Real Ghost Stories
As an experienced clairvoyant and medium, I—Barbara—have witnessed numerous authentic ghost stories in the Netherlands and beyond that blur the lines between our world and the afterlife.
From spirits haunting homes to poltergeists opening doors, these true paranormal tales from my medium journey reveal the profound—and sometimes chilling—power of connecting with the departed.
Real Ghost Stories from a Medium’s Life
With over 30 years as a medium, I’ve learned that not all energies are benevolent. These genuine ghost stories, shared straight from my heart, recount a dark encounter in a Tuscan house and serve as a warning about the dangers of an Ouija board.
Want to explore further? Find out how mediums like me can guide you through the mysteries of the spiritual realm.
A Dark Presence in Tuscany – A Real Paranormal Ghost Story
My best friend and I drove for hours, full of excitement, toward our first stay in Italy. The journey through the Swiss mountains and valleys to Tuscany was breathtaking. Our vacation home, an old stone house on a hill, looked like it came right out of a fairy tale. A narrow, tall black iron gate led to a grand staircase made of massive stones, surrounded by wild plants and trees—a real leg workout! With heavy suitcases, we stood panting at the front door, eager to explore this charming home that had survived wars. It featured high ceilings, old wooden floors, a large fireplace, and dark green shutters to keep out the summer heat.
I hesitated to go upstairs
The garden, lush with mature cypresses and a terrace with a pool, offered a stunning view of the harbor below. We chose bedrooms on the ground floor, next to the living room. The first floor featured a long, dark hallway leading to two small bedrooms and closets, but I hesitated to go upstairs. A foreboding feeling took hold of me—a spirit in the house, an ominous energy that suggested a real paranormal ghost story.
A musty smell hit me
In the first upstairs bedroom, I felt at peace; the romantic wallpaper with tiny red and pink roses and the garden view radiated warmth. But the second bedroom? As I opened the door, a musty smell hit me. It felt sinister—something that had never been human, lingering in that room for decades. Feeling nauseous, I shut the door and hurried downstairs, where my friend sang along to the radio. Her cheerfulness eased my nerves, but I kept my unease hidden to protect our trip.
Did the owners know of the dark presence?
That night, sleep eluded me, my eyes fixed on a stone Jesus statue in the room. I noticed an unusual abundance of small and large Jesus figures scattered throughout the house. Of course, it was Italy, but so many—everywhere? Did the owners know of the dark presence within these walls? I prayed to my guides to shield us from this poltergeist. The next day, my friend mentioned feeling uneasy at night, as if someone was watching, and hearing strange noises. I dismissed it as “old-house sounds,” but her intuition sensed something on the first floor, too. We avoided those rooms, cramming our belongings into the smaller closets downstairs.
We are not welcome here
During breakfast, we both glanced up toward the hallway above, as if guided by an unseen presence. “The doors are wide open!” we exclaimed in unison, eyes wide. Daylight streamed through the upstairs bedroom windows onto the landing, but I was sure I’d closed them. “Maybe a draft?” I suggested, though I knew better—this poltergeist had opened them. Singing off-key and with a trembling voice, I shut the doors in record time.
On the third night, we suddenly woke up to a loud bang—a door slamming upstairs. We saw the doors open again, and the full moon’s light illuminated the landing. We hurried out to the terrace, turning on all the lights, too scared to go back inside. My friend said, “We’re not welcome here.” She felt it upon arrival but stayed silent, as I did, to avoid ruining the trip. When another door slammed shut without any wind, I knew: this was a demonic entity, part of a real paranormal ghost story, trying to scare us. My guides assured me it wouldn’t hurt us, but the house felt heavy and oppressive. We spent as much time outside as we could and felt relieved to leave after a week.
Haunted House
Like my appearance on Leah Guy’s podcast about her haunted house in Lambertville, New Jersey, this true ghost story shows how paranormal encounters push us to set boundaries.
In this special podcast episode, I join Leah Guy to discuss her haunted house and the dark energy there. Without knowing her story beforehand, I share insights from my guides about the mass grave in her backyard, filled with the remains of young women and children, and what the future may hold. It’s an open, spontaneous conversation you won’t want to miss! Listen here: The Modern Sage Podcast.
The Dangers of a Ouija Board in Real Ghost Stories
In my youth, I filtered all information through my main guide, Ben, making sure only genuine messages got through. There’s no light without darkness, but with Ben, I know unwanted energies—like demons or poltergeists—are kept at bay.
Two young women sought a medium consultation with me in Amsterdam, frightened by entities tormenting them at night. When did it start? Soon after using an Ouija board. They saw words and phrases in an unknown language, followed by a terrible smell of rotting flesh—inside their apartment, especially in the bedrooms, and even while on vacation.
Her mattress moved at night
Dark entities can travel with you anywhere, just like our spiritual guides and guardian angels are always by our side. At home, one of them felt her mattress move at night, which led them to share a bed.
I explained that a Ouija board—or an online Ouija board—is not a game. Without establishing clear boundaries from the beginning, you open doors to unwanted entities, a common theme in real ghost stories. I shared information about Ben, my main spirit guide, protector, and filter.
