Through the Veil: Spirit Photography & Cemetery Encounters
🕯️ A Personal Archive of the Energies That Let Themselves Be Seen
This photo blog explores spirit encounters at Union Cemetery in Oshawa, captured during dusk walks through the historic grounds. What began as a peaceful visit quickly turned into something unforgettable — when my camera revealed ghostly faces, shadowy forms, and an angel-like silhouette in the trees. These images tell a story beyond the veil… one that invites you to see what might be waiting just beyond the edge of our perception.
There are moments when something flickers just out of sight. A shadow at the edge of your vision. A shimmer in the light that shouldn’t be there. For most, it’s easy to brush off. But for those who walk between the worlds, we know better.
I’ve always had a connection to the spirit realm—but it was through quiet walks in old cemeteries, camera in hand, that I began capturing glimpses of what most never see. These are not staged images or manipulated frames. What you’ll see in this gallery are real photos, taken by me, of spirit encounters at Union Cemetery in Oshawa—energy that chose to show itself.
Some moments were accompanied by an overwhelming scent of perfume with no source. Others, by the eerie stillness that falls when something otherworldly brushes close. Many of these photos weren’t taken with the intent to find spirits—in fact, the very first one began with a photo of something entirely mundane. But when I zoomed in to review the details, something unexpected emerged.
That became my process. When I sensed something in an image, I’d zoom in, crop, repeating until the shape fully revealed itself. I outlined or circled the area to help others see what I saw. But the energy was already there, captured in the original frame.
I don’t share these to convince anyone. I share them for those who feel spirit around them and want the confirmation that yes—the veil is real. And sometimes, it lifts.
About the Cemetery
Every image in this collection was taken during authentic spirit encounters at Union Cemetery Oshawa, where the energy of the unseen made itself known.
All of these images were taken at Union Cemetery in Oshawa, Ontario—one of the oldest and most well-known cemeteries in the region. With sections dating back to the 1800s and a long history of local folklore and reported hauntings, Union Cemetery is both a place of deep rest and active energy. The grounds are expansive, with areas dedicated to early settlers, veterans, and tragically, many children. There’s something about the air here—heavy, yes, but also alive.
Union Cemetery in Oshawa has long been associated with spirit encounters, making it a significant location for paranormal exploration. Many of the spirit encounters at Union Cemetery Oshawa seem to happen around the oldest gravestones, particularly in areas dedicated to children and veterans.
Naming the Spirits
Every image in this collection was taken during authentic spirit encounters at Union Cemetery Oshawa, where the energy of the unseen made itself known.
Each image in this archive has been given a name—not just for organization, but as a form of reverence. The names came to me intuitively, as if whispered by the energy captured in the frame. Some arrived instantly, others revealed themselves slowly as I sat with the image and its presence. Sometimes it was a gesture, a shift in the air, or a sudden word in my mind. I didn’t set out to label them—it simply became part of the process. These names are part intuition, part impression, and part message. For me, they complete the encounter. Each one felt like a quiet act of acknowledgment… a way of saying, I see you.
And so we begin. Each of the following images holds a moment where spirit made itself known—not through spectacle, but through stillness, light, and presence. These are their names. These are their stories.
The Fence Keepers
This was the very first photo I took—ironically, not to capture spirit activity at all. I was taking a picture of a dead rat on the sidewalk in 2018 (yes, really), when something far more intriguing appeared in the background. The Fence Keepers remains one of my most well-known spirit encounters at Union Cemetery Oshawa,
Behind the tree and along the fence line, two ghostly young girls can be seen. Their forms are faint but unmistakable: one slightly older, perhaps a sister, and the other younger, her face turned. There’s a quiet sadness and strength in the way they linger—like guardians of this forgotten corner.
I didn’t notice them at first. It wasn’t until I reviewed the photo later that I saw them watching from beyond the veil. Whether they’re connected to one another or simply drawn to this spot, I can’t say. But they’ve always felt protective… as if they’re watching not just over the graves, but maybe over me.
