Theoretical physicists also are excited about the existence of the zero-point field (ZPF), which may explain how everything that exists in the universe is connected to everything else. The ZPF is made up of zero-point energy (ZPE), virtual particles whose electromagnetic fluctuations fill every corner of space and are never at a state of absolute zero momentum, but instead vibrate at the most minute rate of oscillation allowable by the laws of quantum physics. Marie Jones, in her book titled PSIence: How New Discoveries in Quantum Physics and New Science May Explain the Existence of Paranormal Phenomena, describes this vibration as “a tiny, residual jiggle.” Jones explains that by virtue of the ZPF, reality is one big spider web with an infinite number of fine strands crisscrossing, intersecting, and creating a wholeness that extends throughout time and space.
What implications do the existence of the ZPF and ZPE have on the validity of residual hauntings? According to Jones, the supposed recording of the energy of an event could take place in the ZPF, which can be compared to the Akashic Records of Edgar Cayce, upon which every memory, action, thought, and thing was written. These imprints, or recordings, could have found a way to exist intact upon the ZPF, and those who see replays of past events could have found a way to tap into them. As a result, psychically inclined individuals may smell gunpowder, hear cannon fire, and see flashes of gunfire while walking around Little Round Top, Culp’s Hill, or Devil’s Den.
Theoretical physicists remain very busy in laboratories seeking answers to these quantum enigmas, and paranormal field investigators continue to attempt to document tangible evidence at places like Gettysburg that can help validate these theories as they relate to hauntings. For field researchers, it’s figuring out exactly what they need to be looking for and what tools they should be using that remains the challenge.
Paranormal investigators such as Joshua Warren, author and president of LEMUR (League of Energy Materialization and Unexplained Phenomena Research), approach paranormal field research in such a way as to best contribute to scientific inquiry. Warren’s goal is to accumulate well-documented cases and create a database of hard evidence. “If ghosts are non-physical entities that aren’t restricted to the known laws of physical matter,” he supposes, “then by using the scientific method and creating a collective database, we may one day have enough data to isolate the patterns and correlations that will finally realize the essential conditions for spectral interactions to occur.”
Obtaining this type of hard evidence requires taking as many environmental readings as possible when conducting field research. In fact, a basic arsenal of field equipment might include geomagnetic field meters, electromagnetic field meters, temperature gauges, ion detectors, and more. Given the strange atmospheric conditions that seem to manifest when witnesses experience imprint hauntings and time slips, it seems only prudent to follow the advice of Warren and other serious investigators—go to great lengths to measure environmental conditions in an attempt to isolate the patterns and correlations associated with these phenomena.
When conducting paranormal investigations, however, the best opp-ortunities often occur when you least expect them, which is why being prepared at all times remains critical to the success of field research. For example, about five years ago while doing a field investigation at Gettysburg, a team psychic appeared very excited as she approached us in the Wheatfield. She said a portal had opened up in the Rose Woods (adjacent to the Wheatfield), but that she couldn’t find me in time before it closed. Apparently, her psychic abilities enable her to see these portals appear, and she describes them as a disruption or ripple in the atmosphere. It’s during these brief moments that she feels it would be most advantageous to take environmental readings and photographs because this is when paranormal activity “peeks through our dimensional veil.”
We immediately thought it would be a great idea to walk around the battlefield with her—for hours or even days if necessary—until this phenomenon occurred again. It seems well worth the effort to be able to measure the particular vibrations, frequencies, or electromagnetic fluctuations associated with these anomalies. We consider her experience a profound one and are still deeply disappointed we weren’t in her general vicinity when this supposed portal opened.
These portals may very well represent the “rip in the fabric of space,” the discontinuity in time, the warps or disruptions associated with superstring theory, or the manifestation of the zero-point field. And if one or more of these theories do apply to the phenomena reported at Gettysburg, what came first, the rabbit or the hole? Gettysburg may be located on or around an energy vortex or other cosmic quirk, thus exacerbating the frequency of hauntings in the area, and the battle itself may have created the strong emotional imprints that somehow allow these quantum doors and windows to open up more frequently.
We can’t know for sure at this point, but our combined intuition tells us that whatever this psychic detected was very important, and somehow these ripples in the atmosphere are the key to explaining at least some of the paranormal phenomena documented at Gettysburg and other battlefields across the globe. The answer is there, in front of us; we just need to know how to tap into its source, or essence.
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Appendix C:
Field Investigation Tips
Throughout this book, we have documented firsthand accounts and photographic evidence while also discussing theoretical possibilities pertaining to paranormal phenomena experienced in and around Gettysburg and its historic battlefield. We hope you have learned a thing or two about this mysterious and beautiful place, and we also encourage you to get out there and go to haunted locations to perform well-executed investigations that will yield viable results for the good of the entire research community.
