There are about 25 million lightning strikes each year over the US. Several scientific explanations exist for the cause of lightning, each having merit in the context of each study. What we do know is that under calm skies, the electric charge ( +Charges & -Charges) are evenly distributed and the atmosphere can be thought of as being of a neutral charge. Inside thunderstorms, however, particularly in mixed clouds where ice and water are present, ice appears to be a key factor in the development of lightning.

Lightning

Ice particles collide with other particles and 'rub off' electrostatic charges, causing a separation of charge within the cloud. Positively charged ice crystals concentrate toward the top of the cloud and negatively charged particles and hail stones drop through to the lower parts. Thus, the thunderstorm's +Charges and -Charges become separated into two levels: +Charge at the top and -Charge at the bottom.

Over time the charges build up and once the -Charge (at the bottom) is sufficient to overcome the electrical resistance of the air, a flow of -Charge is initiated toward the earth. This is known as a Stepped Leader , and, if visible, looks like splintered forks .

This build up of charge in the cloud induces in the surrounding ground, a flow of positive charge onto the surface of objects like trees, buildings, and even people. Again, a situation of separation of charges develops. These induced +Charges at the surface of the Earth build and become attracted to this stepped leader. When sufficient dielectric charge has built up, a sudden (and massive) flow of +Charge moves up to the Stepped Leader and the familiar lightning strike is seen.

This movement of charge from the ground back up to the cloud is known as the Return Stroke. This is the one most visible to the eye and is generally accompanied by a clap of thunder.

Step 1: A Stepped Leader is created at the base of the cloud and serves as a channel through which electrons in the cloud can travel to the ground. The Stepped Leader is not always visible to the human eye. It can sometimes be heard as a crackling sound.

4-Steps of Lightning

Step 2: The Stepped Leader signals a building of charge within a cloud. There may well be many attempts of Stepped Leaders to seek a good contact with a ground object and the sky may be filled with these splintered fork-like flashes for some time, and a crackling sound. These flashes are attempts to discharge the clouds electrical intensities. They also induce in the underlying ground a build-up of opposite (+Charge) electrical energy. When sufficient charge has built up and the Leader approaching ever closer to a ground object, a contact is made and a massive discharge occurs.

Step 3: The Return Stroke is this movement of charge from the surface object back up into the cloud using the channel of the Stepped Leader as its pathway. This occurs with a deafening bang as the lightning heated air (27,000°F) effectively explodes with the sound of thunder.

Step 4: With the connecting of the Stepped Leader and the Return Stroke, electrons from the cloud flow to the ground, while positive charges from the ground discharge into the cloud. The flow of currents from the cloud to the ground now becomes visible with the Return Stroke. What is not visible to the eye is that there are many discharge strikes taking place within and during each lightning stroke. These are taking place in fractions of a second - too fast for our eye to register as individual strokes.

After the first discharge, it is possible for another stepped leader to propagate down the established channel created by the first Stepped Leader. These new Leaders are sometimes called Dart Leaders. A subsequent Return Stroke propagates upward from the ground to the cloud. This process can happen several times in very rapid succession.

It is also common for lightning to strike again and again in the same location; as long as the same conditions that attract a lightning bolt to hit initially are still in place - a lone tree on a hill; a tall TV tower, etc. are examples of attractive lightning targets.

Cloud-to-Ground Lightning is the discharge that occurs between cloud and ground initiated by a downward moving stepped leader.

Ground Strikes of Lightning

Ground-to-Cloud Lightning (also known as Upward Moving Lightning) is a discharge between cloud and ground but initiated by an upward moving stepped leader originating from an object on the ground. This most often occurs where there are tall towers, skyscrapers and sometimes lone trees.

Intracloud Flash Lightning(AKA Sheet Lightning, Anvil Crawlers, Heat Lightning)

Intracloud Flash Lightning is the most common form of lightning and occurs within a cloud, or from one cloud to an adjacent cloud. All or parts of the actual lighting strokes may be obscured within the cloud(s) and may not be visible to an observer on the ground.

Heat lightning is a name sometimes used for in-cloud lightning. It may occur as faint flashes of lightning seen from a distant that is not accompanied by any sounds of thunder. Heat lighting is sometimes mistakenly thought to be caused by hot air expanding until it sparks on sultry summer nights. This is not so. ALL lightning is actually 'heat' lightning in that the temperature of lightning is around 27,000°F. When this passes down or along a channel up to 5 inches in diameter, it explodes the air in this channel, and this explosive sound is Thunder.

