I agree with you regarding Ectoplasm, but one could choose a different mystical example. The ancient notion that thunder and lightning were the Gods getting ang

I agree with you regarding Ectoplasm, but one could choose a different mystical example. The ancient notion that thunder and lightning were the Gods getting angry or fighting. Lightning is real enough, but ancient people didn't know what it was, so had a story to explain to themselves what was happening. People like stories. I used to know an atmospheric physicist whose project launched small rockets into thunderstorms to try and trigger a lightning bolt discharge. He would joke that he was tempting the Gods' anger.