Paranormal Glossary

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These are general terms used in paranormal science. Let us know if we missed one. (For a Ghost Hunting Glossary, go here)

Paranormal Glossary

Anomaly

Something that is strange or unusual. In ghost hunting this frequently refers to an "orb" (see definition in Ghost Hunting Glossary).

Data

Facts collected during Research from which conclusions may be drawn.

Evidence

Data presented in support of paranormal activity.

EVP

"Electronic Voice Phenomena" is the appearance of intelligible voices on recordings by audio devices, that has no known physical explanation. Usually thought to be spirit voices.

Research

Systematic investigation to collect Data.

Sanguinar

Someone who, for contrived or pathological reasons, has the desire to ingest blood and displays the traits of a vampire.

Satan

In Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions, Satan is the tempter of mankind, the master of Hell, the chief spirit of evil and the adversary of God.

Shaman

A practitioner of shamanism (an animistic religion), acting as a medium between the visible and spirit worlds. A tribal priest that practices sorcery for healing or divination.

Shuck

A spectral death omen in the form of a ghostly dog with glowing yellow eyes that roam parts of the British coastline (Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk). Also called "Black Shuck" or "Old Shuck".

Sidhe

Mythical hills and woodlands of Irish and Scottish folklore, that are home to the faerie folk or "little people". (Pronounced: "shee")

Sigil of Baphomet

The official insignia for the Church of Satan, consisting of an inverted pentagram containing a goat face, encompassed by two concentric circles, in between which are five Hebraic characters, read counter-clockwise, that spell "Leviathan".

Stigmata

Apparently an externalization of religious fervor, these are marks resembling the wounds on the crucified body of Christ.

Succubus

A female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men. It is the "female" counterpart of the incubus. (Plural: "succubi")

Synchronicity

A concept coined by Jung denoting coincidences that seem to be meaningfully and uncannily related. Supposedly the result of "universal forces".

Table-tipping

Manipulation of a table (attributed to spirits) during a seance.

Talisman

A design, trinket or piece of jewelry, usually hung about the neck (also worn, carried or displayed), and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease. Can also be used to invoke strength, power, protection or the aid of spirits. An amulet.

Telekinesis

The ability to move objects by thinking about them, without the application of physical force.

Thought Transference

Communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions. I.e telepathic.

Thunderbird

A "supernatural" bird of power in North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. Believed by some Native Americans to be the spirit of thunder and lightning in the shape of a great bird.

Time-displacement

The experience of a time span separate from the native time span of the observer. The phenomenon is sometimes merely viewed and not participated in; sometimes a person seems to actually time-travel to another era.

Ultra-terrestrials

Other earthly forms of sentient, technologically sophisticated life that exist on a different plane ("vibrates at frequencies beyond the perceptual abilities of physical humans"). Said to visit our dimension from time-to-time with a message or mission, then "vanish" again. Not to be confused with "Extra-terrestrials"!

Vampire

A mythological or folkloric corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living in order to perpetuates itself. Sometimes considered to be a demon.

Voodoo

A religion that involves witchcraft and animistic deities. Considered by many to be a form of black magic.

Vorthr

From the Olde Norse for ward or guard - guardian spirit. Probable source of the word Wraith.

Warlock

A male witch or demon.

Werewolf

A monster able to change appearance from human to wolf and back again. From Old/Middle English ("man" = were). Also see: "Shape-Shifter" and "Lycanthrope".

Wicca

A pagan, nature-based religion of modern witchcraft whose central deity is a mother goddess. Its followers claim origins in pre-Christian pagan religions of western Europe.

Witch

An enchantress - a female sorcerer or magician, often imagined to have special powers derived from the devil. Frequently, a practitioner of and believer in Wicca.

Wizard

An experienced male sorcerer and conjurer - one who practices magic or sorcery.

Xenobiology

From the Greek ("Xeno" = strange), the speculative biology of extraterrestrial, uncommon or unverified life forms.

Xenophobia

A fear or contempt of the unknown, foreigners or strangers.

Yahweh

A name for the God of the Old Testament as transliterated from the Hebrew consonants YHVH.

Yeti

"Abominable snowman". A large hairy humanoid creature said to live in the Himalayas. "Similar" to its western counterpart, the Sasquatch or Bigfoot.

Zarcanor

An evil spirit that attacks sleeping people, causing them to have nightmares. It may sometimes also inflict scratches, bruises and finger marks.

Zephyr

In Greek mythology, the Greek god of the west wind. Nowadays, in paranormal lore, a spirit manifested as the western wind.

Zombie

A dead body that has been brought back to life by a supernatural force or means (e.g. Voodoo).

Zoomorphism

The attribution of animal forms or qualities to a god, deity or devil.