History is time with a fancy name, and over time we leave our mark through experiences. The higher energy of an experience, the larger the impression it makes. One way to increase our energy is through emotions. When we get emotional, it rises and we exert more towards someone or something.

A paranormal term for this is residual energy — when you hear stories about an event being played out by ghostly performers over and over again. Cheerful and tragic events are an example of this heightened energy. For example, when a part of a house is considered “evil” (negative) because this is where, years ago, someone committed suicide. A theatre is an example of happy (positive) space. This is where the crowd is entertained (hopefully), and experiencing pleasant emotions. It’s this residual energy which relates history and ghosts.

During paranormal investigations, special tools are used to detect spirits. The common element of these is energy. From the EMF (electromagnetic frequency) detector to the diving rod, all of these have been created to read energy that’s different from our own, disturbances that make up a haunting.

A great example of residual energy came to us from the old Tivoli Theatre that once stood on James Street North at Wilson. When the front building stood, this place was a perfect storm of spiritual energy because of two main factors, it was historic and it was a theatre. This made it Hamilton’s most haunted building.

Residual energy was experienced by staff and actors. Multiple times they would hear the eerie noises of an invisible crowd moving through an empty lobby as if exiting a show. Also, a young boy was heard crying from within a vent at the front of the auditorium. Staff would investigate to find the vent dark and empty. They’d run away when the crying started back up again just after the covering the vent.

Nothing in life can be explained away with such a black-and-white view. Energy isn’t the only reason for a haunting. It’s believed that some spirits are aware. These ghosts interact with the living, either to scare them away out of anger, or cause mischief out of boredom. It’s this idea of a conscious spirit that leads to the best horror movies.

Under the old Insane Asylum are tunnels, and in these two conscious spectral woman wait. A security guard found them when checking the tunnels for trespassers. He heard voices from down a dark hall just behind an old wooden door. Opening the door he revealed the women sitting at a table, dressed in ancient nursing outfits. One of them looked directly at the guard (showing consciousness to his presence). She turned to her friend and said, “See, I told you he would find us.”

Whether residual or conscious, strong or weak, angry or mischievous, make sure when you’re walking through the old buildings of Hamilton during Doors Open this weekend that you keep your senses open to the energies around you. Picture our ancestors moving about their days within the same house, how their feet touched the same floor, how it was here that all the stresses and happiness of life came down.

It’s those common experiences which connect us through energy and time. After a while this open sense may become second nature, and then who knows what you may see.