40% of millennials believe their house is haunted, are they right?
FAQ about ghosts and the truth of the Spirit World
Last week, I read this article about how 40% of millennials believe their house is haunted. This makes sense to me, but I must admit I am in a bit of an echo chamber—nearly everyone I talk with daily believes in mediumship and the unseen world.
Last week, when I reminded my teenage son to keep his bedroom door closed, he yelled back, “It wasn’t me. It was the old man!” Which made me laugh and also spend the next few minutes smoke clearing his room. Two deaths occurred in our current home, and as far as I know, my son isn’t aware of either the elderly gentleman or his adult son who passed here.
I’ve never seen them, but I could feel their presence, along with an older lady, when we first moved in. Now, let me explain that I don't believe in hauntings in the way you might think. I believe what we pick up on is a residue of energy, like fingerprints left behind on a window. Many people are able to pick up on this energy. I do not believe that the living, intelligent spirit of the prior homeowners lingers or has any desire to communicate with us since we have no connection.
My own loved ones, including pets, are a different story. I do feel them, hear footsteps on the stairs, smell their perfume, or catch glimpses of them out of the corner of my eye. I love living in a state that allows me to be open to this—I’m delighted by it.
I understand that not everyone feels this way. As a professional medium I know that the Spirit World can bring so much peace and healing. There is still fear and stigma around mediumship and sharing acurate information has is a crucial part of allowing others to benefit from it.
Yesterday, I put a question box on my Instagram stories asking for queries about “ghosts” and I’ve included the most frequently asked questions below.
Ghost FAQs
What is a ghost?
A ghost typically refers to a discarnate spirit that lingers, wanders, and scares humans. There seems to be a translucent quality to them, and so, in this sense, I don’t believe in ghosts (the term is very Hollywood.)
What about an apparition?
Apparition typically means a holographic, translucent image of a spirit person. This can be one of two things. You can see a spirit person objectively (outside your mind), or you could see a vision of something that once was a person in the space you are in, like an energetic fingerprint I spoke about earlier. The main difference is that spirit people are intelligent and loving with a living energy. An image left behind can look very real (even frightening), but it’s not a living intelligence, simply the image, energy, or feeling left behind.
Are there evil spirits?
No, I don’t believe there are. A common theme in some religions is that spirits will “pretend” to be good or that mediums are really communicating with the devil. I believe this is a way that organized religion and patriarchy have historically controlled mediums and intuitive folks. I have never encountered an “evil” spirit. I have connected with spirits who regretted their choices, did things that would appall you, and caused suffering in their life. When this happens, they have had the chance to review their life and work on their soul. I might not always enjoy my connection with them as much as I would a spirit who was loving and kind in life, but I have never felt in danger or out of control.
Are there animal spirits, too?
Yes! As a professional medium, I connect with animals in spirit quite often. They love to find ways to let you know they are around and will send you signs if you’re open to it. The most common I experience are feeling them in the home, hearing a bark, feeling them on the bed in the morning before you’re fully awake and more open to spirit. Animals are complex and feel similar to human spirits and may send you specific signs over time. You can talk to your animals and ask them to visit you. I leave a little bow of milk bones on my kitchen altar to welcome my spirit dogs in.
Are there places that feel haunted?
Yes. I once traveled with friends that wanted to stay in a hotel that used to be a Nazi prison. Something like this is always going to be a no for me. I would feel the pain and suffering and perhaps see disturbing images. This is a personal choice, and I don't believe this experience could bring me physical harm. Although if I was in a fragile emotional state, it could feel like harm, I wouldn't bring children to a place like this for that reason. Some mediums love to see and feel energy and find this exciting. It seems to be a personal preference; some people like scary movies, and some don’t. There is no wrong or right.
Are spirits with you on the physical plane? Where are they in space?
I don’t conceive of the spirit world as a far-off place. In my experience, spirits are all around us, especially those who love us and especially when we call on them. When I am blending with a spirit person through mediumship, I feel them in my physical space, blending with my mind, thoughts, and energy. I also believe that spirits can be in multiple places at once, like having multiple browser tabs open. The unseen world transcends time and space.
Are spirits stuck between worlds? Do they need our help to cross over?
Nope! I have heard about this belief and know of mediums who sit in "rescue circles" when they claim to be helping souls cross to the other side. I don't believe this is meant to be harmful, but it is. I feel like this belief originates from people's need to feel helpful or like they are somehow assisting the Spirit World. Since I've never seen any evidence of a Spirit being "trapped," I don't believe in this.
I have sat with many clients over the years who have been told this, and it can be devastating to them. In that case, the entire reading can be spent trying to undo the harm these ideas have caused. Imagine hearing your loved one is “trapped” between worlds and paying someone to “help them.” I’ve heard some truly awful and unethical cases of this.
Do I need to energetically clear my home?
If you want your home to feel clear, then yes! Set an intention to clear any energy or vibrations from your home that’s not yours. Don’t worry about losing your connection to your loved ones in spirit when you clear. I’ll address that next.
You can burn herbs, use a clearing herbal spray, incense, or simply project your energy around the room, picturing a white light spreading throughout with the intention of clearing it. Open a window as you do this so the smoke or energy can leave. Cleaning is a very important part of this process, and especially cleaning your floors. If you really want a clean home, give your floors a scrub or vacuum. I have a clearing broom I use only for this and sweep the energy all the way out my front door, but only after I’ve cleaned thoroughly.
Can I ask a spirit person to leave?
Yes! Just like anyone else, you can ask a spirit person to leave firmly and kindly. The spirit world is loving and does not want to cause harm. In my experience, when you ask them to leave, they will. Be clear in your intentions.
My child talks to spirits in our home. Is this okay?
It would be okay with me! Children are naturally open to the unseen world. A sensitive child may easily pick up on spirit people and have conversations with them. This is commonly expressed through telling their parents things about grandparents or even siblings they never met. My advice would be to remain open-minded and neutral about this. If you react strongly, that can cause a child to shut down their sensitivity to these things and feel like they are hiding a part of them. It can be very difficult to open this sensitivity back up later in life.
Are spirits trying to send me a message?
Sometimes. Most often, the message is that I’m here, I love you, I see your life and your journey. Of course, there can be more detailed messages, but most often, it’s that simple. If you feel like there is a more detailed message coming through, you might find some guidance in these articles: Clear Signs a Deceased Loved One is With You (2023), and this one about Synchronicities Notice the Magic: Examples of Real-Life Synchronicities.
Thanks for all your wonderful questions about ghosts this week. All of these questions were submitted through my Instagram. If you have a question that I didn’t answer here, please leave a comment, and I’m happy to keep the conversation going.
Sending you love,
Sheryl
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