Could your space be haunted? Do you hear things going "bump" in the night? When most people hear the word "haunted," they think of the restless souls of the dead sticking around to complete unfinished business. In reality, there are many types of hauntings, all of which have their own traits, telltale signs, and ways to get rid of them.

Ghosts and Spirits

Ghosts and spirits are both people who have passed on. However, while spirits are the souls of the departed who have made it to the afterlife, ghosts are the souls of those unable to leave this world. There are a few ways to tell the difference between the two:

Ghosts generally create unsettling or foreboding feelings in a space.
Spirits do not. Spirits are aware of who they are and what has happened, while ghosts may be confused. As a result, ghosts can become hostile.
Spirits can communicate through signs and dreams, while ghosts either cannot, or have no interest in doing so.
Ghosts tend to attach themselves to places, while spirits (particularly ancestor spirits) can follow people.

Both ghosts and spirits can be spoken to and negotiated with. Use dandelion to aid in communicating with them.

If the entity is a mean or annoying one, light some Ghost Chaser Incense, and cleanse your house with Ghost Chaser Floor Wash while telling it to leave. After that, sprinkle Ghost Chaser Sachet Powder on the floor in the back of your home, and sweep it through and out the front door to sweep the ghosts out with it. If you like, you can also dress a white candle with Ghost Chaser Oil, and burn it to remove ghosts. If you have (or want) a positive spirit that you would like to stick around, set up an ancestor or spirit altar. Be sure to place a dish or bottle of marshmallow root on it -- it is a great herb for attracting "good" spirits.

Demons

Demons are malevolent entities drawn to those they feel they can get a hold on. These are often people with a tough row to hoe in life -- those who are anxious, depressed, addicted to substances, or otherwise unable to maintain a strong "psychic immunity." Just as stress and drugs can allow us to become physically ill, overwhelming negative feelings or influences can also allow us to attract harmful entities.

Demons have only one goal in mind: to break down the will of their victim until they are weak enough to possess. They can even become violent and attack people.

Demons were never human, so they are stubborn and not interested in being reasoned with. Therefore, it may take a longer ritual to exorcise them. First, thoroughly physically cleanse your home from top to bottom. Then, thoroughly physically cleanse yourself with Go Away Evil Soap. Put on upbeat music, let fresh air and sunlight into your home, and spray your space with Go Away Evil Spray while reciting the 53rd Psalm. For the next seven days, light a Go Away Evil or Run Devil Run candle.

Energy Hauntings

The majority of hauntings are not demons, ghosts, or spirits -- simply negative energy that has attached itself to a space. Poltergeists, mischievous ghosts, are usually found in homes with teenaged girls and may actually be energy hauntings, not ghosts at all. Residual hauntings, where a scene from the past seems to play on repeat, are energy hauntings. These typically do not interact with people, but can be unsettling to live with.

Getting rid of these is relatively easy. There is no entity to send back, just energy to move. Start by lighting a House Cleansing Candle and some La Bomba Incense. Then, open all of your curtains and windows, and thoroughly cleanse your home with Spiritual Cleansing floor wash, mopping from back to front and paying particular attention to the corners. If you can, play music, or the sound of bells or chimes, in each room. When your house is clear, light a House Blessing candle to keep the energy smooth and pleasant.

Hauntings can be distressing, no matter what type they are. In most cases, they are basically an uninvited guest intruding on your hospitality against your will. Even a good spirit can get tedious if you do not want them around. With this guide, you can identify what sort of entity is making your life difficult and send it packing.