In this episode, Patrick takes you on a field trip through his paranormal and metaphysical library, plus he leaves you with a whopping list of the 20 Paranormal and Metaphysical Books that are fit for any paranerd!
Today I bring you the latest books to land on my doorstep. Have you read any of these? Do you have other recommendations? All book descriptions are taken from their Amazon pages, which you can get to by clicking on the book covers. Be sure to check out my Recommended Reading page for some of my recommendations and book reviews.
Paranormal: My Life in Pursuit of the Afterlife by Raymond Moody, M.D.
The bestselling author of Life After Life, Raymond Moody, offers a stunning, myth-busting memoir of everything he has learned in a lifetime studying “the other side” and our connection to it. The grandfather of the NDE (near death experience) movement, Raymond Moody has, in the words of Dr. Larry Dossey, author of The Power of Premonitions, “radically changed the way modern humans think about the afterlife.” Paranormal, essential reading for fans of Dannion Brinkley and Jeffrey Long, is “a thrilling and inspiring literary experience. Anyone who is not grateful for Moody’s immense contribution to human welfare ought to check his pulse.”
My Son and the Afterlife: Conversations from the Other Side by Elisa Medhus
Elisa is perhaps most known for her website,ChannelingErik.com, and two years ago I featured the site in one of my earliest blog posts here at The Big Séance. One could spend days exploring this site and the many channeled conversations with Erik Medhus.
Dr. Elisa Medhus never believed in life after death. As an accomplished physician, she placed her faith in science. All of that changed after her son Erik took his own life and then reached out from the other side.
Intimate, heartbreaking, and illuminating, go on an incredible journey from grief and skepticism to healing and belief. Based on Medhus’s wildly popular blog, Channeling Erik, My Son and the Afterlifeprovides answers to the most universal questions of being human.
At once tragic and uplifting, Erik speaks from the other side with candor, wisdom, and depth as he describes his own experiences and provides new answers about the nature of souls, death, and the afterlife—answers that have the potential to change our lives forever.
Behind The Walls: A Historical Exposé of The Preston School of Industry by J’aime Rubio
J’aime Rubio is an investigative journalist, true crime writer, historian, and published poet. She is also the author of two blogs:Dreaming CasuallyandHollywoodland Forever. I was somehow connected to J’aime when I was in the middle of my grave adoption project this last fall. Now a friend on social media, I can tell you that she is definitely my kind of nerd!
If you are a truth seeker, “Behind The Walls” is definitely a book you will want to read. It will open your eyes to the distressing secrets held deep in history behind those ominous walls of Preston Castle. It is a fact based account of murder, mystery and mistreatment. Many might wonder what actually happened to the former inmates and employees of the Preston School of Industry. You will learn about the startling treatment they received and the outcome of their lives. If you want to learn true history about Preston, read this book.
Creating Your Vintage Hallowe’en: Folklore and Traditions by Marion Paull
We are now six months away from Halloween, and it is NEVER too early to prepare! I’ll probably hold off and read these last two books in late summer. I also still have one left from last fall that I can’t wait to read. Check outTrick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton.
Full of spooky artworks, ephemera, vintage-inspired makes, rhymes and stories, Creating your Vintage Hallowe’en celebrates the folklore and traditions surrounding this delightfully unique holiday. Read how folk used to celebrate with dressing up, fortune-telling games, parties, and much pleasurable spookiness, and recreate your own vintage Hallowe’en with old-fashioned projects, including a carved Jack o’ lantern, a witch costume, and fun decorations for your home. Creating your Vintage Hallowe’en is packed full of little-known facts about the origins of Hallowe’en customs such as bobbing for apples and carving lanterns out of pumpkins, while the charming makes and vintage artworks featuring chubby, red-cloaked witches, sleekly silhouetted black cats, cute kittens, cheery goblins and smiling spectres, will inspire you to have your own vintage-style Hallowe’en celebration.
Halloween Merrymaking: An Illustrated Celebration of Fun, Food, and Frolics from Halloweens Past by Diane Arkins
Recipes, games, costumes, party ideas, and decorations, along with excerpts from vintage periodicals, show the gaiety that epitomized historic Halloween celebrations.
I’m excited to share with you the latest books to land on my doorstep. I started Speaking to the Dead with Radios today and am considering being brave and reading both of these at the same time. I don’t do that often. I’ve read several “spiritual” books recently so I feel it’s time to once again dig deep into some “ghostie” books. Sometimes I just feel the need to do some homework.
