A poltergeist is a kind of supernatural entity; it means “noisy ghost” in German. These supernatural creatures are mostly invisible and make your life very inconvenient. The common signs of a poltergeist haunting are flickering lights, puddles of water, and things going missing. They might appear harmless in the beginning, but their pranks turn violent after a while.
What Is a Poltergeist?
A poltergeist is a supernatural entity that is wired to create ruckus. “Poltergeist” loosely translates to “rumbling ghost” in German. It will make its presence known.
- They make loud noises, mess furniture up, and turn bulbs upside down to make your life more difficult.
- They start with pranks that are simply inconvenient and then slowly start doing more violent things.
- They can also be a sign that you are going through a deep emotional struggle.
Signs You Are Haunted By a Poltergeist
If you think your house is being haunted by a poltergeist, here are some signs you should be looking for:
- Random noises: You have loud noises in your house that you are not responsible for. In fact, no one knows why you can hear heavy stomping in the attic when no one is up there. You hear sounds of glasses breaking.
- Light flickering: It is one of the most important signs. Lights have started flickering in your house; bulbs are upside down or screwed loosely. You have called the electrician many times, but they do not find the issue.
- Things start disappearing: things never stay where you leave them. You remember leaving your keys by the door and instead find them on top of the refrigerator. Important things start getting lost and reappearing in weird places.
- Someone touching you: You feel like you are being touched by someone/something invisible.
- Being constantly watched: You feel like you are being constantly watched even when you are alone in the house. You feel a presence behind you.
- Puddles of water: You see puddles of water appearing in the house or dripping from faucets and roofs.
- Things being thrown: This is one of the most obvious signs; if you see your belongings getting thrown against the wall by an invisible force, you have a poltergeist in your house.
What Causes a Poltergeist
A poltergeist is not the soul of a dead person trapped in this world. A poltergeist is caused due to repressed emotions.
- If the house has a negative energy attached to it, a poltergeist haunting is more likely. Frequent fights and arguments may disturb the energy balance of the house.
- If you have been suppressing and burying intense amounts of negative emotions, then a poltergeist can feed off it. Anger, trauma, and misery are what keep a poltergeist active.
What Does a Poltergeist Look Like?
A poltergeist, unlike a ghost, does not have a specific look or appearance. You will not see a shadow-shaped poltergeist at the end of your bed.
- Poltergeists remain invisible and only communicate through noise.
- They are, however, still capable of moving objects.
Difference Between Poltergeist and Ghost
A poltergeist is very different from a ghost. A ghost is a soul of a person who has already passed away and has not been able to go to the afterlife.
- A ghost may have unfinished business in the mortal world and is still tethered to it.
- A poltergeist is tethered to negative emotions. It may also follow a particular person around instead of simply haunting a particular place/object.
- A poltergeist also remains invisible; it does not manifest in the shape of shadows.
How To Talk To a Poltergeist
If you are aware of a poltergeist haunting your house and want to understand it better, you might want to talk to it. Talking to a poltergeist that may or may not be violent is a tricky thing.
Be Calm and Connected
Do not approach a poltergeist while being anxious and nervous. Make sure you are in the right headspace for it; try to not do it alone.
Do Not Suppress Emotions
Do not contact a poltergeist if you have been in a negative headspace lately. If you have been feeling very miserable, angry, resentful, or any such strong emotions, deal with them beforehand. A poltergeist will feed on those feelings.
Do Not Ask Long Questions
Do not ask unnecessary questions; keep the questions short and crisp that can easily be answered with “yes” or “no.” A poltergeist cannot communicate in clear sentences.
Carry Small Tools
Have a flashlight with you that you can use to talk to the poltergeist. Tell the entity to switch the torch on/off depending on if their response is a yes/no.
Get It on Camera
If you find that the poltergeist is responding to you, get it on camera. Recording things like this helps with evidence.

Famous Cases of Poltergeist Hauntings
If a poltergeist is haunting your house, you are not alone. Several such incidents have been recorded throughout history.
Enfield Poltergeist
This happened in England in the year 1977, when a family reported strange occurrences in their house, with objects flying, chairs moving, and random loud noises. Several journalists and paranormal investigators have covered this case.
Bell Witch Haunting
This happened in Tennessee, USA, in the year 1817. A supernatural entity had been haunting a family and even attacked the family members. The “witch” allegedly pinched and slapped the children at night and broke the furniture in the house. She also left them with prophecies.
How To Get Rid of a Poltergeist
If you want to get rid of a poltergeist, you will have to address the root issue.
- Deal with your suppressed emotions and work on your trauma. A clear mind will not give the poltergeist strength.
- Cover your windowsills and entrances in a salt circle. Salt keeps away unwanted spirits and energy.
- Do not give the poltergeist any attention; attention makes the poltergeist more violent.
- If you feel overwhelmed, out of control, or trapped, consider getting professional help like a psychic or a paranormal investigator.
Summary
A poltergeist is a supernatural entity that feeds off negative emotions. A poltergeist is different from a ghost and does not appear physically. One of the signs of a poltergeist haunting is flickering lights, random noises, and furniture breaking without cause.
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