Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Ever see a shadow out of the corner of your eye? Ever notice a cupboard or closet door open that you know you closed? Ever hear a voice or sound when you know you’re alone in the house? Ever wonder if any of these things have to do with the paranormal?
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
Karralena Castaway of The Aroostook Paranormal Investigation Society provided details of the group’s purpose and tales from the investigation field.
Well, if you do experience these strange happenings from time to time and suspect they may be connected to the spirit world, there is a local organization that just might be able to help you get answers.
The Aroostook Paranormal Investigation Society was founded in 2007 by Michaela Sainte. Michaela always had an interest in the paranormal and was inspired to begin the society by stories and experiences surrounding an abandoned military installation in the area.
In 2009, TAPIS became a not-for-profit organization when Michaela’s sister, Karralena Castaway, came on board as an educator and business adviser. The society has conducted a handful of investigations in the area over the years, including a thorough study of the decommissioned Nike missile base in Connor, one of 265 such sites in the U.S.
The details of the investigations are kept confidential to protect the privacy of those involved, but Castaway reports that a lot of times there are logical explanations for what a home- or landowner is experiencing.
It’s those common-sense explanations that TAPIS investigates first. Strange noises can be attributed to many different mechanical or structural causes in the older homes that exist in the local community. Castaway also contends that one’s mental or physical state can cause a lot of strange sensations or sightings. According to Castaway, an experience called matrixing, in which people can see shapes and forms in patterns or designs, is also not uncommon.
Castaway offers that there are also usually logical explanations for the suspicious spots, or “orbs,” that people sometimes see in photographs. Some of spots can be dust mites or moths, even bats or birds. Castaway also warns that if a photo was taken in the vicinity of a fireworks display, residual smoke from the fireworks can linger and appear in photos as these “orbs.”
If TAPIS conducts an investigation and does not find a logical explanation for what is occurring, then they may assume that it is connected to the paranormal. With the home- or landowner’s permission, the group will conduct a paranormal investigation, which first involves research of the property’s history. Simple equipment such as a voice recorder and video camera are also used to pick up strange voices or visuals. The group may also conduct a ceremony with the use of stones to detect spirits.
TAPIS will conduct a smudging or incense burning ceremony if detected paranormal activity is causing harm or stress to their client. Castaway stresses, however, that the members of TAPIS are not exorcists. They do not guarantee with 100 percent certainty that their rituals will rid the property of the spirits. Castaway advises that as long as the spirit is not harmful or angry, TAPIS will be more likely to offer tips on how to co-exist with the entity than to try to get rid of it.
According to Castaway, a spirit doesn’t necessarily have to have died on the property to exist there. In some cases, the location may be where the person was happiest during their lifetime. Castaway also believes that some spirits are simply attracted to certain people and stay with them wherever they go. Castaway advises that a lot of spirits do not know that they’ve passed and wonder who is inhabiting their space with such strange, modern clothing and devices.
Castaway was able to share minimal details of a couple of investigations the group has conducted over the years. One involves graves belonging to a mother and her children that were found in a local cemetery. It is rumored that the family members all perished in a fire and what remained of the structure became virtually uninhabitable because anyone who moved in heard frequent giggling from children and items were constantly moving on their own. TAPIS tried to conduct research about the fire, but could find nothing to substantiate the story. The structure is no longer standing, so the mystery of the mother and children remains.
One of the more substantial investigations, at least for TAPIS members, involved another home in the area where it was reported that dolls and other items moved on their own. Strange noises and moving figures were also detected. At the time of this particular investigation, TAPIS consisted of 10 members. None of the members witnessed any of the strange activity, but they did detect an ominous presence in the home.
Castaway reports that most of the members who conducted the investigation fell into a serious run of bad luck within 48 hours of the investigation’s completion. Many had family members experience health issues, a vehicle was rendered inoperable and one member left without any word to the group of where they were going. The experience left the group with just three full-time members.
According to the TAPIS website, the group has also conducted investigations on properties in Caribou, Easton and Fort Fairfield.
Since TAPIS is a non-profit group, they do not charge a fee for their investigations, but do ask for a traveling donation. They will cover Aroostook County from Limestone and surrounding areas to Houlton. TAPIS also does work beyond their investigations, such as sponsoring community events and fund-raisers. They conduct graveyard tours, host teas and offer education classes through their Lady Luna Moth sub-group.
