Paranormal or supernatural?

Azure Skye

Huh?
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
1,164
Reaction score
124
I'm trying to target my query letter and I was wondering if there was a difference between paranormal and supernatural. My google searches have me more confused because I see them used interchangeably but have heard there was a difference. :e2shrug: If they're not different, which one is current terminology?
 
veinglory

veinglory

volitare nequeo
Self-Ban
Registered
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
28,750
Reaction score
2,937
Location
right here
Website
www.veinglory.com
In fiction paranormal tends to attach to things like werewolfs and vampires, supernatural to things like ghosts and curses. What sort of material do you have?
 

Azure Skye

Huh?
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
1,164
Reaction score
124
veinglory said:
In fiction paranormal tends to attach to things like werewolfs and vampires, supernatural to things like ghosts and curses. What sort of material do you have?
Click to expand...

The latter. And that's what I thought too.

Thanks.
 

jbryson

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 17, 2008
Messages
199
Reaction score
7
Azure Skye said:
I'm trying to target my query letter and I was wondering if there was a difference between paranormal and supernatural. My google searches have me more confused because I see them used interchangeably but have heard there was a difference. :e2shrug: If they're not different, which one is current terminology?
Click to expand...

My thinking is that it's a difference in the source of the effect. Paranormal involves something physical going on in the practitioner's brain: Telepathy, teleportation, mind over matter stuff which, given time, will be explained by natural science.

With the supernatural, the effect comes from outside the physical realm, and there is no way for physical science ever to explain it. It cannot be studied scientifically.
 
Last edited:
Ms. Jem

Ms. Jem

Love, Lust and Ghosts
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 5, 2008
Messages
1,876
Reaction score
269
Location
In the age of Aquarius
Website
danitaminnis.com
jbryson said:
My thinking is that it's a difference in the source of the effect. Paranormal involves something physical going on in the practitioner's brain: Telepathy, teleportation, mind over matter stuff which, given time, will be explained by natural science.

With the supernatural, the effect comes from outside the physical realm, and there is no way for physical science ever to explain it. It cannot be studied scientifically.
Click to expand...

I've written a romance involving reincarnation - now I'll call it supernatural :)

Thanks, jbryson!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.