numinous

The numinous is a term in theology and religious studies describing a sense of the divine presence that is both terrifying and fascinating, yielding awe, reverence, and moral seriousness. It's not simply "holy" or "religious feeling" but a specific experiential quality of encountering something wholly other.

Etymology: from Latin numen "divine will" or "divine presence", used in English since the early 20th century. The concept was popularized by Rudolf Otto, especially in The Idea of the Holy (1917), where he distinguishes the numinous from the rational or the moral, as a non-rational mode of apprehension.

Core characteristics: mysterium tremendum et fascinans: a mystery that trembles with awe and dread, yet also fascinates, inviting contemplation and devotion. It is ineffable and often associated with moral demands, accountability, and a sense of something greater than the self.

Usage and significance: The term has influenced studies of religion, philosophy of religion, and comparative religion, shaping discussions of religious experience and the nature of the sacred. It is also applied to experiences of awe in nature, art, or the sublime, though critics caution that the framework reflects particular Western and theological assumptions.