Types of Entities
Throughout history encounters with otherworldly beings have been recorded. Whether in the book of Enoch where he was taken to heaven by angels (many ufologists now believe this was an early recording of alien abduction)or in almost all ancient texts there are writings describing hauntings by spirits, oppressions and possessions by demons and interactions with forms of higher entities. As a paranormal investigator we have to take all of these things into account. Much like when conducting interviews prior to going into a home, when four or five unrelated people have the same experience there should be some credence given to it's validity.
So we give to you, a basic compilation of the different types of negative and positive entities (as well as those in the grey area) that we have encountered, experienced, read about or researched.
There will be those with a plus sign (meaning that it is a positive spirit) those with a negative sign (indicating their negative influences) and those with both indicating that they can go either way depending on circumstances. Enjoy!
Spirit Guides-These are spirits which can help with direction in a person's life and in some cases the spirit guide can be a past loved one or a friend who has crossed over and even a higher being of light, such as Angels or positive beings of light.
Visiting-These spirits all have been to the other side and is typically family or a spirit which is attached to land or building for a specific reason (such as loved the home or had fond memories of the area). Some spirits are just checking in on a sick relative or giving comfort to a troubled family member. These spirits are not harmful, but on occasion, the spirit might try to make contact by, appearing in dreams or even dispersing a certain fragrance into the air that reminds one of that passed relative or friend.
Grounded-Unlike those spirits who are just in visitation, these spirits have not been to the other side yet. Typically for the reason of fear, guilt, anger, unresolved issues or because of a quick death which has occurred (such as suicide, murder or an accidental death). Also, watch out for some spirits who are grounded; in some cases spirits may become possessive of a certain place or object and will not cross over willingly. If this happens then I suggest calling in a professional psychic medium to help the spirit cross over. It is not uncommon for me to get called into a spirit haunting case and for it to be a spirit in visitation that the client has confused with a grounded or negative spirit. Spirits in visitation may also try to get attention. Oftentimes it is because they want to warn you of danger or something coming up that could be impactful on your life, let you know they are around to help or because they are just playful.
Attached-This can either be a spirit, which is in visitation or grounded and has attached himself or herself to a person, place or even an object. In some case, these spirits just need to share their story with a living person to move on. Once I experienced a spirit who attached to me while I was still a Corrections Officer and had been posted that day at the Hospital to watch a sick inmate. The day went very smooth and I headed home, which was just down the road from the hospital. A spirit who had passed away during an operation attached it's self to me and followed me home. Beckah who is a wonderful and gifted psychic medium was waiting for me to come home, due to we had an investigation that night. Beckah and I had been talking and did not notice this spirit, which had, came home with me at first, the back door opened and slammed hard. The spirit felt it was not being heard and not being noticed so felt it needed to find another way to get our attention. Beckah realized it was an attachment and helped the male spirit cross over. Beckah, told me after the spirit had crossed he wanted me to know that his mother always said, "If you ever get lost, find an officer and they will help find your way back home" and so the spirit did just that.
Negative Spirits- It is difficult at first glance to determine which type of spirit may occupy your home. However, when it comes to negative spirits these types are not usually timid in the least and want you to know they are there. Typically they like to use intimidation tactics that worked during their lifetime. Forcing negative feelings on you, locking you in rooms, poltergeist activity, sometimes even to the point of physical harm. These people were mean in life and continue to the abusive behavior even after death. With a negative spirit, unlike with the others, if you tell them to quit the bothering you, instead of decreasing the activity it will increase threefold. They do not like to be told what to do and you could end up in a hostile situation. Your best bet would be to get a professional team or medium in to deal with the negative spirit. Usually it ends with the psychic or cleric having to give the entity their eviction notice.
Angelic Spirits-These are spirits of pure light and are here to help guide and protect humans. I think St. Augustine explained angels the best:"The name Angel refers to their office, not their nature. You ask the name of this nature, it is spirit; you ask its office, it is that of an Angel, which is a messenger." St. Augustine
These along with Elemental and Demonic entities make up the class of inhuman spirits; these entities have never touched the Earth as a living organism, whether it is human, animal or plant. Angelic spirits can actually be very useful as I said they are here to guide us, at the same time each Angel has a specialty. For example, Archangel Raphael can be used to help with success in business and all matters of the spoken word. Archangel Michael can help with protection (both during travel and at any time when feeling threatened), you can also pray to him to help find lost or stolen property. I feel that even though you may never see an angel with your own two eyes, every time you pray to one you share an encounter with its energy, if not his or her physical form.
Elemental Spirits-These are spirits of the elements such as earth, fire, air and water. These are very powerful entities. Although they would be considered under the listing of inhuman spirit, because they have never been a living breathing organism. They are not the demonic entities that many people confuse them for. Elementals feed on energy and wreak havoc within the scope of that element. For example, a spirit of the element water could turn on faucets, blowpipes and cause flooding. How does one come across such a spirit types? By disturbing or destroying forests, toxins or waste products, which are being thrown into bodies of water, landscaping an area, which is a dwelling place or home of an Elemental spirit. It is rare to stumble across Elemental spirits, but on occasion, it can certainly happen.
Demonic Entities-These are the worst of the worst, these entities are made from pure negative energy and are most commonly called demons or diabolical spirits. These are entities that have never "touched" the earth as a human. They have eons of knowledge on us, and often use underhanded tactics to gain an invitation (such as playing a spirit board unprotected or using a form of summoning a demon for personal gain) to mess with and destroy the human race. Demonic entities are looking to cause chaos wherever possible and to break down the "will" of the person who gave permission or an unknowingly invitation. Homes can also be considered possessed by demonic entities, objects and worse, humans can become possessed. At this stage of an attack might or does call for an exorcism to be preformed. Demonic attacks are rare to experience, but on occasion can happen. Do not try to remove this type of entity on one's own, call in a professional demonologist or local priest to deal with the dangerous issue.
~ Taken from Katie Boyd's Rhode Island's Creepy Ghosts and Spooky Legends (Due out winter 2009, Schiffer Publishing)