It is quite common for people to confuse the terms ghost and poltergeist, but the truth is, they are two different phenomenon altogether. They may seem to have some similarities, but upon further investigation, the differences become clear. Read on to learn about the differences between ghost and poltergeist.
Cause of Presence
The primary difference between a ghost and a poltergeist is their cause of presence. A ghost is a disembodied human spirit whose presence comes from a violent, untimely death or other major trauma. They are the spiritual remains, or soul, of a person who has unfinished business in life that keeps them from passing on from the physical world.
Poltergeists, on the other hand, are not human spirits at all, but rather an intelligent energy. It is believed that these energies come from an unknown source and are drawn to a living person, usually a young adolescent, who is going through a period of emotional stress. Poltergeists feed off the energy and emotions of their host in order to manifest, often in a destructive way.
Pattern of Activity
Another major difference between ghosts and poltergeists is their pattern of activity. Ghosts tend to move in a predictable and consistent manner; they are known to frequent certain areas and may even return at regular intervals. Most ghosts are also relatively passive, and will simply observe people and interact with objects, rather than actively engaging with or frightening those they come across.
In comparison, poltergeists can be very active in their disturbed state. They are known to make loud noises, move objects and even haunt people, attempting to physically and mentally harm them. Poltergeists have been known to cause furniture to fly across a room and objects to be thrown. This type of activity is much more chaotic and unpredictable than that of a ghost.
Life Span
The life span of a ghost and poltergeist differ considerably. Ghosts will generally stay in the same place for a long period of time, either until the unfinished business that is causing them to linger is resolved, or until a special ritual is performed to help them move on. This could mean years, if not decades, of haunting activity.
On the other hand, poltergeists are more ephemeral in nature. The activity of a poltergeist is usually only present when the host of the energy is going through an emotionally charged period. Once the host’s emotions settle and the stress dissipates, the poltergeist activity will dissipate as well.
Form of Manifestation
Both ghosts and poltergeists are known to manifest in physical form, but in different ways. Ghosts typically show their presence in a few different ways, including sudden drops in temperature, visual and auditory sightings and sensing a presence. Aside from these physical manifestations, many people also report feelings of being watched or a feeling of dread in areas where ghosts are known to be present.
Poltergeists, in comparison, often manifest in a much more physically disruptive way. As previously stated, they are known to move furniture and other items, create loud noises, and even act directly on the people they are haunting. As their name implies, these spirits cause mischievous and sometimes dangerous disturbances.
Reaction to Clearings
Upon learning of a presence, many people today turn to energy healing and space clearing to remove any unwanted spirits. How a ghost or poltergeist responds to this treatment differs considerably. When a ghost is cleared away using energy healing, they will generally pass away peacefully, and will no longer be present in the location they were haunting.
In contrast, clearing a poltergeist with energy healing can have unexpected results. Due to the unknown source of their energy and their connection to an individual person, clearing their energy can cause an accumulation of it to manifest in an outwardly destructive manner.
Purpose of Presence
The purpose of a ghost’s presence is often seen as one of guidance, support or simply waiting for unfinished business to be addressed to bring closure to their existence. Even a ghost whose presence seems troubling is usually offering a message or behaving in a way that seeks to bring attention to a neglected issue. It is up to the person experiencing the presence of a ghost to figure out the meaning behind their behavior and what can be done to free them.
The purpose of poltergeists, on the other hand, is much more maligned and destructive. Poltergeists feed off the energy of their host and create disruption to gain attention and satisfy their own needs. There is no need to interpret the message behind their behavior, as it is often purposefully disruptive in nature.
Releasing A Presence
Once a ghost or poltergeist has been identified, it is important to understand how to properly release them from the living environment. Each entity requires a different approach, depending on the intention and purpose of their presence. A ghost is usually released through spiritual rituals and offerings, while poltergeists may be let go through energy healing, smudging and other methods designed to clear away the energy they are feeding off of.
When releasing a ghost, it is important to do so with reverence, as they are the souls of someone who existed in life. Poltergeists, on the other hand, should be released with caution, as the removal of their energy could lead to a manifestation of the buildup of it in a physical way.
Conclusion
While ghosts and poltergeists may seem to have some similarities, they are completely different entities with distinct causes, behaviors and methods of release. Understanding the difference between a ghost and a poltergeist is important, so that proper action can be taken to protect the living, release the entity peacefully and enable both to move on from the physical world.
