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APPARITIONS
An apparition is spiritualistic manifestation of a person
or object in which a form not actually present is seen with
such intensity that belief in its reality is created.
An apparition can be in the form of an orb,
a misty appearance, or even can be a full-bodied image of
the spirit. While the full-bodied apparition is rare, it is
more common to see a portion of the spirit. An apparition
could also be seen as a white or black shadowy type of
image. Apparitions can also present themselves in different
colors.
The ancient and widespread belief in apparitions and
ghosts (specters of dead persons) is based on the idea that
the spirit of a man, or of any object, is endowed with
energy and motion of its own that lives on after we die.
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The message given by the
entity is usually brief as if the power it brings it is
limited. Those seeing apparitions of the dying or dead
often report feeling chilliness. Apparitions may appear
quite solid and yet objects may be seen beyond them. They
also may be accompanied by bright light.
Apparitions, especially particular shapes attached to
certain legends or superstitions, are often considered as
premonitions or warnings. They may appear in any form and
may manifest themselves to any or all the senses.
The most evil apparitions are said to be those of
persons who have died violent or unnatural deaths, those with guilty
secrets, and those who were improperly buried. However, not all
apparitions are believed to be dangerous; many, especially those
associated with a particular religion, are thought to be signs of
divine intervention. Summoning apparitions by means of incantations,
crystal gazing, polished stones, hypnotic suggestion, and various
other ways is one of the oldest practices of divination.
A vague mist
hanging 'round half the pages:
(Sometimes how strange and clear to the soul,
That all these solid things are indeed but apparitions, concepts,
non-realities.)
Walt Whitman,
Apparitions
