Researching The Paranormal 

Paranormal investigators help clients and locations learn about the activity that is taking place and understand what they are experiencing. Through exploration and discussion investigators provide support, knowledge, advice, resources, contacts, and connections for their clients. Each investigation is conducted with the utmost respect and intention. It is our responsibility to respect and work closely with the individuals experiencing the reported phenomena. We at times are the last resort they reach out to, that's why it's imperative to be competent and respectful.
​- Richard Moschella

Vampa  Vampire & Paranormal Museum 

The Vampa museum is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. This designated historic location in Buck County offers museum attendees an opportunity to step back into time and experience vampire lore. Through the supernatural, folklore and myth museum goers will come face to face with unique artifacts, antiques and artwork that will send a shiver down their spine. These items are very old and go back centuries, they are displayed and curated with such respect and admiration by the museum owner, Edmondo Crimi. This is the culmination of collecting and exploring the paranormal for over 40 years and embracing these ageless stories. The items in the museum come from all over the world, from various cultures and beliefs. You will come face to face with vampire killing tools, talking boards, sculptures and an intact exorcism chair. That saying if these items could talk comes to mind when walking through the many rooms of the museum. For those that are open to communication with the spirit world, these items are talking loudly and the energy at this location is off the charts. I was invited by my good friend Eric Mintel to contribute to an episode he was filming for his show Eric Mintel Investigates at Vampa. I jumped at the opportunity to work with Eric and to investigate such a unique location. When working on projects like this, I choose not to have any information about the location. All I want to know is the address and the time I am expected to arrive. I appreciate going in blind and not knowing any of the history and stories attached to the location. In the days leading up to the filming, I started to have nudges from spirits that wanted to make their presence known. 

This happens in a lot of readings, clients' loved ones communicate with me even before our sessions begin. When I focused on the Vampa Musume, I kept seeing an older man walking the property. I described him as an observer, watching the comings and goings on the property and mentioning a larger parcel of land. He directed me to the front and back of the location and pointed and wanted me to know “there was so much more than you see today”. At times I felt he could be a little standoffish with guests because this was a very special place to him. This is all information that I make notes on and bring with me, it’s all picked up on through my psychic clairs. Using clairvoyance (sight), clairgustance (taste), clairsalience (smell), clairaudience (hearing), claircognizance (knowing) and clairsentience ( feeling) you begin to get information on who you're communicating with. I wrote on the top of my spirit art sketch of the man “The Watcher” and tried to capture on paper the image of him I was seeing in my mind's eye. 



 




The Man ( The Watcher ) Spirit Art Sketch





The image of the man on the property was followed by images of a young girl running up and down the hallways of the museum. Perhaps he might have wanted to warn me about her and why he connected with me first. I would place her no older than ten or eleven years old and from the 1800s. I could hear the pitterpatter of her feet as she went about the rooms and even heard soft humming. I saw her in a flower print dress with puffed sleeves and white lace, she seemed to really love it here. Then something changed, I noticed as she lifted her head, her skin was pale white. Then I noticed her vacant eyes. She stood there looking back at me with black eyes, they were as dark as the night sky. Her eyelids did not blink but were transfixed and seemed to stair right through into my soul. This was jarring for me and I quickly let the image go and documented it in my notes. In the morning I would begin to make my way across western New Jersey and cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. I could not help but keep seeing the man and the girl in my mind's eye and knew when I arrived I had to tell Eric and Ed about the communications I had received. 

I greeted Ed and Eric on the front steps of the museum when I arrived. I told them about the images and messages I received before coming to the location. I wanted the information to be documented by the film crew and presented before I did my walk through. During my walk though the Vampa museum, a camera man followed me down its long hallways and into very unique rooms that displayed artifacts from around the world. As I turned the corner of one of the rooms, I gazed down a long hallway and felt the presence of the little girl again. Just like previously she appeared to be moving up and down this long hallway. The faint sound of her humming kept creeping into my head and then I asked her to show me her face. Then in my mind's eye, I saw the pale white skin and the black eyes. I explained to the camera man that to me this shows me a vacancy and possibly that something is portraying itself to be a little girl. I explained that her energy was very deceiving, it almost beckons you to follow her and then becomes negative and threatening. I felt that she's all over the museum and even plays on a stairwell that is off that long hallway. 
 



The Little Girl ( Black Eyes ) Spirit Art Sketch 


The camera man allowed me to just flow with the information that was coming in extremely fast. He was capturing the reading and kept following me as I walked through more rooms of the museum. Then I began to see an older woman, I would place her in her eighties. Her health was deteriorating and had mobility issues. She took great pride in her appearance and I mentioned seemed to be a little standoffish. I could even hear her saying “this is my house” I also felt that she was more upstairs. She would also watch the comings and goings of museum attendees. Her image did not last with me long enough to capture it on paper, so I moved on to another room. Just off one of the hallways is a small room with various dolls that are reported to be haunted items. 



