First Ghost Hunting Experience

Battle of Gettysburg by Currier & Ives. Public Domain Image.

My husband was giddy. When we went to visit Gettysburg recently, we decided to go on a ghost hunt. While the usual touristy stuff applied, it was a relatively inexpensive way for us (and other tourists) to learn about using the paranormal ghost-hunting equipment in a very hands-on way. Being a sensitive, I was particularly interested in the dowsing rods. My friend Staci came along for the tour, as well, and our group decided that I should start with the dowsing rods.

My husband ran off under the light of a full moon to try and catch some mist or EVPs. Like I said, he was giddy.

I thought about the wisdom in bothering potential spirits potentially existing near a mass grave of Confederate soldiers. I’m not going to lie…when it was my turn with the EVP, I did try to provoke a little bit, discussing the glory of my very own Irish ancestor who died at Antietam fighting for the Union. Nothing happened.

I had some odd success with the dowsing rods. Firstly, I learned that it was easy for me to subconsciously make them move. If I looked at them and thought “cross” or “left,” I could get the rods to move as I wished. While I wasn’t consciously trying to move them with anything other than my mind, I am sure the muscles in my hands somehow twitched to comply. I don’t think I’m telekinetic. Also, I was wearing metal jewelry (wedding ring and band), we were standing in a dewy field (dowsing rods are also used to effectively find water) and my body loves being near copper for some reason, so I’m not sure any of what I experienced with the rods could be classified as paranormal. At a couple of points, I really did feel like something else was moving the rod, but who knows.

My dear husband was disappointed over finding nothing. Most of the other tourists got bored after 20 minutes of ghost hunting. I wonder if they realize that the people on TV spend hours setting up and breaking down equipment, then more time investigating with no obvious result and reviewing hours of footage from multiple cameras? I knew before starting out that that type of ghost hunting isn’t for me. I’m open to a personal experience, though, and I’m glad I got to try all of the equipment.

More than anything, I felt like the battlefield at Gettysburg was peaceful–in fact, one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. I don’t know if that destroys the possibility of me actually being sensitive or what, but it’s the truth. I felt peaceful there. I might have had a better result with the paranormal had I sat alone on a field late at night.

A week later, I also learned that one of my favorite outdoor lunch spots in Philly is also a mass grave–a spot they buried people during the Revolutionary War and after public lynchings in the park (explains why the ground is so fertile there, I guess). I also feel pretty peaceful there.

What do you think that means?

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