Ignis Fatuus: Orbs and the Foolish Fire Stretching the Limits of Paranormal ‘Evidence’
on February 10th, 2012 at 12:26 pmAll paranormal investigators want to be successful in capturing audio, photographic or video evidence of non-physical entities. Sometimes this desire can cloud our judgment regarding how we interpret our experiences and recorded data.
For the purposes of this article I will not address personal experiences of ‘Orbs’ that have been seen by individual with the naked eye simply because if I am not there witnessing these events, I can not begin to explain them away or verify them.
Orbs are one of the most, if not the most, common types of visual evidence that paranormal investigators capture. It is said that ‘spirits’ will manifest as balls of light that fly (or float) through the air under means of intelligent direction. They are commonly associated with ghostly activity of varying degrees. They appear to be spherical, translucent, globes of energy. They aren’t usually visible with the naked eye but, rather, show up on photos and video footage. Supports of the ghost/orb connection theory say that photos of orbs will sometimes show the orbs with concentric rings, faces and ‘internal amorphous luminescent structure’ at its core and that orbs are the souls of the departed or, at least, portals through which souls can travel from other dimensions in order to interact with the living.
These ghost theories seem to stem from the European myths of the ‘Will-O’-the-Wisp’ whom are creatures believed to lead travelers from well-trodden paths into treacherous marshes, quicksand or other dangers and dooms. The Latin name for Will-O’-the-Wisps is Ignis Fatuus, which means ‘foolish fire’. It was often referred to as a corpse candle. Folklorists linked the Will-O’-the-Wisp to souls of a departed person who could not enter heaven or hell and is forever doomed to wander the earth. These associations seem to have withstood the test of time and modern photography has given these orbs continual life in paranormal communities.
But how should the Paranormal Investigator approach these anomalies? Some investigators seem to jump to the ‘it’s a spirit’ conclusion rather quickly. Paranormal TV shows often try to convince the viewer that they are looking at spirit manifestations while the skeptic laughs. I not the type to go to either extreme, however, the evidence that I have seen is far from convincing.
In the book “How to Hunt Ghosts” by Joshua Warren he gives some details that bridge these two schools of thought. His defense is that spiritual energy and debris are both present in these photos… “it seems clear that many paranormal orbs carry a charge of static electricity. Perhaps an Orb is invisible but its charge attracts tiny particles in the air. Maybe small airborne debris is naturally drawn into the electric field of the orb, thereby emulating its shape and design. Such a fine and delicate conglomeration might be virtually invisible to the naked eye, but a camera’s bright flash reflects it easily”. Not a bad theory, but in my opinion, still a stretch.Warren is obviously a supporter of spirit orb theories and states he has witnessed orbs that seem coordinated in their movements and claims free floating energy would most likely take a naturally balanced shape, a sphere. He goes as far as to give the details of how one might judge the age and strength of a spirit by the characteristics of the orb itself.
After all of that, what does the scientific minded paranormal investigator deduce? For that answer I would like to quote from another paranormal text by Jaeson Jrakman called “The Art of Ghost Hunting”. In that text he gives an extremely lucid account of ‘particulate matter’ which outlines the vital data so that it can be assimilated by the layperson…
“Particles otherwise known as particulate matter are a mixture of tiny organic and inorganic particles of solid or liquid material suspended in a gas such as the atmosphere. Particles range in size from less than 10 nanometers the particles are no bigger than a few molecules to more than 100 micrometers in diameter where the particles are too heavy to be carried by the gas. The lighter the particle is, the greater the time it can be suspended in gas. Larger particles are forced to the ground in a matter of hours where lighter particles can be suspended for weeks until washed out of the gas by precipitation. The composition of particles depends on their source. Particulate matter can be created naturally such as from volcanoes, dust storms, forest fires, dust, living vegetation (Pollen), fog, rain, and sea spray. It can also be created through artificial means such as burning of fossil fuels, internal combustion engines, dust from construction sites, and spraying aerosol cans. All particulate matter can either scatter or absorb terrestrial and solar radiation.”
Since first reading that passage in 2003, I have done my best to be extremely aware of such particulate matter and its potential sources. In doing my own research I have learned that mold spores are small enough to spend days free floating in the air and can, in fact, reflect IR light. Mold is found in many abandoned locations that are said to be haunted and in many of the ‘creepier’ areas of homes, like the attic or basement. This does not mean these places are not experiencing paranormal activity, it’s simply a warning when ‘orbs’ show up in photos and videos from those locations. It is said that some of these particles can be inhaled over time and actually cause illnesses which can also lead to false reports of paranormal activity.
At this point, I would like to mention that Shore Paranormal Research Society does not include ‘Orbs’ as valid evidence in any paranormal investigation. The possibility is just too great of such orbs being something else. But I am sure those of you who are reading this watch at least one of the paranormal TV shows that are so popular right now and I want you look closely at footage of orbs that are presented as evidence of the paranormal. Ignore the voice over commentary and just look at the ‘orb’, consider the location, go over a mental list of particles that could be present their, and watch their behavior. Keep in mind that while indoors, air draughts and normal circulation does not occur in a linear fashion or in just one direction so don’t be mislead by a particle that seems to be changing direction intelligently. After taking your time and looking at the footage ask yourself, would I feel comfortable presenting this to a client as proof of paranormal activity?
In closing, I would like to say that I am open to the possibility of energetic anomalies being paranormal manifestations and thereby appearing as ‘orbs’, however I can only go by what I have witnessed for myself and so far I have not seen enough to convince me that orbs are anything but particles of solids or liquids suspended in the air. Conventional means of explanation can go a very long way. Always choose the simplest reason behind any event or occurrence and you will probably be correct in most cases.
