Explore the concept of spectrophilia, a fetish involving sexual encounters with ghosts. Discuss the historical origins, power dynamics, and connection between sex and death. Debunk controversial accounts of erotically charged encounters with Christ. Discover the vengeful ghost of Javanese folklore and contemporary examples of spectrophilia in movies and celebrities' encounters with ghosts.
Spectrophilia is a phenomenon where individuals experience sexual attraction towards ghosts, spirits, or mirrors, and it can manifest as both a fetish and a paranormal encounter.
The history of spectrophilia can be traced back to ancient mythologies, religious fervor, and the blurring of boundaries between the physical and the spiritual, highlighting the deep intertwining of spirituality and sexuality in historical contexts.
Deep dives
Spectrophilia: Sexual Attraction to Ghosts and Mirrors
Spectrophilia is a phenomenon where individuals experience sexual attraction towards ghosts, spirits, or mirrors. It can manifest as both a fetish and a paranormal encounter. Famous figures like Lucy Liu and Anna Nicole Smith have openly discussed their experiences of having erotic encounters with spirits. These encounters often occur during sleep and can be accompanied by vivid dreams and sensations. The history of spectrophilia can be traced back to ancient mythologies, such as Lilith, the succubus, and demonic entities seducing humans. The blurry boundaries between wakefulness and sleep, as well as the erotic connections between sex and death, can contribute to the appeal and fascination of spectrophilia.
The Controversial Revelations of Agnes Blannbecken
Agnes Blannbecken, a 14th-century Christian mystic, had revelations published in the 18th century that described her sexual cravings for the meat of Christ and alleged encounters with his foreskin. While these revelations can be viewed as exaggerated or metaphorical, they highlight the historical connections between religious fervor, sexual ecstasy, and the blurring of boundaries between the physical and the spiritual. Female mystics often had erotically charged experiences involving encounters with Christ, reflecting the deep intertwining of spirituality and sexuality in historical contexts.
Gendered Tropes in Ghostly Encounters
Ghosts and spirits in folklore often embody gendered tropes and archetypes. Female ghosts are commonly depicted as heartbroken or vengeful, reflecting societal expectations and anxieties surrounding womanhood, motherhood, and failed relationships. On the other hand, male ghosts are often portrayed as vengeful entities seeking retribution. These gendered representations tie into cultural beliefs and narratives about love, desire, and the power dynamics between men and women.
Sleep, Dreams, and Astral Projection
Sleep and dreams play a significant role in spectrophilia experiences. Vivid dreams, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic states can create the illusion of sexual encounters with spirits. Astral projection, a conscious out-of-body experience, is another phenomenon associated with spectrophilia. Although these experiences can be subjective and challenging to scientifically quantify, they highlight the complex relationship between the mind, consciousness, and the perception of sexual encounters with otherworldly beings.
If you happen to be a Spectrophiliac, then October must be a particularly exciting time for you.
What is a spectrophiliac? Well, it's a fetish for ghosts (as well as mirrors), so being turned on by anything lurking in the non-physical realm. After all, as the old adage goes, the most important sex organ is the brain.
What are the historic origins of this fetish and phenomenon? And what real life stories can be told of it?
Today features an interview Kate did with Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney on our sister podcast, After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal.
Head to their feed here to find brand new episodes already out on such mysterious and unsettling topics such as HMS Terror, the origins of Halloween and Murder in Ancient Rome.
This podcast was edited by Siobhan Dale and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Kate Lister, Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Mary Beard and more.
Get 50% off your first 3 months with code BETWIXT. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe.