Paper short abstract:

My paper analyses cases of stigmata and possession among Hungarian school girls within a millennial cultic milieu. Ritual self-healing of the informants reflects strong media influence. Explanatory models offered by psychiatry and the BPSS approach are compared in the global and local context.

Paper long abstract:

My paper presents and analyzes cases of stigmata, possession, and ritual healing among Hungarian school girls within a millennial cultic milieu. I use a cultural phenomenological approach to analyze forms of dermal "stigmata", thought to be caused by black magic or possession induced by necromancy. In other words, occult practices are viewed as the cause of illness. Explanatory models used by the victim and her school mates reflect strong media influence of diverse genres. The practice of ritual self-healing, and seeking healers with unconventional and esoteric healing expertise indicate an avoidance of mainstream biomedical care. Biomedical solutions are postponed and taken only at a later stage. Explanatory models and treatment of the presented phenomena offered by biological psychiatry and the bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach are compared and discussed in the global and local context.