Ghosts Among Us - James Van Praagh [63]
THE CAT LADY
I was doing a guest appearance on a TV show when Evan, one of the crew members, came up to me, all out of breath. He started to ask me a lot of questions about ghosts.
“How do you get rid of ghosts in your house?”
I suggested that he explain the situation to me.
“A couple of friends of mine just moved into a 1930s bungalow in Hollywood, and there’s all sorts of weird stuff going on.”
“Like what?”
“Loud noises. Doors crashing shut. Creaking sounds.”
“Anything else?”
“They told me they have had plumbing problems. Their water pipes have burst, and the house was just inspected before they moved in. I myself have felt cold breezes in parts of the house. They knew you would be on the show and asked me to ask you for help.”
“It sounds to me like it’s an earthbound ghost, and I specialize in those that have crossed into the light.”
Evan looked dejected. I continued, “But I will go with you and try to see what the disturbance is and help the spirit move on.”
Evan’s face lit up. “Great! I’ll tell my friends. They’ll be so relieved.”
Wally and Lisa Mackel ushered me into their living room at six o’clock the following evening. When I arrived, I was also introduced to Marlene, Bert, and Rob, a local ghost-busting team.
I asked Lisa, “Why do you want me here when you have a ghost-hunting team already?”
Lisa responded, “I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have strength in numbers so we can catch the ghost.”
I laughed. “One thing has nothing to do with the other. I usually work by myself.”
I didn’t think that Marlene, who was obviously the ghost-busting team leader, appreciated my comment.
“I will do whatever you want, but I have to ask that you all stay out of the room when I am working.” I didn’t want their excitement or fear to interfere with my efforts.
The members of the team shrugged and moved into another area of the house.
I explained about the ghost world and how I worked. “I can sense when the energy in a place is being disturbed. I can’t make any promises, but I will do whatever I can do to help bring peace to your home.”
As I sat with Lisa and Wally, a spirit came into focus and stood next to Lisa.
“There is a person by the name of Ralph here.” I looked at Lisa. “He is in the light and is tied to you.”
Lisa acknowledged Ralph. “Yes, he is my father, who has passed. I have called upon him many times to protect me and Wally from any evil in the house.”
At that exact moment, Marlene and her team tramped through the living room. Marlene called out in a loud voice, “I’m not picking up any ghost energy by her.”
“That’s because you’re not a medium,” I answered.
“Whatever!” Marlene mumbled something derogatory about mediums and crystal balls.
“Ralph is telling me that there are two people, a man and a woman, who are causing the problems.” As soon as he said this, Ralph then left rapidly, and we were left with even more questions.
Then I began to do my ritual for clearing a house. I walked through each room and registered the impressions I received. I could tell right away where there was an imbalance in the energy or whether there was a malevolent spirit around. I could also pick up the emotional nature of the ghost. I started in the master bedroom, where everything seemed to be fine. Then I walked into the back pantry, where I immediately picked up the energy of an older woman who was quite upset about something.
“It seems like she hangs out right here, going back and forth.”
“Yes!” Lisa said. “The cupboards open and close every day at the same time. Right here!”
“Wow!” screamed Marlene. “How cool. Look, Lisa.”
Marlene not only interrupted my investigation but was interfering with the energy of the room. Marlene did not have good energy. She showed Lisa and Wally an orb that Rob caught on the camera.
I walked into the living room, and once again I saw Ralph.
Who is stuck in the house? I asked him.
He explained to me,