True Hauntings: Spirits with a Purpose, by Hazel M. Denning, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Thelma B. Freedman, M.A.
In JRT Issue 14, 1996

 

Hazel Denning, for decades a well-known parapsychologist and the true Founding Mother of APRT, has done something truly original: She has organized haunting entities into surprisingly common-sense categories. In doing so, she shows us the many different meanings of the word “haunting” and makes it clear that these are situations that can be dealt with humanely. The sub-title indicates her basic finding: These haunting entities have some purpose, something they hope to accomplish. Denning devotes separate chapters to entities who are guilt-ridden, malevolent, benevolent, bound by love, or restless; some entities seem to be here to help, but others need help themselves from the living; still others are here for revenge, or are just plain stuck. All need to be released, and Dr. Denning describes the gentle techniques that she has used successfully.

For over thirty years, with the help of a few good psychics, Denning has responded to those who need her help, and she seems to have learned from every case. Her book is the story of a long and brave adventure into unexplored realms. It is full of descriptions of her cases, illustrating the various kinds of entities she has encountered; she also gives us some historical cases that support her ideas.

She makes the point that too-strong grief or an unforgiving attitude can hold an entity against its will, and gives advice on how one can free such an earthbound entity or prevent it from becoming earthbound in the first place. With her strong sense of personal responsibility, Denning stresses the need for “we the living” to give permission to our loved ones to leave us on their separate journeys when the time comes, difficult as that may be.

Oddly, this is a comforting, sensible book. Denning presents haunting entities as human, still on earth for all-too human reasons. There are no devils or demons in this book. Instead we see entities still trying, usually vainly, to have an effect on the lives of the people they cared about; some do not even know that they have died. Her ways of dealing with them are described in every case, and they are compassionate ways, respectful and understanding of the entities’ dilemmas as well as those of the living people they are “haunting.”

The book is well-organized and reader-friendly, and Denning includes a comprehensive bibliography for those whose interest in seriously piqued. True Hauntings should be studied like a textbook by everyone with an interest in paranormal phenomena and/or life after death. And for anyone who has ever felt that they or their home was “haunted,” it is, of course, a must, and makes a very appropriate gift for them.

Also, it’s a great read!