How do you get a ghost(s) to leave?

[SHRED]

Seriously.

My mother-in-law's neighbor most definitely has a "haunted house".
The usual:

Banging noises.
TV turning on.
Lights turning on.
In-house PA system turning on.
Dog freaking out.
Her neighbor even saw a well dressed man in a doorway and then he disappeared.

This is in a retirement track home here in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo).
Previous owners have bought and sold quickly due to this.

I never really thought this stuff was real but I am beginning to "see the light".
Any ideas on how this couple can get some relief?

[Lilith Velkor]

1. Talk to it. Calmly ask what it wants.

That usually does the trick.

[Kelly Rupert]

2. Hire an electrician to check out the wiring.

[pitohui]

5. well yeah that's basic

always do your homework, no use thinking it's space brothers if it's a brain tumor

but assuming they've already had the house vetted by an electrician etc. i have a post that takes off from there...

[ghostsofgiants]

7. Also have someone chek for a draft.

Low frequency noise will definitely cause an animal to freak out.

[idgiehkt]

3. Sylvia Browne says to tell them to go to God.

but she also says that electrical stuff happening is sometimes relatives just wanting you to know that they are there, and that they are okay, so you might not get rid of them til you figure out who it is. I don't know, 'cause I don't see ghosts or talk to them generally. She does, or claims to, so I defer to her.

[pitohui]

4. yes i've dealt with this and they can be pretty easily removed actually

for me the hard part was accepting what was happening but once i accepted that, hey, it's an effin ghost and did the ritual, it went away pretty easily

you need to have at least one white candle and it's best if you have at least one source of smoke, it can be tobacco (so even a cigarette) but in my case i don't smoke so i got a coil of tobacco (don't know how else to describe it) from a native american woman, however, i've known other people who WON'T use tobacco have equal success with another incense such as sandalwood

you should do this at night, ideal would be "dark of the moon" (new moon) or a cloudy night -- the point is to have a dark night even though you are indoors -- you need to turn off lights and noise such as TVs (send any kids to the movies) and then light the candles and tobacco or incense

if you meditate, do a calming exercise, if you don't normally meditate, you need to focus on a prayer or thought you normally do to center yourself

if you are religious, you now call center yourself by calling on the power you normally call upon to help the ghost understand that he/she is dead and ready to move on to the next stage of life

back in the day, those of us who were not religious would call on an entity called "george," which obviously would not work these days (!), but back in the day "george" was a spirit who would help with this even if you didn't acknowledge a formal religion, i obviously haven't had to do the ritual lately so i don't know what new name is used, i'm getting a mental thought that you should try "eugene," just whatever name that springs to mind that is harmless and unthreatening -- keep in mind, you never know the true secret name of your spirit helper, you just know a nickname anyway

so anyway, mentally or even out loud if you wish, ask eugene to take the ghost by the hand and to guide him/her into the light where he/she can take up his next life and his next adventure

if it works, you often know right away, it is like a great weight lifting, kinda hard to describe

but sometimes it works, and you DON'T realize, until several weeks later, you realize, hmmmm, i never hear those violins any more...

edith fiore has a book on this, ignore the religious crap, it's kinda like AA, it is just a formula, use it, we don't know why it makes sense sometimes but it does

as you say, many people just sell the house, it still surprises me how easily these things can be removed to a higher plane, so do NOT sell the house until you've given a simple homegrown exorcism or purification (whatever you like to call it) a go -- because it works

most people feel too silly to try, they'd rather lose $100K re-selling than feel silly

[idgiehkt]

6. awesome.

cool image...

"...so anyway, mentally or even out loud if you wish, ask eugene to take the ghost by the hand and to guide him/her into the light where he/she can take up his next life and his next adventure."



:yourock:

[mtnester]

25. I want to reiterate what pitohui said about the smoke and white lite

you must protect yourself if you are going to attempt this. The white candles and smoke help do that. . . they are a protection mechanism.

I see someone has cross posted in the Spirituality forum as well...they will tell you the same thing about protection.

[bertha katzenengel]

8. using a phony medium, track down and kill the guy who got you killed

Sounds like an interesting plot for a movie.

Sorry, I realize you have a real problem. I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you. I hope your MIL has luck.

[SHRED]

9. it's her friend

But the info here is a good start.
I will pass it on.

Thanks

[bertha katzenengel]

10. My bad.

:hi:

[SHRED]

11. no biggie

:toast:

[BlueIris]

12. Hook yourself up with some sage, open all the doors and windows,

burn said sage while respectfully asking for cleansing of the area, sprinkle sea salt around the doors and window ledges. Repeat if the phenomena return.

