Most of us have heard stories or experienced ghost hauntings of our own, from strange noises in the middle of the night to rancid smells without a source to creepy vibes that send a shiver down our spine. But even if you're aware that a spirit may be present, most of us don't really know what to do when we encounter these apparitions. Do we run away screaming, face them head on, or learn to co-exist with them? Personally, I’ve done all three.
Luckily, Teen Vogue tapped three of the paranormal experts from Hulu’s Living for the Dead, Kristin Stewart's new queer ghost hunting show, to give us advice about how to handle this spooky situation. Alexandrè LeMay, Roz Hernandez, and Juju Bae are here to help us deal with these shadowy figures and do our own ghost busting if needed.
The first trick to sussing out whether spirits are in your space is believing. All three of these paranormal experts encountered a spirit that made them aware that there is life beyond death. But if you're not sure whether or not you think ghosts are real, curiosity is enough. From the tips below, you'll learn that you don't need a ton of special equipment to locate spirits, just a little faith, some sensitivity, and an eye for detail. So, go forth, amateur hunters!
Techniques Of Ghost Hunters
Bae, a witch and spiritual healer, uses an intuitive approach to dealing with spirits. “One of the most amazing things about being a witch is that you get to center your feelings as a valid source of what's happening around you,” she says. So, you should “trust your feelings” about potential paranormal activities. “If you feel like there is something around you…there probably is a spirit,” she says, calling your gut one of your most important ghost hunting tools.
Hernandez, a comedian and host of “Ghosted!” podcast, says she uses keen detective skills to suss out situations by following her intuition. Ultimately, leading with curiosity and having an open mind are most important for her when dealing with the unknown — but not so open that you accept the first possible explanation as the final one. “I’m more analytical and want as much confirmation as possible to corroborate the feelings,” she says.
How does Hernandez get that confirmation? She uses Polaroid cameras to take pictures of haunted places. The raw images it produces can pick up on ghosts. She's says she's “captured a lot of anomalies” when using a Polaroid camera.
You don't necessarily need tools beyond your intuition and observation to sense a spirit, but if you're trying to dig deeper, you might want to call in expert ghost hunters, who may use some gadgets. LeMay, a paranormal investigator, uses technology that measures the electromagnetic field by the use of a “spirit box that scans radio frequencies back and forth at a pretty fast rate.” According to LeMay, this device “has been known to have higher readings in places that are known to be haunted…through the white sound you'll hear voices of the person you're trying to contact.”
But if you don't have access to that device, which most of us don't, LeMay suggest “lighting a candle and asking [the ghost] to move the flame a certain way.” That way you can tell if the spirits are present.
How To Navigate Your Own Haunting
If you've determined there's a spirit in your home, LeMay suggests reclaiming your space and having a conversation with them to gauge their intentions. Listen to them to make sure they aren't malevolent, but also set boundaries so they know you're in control. LeMay says that “this is technically your realm and not theirs — we have so much more power just in our voice alone and reclaiming your power” can send ghosts away. Do not let the ghosts run you out of your own home.
Bae suggests bringing courageous friends to check out a haunted area to ensure your safety. Don't go “without any protections, prayers, intentions, and anything that can keep you safe” because aggregating the spirits can make them attach their energy onto you. She says to “start in a place that's familiar to you…sit in the room and sees what happens." Bae says to “protect yourself with your voice,” explaining that it's one of the most powerful tools we have as humans. She recommends talking to your space because “everything has a spirit” — even the door, which she might ask to protect her when she's out of town or away.
LeMay, Hernandez, and Bae encourage anyone seeking a connection with spirits to enter the space with respect. Be considerate to the dead. And, know that your ancestors are always around to protect you. Say goodbye when you're done talking with ghosts to let them know the conversation is over and to make sure they don't attach their energy to you.
Living for the Dead is now streaming on Hulu.
