By: Christina Kostic
Posted In: Entertainment
Photo credit: Christina Kostic
A world-renowned paranormal investigator left Salve Regina students spellbound Monday night with a chilling presentation of ghostly photographs, recordings and personal encounters.
Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Ph.D. has always been interested in the paranormal and made ghost hunting her career in 1982. “I want to know how we interact with interdimensional realities,” Guiley said. Guiley realized she was psychic at a young age, as were her mother, sister and aunt. She explained that women are more apt to have psychic abilities because they are more in tune with their emotions than men. Guiley has written 31 books on various paranormal and metaphysical subjects, including ghosts, magic, alchemy, vampires and werewolves, dreams, witchcraft, angels and saints. The presentation began with Guiley instructing the audience to watch her slideshow to understand what it is like to be a paranormal investigator. A musical montage played with exciting movie scenes of various ghosts, vampires, goblins and other monsters wreaking havoc. “I wish it was like that!” Guiley said, giving a laugh. The first location Guiley discussed in her presentation was Gettysburg, one of the most actively haunted places in the U.S. All of the soldiers that died in Gettysburg were buried on the spot, resulting in a lot of spiritual activity. Guiley has had many reports in the Gettysburg area of house hauntings. Her advice for not having a lot of ghostly activity in your home? “Never buy a home on a battle field,” Guiley said. As Guiley delved deeper into her presentation, it became clear that ghost hunting must not be taken lightly. Most of Guiley’s frightening stories about ghostly encounters left students gasping and others shaking their heads in disbelief. “These experiences tell us of other realities,” Guiley said. Bob Boyle ’09, an Administration of Justice major was in attendance. Boyle found Guiley’s lecture fascinating, and admitted to dabbling in ghost hunting himself.Boyle has had his own paranormal experiences, and is always searching for more. “I always like to learn,” Boyle said. “Messing with the unknown is dangerous, yet fun.” Boyle is a deep believer in the paranormal and thinks that certain tools are needed for a successful ghost hunt. He agreed with Guiley and said that a camera, thermometer and tape recorder are essential for a ghost hunt. Guiley also said it can be helpful to use a video camera and an EMF (electromagnetic field) meter. One tool that Boyle advocated, that Guiley did not, was a Ouija board. According to Guiley, Ouija boards work but are bound to bring trouble. “When people open the door to the spirit world, mischievous ghosts will come,” Guiley said. Guiley added that if people want to use a Ouija board, it is important to protect yourself spiritually, by inviting only positive and non-harmful spirits. After a bone chilling presentation, a lucky few were chosen through a raffle drawing to go on an actual ghost hunt with Guiley in Wakehurst. Guiley said that when arriving at a location to conduct a ghost hunt she likes to know as little information as possible. It’s important not to allow one’s expectations to affect the outcome of the observations, Guiley said. Amanda Gallo, ’09, was one of the students. Gallo said that she felt a presence during the ghost hunt, and at one point the right side of her face got very hot and red and her ear plugged up. Gallo also felt tingling sensations on her hips, as though someone had touched her. Guiley said that she also felt a definite presence in Wakehurst. The lecture and ghost hunt served as a fitting end to the frightful season.
