Richard Senate 20 questions
1. Where do you see ghost hunting and Paranormal groups, web sites
or Ghost information, tours Books like your own in 10 years?
Now it is really popular but, I believe that this will ebb as time
passes. This has happened in the past. I believe only the true hard
core investigators will continue the work. I believe we will have
better tools to research sites and collect data--and that's what ghost
hunting is all about. I believe we need to blend the psychic impressions
with readings collected by tools. We, as groups will need to work
together if we are to make this newest of sciences become recognized.
There is far too much in-fighting going on now. We must work together.
2. What would you personally consider to be the definitive proof that
ghosts are real?
Not photos, readings or even video tape. All of these can be faked
today. I believe the best proof is the transference of information.
If a person dies, returns and tells someone who could not have known
the data via normal means something--that is proof for me. This is
best seen with the Crisis Apparition--ghosts that come to a loved
one to say good bye at the point of death. This to me is proof of
post death survival.
3. What is the most real evidence you personally have uncovered so
far?
Seeing is believing for me and I have seen some strange things. I
believe that a ghost picture I took of a historic person was the best
data I have. The picture was clear but, of a view unknown to exist.
I later linked the person to the site. Now I could have faked it--that's
what skeptics woud say--But I know I didn't. To be this image sealed
my beliefs. The dead do not die.
4. Are you skeptical of the claims other make of their findings?
Sometimes I have skeptical feelings towards some flamboyant investigators.
But, I try to keep to my own 11th commandment and never say ill of
other psychics or psychic investigators. I only make exception to
those who hurt people (yes, there are people like that out there).
I can be wrong--I don't have all the answers so even the most odd
answer might be true. Heck--I see ghosts and so, I can put down others?
We must be open minded. I recall the sage advise of Charlie Chan--Mind
like parachute--only work well when open.
5. If you could investigate your "Dream Haunted Hot Spot"
where would it be?
The White House in Washington DC! I would love a chance to spend
a night in the Lincoln Bedroom. Other ideal spots: Ford's Theater
in Washington DC where Booth walks, and Last Stand Hill at Custer's
Battlefield. I have had some of my dreams come true with a chance
to investigate The Tower of London and Rose Hall in Jamaica. (Yes,
we had weird things happen in both places--two apparitions at the
White Tower and my hat pulled off my head in Rose Hall).
6. What was your first Paranormal encounter?
I was doing archaeology at the old Spanish Mission of San Antonio
de adua in King City, CA. I was walking at 12:30 across the courtyard
and saw a monk with a candle. I approached him and he vanished before
my eyes. It was the strangest thing I ever saw. When I first saw the
thing I thought it was one of the brothers up late (it was still a
monestery then). I wanted to talk to him and he vanished. It didn't
look like a ghost one sees in TV or film--It looked like a real guy
up until it vanished away. I later learned others had seen him and
there were many ghost stories there.
7. What scares you about Ghost Hunting or Paranormal Investigations?
Many things scare me. We are dealing with the unknown and anyone
who isn't scared is a fool. I have learned there are bad things out
there too. Not all ghosts are Casper the friendly ghosts--some are
downright evil. I see so many young people getting into this without
any ideal of the dangers that can exist. I have helped many who have
gotten in too deep. Most ghosts and haunted houses are OK and the
bad ones are only a small percent of what's out there--but if you
meet one, its enough to make you want to join a religious order and
spend your days in prayer! I have seen things in seances that would
make your hair stand on end! Once, I saw a tape recorder set on a
table to record a session, flip up, on its side, disgorge its cassette,
then fly off the table with great force and smash itself to bits against
the wall. I recall saying: "My, I'm glad its under warrantee."
8. If you could work side by side with one of the Paranormal Investigator
greats, who would it be?
Dr. Nandor Fodor comes to mind. His books were a great help to me.
He lived in the early to mid 20th Century. Another great would be
Herward Kerington. I would love to have met Harry Price. I did have
the distinct pleasure of working with the great Dr. Thelma Moss once.
9. Read any good Paranormal Books lately other then your own?
I read many books on the paranormal all of the time. The Ghosts of
the Windy City is great by my friend Dale K. Also Real ghosts by Brad
Steiger is good--just re-read the book. But, anything by Streiger
is good.
10. What Question do people ask you most when you tell them your a
paranormal investigator, writer?
