The phrase "powers of horror" refers to the primal and unsettling feelings of fear and dread that can be evoked by certain aspects of our existence. Synonyms for this phrase might include "terrifying forces," "dreadful energies," or "haunting specters." More abstract descriptions might include "existential dread," "cosmic horror," or "psychic terror." Religion and philosophy have often grappled with these forces, associating them with death, evil and the unknown. In literature and film, horror stories invite us to confront these fears in a controlled setting, providing a way for us to work through our anxieties and, in some cases, to overcome them entirely.