Approved Terminology

For the purposes of making communication during investigation and research clearer for everyone, the members of the MTPRS have agreed upon the following definitions and terms. 

Anomaly

An occurrence or condition removed from ordinarily understood experiences.

Attachment

The seeming connection a haunting or entity may have with an item, such as furniture or other personal belonging.  Often, this type of haunting is noticed when an item is first brought into a location.  When the item is again removed, the events related to the haunting cease. 

Apparition

The projection or manifestation of a quasi-physical entity. (See also materialization.)

Demon

Hostile and resentful entity, supposedly of non-human origin, which some believe to be "fallen (from grace) angels."

Entity

A disembodied "consciousness" commonly referred to as ghost, spirit or (if of an apparently malicious or resentful nature) demon.

E.V.P.

'Electronic Voice Phenomena.' Disembodied "voices" and sounds imprinted on audio recording devices.

Exorcism

Ceremonial expulsion of invading spiritual/demonic entities from a person or dwelling, present in virtually every worldly culture. The Jewish and Catholic Christian faiths each have a formal 'Rite of Exorcism' to be conducted by the respective Rabbi or Priest.

Ghost

The image of a person witnessed after his/her death, reflecting the appearance of the living, physical body yet less substantial. These forms often seem to exist in a dream-like state of semi-awareness, at times though not always cognizant of their human observers.

Haunting

The manifestation of a ghostly presence, or presences, attached to a specific locale. Haunting can be categorized into four (usually) distinct types.  These are Intelligent (responsive), Poltergeist (likely initiated by pent-up stress on a subconscious level), Residual (replay) and Demonic (non-human origin). See explanations of all of these below.

Materialization

A ghost appearing visually, suddenly or gradually, sometimes indistinct, sometimes seemingly quite solid. (See also apparition)

Matrixing

The natural tendency for the human mind to interpret sensory input, what is perceived visually, audibly or tactilely, as something familiar or more easily understood and accepted, in effect mentally "filling in the blanks."  This is one common mistake people make when looking at photographs.  Their eyes “fill in” the blanks and begin seeing faces, etc, which are not necessarily present in the picture.  This has been compared to looking at the clouds and seeing figures or shapes.

Oui-ja

A divining implement consisting of a small, round or more often rectangular platform with letters, numbers and various symbols printed upon it, and a "planchette."  The planchette, when the fingers of two participants are lightly placed along its edges, is intended to glide across the smooth surface of the inscribed platform and indicate messages. Conceived of as a parlor game in the wake of popular spiritualism, this is potentially a very dangerous tool for inviting in unpredictable, invasive forces. Experienced researchers vehemently advise against their usage.

Orb

A ball of energy that may or may not be related to a paranormal event.  Many believe this energy is spiritual in nature, while others recognize that it may just be environmental energy of some sort. At present, there is no way to distinguish between the two.  Often, people will see “orbs” in photographs and conclude that there is a spirit present.  Many serious investigators will discount virtually all orb evidence, due to the many other explanations for the anomaly. (Dust, moisture, fibers, non-spiritual energy, etc.)

Paranormal

The realm of occurrences and phenomena removed from those to which people are accustomed and comprehend, and presently uncategorized by standard academia.

Pentacle/Pentagram

The traditional five-pointed star design, with its interior pentagon delineated, generally representing both spirituality and protection when point "up"; when inverted, it is said to signify diabolism.

Possession

Invasion of the human mind by a spiritual or demonic entity, where the invading agent for a span of time, influences or entirely subverts the personality of the human host. It is in these instances that the boundaries of psychology, religion and spiritualism are rendered less distinct.

Spirit

Existence apart from, or transcending, the purely physical; also, the life-force of an organism. A spirit commonly refers to a ghost.

Spirit Rescue

Attempting contact with entities, intended to alleviate the entities' distress and aid them in the resolution of their conflicts, and in "crossing over" to a higher, spiritual plane.

Vortex

pl. Vortexes or Vortices. An anomaly which sometimes shows up in still photographs taken at the site of a suspected haunting, appearing as a translucent white, tube or funnel shaped mass. Some researchers believe this may be a porthole to the spirit realm.