Spirits’ Playground
What began as a quiet walk through Union Cemetery quickly became something far more layered. I felt an almost overwhelming pull to take a photo of one particular area—just grass, trees, and gravestones at first glance. But when I zoomed in, a scene began to unfold.
Within this one image, five distinct energies appeared to me. A toddler in a white dress runs joyfully with arms outstretched to the right of the frame—her tiny form glowing in soft flesh tones. Just to the right of her, on the tree trunk, a cat-like spirit emerges—its body subtly defined in the bark, as if keeping silent watch.
Toward the left in the image, a toddler appears to be rising above a gravestone—graceful, present, almost mid-motion. Just behind and slightly to the left, the unmistakable face of a baby emerges, distinct and clear, as though watching quietly from its resting place. Just behind the baby, to the right, another toddler is perched atop what looks like a giant rabbit or protective animal form, with several wolf-like heads visible just beside him—silent guardians at play.
Union Cemetery is home to many children’s graves, and you can feel it in certain areas—the sweetness, the sorrow, the innocence that lingers. I didn’t create these figures. They revealed themselves gradually as I zoomed in on the original photo, cropping and clarifying just enough to see what had been waiting there all along. Their positioning, expressions, and energy were too intentional to ignore. It felt like witnessing playtime on the other side—a sacred moment held between dimensions.
Freedom Unseen
Of all the energies in this photograph, hers struck me first. She wasn’t hiding. She wasn’t lost. She was free. A spirit child with no interest in clinging to what was—only in continuing to move forward, untouched by time or sorrow. There’s something luminous about this little one—arms open wide, hair flowing, captured mid-run in the right portion of the photo taken at Union Cemetery. Her form is distinctly flesh-toned, almost glowing, with the white of her dress softly trailing behind her. She appears in motion, not bound by the stillness of death, but racing joyfully through some unseen field, perhaps playing with the other spirits nearby.
And just behind her, barely visible, a faint presence seems to be watching—its face possibly obscured by what looks like dark glasses or shadowed eyes. Whether a guide, guardian, or simply another curious spirit, it felt like she wasn’t alone.
Where I Rest, I Rise
Unlike others with clearer outlines or defined clothing, this figure is almost entirely transparent—as though made of light and memory. She appears like something out of a dream—or perhaps a memory. Rising just over a headstone near the left of the frame, this delicate toddler’s face is unmistakable. Her features are rounded and gentle, reminiscent of a Precious Moments figurine, with a quiet presence that feels almost angelic. Unlike the movement of the running child nearby, this spirit seems to hover, watching, aware.
There’s no fear in her expression. Just softness. Her placement—rising over the grave marker—feels symbolic. Not trapped, not bound, but elevated. As if to say, “This is where my body rests, but I am not here. I am lifted.” There’s an energy of peace surrounding her—a knowing, perhaps, that her story didn’t end here.
The clarity of her form, especially in comparison to the surrounding shapes, makes this one of the most striking images in the collection. There’s something sacred about her stillness. A sense of peace and quiet strength—like a guardian in miniature.
Silent Crib
Just behind and to the left of the translucent toddler rising over the gravestone, another presence makes itself known. Tucked into the grass in front of an aged gravestone, this baby-like presence feels small and still—but unmistakably there. Nestled near what resembles a crib-shaped memorial, the spirit appears soft, watching quietly from the edge of the veil. You can even make out a little hand infront of the face.
Unlike some of the more defined figures in this collection, this one doesn’t leap out at first glance. But once seen, it holds your attention and cannot be unseen. There’s a hush about the energy—a sense of fragile innocence, undisturbed even in death. It feels as though the spirit is simply resting, drawn back to the familiar space that once held them.
Some moments aren’t loud. They’re tender. And Silent Crib is one of those. There’s a gentleness to this figure. A stillness. It doesn’t move, but it watches. It’s like a whispered moment caught between worlds.
The Gentle Watcher
Just behind the baby to the right, a little boy is seated on what appears to be a large rabbit or animal-like shape, this softly formed figure is unmistakably childlike. His full face is visible, gently lit, and rounded with innocent features. He sits on his bum with both knees bent —legs folded in a position familiar to any parent who has watched a toddler settle curiously into the grass.