[haele]

13. No disclosure about anything like this?

In California, the real estate agent or seller is supposed to disclose if something happened in the house.
Having said this, it's never really certain that the problem is someone who may have died in the place, it may be a troubled visitor or resident who had residual issues with the property prior to a death or injury somewhere else. First check with the local court and find out if something happened to an owner, a resident, or a visitor at that location. Knowing what "religion" may be involved with a previous resident may ease feelings and lead to a successful resolution.
"Saging", a meditative cleansing ritual on top of a gentle, compassionate attempt to reach the active force is also a good practice and often allows the emotional forces around the house to come into harmony with the current residents. Ritualization has been found to be successful when dealing with feelings of unease or unwelcome. (Plus, most dogs tend to love Saging)

Next, the skeptical side of the argument - is there a natural water source around? For some reason, the majority of reported "hauntings" tend to be found around a body of water, such as a spring or creek. Many sympathetic skeptics have suggested that poor or weak foundations over a shifting surface that is affected by seepage or some similar natural can affect the structure, leading to "banging", doors and cabinets opening, and if there is poor wiring and plumbing, lights flickering and odd toilet flushes.
Of course, Rancho Bernardo happens to be right on top of the local aquifer that has active springs. That could be a possibility for some of your more physical manifestations.

Tighten up the wiring (check for loose screws in the switchplates and outlets), check the foundation, talk to the neighbors concerning the "gossip" on the house, clean up and lighten the house up (repaint if necessary), plant some fruit trees - use the concept of "Feng Shui" to make the house more comfortable, and your in-laws will probably find that their "haunted house" is now a welcoming house.

A haunting has two components - physical "coincidences" and emotional reactions. Both need to be addressed to lay a haunt.

Good Luck

Haele

[Pale Blue Dot]

14. Check the carbon monoxide levels. Seriously.

Carbon monoxide exposure can lead to hallucinations that can manifest themselves in several different ways. I'm willing to bet that 80% of ghost stories can be explained by carbon monoxide poisoning.

[rbnyc]

24. That's a good idea.

And I believe in ghosts.

Seriously, every house should have a carbon monoxide detector. I would rule that out first, not only because it's the simplest explanation, but because lives are at stake.

If all clear, then I would ignore the ghost or ghosts. They like to act up to people who pay attention. They're just like children.

[Kerrytravelers]

15. Contact T.A.P.S.

http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/

They can help you find someone in your area who can help you. I know the area of San Diego (Mr. kt is from San Diego) you're talking about, but I don't know of someone who can help you.

They have a chow on Sci-Fi called "Ghost Hunters." http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/

You also may want to check the carbon monoxide levels, as stated in an earlier post. This is often the cause for some people.

Been there, to a lesser degree. Mine was harmless.Best of luck.


kt

[SouthernBelle82]

27. Oh I love them!

I love that show. They're very professional and very reliable I think. I would definitely go to them if it's an option open after you try some more local people (unless they are local to the original poster).

[caty]

16. Everytime sonething happens,

say, "you're dead. You can't stay here anymore. You have to move on to the next level".

[MorningGlow]

17. I second the vote for "get a professional"

I am one, and I can say with all confidence that it's too easy for first-timers to leave "loopholes" in their "spiritual light", let's say. You have to fill yourself, and the house, with white light, the Spirit, whatever--your choice of terms. Any doubt or hesitancy on the first-timer's part seriously compromises the ability to send the entity home.

Also, a professional may have a better method for communicating with the entity to find out who it is and what it wants. (For example, some entites don't know they're dead. Others do and just like to cause trouble. Some will go quietly. Some won't. And some would like to stay, and will calm down once someone communicates with them--then they can be very helpful--we have a nanny named Beatrice in our house--and she doesn't cause any problems at all--I like having her here.)

To find a professional medium/"housecleaner", ask around, go to your local new age shop, get recommendations. The more you talk about it, the more you'll find that more people have experienced the same thing and may know someone who did a good job cleaning their house.

Of course beware of charlatans, unfortunately. We witches are good at this sort of thing, and we don't charge for it--you can just give a gift of appreciation if you like.

Good luck!

[pitohui]

18. shhh! and i'll tell you a secret

most ghosts are amateurs too else they wouldn't be ghosts, they'd be unstuck :-)

[MorningGlow]

23. .

:rofl:

Ain't we all!

Note to self: When the time comes, head toward the light...