The Doll Room at Vampa

This was an area of the museum that did not feel so great to me. The feeling of dense energy hung low and thick. People in this area could feel anxiety, sadness or even have difficulty concentrating. I kept seeing in my mind's eye a dark shadow moving about the floors. It seemed to be creeping over the floor boards and manifesting as a black mist. I did not even feel it was human but rather a non earthy energy. Grabbing my sketch pad I quickly wanted to capture what I was being shown. The camera man still filming captured the sketch happening on the paper. I began to use my charcoal crayon and make strokes on the paper. It’s head appeared and then it’s bent legs, that remind me of a praying mantis. It was dark and I did not like the energy. I explained that I see it coming out of the room with the dolls and lingering low on the ground and affecting people in different ways. I was told later that it’s reported that many find it very unsettling to look into the room with the dolls and some attendees can’t even stay in that area long. 



The Black Mist Sketch 

When you reach the end of the museum you walk into a room that is full of statues from various time periods of Archangel Michale. This archangel is the warrior of god, champion of justice, healer, guardian of the church and protector. In the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:7–12). Here, he engages in a cosmic battle against Satan, casting the adversary out of heaven and preventing him from accusing humanity before God. St. Michael's triumphant role in this battle marks a significant shift from the Old Testament to the New Testament. He has been protecting humanity ever since and many pray, carry relics and jewelry with this archangel on it. I too have a necklace I wear of Michael to offer protection, especially when I could encounter lower levels of energies. 

This room in the museum felt entirely different than the rest of the location did. I told the camera man that in this room I wanted to talk about family, Ed’s family to be specific. I felt that they might hear talking coming from this room and a much lighter feeling. I wanted to talk about Ed’s maternal side of the family and his mothers connection to the supernatural. Images of reading tea leaves and spiritualist practices appeared in my mind's eye. So much information came pouring out, I knew without a doubt that his family was very much aware of the paranormal world and Ed in a way was carrying on that connection. I knew that they were protecting him from the other side, especially from the lower energies that inhabit the museum. It was then that the camera man stopped filming and just looked at me. He asked me how it feels when this information is coming to me. I told him it feels like being in the zone, the outside world seems to drift away. 

Then information permeates my mind and messages began to flow. This knowledge is combined with images, smells, tastes and sounds. It feels like being a conduit and electricity is running through you. It’s being at the highest high you could experience. When it’s over you certainly need a few moments to come down from the high the spirit connection gives you. During readings for clients at the conclusion, they might be talking to me and I feel it’s hard to concentrate on what they are saying. That’s how in the zone mediumship can get you and it’s knowing how to handle it. When we met up with Ed and Eric to reveal what I picked up during my walk through. I wanted them to also understand that some personal information came through for Ed. I wanted to let them know in case they did not want to include it in the film, that I was fine with it. I knew Ed really needed to hear it and that the woman that I was picking up on with the mobility issues was his mother. He told me that they wanted to hear everything and that he was open to the information. I told him about the older man, the little girl with the black eyes, the dark shadow person but also what I felt in the Archangel Michael room. I told him that his family is protecting him and wanted to talk about a lovely woman who at the end of her life had mobility issues getting around. This woman then showed me an image of Ed under a spotlight, to me when this happens in readings they want the person bathed in light to be praised for something. Then I saw another spotlight that was illuminating nothing and heard the word brother whispered in my ear. I asked Ed if he had a bother and he informed me that he did. I then asked, did you do more for your mom then he did? She wants to recognize you and thank you for helping her, she’s telling me it was not easy. So much came through for Ed that let him know that his mom was still standing by his side and was so proud for what he has accomplished. I could not be more happier with the location reading, just delivering these messages to Ed was in my opinion what I came there to do. Spirit had a plan and selected me to be their telephone. 

Ed and Eric did confirm that many reported a young girl at the location and even during the investigation Ed thought he saw a small child where I described the girl to be. He also confirmed the man that I sketched to be one of the owners of the property. Ed said “you hit the nail on the head with the larger parcel of land” this was in fact a much bigger property. Ed also told me that the gentleman loved this location and it made sense on why he would still be watching over it. It was an amazing experience to be involved with the filming and get to work with Eric Mintel and his crew. To walk through such a wonderful curated museum that depicts a darker time in our history but still manages to offer glimpses of light. Ed is passionate about the work that he does and celebrates the diverse beliefs of various cultures throughout the museum. He feels honored to be a steward of these historical items that hold a significant connection to our past. He shared with me that he was impressed with my reading of the location, because I did not just focus on the dark energies there. Ed was happy to learn about the older man that has a deep connection to the property and was touched to hear from his family. It was important for him to know they are protecting him and how proud his mom is of his accomplishments. 

