Episode 20: Love Bug

Content Warning: This podcast often uses explicit language and covers sensitive or distressing topics. It is NSFW. Listener discretion is advised.

Dirtlings, it’s Valentine's Day, which means it’s a great time to talk about love demons. Follow your hosts Ellsworth and Big Spoon down the tunnel of love to explore the origins of Cupid, from ancient Roman mythology, and to learn how to summon a tall, dark and handsome from the depths of Hell!

Riley will recount the mythos of Cupid, born from the power couple Venus and Mars and stories of this cherubic baby/youth shooting things with his bow and arrows (some with passion, others with disgust) and how Cupid ultimately fell victim to his own power. Really it depends on the version of the lore you read, amirite? Low key, Riley thought Cupid may have been a demon more than a god but it turns out he was simply like his fam up in Mount Olympus: a total trickster. 

Ellie introduces us to various types of love demons and other seductive bed fellows as written in the Ars Goetia, one of five parts in the Lesser Key of Solomon and later translated by America’s favorite occultist Aleister Crowley. Ellie will also give us the deets on how to conjure Saleos, The Duke of Hell and Knight of Endless Darkness. Trust us, he’s the nicest of the Fallen Angels found in the Dirtstar thus far. 

Things take a wrong turn into the Side-Bar Circle of Hell where Ellie and Riley discuss My Strange Addiction (yes it’s the car guy), the woman who married a 300 year old pirate ghost whom she later divorced, giant tadpoles, love bugs (aka the March Fly Plecia Nearctica), and the wonderfully horrifying bugs who will be returning this summer in a once-and-a-lifetime synchronized emergence: Cicadas.

Go ahead, I dare you to google it. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Check out episode sources, pictures, or any other goodies we may have found on our website.

This episode is sponsored by our perfect Patrons: Tasha, BJ, Brian, Brent, Katrina and Carol. You Dirtlings warm our dark little hearts!

Special thanks to our show sponsor, The Phantom Moon Collection. Phantom Moon Collection is a small business jewelry brand started by our incredible friend, Natasha.  Each piece is handmade with love, inspired by her favorite books, horror stories, and her three kitties, Bellatrix, Pumpkin, and Eevee. Use code DIRTLINGS for 15% off your order!

Reminder: We're hobbyists, not experts. Please approach the content of this episode with that in mind, we encourage you to do your own research. Remember, facts and statistics can be misinterpreted or misused. If you're an expert on a topic we cover, we welcome additional information or corrections via our contact form on our website. Happy listening!