[bicentennial_baby]

19. We named ours 'Matt Damon'

and we yell at him when he acts up...as well as blame him for things that go awry....Man, I hate that guy... :rofl:

and no, I'm not kidding :)

[sniffa]

32. hey, i Like our ghosts

especiaLLy when they open, and Leave, the front door open.

i aLmost never forgave them for spiLLing my beer though. x(

:*

[leftofthedial]

20. Aha! They should get a really hairy dog that sheds alot.

All the dog hair will piss off anyone who is "well-dressed" and he will leave

[Schema Thing]

21. As mentioned, ck for carbon monoxide.

[gr8dane_daddy]

22. My brother and I named ours Casper...

the loud bangings stopped after we got my late grandfather's crucifix. He was a very spiritual person. But before that, we just accepted the extra guest.

[SouthernBelle82]

26. Try to look up

in the phone book or the internet if in your area there are "ghost busters" so to speak. There are paranormal groups out there who have at least one psychic or a medium who could help. If not I suggest you go to a new age shop if you have one in your town and they can help. I wouldn't confront these spirits though if you or anyone around you doesn't have experience.

[skygazer]

28. We got rid of ours when I began talking to them

I wasn't even trying to get rid of them - I was trying to be polite. They lived in the downstairs bedroom which we use for storage and every time I went down I said hi and made small talk. They got a lot quieter and then seemed to go away entirely.

I guess I bored them. :(

[SouthernBelle82]

30. Aw

How interesting. I've never known of that to happen.

[skygazer]

31. I liked having them there

They weirded out my boyfriend who'd lived here alone before we got together. But when I questioned him about them, he admitted they'd never seemed malicious - they were just noisy. You could hear a man and a woman speaking and they always sounded like they were arguing but you couldn't make out words. And sometimes I'd hear a child crying. Now and then, it sounded like someone walking up the stairs. Or slamming the downstairs door. But nothing bad.

So I thought maybe they were lonely or didn't like being ignored. I kinda miss them now. :shrug:

[sniffa]

34. ours just want attention

i think it's kind of adorabLe.

[Why Syzygy]

40. I heard someone knocking around

in the attic the other day. Laying down metal it sounded like. And sometimes hear a pawing sound up there. When I lived at the lake that meant there was a racoon who couldn't find his way out. I seem to attract wildlife wherever I go.

They are damn noisy! I find it best to just ignore them.

[Conan_The_Barbarian]

Make it angry!

Get it as angry as you possibly can! If ghosts exist than maybe you can get some really crazy and creepy shit to happen, if that happens then you know for damn sure you have a real ghost, and ghosts are indeed real. If nothing seems to change, well then hire an electrician to fix your wiring.

[Conan_The_Barbarian]

29. Make it angry!

Get it as angry as you possibly can! If ghosts exist than maybe you can get some really crazy and creepy shit to happen, if that happens then you know for damn sure you have a real ghost, and ghosts are indeed real. If nothing seems to change, well then hire an electrician to fix your wiring.

[The2ndWheel]

33. Get him

and cross the streams.

[RetroLounge]

35. This House Is Clean

RL

[Evoman]

36. Don't believe in them. Lol..its worked well for me.

I have NEVER had any sort of supernatural phenomena happen in my presence. If you want, save your money by not hiring a professional. Instead, give me a couple of bucks and I'll come to your house, and skepticize your ghost to non-existence.

[noonwitch]

37. See if a Ouiji board would work

maybe the ghost will try to communicate, and then the residents can figure out whether they can live with it or if they have to drive it out.

See, I'm thinking this is like Lasher in Anne Rice's "The Witching Hour". If I had a ghost like that, I'd keep him. He'd be bringing me jewelry and money, and making my nights interesting.

[Why Syzygy]

38. why would you

want a ghost to leave. Why not just make tea and invite a conversation?

[Robeson]

44. As someone who doesn't believe they exists, that would be my response...

...;-)

And then, let's see if it sits down for tea! A camera would come in handy, too!

[Why Syzygy]

39. dupe post

I lived in an apartment. I'm sure a lot of old people died there. I heard noises all the time. I did not try to remove them. They got there first, after all. I went someplace else where I don't hear them any more. Case closed.

iow, duh, get up and leave. Unless you are intent on dealing with hauntings. I find RL scary enough. Don't need any ghosts.

[Guava Jelly]

41. Fall in love with it

normally works :sarcasm:

[Why Syzygy]

42. no.

they keep you guessing.

[sakabatou]

43. Pen and paper

See if it writes a message.