Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage

In Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, Turner and Turner state that there are three phases of the rites de passage. These three phases include: separation, margin and aggregation. The term separation is used to describe the leaving of the group that the individual partakes in when embarking on a journey. In the margin phase, he/she has no bearings. They are out of their old comfort zone, yet not in their new comfort zone. This phase leaves room for exploration. The aggregation phase is when one returns back to their everyday life and their comfort zone. It is when their pilgrimage is over (Turner & Turner, 1978, p. 2). Not just does one encounter these phases while in a spiritual journey, when hiking, one also enters into these three phases. In each phase mental, spiritual and physical healing and exploration take place. We can learn many things while being in these phases in life. If we open our heart and mind God can and will speak to us in these times.

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