Treasures from the Valley of Disgust

Frater Acher (text & diagrams)
With illustrations by Goya (public domain)
Digital release: August 2023

In this preliminary essay, we take a look together at the magical function of disgust. Based on fundamental observations from Claudia Reiß's dissertation (Ekel, 2009), we approach classical representations of disgust in both Western and Eastern sources.

In contrast to the few available sources on this particular topic, we will not consider disgust as something to be overcome, but rather illuminate its positive functions as a magical tool. As far as is possible in such a short text, we approach disgust as a phenomenon that opens up a realm that is at once heavily tabooed, but at the same time promises the possibility of coming into contact with beings and expressions of radical otherness.

The text is illustrated throughout with original drawings by the great Spanish artist Goya (1746-1828). We are making this material available online and free of charge as a contribution to the magical community. A printed version is not planned at this time.

LVX,

Frater Acher