KAJAMA.COM NEWSLETTER

May 18 through May 24, 2026

We could experience a busy week as planetary activity surges. On Monday, Venus will move into the sign of Cancer, followed by Mars’ entry into Taurus. With the Moon in Gemini on the same day, our focus will be on higher education and inspired conversations! The Moon wades through Cancer on Tuesday and Wednesday, so we’ll need to watch for the urge to be overly sensitive or emotional. If we have important decisions to make, our best bet is to wait until Wednesday when the Sun exits Taurus and takes up residence in Gemini. The Gemini Sun will set the stage for four weeks of focusing on new technology, updating or adding new apps to our smartphones, and diving deeper into subjects we are most interested in. It’s also a powerhouse for expanding our insights, improving our communication skills, and charming people into our way of thinking! The Leo Moon holds court in the heavens on Thursday and Friday, which could bring us into the spotlight, or at the least, make us the center of attention at any meetings or gatherings we attend. We’ll have to stop this weekend and restore order to our surroundings as a Virgo Moon instills the drive to clear out clutter and become more organized, so we can move more freely into the future!

Ghost Hunting vs. Paranormal Investigation, by Richard Southall

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

When I started to investigate the unknown in the 1980s and 1990s, paranormal investigations and ghost hunting were not taken too seriously by most of our society. Back in the day, when a person on the street was asked about his or her knowledge and opinion of the paranormal, images from movies such as Poltergeist and Ghostbusters would often come to mind.

To be honest, this mindset is still held by a small portion of our population to this day. Although nearly thirty years old and considerably outdated, Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters and the theme from the show The X-Files are still occasionally played as introduction music when a credible guest is interviewed about the paranormal.

Of course, there were some of us who have always taken the paranormal very seriously. Those of who knew about the reality of the paranormal persisted and held true to our beliefs. Finally, our voices began to be heard and people started to listen.

Since the late 2000s, the public's perception of the paranormal has evolved to the point that it has become socially acceptable and in some cases even en vogue to believe in things otherworldly. According to a 2005 Gallup Poll, approximately 32% of the general population believe in ghosts. National polls in different countries have yielded similar results. Not too shabby.

I believe that this paradigm shift is absolutely fascinating as it gives paranormal enthusiasts a sense of credibility that was really not there in the past. I'd have to think that the Internet, social media, and television shows such as Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures have brought ghost hunting out of the shadows and has made it an accepted part of our mainstream culture.

However, I've noticed that a small number of people have simply jumped on the bandwagon and have started to "ghost hunt" without having any real understanding of the paranormal. A smaller number still will use a "paranormal investigation" or "ghost hunt" as an excuse to party, trespass, and vandalize. Sadly, this type of irresponsibility and ignorance has occasionally had devastating results. Just think of the tragic end to Lebeau Plantation in Arabi, Louisiana. In 2013, a group of people went "ghost hunting" while under the influence of drugs and alcohol accidentally caught the antebellum mansion on fire, burning it to the ground.

I think that we as paranormal enthusiasts should unite together in order to make certain that the general public understand what ghost hunters and paranormal investigators do, how they do it, and, more importantly, why they do it. In order to do so, I think that it would be useful to make a distinction between ghost hunting and paranormal investigation.

At first glance, the terms "paranormal investigation" and "ghost hunting" appear to be interchangeable, used to describe the active study of paranormal events that take place at different locations. However, with years of experience in the field, I believe that there are some minute but important differences between ghost hunting and paranormal investigation.

What Is Paranormal Investigation?
As the name implies, paranormal investigation is simply the investigation and study of events that mainstream culture would define as "paranormal." As I have said in previous articles, blogs, and radio interviews, the vast majority of a paranormal investigation does not actually take place at a haunted location. Most of the time spent conducting a paranormal investigation involves doing research.

When I conduct an investigation, I tend to srpend the first part of an investigation learning as much history as possible about a location that is allegedly haunted. This would include researching names of people, important dates, significant events, and other facts about the location. When I have gathered enough information about a location, I would then collect rumors, legends, or any related information that may lead some to believe that a location is haunted. Finally, I will search for eyewitnesses to any paranormal activity. This is actually easier than a person would expect, since most often the people experiencing a haunting are seeking me out. Needless to say, this process can take some time if done properly.

