Timely Topics
“Orbs”

What is an Orb?

The real answer is: No one is sure. Physically, an orb is a ball of what seems to be transparent light. Orbs are usually perfectly round (or very nearly so) and ocasionally show small trails of light indicating motion. They frequently show beautiful stained-glass-like patterns. As intersting as they may be, however, theories about what an orb represents are numerous. Paranormal investigators and ghost hunters disagree among themselves—sometimes heatedly—about the nature and importance of orbs in their work. Some discount orbs entirely; others count every orb as evidence of a spiritual presence. 

The prevailing theory, and one that we support, is that orbs are manifestations of energy from heat, power lines, people, or other explainable sources. They are not, in and of themselves, spirits. Spirits may use this energy to manifest themselves in some way—send a message through EVP, appear as ectoplasm, or cause telekinetic movement. How this may be accomplished is the basis of paranormal researchers' work. Seeing an orb is very like receiving a one or two word message, but not having any idea what it means. Something is going on, but only persistence and patience will yield further clues or answers. 

Many people capture orbs on photographs taken at special events such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, family reunions—even wakes or funerals. This makes sense because there is usually a lot of emotional energy in the area during these events and spirits are likely to have a vested interest in communicating with those present. Paranormal investigators usually take two photos in quick succession in situations with this kind of energy. Often orb energy will appear on one photo and not on another in such sequences. The energy is that quick to appear and disappear. That second photo might also provide evidence for what the orb more likely is: dust, pollen, raindrops, lens flare, or other natural occurrences. Because of the frequency of these other factors, we tend to err on the side of skepticism when we see orbs in a photo. While we have captured paranormal energy on film and digital media, we have just as often (perhaps more often) captured smoke, ragweed, stray sprinkles, or. . . nothing!

The photos we show on this site are of orbs we believe represent paranormal energy, but we still search for ways to prove this is true.

If you have questions, you can e-mail us at the contact us page on our website.