His right arm seems either to rest atop his knees or tuck into his chest, while the left is extended, adding a sense of self-contained stillness, a top his ride. There’s even a suggestion of a shoulder line or upper torso, giving him dimension. He feels gentle. Watchful. Quiet. As though he’s been there a very long time, observing—perhaps even guarding—the others nearby.
The Silent Pack
Emerging faintly from the background on either side of the boy are several canine-like heads, clustered close as if watching in unison. The shapes resemble wolves, with alert ears, distinct muzzles, and forward-facing stares. Their presence is unmistakably protective—more sentinel than threat.
They appear neither startled nor aggressive, but rather calm, almost reverent, like spirit guardians in still formation. Whether symbolic or actual, their quiet strength adds an ancient, primal energy to this already emotionally charged corner of the image.
Together, the wolves and the boy seem to form a unit—an unspoken companionship of innocence and instinct, watchfulness and quiet loyalty.
Fur and Shadow
To the far right of the frame, partially camouflaged in bark and shadow, is the unmistakable outline of a feline form—large, sleek, and still. Whether seen as a black panther, a guardian spirit, or a powerful familiar, its shape is defined by a broad head, muscular shoulders, and a watchful crouch that blends seamlessly into the trunk’s natural texture.
Unlike the more childlike or human energies in the photo, this figure carries a different weight—one of ancient instinct, of stealth and strength. It feels protective, otherworldly, and deeply aware of its surroundings. Its presence lingers like a sentinel—silent, cloaked, and powerful—just beyond the reach of ordinary sight.
Lineage in the Leaves
This cropped encounter is from a different section of Union Cemetery, captured while photographing a grove of gravestones and towering pines. While I can’t confirm with certainty which original frame it was taken from, I believe it came from the wide shot below—taken in the evening just before sunset.
This image captures a quiet moment nestled among the greenery—two figures rendered in soft black and white, their presence unmistakable against the vibrant summer leaves. On the left, an older man with a distinct mustache and old-fashioned attire leans slightly forward, engaged in what seems to be a heartfelt exchange with a younger figure. You can even make out his shoulder lines. I’m not sure what is in front of him but it almost appears to be a duffle bag.
The boy—slight in frame, possibly wearing what looks like an Ingenious traditional or ceremonial outfit or costume with masked eyes—stands attentively, looking up toward the man as if receiving wisdom or reassurance. There’s a warmth between them that transcends time. It feels ancestral. A father and son, or perhaps grandfather and grandson, sharing a moment of connection that echoes across the veil.
Even their proportions are aligned. It’s not just an apparition—it’s a memory held in spirit. A lesson passed down. A conversation rooted in love, guidance, and sacred remembrance, unfolding quietly within the living green of July.
Dusk Descends: The Veil Grows Thinner
As the sun dipped lower and shadows lengthened, a quiet stillness began to settle over the cemetery. It’s often said that twilight is the hour when the veil grows thinnest—when energies stir, pause, and sometimes make themselves known. The next series of images were taken during this in-between time, when light and shadow mingle… and spirit forms emerge with startling clarity.
These encounters weren’t just seen—they were felt. The air grew heavier. The sounds, muted. An unmistakable awareness settled over everything.
What follows are the spirits who chose to be seen in that liminal light.
Eternal Companions
This image, captured as dusk began to settle over the cemetery, reveals the tender outline of a small child standing upright with unmistakable presence. Just in front of her stands a dog-like figure—faithful, poised, and clear as day. The child appears to be lifting one arm in a gentle wave, while the other rests against her cheek in a timeless gesture of curiosity or affection.
There’s something remarkably innocent and complete about the moment. The bond between child and animal, unbroken even in death, is palpable. Their closeness radiates a quiet love, as though their spirits remain side by side—watching, waiting, and forever connected in the beyond. Not lost. Not alone. Just… together.
Familiar Guardian
Near the base of the tombstone, nestled between stone and shrub, a nearly transparent feline form appears—sitting upright, perfectly still. It isn’t dark or solid, but mist-like, as if woven from memory and moonlight. Yet its shape is undeniable: the delicate curve of a head, the rise of a shoulder, the poised stillness of a cat at rest.
