What does "Haunted" actually mean?

With Halloween this week, I thought this a great time to address what "Haunted" really means.

I was inspired to answer this when a friend of mine asked about a spirit of someone I love, who has come back to visit from time to time. In my books "Ghosts and Spirits" and "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" I explain the difference between GHOSTS and SPIRITS. 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE DIE? - The physical energies in living bodies (people or pets) combine with our memories and personalities and we stay on Earth or cross over. That's the difference between a ghost and a spirit.  


WHAT ARE SPIRITS? - Spirits have "crossed over," gone to heaven, Valhalla, Paradise or whatever you want to call the other side. Spirits come back from time to time to give us messages, guide us, help us make decisions, protect us, help us learn lessons and let us know that they're still watching over us and love us.

WHEN DO SPIRITS VISIT?  Spirits come from time to time and don't live with us. They visit on Birthdays, Anniversaries and Holidays for the most part) and lets us know he's fine on the other side. Spirits do NOT "Haunt" people. Only ghosts do.  

WHO HAUNTS PEOPLE?  -  Haunting is a "ghost-only thing. Here's why:
      

WHAT ARE GHOSTS? Ghosts are Earth-bound entities.Ghosts usually stay in one place - usually the place they lived (and liked when alive) and are always there, "Haunting" it.  Ghosts stay for a number of reasons, like unfinished business, or perhaps they were mean or evil when living and don't think they deserve to cross over, so they linger trying to get forgiveness. Sometimes they can attach themselves to an object or a person (if the person is very negative, depressed, angry or has any negative emotion).  Earth-bound ghosts are isolated from peace and stuck on Earth in a kind of isolation (hell) - they know of their relatives in spirit but can't communicate with them or cross over until they get what they need (often forgiveness or a medium to cross them over).

Spirits, like Ed, are at peace in the afterlife. So, NOPE, Ed isn't haunting us, just coming back to say hello and "I love you" from time to time - and usually whenever I call him (as any spirit will come back to people and give messages if asked). 
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To Learn the difference between Ghosts and Spirits and how they communicate with us, check out Rob Gutro's 2nd book:  Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead 
$8.99 paperback and $2.99 E-book on AMAZON: http://tinyurl.com/q3bhgde

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SUMMARY for LESSONS LEARNED: Follow Rob on a treasure-hunt-style journey in Virginia as he and others try to explain what appear to be random and obscure words, signs and symbols from a spirit, that all wind up being intensely personal to the spirit.Explore the science behind how they communicate. Learn how to receive their messages, where they appear, and important messages in how to live your life. Rob takes you into cemeteries, battlefields, and historic places. You’ll see what happens to victims of suicide and murders, and how infants and animals pass messages to the living. Featuring: Inspired Ghost Tracking and mediums Barb Mallon, Troy Cline and Ruth Larkin.

Spirit Visits on Birthday and Anniversary Dates

People who have passed and crossed over become spirits. Those who choose to stay behind on Earth are ghosts. Spirits have the ability to to come to people anywhere in the world, and even come to multiple people at the same time.
 - Anyone who has lost a loved one always wants them to come through (almost daily!) and give them messages that they're okay. Even if they've received messages from them before. It's human nature to want to talk with the ones we love. But, spirits are busy on the other side, just as we are here on Earth. SO, when do they come to us?
- The answer is: When they have something to tell us. One of those times are usually around birthdays or anniversaries. Spirits maintain their memories and their personalities when they pass, so, yes, they'll remember your birthday!
  In fact, recently a week before my birthday I got a wonderful surprise visit from my late Dad, to wish me a happy birthday. After my other half went to work (early), I crawled back into bed and put our three dogs on the bed (one is large). We napped for about 20 minutes, and then I heard my father's voice call my name from what sounded like the kitchen!  All three dogs immediately picked up their heads and looked up, and I responded "yes, I'm here!" (of course, I realized in a second that it was my dad, and no one else was home).
  What's cool is that all three dogs ALSO heard him! I also figured out that the reason Dad came to say hello was because my birthday was within a week. Spirits often recognize birthdays and anniversaries!




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Ghosts and Spirits Were Once Human

I watch all of the ghost hunting programs on television and am also part of a group that does investigations. I belong to the "Inspired Ghost Trackers" group and we investigate historic properties, hotels, private residences, etc. when asked.
  One thing I notice is that a lot of people seem to forget that ghosts and spirits were once human. They were people like you and me. They may have had a partner, or children, or a dog or cat. They worked for a living. They struggled through life and had celebrations. They went to school. Then, their physical body died, but their energy stayed behind on earth. They became an Earth-bound ghost because they chose to, for forgiveness, unfinished business, or some other reason.
  People choose to stay behind as Earth-bound ghosts or move into the light with the other spirit energies. Those who stay behind find themselves trapped here.
  In fact, if you ask a ghost hunter the most common thing they pick up on EVPs, you'll hear "Help me." Ghosts are trapped here and need help getting into the light.
  So, next time you're on a ghost investigation, tell the ghost to "go into the light." The light to the spirit world can be found in hospitals, funeral homes or cemeteries. Or, if you're knowledgeable, picture the light and try and open a portal yourself. Help ghosts cross over and find peace. That's ultimately what they're looking for -
just imagine yourself being in an isolation cell away from your families (who are spirits that have crossed). You want to be with them, just as earth bound ghosts want to cross into the light and need to join their deceased relatives. So, "Help them!"

