just a stranger ), who has passed on in our dreams. If you receive a message in this form, you may have just been visited by a spirit. Other ways to sense a spirit communicating are; messages written on objects, such as paper or mirrors, scents that were common of the deceased, ( or not, and neither of the room/area you are in ), your name being called, voices such as laughter, being or feeling touched, knocks or rapping on doors and/or windows and other objects, lights being turned off and on, etc. ( And I don't mean an electrical problem or loose floorboards etc! ) You can also try EVP, as it has produced great results! Just remember to always be patient, and they just might communicate with you - and then again, they may not. It all depends on the spirit.

You have to remember to always consider the presences feelings, for they were once fully bodied, ( alive ), as you are. If you speak to it in an angry tone, it is liable to get angry with you! Some, as they may have been in life, ( or because of the cause of death ), have mean dispositions, and don't wished to be bothered with - period. Communication with this sort of presence may only anger it more and cause it to 'lash out' at you. Each spirit and haunting is different so you must analyze all carefully before attempting to have any involvement with them to avoid such problems. Seek professional help before attempting to communicate with such entities. Other's may wish to be left alone, ignore you, and not be communicated with. It really all depends on the spirit. Best to cease, and if it should change it's mind, it will be sure to find a way to be noticed/communicate with you. Remember to be aware of the ways it may be trying to, and that YOU aren't the one not noticing!

Do research! Start with your home/area to find out why the ghost(s) are there. Check with your local library or newspaper for the information you may need. Some spirits, it is believed, will stay on because of violent deaths, wrong doings, still have missions to accomplish, waiting for a loved one, unfinished business, comfort to a loved one, etc. There may be many reasons why your home/area may be haunted - only way to find out is to actually do the research! Also, we cannot forget, if you are a sensitive to ghosts, even if the home or area is NOT haunted - they may 'seek you out' or be seen/noticed by you, just because YOU CAN notice them! Some spirits LIKE to be noticed, and some even like the companionship, and knowing someone can communicate, see, or sense them.

