As I find myself in reflection at the dawn of this new year, I am looking back on my ghost hunting adventures and noticing some patterns. I always seem to find creepy dolls just about everywhere I go. From thrift stores to Tiki Bars, historical homes to eclectic hotels, and even hiking trails.... I always find them. Their lifeless eyes always seem to study me and follow me regardless of location.
If you have ever seen the movie Jaws the title of this post might sound familiar. The monologue describing the shark's eyes as looking like a doll's eyes is spot on. And pretty freaking spooky. Most children love dolls. Many can never seem to get enough! In contrast however, many adults do not. So when does this shift occur? What is it about adulthood that changes our perception on dolls? All interesting questions to ponder.
Am I a fan? Yes and no.... Yes I find my curiosity heightened in their presence due to the possibilities for paranormal research. And no because I cannot help but find them unsettling and eerie. So maybe I should land on " it's complicated" instead.
Perhaps we should dive into a little history to further understand why there is such a thing as haunted dolls in the first place. Dolls are objects that appear across many cultures and date back as far as 4000 years ago with the discovery of a clay figure unearthed on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria. Egyptians fashioned theirs from cloth and papyrus, others cultures from sticks and rags, and many more resourceful varieties of materials. One common factor that spans time and locations are simply that they were around consistently. This increases their odds for spiritual attachment. Many researchers have inquired, WHY a doll would be the vessel chosen by a spirit. That is more complicated. If you subscribe to the notion that since the doll is so commonplace it becomes more likely to become a source for attachment, you would not be wrong. That is part of it. Personally, I believe there is more at play.
For thousands of years humans created dolls to mirror our own likeness. To a spirit this similarity in appearance might make the most sense as a vessel. For child spirits it could also involve more emotion and personal feelings. To a child, the doll is monumentally important. To the child the doll may be a friend, source of comfort, or representation of control. Some theories point to children attaching to dolls because they are confused and perhaps do not know they have passed. The doll was their comfort source in life and perhaps now in death as well.
Do I believe dolls are capable of moving things around and creeping around to cause mischief? Absolutely not. But I do believe they could very well be a likely host for a spirit.
Don't just take my word for it. See the evidence for yourself. One of my most prized evidence examples is an EVP captured inside the Hotel Redland in Miami. I captured a voice saying my name when I did a session with a Victorian doll. Another is a session conducted at the Haunted History Museum in Cassadaga. Charlie the Rag Doll did not have nice things to say into the recorder! (Both videos are posted @SheHaunts instagram page)
So as I begin 2023 with some paranormal planning in front of me, I can't help but wonder what is in store for me regarding this topic. I would love to hear your opinion, theories, and findings.
Comments