- Ghosthunting Cats, or Things That Go Bump in the Night-
- Ghosthunting Cats, or Things That Go Bump in the Night-
I suppose that Halloween would be a good time to talk about cats and hauntings. But one of our favorite Christmas stories is actually a rousing ghost tale, complete with the clanking chains borne by Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas that visit Scrooge- past, present, and the most spooky future. Would Hector and Jasper, the bookshop cats, actually SEE the ghosts?? According to some scientists, it is possible.
Science is up in the air on whether ghosts exist, let alone whether or not cats can see them. But interestingly, research has found that cats can detect changes in barometric pressure. They KNOW a storm is arriving long before the wind begins to howl and the lightning flashes. You can count on Hector and Jasper to be curled in safe spaces during thunderstorms, and before large snowstorms, as well.
Cats, and many other animals, also sense the earth ' s magnetic fields. Scientists at the University of North Carolina are studying a wide range of animals who react to this, and there is speculation that it is this superpower that leads both cats and dogs home over hundreds of miles. Add this to stronger hearing and sight over a wider frequency band than mere humans, and they can see, hear, and feel many things we cannot.
Tim Swartz, of Swartz Paranormal Investigations in Avis, confirms this. " Cats have a heightened sense of temperature change, and air flow patterns. They do pick up the vibes of the humans in a dwelling and can collect and actually change energy in people from a negative pattern to a positive pattern. They offer a calming energy." That ability to see, hear, and sense make them excellent detectives when it comes to energy fields in a place, like possibly spirits. Tim noted the following behaviors that indicate that a cat is sensing something: " Staring intently at an empty space or wall, calling( meowing) or hissing for no apparent reason, changes in patterns, like hiding, or acting like a feral cat, not eating, or having some stomach trouble." Some of these symptoms could be a medical issue, but if that is ruled out, then they may be sensing something that a mere human cannot.
We are not the first people in history to see this ability in cats. Tim mentioned that there is much folklore regarding cats as spiritual guardians, or as messengers between the living and the dead. See into your soul?? Many cat owners feel this way, but it may well be the energy that you create that they feel. And ghosts or spirits?? Again, if real, there would be energy about. And our beloved felines are masters at detecting, reacting to and even changing energy.
Perhaps Shakespeare said it best in Hamlet. " There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
- by Linda Roller, Bookseller, writer, and owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis, PA.
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP Linda Roller
Hours: Thursday & Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-3, or by appt.
“ Where yesterday’ s books are today’ s treasures.”
LibertyBookShop @ comcast. net www. thelibertybookshop. com
570-753-5201
Pawsitively Pets-- December 5