M
Materialization
The physical manifestation of a ghost, spirit, demon, or other paranormal energy that is not otherwise measurable or present in the physical world. Source: “The physical manifestation of a ghost/spirit/demon or other paranormal energy…”
Matrixing
A natural cognitive process in which the brain interprets random sensory data as recognizable patterns. A form of pareidolia. Source: “This is a natural brain function… interpreting sensory data into familiar and recognizable patterns.”
Medium
A person who claims the ability to psychically see or communicate with the deceased. Source: “A person who is able to ‘psychically’ see and/or communicate with the deceased.”
Mediumship
The practice of communicating with spirits or other nonphysical beings, typically the dead. Source: “The practice of communicating with spirits… usually… the dead.”
Manifestation Event (Institutional Addition)
A reported moment in which a spirit or anomaly becomes perceptible through sight, sound, scent, or environmental change. Added for completeness, as it is a standard investigative term.
Malicious Entity (Institutional Addition)
A nonhuman or human‑spirit presence reported to exhibit harmful, deceptive, or predatory behavior. Distinct from demonic classification.
N
NDE (Near Death Experience)
A reported experience occurring when someone has medically died or approached death, often involving tunnels, light, or encounters with deceased loved ones. Source: “When someone has medically ‘died’… seeing ‘The Light’ or a ‘Tunnel’… speaking to loved ones…”
Necromancy
The practice of communicating with the dead to obtain knowledge, often associated with dark or forbidden rituals. Source: “Speaking to the dead in order to obtain knowledge… usually associated with dark practices.”
Negative Residue (Institutional Addition)
Lingering emotional or energetic imprint left by trauma, conflict, or distress in a location. Not a spirit; a contextual environmental condition.
O
Oppression
A stage of demonic influence in which a presence affects a person’s thoughts or behaviors but does not yet possess them. Source: “A demonic presence… limited influence… the person still maintains control… but is led or directed.”
Orb
A spherical, self‑illuminating anomaly often captured in photographs or video. Frequently misidentified environmental artifacts. Source: “Spherical, self‑illuminating, intelligent, supernatural anomalies… usually seen in photographs…”
Ouija Board
A commercial spirit‑communication board marketed as a game, historically associated with possession narratives such as the Robbie Mannheim case. Source: “A board game… made to talk to spirits… documented as being the cause of the possession of Robbie Mannheim.”
Out of Body Experience (OBE)
A phenomenon in which a person perceives their consciousness or spirit as leaving the physical body. Source: “When the spirit/soul… elevates above, and outside the physical body.”
Obsessive Haunting (Institutional Addition)
A haunting characterized by repetitive, intrusive, or fixated activity directed toward a specific person rather than a location.
Olfactory Anomaly (Institutional Addition)
A reported scent—pleasant or foul—without a physical source. Common in haunting narratives.
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