Paranormal Dictionary

anomalous phenomenon: An event that does not follow the predicted patterns set by the laws of physics or scientific theories.

apparition: The appearance of a ghost or spirit to the human perception.

astral projection: A paranormal state of being in which an individual may have an out of body experience during which their soul travels to a spirit world.

astrology: A system of examining the position and alignment of planets and stars to predict the future.

chupacabra: An aggressive, spiny animal also studied in cryptozoology but yet to be identified and classified by mainstream scientists.

cold reading: A technique used by mentalists and fraudulent psychics to make audience members react so their body language and responses can be analyzed to make extraordinary observations during a psychic reading.

Condon Report: A U.S. Air Force commissioned study from the 1960s that concluded all UFO sightings could be explained and further study was unnecessary.

crop circles: Patterns made by flattened stalks in farm fields. Crop circles are often attributed to paranormal activity but may be man-made.

cryptozoology: The study of animals only documented in stories and myth, such as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.

divination: A method for predicting the future by using omens such as tea leaves or bones.

EMF meter: Electromagnetic field meter; an instrument used to measure radiation in a room or area in which paranormal researchers are searching for ghosts.

EMI: Electromagnetic interference; a disturbance in the regular electromagnetic radiation emitted by objects. Paranormal experts sometimes attribute EMI to the activities of ghosts.

ESP: Extra-sensory perception; the ability to use paranormal forces to divine information.

ETH: Extraterrestrial hypothesis; a theory that explains UFOs as aliens from other planets visiting earth.

extra-sensory perception: See definition for ESP.