It took her months to remove the demon
I emphasized the importance of setting agreements with your guardian angels or guides, as I do as a medium. They admitted to being too careless. Disconnecting entities isn’t my specialty, so I referred them to a colleague in Ireland. She helped them, but it took her months to remove the dark energy entirely. This story highlights a key lesson: contacting spirits requires respect and caution, especially in paranormal situations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spirits and Poltergeists in Real Ghost Stories:
How can you tell if there's a spirit in your house?
Unexplained noises, like a poltergeist opening doors, or a heavy feeling, can indicate a spirit. As a clairvoyant, I often sense a room’s energy, as in my Tuscany real ghost story. A medium consultation can help clarify what’s happening.
Is an Ouija board safe?
An Ouija board or online Ouija board can pose risks if not used carefully, as I advised the women in Amsterdam, always set boundaries and agreements with your guides, like I do with Ben, to prevent unwanted paranormal experiences.
What do you do about a demon or poltergeist in your house?
A demon feels heavy and inhuman, like in that Tuscan room. As a medium, I recommend consulting an experienced energy remover. They can protect and guide you, just as my guides did, especially in real paranormal ghost stories.
What Is a Ouija Board and How Does an Online Ouija Board Differ in Real Ghost Stories?
As a clairvoyant with over 30 years of experience, I often get questions about connecting with the departed. One popular method is the Ouija board, a tool that both captivates and alarms, as seen in my real ghost stories about the two young women. But what is a Ouija board, and how does an online Ouija board differ? Here, I explain how to stay safe in the spiritual world.
An Ouija board is a flat board with letters, numbers, and words like “yes,” “no,” “hello,” and “goodbye.” It’s used with a planchette, a small triangular or heart-shaped piece that glides across the board. People lightly place their fingers on the planchette and ask questions, hoping spirits move it to spell out answers. The idea is to summon a pure spirit into the house, not a poltergeist, which is a common theme in real ghost stories. But as I shared about the women in Amsterdam, this can be risky. Without boundaries—like I set with my guide, Ben—you might attract unwanted energies, such as a demon. I always advise caution, as explained in my blog on safe spirit-summoning in paranormal stories.
An online Ouija board functions differently but is just as powerful. This digital version, such as an app or website, allows you to type questions or move a virtual planchette. It might seem safer without a physical board, but the spiritual realm doesn’t distinguish between digital and physical forms. An online Ouija board can still summon entities if boundaries aren’t established, a common twist in many true paranormal ghost stories. In my experience as a psychic, I’ve seen people underestimate these tools, which can lead to experiences like having a spirit in the house. A medium consultation is safer because we work with pure intentions and are guided by a higher power.
The difference is in the form: a traditional Ouija board is physical and requires touching, while an online Ouija board is digital and feels more user-friendly. Still, both lead to the unknown, and without guidance, they can inspire real ghost stories. Want to connect safely? Book a session with me.
Other Spiritual Tools for Contacting the Afterlife in Real Ghost Stories
Beyond a Ouija board or online Ouija board, which can pose risks as seen in my real ghost stories, there are safer spiritual tools for connecting with the departed or gaining insights. As a clairvoyant with over 30 years of experience, I use tools that resonate with my guide, Ben, who wards off unwanted energies like demons or poltergeists. Below, I explore three popular options—tarot cards, pendulums, and crystals—and how to use them without inviting a spirit into your home, drawing inspiration from paranormal stories.
Tarot cards
Used by online tarot readers, a deck of 78 cards features symbolic images that offer insight into life’s questions. Unlike an Ouija board, they don’t require direct spirit contact; they work through intuition and guides. I include them in my online medium consultations for love, career, or grief. Ask a question, draw cards, and interpret their meanings. Please treat them with respect and intention, just as I do with Ben, to avoid the risks associated with real paranormal ghost stories.
Pendulums
A pendulum is a small weight on a chain or string, used for yes/no answers. As a medium, I appreciate the subtlety and connection it provides to your energy or guides. Hold it still and ask, “Is there positive energy around me?” The movement (swaying or circling) provides the answer. Unlike an online Ouija board, which can open doors to a poltergeist, a pendulum is safer with set boundaries, a lesson from my paranormal experiences.
Crystals
Crystals, such as amethyst or clear quartz, boost energy or offer protection. They aren’t tools for direct communication like an Ouija board, but they improve your practice. I use them to cleanse spaces, especially after experiences like my Tuscan real ghost story. Amethyst shields against negative energies, like a demon. Cleanse it with moonlight and set a clear intention.
Discover more about my work:
Download my FREE e-books about personal development with self-improvement exercises and spiritual coaching.
I recently wrote the free e-book: Toxic Relationships vs. Healthy Relationships. (Being with a narcissist or psychopath is a horrifying experience!)
Discover the psychic medium readings I offer.
Read more true medium ghost stories in my 5-star review book: My Most Memorable Psychic Readings and Personal Stories.
Download the free course: Develop Your Psychic Abilities.
Do you want to go a step further? Join my Mediumship Course with personal guidance.
Podcast: Listen to my true medium ghost story from 9/11.
Read what my clients say about their readings.