Week 10 New Age and Contemporary Spirituality

Three broad categories: 1. New age spiritual movements 2. Western Mystery Tradition 3. Neo-Pagan movements. Hobsbawm & Ranger The Invention of Tradition Hobsbawm & Ranger The Invention of Tradition

New Age spiritual movements 1960s and 1970s. 1960s and 1970s. Millenarian Millenarian Sometimes God, but often energy or life-force. Sometimes God, but often energy or life-force. –Planetary deities; –spirits; –reincarnated individuals; –outer-space aliens; –‘Cosmic Christ’ “Channeled” through mediums “Channeled” through mediums Akin to shamanism & spirit possession. Akin to shamanism & spirit possession.

New Age spiritual movements Emphasis on autonomy; eschewing authority. Emphasis on autonomy; eschewing authority. Focused on individual. Focused on individual. The sacred: The sacred: –Self-spirituality—assumption that self is sacred Draws heavily on modern science Draws heavily on modern science –esp. systems theory & theoretical physics; rationalizes magical & metaphysical worldview. –Cult archaeology Strong “this worldly” orientation. Strong “this worldly” orientation.

Cult Archaeology Ancient astronauts Ancient astronauts Pyramid power Pyramid power Atlantis Atlantis Ancient Europeans in America Ancient Europeans in America –Vikings in Minnesota –Welsh –Lost Tribes of Israel –Kennewick Man as European Flood archaeology Flood archaeology yvRRXr6RM yvRRXr6RM yvRRXr6RM yvRRXr6RM

New Age spiritual movements Critiques: –Rather conservative movement; –Is a search for prosperity –consistent with capitalism & individualism of Modern West. –spirituality has become a commodity; –self-transformation available through market.

Western Mystery Traditions Offshoot of mysticism of 19th century Offshoot of mysticism of 19th century Occult: “ what is hidden”. Occult: “ what is hidden”. Madame Blavatsky: séances; lost credibility with famous cases of fraud. Madame Blavatsky: séances; lost credibility with famous cases of fraud. Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; included W.B. Yeats Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; included W.B. Yeats Propagation & practice of esoteric studies & ritual magic. Propagation & practice of esoteric studies & ritual magic. Astrology, theosophy, magic alchemy, geomancy Kabbalah, tarot and channeling Astrology, theosophy, magic alchemy, geomancy Kabbalah, tarot and channeling

Western Mystery Traditions Magician or hermeticist can contact & control cosmic forces. Magician or hermeticist can contact & control cosmic forces. Hidden or concealed powers Hidden or concealed powers –In objects, nature & cosmos –Supported by emerging science. Symbolic correspondence between all parts of the visible or invisible universe. Symbolic correspondence between all parts of the visible or invisible universe. –Interrelated by network of “sympathies” –Magic: implementation through ritual practice.

Contemporary ritual magic: Devotees highly educated Devotees highly educated White upper middle class White upper middle class Working class aspirants. Working class aspirants.

Contemporary ritual magic: Organized in occult fraternities Organized in occult fraternities “Adepts” in formal magical robes. “Adepts” in formal magical robes. Magic is viewed as both ritual and pragmatic activity. Magic is viewed as both ritual and pragmatic activity. Some neo-pagans & some Christian mystics. Some neo-pagans & some Christian mystics. Many others non-aligned. Many others non-aligned.

Neo-Paganism Originally applied to movements within Nazi Germany Originally applied to movements within Nazi Germany –Against Christianity; which was rooted in Judaism –Odinism Suppressed by Hitler; Suppressed by Hitler; –not to alienate Bourgois respectability.

Neo-Paganism The Northern Tradition The Northern Tradition Odinism; named for Germanic high god. Odinism; named for Germanic high god. Theosophy based on readings of Eddas (Norse written traditions) Theosophy based on readings of Eddas (Norse written traditions) Multiple deities Multiple deities

Neo-Paganism The Northern Tradition The Northern Tradition Celebration of calendrical festivals, Celebration of calendrical festivals, –esp. solstices and equinoxes. Magical rites Magical rites –Runes –Amulets –Oracular divination. Very male-oriented Very male-oriented Racist/supremacist Racist/supremacist

Neo-Paganism Ancient Druidry: Ancient Druidry: Dru-wid “knowers of oaks”; Dru-wid “knowers of oaks”; Mentioned by Caesar Mentioned by Caesar Shamans of iron-age Celts? Shamans of iron-age Celts?

Neo-Paganism Druid revival Druid revival 19th century; 19th century; Archaeological interest in Stonehenge & Avebury Archaeological interest in Stonehenge & Avebury Part of Romantic movement in U.S., Britain & France. Part of Romantic movement in U.S., Britain & France.

Neo-Paganism Modern Druidism Modern Druidism 1963; Ar Ndraiocht Fein [Our own Druidism] 1963; Ar Ndraiocht Fein [Our own Druidism] –Carleton College; protest against attending chapel. Often associated with sun worship. Often associated with sun worship. Calendrical rituals around Stonehenge and other archaeological sites. Calendrical rituals around Stonehenge and other archaeological sites. Environmental issues Environmental issues More male-oriented. More male-oriented. Various clerical orders. Various clerical orders.

Neo-Paganism Wicca or modern Witchcraft: Wicca or modern Witchcraft: –related to English words, “Wit” or Wise. –=those with knowledge. “Reawakening” of religion of Pre- Christian Europe. “Reawakening” of religion of Pre- Christian Europe. Jacob Bachofen—Das Mutterrecht; Jacob Bachofen—Das Mutterrecht; –ancient society was matriarchal, –religion focused on female deity

Neo-Paganism Wicca Wicca Members are highly educated Members are highly educated Literate Literate Middle class Middle class

Neo-Paganism Highly decentralized and flexible. Highly decentralized and flexible. –egalitarian –covens or circles Draws on research on history & anthropological literature. Draws on research on history & anthropological literature. Sacred: Sacred: Earth as living, interconnected organism; personified by goddess. Earth as living, interconnected organism; personified by goddess. Multiplicity of spirits and deities- pantheistic Multiplicity of spirits and deities- pantheistic Focuses on complementary gender opposition; Focuses on complementary gender opposition; –Goddess –Horned God.

Neo-Paganism Rituals Ritual magic Ritual magic Calendrical rituals Calendrical rituals Rites of passage; initiations that are performed “sky-clad” Rites of passage; initiations that are performed “sky-clad” Eight Sabbaths; often centered on equinoxes & solstice. Eight Sabbaths; often centered on equinoxes & solstice.

Neo-Paganism Dianetic witchdraft: Dianetic witchdraft: Diana: Roman goddess of wisdom. Diana: Roman goddess of wisdom. Far less emphasis on complementarity of male role. Far less emphasis on complementarity of male role.