ABSTRACT
This chapter presents several case studies instances of similar conjunctions of crisis and influence by consumption of ‘New Age’ symbols. The social profile of what is commonly known as western New Agers is urban educated middle-class and middle-aged, with a majority of women. The immense social psychological differences are obvious and challenge any simple composite portrait. Technical mysticism makes a break with traditional religion. Technical mystics contest the religion within which they have been socialised. Two ideal-types of alternation to alternative spiritualities were found: one centred on crisis and the other on a consumption of ‘New Age’ symbols. Some people alternate to alternative spiritualities because they were brought up in a family that valorises the ideas, because they were influenced by some significant others and/or by the counter-culture movement. It could be argued that these people were socialised into alternation in their family and/or by significant others.
