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Doppelganger

10/4/2013

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In paranormal terms a doppelganger is a ghostly double of a living person. Viewing ones own or a member of the families doppelganger can portend illness, death or some other tragedy for that person.

A doppelganger may also be a spirit, taking on someone's form to cause mischief.

'Double Goer'

PictureAn interpretation of 'Doppelganger'.
Although you may hear the term 'doppelganger' quite frequently, it is when used in conjunction with a paranormal event that it becomes uncommon.

The word is commonly used to describe someone that looks similar, behaves similar, or even has the same name. These are just social observations on the likeness one person may coincidentally have with another.

However, when it comes to dealing with a possible 'ghost', 'spirit' or 'demonic' doppelganger, it goes from being a casual observation, to being an event that could have quite a negative impact on the individual being copied.

The word 'doppelganger' is a combination of two German words -'doppel' meaning double, and 'ganger' meaning goer (also interpreted as walker). Together they mean 'double walker', a ghostly copy of a living person. These copies may be non-corporeal or have a physical, solid existence.

PictureDoppelgangers face away in reflections.
Although the combining of the words to form the term is relatively recent, a little over two centuries old, the idea of a spiritual, ghostly or demonic double (will just use the term 'ghostly' from here) of living people have existed for millennia. These doubles may at times be seen by others as performing a person’s actions before the real person makes them, or they may be a shadow, performing the same movements, but after they have happened. They may also be seen in ones reflection; however the reflection is facing away.

Famous Doppelgangers

PictureAbraham Lincoln.
Much of the time a doppelganger is viewed as an omen for a tragedy, illness or death of the person who is copied. If someone sees their own ghostly double it generally bodes very badly for them, and a number of quite famous people have had the ghastly experience.

Abraham Lincoln was said to have seen his double in a mirror, next to his own reflection in 1860, a short time after winning the presidency. The double was gaunt, pale and appeared to be sickly. Mr and Mrs Lincoln were quite superstitious people, and they took the double as an omen of bad luck, that Mr Lincoln would not see out his second term in office.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth shortly after beginning his second term in office.

Queen Elizabeth I is another person who had seen their doppelganger shortly before death. She entered her bedroom to see herself laying on the bed. She was pale and sickly. Soon after this event she fell ill and died in that same bed.

A Mischieveous Presence

Picture"How They Met Themselves" 1868
Sometimes a person’s doppelganger will present itself to family members, just before death comes. For instance, a son may be critically ill, and before he dies, his doppelganger will present itself to the family. The family will not be aware that this is a doppelganger, though they may be surprised to see their son, but the truth will be revealed when they receive news of their relations death taking place within days or hours of the event.

A doppelganger may also be a mischievous presence. The copy causing mayhem for the copied. They may perform actions that hurt a person, both socially and financially. They may also just stalk and aggravate their 'original', through taunting or rarely physical violence.

In folklore, doppelgangers have been said to remove the one they have copied, killed or imprisoned them, so they can live out their lives. This was said to be common with children, a doppelganger being raised in the child’s stead... the fate of the real child does not bode well.

Note: 'doppelganger' should not be confused with 'bi-location' which is when an individual is located/seen at two different locations at the same time. This is not someone being copied but rather two of that person for that instant.

Ashley Hall 2013

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