P
Paranormal
Events, phenomena, or manifestations that cannot be explained or understood through known scientific principles. Source: “Supernatural, unknown, mysterious events that can not be explained or understood by science…”
Paranormal Photography
Photography intentionally used to attempt to capture supernatural events or anomalies. Source: “Photography that is specifically designed to attempt the capture of any supernatural event(s).”
Parapsychology
The study of psychological phenomena related to the paranormal, including ESP, telepathy, and consciousness beyond the physical. Source: “The paranormal study of psychology as it involves… spirits, souls, and beings on the other side.”
Paranormal Research
The systematic investigation, documentation, and analysis of paranormal events, environments, or hypotheses. Source: “Systematically planning, examining, observing, investigating, studying, and documenting…”
Pareidolia
A cognitive phenomenon in which the brain assigns meaning to random stimuli, often interpreting shapes or sounds as familiar forms. Source: “Random stimuli… human beings… attribute meaning to.”
Past Life Regression
A hypnotic technique used to guide individuals into recalling memories or impressions believed to originate from previous lifetimes. Source: “A skilled… practitioner… guides a person back in time… to recover memories from a past life.”
Phenomena
An extraordinary or observable event that is documented as fact, regardless of interpretation. Source: “When there’s an extraordinary circumstance that occurs and is observed and observable as fact.”
Phonemes
Distinct units of sound that differentiate one word from another; relevant in EVP analysis. Source: “Units of sound that distinguish one word from another word.”
Planchette
A small, heart‑shaped tool used in automatic writing or Ouija board sessions. Source: “A small heart‑shaped board… typically used in automatic writing practices…”
Poltergeist
A “noisy spirit” associated with movement of objects, loud sounds, or disruptive activity. May originate from spirit energy or repressed psychic energy of the living. Source: “Poltergeists come in two forms… objects are usually thrown… sounds or loud speech…”
Possession
A state in which a demonic entity takes control of a person’s body, speech, or actions. Source: “A demonic being… taken over the body… controls it… until an exorcism is successfully done.”
Premonition
A strong intuitive sense or vision indicating that an event—often negative—is about to occur. Source: “A vision, instinct, or ‘knowing’ that something is about to happen…”
Psychokinesis (Telekinesis)
The reported ability to move or manipulate objects using psychic or mental force. Source: “Psychically moving or manipulating objects with one’s mind…”
Psychic
A person who perceives information through extrasensory means. Source: “A person who can see and know things through senses unknown…”
Psychometrist
A psychic who reads photographs or objects to obtain information. Source: “A psychic who reads photographs psychically.”
Pyromancy
Divination performed using fire as the interpretive medium. Source: “The practice of divination using fire.”
Phantom Scent (Institutional Addition)
A smell perceived without a physical source; a subtype of olfactory anomaly.
Q
(Your uploaded dictionary contains no Q‑entries. These additions complete the section.)
Quartz Amplification Theory (Institutional Addition)
A hypothesis suggesting that quartz‑rich environments may store or amplify energy, contributing to residual haunting reports.
Quasi‑Apparition
A partial or incomplete visual manifestation that does not form a full apparition.
Quiet Zone Phenomenon
A sudden, unnatural silence reported in haunted or anomalous environments, often preceding activity.
R
Reincarnation
The belief that a soul is reborn into a new life after death, potentially across multiple lifetimes. Source: “The belief that when someone dies, they will be reborn… Or that one living has already lived in previous lives.”
Remote Viewing
The use of extrasensory perception to gather information about distant or unseen targets. Source: “The practice of using extrasensory perception to gather information from targets.”
Residual Haunting
A haunting in which a spirit reenacts events from its life without awareness of death or the living. Source: “The haunting of a spirit who does not show any conscious awareness… repeating the last moments…”
Resurrection
The act of rising from the dead after a prolonged period; typically associated with deities. Source: “To die and rise up again after a prolonged and long time dead.”
Ritual Cleansing (Institutional Addition)
A structured spiritual or cultural practice intended to purify a person or space.
Rapping Phenomenon (Institutional Addition)
A series of knocks or taps attributed to spirit communication, historically documented in séance traditions.
Residual Energy Field (Institutional Addition)
An environmental imprint left by strong emotional or physical events, distinct from spirit presence.
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