Proving the paranormal
Some people take things for granted.
Then there are others who believe there is more than just what’s on the surface.
Dexter freshman Samantha Harris is one of those people.
She has been a self-proclaimed psychic since she was 4 years old.
“Everyone has psychic abilities, but as children, we are told not to believe things,” Harris said. “People should trust their feelings. People think I’m crazy, but I don’t care.”
Psychic abilities are common in the women of her family, Harris said.
Harris’ premonitions come during what she calls a “psychic sleep,” which can be distinguished from a regular dream by its vividness.
Premonitions about death are the ones she remembers most.
The first death premonition Harris had came just before her grandpa died in the hospital. She and her sister witnessed a dark object — what Harris calls “shadow people” — sink into the floor of her bedroom.
Harris’ mother also had a premonition about her father’s death.
“Two weeks before (his death), I had a dream about the exact time and the exact day (of his death),” Michele Harris said. “It turned out the way I dreamt it.”
Samantha Harris said she also has witnessed orbs flying around. One time, she saw a black orb shoot out of the carpet of her bedroom and into her dresser. These orbs have their own color theory, she said.
“Black is not a good color at all,” she said. “Basically, it’s complete negativity.”
She said she attempts to research and document the paranormal, despite her lack of resources to investigate.
Harris said she’s very respectful and scientific when she investigates things.
Some common tools Harris uses in her investigations include a digital camera, a tape recorder, candles, dousing rods and laser-guided thermometers.
These thermometers measure temperature changes on specific objects or areas.
“When it drops in temperature, that’s not a good sign at all,” Harris said.
Winter is when paranormal activity is at its highest, Harris said.
Dousing rods, which traditionally have been used to locate sources of water, also can be used to test for paranormal activity, Harris said.
To test, a person asks if a spirit is present, then holds the dousing rods still. If the rods cross, that means “yes.”
Harris said she also uses Tarot cards from time to time when she feels troubled.
“Doing Tarot is more like a guideline,” she said. “Sometimes it’s nice to have an outside voice.”
However, Harris said she would like to harness her psychic abilities so she can help people.
Zach Bracken, of Howell, Harris’ boyfriend, said he didn’t believe in the paranormal until he met Harris.
“I used to get annoyed,” Bracken said. “I thought (Harris) used to meddle with things (but) seeing that orb in her room — that’s what ignited everything.”
Bracken said he usually doesn’t tell anyone about their experiences.
“People will laugh at you and will think you’re crazy,” he said.
Michele Harris said credibility always is an issue when reporting paranormal activity, but there are legitimate people who have gifts and don’t just want to exploit people and turn the world of the paranormal into a circus sideshow.
“I’ve had odd things happen to me ever since I was a little girl,” Michele Harris said. “The phone would ring and I would know who it was and what the message was.”
Samantha Harris said a big misconception about the paranormal is humans are the only entities to exist in the universe.
“We turn a shoulder to what else is there,” she said. “I believe it’s ignorant and even cocky to think we’re the only ones around.”
One of Harris’ goals is to start a group in Mount Pleasant for people to gather and research the paranormal.
Anyone interested in being part of the group can e-mail her at CMUghost@yahoo.com.
