Season of Shadows Blog

Anyone who can remember visiting this blog back in 2007 may recall how I used to discuss a lot of my own theories on subjects like the paranormal, consciousness and spirituality. While the majority of those older entries have been moved to my other site, Wind of the Soul, and the Season of Shadows Blog now represents more of a lighthearted romp into Halloween and the paranormal; from time to time I’ll be writing a somewhat more serious post containing my two cents here at SOS. Today’s entry is along those lines.

When it comes to programs like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, there seem to be just as many fans out there as there are detractors. And while I’ve definitely watched my fair share of episodes, I don’t fit into either category—rather, I’ve always fallen somewhere in the middle. This is probably partially due to the fact I’ve never cared about getting involved in the lives of the personalities on the shows. I don’t find the whole “reality” television aspect of ghost hunting programs all that appealing. For me, I tune in because I want to see the evidence that was collected, as opposed to getting to know the cast in an intimate way.

And while I think shows like GH have done a good job of getting the ball rolling on eliciting an interest in paranormal investigations, I would like to start seeing more conscious ghost hunting programs with a higher purpose for being on the air. Essentially, the means for making the most basic and rudimentary forms of contact have already been established on the current paranormal programs. It’s been shown that “spirits” can state their names; the time in which they lived/died; their emotional state of being, and on occasion, can slightly manifest or manipulate physical objects.

But aside from showing that communication is possible, what other purpose is being served in the current lineup of ghost hunting programming? The most obvious answer is entertainment, and I get that, however, it’s often stated that the purpose of these programs is to help. Yet, rarely does someone receive real help during televised investigations; certainly the viewer isn’t being helped and neither are the energies responsible for the hauntings. We’re all being entertained (of course, I can’t speak for the ghosts), but we’re definitely not being helped.

I also understand that the premise of a program like Ghost Hunters is to obtain information to present to the client about who or what may be haunting their location. I’m not saying Ghost Hunters isn’t serving that purpose, but what I am saying is that I would love to see a new style of ghost hunting programming–an evolution of the genre, if you will.

So, what do I think a more conscious, truly helpful ghost hunting program would involve? I believe its main focus should hinge on obtaining answers (from “spirits”) to deeper questions, for example: What’s the meaning of life? What’s the afterlife like? How does it feel to make a transition from this physical plane to the next plane of existence? Where do we go after we “cross over?” Do we retain all aspects of our personality after we pass on? Is the so-called white light a myth? Where does religion and spiritualism fit in based on your (the spirits’) current understanding of the afterlife? What’s your (the spirits’) explanation for the concept of god? etc.

To me, approaching paranormal investigating with the goal of obtaining answers to these types of questions would be far more beneficial, even if responses are sketchy at best and elusive at worst. After all, who among us hasn’t been curious about our place in the Universe and where we’re going next? If legitimate answers could be obtained, then wouldn’t that be a huge help and possibly a great comfort. Not to mention that these types of questions cause people to think more outside the box—an important component for our own personal growth.

During the hundreds of hours of EVP work I’ve conducted, the majority of my probing has centered on the themes mentioned above. Admittedly, most energies are dodgy when it comes to answering these deeper questions, or else they inform me that they’re not allowed to reply. However, that doesn’t mean these pieces of the puzzle can’t be obtained over time.

It is possible that the majority of energies who communicate with the physical plane don’t possess these answers or perhaps they indeed aren’t allowed to share them with those of us on the earth plane. And perhaps it’s naïve to think just because a person has transitioned into a nonphysical state, they have access to greater knowledge, however, I believe the questions should still be asked.

But, I suppose the major issue (in the mind of television network executives) pertains to viewership. How many people would watch a ghost hunting show whose purpose is deeper than what’s currently being broadcast—notwithstanding possibly obtaining incredible answers about our existence? Obviously, when it comes to television programs, reality-based or otherwise, viewership (aka dollars) is all that matters. If the viewers tune out, then affiliates start dropping like flies and advertisers follow suit. A really good show can have its butt handed to it before you can say “boo”–all because it didn’t line the network’s pockets.

Overall, I believe the current crop of paranormal shows are fine for the purpose they serve. I’m just interested in seeing new programs come about that challenge ingrained concepts and help to foster our own personal growth through knowledge which may be obtained via the other side—something I like to call smarter, more conscious ghost hunting.

I still don’t understand why there isn’t a 24/7 paranormal network on cable or satellite. If I had the money, I’d go to work on amassing a team of people to create such a project. And the network would be built primarily on intelligent, paranormal programs that sought out answers to deeper questions.

The title for today’s entry reminds me of a spooky spot I’d love to visit somewhere in the deepest, darkest of woods. However, Autumnforest isn’t a location you can go to physically, but instead, she’s a person who’s created the virtual equivalent of that spooky spot amidst the woodlands. Comprised of all the things I hold dear: Halloween, the paranormal, and the creepy; Autumnforest’s Ghost Hunting Theories is a fantastic blog for Halloween buffs, horror fans and supernatural aficionados alike. While I could write a lengthy entry describing her knack for crafting amazing tales of horror, or talk about her mind-opening theories that shatter antiquated concepts regarding the paranormal; in this post, I’m focusing on her ’09 Halloween haunt/party.

Being a fellow inhabitant of the Southwest, Autumnforest knows just how challenging it is to transform desert landscape into autumnal scenery. Capturing the more commonly associated feelings of fall and Halloween, amidst cactus and rocks, isn’t always easily accomplished, yet she manages to pull it off without a hitch and is a great hostess to boot! I’m busy enough tending to my yard haunt on Halloween night, but she manages to find time for decorating the yard, taking care of trick-or-treaters and entertaining party guests. I wonder if she’d like to bring her talents to New Mexico on October 31st? I could always use an extra hand.

In all seriousness, her haunt has a lot of great elements — the graveyard scene and haunted doll room being two of my favorites. I know she has plans to expand even more for Halloween 2010 on the scary doll stuff and I can’t wait to see exactly what she has up her sleeve.

Whatever you do, whether you’re in the mood for Halloween, horror or theories on the supernatural, you gotta swing by Ghost Hunting Theories. It’s indeed the virtual equivalent of that sweet, spooky spot way back there in the forest.