How to Treat a Ghost / A Lesson from Mike Ricksecker

Thomas Wolfe House, Asheville, haunted by the author's brother

When people experience paranormal things in their home or in a place they may be visiting or investigating (if they're ghost investigators) they need to keep in mind that these beings of energy were once human and still behave as humans.
  My friend and "Ghostorian" Mike Ricksecker said that he treats ghosts with respect when he goes into a place they may be dwelling in. I really admire him for that. Mike said that he enters a place, introduces himself and extends his hand as if to shake their hand. That is a true gentleman and that's the level of respect we need to offer to ghosts.
  Mike is also an author of several books, two books about ghosts and haunted places and two mystery novels featuring lead character and detective Chase Michael DeBarlo. I recommend all of his books. For more information go to: http://www.rrdevelopments.com/mike/

My 1st book recently updated for $7.99 paper/$2.99 ebook

   It's so easy to think of a ghost as just some "weird" or paranormal thing that wants to make someone's life difficult, or is inhabiting a space living people are in. The fact is, they were all once living, breathing people like you and me. Some may not perceive that they aren't flesh and blood anymore, but regardless of that, their behaviors are still those of humans. SO, we need to treat them as if they were breathing. They're still alive, but just as beings of energy.
  Some ghosts stay because they don't want to leave the home they knew. Others are stuck here because they lingered and can't remember how to move on. Still others continue to seek forgiveness- and for those, it's worse if the people they're trying to get it from have died and crossed into the light- because Earth-bound ghosts and spirits who have crossed can see each other, but they're on different planes of existence, and communications are apparently difficult - so a living person on Earth must act as a mediator to convey the forgiveness.

  Remember that some ghosts who know they're dead and can't remember how to cross over may be angry, just as a person would who is trapped anywhere for a long time. We should talk to them and tell them to seek sources of the light- in funeral homes, cemeteries, hospitals, and direct them as you would direct a living person.

Listen to Rob's Interview on Paranormal Review Radio from 2/8/13

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Can You Feel Someone's Presence When They're in a Coma?

Recently I was asked:  Is it possible to feel someone's presence or spirit even if they are in a coma and haven't passed yet?

 Yes, it is possible to feel someone's presence even if they are in a coma.
  Sometimes, it has been known that when people are in a coma, their spirit is able to project to another location, to contact people they love. It's called astral projection.  You can get a good idea about how it works here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_projection
  Please tell the person that you sensed them and that if they need to pass, its okay for them to cross into the light. Sometimes people need to hear that it's okay to move on if they want to. Otherwise, they should be encouraged to recover. It depends on the age and situation of the person's health. Use your best judgment.

It turned out that the coma patient passed a few hours later (and the person asked didn't even know the patient had been in a coma).  The person that sensed her friend's spirit said that she was very emotional that night and knew something bad had happened.  

Ghostly Energy and Headaches: Lightning and Migraines

 I always get a headache in the back left side of my head whenever the energy of a ghost or spirit is around. Now, a new scientific study links lightning (another form of energy) to headaches, helping to reinforce my theory of "electrical overload" in the brain from outside energies (like ghosts and spirits).  As a meteorologist, I find this very plausible and exciting that this research acts to confirm my theory about getting "ghostly headaches."

 Does lightning cause your headache?

Lightning tied to onset of headaches, migraines, says study A new study has found that lightning might affect the onset of headache and migraines. ARTICLE: http://earthsky.org/human-world/lightning-tied-to-onset-of-headaches-migraines-says-study?utm_source=EarthSky+News&utm_campaign=90a68c0171-EarthSky_News&utm_medium=email

Do you sometimes feel like you’re getting a headache when a thunderstorm is coming on? Turns out, it’s not the thunder – it’s the lightning. That’s according to a new study that has found that lightning might affect the onset of headache and migraines.

