Page 39 - Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol. 3

Ghosts and Phantoms 19

of poltergeistic disturbances and that the sexual Enfield poltergeist
change of puberty is associated with either the case/investigator
beginning or the termination of the phenome- Maurice Gross. (GUY
na. Researchers have also observed that the LYON PLAYFAIR/FORTEAN
sexual adjustments of the marital state can also PICTURE LIBRARY)
trigger such phenomena.

The poltergeist often finds its energy cen-
ter in the frustrated creativity of a brooding
adolescent, who is denied accepted avenues of
expression. Those who have witnessed polter-
geistic activity firsthand have been convinced
that the energy force is directed by a measure
of intelligence or purpose. Observers ranging
from skeptical scientists, hard-nosed journal-
ists, and innocent bystanders alike have
reported seeing poltergeist-borne objects turn
corners, poltergeist-manipulated chalk write
intelligible sentences on walls, and polter-
geist-flung pebbles come out of nowhere to
strike children. But, as one investigator com-
mented, the phenomena are exactly such as
would occur to the mind of a child. In Polter-
geists (1940), Sacheverell Sitwell wrote that
the poltergeist always directed its power
toward “the secret or concealed weaknesses of
the spirit…the recesses of the soul. The mys- ing of poltergeist activity. According to Sander-
teries of puberty, that trance or dozing of the son’s observations, the stones are “dropped” or
psyche before it awakes into adult life, is a “lobbed” or “just drift around” rather than
favorite playground for the poltergeist.” thrown. “Stone-dropping is a purely physical
phenomenon,” stated Sanderson, “and can be
Why it should be the baser elements of the
explained on some physical principles, though
adolescent human subconscious that find
not necessarily on Newtonian, Einsteinian, or
their expression in the poltergeist is a matter
any others that concern our particular space-
of great speculation among psychical
time continuum.”
researchers. Physical violence is almost always
expressed toward the adolescent energy center
of the poltergeist—and a parent, a brother, or
a sister may come in for their share of the pun-
ishment as well. If the poltergeist sticks PSYCHICAL researchers believe

around long enough (its average life is about poltergeist manifestations are dramatic instances
two weeks) to develop a voice or the ability to
communicate by raps or automatic writing, its of psychokinesis.
communications are usually nonsensical, rib-
ald, or downright obscene.
Cases of poltergeists pelting innocent fami- M Delving Deeper
lies with stones and pebbles comprise by far the Carrington, Hereward, and Nandor Fodor. Haunted
largest single category of poltergeistic phenom- People. New York: New American Library, 1968.
ena and therefore seem to be the most common Fodor, Nandor. The Haunted Mind. New York: New
example of PK running wild. Natural scientist American Library, 1968.
Ivan T. Sanderson cautioned researchers Sanderson, Ivan T. Things. New York: Pyramid Books,
against using the term “throwing” when speak- 1967.

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