Rappings - Loud knocks or hits against surfaces often produced by spirits. May be associated with boisterous energies seeking attention or recognition by humans. Also may occur during poltergeist phenomena.

Residual Haunting - Any haunting where spirits are seen repeating the same actions, behaviors, or movements over and over again in the exact same way.

Retro cognition - Occurs when a person (percipient) is transported through time and experiences past surroundings and feelings. This is reported in some paranormal phenomena.

Revenant - A recently departed spirit who returns very briefly to make contact with loved ones. This may serve as an act of closure before going on to the Afterlife.

Seance - A metaphysical ritual performed by a Medium with a gathering of people to make contact with the dead. 

Sensitive - A person who can feel the presence of spirit energy through any of the five senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste.

Shadows - An apparition appearing as a flickering black or smoky gray mass of any size or shape. Often seen out of the corner of the eye before disappearing completely or may be caught on film.

Sleep Paralysis - A sleep disorder (apnea) where a person half-awakens during the night feeling they are being watched or being choked, pressed upon the chest, or otherwise paralyzed by an evil, invisible force attacking them. A ghost may be falsely accused of trying to harm them.

Smugeing - An ancient spiritual cleansing ceremony using natural herbs and spices to ward off negative spirit energies. A smoky fire is produced in a smudge pot and distributed throughout an area and over people. 

Soul - The continuing electromagnetic energy field of a human or animal retaining all the characteristics of the once living soul, body, and mind.

Soul Rescue - An act of metaphysical intervention between a living person and a spirit whereby the earthbound energy is advised and instructed on how to leave the earthly plain and go into the Light to begin it's new afterlife existence. Often a Channeler or psychic will act as the human agent for this event.

Space-Time Anomaly - A residual haunting caused by strong emotional feelings embedded within a departed spirit. Negative emotions developed during life become a force holding a spirit earthbound to perform repetitious behavior. This view holds that residual hauntings are caused by active, intelligent spirits consciously repeating their actions while trying to resolve past emotional issues.

Sparklies - Small glowing dots (not dust, pollen or pollutants) seen through a camera viewfinder during the flash mode which may indicate the presence of spirit energies.

Spirit - The electromagnetic and electrostatic energies containing the soul, personality, and intelligence which survives after the death of a human or animal. 

Spirit Detector - A compass

Spirit Photography - Capturing the images of paranormal anomalies or spirits on film. Also called psychic photography.

Spirit Voices - Capturing the voices of spirits on audio tape. EVPs.

Spiritualism - The belief that the dead communicate with the living, usually through a medium. Emphasizing the spiritual over the material.

Spiritualist - A person with the philosophy, doctrine, or belief that the dead communicate with the living. 

Spook - A ghost who haunts a particular place. The word's origins are Dutch.

Still - A single photograph.

Synchronicity - The state of being synchronous. A chronological series of events that indicates parallel existences and occurrences. A coincidence in time or rate.

Table-tipping - A method of communication by spirits where people sit or stand around a table, touch fingertips upon its top, and then invite spirits to come forth. Yes and no questions are asked and floor taps generated by the bouncing table legs indicate the answers. One tap for "yes." Two taps for "no." This may invite malevolent spirits into your home.

Telekinesis - The unexplained, supernatural movement of objects by the use of psychic powers. 

Telekinetic - A person with the ability to move objects with their mind.

Telepathy - Communication between minds by exercising psychic powers and without the use of the normal five senses.

Telepathic - A person who uses telepathy.

Thanatology - The study of Near-Death Experiences.

The Light - A portal or entranceway into the afterlife or another    dimension and is used by spirits to leave an earthbound existence. 

Vapor Apparition - A misty, white ghost.

Vortex - A white tornado-shaped, ectoplasmic form that usually appears during family gatherings or celebrations. They may also be the transport mechanisms through which orbs travel in and out of our dimension.

Wraith - A legendary ghost that brings misfortune or death to anyone who sees it. Sometimes a cloak-hooded figure with glowing red eyes