I am not sure what we have. We have heard many things. We have been lightly touched, but the only thing we have seen is a few dark shadows. I don't know what to think or do. I am going to lose both of my employees though if something doesn't happen quickly. They are young and scared.

Gosh, Deborah, I hate to hear that your employees are so frightened by this.
Do you know the history behind the building and/or land your shop sits on? Sometimes just knowing what you are dealing with makes it a little easier. I'd rather be haunted by the ghost of a kindly little old lady vs. a mass murderer any day!
If a light touch is all that has been experienced, maybe this is a protective spirit, reassuring you that he or she is glad you are around and just acknowledging your presence. You may want to try explaining that to your employees.
Something that I have found helpful is to actually say out loud sometime when the shop is empty, "Hey, I know you are here. You are welcome to stay, but please don't frighten my employees or customers..." In other words, address this spirit as you would a living person.
You might be surprised at how cooperative your ghost might be!

Hi Deborah,

I was going to mention the same thing as Carrie did, about addressing the ghosts. Just talk to them as you would any person (be firm and resolute, but don't sound hostile or cuss, etc.) - acknowledge their presence and tell them there are boundries. Tell them they are welcome to stay, so long as there is no more touching of employees (and whatever else they're doing you'd like to be stopped - and you can designate places within the shop that are off-limits to them). And if they cannot follow the rules you've set down, they'll have to leave. Oddly enough, they've been known to follow rules we set down for them. Give it a shot.

You might also consider smudging the shop with sage and cedar. (If you didn't know, smudging is like a blessing with smoke.)

Good luck!

Kell

[ May 21, 2003, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: KellKell ]

I agree with Carrie and Kell.
I can't say that demons don't exist. I've never encountered one. But I've met many, many ghosts. And all the ones I've met are just people. They think like people do. If they are mean and bad they do mean and bad things. If they are nice they do nice things.
It sounds like your spirit is of the latter and not the former. Maybe it just wants to be acknowledged. Or maybe it's trying to be protective like Carrie said.
Try taking some quiet time in the shop and see what you feel. You may be surprised to find that you get an impression of who is there. Talk to him. As Carrie and Kell said, let him know how you feel and what his boundries are. Everyone must have boundries.

I may also be wrong but I got the impression of young male adult when I read your post. He's just trying to be protective and wants you to know he'll be hanging around doing what he can to make sure no one gets hurt. But he also wants to be recognized (somewhat, no much) for his efforts. He seems like a nice guy.
This is just the impression I got. I could be wrong.

And talk to your employees. You don't have to be afraid of ghosties. I don't think you have anything to fear from this one.
And I agree, a good smudging or some prayers will help keep the positive energy in the place and sweep out the negative.
Let us know how things go.
What part of the country are you from?