Could Your Stuff Be Haunted?
Paranormal author Fiona Dodwell takes a dive into the world of haunted objects
It’s September, which means for those of us who are into creepy things, it’s the beginning of Spooky Season. That’s right, once summer is receding into the distance and the nights start drawing in, Halloween (and everything to do with it) starts to take centre stage. If you’re anything like me, the darker evenings, scary movies and pumpkin lattes are a bit of a comfort.
I’ve always been fascinated by the creepy side of life. I was obsessed with ghost stories when I was a child; as a teenager I began studying paranormal cases and enjoying walks around local cemeteries, and now, as an adult, I write about supernatural and paranormal topics. My non-fiction book, A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls (released Oct 8th in the UK and Sept 25th in the USA) focuses on a particular aspect of the paranormal that I have always found fascinating: haunted objects.
You may know of cases of haunted objects – and dolls in particular, which is my speciality – through horror movies like Child’s Play, Annabelle and The Boy. The idea of something as cute and innocent looking as a kid’s toy being haunted is quite an unsettling one. I spent a great deal of time researching the topic for my book and interviewed many people who have been effected by owning a haunted doll. It might be quite a stretch to some of the sceptics out there, but it is indeed true that there are a vast number of people out there who claim to have experienced paranormal activity due to having a haunted doll, or haunted object, in their home.
With Spooky Season soon to close in on us, and Halloween décor hitting the shops, it seems the perfect time to sit back with your favourite coffee and have a look at the signs that an item can be haunted (or spirited, as some like to call it). Here are some things to look out for if you’ve purchased an item and things don’t seem quite right.
How Do You Feel Around The Item?
If you’ve recently acquired an item, such as a second-hand ornament or vintage toy, do you get certain feelings around it, such as a heaviness, or anxiety? Feeling significant emotions when specifically around the item could indicate there’s some kind of energy attached.
Does The Object Affect Temperatures/Cause Cold Spots?
It’s not uncommon for paranormal activity to bring about significant change to the temperature in buildings and homes. Does the item in question seem to bring with it an icy chill? Does your warm home suddenly feel cold when you’re near the object? This could indicate something is attached to it.
Does The Object Move?
I’m not saying it needs to be something dramatic, such as spinning heads and items levitating in the air, but it’s possible that a haunted object might move. Is it often found in a slightly different position than how you left it? Could you swear you left it in one position and you’ve returned to find it in another? Does it often fall off a shelf, even when carefully placed? Then perhaps an attached spirit is trying to get your attention.
Have Your Heard Something You Shouldn’t?
Audible evidence supports the idea that an item in your possession is perhaps haunted. Have you heard knocks, tapping, even voices since owning the object in question? Have you tried recording with a Dictaphone and captured something? It’s quite a scary thought, but if you’re hearing noises in your home that were not there previous to buying the item, perhaps a spirit is trying to show you it’s there.
None of this is designed to frighten anyone, of course…But if you are like me, and the many others who are drawn to the idea of an object being haunted (after all, if a home can be haunted, why not an item that was a much-loved object during someone’s life?) then it’s an aspect of the paranormal that is certainly an intriguing one to look at.
If you want to learn more about haunted dolls, my specific area of study, feel free to check out my book, A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls. It’s available to pre-order or will hit book shops soon.
Let me be one of the first individuals to wish you a Happy Halloween Season. May the ghosts keep their peace and your home remain spirit free!