​

Into The Woods



On a warm spring evening I found myself in the middle of the woods. The sun was quickly sinking below the tree line and darkness was beginning to fill the forest where light was absent. As the wind crept through the trees, the leaves danced in unison. The last rays of the sun poked through the foliage with beautiful fire and illuminated small bugs and pollen floating in the breeze. Perhaps the small bugs were not bugs at all but the little people of the forest. The Fae, fairies have been known to inhabit the natural world and found a place in various folk beliefs, myths and legends. In Appalachian folklore, a common belief warns against answering and acknowledging a voice beckoning you to come into the woods. This mischievous entity lurks in the darkest depths of the forest and is considered a trickster to humans. The woods have always been a place where two worlds meet, the world of humans and the natural world with all its hidden secrets. 

As twilight fell, I was joined in the woods by my colleague Jennie Collucci. This evening we were presenting A Paranormal Evening with The Morris County Park Commission. During the event the public gets to investigate a historical location and work with various paranormal teams. The teams are usually located in different sections of the home that is being showcased, they bring different methods and perspectives in communicating with its spirits. When I was going over the details for the investigation at The Copper Gristmill in Chester, New Jersey. I asked the Park Commission, would they be interested in having one of the locations be outside the gristmill in the forest. Since I arrived at the gristmill I was being pulled into the woods, it’s extremely powerful and energized. When you're open to these energies you can feel them in the core of your being. It’s as if the soul of the forest reaches out to communicate with your soul. I immediately began to see many layers of activity in the woods. Through my mind's eye I began to see indigenous people along the river bank and moving through the forest, they disappeared into the trees but could still be felt watching all who enter the forest. Then I felt something much older and connected to the earth, this was a familiar feeling that I have gotten at countless locations over my career researching the paranormal. I was beginning to feel the presence of elementals, these spirits are associated with the four fundamental elements of nature. They represent earth, water, air and fire. The belief in elementals predates many major religions and evidence suggests that indigenous people sought communion with these earth energies. They are around everyone and everything coexisting with humans going about their everyday lives. When talking about elementals, we need also to acknowledge the Greek God of nature Pan. Pan is a powerful deity that is associated with the natural world and all the elemental realms. Pan is a representation of the primal force of nature, fertility, and untamed freedom. As a horned deity or a Gohart as he described himself, he embodies the raw, unfiltered essence of life itself.  Often depicted as a half-man, half-goat figure, Pan is associated with the forests, mountains, and secluded glades, where his presence is felt strongest. Pan represents the uncontrolled, sacred chaos of life, both its pleasures and its mysteries, reminding us to embrace our authentic selves and revel in the divine magic of existence.

During this Paranormal Evening event I knew we would all revel in the divine magic of the natural world. I could feel the energy permeating through me, it was as if all the layers of spirits were reaching out and screaming we are here and we appreciate you acknowledging us, we are ready to communicate. Jennie told me while we were setting up that she had a great feeling about this location I had chosen. In the weeks prior to the event, I took a long hike in the forest and asked spirit to guide me to a perfect location to showcase for our public event. During the end of the hike, I came to a section of woods off the trail that just felt very welcoming. The forest was open here and huge boulders were around the outside perimeter of almost a perfectly cleared circle. The word ritual popped into my head and that’s what this location reminded me of. It looked like an ancient site with stone monoliths encircling it. I knew this was the place to try communicating with the spirits of the land. 

As the sun went below the treeline the event attendees began walking out into the forest to join Jennie and I at the location. Through the trees we could see about a dozen flashlights bouncing up and down with each step they took. That sight alone looked magical as they walked towards us. We had a table set up in the center of the natural circle we created. On the table we had some offerings to nature spirits like honey, tobacco beads and even a small statue of Pan. We really felt that the word ritual was important and felt that would help us bridge communication with these spirits. I’m sure some of the attendees might have thought “why are we going into the woods” but I knew deep down in my soul that this was going to be an incredible session. As everyone gathered around the circle we began by acknowledging the spirits of the land and welcomed the elementals to come close. I then said “we are only visitors on your land, we seek to communicate with you this evening” I took out a sinning bowl and began to play it and have it emanate its rich sound throughout our circle. Music is also a wonderful offering to the elemental realm and the hum of the singing bowl drifted off into the darkness of the forest that surrounded us. I then let attendees select very special tarot cards from a newly acquired deck Jennie had gifted me for the evening. The deck featured nature symbolism and was fitting for the evening ahead of us. As I began to read the card spreads for the attendees, a very unique message became evident to us. We received messages about protection, observation, sacred place, tricksters, earth and respect. The elementals I feel were using the cards amazingly to open communication with our group. 