True Haunting by Edwin F. Becker
This is the story of a true haunting. It was the first ever filmed and televised by NBC in 1971. A young couple purchases a building that was built and occupied by a single family that refused to relinquish their hold, even after death. Investigated and verified by experts, this residence brought chaos to the lives of those who chose to reside there. Unlike a horror novel, this chronicles what a real ghostly experience would resemble. Long before the laws of disclosure, a young couple winds up in the midst of strange occurrences prior to the term ‘paranormal’ becoming a common description. Searching for help at time when supernatural events were a taboo subject and being ignored by the Church, sent them into a desperate search for any assistance. Only a little known organization came to their aid. Author Tom Valentine, brought in a nationally known psychic, Joseph DeLouise, who then asked assistance of an exorcist from England, Reverend William Derl-Davis. Together, they gave their best effort at exorcising the multiple spirits inhabiting the building and disrupting the lives of the living. Events were filmed by NBC, who sent their most prominent Chicago journalist, Carole Simpson, to cover the event. Follow a young couple with a newborn as they attempt to cope with inexplicable events, experience denial, plead for help from their Church, and step into the world of the paranormal. Understand why ghosts cannot be exorcised and a true example of their strong sense of domain, even after death. Learn what experts and gifted people did in a failed attempt to assist this desperate couple. There is no happy ending, as the young couple suffers emotionally, are physically threatened, have their pets terrorized, and eventually suffer financially by actually “giving” their building away. What was intended as a financial answer to their prayers became, instead, a curse to be abolished. Learn many of the various manifestations that can be common in haunting. Ghosts can be seen and heard. They can propel objects and interrupt utilities. They can affect your moods and feed off of your emotions. They can appear as solid as you and me. They can react and become hostile if threatened or violated. Most important, as this young couple learned, they can harm you and cannot be removed. This is a firsthand accounting of what a true haunting is like. There are certain subtle occurrences you may find the most frightening, because you just might relate and recognize them. If so, guess what? You may have a ghost! (Book description from Amazon.com.)
Speaking to the Dead with Radios by Michael Hobert Edwards
Speaking to the Dead with Radios I will tell you is not this just another fish story to reel in readers for momentary mind entertainment. Communicating with the dead using a radio with recorder is achievable and any person can do it. You do not need to be a psychic, a medium or have any paranormal gifts to make contact with the dead using these devices, and that my friend is the luxury of this in that you do not have to pay someone else hundreds or even thousands of dollars to contact your deceased family members or friends as you can do it yourself in the privacy of your own home. (Book description from Amazon.com.)
Warning! Lots of opinionated comments and blabbering below…
As a teacher, I have learned to appreciate my well-deserved summers. I’m not one to take trips, go to the beach, socialize with friends, or probably most other activities that people engage in during the summer. And, because we have no children (other than the four-legged kind), I’m able to be selfish and go about whatever business I plan. On my spring break this year I planned out and conducted my two-week EVP experiment that many of you followed. When it ended I was already excitedly planning what I was going to do during the summer months, including ordering a big pile of books on the topic of spirit communication. With more time to be consistent, I would continue my EVP research. I could finally get tons of analysis of some previous paranormal investigations completed. I was also pumped to start thinking and planning some séance experiences for this fall. And… of course, I was very excited to blog my way through it all on The Big Séance.
Well, I’ve done most of these things. Unfortunately, the results of my recent EVP research would bore most of you. A lot of VERY quiet and VERY questionable moments that I continuously label as “possible” communication or “possible” EVP. I get nervous about the possibility of my hard drive filling to the max with these “possible” audio clips, and sorting through them and labeling them is becoming a chore. I’ve stopped saving so many of these and only make note of them. Either I’m doing something wrong or I’m not very patient. Or… maybe I’m not supposed to be an EVP master like Randall Keller. 🙂 It probably shouldn’t ruin my day, but sometimes after spending hours reviewing one session with no gems, it gets me down and I begin to wonder what the point is.
I’ve continued to occasionally experiment with radio sweep on my clock radio, which was brought on by possible (there’s that word again… see a theme here?) encouragement from spirit in a dream as well as an EVP response a while back. I’ve done more research with the spirit box, which I was very excited about, but have continued to be disappointed by, or maybe I’m just too skeptical about responses that may be coming through. Or… maybe I just need to get out of the house and record elsewhere. Or… maybe I just need to get out of the house. 🙂
By now I’ve read most of the books. One thing I didn’t consider is that these books would take me on a wild ride through several tangents and ITC topics that are interesting me. My mistake? I jumped right from one book to the next due to my addiction of knowledge and need to gain lots of it in a small amount of time. I didn’t stop to take a break between each book, or to even think about or attempt any of the concepts inside each individual book. Now that I’ve realized this, I plan on taking a step back. I’ll review each book by taking some notes, researching more of the techniques or concepts more deeply.
