The term "numinous" is derived from the Latin word "numen," which signifies a divine power or presence, particularly one that exists beyond the human realm. This concept was extensively explored by the German theologian Rudolf Otto in his influential 1917 book, "Das Heilige" (translated into English as "The Idea of the Holy"). Otto used the term to describe a profound emotional experience that he considered the essence of religious experience, encompassing a mysterious and awe-inspiring fear that he famously termed as the "mysterium tremendum." This fear or awe is not derived from any specific belief but from an immediate sense of the Majesty and overwhelming presence of a wholly "Other."
In exploring the numinous, Otto argued that it is a non-rational, non-sensory experience or feeling whose primary and immediate object is outside the self. This experience includes a bewildering paradox where the divine is both terrifyingly powerful and fascinatingly alluring at the same time. The Mysterium component of the numinous refers to the mystery that is wholly other than anything we experience in ordinary life, which instills a reaction of silence. The tremendum involves the awe or terror stirred within us by the mystery, while the fascinating aspect draws us toward it, despite the fear.
The concept of the numinous has been influential beyond the realm of theology and religious studies. In psychology, particularly in the work of Carl Jung, the numinous is considered a fundamental element in the deep psychological responses humans have to the symbolic, particularly in dreams or the psychotherapeutic process. Jung described the numinous as an experience that signifies the presence of a powerful psychic force and argued that any encounter with the Unconscious is typically numinous. This experience can be crucial for personal development and transformation, suggesting that the numinous has not only religious but also psychological implications.
In contemporary discussions, the idea of the numinous is often associated with the experience of the sublime in nature or art, where the perceived vastness or beauty evokes a powerful emotional response. This can be seen in experiences where individuals report feeling small yet connected to something much larger than themselves in the presence of grand natural landscapes or profound artworks. The numinous thus bridges the gap between the religious and aesthetic realms, highlighting a universal capacity for humans to feel deeply moved by encounters with forms of greatness or power that transcend everyday experience. Exploring the Transcendent and Ineffable through the lens of the numinous offers a richer understanding of how humans interact with the profound mysteries of existence.