Ghosts, Ghouls and Goblins in Tantrik Spirituality | Hallowe'en Special

Tonight’s lecture is a Hallowe’en special! After all, Śaiva and Śakta Tantra is chock full of ghoulish mortuary iconography: Mā Kālī’s garland of skulls, Lord Śiva’s garland of snakes, their retinue of ghosts, goblins and vampires, their home in the cremation grounds (ghat), fierce fanged dākinī and yoginīs and so much more. It’s no wonder Hallowe’en is my favorite holiday! Tonight, to celebrate, let's discuss Tantrik demonology and the role of mortuary and gory iconography in te...