What are Residual Hauntings?

Whether you are a seasoned paranormal investigator or a rookie you have heard of residual hauntings. All of the paranormal research television shows have referenced this term well over a dozen or so times. So what they exactly and why are we so infatuated with them?

Residual Hauntings Defined

Residual paranormal occurrences are defined as a form of paranormal activity that is non-interactive and/ or replays itself over and over again in a loop. This type of activity is by far the most common form of phenomenon. Hypothetically speaking it occurs a whopping nine times out of ten in cases that present actual paranormal activity.

Many “experts” debate the physics and scientific data behind this phenomenon questioning whether or not its possible. Most of the scientific community will argue that energy radiating so high on the EM (electromagnetic) spectrum would dissipate. While paranormal investigators will argue the opposite and state that matter absorbs that energy and it resonates and manifests as a spiritual imprint.

I however believe that a human’s spirit is not an energy that science can explain yet. In that I’m saying that we can neither prove nor deny the composition of a human soul. So I submit to neither argument and pose my own theory.

Residual activity exists because a spirit chose to linger in this world instead of crossing over. Theoretically in its lingering it begins to dissipate (as all energy eventually does) causing it to exist on a lower plane of existence. Since a soul is immortal it becomes an imprint on a location with only enough energy to manifest from time to time and perform slight tasks, eventually our time progresses but theirs does not, the spirit may not even know of its death.

Characteristics of Residual Activity

In this classification there isn’t any form of interaction or communication at all. It is widely believed to be a series of events from the past played over and over in an endless loop. These events could have a set day and time called an “anniversary imprint”.

The characteristics of residual activity are but not limited to:

Activity noted only on certain dates, times or both

The spirit is unable to respond, communicate and/ or interact

Activity reoccurs over and over in the exact same way (ie. walks into a room)

Activity involving an apparition walking through a wall where there once was a door

Anniversary Imprint

A good example of an anniversary imprint is activity occurring only on (for example) “July 10th at 6pm”. In this case the spirit will only manifest on that day and time. It doesn’t always have to happen annually as it could occur bi-weekly or daily etcetera.

With residual hauntings it is difficult to investigate with all the variances. If the activity is an anniversary imprint it would be wise for you to ask the client when the activity occurs. If they are unsure ask them to note the exact date and time of each occurrence to be certain.

Non-Responsive/ Non-Interactive Spirit

In this particular type of paranormal activity the spirit will be non-responsive. An investigator will not be able to get any replies to questions or direct inquiries. This classification will also be non-interactive.

Spirits in the residual classification will not be able to communicate but further they are unable to interact with the living or its environment. This lack of communication and interaction can seriously hinder an investigation. Evidence collected will more than likely be photographic or video.

Endless Loop Activity

Activity in a residual haunting will (more often than not) be repetitive. In this case a spirit will only perform certain actions over and over in an endless loop. Not like a movie jumping or a record skipping but more like when activity occurs it will perform its task and then when activity occurs again it will perform the exact same task.

It is widely believed that these actions are predetermined by the most recent of tasks performed before death. It could theoretically also be what we all believe causes spirits “unfinished business”. This theory isn’t widely followed because it would be uncharacteristic of residual activity.

Apparitions and Residual Activity

The most common form of a residual haunt is a partial or a full bodied apparition. Although a full bodied apparition has never been captured (hence the term “holy grail of paranormal evidence”) it is reported often with these claims. A tough one to prove for sure but these claims will make up almost all of your cases containing actual activity.

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