A Ghost Investigation of Mutual Respect
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I finally got the opportunity to tag along on a ghost investigation and the experience didn’t disappoint. Antietam Paranormal Society (APS), co-founded by husband and wife team Rebecca and Jeremy Boyer, is a group of individuals of, well…let’s just say great folks. Being a writer of paranormal mysteries involving psychics, spirit guides, and yes ghost investigating, it only seemed fitting I experience everything to get the full depth of creativity in my writing.
When I arrived at the Masonic Temple I was greeted warmly by APS members who welcomed me as I registered and signed a liability waiver. I entered a great room with antique grandfather clocks, ornate wood trim, and tall majestic windows. We were introduced to everyone and then had the distinct pleasure of meeting the Worshipful Master, Ben, and hear the history of Friendship Lodge, 84.
Ben took us from room to room and shared stories of past members who visit the Lodge from the other side. He also explained what it means to be a member of a group of such honor and integrity. He enlightened us with the activity that has occurred in the temple, such as a lady in white (who has been seen by some APS members), Al Davis, a past member of the Knights Templar and Chaplain, and a woman and child who frequent certain spaces. Al is believed to be the protector of the building and quite frankly will not tolerate any shenanigans taking place within the lodge, especially from women. But that’s okay, because it was clear to see that everyone easily gave Al the respect he was due. It was also apparent of the respect between APS members and associates of the Masonic Temple.
After taking the tour, learning the history and claims of spirit activity, we all arrived back in the great room and broke out into two investigating groups headed by the co-founders. We were also given the ghost investigating rules of etiquette for fellow investigators, as well as the building itself.
Then the lights were extinguished, flashlights were motioned on at a downward angle, and the two teams left to their ghost hunt destinations. I was with Team Jeremy and we headed upstairs to the Blue Lodge first. After getting acclimated and learning from Jeremy the tools of the trade he carried, we sat back and began our investigation.
Jeremy placed three LED flashlights in the middle of the room on the altar and ever so slightly maneuvered them in a position to allow the spirits to communicate by turning them on and off. And turn on and off they did. Questions were asked and answered through the flashlights and spirit box, and we learned that an Eddie was with us. Activity was a bit slow but it was still exciting to witness firsthand a ghost trying as hard as it could through the energy in the room to let us know that he/she was there.
Next stop was the purple room, one flight up, and where the Eastern Star meets. We were told the activity was heightened in this room, and again we witnessed communication through the flashlights and spirit box. After the first hour and a half the two groups took a snack and bathroom break on the main floor and organized a switch from upstairs to downstairs.
Team Jeremy was now headed to the “smallatorium” in the basement and Team Rebecca headed upstairs. Jeremy gave us the tour of the entire basement and again team members shared their personal experiences in these active areas.
After arriving in the small dressing room on the top floor, we all sat down and again began our investigation. With flashlights and spirit box on the ready we asked our questions and tried to get a response. With only receiving a small amount of communication through the flashlights, Jeremy, Ryan and Chris tried a different approach and began to provoke the spirits. It was to no avail so we decided to leave and head to another room. But as we walked through the room with lockers, our attention was called to a handprint left in the dust on the floor. Nobody had noticed it before and the size was quite large. Jeremy immediately radioed the other team and asked if anyone had been sitting in that particular area. The reply was no. Another odd factor about the handprint was that it was positioned in such a way that you either had to be on your knees facing the wall or oddly placed sitting down. Nobody could explain it so we chalked it up as a personal experience.
After three and half hours of investigating, I decided it was time to head home. I signed out on the log, said my goodbyes and good luck, and was kindly escorted by Jeremy and Christian to my car.
On my drive home I was left with a resolution to my wonderment of what it would be like to do a ghost investigation. It exceeded my expectations for many different reasons. First, the investigation as a whole was organized and ran like a well-oiled machine. The team was cordial, informative, knowledgeable, enjoyable, and downright funny at times. It was obvious this group jelled together like butter on toast.
Second, before I got this opportunity I wasn’t aware of the time and effort that went on behind the scenes to get an investigation together. There is research, client contact, paperwork, and let’s not forget the amount of time it takes to set up the equipment and to make sure everything is in working order. It’s not as it seems when you watch the TV ghost investigations. There is countless documentation that takes place before, during, and after an investigation. Let alone the countless hours to do the analysis.
So I raise my glass to APS to a job well done at the Masonic Temple. I thank you for the invitation to be a part of your group for a few hours and I hope you have many newfound investigations, as well as your regular hunts. It opened my eyes and will help me write particular scenes in my stories.
To those of you who missed out on this opportunity, be sure to stay in touch and watch for the next occasion APS has for a community ghost hunt. I can promise you, you’ll leave satisfied. And for those skeptics out there, that’s okay, we won’t hold that against you. But I’m here to tell you from personal experience, that I can definitively say I was communicating with a spirit last evening. Not sure if it was Al or Eddie, but whoever it was from the other side, I thank you for your time on our side.
