The Tell of Captain Walker (“Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome”, 1985)
The Lost Tribe enact the sacred ritual of the Tell in this mesmerizing scene from the third Mad Max movie.
Ritual
“Psychotechnologies for the Age of Collapse”
Writing for Emerge, Euvie Ivanova argues that the present age of compounding crises may be met by new psychotechnologies: Collective Sapience must include and integrate the practices that: a. Restore wholeness of body and mind, a wholeness of selfb. Restore wholeness of self and other, a collective intimacyc. Restore wholeness of self and world, an … Read more“Psychotechnologies for the Age of Collapse”
“The surprising power of daily rituals”
Karan Johnson writes for the BBC on the psychological benefits of ritual: A ritual is defined by psychologists as “a predefined sequence of symbolic actions often characterised by formality and repetition that lacks direct instrumental purpose”. Research identifies three elements of a ritual. First, it consists of behaviours that occur in fixed succession – one after another – … Read more“The surprising power of daily rituals”
“Meet the African women reviving traditional religions”
BBC Africa profiles several women who are reviving aspects of pre-Colonial spiritual practice.
Witches’ Cradles by the Center for Tactical Magic (2009)
The Center for Tactical Magic conjures a radical reinvention of the “witches’ cradle” as an immersive ritual experience.
“Why Some Black Women Are Turning to Witchcraft”
VICE News reports on the increasing revival of Afro-Caribbean religions such as Voodoo and Lucumi as well as New Age witchcraft among Black American women.
Cultpunky podcasts from the Open Div Summit (2021)
Worldviews and Ways of Life with Ann Taves. Rather than “religion” and “non-religion,” what does it mean to look at these phenomena as part of the broader category of worldviews and ways of life? Invented Religions with Carole Cusack, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Sydney. The Sunday Assembly with Josh Bullock, a … Read moreCultpunky podcasts from the Open Div Summit (2021)
“Why We Need Ethical Cults”
Jamie Wheal argues for the “ethical cult” as distinct from “traditional cults” such as institutionalized religions and “culty cults” a la the Peoples Temple, Nxivm, et al. More detail on the same theme here:
“Ruby Takes a Trip” (documentary, 1991)
I recorded this unusual and imaginative documentary on VHS tape back when it first screened, and re-watched it several times. During the first two-thirds, comedienne and presenter Ruby Wax lampoons various California New Age therapies and ostensibly mystical practices (or at least provides color commentary as they lampoon themselves) and it’s fun and funny to … Read more“Ruby Takes a Trip” (documentary, 1991)
VICE News reports on the Phoenix Goddess Temple
See this entry by the World Religions and Spirituality Project for more on the Phoenix Goddess Temple: At the end of the day, the case against the Temple turned on several issues: whether Elise was a “spiritual leader” or a “brothel madam,” whether the Temple “goddesses” were “priestesses” or “prostitutes,” whether “orgasm” was part of … Read moreVICE News reports on the Phoenix Goddess Temple