Strange encounters with spheres of light are indeed on the increase, says Alan Foster, of Meare, near Glastonbury, who is an author, lecturer and researcher on UFOs, crop formations and paranormal and environmental issues. Various theories say they are balls of plasma energy, intelligently controlled artificial spheres, remote-viewers, ghosts, spirit guides or guardians, interdimensional entities or extraterrestrials - or even all of these!
"The opaque spheres seen in people's photographs, that are not necessarily visible with the physical eye, may well be actual consciousnesses or beings from other realms, " said Alan. "Their very existence stimulates debate and is an issue of great importance. Many people in these changing times feel that the dimensions are merging, or the veil is thinning, and perhaps this is also a reason we are more likely to see these spheres at the current time.
"It is important that we become more aware of the existence and continuation of the soul, as it actually enhances feelings of self-empowerment and removes the fear of the transition at the time of death. It also allows us to recognise on a soul level that we are equal to all other beings, even if they are technologically, or even spiritually more advanced.
"Self-empowerment, and the recognition of our continuance on a soul level are necessary attributes as the environmental, technological and ufological realities become ever more real. To me, the spheres, or spheres of consciousness, help to galvanise a belief in a bigger reality, and that there is more to life than just the material plane." However, bearing in mind the strong military presence on Salisbury Plain and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, near Salisbury, Alan reminded me of the 1996 book Psychic Warrior in which David Morehouse describes the CIA's Paranormal Espionage Programme, his experiences as a military remote-viewer, and "energy alarms" for detecting the presence of remote-viewers or other foreign energy sources.
"This relates to the advanced technologies allegedly used at certain military bases and secret underground bases that can literally detect the arrival of the subtle energy field of an out-of-body entity or remote-viewer's consciousness, " said Alan.
"As our modern camera and video technologies develop more advanced shutter speeds and light sensitivity this may be enabling ordinary people to capture images of subtle energy fields as well."
Letters
Last month I had an opportunity to visit a very ancient temple about 1500 years old.Every where in India photographing the diety is prohibited.I had a Pentax digital camera with me. The priest after performing the ritual worship left the sanctum sanctorum and went outside.Seizing the opportunity, I quickly opened my camera and took a photo of the diety. Coming out and looking at the exposure, I was shocked to see a white streak of light crossing the display screen.Could it be some anamolous light as the inside of the sanctum was partially dark?
Sharath Chandra , India
I didn't know anything about these things and still don't know everything I'd like, but I went to a seminar which included among other fun stuff empowering our cameras to be able to take pictures of unseen energies and spirits,entities, orbs etc. immediatly after that I started taking pictures of wierd stuff, and lots of orbs. Any night I can aim my camera from my bed towards the sliding glass doors to the forest outside and get multiple images of a variety of visible energies.These are definately not dust.I think the first time I flash them they startle and I get something good right away but then I wont get much in the next pics then they will start to float through the glass doors in hoards. They are funny they sit on the curtain rod or hide behind the chair and peak out. I got a picture of one hiding in the bubble wrap of a package I had just opened and another series of photos of my cat playing with one. He looked like a silly cat playing with the empty air but they say cats see spirits and I have proof now...cause he was playing with something and I have the Photos. I'm a sceptical person and have to prove these things to myself, now there is no doubt in my mind that there are unseen (to my eyes but not my camera) conscious energies all around us.
Ramona stafford bagley, Angel Fire, New Mexico
It's quite obvious that some of the orbs seen in many photgraphs are simply particles of moisture or dust, or perhaps insects caught in the flash (especially in outdoor night scenes in summer). There are, however, many very convincing orb photos that definitely are NOT caused by the aforementioned objects. I'm convinced that there is some form of energy that is capable of showing up as orbs in photos and videos. In view of the fact that valid scientific research (such as that by Dr. Ian Stevenson, formerly of the University of Virginia Department of Psychiatry) has, for all but the die-hard skeptic who accepts NO proof as enough, proven beyond a doubt that the soul continues to exist (and reincarnate) after death, I see no reason that orbs could not be that life energy in a discarnate state.
Shawn Wolfe, Memphis, Tennessee
Many 'orb' photos are dust reflections of the flash going off. But weird orb lights have been around a lot longer than flashes and cameras. I've seen a few - one especially compelling time when I was talking with a group of people out of doors and the light went rapidly overhead, seemingly low enough to make us involuntarily duck our heads. Quantum physics and the like says nothing about such things, but newer higher dimensional physics might give us some insight into how the 'soul' connects to our world. Or, more comically, they might be akin to the murderous spheres in the "Fantasm" movies.
Adam, Australia
According to quantum physics these 'orbs' are electromagnetic spheres that contain the soul-spirit-intellect of a deceased individual. They move at the speed of thought. They can appear on any film, they can write in any language on film. They are not 'dust'.
Julie, Los Angeles
I have seen them with my own eyes before photgraphing them so it isn't dust particles.
Jahnets, Seattle
This is real. I've seen it and know others who have. Don't have all the answers as to what "they" are but I do believe my eyes. Something is going down soon for sure.
anoma, New York
What utter nonsense. The opaque spheres seen in people's photographs, that are not necessarily visible with the physical eye are nothing more than airborne particle reflections (APR). And don't tell me there was no dust. There is dust everywhere. Even in Intel's "Clean Room" there is a certain percentage of dust in the air. All the camera companies are aware of the phenomena. Fujifilm even provides an explanation on their website (http://home.fujifilm.com/products/digital/shooting/flash.html) These anomolies are more common in digital cameras but the technology is improving. Digital cameras with large aperatures and large image sensors will create fewer of these anomolies than their smaller counterparts. Today's cameras show fewer ARPs than the first generation digital cameras. Eventually, they will become a rare occurance and the paranormal claims will taper off.
Buzz, Hammond
good story,in the near future videos camaras and camaras will be able to capture the spirits of our love ones or any other people I can see them all the times around me but peopel don't belive.
Diablo, NY
In my experience "orbs" can show up just as easily on regular 35mm film as on digital snaps. They can also turn up most unexpectedly. Three years ago I went to a location where some odd activities...possibly paranormal in nature...had been occurring and clicked off numerous 35mm shots which came back without a single "orb" present. This surprised me, as I was expecting them to turn up in two locations specifically. But no, there was nothing. Then, three weeks later, for business reasons, I photographed a collection of teak outdoor furniture being readied for auction...this after three days of misting rain had ended (so NO dust particles were in the air whatsoever)...and I got back orbs almost EVERYWHERE. Dozens of them. And with no EXPECTATION of such...nor explanation either, paranormal or otherwise. A mystery to me, now as then.
William Hancock, USA
Here in Holland and I am pretty sure in other countries as well there is the phenomenon of the orbs of light. Sometimes being seen as a small ball of light with a structure in it pictured by digital cameras. You can sense this energy also around us. I have never seen so much people around me being busy with the paranormal as nowadays.
Eric Blom, the netherlands