Photo via Shutterstock

The study, published in the January 24, 2013 online edition of the journal Cephalalgia, said there was a 31 percent increased risk of headache and 28 percent increased risk of migraine for chronic headache sufferers on days lighting struck within 25 miles of study participants’ homes.
In addition, new-onset headaches and migraines increased by 24 percent and 23 percent in participants when lightning was nearby.
Geoffrey Martin, fourth-year medical student at University of Connecticut, and his father, headache expert Vincent Martin MD, a professor at University of Connecticut, led the study. Geoffrey Martin said:

Many studies show conflicting findings on how weather, including elements like barometric pressure and humidity, affect the onset of headaches. However, this study very clearly shows a correlation between lightning, associated meteorological factors and headaches.

Arlington, Virginia, looking towards Washington DC. September 1, 2012. Photo credit: EarthSky Facebook friend Brian Allen. Thanks for posting Brian!

Vincent Martin said:

We used mathematical models to determine if the lightning itself was the cause of the increased frequency of headaches or whether it could be attributed to other weather factors encountered with thunderstorms. Our results found a 19 percent increased risk for headaches on lightning days, even after accounting for these weather factors. This suggests that lightning has its own unique effect on headache.

So why would lightning trigger a headache? Vincent Martin explained:

Electromagnetic waves emitted from lightning could trigger headaches. In addition, lightning produces increases in air pollutants like ozone and can cause release of fungal spores that might lead to migraine.

The researchers said that his study gives some insight into the tie between headaches or migraines, lightning and other meteorologic factors. However, the exact mechanisms through which lightning and/or its associated meteorologic factors trigger headache are unknown.
Bottom line: A new study, published in the January 24, 2013 online edition of the journal Cephalalgia, is the first tying lightning to headache. The study found there was a 31 percent increased risk of headache and 28 percent increased risk of migraine for chronic headache sufferers on days lighting struck within 25 miles of study participants’ homes.
Read more from the University of Cincinnati

An Amazing Paranormal Fantasy Trilogy: BOUND

Paranormal fans like me always want to hear more stories, and I read my first Paranormal Adult Fantasy Novel recently and it's a page-turner! 

  I met author I.R. Harris (Isabella) at the Baltimore Book Festival in the summer of 2012 when she was presenting several of her novels, including the Bound Trilogy. (Her blog: http://irharrisbooks.blogspot.com/)
  I enjoy mysteries, ghost stories, etc. and had never read paranormal adult fantasy. When I started reading BOUND, I was hooked. The characters are vivid and very likeable. The complex relationship the author weaves between the characters (like demons who are bound to humans) and vampires will keep readers (like me) wanting to find out what's going to happen next. 
  The setting of the book occurs in the Philippines and is exotic and mysterious like some of the characters. You'll find yourself rooting for several characters and saying "why are you doing this" aloud when you read it. This is an amazing book by an amazing author who will take you to a distant place and make you enjoy the trip. I can't recommend this enough.
 It's available on Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/ref=cm_cr_dp_wrt_summary?ie=UTF8&asin=1469953455&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=283155&store=books

Contest! Submit a Ghost Story for Book 3, Win Book 1

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT! 

My first book: 2nd Edition!

In my first two books I included personal experiences from friends, acquaintances, and others around the U.S. and Canada. To celebrate the publishing of the second edition of my first book "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium," (through Createspace publishing), I'm having a contest.

   RULES: Submit your own ghost story or paranormal encounter for a chance to win an autographed copy of the 2nd edition of "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium."

   LENGTH: It can be as short or long as you want, as long as it's true. 

   PROVIDE: Your name, email, location. 

   STORY:  Feel free to change the names. 

   FOR ALL STORIES: If you would like the opportunity to have your story included in my next book (which I'm working on now for 2014), please let me know if it's okay to publish it, and let me know how you would like to be referred to. For example:  "James B., Oak Brook, Illinois."

CONTEST RUNS THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2013.

TO SUBMIT: Email your story to Rgutro@gmail.com with your name, city/state, and age. 

If you are chosen to win a copy of the book, I will email you and ask for your mailing address. 

- If you do not wish your ghost story to appear in my next book, please tell me. 

Thank you, and may you all be in "Good Spirits!" 

