Hello Everyone,

My name is Joseph Rickard. I am currently 22 and reside in the small town of Colchester, Illinois. Ever since I was young I have had a very strong tie to the paranormal. My dad believes this started even at my birth when there used to be a elderly woman that would watch over me in my nursery. Ever since then my world has been an up and down roller coaster that runs parallel with the paranormal. I was strongly connected with the other side throughout my childhood years up until I was around six or seven when I had a couple rather traumatic experiences with the paranormal. At that point my mind sealed itself off almost completely. I kept my avid interest in the paranormal throughout my adolescent and teen years and began reawakening when I turned sixteen or seventeen. I am now a tour guide that helps run haunted tours in a nearby town so that others can experience the paranormal in a safe and protective environment. My personal belief is that the rabbit hole is as deep as you make it, meaning that just about anything discussed on these forums is true and the more open you are to the idea and the signs around you the more likely it is you'll start seeing the proof of its existance. I view myself as a spirtualist and believe strongly in the positive uses of being connected to the spiritual realm. I have had spirits follow me ever since a young age and I have come to accept this fact, allowing several to stay in my company as spirit guides as I find the connection strong and helpful. I also show some psychic abilities some of which are more controlled and accessiable than others. I see my abilities as a gift and when I can I try to enlighten others to the "world" around them and aid them if I can. I am strongly empathic, precognitive, and postcognitive mainly but I do occasionally show other abilities that tend to happen without my concious thought. I am very open about the paranormal and do not hide the fact from most people unless it benefits my personal safety. I look forward to speaking with many of like mind.