From skeptic to believer, this is my journey into the paranormal. Leading to an extreme experience in the old HH Mystical Shop. Within the historic Stone Terrace on James Street in Hamilton.
Centered around a stern resident ghost named Elizabeth. And a late-night Ouija session which spiraled out of control.
The experience serves as a profound lesson in “spiritual manipulation”. Where external entities can trigger feelings of deep anxiety in the living.
by Ghost Guide Daniel
What Led me to James Street
I spent years as a paranormal investigator before I considered myself a “believer.” It wasn’t a single event that flipped the switch, but a slow accumulation of the unexplained.
Two major hunts, one in Smithville and an infamous one at the Merritt House in St. Catharines. They broke my skepticism.
At Smithville, it was an experience told only to me, which was later confirmed by Psychics in a detailed way.
And at the Merritt House, it was the physical manipulation of objects. CDs that were destroyed the night before we arrived. Along with some nasty clear EVPs (ghost voices caught on tape).
Personally, I’ve always seen the occult as more than just ghost stories. It’s a hack, or manipulation of energy, in our reality.
All this fascination led me to use the Ouija Board. Those experiences eventually lead to the creation of Haunted Hamilton. An online portal for all things paranormal, alongside in-person investigations.
The Stone Terrace HH Shop
A few years later, we set up a shop in the historic Stone Terrace building on James Street South. Some beautiful history was built around the 1860s. These terrace houses are architectural gems in Hamilton’s downtown core.
The unit we took over was a darling to the city. For years, it served as Florence Nightingale’s, a nursing uniform shop. The lady who ran that shop owned the building and leased the space to us.
It all felt right. But inexperience is a killer!
The HH Shop only lasted a few months. We’d like to think it was “voodoo” from the competition. But most likely, it was the lack of experience running a retail business.
But in those few months, the ghostly energy of the building was undeniable.
Psychic Warning from the Spirit of Elizabeth
Having an in-shop psychic was great. Our resident psychic at the time was the real deal. Having helped us with a couple investigations. Knowing information she couldn’t have found through logical means.
And she shone a light on the main resident ghost of the shop. A stern woman named Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was a strict, older woman seen frequently in the backroom.
Such as one morning, the Shopkeeper arrived to open. Coming into a shop shrouded in shadows. But clear in the backroom was a hunched figure moving around near the computer.
Elizabeth may be confused about technology. Not liking it in her shop.
Ouija Session Went Wrong
By this time, I was deep into Ouija communication. Completely obsessed with perfecting its ancient technique.
Wrote a book about it!
How to Safely Use The Ouija Board is available on Amazon
Ancient because this art of divination has been around since Ancient China. Starting as a form of automatic Writing, which was perfected later by Fuld’s Ouija.
And note, this experience happened long before I’d consider myself an expert. So, no judgement!
Late one evening after the shop was closed. The Shopkeeper, a former Tour Guide, and I decided to contact Elizabeth. Using the best divination tool around … The Ouija Board.
Which was naughty of us. The Psychic specifically told us never to do this without her assistance. As Elizabeth was, “… a strong entity”. But, like rebel kids, being told not do something made us want to do it more!
A Negative Room
The session started slow. Just the usual rhythmic pulls on the planchette (aka pointer). But then the planchette sped up. With a strength I’d never experienced.
And that’s when the room shifted.
The air felt thick. Just like moments before a massive thunderstorm. As if there’s a build up of extreme energy about to explode.
That energy changed. Bringing a feeling of negativity and fear.
We felt eyes on us. A malicious gaze coming from the darkness of the Psychic’s parlour. And, of course, the backroom by the computer.
We didn’t finish the session. Letting go of the planchette without closing the session (big mistake). Packed up and left immediately.
Then returning the next morning, the shop felt perfectly fine. Thankfully, the energy had dispersed.
This kind of “spiritual manipulation” is often misunderstood. Felt as general anxiety by those who are not knowing.
When not realizing this in a negatively haunted place, many think it’s just a bad day. But knowing the feeling leads to recognition of it as external. A fact which I believe can help many. Especially those living in older houses or buildings.
The Shop on James Street is Open
Today, that unit at Stone Terrace on James Street in Hamilton is a wonderful Bubble Tea place.
I often stop by for a drink after leading the Hamilton Dark History Tours. Reliving all my memories of that space. And Elizabeth.
Talking with the current owner. Never feeling the need to say a word about the ghostly history. Some things are better left alone.