Podcast Summary
Ancient practice of seeking hidden knowledge from the dead: Necromancy, an ancient practice, involved seeking knowledge from the spirits of the dead for divination purposes, dating back to Neolithic times, and continued into the medieval era despite controversy.
The ancient practice of consulting the dead or the spirits of the dead for the purpose of divination, known as necromancy, dates back to ancient civilizations such as China, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. The earliest evidence of this practice can be traced back to the Neolithic period, as evidenced by various archaeological findings and historical records. Necromancy was used for accessing hidden knowledge and was considered a form of divination rather than raising the dead as commonly portrayed in modern pop culture. The practice continued into the medieval Christian era, where it was met with controversy and caution. Despite the controversies, necromancy continued to be a subject of fascination and exploration throughout history. It's important to note that the term necromancy can be applied broadly or specifically, and its meaning has evolved over time.
Ancient practices connecting shamanism and necromancy: Ancient humans may have served as guides for spirits between worlds, practiced ancestor veneration, and intentionally manipulated the dead, possibly seen as necromancy.
Ancient shamanistic practices and what we might consider as necromancy may be connected, with human beings serving as psychopomps or guides for spirits between worlds. This theory, which could be seen as a human coping mechanism for dealing with death, also includes ancestor veneration, cult, and worship. Speaking to the dead is not an alien concept but a natural human desire, and there is evidence of intentional manipulation of the dead dating back to at least Neanderthal times. Archaeological sites linked to ancestor cult in the Middle East are potential candidates for ancient necromancy practices. The plastered skulls from the ancient Fertile Crescent, such as the Jericho skull, are intriguing examples of this practice, but the intent behind them is still debated. Despite the lack of decisive evidence, the possibility of ancient necromancy practices is an intriguing area of study in understanding human spiritual and religious thought.
Earliest known portraits from Neolithic period discovered in Jericho and other ancient sites: During the Neolithic period, people created lifelike skulls with individual facial features, possibly for communicating with the dead or preserving memories of the deceased.
During the Neolithic period in ancient Jericho and other ancient Levant and Turkish sites like Catalhoyuk, people created plastered skulls as possible examples of the earliest known portraits. These skulls, sometimes without the mandible, were filled with earth or plaster and then decorated with individual facial features such as seashells for eyes, plastered eyelids, and painted-on hair, eyebrows, and mustaches. The Jericho skull, discovered in the 1950s, is believed to be the oldest example of portraiture in the British Museum due to the assumption that it was made to resemble the specific person the skull belonged to. Modern technology, like CT scanning, has revealed interesting details about the skull, such as a broken and healed nose and a skull that was bound as a child, leading to an elongated skull. Scientists can use this information to reconstruct the man's face with a good degree of accuracy. This process parallels ancient practices, where people likely used their memory to reconstruct the face around the skull in plaster. The reasons for creating these lifelike skulls remain unclear, but arguments can be made for communicating with the dead or preserving the memory of the deceased.
Ancient skulls and the bicameral mind hypothesis: The discovery of ancient skulls with human faces may have been more than just artifacts, suggesting the possibility of ancient practices like necromancy and a connection to the bicameral mind hypothesis. Fast-acting allergy relief from Astepro and eBay Motors as a resource for custom parts complete this intriguing roundup.
The ancient skulls discovered with human faces, discussed in relation to the bicameral mind hypothesis, may have been more than just artifacts for the people who made them. While we don't have definitive evidence that they spoke to the skulls, the hypothesis suggests that this could have been the case. If true, this would impact our understanding of ancient practices like necromancy. Researcher Alexandra Fletcher's observation that working with these skulls can lead to seeing them as people rather than objects adds to this intriguing possibility. Additionally, Astepro was highlighted as a fast-acting nasal allergy spray providing relief within 30 minutes, making it a valuable solution for allergy sufferers. Lastly, eBay Motors was introduced as a go-to platform for finding and purchasing parts for customizing and maintaining unique rides.
Ancient beliefs about the dead and their presence in homes: Ancient civilizations treated the dead with intimacy and reverence, believing they could still communicate, as evidenced by plaster skulls and buried bones found in homes.