And finally, I’ve developed a kind of paranormal attitude that I’m not liking one bit. I’m a member of several online groups or circles of different paranormal and spiritual people and I’m learning a lot about other nerds and “crazies” like me. I find myself too easily criticizing the person who sees the obvious dust particle or reflection of the sun or a beam of light as the beautiful spirit orb whose name is Ralph, who is apparently in the photo to protect the person being photographed while sitting at their table at Applebees. Whaaaat?! “What you are seeing here in this water scrying example is a sprite. I also see a native American.” Why is there always a native American? And who am I to judge or get upset, anyway? I’m the one planning séances and sitting here waiting for my clock radio to talk to me based on a dream. And you should know that I’m interested in the spirit box. I’m interested in all things ITC. I want to be able to meditate successfully. I want to channel. I want to experience astral travel. I really want to hear and see what others do. As you may know, I’ve struggled to balance the “spiritual” nerd and the “paranormal” nerd inside myself. You may think there’s not a big difference, but trust me, they are completely different circles of people.
And so… I’ve decided I’m just burned out. Or maybe it’s just the July blues and I really need for school to start (and don’t worry, it will… less than two weeks away). Maybe I just need to get grounded and go be a “normal person” for a while. My friend Marilyn tells me I need to go and stick my feet in the dirt. Not a lot of dirt around here, but maybe she’s right. If you drive down my street and see me sitting in the yard looking like a patient from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, perhaps staring off into the distance while chewing on a blade of grass, just wave and drive on by. If you’re invited to my home and you notice I’m hoarding chicken carcasses under the bed like the girl from Girl Interrupted… well… just call for help, please.
Last night I prayed to whoever would listen, perhaps my spirit guide, or my totem, or an Archangel, or maybe even Ralph. Hopefully someone can help me figure out what I’m supposed to do or not do. I hope you’ll understand if I take a blogging break for a while. You may even enjoy a break from reading it. 🙂
I hope I haven’t offended anyone. Am I still talking? (Are you still reading?)
I have purchased WAY TOO MANY books recently, but I’m just about set for summer reading! I’m so very excited! They’ve either arrived this week or they will arrive any day now. Have any of my readers read any of these books already? Do you have any suggestions for other books that are similar?
The Art of Mediumshiup by Elaine Kuzmeskus
The evidence for life after death is overwhelming, and scientists, from Professor William James to Dr. Gary Schwartz, have validated after-life communication. In The Art of Mediumship, discover what really goes on in a séance. Find out how mediums such as Arthur Ford and Edgar Cayce, and psychic detectives such as Noreen Renier receive their information from the Other Side. Learn how to develop clairsentience, clairaudience, and clairvoyance through dreams, meditation, and a Spiritualist circle. Read about today’s ghost hunters who rely on electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and psychic photography as means of communication to solve mysteries. Learn how they capture spirit photos and spooky voices. Find out how to become a professional medium and the best ways to gain credibility with the public. Whether you just have an interest in the Other Side or plan to study the art of mediumship, this book demystifies the process with step-by-step instruction.
Explores the historic and technical development of ITC (instrumental transcommunication), perhaps the most phenomenal field of survival research in history, in which researchers and scientists today receive voices, text, and images from spirit colleagues through computers, TVs, radios, telephones, cameras, and other equipment. Focus is on the work of the Harsch-Fischbachs of Luxembourg; George Meek and Bill O’Neil in the US; Marcello Bacci in Italy; Ernst Senkowski, Manfred Boden, Hans-Otto Koenig, Klaus Schreiber, Adolf Homes, and Friedrich Malkhoff in Germany; and other pioneers in the field.
Conversations Beyond the Light provides the results of ITC’s (Instrumental Transcommunication) research, the first ‘hard’ physical evidence of life after death. Includes photos, line drawings and many spirit world descriptions by active, vibrant people — all of whom were former earth residents.
Lesley Bannatyne’s fascinating book . . . will be widely appealing to anyone who ever wondered where witches, trick-or-treating, and jack-o-lanterns really came from. It is by far the best book on the history of Halloween available today. Alison Guss, senior producer, The Haunted History of Halloween, The History Channel An excellent resource for research into the history of holidays . . . in the United States . . . Highly Recommended. The Book Report Halloween has evolved from the Druids’ celebrations of 2,000 years ago to become today the fastest-growing holiday in the country. This, the only book to completely cover All Hallow’s Eve, examines those ancient origins as well as its traditions and celebrations, from costuming to bobbing for apples. Jack-o-lanterns, black cats, and witches are explained. Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins lurk behind every page. The book traces the contributions of America’s immigrants to the holiday, documenting the beliefs each ethnic group has added to the mix. Related recipes, poems, songs, crafts, and photos perfectly complement the meticulously documented text. The result is the most educational and entertaining examination of Halloween, its myths, and its truths.
