Glossary continued

Ignis fatuus - A phosphorescent or spectral light that that is alleged to be an indication of death. This phenomenon is thought to be caused by spontaneous combustion of gases emitted by rotting organic matter.

Illusion – A delusional perception between what is perceived and what is reality.

Instrumental Transcommunication/ITC- for short is gaining popularity among paranormal groups around the world. Hearing intelligable answers to basic questions on audio devices during investigations has been reported since audio devices were created over 100 years ago, but the phenomenon is not limited to audio devices alone. Computers, Televisions and even fax machines have been reported to recieve messages from beyond the grave that suggest it is possible to communicate with our departed loved ones through the use of standard technology.

Intuition – Non-paranormal knowledge that is gained through a perceptive insight.

Levitation – To lift or raise a physical object in apparent defiance of gravity.

Life Review – A flashback of a person’s life that is typically associated with near-death experiences.

Lost Time- Occurs when a person becomes aware that it is later than his or her memory of events indicates "it should be". For example, a person taking a drive that normally takes one hour, and seemingly did, arrives at the destination three hours after starting. It is often reported in alien abduction cases. 

Lucid Dreaming - A dream state in which one is conscious enough to recognize that one is in the dream state and is then able to control dream events.

Lycanthrope- is the ability or power of a human being to undergo transformation into a wolf, or wolf-like characteristics. The term comes from Greek lykánthropos (λυκάνθρωπος): λύκος, lýkos ("wolf") + άνθρωπος, ánthrōpos ("man") (Rose, 230). 

Magnetometer (EMF, gaussmeter) - An instrument for measuring the magnitude and direction of a magnetic field typically used by paranormal researchers to detect a ghost’s magnetic energy.

Majestic-12- (aka mj-12) is a secret US government group formed following The Roswell Incident to consider issues involving UFOs and ETs.  

Marian Apparitions – The event in which the Virgin Mary is seen.

Materialization – The act of forming something solid from the air. One of the most difficult and impressive materializations is when part or all of a ghost or spirit can be seen, especially if the face is recognizable.

Medium - Someone who professes to be able communicate with spirits on behalf of another living being, acting as a midway point halfway between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Mesmerism – A hypnotic induction of a sleep or trance State (See Hypnotism).

Mist – A Photographed anomaly that appears as a blanket of light. There is no substantial proof that these are related to paranormal phenomenon.

Momo- (a contraction of "the Missouri Monster") is a hairy biped that came to prominence in 1972.

Mother Ship-is a craft (typically a UFO) that carries smaller craft that can work independently. Mother Ships may be cigar-shaped. The non-gender specific "Parent Craft" has also been used. 

Motor Automatism – Bodily movement or functions that are accompanied but not controlled by consciousness.

Nandi Bear- is a rumored African predatory Cryptid. It is roughly lion-sized and particularly ferocious.  

Near Death Experience (NDE) – An experience that is reported by people who clinically die, or come close to actual death and are revived. These events often include encounters with spirit guides, seeing dead relatives or friends and a life review.

Nordic- are a reported alien type that resemble tall, blond, caucasian humans.

Ogopogo- is a lake monster in Canada.   

Out-of-Body Experiences (OBE), or a moment of decision where they are able to decide or are told to turn back.

Old Hag Syndrome – A nocturnal phenomena that involves a feeling of immobilization, suffocation, odd smells and feelings and is sometimes accompanied my immense fear (See Sleep Paralysis).

 Orb – A photographed anomaly that theoretically represents the “spirit” of a deceased person. It will appear as a ball of light on film though is some cases; they are not seen at the time of the photo. Since there are many reasonable circumstances (dust, snow, rain, insects, reflection, lens flare, etc.) orbs still remain a highly controversial subject.

Ouija Board - A pre-printed board with letters, numerals, and words used to receive spirit communications. Typically a planchette is employed to spell out words and point out numbers or letters.

Out-of-body experience (OBE) – A sensation or experience in which ones self or spirit travels to a different location than their physical body (See Astral Projection).

Paranormal – Referring to something that is beyond the range of normal human experience or scientific explanation.