The treatment of the dead in early civilizations was more intimate and continuous than we might initially think. Discoveries of plaster skulls and buried bones in homes suggest a belief that ancestors were still present and could potentially communicate. This belief might not have been considered necromancy as we understand it today, but rather a way of honoring and remembering loved ones. The complex relationship with skulls, as both symbolic and intriguing objects, adds to the intrigue. The exact practices and meanings are still a mystery, but they offer a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and values of ancient cultures.
Ancestor veneration: Belief in deceased ancestors' influence: Ancestors, believed to remain unchanged since death, protect, advise, and can cause harm. Contact through music, dance, or healers.
Ancestor veneration, which includes the belief that deceased ancestors continue to exist and have the power to influence the lives of the living, is a common practice around the world. The Bapeti people, who primarily reside in Northern South Africa, are an example of this belief system. Ancestors are believed to remain unchanged since their death and can protect, advise, and even cause harm to their descendants depending on how they are honored. Ancestral spirits are venerated, not worshipped, and they enforce morality within families and prevent conflicts. Contact with ancestors can be established through communal music and dance ceremonies or by seeking help from traditional healers using divination bones, which are not necessarily the bones of ancestors. This practice of ancestor veneration and divination has been observed in various cultures throughout history and continues to be relevant in contemporary societies.
Ancestor veneration in Bapetti society through music, dreams, and healers: Ancestor veneration in Bapetti society focuses on seeking the ancestor's perspective and understanding their influence, rather than predicting future outcomes, and contributes to a sense of structural completeness by extending the family beyond the present and deeply rooting it in the past.
In Bapetti society, ancestor veneration through music, dreams, and the help of traditional healers serves to create harmony between the living and the ancestors, providing personal advice and bringing current generations in line with the will and expectations of past ancestors. This practice, as observed in Molopo rituals and documented in interviews with traditional healers, is not focused on predicting objective future outcomes but rather on seeking the ancestor's perspective and understanding their influence on one's life. This concept of ancestor veneration can be seen as contributing to a sense of structural completeness within the family unit, as the family is viewed as extending beyond the present and deeply rooted in the past. This highlights the cultural variability of the concept of family and the importance of understanding the unique practices and beliefs within different societies.
Connecting with Ancestors for Wisdom and Perspective: Through rituals and communication with healers, the Bepeti Society seeks advice and wisdom from ancestors, emphasizing respect and remembrance over ultimate power.
The connection between the living and the dead, as seen in the Bepeti Society, is not just about communicating with ancestors for future knowledge, but rather for gaining perspective on the present and past. Ancestors are believed to want respect and remembrance, and through rituals like communal music, dance, and consultation with healers, the living can establish communication with their ancestors to receive wisdom and advice. This perspective challenges the common view of necromancy as a form of ultimate power seeking, and instead highlights its personal and therapeutic properties. However, it's important to note that cultural beliefs around communicating with the dead can vary greatly, with some viewing it as an intimate and integrated practice, while others view it as a special and extreme transactional event to be avoided. In medieval Christian Europe, there was a top-down approach to stamp out necromantic practices, with the belief that the dead cannot be communicated with and any attempts to do so would result in contact with demons. These contrasting perspectives highlight the complexity and diversity of beliefs surrounding the connection between the living and the dead throughout history.
Blurred lines between necromancy and demonic magic during Middle Ages: During Middle Ages, texts on necromancy, believed to communicate with dead, were accused of involving demons. Some texts contained instructions for both necromancy and demonic magic. Clergy controlled access to this knowledge.
During the Middle Ages, the line between necromancy and demonic magic was often blurred. Necromantic texts, which were believed to concern communication with the dead, were sometimes accused of involving demons in disguise. The Bible's story of Samuel being conjured by the witch of Endor was often used as evidence of this. However, not all instances of necromancy involved demons, and some texts, such as the Rollinson Necromantic Manuscript and the Munich Manual of Demonic Magic, contained instructions for both necromantic magic and communication with demons. These texts were often feared and possessed by the clergy, who controlled the knowledge and determined who was allowed to access it. Despite the fears and accusations, the study of necromancy continued to be a subject of interest and exploration.