Once I have gathered and researched this information, then I will generally make a visit to a haunted location. Although I tend to remain open-minded, I try to look at things realistically and rationally. I don't want to simply jump to conclusions; just because there are rumors and legends that a place is haunted does not necessarily mean that it is haunted.

This point is where I believe that paranormal investigations really can get exciting. A person can still bring all of the interesting technology along to along to capture an EVP or photograph of the ghost. Technology is essential to an investigation, but it is important to remember that there is more to the investigation than simply relying on the technology. It is used to support the hypothesis as to whether or not a location is haunted, one piece of a much larger puzzle. That being said, there is nothing more exciting and than to be able to satisfying than to trace EVP or apparition back to a particular person.

To give you an idea of how paranormal investigation has influenced our society, think of Gray Barker's book They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers or John Keel's The Mothman Prophesies. Barker and Keel both meticulously researched information from a large went through a variety of sources (interviews, newspapers, etc.), which allowed them to weave together stories have influenced several aspects of our culture. Think of the movies Men In Black and The Mothman Prophesies. Without Keel's and Barker's thorough dedication into properly investigating their respective topics, these stories would likely have not endured over the years.

What Is Ghost Hunting?
Ghost hunting has a slightly different flavor than paranormal investigation. As mentioned earlier in the article, the paranormal and especially ghost hunting have received a great deal of positive attention recent years. Although research of a haunted area is conducted prior to the ghost hunt, it is sometimes not conducted to the same extent as with a paranormal investigation. I feel that sometimes the main focus of the ghost hunt is for the people to have a fun and scary experience while in an area that is believed to be haunted. There is nothing wrong with that. To be honest, some of my most memorable scrapes with the paranormal have been on ghost hunts.

Some ghost hunters rely heavily on technology to gather proof of a haunting. This is all well and good, but sometimes a person can have the tendency to focus too much on the technology that they often overlook some the bigger picture. Think about a person who sees the ocean for the first time but is so concerned about capturing it on film that they miss the entire experience. I've seen it happen all too often.

If a person relies heavily on listening for EVPs or over-analyzing a photograph, there is the danger of finding something that really isn't there. This phenomenon is known as pareidolia, or finding a familiar visual or auditory pattern in some stimulus that is not really present. Sometimes, a shadow in a photograph isn't an apparition of a ghost. Sometimes, it's just a shadow.

That being said, there have been many, many legitimate examples of convincing anecdotal evidence collected during a ghost hunt. Some of the most impressive examples of EVPs and photographs have been captured by people simply going through an area that is believed to be haunted.

Another difference between paranormal investigation and ghost hunting is that ghost hunting can often be considered more of social event than paranormal investigation. Several businesses have sprouted throughout the country that offers "ghost hunts," especially around Halloween. Ghost hunts are often accompanied with some publicity or fanfare. Paranormal investigations are usually more low-key with only a few participants.

So, Is One Better Than the Other?
Although there are a few subtle differences between ghost hunting and paranormal investigation, I am not going to say that one is better than another. In fact, I think that the two can complement one another quite nicely. I know of paranormal groups that have ghost hunts for the public and conduct paranormal investigations for private individuals. In essence, they can provide the best of both worlds for those interested in ghosts.

A ghost hunt conducted by a group of responsible friends or under the supervision of a tour guide will allow some people the opportunity to know what it is really like to search through a haunted area. For some, a one night trek by flashlight through an abandoned asylum or prison is quite enough to quench their thirst for the unknown. These people would likely enjoy ghost hunting immensely.

However, there are those of us who want to know the who, why, when, where, and how of a place that may be haunted. People of this mindset will likely be more inclined to enjoy conducting paranormal investigations.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2015. All rights reserved.