America’s leading authority on Halloween presents interviews with spooky rock groups, amateur vampires, haunted house creators, champion pumpkin carvers, and more, all in the quest of explaining the nation’s unique love affair with this holiday. The collection of essays and interviews explores the pop culture phenomenon that is Halloween, and why we celebrate it the way we do today.
Séance 101 explores the physical side of the spirit world and how contact with “the other side” affects you! Read this book to find out : • How spirits communicate with us by tipping tables. Learn the basics from the New England School of Metaphysics. • How spirits manifest on film and the methods for using Electronic Voice Phenomena to contact spirits. • Where to locate and safely open your third eye, that natural intuition that can be developed into a psychic tool. Learn to meditate and set up a seance. • The importance of psychic surgery, medical practices without tools, anesthesia or pain; trumpet mediumship, where spirits speak from megaphones; and percipitated painting, when spirits paint works of art , without the help of mortals. • How magic and mediumship are tied together via the spirit of Harry Houdini! The spirit lives. Will you become a believer?
Using things you probably already own such as a camcorder, computer, or tape recorder you can contact departed loved ones or other spirits, record their images and voices, and establish two-way communications between the worlds. Speak with the Dead also details the more traditional methods of sance, trance, and scrying. This book will guide you to one of the most awe-inspiring experiences youll ever have.
The bestselling author of Life After Life, Raymond Moody, offers a stunning, myth-busting memoir of everything he has learned in a lifetime studying “the other side” and our connection to it. The grandfather of the NDE (near death experience) movement, Raymond Moody has, in the words of Dr. Larry Dossey, author of The Power of Premonitions, “radically changed the way modern humans think about the afterlife.” Paranormal, essential reading for fans of Dannion Brinkley and Jeffrey Long, is “a thrilling and inspiring literary experience. Anyone who is not grateful for Moody’s immense contribution to human welfare ought to check his pulse.”
Recipes, games, costumes, party ideas, and decorations, along with excerpts from vintage periodicals, show the gaiety that epitomized historic Halloween celebrations.This is the story of a true haunting. It was the first ever filmed and televised by NBC in 1971. A young couple purchases a building that was built and occupied by a single family that refused to relinquish their hold, even after death. Investigated and verified by experts, this residence brought chaos to the lives of those who chose to reside there. Unlike a horror novel, this chronicles what a real ghostly experience would resemble. Long before the laws of disclosure, a young couple winds up in the midst of strange occurrences prior to the term ‘paranormal’ becoming a common description. Searching for help at time when supernatural events were a taboo subject and being ignored by the Church, sent them into a desperate search for any assistance. Only a little known organization came to their aid. Author Tom Valentine, brought in a nationally known psychic, Joseph DeLouise, who then asked assistance of an exorcist from England, Reverend William Derl-Davis. Together, they gave their best effort at exorcising the multiple spirits inhabiting the building and disrupting the lives of the living. Events were filmed by NBC, who sent their most prominent Chicago journalist, Carole Simpson, to cover the event. Follow a young couple with a newborn as they attempt to cope with inexplicable events, experience denial, plead for help from their Church, and step into the world of the paranormal. Understand why ghosts cannot be exorcised and a true example of their strong sense of domain, even after death. Learn what experts and gifted people did in a failed attempt to assist this desperate couple. There is no happy ending, as the young couple suffers emotionally, are physically threatened, have their pets terrorized, and eventually suffer financially by actually “giving” their building away. What was intended as a financial answer to their prayers became, instead, a curse to be abolished. Learn many of the various manifestations that can be common in haunting. Ghosts can be seen and heard. They can propel objects and interrupt utilities. They can affect your moods and feed off of your emotions. They can appear as solid as you and me. They can react and become hostile if threatened or violated. Most important, as this young couple learned, they can harm you and cannot be removed. This is a firsthand accounting of what a true haunting is like. There are certain subtle occurrences you may find the most frightening, because you just might relate and recognize them. If so, guess what? You may have a ghost! (Book description from Amazon.com.)
