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pagan A worshiper of a polytheistic religion.
paranormal Something that is beyond the range of normal human experience or scientific explanation.
parapsychology The study of phenomena, real or supposed, that appear inexplicable on presently accepted scientific theories.
percipient A person who sees (i.e., perceives) an apparition or ghost.
phantom hitchhiker/phantom traveler A phantom traveler is the ghost of a human or animal that haunts a specific roadway, route, or vehicle. The phantom hitchhiker, who requests a ride, then suddenly disappears from inside the vehicle, is the best-known type of phantom traveler legend.
phenomenon A term used to collectively describe anything that cannot be explained in scientific terms.
physical mediumship A form of mediumship in which the spirit communicates using both the physical energies and consciousness of the medium.
place memories Refers to a location that captures energy and uses it to record an image of an event that once happened there and later replays it. Akin to a residual haunting.
planchette A palm-sized triangular platform, usually on wheels, that is used as a pointer during the operation of a Ouija board.
poltergeist A Poltergeist, which means noisy ghost in German, isn't really a ghost at all. It's actually a form of psychokinesis that is usually generated unconsciously by an adolescent, but may come from an adult with a troubled mind. A poltergeist manifests itself in the form of knocking noises, object movement and other physical forms.
possession The idea that a person’s mind and soul can be possessed by a departed spirit.
postcognition See retrocognition.
PSI Psychic ability or power.
psychic Of or possessing paranormal abilities. A psychic person uses empathic feelings to tap into nonphysical forces.
psychokinesis (PK) The mind’s ability to affect the external world and commonly referred to as “mind over matter.” Psychokinesis can occur either spontaneously or at will by some individuals. It is thought by many researchers to be the basis for most if not all poltergeist activity.
purgatory In Roman Catholic doctrine, the place where souls of people who have died in grace must suffer while being cleansed of their sins before they can be admitted into heaven.
Return to APS Glossary.