Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Let’s look at this scientifically. According to NASA, the human eye can detect visible light wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers. Why is this range important? Well, because wavelengths shorter than 400 or longer than 700 nanometers are invisible to the human eye. In other words, we can’t see everything around us. Just because we can’t always see ghosts doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Before science, superstitions explained the unexplainable. For example, a Chasing Hope article states, “Science and superstition always clash regarding hard facts. For example, the Black Death that spanned Europe and Asia during the 1300s was history’s worst pandemic. The WHO estimates there were 50 million victims in Europe alone. Although fleas on rats were carriers of the bacteria that caused the plague, Europe had practically eradicated cats on the pretext that they were agents of the devil. This reaction against felines had resulted in the increased population of rats”.
But are ghosts unexplainable? A ghost is supposed to be the soul of a deceased person (and since I’m a bona fide dog lover, I’m going to throw in an animal). According to Britannica, the ghost (or soul) is usually believed to inhabit the netherworld BUT can return in some form to the world of the living. A spirit may appear as they had while living. Sometimes, they can speak, touch, or emit a familiar aroma like perfume or cigar/cigarette smoke. Some misty ghosts may or may not transform into full-bodied ghosts, and poltergeists (which translates to noisy ghosts) are reputed to engage in loud knockings, turning on and off lights, slamming doors, and opening drawers. They can be harmless or NOT. In some paranormal shows, I’ve seen ghostly orbs, and as explained in Ghosts and Gravestones, their circular shape makes it easier for them to move around. It is often the first state they appear in before they become a full-bodied apparition.
If you believe in ghosts, you also think a soul can separate from its body after death. The dead soul may choose to linger (haunt) because of trauma, remorse, or fear. Sometimes, they may have unfinished business. Remorseful Bob Marley—Ebenezer Scrooge’s deceased business partner, suddenly comes to mind. What is worse are those tales when someone returns from the dead, not realizing they have…died.
Fun GHOSTLY factoids
Although it is possible to see a ghost at any time of day, it is said that ghosts are most powerful during the witching hour, generally believed to be between 3 and 4 am.
Kids and animals are most likely to see and experience the presence of ghosts since ghosts are drawn to their energy. Small kids often mistake ghosts for their imaginary friends.
All animals can sense the paranormal activity around them, but it seems that cats can always see a ghost. If your cat is staring at the air, it’s time to panic.
Well, Jules. What do you believe?
Some spooky moments in my life lend itself to the power of suggestion or stuff. I remember how my newborn son always looked at the same spot away at around the same time every day. He would stop and stare. Whenever I looked, there was nothing to see. Yet the hairs on the back of my neck indicated a presence.
One night, I was speeding to an evening class. For a moment, I thought I saw a former love sitting in the passenger seat. Years earlier, Gary had committed suicide. I often wished I had known he was suffering, so I attributed the sighting to guilt.
HOWEVER, years later, an eerie incident occurred while I was home alone. My son was away at college, and my beloved dog had died, so it was the first time in a long time that my house was quiet. I don’t remember feeling sad or upset. I remember the time as just one of those evenings after a hectic day in the office. Then, while watching a television show, I felt uncomfortable and antsy. I’m not going to lie; I didn’t think I was alone, which terrified me. I grabbed my keys and fled my home. The next day at work, I was told that my dear friend had passed away the night before. I loved Patrick. He was a sweet soul with a kind heart. And yes, his spirit would’ve stopped by my home to say goodbye. That was so like him, and he loved me that much.
I don’t consider myself superstitious, but I believe people linger, especially when they have unfinished business. Scientifically, there is a range of light we cannot see. Who knows what we’re missing?
