GAZING INTO THE ABYSS

The review of the book Poltergeist Parallels and Contagion by Darren Ritson [FT423:55] raises an interesting point, viz. that individuals can in effect ‘catch’ poltergeist manifestations rather in the manner of possession. This is not unusual, and the same thing can also occur in cases of ‘ghost hunting’ where a ‘spirit’ (for want of a better word) can attach itself to someone who has been involved in the investigation. It certainly happened to me a few years ago while investigating an abundantly haunted small hotel (The Highland Hotel) in the village of Doune in Stirlingshire, Scotland. Unfortunately, I inadvertently succeeded in bringing ‘something’ home with me, and it proceeded to make itself known (as a truly horrible, very localised stench) until I exorcised it. It was like switching off a light, its departure was that sudden.

A few years ago, something similar occurred while I was writing a book about exorcism. I had spent some time studying aspects of Satanism and the Black Mass and had just finished the relevant chapter in the book. When I hit the full stop key, I instantly went stonecold from the inside out, and I knew I had pulled ‘something’ in. That night at about 3am, there were noises in the house as if furniture were being moved around, and knocking noises were heard coming from the walls; this went on for around 30 minutes or so. I was quite literally frozen with fear; then, thankfully, it stopped. Next day, I cleansed the house from top to bottom and to date nothing else has occurred. I was reminded of the remark by Friedrich Nietzsche: “Battle not with monsters lest ye become a monster and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” I had, indeed, on both occasions being looking into the abyss and the abyss, or what resides there, had let me know that it had seen me. Nowadays I am very careful when I get involved with matters that involve the supernatural and allied subjects. Brian Allan

Editor, Phenomena magazine Kincardine-on-Forth, Fife