Path to The Outdoor Session

The Salamander image kept being pulled throughout the evening and I informed the attendees that it represented tricksters and resilience. The salamander can also move about its surroundings and observe the world it lives in. It is also linked to fire and rebirth and is capable of warding off negative influences and evil. The messages were quite interesting and the cards did not disappoint, they told a story that flowed. A story of respecting the place, the earth and knowing that we are in their realm. We were being observed and tricksters were present with us in the forest. 

Jennie took out her Panasonic DR60 Recorder and we were going to attempt to conduct an EVP session. We explained to the group that everyone will have an opportunity to ask a question and to leave about a minute for a response to record on to the device. Jennie explained that it’s very important to be as silent as possible when the recording process is happening and upon review we could capture replies to our questions. As Jennie walked up to the first attendee, they exclaimed “I see light in the woods”. When we asked what they look like, they described them to look like fireflies and that they just vanished. They seemed to float among the trees and vanish into thin air. In folklore, "witch lights" typically refer to mysterious, often moving lights seen at night, particularly in isolated areas. These lights are often attributed to supernatural beings like ghosts, spirits, witches, or fairies, and may be seen as omens of death or disaster. In folklore, will-o'-the-wisps are typically attributed as ghosts, fairies or elemental spirits meant to reveal a path or direction. These lights are portrayed as dancing or flowing in a static form, until noticed or followed, in which case they visually fade or disappear. The group was very excited, especially by how active the evening was already. Then as we prepared for the EVP session more attendees were pointing out a cluster of small lights further in the woods. I turned quickly to see them and there they were, exactly like fireflies dancing in the night air. They moved through the trees and slowly dimmed until they were gone. The EVP session finally happened and Jennie walked around the circle and allowed the group to ask questions. 










Question: Is there anyone here in this spot with us right now? Spirits of the land?

Answer: Yes. 


Question: Are these woods a sacred place?

Answer: The River.


Question: Are there human spirits walking in these woods?

Answer: Help Us


Question: What should we call you?

Answer: I don’t know this place.


Question: When we are out here, can we communicate with Pan?

Answer: A guttural growl was recorded on the device and the words, if any could not be heard. 


Question: If we come here with respect, can we stay out here with you in the woods?

Answer: With respect.


Question: How long have you been here?


Answer: Drums could be heard in the distance on the recording.









Throughout the sessions in the woods attendees saw human shadow forms moving about the trees in the distance and even a white fog that would appear among the trees and quickly vanish. With each session we encountered very interesting and magical phenomena, our offering to the elementals and spirits of the land had worked. When groups of fifteen to twenty people can come into a location and all walk away with a profound and memorable experience, that is extremely valuable. Its value is not monetary but rather has an immense value to your spirituality and soul. We realize that we are all interconnected and part of the source and that we can communicate with all the energies connected to the source. The only thing that separates us from these invisible realms is the physical. We begin to understand there is so much happening around us at all times that we do not see. A world hidden but attainable when an effort is made to reach out beyond our human veil and when we ask spirit to come close. The ancients believed the natural world was inhabited by spirits benevolent and malevolent. These entities played significant roles in all aspects of our human lives. They had influence on the world around them and at times could make themselves known or choose to be quiet observers. In some cultures knocking on trees was a way to invoke the favor of these spirits that roamed in the forest. They offer protection, guidance, energy and magic to those that commune with. With all energies there is the positive and negative, the same could be said about energies in the natural world. The trickster is a shape-shifter and is able to change form. They can cause chaos, destruction, mischief and havoc in the world around them. Native traditions spoke of tricksters as guardians to sacred places. People could not pray until they had laughed, because laughter opens and frees from rigid preconception. The trickster in most native traditions is essential to creation and the protector of the natural world. 

In these sessions when we invoked the name of Pan, we got responses. These responses were much different then other ones we recorded, they had much more power to them and guttural growls. We even heard the name Pan repeated back to us. We sought inspiration from the natural world around us and anchored our outdoor sessions to a sacred ritual. I deeply feel that we were able to extend a bridge across the veil and these energies were able to join us. Pan the Greek god of the wild is very much around us when we enter natural spaces. We engage with him as we hike into a forest, visit a natural landmark, offer a libation and acknowledge him. According to myth, Pan spent the majority of his time meandering through the woods, playing eerie songs on his pipes, pursuing nymphs, and dozing off in quiet areas during the heat of the midday sun. Some believe that Pan can be encountered through meditation, by finding a metaphorical “door” to his domain within a safe, personal space. This might involve walking through the door and acclimating to the sounds and smells of the forest, then cautiously approaching Pan. His influence can also be felt through a change in perception, where the forest itself seems to shift or become more alive, reflecting his connection to the wild.

    Richard Moschella Private & Public Investigations  - Contact Richard ( Limited Availability ) 


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