Medieval Perspective on Necromancy: Religion or Entertainment?: During medieval times, the interpretation of necromancy varied greatly, from a serious religious or magical practice to mere entertainment. Thomas Aquinas, a renowned theologian, considered it a form of divination involving demons. Today, Visible offers a clear and transparent wireless plan, making communication accessible and affordable for all.
The concept of necromancy and communication with the dead was not as straightforward as it may seem during medieval times. While some may have taken it as a serious religious or magical practice, others saw it as a form of entertainment or nonsense. The boundaries between sense and nonsense were not always clear-cut, and the interpretation of these practices varied greatly within different cultures. Visible, on the other hand, offers a clear and transparent wireless plan with unlimited 5G data for only $25 a month, making wireless affordable and accessible for everyone. With no hidden fees or surprises, Visible is revolutionizing the wireless industry with its straightforward and honest approach. Regarding necromancy, Thomas Aquinas, a famous theologian from the 13th century, viewed it as a form of divination that involved seeking foreknowledge of future events with the help of demons. This perspective reflects the Christian worldview during that time, which did not tolerate such practices. Overall, the discussion highlights the complexity of understanding historical practices and beliefs, as well as the importance of transparency and affordability in modern-day industries.
Thomas Aquinas on Different Forms of Divination: Thomas Aquinas permits observing natural signs or divine guidance for divination but discourages summoning demons, considering it more sinful. He allows questioning demons that approach on their own but not for knowledge or power. Distinguishes divination by stars as acceptable.
According to Thomas Aquinas, there are different forms of divination, some involving the direct invocation of demons, such as necromancy, and others that do not, like observing natural signs or human actions. The former is considered more sinful than the latter due to the greater harm caused by actively summoning demons. However, Aquinas allows that it can be lawful to question a demon that approaches on its own, but not to invoke one for the purpose of gaining knowledge or power. He also distinguishes divination by the stars as acceptable, as long as no demons are invoked. Overall, Aquinas' perspective emphasizes the importance of avoiding direct interaction with demons and instead relying on natural signs or divine guidance.
Misunderstanding practices involving the dead or spirits: Cultural norms and interpretations shape how we perceive and label practices related to communicating with the dead or spirits, leading to potential misconceptions and misunderstandings.
Throughout history and across various cultures, the concept of communicating with the dead or spirits has been interpreted differently, leading to misunderstandings and potential mislabeling of practices. Ancestor veneration, for instance, may involve consulting the dead for wisdom or guidance, but an outsider might mistakenly label it as witchcraft or necromancy. Similarly, practices within religious traditions, such as the veneration of saints in Catholic Christianity, may also be seen as serving a similar purpose. The interpretation and acceptance of these practices depend on cultural norms and who is setting the standards. In the context of demonology, there have been debates about the capabilities of demons, such as their ability to disguise themselves or perform miracles, and theologians like Aquinas have written extensively about these topics to clarify what is permissible under divine will. Ultimately, the complexities surrounding these beliefs and practices highlight the importance of understanding cultural context and avoiding hasty judgments.
Exploring Spiritual Communication and Ancestor Veneration in Fiction, Legend, and Lore: The Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast invites listeners to share examples of spiritual practices and ancestor veneration in various forms of media, with episodes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Listeners can engage with the community and submit suggestions or feedback.
The Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast welcomes listeners to share examples of spiritual communication or ancestor veneration in fiction, legend, and lore. The podcast covers various topics, including core episodes on Tuesdays, short form monster facts or artifact episodes on Wednesdays, and a film discussion on Fridays. Listeners can contact the show with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at contact@stufftoblowyourmind.com. The podcast is produced by iHeartRadio, and listeners can find more podcasts from iHeartRadio on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever they listen to podcasts. Additionally, the podcast is sponsored by Visible, a wireless company offering unlimited 5G data for $25 a month, and the Michigan Chronicle Digital Daily, a news source elevating black voices and stories in the Detroit community. The podcast also promotes the 2024 Cedar Point summer pass, offering unlimited visits and free parking. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the podcast and share their thoughts, making this a community-driven and inclusive space for exploring the mysteries and wonders of the world.
