New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
The fact that we live in strange times is one of the few things on which virtually everybody can agree. Interest has never been higher in subjects that were once considered to be fringe, the exclusive province of "weirdos"—a term once used as a pejorative but has recently been reclaimed by paranormal and metaphysical enthusiasts and is now gleefully worn as a badge of honor. In many ways, we are living in a golden age of weirdness. Even after we rule out such mundane explanations as satellites, the International Space Station, and civilian or military aircraft, UFOs and UAP fly through our skies. Mysterious drones recently became a media sensation, seen by hundreds of witnesses ...
In the course of our periodic phone sessions, Searcher Group founder Richard Palmisano and I sometimes bemoan the fact that neither of us were born into the ideal era in terms of paranormal investigation. Gone are the days of Harry Price, Hans Holzer, and Peter Underwood: days when one or two experts in this field were high-profile enough in their respective countries to actually be invited to stay in people's homes, served meals and granted full access to explore potentially haunted locations (sometimes accompanied by their spouses). So much has changed in the field of dedicated and academic paranormal research since the late 1900s, and not necessarily for the better. Despite new ...
In the 1960s I lived in a haunted house; it was my introduction to scary phenomena and sleepless nights (not very good for a four-year-old). But something at that house happened: I developed a growing desire to explore and solve paranormal mysteries. By the end of the 1970s I had formed my company, The Searcher Group, to go out and explore the strange, dark world of the paranormal. In those first few years it was rough terrain: we had no internet, computers, or cell phones, and the equipment available at that time was reminiscent of Harry Price's field kit (very old school at best). This lack of equipment didn't deter me, however; over time I discovered techniques that worked the majority ...
Annabelle in Warren's Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. Photograph: AmityPhotos/Alamy via The Guardian It's hard to believe that the legendary Annabelle doll, who rose to infamy in the 1970s, is still making headlines—and yet here we are. It's 2025 and the red-haired Raggedy Ann, much like her legend and the frightening rumours that constantly surround her, still persists. She captivates us, and it's little wonder why. What is the history and truth surrounding this allegedly haunted doll, though? We have heard so much, from so many sources, that it's almost impossible to untangle her fraught history. From humble beginnings at an unremarkable antique store, to her ...
