Matrixing and pareidolia are both terms used for the same sort of perceptual legerdemain, in which random images are perceived as having significance. What is matrixing? No, it isn't a movie starring Keanu Reeves.

Matrixing is the human mind's ability to take random sensory data and rearrange it so that it forms an image or sound that is recognizable and familiar to it. It is what we do when we gaze up at clouds in the sky and find a resemblance in them to a face, an animal, or any other familiar image. Artistic people seem to be much better able to come up with images and resemblances, usually faces.

This ability is a blessing and a curse. Sometimes it makes us see things that really aren't there, and that is a problem when conducting a paranormal investigation. When we see the image of a face leering out from the wallpaper, sometimes it is merely a chance resemblance, with no basis or relationship to the perceived image. These images are called matrixing anomalies.

In this photo of a tree taken outside an old church in Middletown, Rhode Island, you can see what appears to be the head of an old man in the tree near the ground. The man's face is pretty clearly defined; it even bears a resemblance to nineteenth-century naturalist Charles Darwin. Once this observation has been made, the image to the left of Darwin takes on new meaning — it appears to be the face of an ape or a monkey, holding up a hand as if to say “Stop!” Since Darwin postulated the theory of evolution, this is quite amusing.

Upon returning to take more pictures of the tree, no such matrixing effect was ever captured again, though repeated attempts were made to duplicate the shot in all seasons and lighting conditions. There is some question as to whether this supports or undercuts the matrixing theory of this photo.

Matrixing or the spirit of Charles Darwin having a bit of fun? You be the judge.

Photo copyright Melissa Martin Ellis, 2003.

This natural tendency for the human mind to interpret sensory input — what is perceived visually and audibly as something recognizable — is just a mental filling in of the blanks. Usually, matrixing is useful. It allows us to interpret data quickly and organize it into coherent messages. It also lets us distinguish subtle nuances in similar patterns.

We've all heard of the cinnamon bun that looks like Mother Teresa or the water stain on a wall that resembles Jesus. Everyone has seen cloud formations that appear to be animals or faces. Finding meaning in random images is not at all unusual and is harmless enough, except when it misleads paranormal investigators.

The biggest problem for paranormal researchers concerns matrixing anomalies that happen during the evidence reviews, when someone spots an image or sound that appears to indicate paranormal activity. Careful review by several individuals is sometimes necessary to disprove that the image is of supernatural origin. Remember, whenever a natural explanation for a phenomenon is found, the paranormal explanation is thrown out.

Grant Wilson of TAPS has spoken and written about this topic, and the gist of what he is saying boils down to some very useful guidelines investigators should keep in mind:

• Is the photo you're analyzing mostly trees, fields, and cluttered areas, or reflective surfaces, such as mirrors and glass? If the image is made up of complex shapes and patterns, there is plenty of raw material for the mind to use in fabricating images, such as a face or silhouette.

• Zero in on the face or figure. Is it made up of its own unique material or of the components of the picture? If it is truly paranormal, the face or figure should be made up of its own separate materials, not the material that comprises the rest of the image. Take the example of a face in the forest. If it is made up of branches and leaves, it is matrixing. If not, you may have something truly paranormal.

• If you are satisfied that the two previous criteria have been met, closely examine the anomaly. If it is a face or figure, are the proportions correct or are they disproportionate? If the proportions are distorted, that is a problem. The image you have found is probably naturally occurring.

Pareidolia can occur with EVP work as well. As soon as a sound is identified as being anomalous, it must be played over and over again until the listener is eventually able to discern what is being said. If you have to listen to a sound clip dozens of times, artificially boost it a great deal, or play it backward, you are probably dealing with a naturally occurring sound.