Here are some links to videos of people presenting orbs…
Cats, Orbs and the Paranormal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjZ_7edzxVg
This video is laugh out loud funny. The video footage is obviously dust. The cat could be looking at anything and doesn’t seem interested at all in the supposed ‘orbs’. The videographers have the nerve to end the video with the phrase ‘we rest our case’. If that’s the video they have chosen to prove orbs are paranormal then we should maybe look at some others…
Orbz Paranormal : Unusual light anomalies / orb’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtlmAmw-AQA
Again, the person making the video seems convinced, but it looks like dust to me…
Orbs vs. Dust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lVXal7DQ3Q
An attempt at being conservative with their orb theories, however their data on the characteristics and behavior of dust is inaccurate
Bugs vs. Orbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vrjmmj7hcs
Another video by the same people that did Orbs vs. Dust
Orb vs. Moisture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibAaLp_DWKk
And a third by the individuals from the other to paranormal challenge videos.
Enjoy,
Eric Tschachler
Great info!
Great stuff Jesse! I think you took on a great subject for your first blog. I wish you luck with it and can’t wait until the next one.
Wow that is very different ieednd. It sure doesn’t behave like dust at all. If it was winter and there was no possibility for bugs (not that it behaved like a bug either) it seems it could fall into the paranormal class. For me anyway. I watched it several times. It was very interesting the way it behaved. Pretty cool.
Thanks Tim. All the credit for this great article goes to Eric. Keep it coming
Nice Job, guess it took me taking a step back to re-motivate you all LOL
I have never been convinced that the Orb paranormal explanation was a valid interpretation of the purpose. I, for one, do not believe that it would be that easy to see the spiritual world breaching the physical one. After all, we are talking about the manifestation of a past life in energy form. Becoming a positive magnetic force gathering particals and thereby having the charateristics of physical matter is a little far fetched. I would think that the release of energy after death stays just that – free radical energy. Whether it maintains it’s identity is the question. And I also believe that we are close to answering that question. Good job Jess.
Very interesting piece of footgae. It looks like it lites up and goes away at the same point as the background is illuminated but if you look closely you can still see the object in the darkness after it leaves the lit area. That would kinda make me think it isnt creating it own lite source. I am sorta on the fence on this one cause it does have such a strange movement, but I am sorta leans towards some kind of dirt. Great piece of footgae, thanks for sharing it.
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Kathyrn, Why don’t you post in either share your ptohos or the forum. Or if you want you can send to me and I’ll post in one of those 2 places. I know I’d love to see them and I’m sure others would as well. As usual people don’t have to agree that they are paranormal and can post their views but all responses are asked to be respectful. I know there is a huge debate on orbs but I believe that sometimes these are not dust or debris. While I think too many times people count every orb as paranormal there are those times especially coupled with other indications, such as the cigar smoke that I think they are paranormal in nature. I think we’ve now gone to the other extreme where no orb is paranormal. Personally I feel there is a place somewhere in the middle.Consider sharing some of the ones you’ve indicated.
I have an addendum to my original post. I do believe that there is a place for Orbs in the investigation for paranormal activity. I use the analagy of a pot of boiling water by asking how do you know when the water is boiling? Answer: when it bubbles. My theory is that when a spiritual presence is near the Orbs act like the bubbles in the boiling water and react to the atmospheric changes. The Orbs may be the effect not the cause.
More often than not, I dislike informative content, but I really like this article. You have a great talent and I enjoyed this. Thank you.
Natasha, the orbs are so pure and calming, they seem lemeniscunt and pearly and glide with a shimmer. I never feel bad when I see them, although when they show me images inside of them, I am often perplexed. I have a lot to learn about what they show, why and all that. I feel they travel with us in our daily experiences and when we go into sleep/astral travels, they come along. That may be why they are often seen w/ imagery within them.
Could be those Chinese lanterns that pepole set off for a special event such as a wedding ot memorial. I have seen so many of these vids that look just like that. And the triangle formation.. any 3 points make a triangle and that makes it stand out as something other than a lantern. JMO ejmj
I have seen both solid and see through type orbs. When you are lonokig at a picture it is very hard to tell between dust and orbs, unless you took the picture and are aware of the surrounding area. For example, you might be walking in the middle of the night through the grounds of Ft. Mifflin or Gettysburg in winter. Chances of dust is rare, especially if a control picture was taken. I was with Barb in Ft. Mifflin. I agree with her, haven taken pictures of the area as well. The orange orbs were not dust.Very interesting picture, and obviously something there. Good pic Barb!
Adding my two cents: That headstone is the most contlssentiy active in that cemetery. It’s the one where, most of the time, we can feel a cold spot about 12 18 inches above the stone. The spot is usually the size of a softball or even a football, and it can linger for hours.That’s also a stone that’s manifested the weirdest/coolest green, glowy mist above it, shortly after dusk.So, I’m not surprised that your photos were successful around that stone. Good for you!
I am not a skeptic, but I agree with the lens flare eoaplnatixn. In almost all indoor photos I have seen like this there is a bright source of light in the room that creates in the lens the flare orb’ effect. I have a pair of sun glasses that produced the same effect in bright sunlight to my eyes and a very vivid orb.
, I have also recorded orbs on video that seam to defy the laws of phcyiss and appear to demonstrate their own intelligence. Even more interesting is that I, and the vast majority of friends I have in the paranormal field have all witnessed (although rarely) glowing orbs moving across a room with our own two eyes. As for the assortment of hues; different materials produce different colors when they are illuminated and I don’t think we can make that determination on the paranormal orbs yet, since ghost hunters and around the world don’t completely understand or even accept them as being genuine evidence of the paranormal yet.