Now, before proceeding I feel the need to put forward the following: We can assume that, like the people they once were, ghosts are a population just as unique, just as diverse, and just as riddled with myriad personalities and behaviors. And myriad reasons why they do what they do. So what follows is by no means meant to be a broad-sweeping generalization, but rather a focused look at the ghosts who engage in this sort of behavior.

Within the realm of true ghost stories, several theories float around (sorry, couldn’t resist) about why ghosts prefer to hang out in corners. The one I’m presenting hinges upon the bad pun found above.

Running across almost all cultures is a deeply rooted notion that ghosts exist in a state of physical suspension. And this state of physical suspension may be why corners are so alluring for this particular variety of undead.

Listen to our episode about a ghost girl who “lives” in a closet

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Energy-charged air is like water for the undead

At first glance, freedom from gravity seems appealing, but a constant state of floating presents several issues for the ghost encumbered by it. Primarily, how can you settle into a spot when you want to? The situation is one similar to that of the shark—some of their species must continuously move to stay alive. It’s not quite the same, but kind of.

The fact that humans are constantly surrounded by currents, vibrations, waves, and energies has little effect on pushing the living about. The same is not always true for ghosts. These ghosts are forever affected by a subtle barrage of light waves, sound waves, electromagnetic waves, solar waves, microwaves, ultraviolet waves, infrared waves, and even forces as simple as wind currents.

For these ghosts, corners offer some refuge. Once positioned in a corner most of the waves, currents, and energies flow over the ghost which helps to hold them in place. Also, corners are typically void of human activity and attention which make corners that much more an oasis for ghosts.

Imagine rolling a toy car horizontally along a wall towards a corner. If the car continues this trajectory to its inevitable end, it will run into the opposing wall and be stopped in its tracks. Now imagine the same situation, but in a room with rounded corners, or even a circular room—the car would move easily along the curves and rounded corners with little or no diminishment, disruption or disturbance of energy. Depending on the radius, there wouldn’t be much a corner for a ghost of a certain ilk to nestle into.

Perhaps the ghosts get stuck

Up to this point, I have focused on the type of ghost who seeks the comfort and rest a typical hard corner provides, but now let’s shift the spotlight onto an altogether different sort of ghost.

They felt this would make the spirits feel more welcome and this, in turn, would make the spirits more communicative.

The George Stickney House

In his article, George Stickney House, Eric Grundhauser introduces the George Stickney House in Woodstock, Illinois. A two-story mansion, “The house was built in 1836 by George Stickney and his wife Sylvia, both of whom were staunch believers in spiritualism, which roughly meant that they thought spirits not only could but wanted to speak with and through them” (Grundhauser).

The couple’s commitment to spiritualism was above reproach, and here is why: “In the building of the structure, they made sure that there would be no sharp corners, and with every angle rounded. This was supposedly done in an effort to allow the spirits to travel unhindered through the house, as corners have often been thought to hide ghosts” (Grundhauser). Take a look around your home or workplace, and unless you live in a yurt or literally work in a silo, you are most likely surrounded by sharp edges, angles, and corners. This should give you some inkling of how strong the couple’s beliefs were.

The Stickney’s believed the house’s design would allow spirits to flow smoothly and freely through their home without sharp edges to get snagged on or hard corners to get stuck into. They felt this would make the spirits feel more welcome and this, in turn, would make the spirits more communicative. For some spirits, this could be true, for others—not so much.

What the couple seemed to be assuming was that all spirits want to continuously flow freely about, being, dare I say, “free spirits.” I believe the key distinction between the type of ghosts I began the article with and these free spirits can be found in the word “free.” I think the word applies both literally and figuratively to this lot. They are free to roam as they see fit, but also they are free from burden or curse.

Listen to an episode about a haunted house that’s also shaped like an octagon

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In reports, records, lore, and literature there is an abundance of these free spirit types. But just as common are the spirits/ghosts who, for whatever reason, are shackled to a building, place, or location. I believe the ghosts bound to a building are the type likely to crave the corner.

There are many who want the run of the place and are all too happy to do whatever they can to get the humans out.

Unlike free spirits, these ghosts are unable to flit about like a hummingbird searching for nectar, and once resigned to their fate, these less than gregarious spirits are satisfied with hunkering down in a corner and taking a more voyeuristic approach to human engagement—like the idiomatic “fly-on-the-wall.” This is not to say that all ghosts confined to a particular space take this approach. There are many who want the run of the place and are all too happy to do whatever they can to get the humans out. Real ghost stories like those about Amityville come to mind. My direct experience with a ghost was with one that had leanings more towards this type. Well, these are just some thoughts, some possibilities, some insights into the spirit world, and some things to ponder in regards to why ghosts like to hang out in corners.

