ESSWE4 Conference: European, Society for the Study of Western Esotericism
Note:
President:
Professor of History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents and President of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism,
University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The conference is open for scholars, students and the public. The wide range of papers will be of interest not only to those studying Western esotericism, but also to those with a wider interest in the history of medicine, the relationship between religion and health, and the growing field of medical humanities.
Conference theme
Issues relating to health can be seen as an intrinsic part of the field of esotericism, but surprisingly little attention has been given to how health is understood and construed in esoteric discourses. The conference thus fills an important lacuna in the study of Western esotericism. Over 100 papers by both senior and junior scholars will deal with such diverse topics as esoteric notions and discourses on health, sexuality and well-being, “occult” causes for disease, “occult medicine”, notions of therapeutic benefits of magic and meditation, alchemical approaches to health, alternative forms of medicine, etc.
Replies to This Discussion
-
ModeratorPermalink Reply by John on -
ESSWE4 Program-> Accepted Papers here
(program list of accepted papers)
(Duppils, Sara; Åbo Akademi University, Finland): Contemporary Ghost SicknessGhost sickness is originally a term used by native North Americans to describe illnesses caused by spirits. As a concept, ghost sickness is similar to the phenomenon within Swedish folklore that could occur if a person was “gastkramad” (literally “spectral-hugged” in English). A person could, for example, be gastkramad if she walked through a dagståndare, i.e., a revenant that was trapped in the sun during daylight hours. The dagståndare was believed to be invisible and could not move until sundown; during this time, a human could walk through it by mistake and get sick.
In this presentation, ghost sickness is used to describe the contemporary belief that some medical conditions can be caused by spirits related to hauntings, although it is no longer a belief that people can be gastkramade, nor is the treatment the same. Today, people who visit or live in allegedly haunted places can experience different symptoms that are believed to be related to spirits inhabiting the place. Ghost sickness within neospiritism, i.e., the contemporary belief in spirits, is believed to be foremost expressed by headaches, dizziness, nausea, epileptic seizures, depression, and personality changes. Although ghost sickness is supposed to occur in almost all western countries, the empirical material in the case of this paper originates in Sweden. I will thus present the belief in, and experience of, contemporary ghost sickness, relating it to a historical context and the belief that a person could become ill by being gastkramad.
-
Permalink Reply by Jessica R. Huffmeyer on
-
Is there a link to back this up?
-
ModeratorPermalink Reply by John on -
got it - edited it into the post. The link to the event was in the "EventCalendars". forgot to add it here. (typical)
-
-
Just saw it.
-
-
Where there is seeming a virtualistic willow-wisp one must be sure to follow.
A very long time a ago, met a girl and was fortunate to have know her and understand her even though her stories sometimes ended bazar. She told me things, wasn't sure if they were true, obviously. She had told a story about falling asleep on her couch at home in her families home, her mother coming home with a party of people, she said that they were there a long time before they saw her. She said during her sleep she could hear everything and was aware of their presence in sleep, asking why do they not see me? There are people she feels sitting right by her feet. but they are not paying attention to her. Then she said, a woman sat right on top of her and suddenly everyone out of a party of 10 was aware. Everyone replied "I didn't see her". She did some really awkward and peculiar things that I cannot even explain. She also told about her dreams from her earliest times and said they were from Hollywood movies. (may give the Albert Einstein a look) She said her dreams were equally magical as their movies; Deja-vu Effect IRLT. Also, from time to time she would get 'movie effect' like being in a movie without cameras. Weird stuff.
What I find strange is that her family roots have been said to be planted in Fin.
-
Permalink Reply by Paul lee James on
-
Dear Jessica,
Paul here. After reading your poem I realized having had no low self esteem hauntings as I did, I know see clearly that you are (charismatic) in your writings and poetry and I am envious)! I discovered because of my low self esteem that the only enemy I had (was me and my beliefs). (I) gave my belief of (low self esteem) the power to rule over me. The word charismatic draws me to it, as does this forum. From the darkness a light appeared and drew me into it's mystery, allowing me to see wisdom of the light, like the people in this forum (my attempt to write poetry). I am greatful to you Joe,Hari,John, Puzzlesolver and Meegar (did I spell that right) for all of your patience and wisdom. Thank your. Paul
© 2024 Created by Theosophy Network.
Powered by
