CLASSICS 330 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Necromancy, Laundry Detergent, Garlic
Document Summary
Lecture 17: necromancy and visceral angles of magic (continued) Interesting how spells say that the taste of a potion will be disgusting or elicit another strong response. Different smells can affect moods, trigger memory, create associations, create comfort etc. Comfortability in certain circumstances could make it easier to speak with the divine/make the magician more comfortable with doing so. Once a disgusting smell is gone, there is a sense of relief. Deliberately putting someone in an uncomfortable state of being. Disgusting smells are also often associated with curses and other hostile magic. * needham argues that humans have a tendency to use percussive instruments during these ceremonies. These sounds, overwhelming noises, have a tendency to affect how people react and feel. Rituals are designed to take advantage of the change of the way we think in the moment of transition. Fosters the belief that transition is possible or better in this setting because it will change the way you think.
