Inviting Spirits to Interact

When investigating haunted locations, paranormal researchers often turn to tools that go beyond gadgets and meters. One of the most personal and time-tested techniques is the use of trigger objects—specific items placed in a location to encourage spirit interaction. Simple in concept but rich in potential, trigger objects act as emotional or historical catalysts, creating a bridge between the past and present, between the living and the dead.

🎯 What Are Trigger Objects?

A trigger object is any item that may have meaning or relevance to the spirit believed to haunt a location. These objects are left in specific spots—often where activity has been reported—with the hope that a spirit will move, touch, or interact with them.

Examples of trigger objects include:

• Children’s toys in a haunted nursery
• Coins in old prisons or hospitals
• Keys in a former asylum
• Military medals in a war-era building
• Period items like pipes, letters, dolls, or clothing

Some investigators even use personal objects (like jewelry or heirlooms) to connect with spirits that may be tied to them.

🧠 Why Use Trigger Objects?

Trigger objects aim to:

✅ Evoke memory or emotion from a spirit
✅ Invite communication through subtle physical interaction
✅ Provide visual or measurable signs of activity
✅ Create a familiar or comforting environment for spirits
✅ Act as a controlled experiment to validate paranormal claims

In essence, you're offering something that resonates with the energy or personality of the spirit—almost like extending a hand across time.

🏚️ Where and How to Use Them in Haunted Locations

🎬 Setup:

Research the history of the location: Who lived there? What happened? What objects might matter to them?

Choose one or more trigger objects related to that history.

Place the object in a known hotspot—such as a bedroom, hallway, cell, or staircase.

Mark the object’s placement using:

Chalk outlines

Coins or crosses around it

Video cameras or motion sensors

Leave the area undisturbed or observe silently.

🗣️ Interaction:

Ask direct questions like:

“Does this belong to you?”

“Would you like to play with the ball?”

“Can you move the coin for us?”

Use trigger objects with EMF detectors, REM pods, or cat balls nearby for more measurable results.

📹 Monitoring the Objects

To validate any interaction, you can:

Set up night vision or full-spectrum cameras

Use motion sensors or apps to detect movement

Take photos before and after from identical angles

Use a laser grid around the object to catch movement shadows

Leave a notepad or chalkboard beside it for written responses

⚠️ Choosing the Right Object

Some guidelines to follow:

Ensure it is safe—nothing sharp, flammable, or fragile.

Don’t use items that may be culturally sensitive or offensive.

Prefer non-valuable items, in case they are damaged or lost.

Consider emotional tone—a comforting item may produce different results than a provocative one.

💡 Examples of Effective Trigger Objects

Location TypeTrigger Object IdeasOld SchoolhouseSlate, chalk, vintage booksMilitary BaseDog tags, medals, replica uniformsChildren's HomeToys, teddy bears, marblesHospital/AsylumPill bottles, uniforms, old photosVictorian HomeJewelry box, letters, music boxJail or PrisonKeys, handcuffs, playing cards

🧿 Respect & Ethics

Always treat the spirit world with respect. This isn’t a game—it’s an attempt to communicate across realms.

Don’t taunt or demand interaction.

Thank any spirits for their time, whether or not you receive a response.

Clean up and return objects to their original state after the investigation.

🔚 Final Thoughts



Trigger objects are a reminder that sometimes the most effective paranormal tools aren’t the newest or most high-tech—they’re the most meaningful. In a haunted place steeped in memory and emotion, a small object can act like a key, unlocking moments long buried in time.

So next time you enter a haunted room, try leaving behind a single item—a toy, a letter, a coin. And wait. The past may reach out, even if only to gently move the present.