Playing by the rules?

[ljiljanac]

So, in this book that I am reading ("Poltergeist, A Classic Study of Destructive Haunting"), the author (Colin Wilson) states that Poltergeist activity usually starts with scratching, tapping, and knocking sounds, then throwing small objects, then throwing large objects, then moving furniture or pulling blankets off beds, and then AVP's (pg 110).  I find it interesting that an interactive spirit would follow a set course of actions, as if it were following rules.  I do not question the author in his research at all.  I just had to laugh at the concept of there being "rules of engagement", if you will.       Any thoughts?

[Damian]

Did he communicate this idea as though it were a hard and fast rule, or is it a situation where the author is only identifying common threads and how they generally progress based on field experience?

[ljiljanac]

He bases this on documented cases throughout history.  I don't really know what to think about that.  What would bind Poltergeists to a set pattern of activity and progression?  That reminds me of the Ouija Board being correlated to evil spirits and demons, as if the Ouija portal has a sign saying, "Demons Only.  All Others...Keep Out!" 

[PPI Debra]

I took it to mean that there are certain repeated patterns that have been documented through time. More like a classification system.

[Gary]

Maybe you gotta think of it as a child growing up from being an infant.  When it's young, it's only able to start out small, doing little things, but the older and more "mature" or experienced the demon gets, the more it's capable to doing.  Just a thought.

[ljiljanac]

Debra....the author states, "Poltergeist disturbances usually - almost invariably - occur in a certain sequence.  The earliest stage is usually some kind of scratching noise like rats; then raps and bangs, then flying stones or other small objects, then larger objects, then other forms of physical mischief - moving furniture, blankets pulled off beds.  If voices occur, they usually occur after this stage...  It is almost unknown for phenomena to occur in a different order."

Gary...good thought.  However, the onset of these manifestations are described the same way....scratching noises, raps/bangs/knocks/moving objects.  Would a Poltergeist go back to Step #1 each time it were to manifest itself, or would it jump to more "advanced" demonstrations?

[Damian]

Just spitballin' here, but maybe this sequential progression of activity is related to the theory of poltergeist activity being caused by a person, or perhaps the theory of thought forms.

It makes sense to me that the activity would start out as minor, then with time the minor activity becomes the focus of more time and energy and fear.  This feeds the activity allowing it to manifest in greater and more pronounced ways.

[ljiljanac]

Damian, that's intersting, and I honestly have no idea.  lol   

[PPI Tracy]

Just spitballin' here, but maybe this sequential progression of activity is related to the theory of poltergeist activity being caused by a person, or perhaps the theory of thought forms.

It makes sense to me that the activity would start out as minor, then with time the minor activity becomes the focus of more time and energy and fear.  This feeds the activity allowing it to manifest in greater and more pronounced ways.

BINGO!  Tell him what he's won! 

I think you nailed it.