Abstract
The aim of this article is the study and analysis of a set of revived utopian communities today, understood as contemporary spiritual heresies from theoretical perspectives close to postmodern critiques. Following ethnographic research over a series of years in different locations across the four continents, this socio-anthropological contribution highlights the characteristics, development and social image of this complex and largely unknown social and spiritual reality. The approach goes beyond the spatial—it includes not only the “being there” and living with the utopian individuals in their own communities for years—but also a temporal dimension, with emphasis placed on their continuity, on the existence of heterodox and heretical groups and communities throughout history. The new ethical critique, environmental problems, and the fear of an imminent sixth extinction guide us in the exploration of new millenarian beliefs emerging from the new spiritual movements born in what is called New Age. A detailed review by these cults—which appear to not follow any recognizable pattern—allows us to understand how some ideas are used in the post-capitalist era or—for the most critical—the eco-capitalist era. We approach the utopian communities understanding them as key strongholds of a counterculture that has aligned with the times, exploring their symbolic spaces and their idea of progress based, among other premises, on degrowth and voluntary simplicity. This is an approach to today’s heresies disguised as modernity. A look at religiousness turned spirituality in utopian movements of our time.
Highlights
This work deals with the spiritual phenomena of the New Age in a specific context: the utopian communities of our time
The movement of the Utopian Communities was established in its modern version around the eighties, especially in places such as Scotland, Germany, France, and California
This coincided, seemingly by chance, with the Montreal Protocol, where the signatory countries committed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons
Summary
This work deals with the spiritual phenomena of the New Age in a specific context: the utopian communities of our time. The movement of the Utopian Communities was established in its modern version around the eighties, especially in places such as Scotland, Germany, France, and California. This was a time when the first apocalyptic alarms began in view of the thinning of the ozone layer during the Antarctic winters. There were clear indications and the threats coincided with the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986 These first warning signs had a response in the new spiritual and social movements, especially in what was known as the Harmonic Convergence, culminating in August 1987. This coincided, seemingly by chance, with the Montreal Protocol, where the signatory countries committed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons
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