Speaking to the Dead with Radios I will tell you is not this just another fish story to reel in readers for momentary mind entertainment. Communicating with the dead using a radio with recorder is achievable and any person can do it. You do not need to be a psychic, a medium or have any paranormal gifts to make contact with the dead using these devices, and that my friend is the luxury of this in that you do not have to pay someone else hundreds or even thousands of dollars to contact your deceased family members or friends as you can do it yourself in the privacy of your own home. (Book description from Amazon.com.)
The Art of Mediumshiup by Elaine Kuzmeskus
Conversations Beyond the Light: with Departed Friends & Colleagues by Electronic Means by Kubis & Macy
Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History by Lesley Pratt Bannatyne
The Scole Experiment: Scientific Evidence for Life After Death by Grant Solomon
Seance 101: Physical Mediumship: Table Tipping, Psychic Photography, Trumpet Seances, and Other Important Phenomena by Elaine Kuzmeskus
Speak with the Dead: Seven Methods for Spirit Communication by Konstantinos
Paranormal Burnout…
Warning! Lots of opinionated comments and blabbering below…
Well, I’ve done most of these things. Unfortunately, the results of my recent EVP research would bore most of you. A lot of VERY quiet and VERY questionable moments that I continuously label as “possible” communication or “possible” EVP. I get nervous about the possibility of my hard drive filling to the max with these “possible” audio clips, and sorting through them and labeling them is becoming a chore. I’ve stopped saving so many of these and only make note of them. Either I’m doing something wrong or I’m not very patient. Or… maybe I’m not supposed to be an EVP master like Randall Keller. 🙂 It probably shouldn’t ruin my day, but sometimes after spending hours reviewing one session with no gems, it gets me down and I begin to wonder what the point is.
I’ve continued to occasionally experiment with radio sweep on my clock radio, which was brought on by possible (there’s that word again… see a theme here?) encouragement from spirit in a dream as well as an EVP response a while back. I’ve done more research with the spirit box, which I was very excited about, but have continued to be disappointed by, or maybe I’m just too skeptical about responses that may be coming through. Or… maybe I just need to get out of the house and record elsewhere. Or… maybe I just need to get out of the house. 🙂
By now I’ve read most of the books. One thing I didn’t consider is that these books would take me on a wild ride through several tangents and ITC topics that are interesting me. My mistake? I jumped right from one book to the next due to my addiction of knowledge and need to gain lots of it in a small amount of time. I didn’t stop to take a break between each book, or to even think about or attempt any of the concepts inside each individual book. Now that I’ve realized this, I plan on taking a step back. I’ll review each book by taking some notes, researching more of the techniques or concepts more deeply.
And finally, I’ve developed a kind of paranormal attitude that I’m not liking one bit. I’m a member of several online groups or circles of different paranormal and spiritual people and I’m learning a lot about other nerds and “crazies” like me. I find myself too easily criticizing the person who sees the obvious dust particle or reflection of the sun or a beam of light as the beautiful spirit orb whose name is Ralph, who is apparently in the photo to protect the person being photographed while sitting at their table at Applebees. Whaaaat?! “What you are seeing here in this water scrying example is a sprite. I also see a native American.” Why is there always a native American? And who am I to judge or get upset, anyway? I’m the one planning séances and sitting here waiting for my clock radio to talk to me based on a dream. And you should know that I’m interested in the spirit box. I’m interested in all things ITC. I want to be able to meditate successfully. I want to channel. I want to experience astral travel. I really want to hear and see what others do. As you may know, I’ve struggled to balance the “spiritual” nerd and the “paranormal” nerd inside myself. You may think there’s not a big difference, but trust me, they are completely different circles of people.
And so… I’ve decided I’m just burned out. Or maybe it’s just the July blues and I really need for school to start (and don’t worry, it will… less than two weeks away). Maybe I just need to get grounded and go be a “normal person” for a while. My friend Marilyn tells me I need to go and stick my feet in the dirt. Not a lot of dirt around here, but maybe she’s right. If you drive down my street and see me sitting in the yard looking like a patient from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, perhaps staring off into the distance while chewing on a blade of grass, just wave and drive on by. If you’re invited to my home and you notice I’m hoarding chicken carcasses under the bed like the girl from Girl Interrupted… well… just call for help, please.
Last night I prayed to whoever would listen, perhaps my spirit guide, or my totem, or an Archangel, or maybe even Ralph. Hopefully someone can help me figure out what I’m supposed to do or not do. I hope you’ll understand if I take a blogging break for a while. You may even enjoy a break from reading it. 🙂
I hope I haven’t offended anyone. Am I still talking? (Are you still reading?)
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