Having said this, paranormal field investigators should remain cognizant of the following when investigating haunted locations such as Gettysburg:
Keep an open mind regarding quantum theory and the general laws of physics. You don’t have to be a physicist to be a good paranormal investigator, but you should read the equivalent of Quantum Physics 101 (see Appendix B) in order to gain a basic understanding of the physical laws of the universe and how they might relate to paranormal phenomena.
Bring a broad array of environmental measuring tools, including geomagnetic field meters, electromagnetic field meters, temperature gauges, humidity gauges, barometric pressure gauges, radiometers, ion detectors, etc. These tools will help you document baseline readings and record any anomalous deviations from those baseline readings.
Document every small detail of the landscape in question. Note the topography including rock types and formations (Devil’s Den), and take latitude, longitude, and elevation readings (Little Round Top) to create an accurate grid of the area being investigated. These topographical details might play a role in triggering the phenomena. Be sure to document by taking plenty of still photographs.
Research as many cases regarding residual hauntings as possible in order to create a model on which to build an investigative strategy. For example, many imprint hauntings are preceded by a palpable change in atmosphere. By knowing what to look—and feel—for, you can be prepared when environmental fluctuations occur.
Understand that consciousness plays a factor in these phenomena; therefore, it’s important to utilize a good medium and/or sensitive during field investigations in order to localize paranormal energies and document the effects these environments have on certain individuals.
Interview eyewitnesses beforehand in order to determine optimal focus areas. For example, many incidents at Gettysburg that fit the profile for imprint hauntings occur in the Triangular Field. Knowing this, you should focus on conducting particular experiments and taking specific readings in this area. Compiling a lot of documentation at a specific location can be beneficial to future research.
Ask experts in particular disciplines for ideas on what they might want docum
ented at a particular location or investigation. By doing so, you can accumulate data that is potentially beneficial to other researchers moving forward. It will also help you develop strong investigative techniques and protocols, and you will end up with solid research as a result.
Make sure you have a well-balanced team. Your field-investigation team should include a team leader who makes sure the team stays on task and has the historical research on hand to help direct the investigation, a sensitive, an equipment/tech person, a photographer, and a documenter, whose job it is to take copious notes and collect all of the field data. We also suggest bringing along a second sensitive; the two of them can help validate and enhance the information being obtained by one another.
Share your research with others! In order to make progress in any area of study, a clearinghouse of information must be made available to all researchers. The sharing of thoughts and ideas is the fastest way to enlightenment.
In the end, all we can do as paranormal field researchers is use our in-vestigative skills, our intuition, and the proper equipment to best obtain and document a body of evidence that may someday assist physicists, psychologists and other scientists as they attempt to answer life’s most profound questions. Gettysburg provides the perfect “outdoor laboratory” in which to do this.
The Civil War-era American poet Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote, “Our Creator would never have made such lovely days and have given us the deep hearts to enjoy them, above and beyond all thought, unless we were meant to be immortal.”
We believe, as did Hawthorne, that human beings are innately aware of something metaphysical, something highly abstract that exists beyond the physical world (in which we only exist temporarily). Humanity’s quest for knowledge underscores this awareness. As it applies to paranormal research on battlefields, we owe it to ourselves and the millions of ghost soldiers around the world to optimize the knowledge that can be gleaned from
the etchings of their heroic sacrifices, respect those sacrifices, and enjoy the journey of exploration along the way.
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Recommended Reading
Gettysburg, by Harry W. Pfanz
Gettysburg—The Second Day, by Harry W. Pfanz
Gettysburg, by Stephen W. Sears
Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam, by Stephen W. Sears
American Heritage Battle Maps of the Civil War, edited by Richard O’Shea
The Gettysburg Then & Now Companion, by William A. Frassanito
A Strange and Blighted Land: Gettysburg, The Aftermath of a Battle, by Gregory A. Coco
Three Days at Gettysburg: Essays on Confederate and Union Leadership, edited by Gary W. Gallagher
The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel on the Civil War, by Michael Shaara
The Last Full Measure: A Novel of the Civil War, by Jeff Shaara
Stars in Their Courses: The Gettysburg Campaign, by Shelby Foote
Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg, by James McPherson
This Hallowed Ground: A History of the Civil War, by Bruce Catton
When the Smoke Cleared at Gettysburg, by George Sheldon
Early Photography at Gettysburg, by William A. Frassanito
The Wheatfield at Gettysburg: A Walking Tour, by Jay Jorgensen
Lost Children of the Battlefield: A Collection of Photographs Found at Gettysburg, from the collection of Professor J. Howard Wert
Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune: The Civil War Letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, edited by Russell Duncan
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Ghost Soldiers of Gettysburg Page 20