There are many theories as to what a ghost is. These range from figments of the imagination to apparitions of the dead spirits of human beings. Various names are given to different types of hauntings, such as poltergeist, ghoul etc. Here is a basic list of terms with an identity parade of the many ghosts, ghouls and goblins that we will be discussing in PsychicWorld.net

AFTERLIFE/THE NEXT WORLD:

The place where the spirits of the dead are thought to live on.

ANGELS:

Shining white winged human like beings that are thought to be messengers of God.
 

APPARITION/GHOST:

Vision of a physically dead person or a sense of their presence. Ghosts can appear to be solid or as filmy white mists.

BANSHEE:

A death omen, often unseen, that howls around the house of the afflicted.

BOGEY/BOGGART:

A horrible elemental spirit that haunts bridges over rivers and streams.
 

CLAIRVOYANCE:

The paranormal ability of certain people to 'see' ghosts and visions unseen by others.
 

DEATH:

The end of physical life but, some believe, the beginning of afterlife in the next world.
 

EXORCISM:

The act or ritual of casting or driving out unwanted spirits out from whoever or wherever they are haunting.
 

FAIRIES:

Elemental beings that are thought by some to exist in a parallel dimension within the four elements of this world; earth, air, fire and water.

GHOUL:

A supposedly invisible phantom that is evil in nature and feeds on the life energy of its human victims.
 

GOBLIN:

An elemental spirit of various shapes and sizes but often small and michevious.
 
 

GUARDIAN ANGEL:

A shining spirit that is thought to protect just one individual. There is a belief that we each have at least one Guardian Angel.
 

HAUNTING:

The repeated appearance of supernatural phenomena in a specific area that can not be explained by rational scientific means.
 

LEVITATION:

The unsupported rising up into the air of an individual or object. This phenomena is most usually associated with a poltergeist haunting.

MATERIALISATION:

The formation of a seemingly solid, or semisolid, figure of a dead person usually associated with spiritual mediumship.

MEDIUMS:

Individuals who claim to be able to 'see', 'hear' and 'communicate' with the spirits of dead people.
 

OUIJA:

A dangerous device consisting of letters of the alphabet and a planchette, used to contact spirits.
 

PARAPSYCHOLOGY:

The scientific study of supernatural phenomena.
 

PHANTOM:

The seemingly solid apparition of a dead persons spirit.
 

POLTERGEIST:

A noisy ghost that can be very destructive and hurtful. These are usually invisible.
 

POSSESSION:

The idea that an alien spirit or spirits can enter a persons body and take control of it.
 

PSYCHOKINESIS:

The movement of inanimate objects by persons or spirits using paranormal powers.
 

SCREAMING SKULLS:

Human remains that are supposed to be haunted by the spirit that once lived within them.
 

SEANCE:

A circle of people sitting with a medium trying to contact spirit people living in the next world. Usually associated with Spiritualism.
 

SHAMANISM:

Spiritualistic practice in which priests, known as Shaman, contact spirits and the forces of nature. An ancient tribalistic belief system that is still practised in certain countries today.
 

SOUL:

The real you that exists within your body. The definition of soul will depend to a great extent upon an individuals religious beliefs.
 

SPIRIT:

An entity that is alive, living in the etheric realm, but has no physical body.
 

SPIRITUALISM:

A religious movement that practices communication with the spirit world.

WITCHCRAFT:

The practice of undertaking rituals that purport to conjur up spirits and demons to procure personal preference. May involve wearing a 'Moon Suit' and dancing in the woods.

WITCHCRAFT: Exit.

The practice of magical rites that purports to conjure up spirits for various purposes.