Aussie writes:
assuming I am not a basketcase, could there be some explanation for these experiences that do not involve the paranormal or the supernatural?
If we are assuming you are not a basketcase, and we're throwing out paranormal or the supernatural (which I think is a good idea). Then we're left with one class of explanation: You were being fooled.
Now for the hard part. How were you being fooled?
We cannot rule out sensory mistakes... our minds and senses play tricks on us all the time. Even groups and multiple families are not immune to such mistakes. But... this path leads us to the answer of "in reality, it was nothing at all, it was all imagination."
Although quite possibly true, it's a rather boring explanation, so I will move onto the funner stuff:
Assuming the sounds/visuals were actually real, how were you fooled into thinking of ghosts?
This type of question is one of the hardest to answer. Because, by definition, if you knew what you were looking for you'd already have your answer.
So how do you uncover something when you have no idea what you're looking for?
Track whatever information you can.
Do not rely on your memory.
Look for patterns or anything recognizable.
First, forget about any experience in the past. Such experiences are already tainted by non-objective memory, rationalizing and group-interaction.
Then, record everything you can whenever you have an unknown experience.
What was the sound?
What was the visual?
What was it closest to sounding like/looking like?
What happened? - Be specific and as detailed as possible
What time was it?
What day was it?
What was the ambiant temperature?
Then you can start answering other questions later:
-Does it have any pattern in when it occurs?
-Is there any pattern to how it occurs?
Also, cameras are your friend. Set up cheap, easy cameras in multiple areas to try and pick up sounds/visuals while you are away. Carry one with you to record anything when you're present.
I, for one, would love such a supernatural-seeming puzzle to occur in my home. But then again, I'm a bit obsessive-compulsive in figuring such things out. Especially where recording accuracy is concerned. Most other people just don't care that much.
We moved from that house about five years ago, and never once has either one of us thought our new place had personality issues. The first weeks in our new place was a luxury, and we kept talking about how nice it was to sleep through an entire night.
Oh... so even if we do get "good guesses", we'll likely never know for sure.
You are almost invariably cornered into the answer of "I heard/saw some stuff, not sure what it was, I think it could have been this..."
A few questions just for kicks, then:
Did things always happen at night? Or just mostly? How often? Every night? Once or twice a month? The higher the freguency of occurance, the easier it is to track and discover. More in the winter? Summer?
Let me reiterate in case you misunderstood me: I do not believe in ghosts. But I really like the explanation of low-frequency sound, and I appreciate your response and links. This is right along the lines of what I am looking for in terms of rational explanation.
...
I don't think it explains everything, but it's a great start.
No where in the rules of reality does it state that your unknown issues are all from a single cause. It certainly could be a combination of one or two or more things. Add in the fact that as soon as one starts listening for "unexplained noises/visuals"... one is assured to find them. The chances that
none were imagined stretches any sense of credibility.