With the numerous orb (or potential orbs) pics posted lately I thought now may be a good time to post about understanding them or at least what you may believe them to be. I have seen many orbs over the years and hope to capture some on camera as I begin my photo taking quest.

So what is an orb?

The following is simply my belief or understanding of them. By sharing this I am hoping to hear other opinions that may confirm or expand my understanding.

I think it is safe to say that most of us if not all believe the journey doesn't end here and that ghosts and spirits do exist. If you agree that we are energy and it is that energy that is us which continues then orbs are balls of energy of those ghosts that still walk among us or spirits that have come to visit. That would make sense to why true orbs are often intense in color or brightness. The stronger the spirit/ghost energy is the brighter the orb it may produce. Ghosts and spirits are not one in the same although they both may attribute to the orbs we see.

Based on an experience I have had, I believe that when a ghost materializes, becomes an apparition, their energy is expanded out which makes them appear cloudy like, see through even. Otherwise that energy remains in a condensed state or orb.

I may have spoken of this experience on another post but for sake of the topic I will mentione it again. We shared our previous home with a ghost. As time went on more and more things would happen to validate we were not alone. A number of times things that did occur were also witnessed/experienced by others visiting our home including some non believers and those that believed but still needed to experience something to fully believe. The house often had little white orbs that were visible to the eye - you could watch (although briefly) it move about. Witnessed a couple of times by more than myself was a little red orb that entered the room to quickly be surrounded by several little white orbs. Once they went out through the closed window and once into the ceiling. I have mentioned this because it is a lead in of sorts to the apparition experience. My hubby and I were sitting in a dimly lit room. I had glanced to the doorway which lead into the hall and was stunned to see standing, well more like floating, there an apparition . Hubby and I both stood for a moment in awe staring at it. It appeared to be an old man you could make out his shape and face. He was not solid more filmy/cloudy like. We both in unison began to step towards it. As we approached in a blink of an idea the cloudy vision condensed into a very small, very bright white ball and moved horizontaly backwards. We quickly followed it and watched as it traveled super quickly up the stairs which were only steps away. We still often talk of our experience together and regret that we did not have a camera close at hand. As unbelievable as it sounds that is exactly how it happened. His apparition was seen on a couple of other occasions including once in the middle of the day by a non-believer that was helping us on the day we moved out. Our non-believer friend fled from the house quickly and refused to go back in afterwards. He now believes.

So in my experience orbs are these energies and if you believe that in our world ghosts are everywhere then it only stands to reason that many of those little white orbs we see and capture on film are just that orbs. I know many times it is dust or bugs or something on the lens however I do think we may too often pass off or explain away an orb as something else. Otherwise how can we believe that ghosts are everywhere if orbs are not. Not to mention I am only speaking of ghost orbs, what about all the spirit orbs as well? Often you hear those with the gift or ability to see and communicate with spirit tell us that they are always with us and sadly so are many earthbounds (ghosts). How can so much energy be around us at all times and yet we seldom capture them on film?

Well thanks for reading the long post. That is my understanding, belief and experience, I hope to hear yours and expand my knowledge based on your thoughts and experiences. =)

Wow Cat! What a cool story about the apparition!
I've never seen an orb with my naked eye, although I've known other people who have. I've always thought that orbs could be the form a spirit could take if perhaps they didn't have quite the energy needed to materialize. I would think that it would take considerable energy for a spirit to materialize as a-full apparition. Maybe a little less as a fog/mist, and even less as an orb.
I've seen some great orb pictures, and have even had a few show up in some of my pics. I've always been curious as to what causes the color variations; you mentioned a red orb, and I've also heard several people mention blue ones. Anyone have some ideas?

Physically, it takes less energy to form a sphere than other shapes. That's why soap bubbles are always round. As far as I know, ghosts/spirits have a limited amount of energy to spend, so they likely spend most of their time in a state that requires the least amount of energy--as what we call an orb.

In order to appear as a mist or apparition, the ghost has to expend more energy, likely taking some from the surrounding environment. This is why cold spots occur, or batteries get drained. The ghost is using that energy for its own use.

Wow, Cat! What a great story. I'm not quite sure I'd want that experience for myself, though. LOL. I bet you hated to leave that house. I'm glad you decided to post this topic... as a matter of fact I almost asked the question "what exactly IS an orb, anyway?" when I posted one of my pics, but decided I didn't want to seem like any more of a goofball than I already had! Your and Kevin's theory concerning energy and apparitions makes perfect sense to me now that you've explained it. Thanks for helping me understand!

Cat! What a neat experience you had with that apparition! Did you or your husband ever find out who the man was? Or how he was tied to your home?

I have to agree with both you Cat and Kevin concerning your explanations of what orbs are. It just makes too much sense.

Carrie, I've always been curious about the color variations as well. I've heard, can't remember where, that the various colors changes are sort of like a mood ring, changing with the various moods of the ghost/spirit. Not sure if I believe that though. Could it be that as the spirit expends more energy the color of the orb is affected?

In my opinion, I've always found that dust orbs look very flat and lifeless in pictures, where an actual orb is very bright and appears to have some substance to it. I still have a hard time telling the difference with certain pictures though.

=)

Hi Guys, thanks for sharing your comments and thoughts. Orbs are an interesting little mystery.

Trin - yes we did research on the house and after a few yrs & our apparition encounter we looked for a little outside help (psychic, elder guidance, an acquantince with the gift). Each of the these people all said the same thing. There is an old man here still earthbound.
When going through the archives we discovered the home was first sold after the original owner builder of the home (built in early 1900's) died. Interesting enough for many years after the house changed owners frequently with most only lasting a year. The couple before us lasted the longest (3). We lived there 6 yrs. The guy that bought the house from us was away more than there (his job kept him on the road) and according to old neighbours, his two roomates only stayed a few months before moving out so the house was often empty. Not sure who lives there now.

I can tell you many stories from this house. I have to thank Liam though (that was his name) as he really opened my eyes and put me on my quest for further knowledge and understanding. I have had paranormal in my life since I was a teen but the 6yrs there were some interesting. Our current home is also occupied but this is different not as frequent as it was with Liam (he was almost daily it seemed) and not as bothering. Liam freaked us out quite a bit, although I did get used to it. Only wish I knew then what I do now: take lots of pictures, set-up video cameras & tape recorders etc. as I'm sure we would have captured some interesting things. Some orbs perhaps?