Book: "Never Say Goodbye" by medium Patrick Mathews

 I'm in the process of reading"Never Say Goodbye" by medium Patrick Mathews. I am thoroughly enjoying it. I'm a developing medium hoping to be at Patrick's level someday. I wrote the book "Ghosts and Spirits Insights from a Medium" about my experiences. I'm a meteorologist, so I try to explain entities using science. 

I told Patrick that I found the chapter about suicides very interesting- especially how when people pray for God to "forgive" people for being born gay or lesbian, that it inhibits the gay person from moving forth in the afterlife until their relative understands and accepts the gay person. Fascinating --and totally understandable. God loves all, no exceptions. If only religions would understand that.  

The book is filled with interesting readings, and great lessons. I recommend it.

Here's his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Never-Say-Goodbye-by-Patrick-Mathews/160937760634236

Spouses Passing Soon After Each Other/Waiting for Each Other

Last week a good friend of mine in Florida told me his dad passed away. About 2 months ago, his mom died. This is not uncommon when two people are very much in love and very connected. I've heard it many times. Although the double loss is tremendous, my friend's father is at peace and where he wants to be-with his wife in the afterlife. 

   Earlier this summer another friend of mine told me about her father, who lay ill in a hospital for a couple of months. His wife had passed back in the 1990s and he soldiered on, living for his children and grandchildren. My friend told me that her dad seemed to be talking to someone as he lay slowly dying over the last 2 weeks of his life- so I asked her to ask her dad if he was talking with his wife (spirit). She asked and he replied that he was indeed talking with his wife's spirit. He said she was in the hospital room with him. This is very common. Whenever someone is close to physical death, their loved ones (in spirit) come to them to assure them their passing will be okay, and that the person dying just needs to follow their relative into the light.

An AMAZING Book: "Soul Survivor"

I just finished the most amazing book: Soul Survivor. It's the reincarnation of a World War 2 Fighter Pilot.
- It's about a little boy named James who was the fighter pilot reincarnated. ABSOLUTELY.
 - You MUST read this. I read this book and it brought tears to my eyes. This little boy at 2 years old was revealing things related to world war 2, a particular ship, and names of the pilots' friends (whom the authors found and interviewed). Not only is this Absolute proof of reincarnation, but it was validated with people who are still alive. They even brought the little boy to meet the dead pilot's elderly sister and the little boy confirmed various little things that only the woman's brother could have known.
  If people around the world in many cultures can comprehend reincarnation - there's obviously been proof before. The authors/parents noted that their Christian beliefs kept causing them to doubt reincarnation, but the proof was overwhelming.
  Sadly, many Christians don't realize that entire portions of the Bible that admitted reincarnation were removed from the book. It's sad that some religions make people so closed-minded. I applaud the parents in not dismissing their son's words as something he made up (which, if you read the book, you'll know that a 2,3, or 4 year old cannot possibly know about the workings of WWII planes and ships, OR the exact names of the men in a particular squadron in 1943-1945 when they're buried in history.
 Read this book. It will open your mind and give you a great awareness of life and the afterlife.   It's called "Soul Survivor" by Bruce and Andrea Leininger.
 Here's a video from Primetime:

Howard County HIstorical Society: Ghost Hunt: PART 4: The Preacher

Last week's blog mentioned my joining the Inspired Ghost-trackers of Odenton, Md. to investigate the Howard County Historical Museum in old Ellicott City, Md.     Read the previous blog to follow the investigation. 
  My friend Troy, also a medium was also on the investigation and often times we verify what the other picks up on during ghost adventures. 
   Churches always have a lot of emotional energy - whether over deaths, or praise. This was no different. In fact, between the emotional imprint of energies in the church and the hundreds of personal artifacts donated to the museum, it was overwhelming with energy to me. 
 - It was like listening to 100 radio stations at the same time and trying to tune into what was playing on one station. Overwhelming! 
 - One time I was able to "Tune in" was when I stepped on the "stage" or where the pulpit used to be. I immediately sensed a lot of residual energy (not an intelligent haunt) of a preacher that had a lot of emotional sermons there. It was so strong that he gave me a "picture" of his appearance in my mind, so I immediately jumped down off the stage and grabbed my notebook and drew his picture. 
 - Although it could've been any preacher, this one was balding with glasses but had a very pronounced chin. 

 - The museum curator gave me a book filled with photos of all of the preachers that ever preached at that church. There was only ONE exact match!!  Rev. Theodore (Ted) Dewitt Taylor Sr. who was the pastor from 1956 to 1962.  
  Here's a photo of Pastor Taylor next to the quick drawing I made of who I saw at the pulpit. Although I made the face longer, the chin juts out a little and the nose is wide.  It was his energy that remained on that stage (although he's not there anymore).

