Mysterium Tremendum et Fascinans

In 1917 Rudolf Otto published a book in German that was translated to English in 1923 entitled, “The Idea of the Holy”. This book is an examination of the experience Otto calls “numinous” and in his view that experience has three components. The three components are: mysterium, tremendum and fascinans. The concept of the numinous suggests a strong spiritual quality and is suggestive of being connected to the presence of divinity; however, you may choose to define it.

The expression mysterium tremendum et fascinans means, fearful and fascinating mystery. Let’s take these one at a time and see what we can see. First, there is the mysterium. This deals with the “wholly other” which is experienced with awe and at times blank wonder and even stupor. Those experiences that transcend our normal reality and take our soul and body to a place that defies what our words are capable of describing. A connection to something bigger than ourselves.

Then there is the tremendum. This involves a feeling of fear or terror at being in the presence of such an absolute and majestic presence that brings a sense of our own tininess in the face of its awesome power. We may in this state feel our dependence on this mystery.

Finally, there is the fascinans. This is best described as something possessing a potent charm, an attractiveness that coaxes us past our awe and fear and invites us to explore further. This charm has a magnetism to it that pulls on us at the soul level and in its whisperings, it appeals to our deepest memories.

I, probably not unlike all of you, have experienced the numinous on countless occasions throughout this life journey. Those experiences have come in a thousand shapes and containers and have not been limited to a formal religious practice. Unfortunately, the concept of numinous in my opinion has been hijacked by this belief that often limits it to religion. I am one who believes the numinous is everywhere if we have eyes and ears that are tuned to experience it.

In my own life, numinous experiences that provoke the mysterium tremendum et fascinans have frequently come while in the natural world. Walking through the woods on a glorious sunny day. Standing by the ocean and sensing the raw and awesome power of the moving waters. Sitting silently on a mountain and beholding the grandeur and magnificence of the horizon. In these moments, my soul often brushes against the mysterium, and I scarcely capture them by mere words.

Then there are the more human moments, where we feel one another on a divine level; a remembering of sorts. A sense that we have passed this way before. These are often subtle. That stranger on the bus who says something completely out of context but it somehow has deep and significant meaning in that moment for you. The friend who calls or stops by at the right moment when they were desperately needed, right on cue. The words of a child that are uttered at that moment that we in all of our adult wisdom need something innocence and naïve to cut through the noise. These too are part of the numinous experience.

As those who are regular readers know, I am an astrologer. At the core of astrology is the hermetic concept of “as above so below”. Each time I sit with someone and discuss their natal chart I also experience the mysterium tremendum et fascinans. Using what I often describe to others as the symbolic language of God (read the divine or mysterium), I am able to share insights with people about themselves and the energies present in their life. In doing so, I often experience the tremendum as I experience this symbolic language with sometimes frightening and overpowering insight into people’s lives. It has literally left me trembling at times. But, the concept of fascinans continues to inspire and draw me forward in this desire to help others through this experience. A potent magnetism pushing an exploration of this great mysterium deeper.

In conclusion, embrace the numinous. Recognize that it is all the mysterium tremendum et fascinans. Hear the messages that are there for you and trust that one day we will see as we are now not capable of seeing. In that moment, we will fully know the divine.