Religion and Magic in Socialist and Post-Socialist Contexts II by Alexandra Cotofana James M. Nyce

Author:Alexandra Cotofana, James M. Nyce [Alexandra Cotofana, James M. Nyce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783838210902
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Ibidem Press
Published: 2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

Magic connected with spiritual enhancement

One central topic of today’s magic is the idea of spiritual enhancement, furthering individual growth through the use of spiritual-magical techniques. Partly as a result of increased availability and advertising, these attempts of spiritual enhancement have become more commodity-centered: e.g. there are suggestions in the media as well as in private to buy rune stones, semiprecious stones or talismans for creating positive vibrations at home.

Spiritual enhancement groups and movements are still only loosely connected in Estonia. The participants of topical workshops, camps and seminars may partly overlap, so we cannot talk here of any lasting esoteric subculture or organizations with the kinds of hierarchical structures found in Great Britain, North America or Russia.30 Likewise, in Estonia, professional organizations of magicians and witches have not developed as in Hungary.31

Passing on spiritual knowledge has taken on more a public dimension. Several secret techniques taught by the teacher to the student are still advertised as “secret practices”, but they can today be learned in public workshops in the conference rooms of a shopping center (e.g. a workshop that taught the “secrets” of fortunetelling in 2014) or in festivals (e.g. at the alleged world’s biggest tantra festival with almost 1000 participants in 2015).

The end goal of spiritual enhancement is often material well-being; for example, gaining success at work or improving one’s economic situation. So the old legends about magic used for locating hidden treasures or to obtain a wealth-bringing spirit have been replaced by books and teachings about modern wealth-magic (e.g. how to ask specific help from angels, how to apply astrology or feng shui).

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