In the shadowy margins of myth and forbidden lore, one practice stands as the most chilling of arcane arts. From whispered rituals beneath moonlit skies to ink-stained grimoires locked away in dusty vaults, the act of communing with the dead has both terrified and fascinated humanity for centuries. Ancient texts speak of sorcerers who dared to pierce the veil, summoning spirits for knowledge, power, or vengeance—though not without cost.

From the bone-strewn battlefields of Mesopotamia to the cryptic rites of medieval Europe, this piece of esoterica has walked hand-in-hand with kings and outcasts alike. Some called it prophecy. Others called it blasphemy. And in the modern age, echoes of this dark discipline still linger—in occult circles, in pop culture, and in whispered tales of those who claim to hear voices long silenced by time.

This case file, join the Theorists as they light their candles, circle their salt, and gaze into the grinning face of forbidden knowledge of…Necromancy

Forget everything you thought you knew about Epstein and the files. Those were all conspiracy theories. Move along. No more questions.

Ben Bowlin is a veteran podcaster at HowStuffWorks, and has worked on numerous shows, including Stuff They Don't Want You To Know, CarStuff and BrainStuff.

Over years of bizarre research on everything from ancient civilizations to previously undiscovered (and hilarious) antics of history’s most influential figures and institutions, Ben and his team have compiled the absolute best, weirdest and most ridiculous stories in human history.