Flow, Liminality, and Eudaimonia: Pagan Ritual Practice as a Gateway to a Life With Meaning

Charmaine Sonnex,Chris A. Roe,Elizabeth C. Roxburgh

doi:10.1177/0022167820927577

Abstract

Paganism is a term applied to a number of nature religions based on traditional indigenous practices. Paganism is practiced through rituals designed to facilitate a flow state that allows practitioners to use magic to achieve their aims. Since the introduction of Wicca to mainstream society in the 1950s, many other Pagan traditions have developed. Similarly, the number of people identifying as Pagan has also increased; in 2011, the number of people identifying as Pagan in the U.K. census reached 80,153. Despite this growth, Paganism is a topic that is underresearched in Psychology. This article uses Ryff’s theory of psychological well-being as a frame-work through which to explore the ways in which Paganism may be particularly conducive to eudemonic well-being as a result of the flow experiences inherent in its practice. This theory posits six key dimensions of eudaimonia: personal growth, self-acceptance, positive relation with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, and purpose in life. The ways in which each of these dimensions is elicited through Paganism is elucidated.

Highlights

Paganism is used as an umbrella term for a number of different nature-based religions/spiritualities that are inspired by the native pre-Christian traditions of Europe (Clifton & Harvey, 2004; Jones, 1998; York, 1995)
Reid (1996) describes how Pagan magical practices can be beneficial to those who have survived trauma and abuse, comparing the techniques of magical training with those prevalent in self-help literature. She explains that because magical practice involves developing a depth of knowledge about one’s self, experiences and feelings are naturally acknowledged, reexamined and reevaluated, especially those considered “dark.” It is understood in Paganism that power is gained through successfully overcoming the challenge of facing our inner demons (Luhrmann, 1989; Reid, 1996); doing so tests our resilience and strength of will
We have considered Pagan practices from the perspective of Flow, Liminality, and Eudaimonia to explore the ways in which being a Pagan might confer well-being benefits

Summary

Introduction

Paganism is used as an umbrella term for a number of different nature-based religions/spiritualities that are inspired by the native pre-Christian traditions of (mainly) Europe (Clifton & Harvey, 2004; Jones, 1998; York, 1995). 16) proposes that these liminal, ritual flow experiences allow one to discover a life with “soul”; that is, “a life that is experienced as worthwhile, and performed with dignity and respect.” This definition shares many similarities to Eudaimonia, a term that comes from Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics and refers to living in accordance with one’s daimon—one’s full potential or true self (Ryff & Singer, 2008; Waterman, 1993).

Results

Conclusion