Are you ready to step into the unknown? Attending your first paranormal event—whether it's a ghost hunting tour, overnight investigation, or haunted location walkthrough—can be thrilling, chilling, and unforgettable. Many newcomers feel a mix of excitement and nerves, wondering how to prepare for ghost hunting without overwhelming themselves.

Our experienced guides have led hundreds of investigations and seen it all: from sceptics becoming believers to guests capturing personal evidence. In this beginner's guide to paranormal investigations, we'll share practical tips to help you prepare for your first ghost tour or event. Follow these, and you'll maximise your experience while staying safe and respectful.

Dress for Success: Comfortable and Practical Clothing

Paranormal events often happen at night in old buildings, outdoor cemeteries, or abandoned sites. Weather can be unpredictable, and you'll be moving around—sometimes in dusty or uneven areas.

• Wear layers — Temperatures drop quickly in haunted locations (some say due to spiritual energy!). Start with moisture-wicking base layers, add a fleece or hoodie, and bring a lightweight jacket.
• Choose dark, neutral colors — Black, navy, or gray helps you blend in and avoids reflecting light during investigations.
• Opt for comfortable, closed-toe shoes — Sturdy boots or sneakers with good grip are essential—no flip-flops or heels!
• Avoid strong scents — Skip perfume, cologne, or scented lotions, as they can interfere with experiences or attract unwanted attention (from bugs or spirits?).

Pro tip from our guides: Dress like you're going for a nighttime hike. Comfort beats style every time.

Essential Items to Bring (And What to Leave Behind)

Keep your pack light—you don't want to lug around a heavy bag while holding a flashlight.

Must-haves:

• A reliable flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Fully charged phone (for photos, recordings, and emergencies)
• Notebook and pen for jotting down experiences
• Small snacks and water (stay hydrated!)
• Personal medications or comfort items

Optional but useful:

• Your own digital recorder for EVP sessions
• Camera (many phones work great these days)

Leave at home:

• Ouija boards or provocative items
• Excessive jewelry that could make noise

Our events provide professional paranormal investigation equipment, so you don't need to invest in expensive gear right away.

Mental Preparation: Keep an Open but Respectful Mind

The biggest "tool" in ghost hunting is your mindset.

• Stay open-minded → Approach with curiosity, not fear or rigid skepticism.
• Be respectful → These locations often have tragic histories. Treat them (and any potential spirits) with dignity—no mocking or provoking.
• Manage expectations → Not every event yields dramatic evidence. Sometimes the subtle moments—like unexplained feelings or sounds—are the most powerful.
• Prepare for emotions → Some guests feel overwhelmed. It's okay! Our guides are there to support you.

Guide quote: "The best experiences come when you're present and respectful. Spirits don't perform on command."

Safety First: Rules and Guidelines to Follow

Safety is our top priority on every paranormal event.

• Always stay with the group and follow your guide's instructions.
• Never wander off alone or enter restricted areas.
• Respect "no touch" rules for historic items.
• Inform your guide of any medical conditions upfront.
• In case of emergencies, we have protocols in place.

Professional events like ours are designed to be safe introductions to the paranormal—no jumping out scares, just authentic investigation.

What to Expect During Your First Paranormal Event

A typical event with us includes:

1. Arrival and briefing – History of the location and safety rules.
2. Equipment demo – Learn how to use EMF meters, spirit boxes, and more.
3. Guided investigation – Move through hotspots, conduct EVP sessions, and experiment.
4. Evidence review – At the end (or later via follow-up), review any captures.

Events last 3-8 hours, depending on the package. You'll have breaks, and our guides handle everything technical.

After the Event: Processing Your Experience

The adventure doesn't end when you leave.

• Journal your feelings and any personal experiences immediately.
• Review photos/videos for anomalies (dust orbs are common—learn to spot real evidence!).
• Join our community to share stories and see evidence from the night.
• Give yourself time to process—some experiences linger.

Many guests tell us their first event sparked a lifelong passion for the paranormal.

