We’re going to look at two similar ghosts. Both of them don’t have a humanoid form and are known for being composed of light.
Funnel Ghost (Google Image Search)
The above is a Funnel Ghost, which is seen as a swirling funnel of light. One can describe them as a spectral tornado, but small and non-destructive. People typically find cold spots when encountering this type of ghost. They are found inside old buildings and tend to come up in pictures even if they are aren’t seen in person. One theory is that they are double-exposures or something on the lens, which makes sense. Still, we’re here to talk about ghosts.
A more supernatural theory is that a Funnel Ghost is simply a spirit that is checking in on a person or location. They don’t need to take a more human form because they aren’t staying long. Given that they aren’t usually seen with the naked eye, it could be that they have no interest in most of the living.
Ghost Orb (Google Imager Search)
Not much to say about this one because it’s exactly as it sounds. This is a spectral orb that a person will see before it disappears. Sometimes it’s gone almost as soon as it is seen and other times it hangs around. Ghost orbs are considered by some to be the simplest form of supernatural projection.
Now, there is a theory that these spirits serve a purpose. At least, they do when they aren’t staying in one place. They are guides who lead people either to a place of safety or an area where they are needed. They might even be guardians that take a little too much of a step into our world instead of staying out of sight. Ghost orbs don’t interact with anything though. In fact, they tend to pass through solid objects if they are moving.
Legends of Windemere 
I’ve seen these used–the ghost lights in the Dead Marshes in Lord of the Rings.
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Great example. 😁
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I have not seen any of these ghosts. Would be nice to do so.
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They could be oddly beautiful.
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So true.
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These are really cool. When I went on a ghost tour of Portland they shared a funnel ghost picture with us. I wrote orbs into a story about two weeks ago.
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Awesome. I did a ghost tour in Victoria, Canada. No pictures or sightings.
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My next door neighbour had an experience with orbs. Their dog started barking, apparently at nothing. She set up, I think it was her phone, to record at night and next morning it showed orbs.
She said the feeling was not that of an evil presence, but good.
We live on a relatively modern housing estate (about 25 years old,) built on farmland, so it’s not something tied to an old building. Maybe it is guardian spirits.
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Maybe fairies?
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Who knows? 🙃
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My husband who is a trained photographer could probably offer a technical explanation for the funnel ghosts… But what fun is that?
The orbs make me think of will-o-the-wisps, and I wonder if there is any connection.
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I thought the same thing with the orbs. I’ve read stories where they’re basically the same thing, but others where will-o-the-wisps are fairies.
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