RT Article
T1 Pub Psychic Nights: Spiritual and Social Transformation Beyond Institutional Boundaries
JF Implicit religion
VO 26
IS 4
SP 366
OP 386
A1 Starkey, Caroline
A1 Bullock, Josh
A1 Powell, Adam
A2 Bullock, Josh
A2 Powell, Adam
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1963104897
AB This article explores pub psychic nights in Britain. The audience of these events are predominantly working- class women who gather in local pubs and social clubs to participate in spirit communication led by a medium and/or psychic. Drawing on qualitative data from 16 interviews and four participant observations we examine the social and spiritual significance of these events for the audience, arguing that they have a profound impact in helping people deal with grief and loss, extending far beyond mere entertainment. We further argue that pub psychic nights create an opportunity to address existential questions and seek comfort outside of traditional religious institutions. We demonstrate how these nights blur the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary and transform historically male-dominated pub spaces into local hubs of female- led spirituality. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary spiritual practices and their significance for marginalized communities.
K1 Britain
K1 sociology of religion
K1 Spiritual
K1 Spiritualism
K1 Medium
K1 psychic
K1 pub
K1 Religious Change
K1 Sociology
K1 Spirituality
DO 10.1558/imre.33028