Another description of lightning often heard is Sheet Lightning. This is nothing new, but describes a lightning flash whose light is reflected off cumulonimbus cloud towers and becomes diffused as it passes through the atmosphere and thus loses its distinctive bolt pattern.

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

Interesting Facts on Lightning 

(Anyone here with me)16:28:08 :: I’m outside16:28:26 :: What is in your hand(A phone)16:28:54 :: Sitting(Yes I am sitting)16:30:51 :: You seem familiar(I seem familiar?)16:31:26 :: Do you mean harm(No absolutely not. Where are you?)16:32:58 :: Alone16:33:46 :: Basement(You’re alone in the basement? What have you been doing in the basement?)16:35:21 :: Listen Upstairs(……)

13-01-2024_16:27:35

Session 2: Put this Conversation Together

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

EVP Session 2

(Anyone with me?)13:55:49 :: Evil(Who is Evil?)13:56:40 :: Beware of the man(Is he a treat to me?)13:57:32 :: Assault(Who are you?)13:59:14 :: Myself14:00:55 :: Many

13-01-2024_13:55:17

EVP Session 1

There are two schools of thought on whether you should research a location beforehand. Some believe that it is better to enter an investigation with no knowledge at all so that members of the group can't intentionally or subconsciously influence it. Others believe it is better to learn all you can in advance in order to better plan their ghost hunt.

Determine if a Location is Haunted

The typical symptoms of a haunting are:<ul><li>A general feeling of unease</li><li>Strange noises or voices</li><li>Strange smells or odours</li><li>Temperature fluctuations</li><li>Moving objects</li><li>Physical contact (the sensation of being touched or brushed against)</li></ul>Manifestation

Symptoms Of A Haunting

Most hauntings occur on the site of a historical tragedy, whether it be a murder, a suicide, an untimely death due to illness, or an accident such as a car crash, drowning, or fatal fall. The tragedy may even pre-date the property you're researching. For this reason, in order to get the full picture, you should research the history of not only the property you are investigating but also the immediate area around the property.

General POV

Your primary role as a ghost hunter is to prove the existence of the paranormal, and in order to do this, you'll need to be sure that any potential paranormal is logged. The two most common ways to log an investigation are ether use an audio recorder or a notebook.You should note all paranormal and non-paranormal occurrences during the investigation so that you can later investigate these further or eliminate them from your investigation.

Capture Evidence of the Haunting

Here are some techniques that can be used to collect measurable evidence:<ul><li>Laser grid (if anything moves in front of the grid created by the scattered beam of a laser pen, you will see a shift or discrepancy)</li><li>Thermometer (an infrared thermometer can be used to measure the temperature of surfaces, it will not measure air temperature)</li><li>Trigger objects (a ball, a bunch of keys, a child's toy, a marble, or any other object left stationary for a spirit to interact with)</li><li>Camera (photographic evidence is the ultimate aim of most ghost hunts)</li></ul>

List Of Techniques You Can Use

In order to prove that this evidence really represents paranormal activity, you'll need to make sure it is quantitative. For example, a measurable or observable physical movement or a change in atmospheric conditions.

Tip Of Advice 

When photographing during a ghost hunt, any type of camera from cheap compact cameras to top-of-the-line digital SLR cameras and even smartphones are fine, but avoid using specialised camera modes like HDR and panoramic.

Tip On Photography

If you are using a smartphone during an investigation, be sure to put the phone into fight mode to avoid unexpected sounds and electromagnetic interference, which may trigger certain electronic ghost hunting devices.<ul><li>Ask the spirits to be present in your photo</li><li>Take three photos in quick succession</li><li>Hold your breath</li><li>Stay still, especially in low-light environments</li><li>Be aware of dust and particles in the air</li><li>Maintain your equipment</li></ul>

Tip On Smartphones 

Unique paranormal qualifications giving a practical understanding of the science of hauntings, and knowledge of the myths associated with ghosts.

Paranormal Courses & Qualification - Paralearning

Demons only prey on the weak and susceptible. They enter the body through the solar plexus, the back of the neck, the left side of the body, or by having sexual intercourse with a person. Their aim is to break down their free will and weaken them so that they can possess and control them. Eventually they will hurt their victim, and in extreme cases, they will drive them to suicide. After death, the demon is said to be able to claim the victim's soul.The first sign for the victim is often experiencing periods of missing time or blackouts.

