By Robin M. Strom-Mackey
Apports
Apports
are objects that appear with no explanation. The term was first coined by paranormal investigator, Nandor Fodor, who described the phenomenon as
the, “’arrival of objects through an apparent penetration of matter (Cheung,
2006).’” During the height of the
spiritualist movement many mediums would produce objects during séances. The
objects themselves were often small, like a ring or a medal. Not surprisingly many of these objects could
be hidden in a pocket or clothing of the medium and then produced at the right
moment via sleight of hand. Many such
mediums were exposed as frauds by investigators. Many...but not all. In the eastern religions apports have also
played a role. Islamic religious Sufis and Hindu swamis are known to produce
apports. Sai Baba of India has been able to produce small items such as sweets
from his closed fist, and pull objects such as statues from the sand with no
clear explanation as to how (Cheung, 2006).
Asports
are objects that unaccountably disappear. Cheung defines it as, “psychic
phenomena involving the disappearance or transportation of objects, supposedly
accomplished with the help of the spirit (Cheung, 2006)."
Another theory for the
phenomenon is that spirits lift the object from another dimension and bring it
forth into this dimension using, “a type of psychic magnetism (Cheung, 2006).”
Objects
moving, disappearing or appearing are one of the classic signs of poltergeist
hauntings. The popular theory being that poltergeist hauntings are caused by a
human agent and not a spirit. The human whom is usually identified as an adolescent, is believed to be using (wittingly or unwittingly)
telekinesis to move objects or make objects appear or disappear. For example, a few of the famous poltergeist cases include
stones or rocks appearing out of thin air, which then rain down on the house or
the inhabitants. These stones can appear outdoors or indoors, and are difficult
if not impossible to explain.
he took it home, put it in an old cigar box and
put it under her bed. During long nights
of mourning she would often take it out and hold it, until one particularly bad
night when she reached under her bed for the box only to find the medal gone.
She said she figured her father had taken it as a way of saying that she needed
to stop mourning and move on with her life.
A
T.A.P.S. paranormal investigator, Nancy
Planeta reports an asport/apport that followed her home. The team was
investigating the Seven Sisters Inn, in Ocala, Florida. While on the investigation the quirky tome
first appeared on a nightstand in the room which once belonged to Elizabeth
Scott. It was a book of the poem, “The Lady of the Lake” by Sir Walter Scott
printed in 1893. In a building full of collectibles and antiques, the old book
was the only item that was part of the original estate of the building; having
been found in the attic. For some reason
Planeta was drawn to the book, spending several minutes leafing through it
before setting it down on the nightstand and departing the room.
Later
in the evening, the team was investigating in the loft area of the building (a
converted attic). It was warm in the
room, so they decided to switch on the ceiling fan. As they did so an object
flew off the fan hitting Planeta in the head.
It was the book again. Surprised
and encouraged, the team took the book back downstairs to Elizatheth’s room. The next day as Planeta was unpacking her gear,
she found the book buried under her laptop. Surmising that the book was of
monetary value, she called the owner of the bed and breakfast to report the
finding and offer to return the book. Surprisingly
the owner told her to keep the book, telling Planeta that the book had chosen
her as its owner. Since in possession of
the book, Planeta reports it continues to disappear occasionally off the desk
in her bedroom, only to reappear in odd places. To date she has found it in a
waste basket, the china cabinet and once in the refrigerator (Balzano,
Weisberg, 2012).
Balzano,
C. Weisberg, T. (2012) Haunted Objects:
Stories of Ghosts on Your Shelf. Krause Publications, Iola, WI.