I get all the jokesters asking if I really believe in ghosts--I
say yes and you should too. Most are curious about ghost hunting and
ask if I am a 'ghost buster' I tell them no--its too hard to handcuff
ghosts to bust them.
11. In your opinion, Where is the most Haunted city in America?
In Order: 1) Washington DC, 2) New Orleans, 3) Hollywood, CA, 4)
Boston, Mass, 5) San Francisco, 6) Virginia City, NV, 7) New York
City, NY, 8) Tombstone, AZ, 9) Gettysburg, PA, 10) Chicago, IL, 11)
San Antonio, TX, 12) Charleston, SC, 13) Williamsburg, VA. Really
Washington and New Orleans is a coin toss, both are ghost ridden.
12. Do you feel more people should get involved with Ghost hunting
or Paranormal Investigation?
YES. But learn as much as you can and keep an open mind. Also the
goal of ghost hunting is to collect data and process it to discover
the nature of ghosts and haunted places.
13. What does the future hold for you?
More ghost hunts I hope-- I would love to travel more and work with
others. I would love to found a ghost hunting/paranormal university
that could continue my work after I have crossed over. I plan to continue
this work on the other side as well. There are a great many people
I am going to come back and haunt! The Great Randi is first on the
list!
14. Paranormal Conventions do you see them growing? And which ones
are the Must go to ones?
Las Vegas--I really have not attended many but I have heard the
ones at Gettysburg are a real must see.
15. What is your most favored tool of the trade?
I like dowsing Rods and recorders.
16. Tell us about your best moment in investigating or conference
attending for you?
The one at Virginia City, NV. Loved meeting with people and comparing
notes.
17. What is the hardest part about being a paranormal writer?
Finding places to get published and open minded publishers. You
are also targeted by skeptics and denounced by people as a fake. Its
been hard for my kids who have suffered at school from classmates
taunting them and even getting pulled aside by teachers and harassed.
Once my daughter was accused of being a satanic worshiper. Why? Because
of what I do and the fact she wore black allot. The woman even said
"Everyone knows that people who wear black worship the Devil!"
(this is a public school mind you) I told her to ask Father O'Brien
about this--he wears black all the time. I have gotten hate mail from
people who say I work for satan and even hate mail from Satanic Worshipers
(not witches--my sister is Wiccan--they are cool).
18. How do you document your investigations?
I always make a report! You must make copies--send them out and share
them. It is best to publish them. Publish or you are wasting your
time. I am shocked by many groups who do not publish their finding
and put the in a file case someplace or in a box in the basement.
That's not science folks. Too many people are not really interested
in research but just playing in the dark.
19. Have you ever taken a ghost Tour? And, What about it did you not
like?
I give ghost tours and I have taken them. They are only as good as
the leader. I have been on some great ones and some that were just
so much storytelling. Still, I like a good story teller. Even the
worst is doing good because they are raising interest in the subject
and opening people to the possibility that the world is greater than
we think.
20. What in the field of ghost hunting and Paranormal Investigating
needs the most attention.
I could write a book on this question.
1) we need a clear and agreed upon common jargon. We do not have
good terminology. Definitions need to be agreed upon and used.
2. We need a way to compare what we find in our investigations. The
net is helping but we need more communication.
3. We need to take ego out of the mix. Too many ghost hunters have
egos the size of opera singers. The same goes for psychics.
4. We need to establish ethics for ghost hunting. I have some I teach
to my select students. Like: Don't trespass and don't damage property.
Be like a ghost so that no one knows you were there.
5. We need a sort of clearing house where all sorts of ghost hunters
from the most flaky to the most scientific can come and share their
theories and findings. Maybe a magazine or a group like doctors who
have the AMA.
6. I feel ghost hunting should be split from Parapsychology--They
are too busy with ESP and such to look for ghosts--and a new study
formed like Phantomology or Ghostology. A field that would just study
this one phenomena.
The official Web
site of RICHARD SENATE - www.ghost-stalker.com
IS ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE
TO HIS THOUSANDS OF FANS AROUND THE WORLD AND CELEBRATING OVER TWELVE
YEARS ON THE INTERNET AS YOUR GHOST HUNTER.
Author of Ghost Stalker's Guide To Haunted California
(Mass Market Paperback)
by Richard Senate (Author), Jane E. Gilbert (Editor, Photographer),
John Whyman (Author)
