Well, What Is It? (A Ghost or Apparition?) by Jennifer Scelsi

Well, is it a ghost or an apparition?

In much of the world, we use the term 'ghost' to describe any type of haunted phenomena. What they mean is the spirit or apparition of a deceased person .What is the difference, you ask? Most of the reported activity over the centuries have involved objects that or were never human. A good example of this are reports of spectral animals, as well as phantom boats and trains. Meaning that not all spirits are humans.

To avoid any confusion, paranormal researchers (such as myself) use the term apparition to explain the visual appearance of disembodied entities. It covers all types from human entities, to phantoms, animals, angels and even demons.

Look at it this way: All ghosts are apparitions, but not all apparitions are ghosts. Now for a list of other terms we used in the Paranormal community :

** Essence

** Manifestation

** Nightshade

** Phantasm

** Phantom

** Presence

** Shade

** Shadow

** Soul

** Spectre or Specter

(Scared Notes: Spectre is just another spelling for specter. They're the same thing. Just helping is all.)

** Spirit

** Spook

** Vision

** Wraith

** Demon

To name a few.

These are common themes that go with the cause of different types of hauntings. From intelligent, residual, to demonic infestation, to poltergeist and even elemental style hauntings.

In many cases, they have no idea that they are dead, so they go about as if they are alive and doing the same things they did before they died. Or some come back to warn us of danger or are stuck and need help crossing over, or want their life stories told. Traumatic events as sudden death or murder are two examples.