J
Jettatura
A cultural belief in the harmful influence of the “evil eye,” in which a person’s gaze is thought to cause misfortune, illness, or energetic disruption. Often referenced in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern traditions.
Jinn (Djinn)
Supernatural beings originating in Middle Eastern cosmology, capable of interacting with the human world. In paranormal contexts, Jinn are often misclassified as demons, though their nature is distinct and culturally specific.
Judgment Haunting (IPAS Classification)
A haunting narrative shaped by the experiencer’s belief that the activity represents punishment, moral consequence, or divine retribution. This classification helps distinguish psychological framing from environmental or anomalous events.
Jarring Phenomenon
A sudden, sharp auditory anomaly—such as a bang, crash, or knock—reported without an identifiable physical source. Considered a subtype of auditory anomaly.
Jinx
A spoken or symbolic act believed to cause bad luck or misfortune. While cultural in origin, it appears frequently in paranormal case narratives.
Jargon (Paranormal Jargon)
Specialized terminology used within paranormal communities. Important for distinguishing between cultural language, investigative terminology, and interpretive frameworks.
Juncture State (IPAS Term)
A liminal psychological state between waking and sleeping in which anomalous perceptions—visual, auditory, or tactile—are more likely to be misinterpreted as paranormal.
K
K2 Meter
A handheld device used to detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields, commonly employed during paranormal investigations. Source: “This is a device used to measure magnetic and electrical fields… used in paranormal investigations to detect spirit and/or paranormal activity.”
Kinetic Haunting (Institutional Addition)
A haunting characterized by movement of objects, often attributed to poltergeist activity or psychokinetic influence. Added for completeness, as it is a recognized investigative category.
Knock Phenomenon (Institutional Addition)
A repetitive or singular knocking sound reported without a physical source. Often associated with poltergeist cases or intelligent hauntings.
L
Levitation
A rare paranormal event in which a person or object rises off the ground, defying gravity and physical laws. Source: “An extremely rare paranormal event where a person or thing will defy the laws of physics and rise up off the ground.”
Lucid Dreams
Dreams in which the dreamer is consciously aware they are dreaming and can direct or influence the dream’s events. Source: “Dreams one is sleeping, yet conscience of all that is taking place and direct the course of the dream.”
Light Anomaly (Institutional Addition)
A visual anomaly involving unexplained flashes, streaks, or movements of light not attributable to insects, reflections, or camera artifacts. Commonly misinterpreted in paranormal photography.
Liminal Space (Institutional Addition)
A transitional or in‑between environment—physical or psychological—where anomalous perceptions are more frequently reported. Relevant to IPAS interpretive models.