Rob Gutro

  

Rob's First Book: UPDATED with new Publisher, Lower cost!

I've updated and revised my first book, "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium" and thanks to going with a new publisher, I was able to drop the list price of the paperback and the E-book significantly!   SO, if you haven't read it, as of January 7, 2013, you can order the paperback for $7.99 and the E-book for $2.99. The new publisher, Createspace enabled the price change

BOOK SUMMARY: 

Ghost or Spirit? Learn the difference between Earth-bound ghosts and spirits who cross over in medium Rob Gutro's first book.  
Rob is a meteorologist who uses science to explain their existence and communications. He wrote this book to give hope to others who lost people or pets.
    In this very personal book, read about how his father passed and gave messages during his funeral to prove he was still there.
Share in Rob's adventures with the dead as he explores his abilities and gives proof they still exist. Read how spirits watch over and guide us.
    Rob was inspired to write this book after a puppy he had was tragically killed in an accident. The puppy's spirit returned many times, as many pets do. Rob explains and gives examples of messages from pets who have passed on.
    Walk in historic places, on ghost walks and in various locations where ghosts or spirits were encountered.
Read about ghostly or spirit encounters from others around the U.S. and learn how to recognize signs yourself.
   Rob takes you on a detailed journey inside a haunted house where he resided, and shows you the ghostly face of a cruel southern General on a building in Savannah, who was responsible for his own daughter's death.
   Learn some ways people and pets can give you signs: from a heart of flowers, to music, electricity, apports, appearances, temperature changes and more.
    Rob wrote this book to offer comfort for anyone who lost someone dear to them, and provide proof that our departed loved ones are still around us, guiding. influencing, protecting us and helping teach us lessons.
Also available by Rob Gutro: Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead

An Important Message from a Cat's Spirit

The blog from 2 weeks ago was about my messages during my friend and mentor, Barb Mallon's holiday medium event on Dec. 16. This week I want to focus on a special message from a feline. Animals such as dogs, cats and horses can come through to me and other mediums because they have the intelligence of 3 to 5 year old children. Think about it: they know our language, learn commands and modify their behavior based on our communications. They can also give us messages after they pass, and this particular cat did.

- The third spirit that came through to me was a cat!  The gray cat was found on a doorstep, like a porch. The cat told me he was grateful to his mom for finding him and taking him in. He showed me a rainy day, and he would sit in the windowsill and wait for his mom to come home. He was grateful that she saved him, and gives her signs from time to time from moving blankets and comforters. He told me that she's either working for a cat rescue or thinking of working for a cat rescue, and that she should do it.

   It was chilling to me when a woman in the audience identified with everything I said, and that she was recently approached by her friend to work for a cat rescue as a foster parent. She was considering it, but was on the fence. After the reading I gave her, she said that she would go ahead and foster a cat!  Wow.

Happy New Year! - Make 2013 Count

Happy New Year! 
  I hope all of your dreams and expectations are met in 2013. Just keep a positive attitude and never quit. Sometimes we have to experience lows in order to appreciate the highs in life better. It's easy to take things for granted. 
   Assist those who are bullied, unhealthy, poor, struggling mentally, stressed, lonely or overwhelmed. Even if you're just lending an ear. It will make someone's burden lighter to listen.   
  Don't be afraid to hug someone, even someone you don't know. A lot of people need a hug and the contact can help. 
  Help a child or a homeless dog or cat. Adults can care for themselves, but children and animals cannot. 
  Make 2013 a good year in the selfless things you do for others, and it will come back to you. This is one of the lessons I learned from talking to people who have passed.

 

Tune into Paranormal Review Radio Friday, Dec. 28 at 10 pm EST-

Friday, Dec. 28 at 10 pm EST-  Paranormal Review Radio
**Rob will be calling in on this Open Mic night*
Hosts Luci Leibfried and Anthony Agate present the most comprehensive review of all that is paranormal, spiritual, and cosmic.  http://www.twitter.com/@ParaReviewRadio http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paranormal-Review-Radio/2837833