Howard County Historical Society Ghost Investigation: PART 3: The Cook

Welcome sign

Last week's blog mentioned my joining the Inspired Ghost-trackers of Odenton, Md. to investigate the Howard County Historical Museum in old Ellicott City, Md.     Read the previous blog to follow the investigation. 
  My friend Troy, also a medium was also on the investigation and often times we verify what the other picks up on during ghost adventures. This was no different.
  After we all went through the upstairs and downstairs of this church-turned museum we all congregated back near the old stage and altar to talk about our experiences. 
  Troy had investigated the basement on his own with a tape recorder.  Earlier, Ronda (from the Ghost-trackers) and I went down stairs. 

Margaret and Ronda listening to our experiences

  Once everyone was seated we shared experiences. Troy said that at the back of the building he sensed a matronly woman with greying hair in a bun, who was preparing meals for the church goers or just men and women. She was very concerned about getting everything right. 
 - I had written down a similar experience when I was in that same area in the basement. Sometimes I can touch and object and get a sense of a person connected with it. I touched a knob on an old black stove (circa mid 1900s) and sensed a woman in a white dress or apron, in charge of preparation of meals for a large group of people. She was very meticulous and dedicated to feeding those people. She also resembled Troy's description. 
 -After telling our stories, the museum curator said that the basement was once a restaurant in the mid-1900s- and the kitchen was close to where the stove was now buried under boxes. 

  Both Troy and I also felt that this woman was residual and not an intelligent haunt. That means, she can't answer questions or interact with the living. It's just that she had so much passion for cooking for people that her energies remained behind.

Margaret asking questions during an EVP session to get ghostly answers

  ENERGY AND OBJECTS- As I mentioned previously, when we're emotionally attached to an object, our energy also attaches to it. It's like leaving an energy "thumbprint" behind that others may be able to "See" or read. That's what happened with the area of the kitchen in the basement and the stove where the woman cooked.

Howard County Historical Museum Ghost Hunt Part 2: The Tingling Chairs

Juror's chairs with a lot an residual energy

Last week's blog mentioned my joining the Inspired Ghost-trackers of Odenton, Md. to investigate the Howard County Historical Museum in old Ellicott City, Md.     Read the previous blog to follow the investigation. 

  When my friend Troy (also a medium) and I approached the front left corner of the room, Troy sensed a strong energy. I walked over to two identical chairs because I was drawn to them. I touched the arm of one of the chairs and felt "pins and needles" in my fingertips that spread throughout my hand. It was residual energy of anxiety and nervousness. That's when I looked at the sign on the chairs to see that they were seats for jurors in the nearby courthouse! 

  -It made perfect sense. Jurors, especially those debating for the life or death of a defendant would feel nervous or anxious. 

Ronda also gets the "pins and needles" feeling.

  Troy touched the chairs and experienced the exact same feeling. In fact, the tingling shot all the way up his arm, he told me and Ronda from the Ghost tracker group. We wanted to verify this, so we also asked Ronda to put her hand there, and she, too, experienced the pins and needles feeling in her hand.

  The bottom line is that if we are experiencing a lot of emotion while holding an object, or about an object, some of our energy will be absorbed or imprinted into it. 

   *NEXT WEEK IN PART 3, Troy and I sense the same Female Presence

   *COMING IN 2 WEEKS, IN PART 4, A former pastor enables me to draw him, and then I find a photo of him that matches!

Missed the Radio Interview on Unknown Paranormal? Hear it here!

On July 31, I was a guest of the Unknown Paranormal Radio show. The show ran from 9pm to 11pm EDT, and I talked with the hosts (one of whom is also a developing medium) about my book and my abilities. 

 - We had some great conversation about energies, the difference and similarities between a ghost and spirit and much more. 
NOTE: I come on about 15 minutes after the show starts. **Before that, they talk about some "housekeeping" things." 
Hear it here:

    http://www.blogtalkradio.com/unknownpg/2011/08/01/unknown-paranormal-radio

SUMMARY OF THE SHOW: 

Join Host Kevin Weddle, Founder of Unknown Paranormal, along with Co-Host Mike McCaskill as they discuss with guests topics of paranormal, spiritual, and the unknown and unexlained. Come join us for an in depth discussion of the paranormal world.  This week, our guest will be Rob Gutro.  Rob Gutro is a "developing medium" who is still learning how to use his abilities. He can receive messages from those who have passed either from Earth-bound ghosts or spirits who have crossed over. He wrote and published the book "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium."  Because he's a meteorologist, he tries to provide some kind of scientific explanations on the how and why ghosts and spirits exist and are able to communicate.  He always gets a headache whenver he's in the presence of a ghost or a spirit.  There is a difference, which he explains in the book.  The book also contains personal experiences on and off ghost tours in historic places.
OR HERE:

Listen to internet radio with Unknown Paranormal on Blog Talk Radio