Listen to the author’s experience with his own corner ghost

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Our guest, upon realizing that her office suite-neighbor is the host of a creepy paranormal podcast host, just had to tell us about how she keeps finding herself living, visiting, or working in haunted locations. But one place in particular still gives her (and now us, and soon you) chills. 

Listen here now:

About the Guest: Dr. Dolma and Shine Wellness

Our guest this episode is Dr. Sonam Dolma. Dr. Dolma’s chiropractic practice, Shine Wellness, sits a few doors down from Becky’s office in a lovely historic building near downtown Roswell, Georgia. Be sure to give a shout out to Shine Wellness on the practice’s Facebook or Instagram.

Living (or working) near a cemetery

This episode is recorded in the building Becky and Dr. Dolma share, a block away from a haunted historic cemetery. Becky’s mother-in-law always tells her never buy a property near a cemetery because it makes it very hard to resell. But, other than the creep factor, is there a genuine reason why you wouldn’t want to live in a cemetery or work near tombstones?

Different cultures react differently to the idea of living near a cemetery, from those who consider it bad for resale to those who harbor deep spiritual objections. However, as this Funeral Law Blog article points out, cemeteries are not legally considered a nuisance, and therefore their development cannot be blocked. Perhaps this is why so many of our guests have lived near a cemetery.

Everything hits at once

Our guest tells us of an occurrence where every doorknob in the house started turning at the same time. If that weren’t creepy enough, she points out that, to do something like that, an entity would either have to have incredible psychic strength, or would have to have an incredible number of hands, such as a shoggoth (as found in Cthulu mythology). Or, perhaps it was just an incredible number of ghosts. What do you think?

The Willard Library Ghost Cam

After speaking with Dr. Dolma, we spent way too many hours watching the ghost cams of the Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana. Want to try to spot the Lady in Grey yourself? Let us know if you see anything in the haunted Willard Library or any other haunted library! If you have your own library haunting creepy stories, submit to tell them on the next episode of Homespun Haints.

Until next time, have a spooky day!

The post The Angry Ghosts appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Listen here now:

About our guest, Ludovic

Our guest this episode, Ludovic Vuillier, is CEO of The Good Life Manifesto. His company is dedicated to helping its clients live the best life they can through actionable processes. Learn more at thegoodlifemanifesto.com.

Notes on the Evil Apartment in Los Angeles

What is esoteric Judaism?

This episode makes the distinction between Judaism, at its core, and offshoots of Jewish mysticism such as Kabbala.

Many outside of the Jewish faith are fascinated by kabbalistic teachings and imagery. And why not? Kabbala is full of fascinating paranormal mysteries! Many within the faith, however, would argue that true Kabbala cannot be understood, nor should it be practiced, by those without a strong foundation in Jewish teachings. After all, dabbling in faith-based rituals without proper context can have unforeseen consequences. Surely we learned that from Episode 18: Dennis the Demon and the Meth Gators.

Here’s an article on High Profile Kabbala from Hadassah magazine. It includes an in-depth analysis of Kabbala inside—and outside—of Judaism.

Want to learn more about spiritual cleansing concepts within the core of Judaism? Encyclopedia Judaica has an in-depth article about ablution.

Jewish Horror

With so many classic horror film tropes pulling from Christian (specifically Catholic) origins, it’s easy to forget that Judaism has its own traditions revolving demonic evil, and how to protect and ward against it.

What is a Golem?

You may be familiar with the concept of a golem. Not the one from Tolkien. The term “golem” appears in the Talmud, referring to something unshaped or incomplete. In the context of Jewish tradition, it originally described an unformed or unskilled human. Kabbalistic mysticism added the concept of creating a supernatural golem to protect its creator. Kabbalistic texts provide detailed instructions on how to animate a golem from clay through mystical practices. The concept bears some vague similarity to creating a tulpa, or reanimating a corpse into a zombie.

Modern Golems appearing in film and television, such as in The X-Files, Supernatural, and The Simpsons, often show this creature as something horrific and dangerous; the protagonist is tasked with trying to kill or destroy the Golem before the creature wrecks havoc on the world. In fact, the 2018 Israeli film The Golem explores this theme delightfully. For a great article on how the film connects to the roots of Jewish horror, check out this well-written article in Tablet.

Have you ever rented a haunted apartment?

Apartment living can be spooky, even when there’s nothing paranormal involved. Startling noises, an unknown number of open flames in the building, and sleeping only 2 layers of drywall away from a stranger who might be listening to every breath you take is not for the faint of heart. That’s what makes these stories of real haunted apartments even more sinister than haunted houses. If you have a true ghost story you are willing to share with us, submit it here, and you might get to speak on a future episode of Homespun Haints!