Something happened in the last couple of months; it's like a light bulb has turned on. I woke up one day and all of a sudden everything seemed three-dimensional to me. Colors are more vivid and I am acutely aware of my surroundings, even the smallest little details in nature and the faintest sounds. I'm asking myself what this life is all about and if there is more to it than what I can see. I can't really put my finger on any one thing that happened, but it's like I am sensing another plane just beyond my reach. I am preoccupied with what my purpose is and who can benefit from my being here on earth. I feel like a hungry child that can't get enough to eat and I am always reaching out for more but I don't know what I'm reaching for. I feel like I am supposed to be doing something meaningful but it's just beyond my grasp. I feel like I'm a stranger to my husband because he doesn't see what I see and doesn't even want to think about what could be beyond whatever is right in front of his face. I feel like I'm traveling at warp speed and he has chosen to stay behind. What is this that I'm feeling and how can I tap into more of it?

Vicki

Astrea:

The feeling that you're having is greater awareness. Try to slow down a bit, for if you rush things, you'll turn yourself OFF instead of on. Right now, you're on overload, which is a frantic feeling, but you can take control. Meditate and take your time determining what you would like to receive from these experiences. Don't make this into something that you or others may resent.

You are starting to notice your various psychic abilities. You've had these all your life but you haven't been as aware of them as you are now. Often our religious training or lack of spiritual life can create an atmosphere where we aren't into our own awareness. Your spiritual development has finally taken first place in your life.

While everything is a choice, I personally feel that the timing of when we come into awareness isn't always convenient. Labor Day, 1985, was the date I finally accepted my potential. I still have experiences of that extra you're describing, but they're not constant or new now.

At first, breakthroughs in awareness can be so overwhelming that we can't get our minds around them, and psychic powers can take us over until we get control of those abilities.

Even people who ask God to take their gift away can come to a point where their gift must be acknowledged. People who are born with psychic ability and try to ignore it throughout their lifetime are often destined to live a future life without the ability they threw away before.

We have a responsibility to make the most of our gifts. If it's in your Spirit, you can ignore it but you can't destroy it. You can put it off but you can't escape it. I'm happy to have it, now. When I was younger and super busy, it was a drag.

At first, experiences like this can make us feel all alone in the world.
As for your poor husband, you might view him as a gift too. Being with someone who is totally skeptical about this kind of thing can save you some time when it comes to processing. Don't try to explain what he can't understand. Even if he NEVER understands, you will still be able to rely on him for centering and grounding.

Try to be patient and use his reactions as a barometer to determine how much you can open up. All of this could actually make you two closer if you appreciate that someone has to stay in normal reality.

Also, as you struggle with feeling like he just doesn't understand, please remember that this isn't all about you; your ability is with you so you can better love and help others too.

*****

Susyn:

It can be exciting as well as unsettling to experience this type of spiritual awakening. Although it seems to have come on fast, this transformation has been years in the making. Each of us has a timeframe for our own personal development, and when we are ready, we can find ourselves in a brand new world quite unexpectedly.

When in the midst of an awakening, many find it common to have the sorts of experiences you describe: vivid colors, acute hearing and vision, and a longing to know more about what is happening are classic signs.

I recall the wonder of my first awakening as quite similar to what you describe. It seemed to happen all of a sudden, and once it did, everything in my world took on a new form. As in the case of your husband, no one else seemed to understand or be able to relate to me or what I was experiencing.

There is no need to worry, however, as you will calm down somewhat as time goes by, and your husband will acclimate himself to the changes you will continue to experience.

During a first spiritual awakening, everything seems to look, smell and feel different. This happens because your entire being is awake and aware of a whole new dimension of life. It can be quite exhilarating, and is definitely a feeling you will want to capture and maintain.

The important thing to remember is that once you are spiritually awakened, it is impossible to go back to sleep, so you need not concern yourself with the possibility that these feelings will be lost to you at some point.

Now is the time to follow your instincts and allow a brand new world to open up to you. Whether this awakening draws you into a new group of people, different spiritual or metaphysical studies, or a new career, you can be sure that your world is about to be transformed.

One of the most powerful ways to understand and work with spiritual awakening is to immerse yourself in spiritual practices. Meditation, divination, spiritual classes and interaction with other people walking the same path can enhance this process.

As you begin to cross paths with others who are awakened, you'll want to keep an eye out for a spiritual mentor who can guide you through all the stages of your transition. An experienced traveler can guide you if you start to go off track, affirm the unusual experiences you have, and teach you new methods to connect more deeply with Spirit and the world around you.

Congratulations on your awakening, and welcome to the world of spiritual enlightenment!

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.