It seems to be facing outward, as though keeping vigil—watching over the grave not as an intruder, but as a companion. A familiar, perhaps, still loyal in the afterlife. There’s something sacred in its presence, something timeless.
One can’t help but wonder: is it watching the living, or protecting the one it once loved? A soft sentinel, lingering in quiet devotion—guarding a soul, long past the veil.
Vows Beyond the Veil
Among the trees and shadows, a moment unfolds that feels as sacred as it is mysterious. An elderly couple—her with white hair pulled up, in a flowing white gown with a gentle train, him in what appears to be a suit—walk arm in arm toward a lone figure in a wide-brimmed hat with a book. The stance and formation are unmistakable: they are not lost… they are arriving.
He stands as though waiting to receive them, like an officiant at a sacred rite. Not a shadowy spectre, but a timeless witness.
The old man’s spirit form is particularly compelling. His eyes are large, wide, almost oval in shape—so expressive that they seem to gaze with reverence, devotion, or perhaps awe. There’s something deeply knowing in his presence, like he understands exactly where they are and why this moment matters.
This isn’t a passing. It feels like a renewal—a ceremony carried out across dimensions. Two souls reaffirming their bond not in life, but in eternity.
Whether spirit guardian, officiant, or symbolic guide, the figure in the hat completes the scene with quiet gravity. Whatever you choose to believe, there’s no denying the energy: this was a ritual of love… witnessed beyond the veil.
Stillness in the Hollow
She stands silently between two trees, just behind the weathered cross, her figure outlined in shadow and grace. Though her face isn’t fully defined, her presence is unmistakable She appears to wear a flowing black dress, its lines soft but regal, with what resembles an old-fashioned mourning collar—the kind once adorned with a brooch or cameo at the neck. The entire scene feels like a sacred pause; a moment held in reverence beneath the trees.
I remember standing in that very spot when a soft, sweet scent of perfume suddenly drifted through the air. It felt oddly out of place in the cooling dusk—but it lingered. The memory stayed with me. It wasn’t until later, while reviewing the images, that I saw her—the same graceful figure captured again across the road. The same quiet presence, the same elegant energy. I believe it is her.
The Last Light: Departing Glimpses from Beyond the Gate
As twilight descended and the air grew thick with energy, we began making our way out of Union Cemetery. The path felt quieter, more sacred—as if something was shifting. I turned back for one final photo from across the street, expecting only a wide landscape to close the visit. But what I captured was far more than scenery.
From that single image, four distinct spirit forms revealed themselves—one after another. Some gentle, some haunting. Each felt like a presence… watching, waiting, or perhaps even walking us to the threshold. Though we had left the grounds, it was clear the spirits had not yet left us.
What follows are those final sightings—Lingering Grace, Marked Presence, Shadow Watcher, and Where Angels Pass—each offering a different shade of what lingers at the veil’s edge.
Lingering Grace
Tucked in the right side of the original image, a womanly figure with a glowing aura got my attention. She rests gracefully on the ground—seated on her side with her legs folded behind her, body slightly propped as though bracing herself with one extended arm. She appears to wear a shoulderless black dress that drapes across her chest, with what may be a long black glove shaping the silhouette of her arm.
Her head tilts gently, revealing delicate features—hairline, eyes, nose, lips, and chin—all captured in soft shadow. She feels elegant, composed, as though her presence is intentional. Not lost, but lingering.
Around her, a subtle glow outlines her figure—a faint aura that sets her apart from the tombstones and trees behind her. It’s not a trick of the light. It feels like a boundary of energy, as though she exists just between the seen and unseen.
I remember smelling perfume as I walked through that area of the cemetery that this image originated from. I didn’t know it then, but I believe it was her again—still with me, still watching, still willing to be seen. I also believe she is the same spirit who stood between the trees in an earlier photo, near the weathered cross. And if you look closely, you’ll see her again—tucked just to the right in the wide final landscape shot taken across the street, as dusk settled in. A final glimpse, gently offered, as we made our way toward the gates.