Possession

Signs that someone is possessed include:<ul><li>Personality changes</li><li>Inexplicable strength</li><li>Supernatural abilities</li><li>Knowledge of future events or other information they shouldn't know</li><li>An ability to talk in other languages</li><li>Producing unrecognizable voices</li><li>Appearance of wounds and scars</li><li>They do not blink</li><li>They become withdrawn</li><li>They lose interest in their usual hobbies, interests, and commitments</li></ul> The easiest way to confirm whether a possession is demonic is to use a protective item without the victim's knowledge. Hold the protective item behind the head of the possessed without them knowing to see if they react.

Warning Signs Of Possession 

A non-demonic type of possession is emotional possession, sometimes referred to as a temporary spirit walk-in or step-in. This non-aggressive spiritual exchange happens when someone gives a human spirit permission to use their energy and enter their body or feelings. The spirit will normally use this opportunity to share their emotions

Temporary Spiritual Walk-in

As well as possessing humans, demons can also attach themselves to places, vehicles, and any other object, but they most often choose objects with faces, which is why cursed dolls are so common. Attachment, sometimes called infestation, is often the early stage of possession.Demonically infested items sometimes lay dormant for years or even generations, but may become active when they are unsettled, perhaps by being moved to a new room in the house or a new home all together, or by being sold or given to a new owner.

Attachment

Attachment results in typical haunting occurrences, this might include:<ul><li>Poltergeist-like activity</li><li>A general feeling of unease</li><li>Sudden and unexpected deaths of pets</li><li>Protective items are destroyed or lost</li><li>Happenings occur in threes or sixes</li><li>Damage to rooms or property</li><li>Writing on walls</li><li>Bruises or scratches on the body</li></ul>Demonic hauntings are very similar to poltergeist hauntings. They both start out slowly and in a playful manner, but increase in intensity. However, with poltergeist, just as suddenly as the activity starts, it can abruptly end, whereas demonic hauntings rarely stop of their own accord.

Symptoms Of Attachment

Categories:Hauntings and sightings of ghosts fit into one of the followingShadow hauntings (a dark, human-like figure)Residual hauntings (recordings of the past that cannot be interacted with)Animal spirit hauntings the spirits of animals, believed to be residual hauntings)Intelligent hauntings (a haunting that has an intelligent consciousness behind it that can be interacted with)Poltergeist hauntings (a haunting in which objects are moved)Demonic hauntings (haunting by a non-human, evil entity)

Classifications of Hauntings

In order to investigate a location and prove the existence of the paranormal, it is always best to adopt the mindset of a sceptic and do everything you can to try to prove that the property is not haunted. Once you've eliminated every possible explanation for the activity you've witnessed, what you're left with will be evidence of the paranormal."When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Occam's razor states that the simplest solution is usually the correct one.

Things To Keep In Mind

When presented with competing hypothetical answers to a problem, you should select the one that makes the fewest assumptions.The biggest source of interference in your evidence comes from the outside world. Here are a few things you can do to reduce it as much as possible:<ul><li>Isolate the property (close all doors and windows, turn off air conditioning, cover ventilation, and eliminate draughts)</li><li>Controlling light (where possible, black out windows to prevent light pollution)</li></ul>

Things To Keep In Mind #2

<ul><li>Passing traffic (be aware of passing traffic, trains, and aircraft)</li></ul>Things commonly mistaken for the paranormal:<ul><li>Pareidolia (a phenomenon where we perceive patterns in random</li><li>Electromagnetic fields (often associated with electronic devices, especially those with broadcast capability)</li><li>Infrasound (very low-frequency vibrations that have been known to cause people to report discomfort)</li><li>Toxins and poisoning (the physical or mental influence of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, pesticides, and even some moulds and funguses)</li><li>Sleep paralysis (a sleep condition that can result in visions of dark figures)</li></ul>

Things To Keep In Mind #3

Tips you can use to try to encourage the spirits to communicate with you.<ul><li>If you can hear me, tap on the floor.</li><li>Can you make a noise to let us know you are here with us?</li><li>If you're here, can you show yourself to me?</li><li>How many of you are with us right now? Tap it out.</li><li>Can you make a noise?</li><li>Can you throw something?</li><li>Can you copy me? [then tap on a surface or whistle]</li><li>My name is XXX. Can you tell me your name?</li><li>Tell us who you are. Introduce yourself, please.</li><li>If there's somebody here with us now, can you walk towards us?</li><li>Are you happy for us to be here? Two taps for yes, one for no.</li><li>Can you come and talk to us?</li></ul>

Interesting Facts on Lightning

EVP Session 2

EVP Session 1

Paranormal Courses & Qualification - Paralearning

Modern Demonology (Notes)

Alexander Henderson