Ready for Your First Paranormal Adventure?

Now that you know how to prepare for your first paranormal event, it's time to book! Our guided investigations are perfect for beginners—safe, structured, and led by seasoned professionals.

Check our upcoming events calendar and reserve your spot today. Spots fill fast, especially around Halloween and full moons.

Have you ever wondered if the phases of the moon have an effect on paranormal activity? While Hollywood has led us to believe that the full moon causes werewolves to sprout fur and claws, the truth is that the effects of the moon on the equilibrium in our brains and the activity sustained in haunted places have been questioned by both the paranormal community and scientists alike.

In fact, many strange occurrences have been attributed to the lunar cycle. The word “lunatic” itself comes from the Latin word “luna,” or moon. Those in secure care often exhibit strange behavior during a full moon, with staff and emergency services personnel shuddering at the mention of it. If the full moon increases human activity, giving way sometimes to chaos, it also increases paranormal activity.

Humans are made up of at least sixty percent water, and the moon pulls at the ocean tides. It's no wonder that it can also affect the human body, governing our emotions. When the moon is round and full, our emotions are sent into overdrive. And if humans release their spirits when they die, it's no wonder that spirits are affected by the moon as well.

While the night of the full moon itself may get all the attention, it's actually the two to three days either side of this event that are considered supernatural prime-time. Other natural events, such as storms and geomagnetic fields, are also said to attract spirits. A thunder and lightning storm and a full moon at the same time make everything absolutely electric. The air itself prickles with activity, and the energy just hangs in the air. The divide between the two worlds is thinner, and the paranormal can be much more easily interacted with.

Between the 1840’s and 1920’s, the interest in spiritualism and divination was huge often made more fascinating by the fact that the mainstream church declared divination a crime against all that is holy. which only served to drive the practice into private homes and small gatherings. Before 1890 people made their own boards similar to modern day Ouija boards whereby a spirit might answer simple questions by using the piece of triangular wood known as a planchette to corresponding letters on the board. In mid May of 1890, a patent for the then well-known “planchette” and “talking board” was filed with the Victorians quick to jump on the new trend.

First brought to the market in 1890 it was seen as harmless pastime and a healthy interest was generated by victorians and their parlour games. The Victorians were pioneers in the paranormal and occult often using a evening get together as a good enough reason to indulge in Ouija board ,table tipping or spirit channeling all seen as devilish and worship of the antichrist in the Hollywood films yet both are effective forms of communication in the right hands.

Modern day ghost hunting and paranormal investigators use ouija boards, table Tipping and divination along side more modern pieces of equipment to communicate with those long since passed and they have had much joy in gaining an understanding of the other side. Used correctly the Victorian methods are not only eye opening but provide a thoroughly enchanting glimpse into the other side of the paranormal veil.

Table tipping another Victorian pastime is where a unassuming table with 4 legs not doctored In any way is either placed in a room or is already situated and those wanting communication would gather around gently placing fingertips on the table and would call out to spirit to move or affect the table in some manner. The photos from the 1800s show various states of the tables hovering in mid air seeming lifted by unseen spiritual hands, whilst this hasn't been seen by members of the team this would no doubt be an incredible occurrence.

Seances. A true Victorian seance is a sight to behold and one of my favourite things to do on an event. Each member of the group sots around a table with Pinky's touching and eyes closed and calls out to the spirit to use the energy of the circle, the group can often feel a brush or a breeze as spirit passes by the group, some may feel their arms moved or when eyes are opened you can often see the sight of a whirl of atmosphere as spirit start to try to manifest.

Into the Shadows are so pleased to announce the launch of our “Shadows Midnight Convention”, a fundraising event supporting the Martin House Children’s Hospice and also supporting paranormal solidarity to our fellow ghost hunting groups!

This event takes place at the awesome HMP Shrewsbury Prison on Saturday 9th November 2024 8pm to 8am!

Expect plenty of paranormal investigating, some amazing special guests and lots of stalls and exhibits to keep you busy through the night!

Head over to our fundraising page for further details!