Glossary of Terms Agent = the apparition, or ghost, that is seen by a human being (or “percipient) Apparition = a disembodied spirit that appears visibly to human beings. Apport = a solid object that seemingly appears out of nowhere in the presence of a medium. Some apports are believed to be assembled from invisible material matter while others are teleported from another, often distant location. Asport = any object that the medium or spirits makes disappear or teleport to another location. Automatic Writing = communication from a spirit in written form accomplished when the medium holds a pen or pencil against paper and allows the spirit to take control of his or her hand to write out a message or an answer to a question put forth by the medium. Automatism = any unconscious or spontaneous muscular movement caused by a spirit. Automatic writing is one for of automatism. Channeler = A person who allows a spirit to temporarily possess his or her body in order for the spirit to be able to communicate with the living. Such individuals are also called “trance mediums”. Channeling = a form of spirit communication during which an unseen entity takes possession of the channeler or trance medium in order to convey a message or impart spiritual guidance or wisdom. Clairalience = the ability to use the sense of smell to receive a spirit’s message. Clairambience = the ability to use the sense of taste to receive a spirit’s message. Clairaudience = the ability to hear sounds to receive a spirit’s message. Clairsentience = the feeling or sensing of a spirit’s message. Clairvoyance = the ability to foresee the future or to see objects or events that others can’t, using only your eyes and ears. Cold Readings = a technique that allows fake mediums, mind readers, and magicians to obtain previously unknown information about a person using a series of statements, questions, and answers. Collective Apparition = a spirit sighting witnessed by multiple people. Crisis Apparition = a specific type of spirit sighting during which the apparition manifests itself to a particular human being, usually a loved one, at a time of crisis or death. Direct Voice Phenomenon (DVP) = This is a spirit voice heard during a séance that is usually emitted from an area near the medium or through a horn or trumpet that is presumably spiritual in nature. The voice does not come from the mouth of the medium and is always directed to those attending the séance. Discarnate = this is another word for spirit or ghost that literally means “out of body”. Direct Writing = occurring most often during a séance, direct writing is a phenomenon in which alleged spirit hand writing appears on a previously unmarked surface. Ectoplasm = a solid or vaporous substance, lifelike and moldable, that supposedly exudes from the body of a medium (usually from one of the facial orifices) to form seemingly corporeal limbs, faces, or entire bodies. It is usually a dense but liquid, milky-white substance with the scent of ozone. Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) = This is a term used to describe noises and voices recorded on traditional audio or video tape, but, that are not usually heard by humans while the tape is recording. It is only during playback that the usually soft, hushed voices can be heard. Extrasensory Perception (ESP) = an awareness of actual happenings or information not attained through the normal senses. Genuine Haunt = term used to describe a type of haunt where part or all of a spirit’s consciousness has not crossed over and occasionally exists in a state of dementia, not really being aware of what has happened to him/her. Because of the consciousness involved in genuine haunts, often communication is possible. Ghost = term used to describe the visual appearance of a human being or creature that has died. Hypnotherapy = the treatment of an ailment through the use of hypnosis. Ley Lines = lines of energy that cross the Earth. When two or more of these lines intersect, they form an energy vortex that can act as a “fuel station” of sorts for spiritual activity. A great many haunted properties are located on or near one or more of these vortices. Magnetometer = A device used to measure the presence of a magnetic field as well as its strength, direction, and fluctuation. Paranormal researchers use the device in an attempt to detect a ghost’s magnetic or energy aura. Materialization = the manifestation or production of some physical object or person from the spirit world. The most difficult and impressive materialization is all (or even part of) a human spirit, especially if the ghost’s face is identifiable. Medium = someone who can communicate with spirits on behalf of another human being. The word suggests that the medium acts as a midway point, halfway between the worlds of the living and the dead. Near Death Experience (NDE) = term used to refer to the experience had by any person who clinically dies, or comes very close to actual death, and is revived. Often, the person recalls extraordinary even paranormal visions of an afterlife. American physician Dr. Raymond Moody coined the phrase in the 1970’s. Objective Apparition = apparitions or phenomena that appear independent of our minds, thoughts, or feelings. Object Haunt = a type of haunt that involves a psychic echo or imprint on a particular object that the ghost had a particular attachment to in their physical life. Orbs = spherical balls of light, often thought to be trapped souls. Some people believe they contain the actual embodiment of a spirit as it moves through a particular building or property. Ouija Board = a board pre-printed with letters, numerals, and words used by mediums to receive spirit communications. Usually, a “planchette” is used to spell out words or point out numbers or words. Out-of-body Experience = term used to describe the paranormal phenomenon in which a spirit double, or “astral body”, leaves your body and travels to another location. Paranormal = something that is beyond the range of normal human experience or scientific explanation. The activity can involve ghosts, apparitions, spirits, haunts, poltergeists, etc. Parapsychology = the study of phenomenon, real or supposed, that appear inexplicable, or presently accepted scientific theories. Past-life Regression = the act of using trance or hypnosis to visit former lives. Percipient = term used to describe any person who sees an apparition or ghost. Place Memories = refers to a location that captures energy and uses it to record an image of an event that once happened there and replays it. Planchette = a palm-sized, triangular platform, usually on wheels, that is used as a pointer during the operation of a Ouija Board. Poltergeist = derived from the German word meaning “noisy ghost or spirit”, a poltergeist is a non-human entity that is usually more malicious and destructive than ghosts of dead human beings. Some of the traditional activities associated with poltergeists include thumps and bangs, levitating and moving of objects, stone throwing, and starting fires. Progression Hypnotherapy = the act of visiting future lives through the use of hypnosis. Psychic = a person who uses empathic feelings to tap into non-physical forces. Psychokinesis = the ability to move objects using one’s mind. Radio Voice Phenomenon (RVP) = term used when referring to the voice of a deceased human being received over a regular radio. Reciprocal Apparition = a rare type of spirit phenomenon in which both the agent and percipient see and respond to each other. Recurrent Spontaneous Psychokinesis = a theoretical psychic force produced, often unconsciously, by an individual undergoing physical or mental trauma. When released, some think the power causes paranormal occurrences such as poltergeist activity. Frequently, the phenomenon is linked to adolescent human beings. Reincarnation = the idea that soul can be reborn into a new human body. Residual Haunt = a term used to describe a spirit energy that is trapped in a continuous loop. Often called a “cinema of time” haunt, this type of apparition is not believed to contain a consciousness; therefore there could be no communication between the agent and percipient. Retrocognition = term used to describe a sudden time warp in which you find yourself in the past, seeing or experiencing events of which you had no prior knowledge. This phenomenon is also called “postcognition”. Séance = a gathering of individuals, usually led by a medium, for the purpose of receiving spirit manifestations or communication with the dead. Spirit = electromagnetic entities, in the form of orbs, mist, vortices, or shadows, which are the signature of a once-living person, who has returned to a specific location. Spirit Guide = a spirit that watches over a living person and offers it wisdom or guidance. Subjective Apparition = hallucination created by our minds. Super ESP = a powerful form of telepathy that allows a medium to unconsciously pick up information about a deceased person from other living people. Supernatural = something that exists or occurs through some means other that any known force in nature. Super-personalities = negative entities. Telepathy = communication using the mind as opposed to other senses. Trance Medium = a medium that shares his or her energy with a spirit through the use of a trance or a channeling session. Vortex = a mass of air, water, or energy that spins around very fast, creating a vacuum to pull objects into its empty center.