This article deals with the sanctification process of a site in the Land of Israel, by the Alternative Spirituality, or Neo-Pagans/Shamans.
The site, that has a Christian history, and is directed by an Israeli governmental authorities, has become a focus if an invention of tradition that synthesizes a variety of discourses and traditions.
Though it is percieved as a hub in a network of power sites arrayedthroughout Israel and the whole planet, some view it as the most powerful spiritual site on Earth.
The article was published in The Pomegranate – The International Journal of Pagan Studies, the foremost journal in the study of Paganism and Neo-Paganism. SJR ranking over the years of the article’s publication – was between Q1-Q3 in the Religious Studies category, and in the Cultural Studies category.
In addition to this (8,500 words) article, there is another article (in Hebrew) that describes different aspects of the sanctification process of Kursi, and a lecture on a similar subject. See links below.
The article takes a part in a research project that deals with the Alternative Sacred Geography of the Land of Israel.
Abstract
Kursi is an Israeli site that has recently been increasingly appropriated by various alternative-spiritual groups, especially contemporary Pagan and neoshamanic ones. Located on the Sea of Galilee’s northeastern shore, it lies in an array of archeological-historic sites relating to Jewish-rabbinical, Christian, and, to some extent, Pagan history. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority regulates the site (rather than a religious institution) and is interested in intensifying its mystical aura, and thus amplifying its spiritual appropriation. The various discourses surrounding Kursi (of archeologists, Christian pilgrims, etc.) are eclectic, and adopt from one another to varying degrees. Nevertheless, it seems the contemporary Neo-Pagan/Neo-ShamanPagan/neoshamanic discourse is most comfortable with adopting and reinterpreting elements from other discourses. Practitioners fearlessly and creatively meld all contents together. Their invention of a tradition combines Israeli, Jewish, Christian, Pagan, and New Age symbols with scientific findings, pseudo-scientific theories, and establishment-related discourses, thus weaving them into a new synthetic-syncretistic mythology via ritualistic work.
“They needed to find Kursi in this age, so that it would become a place of healing and communication, between people, earth and sky . . . We believe it is the most powerful portal in Zion.” (Afrilan Kaplan – pseudonym)
Authors
Marianna Ruah-Midbar Shapiro
AdI Sasson
Links
Year
2019
Language
English
Academic/Non-academic
Academic item
Bibliographical citation
Ruah-Midbar Shapiro, Marianna, and Adi Sasson, “’The Most Powerful Portal in Zion’ – Kursi: The Spiritual Site that Became an Intersection of Ley-lines and Multicultural Discourses”, The Pomegranate – The International Journal of Pagan Studies 21.1 (2019): 100-127.
