Atavism n : this is the phenomena whereby after several generations of absence, a chance recombination of genes causes a certain characteristic in an organism. Sometimes called a throwback.
The hideous atavisms described by Lovecraft in many of his tales evoke even more potently the atmosphere of cosmic horror and 'evil' peculiar to the influx of extra-terrestrial powers.
" In his memoirs Leland wrote: "My mother's opinion was that this was a very strong case of atavism, and that the mysterious ancestor had cropped out in me.
"For theosophy teaches "that the presence in man of various creative powers" - called genius in their collectivity - is due to no blind chance, to no innate qualities through hereditary tendencies - though that which is known as atavism may often ...
 See also: World, Ritual, Degree, Mater, Phenomena
  
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