After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Ghost Fetishes: From Ancient World to Victorians
Nov 9, 2023
Join historian Dr. Kate Lister, known for her witty insights on sex and society, as she delves into the intriguing world of spectrophilia—the fetish for ghosts. Discover the gothic roots connecting eroticism to death, hear tales of seducing spirits and ancient sleep phenomena, and explore how gender shapes ghost narratives. Kate reveals eye-opening anecdotes, from medieval mystical experiences to modern celebrity claims of ghostly encounters. It’s an enthralling exploration of the sensual side of the spectral!
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Defining Spectrophilia
- Spectrophilia is sexual attraction to ghosts, spirits, or to images in mirrors rather than the physical mirror itself.
- Kate Lister highlights the term covers both ghostly sexual attraction and mirror-focused arousal which are distinct phenomena.
Spectrum From Fantasy To Encounters
- The fetish and the phenomenon span a spectrum from being turned on by the idea of ghosts to actual reported sexual encounters with unseen entities.
- Lister compares milder forms to the erotic appeal of vampires and monsters in popular culture.
Ancient Roots In Lilith And Demons
- The trope of demonic or otherworldly sexual encounters is ancient, exemplified by Lilith and succubi/incubi across cultures.
- Lister notes this idea appears worldwide in myths where supernatural beings seduce or drain humans sexually.
