How to talk to the dead

How to Talk to the Dead You’ve Lost

Maybe someone you loved has passed away, and you miss them. Or maybe you’re interested in learning more about your ancestors. Either way, you don’t need a psychic medium to talk to dead people. It’s possible to receive messages from beyond the veil. You won’t learn much, but you might learn whether your loved one is doing okay. Here are instructions on how to talk to the dead:

How To Speak With Dead People:

person behind fog glass
Unsplash / Stefano Pollio

Communication with ghosts is difficult, but it is possible. When you speak to a ghost, make sure you’re patient, allowing it to answer. You can’t rush the process. You might need to try a few times before you see results. If you’re still interested in reaching out to someone deceased, here are ways to speak to the dead:

Use an Ouija board to contact a dead loved one.

Quija board game
Unsplash / Josh Olalde

You’ve seen Ouija boards in plenty of movies, so you probably already understand how to talk to the dead. However, if you’ve never used one before, it’s not difficult. You will need at least two people to conduct this ritual. Instead of using a table, sit on the ground with your knees touching. Place the board on top of you. Then ask the spirit questions, like their name and whether they are friendly. It’s best to do this at night with candles. Place your fingers on the pointer, ask questions, and be patient.

Sit in a quiet location and visualize this person.

photo of woman in black top
Unsplash / pawel szvmanski

You don’t need any items in order to contact the dead. All you need is a quiet room and time to yourself. Start by clearing your mind and focusing on thoughts of this person. If you have a clear image in your mind, it will be easier to form a connection. Then ask your deceased loved one a question.

Wait until you receive a reply from them that doesn’t come from your own mind. You can also incorporate knocking or flashlights, so you don’t have to question your thoughts. Ask your loved ones simple yes or no questions. One knock means yes and two means no. Or one flash of the light means yes and two means no. Just make sure you use a flashlight with a button that is easy to press.

Use an EVP to pick up mysterious voices and sounds.

grayscale photo of man wearing black shirt
Unsplash / Gabriel

Use an EVP device to ask a ghost questions. An EVP detects electronic voice phenomena that you’re unable to hear during the day. You can use this device by asking your questions, then giving a lengthy pause in between each. That way, the spirits will have time to answer. Once you’re finished, play the recording and listen for any strange noises. See if you can translate what you hear into answers.

Hold a séance with your closest friends and family members.

lighted candles
Unsplash / Rebecca Peterson-Hall

You will need at least three people to perform a séance. Everyone who is involved needs to be open to the idea of contacting a spirit. If they are skeptical, the ritual will not work. Start by sitting in a circle and lighting three candles. Then close your eyes and chant to the spirit. Pick one person who is going to speak during the ritual. If that’s you, then ask your questions, and when you’re finished, blow out the candles.

Use an EMP meter to detect electromagnetic energy.

person looking at street lamp
Unsplash / Artem Kovalev

An EMP device lights up when electromagnetic energy gets high. Many people believe that, when they die, the energy from our bodies gets converted into electromagnetic energy. That means EMPs will light up when they sense a ghost in the area. However, you will have to stick to yes and no questions if you use this method. Let the spirits know that lighting up the meter once means yes and twice means no.

Work with a psychic medium to have your questions answered.

white textile on white wooden door
Unsplash / Ben Frost

Make sure you do your research on mediums and psychics because there are a lot of scam artists. You don’t want to waste your money on a fraud or get your hopes up. Remember, most of these methods are possible to do on your own. You might not need to involve a professional. You can talk to the dead on your own. However, if you have more questions about how to talk to the dead, a medium can help.

Signs The Dead Are Trying To Contact You:

selective focus photography of cemetery
Unsplash / Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Even if you don’t reach out to the spirit world, ghosts might try to contact you. You might know them personally, or they might be a stranger. Here are some signs the dead are trying to talk to you:

You smell weird aromas in your house.

glass perfume bottle
Unsplash / Siora Photography

You might smell perfume, cigarette smoke, or a certain meal that reminds you of your dead loved one. This is because they don’t want you to forget about them. They want to remain in your thoughts in a positive way.

Pictures fall over randomly or become tilted.

woman in white shirt photo
Unsplash / Laura Louise Grimsley

Your dead loved ones might knock over old pictures they want you to look at. They might also tilt them, so you have to keep adjusting them. This is because they want you to remember the good memories you share. Make sure you save these photos because they are important.

You hear sentimental songs all the time.

woman laying on bed near gray radio
Unsplash / Eric Nopanen

You hear meaningful songs whenever you turn on the radio. There might even be multiple tear-jerkers in a row. These could be messages from your loved ones. They’re trying to remind you that you’re loved. They haven’t stopped caring about you.

You have dreams of a dead loved one that feel real.

grayscale photo of sleeping woman lying on bed
Unsplash / Kinga Cichewicz

Having dreams of your loved one might just mean they’re on your mind. However, if it feels more real than a usual dream, they might be trying to communicate with you. This is their way of telling you everything is okay. They are safe.

You keep seeing the same numbers everywhere.

analog wall clock on wall
Unsplash / Steve Johnson

Whenever you check the clock, it’s the same time. Or maybe you keep seeing the same symbols, like feathers, stone, or stars. This could be significant. You might also find single coins in places you wouldn’t expect. If this happens frequently, it’s a sign the dead are trying to contact you.

You hear wind chimes wherever you walk.

brown and gray wine chime with enjoy today text
Unsplash / Aftab Asghar

One of the easiest ways for a ghost to communicate is by shifting the air and making wind chimes move. This is much easier than manipulating the physical environment in other ways. Remember, ghosts usually can’t grasp physical objects. They can’t interact well with the physical world because they belong in the spirit world.

You keep seeing the same birds over and over again.

flock of birds
Unsplash / JJ Shev

If birds do unusual things around you, it could be a sign from a loved one. Especially if that bird is a crow. This might happen with other animals as well, like butterflies and hummingbirds. The animal should hold special meaning to your loved one.

Your television turns off at random.

black crt tv turned on showing blue screen
Unsplash / Jisun Han

If your television turns off randomly, someone could be trying to contact you. Your television or radio might also be filled with static. This is because ghosts are able to manipulate electromagnetic energy. It’s a sign they’re nearby.

How To Talk To The Dead: How To Speak To A Corpse In Dungeons And Dragons

candy pack lot
Unsplash / Alperen Yazgı

If you’re playing Dungeons and Dragons, you might need to speak to a corpse. They can give you helpful answers to guide you on your journey. An animating spell allows you to grant the semblance of life and intelligence to a corpse of your choice. They will answer the questions you pose. The corpse must still have a mouth and can’t be undead, however.

The target of this spell is a fresh corpse. You can ask them up to five questions. However, the corpse knows only what it knew in life, including the languages it knew. It can’t learn new information or predict future events. That means it can’t answer the questions you pose about anything it did not know during its life.

The answers are usually brief, cryptic, or repetitive. The magic spell lasts 10 minutes and only works within 10 ft of the corpse. If they are undead, the spell fails. This spell also fails if the corpse is too old. It can also fail if the corpse was the target of this spell within the last 10 days. If you’re wondering how to talk to the dead in this game, this is the simplest solution.

January Nelson is a writer, editor, and dreamer. She writes about astrology, games, love, relationships, and entertainment. January graduated with an English and Literature degree from Columbia University.