Marked Presence
There is a strange stillness captured in this frame—one that speaks without words, one that marks a presence. To the left of the tree trunk, a pale, cross-shaped “X” seems etched in light against the darkened canopy, like a spiritual waypoint or symbol meant to draw the eye. But it is just to the right of the same trunk that something truly remarkable emerges: the faint but discernible outline of a face.
Eyes, brow, and mouth appear as though surfacing from the veil itself—neither fully here nor gone. It’s not carved, not painted, not part of any stone… and yet there it is.
There was no flash, no trick of reflection—only an overwhelming awareness that something was there. Something watching. Something allowing itself to be seen.
Whatever this energy was, it felt deliberate. Marked. Present.
Shadow Watcher at the Stone
Leaning in the stillness, a shadowed figure cloaked in black appears to wrap itself around a tombstone—one arm resting as though possessive or protective. The robe-like shape drapes down to the ground, with form and stance too defined to dismiss. Whether his head is obscured behind the stone or turned away, there’s no mistaking the presence.
Unlike the other energies that revealed themselves, this one feels darker. Not malevolent exactly… but ancient, watchful, and heavy. A guardian? A collector? A spirit not yet at rest?
Whatever he may be, I didn’t notice him that night. But looking back—he was there. Waiting.
Where Angels Pass
In the upper sky of this final frame, a faint yet unmistakable figure seems to soar above the treetops—arms or wings outstretched, body slightly tilted, and legs drawn in a posture almost too graceful to be accidental. The silhouette appears luminous, like a being mid-flight, suspended in that liminal space between earth and elsewhere.
There’s a softness to this one. A parting reassurance. After the darker energies that emerged just before, this image felt like a gentle balm—as though an angelic presence had passed through to watch over all that had come before. I didn’t notice it until days later, but when I did, I felt a quiet knowing settle over me.
Not every spirit lingers to haunt. Some simply pass through to bless.
A Personal Note from the Founder of The Zen Shop
This collection has taken me years to share. All of the photos you’ve seen were taken on the same day in 2018—captured during one long, intuitive walk through Union Cemetery. I didn’t go there expecting anything. I simply brought my camera and followed the energy. Whether you see ghosts, echoes, or unexplained lights, these spirit encounters at Union Cemetery Oshawa offer a rare look into what lingers beyond the veil.
Since then, life has pulled me in many directions. As the owner of The Zen Shop, I wear many hats—managing a team of facilitators, marketing and designing events, buying and merchandising in-store products, and creating every word and image you see on our website. I don’t always have the time to immerse myself in the parts of spirituality that sparked this journey for me… but spirit has a way of waiting.
Ghost hunting and spirit connection remain one of my greatest passions. I still run Spirit Box workshops at The Zen Shop and love nothing more than facilitating Samhain and Beltane séances, where we open the veil with reverence and care. Over the years, we’ve also assisted in private house investigations and energy cleansings—and continue to do so by request.
Our facilitators are gifted, intuitive, and grounded in authentic experience—including an ordained minister and High Priestess who is also an occult specialist with strong mediumship abilities, much like myself. Together, we bring decades of experience and diverse spiritual backgrounds to our work. We also use a variety of modern paranormal research tools to support those who wish to explore the unseen with care, respect, and consciousness. For those looking to begin their own journey, we carry a wide selection of introductory books on ghost hunting, spirit communication, dowsing rods, and mediumship, all available in-store.
If you ever feel called to learn more—or if a particular image in this gallery speaks to you—I’d be honoured to talk about my spirit encounters at Union Cemetery Oshawa While I’m often working behind the scenes or outside the store, you can always leave a message for me at The Zen Shop.
Spirit has a way of reaching those who are listening. And sometimes, it begins with a photo.
Interested in learning more?
We carry a wide selection of beginner-friendly books on ghost hunting, spirit communication, and mediumship, available in-store at The Zen Shop and through our Paranormal Services. Whether you’re curious about using dowsing rods, understanding energy, or beginning your own spirit photography journey, we’re here to support you.