Thanks again for spending time with us! Until next time, have a spooky day!

The post The Evil Apartment in Los Angeles appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Stacey shares her true stories of both beautiful visits from her late brother, and chilling interactions with something far more sinister.

Listen right here:

Episode Trigger Warning and Suicide Prevention

If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, please reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 24/7, at 1-800-273-8255, or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ to chat with someone over their website.

If you are interested in learning more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, please check out their site. Also, check out You Matter, LLC, which donates some of its profits to the AFSP.

Haunted Places in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a lot more haunted than many realize. Since both our guest, Stacey Short, and our host Diana hail from that state, we need to pay the good ol’ OK its proper due.

Oklahoma University, in fact, is so haunted it has its own official, free, ghost tour! Planning on going to Oklahoma any time soon? Check this out! You may just see the ghost of the Roller Skating Boy.

Diana (like our Season 1, Episode 13 guest, Kamila) chose her college based on a yearning to live somewhere spookier, yet (unlike Kamila) never witnessed any interesting paranormal events while in college. If only she’d known all this haunted glory was less than 2 hours from her childhood home, she may have chosen OU instead.

(Just kidding. Diana chose to go to school in New Orleans which is infinitely more haunted.)

More of our scary ghost stories from Oklahoma

• Live by the Signs: Weather Magic
• The Cursed Parking Lot at Tulsa Freedom Fest
• Finally, Diana’s Haunted Basement Ghost Story!
• The Possessions in D-Hall Dorms
• Tiny Terrors in Tulsa

Why do ghosts hang out in closets?

Our Season 1, Episode 4 guest, Ren, also had a Closet of Doom which seemed possessed by something similar to what Stacey encountered. Why does this seem to be a common theme? And why are children naturally afraid of closets?

Since ghosts tend to get stuck in corners, perhaps they have a tendency to get doubly-stuck in closets, where all four corners tend to be close to one another. American folklore is full of examples of a belief that weaker ghosts hang out in corners of rooms, either because they become trapped, or because it’s more comfortable for them to have two walls to hang onto. Notably, these stories tend to assume the ghosts are also in the upper recesses of the corner, where they can also touch the ceiling.

In fact, also in the midwest is the Stickney House, in Bull Run, Illinois outside of Chicago. The Stickneys designed their house to have no sharp edges, anywhere. The couple wanted spirits to be able to move freely within their home—and leave again. Learn more about this interesting home here.

About the guest: Stacey Short

Stacey Short is a podcaster and co-host of Help! I’m Adulting and I Can’t Give Up! and also the host of A Few Short Minutes Facebook Lives. You can find her on Facebook or Instagram if you’d like to reach out!

Until next time, have a spooky day!

The post There’s An Extra Person In This Room appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Or listen to the audio episode:

Episode Summary

Can ghosts be felt, and not heard? At what point must you stop telling yourself you’re just imagining things, and face the hard truth that you’re not alone in your home? What do you do if, every evening, you find yourself confronted by something so evil you’re worried it might consume you? Also, how do you stop it?

What if you were all by yourself? Young, poor, hundreds of miles from family. Just trying to get by, every day, on top of dealing with this thing that inhabits your home. 

This is the predicament that Ren found himself in as he started a new life in Chicago, which happens to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States.

Haunted Places & Locations in Chicago

On the show, Becky and Diana talk extensively about cultural differences between the Midwest and the South with regards to ghosts. Chicago, however, is full of ghosts. Here is a list of the ten most haunted places in Chicago.

Not mentioned in the above list (though it should be) is Bachelor’s Grove, which may be one of the most haunted places in the country. Could this abandoned, desecrated, 1800s cemetery outside of Chicago have been a dumping ground for gangster victims during Prohibition?

River North Arts District

Ren’s story takes place in the ’90s in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. In that neighborhood, things have changed quite a bit since the time of Ren’s story. So you can read a little about those transitions here.

Treasure Island

Treasure Island was a high-end grocery chain, but it closed down a few years ago. If you’re curious, you can read about its demise here.

Paranormal Chicago Ghost Stories

Some of our best paranormal podcast episodes are about the Chicago area! For example…

• True ghost stories about a Chicago fire escape disaster.
• Stories from the haunted cemeteries of Illinois.
• More Haunted Places In Chicago.
• True paranormal podcast about a haunted Jazz venue.
• The most haunted cemetery in Chicago area: Bachelor’s Grove.

Becky lived in Chicagoland long enough to know it’s an incredibly supernatural place. Have you had a paranormal experience in haunted Chicago? Submit to tell your story as the next guest on Homespun Haints, and tell us about your spooky day!

The post The Creepy Chicago Carriage House with the Death Door appeared first on Homespun Haints.