Defining the Paranormal
Welcome to Field Notes from the Beyond!
General Paranormal Studies
End of Life Experience (ELE) - An experience an individual has while they or someone close to them, either emotionally or in proximity, are near-death or clinically dead.
Ghosts & Hauntings
Estes Method - A paranormal investigative technique that is designed to reduce group bias by using sensory deprivation. The “receiver” wears noise-cancelling headphones and a blindfold while listening to a spirit box and calling out words, while others ask questions. It was developed by Kark Pfeiffer, Connor Randall, and Michelle Tate while investigating the Stanley Hotel.
Cryptids
Selma - A freshwater lake monster found in Seljordsvatnet, Telemark County, Norway. It is said to be between 13 and 160 feet in length, black in color, and has a long, thin neck. The head is sometimes described as horse-like, other times like a crocodile. It has front flippers and between one and five humps. It makes a snorting and growling sound while under water and swims swiftly. It can also come on land, where it leaves a furrow in the snow about 15 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Sightings date from 1750 through present day.
Aliens & UFOs
AATIP - The Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, AATIP was a secretive $22 million US Defense Intelligence Agency program from 2007 to 2012 designed to investigate UAPs.
Non-Human Entities
Shiva - The Hindu destroyer god and part of the Trimurti. He facilitates the regeneration of the universe and is known as the supreme being in Shaivism. He represents ultimate reality, transcending creation, preservation, and dissolution. He is the Adi Yogi or first yogi and is the lord of yoga, meditation, and arts. He represents the destruction of ego and allusion to allow for positive transformation. His primary weapon is the trident.
Psychic Abilities
Tasseomancy - Also called tasseography, this is the ancient divination art of interpreting patterns made by tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediment in a cup. Practitioners interpret the shapes left behind after someone has drunk a cup of tea, etc., to gain insights, predict the future, or provide self-reflection.
Magic
Fire Magic and Cleansing - A tradition that involves lighting fires or bonfires to bless the land, protect livestock, and cleanse. The fire represents transformation and energy. It is commonly associated with Beltane, though there are many other fire magic traditions.
Coming Up Next
Next in Field Notes from the Beyond:
5/11: This Day in Paranormal History
5/13: Cryptid Compendium: Beast of Bray Road
5/15: Defining the Paranormal
Who are we?
We are a group of scholars interested in understanding paranormal, supernatural, and anomalous phenomena from an academic perspective. We want to document and validate experiences people have and study them in a rigorous way to bring credibility to these phenomena. Join us for our monthly podcast Beyond the Human and follow us on Spotify, Instagram, and Patreon to learn more about who we are, our methods, and what we want to learn!