Russian Soldiers in Ukraine Turn to Witchcraft Amid Rising Supernatural Beliefs
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and economic uncertainty, Russian soldiers and civilians are increasingly turning to witchcraft and supernatural practices for psychological defense and protection. Figures like self-described witch Natalia Malinovskaya report a surge in clients seeking spells for safety and relationship reassurance, although rituals cannot be performed at the front lines. This trend reflects a broader resurgence of mysticism in Russia, with polls indicating that 85% of Russians have dabbled in magical practices, nearly double the rate of belief in psychic powers compared to 2019. Consumer data shows significant increases in sales of protective amulets, crystal balls, and aspen stakes. While businesses like the voodoo-themed bar Marie Laveau thrive on this zeitgeist, the Russian Orthodox Church and some lawmakers oppose the trend, citing financial exploitation and spiritual danger. Patriarch Kirill has criticized the mass influence of fortune-tellers, supporting legislative efforts to ban advertisements for such services. The article contextualizes this revival within Russia's historical coexistence of Orthodox Christianity and folk superstition, noting similar surges during the late Russian Empire and post-Soviet chaos.
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Russian Soldiers in Ukraine Turn to Witchcraft Amid Rising Supernatural Beliefs
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and economic uncertainty, Russian soldiers and civilians are increasingly turning to witchcraft and supernatural practices for psychological defense and protection. Figures like self-described witch Natalia Malinovskaya report a surge in clients seeking spells for safety and relationship reassurance, although rituals cannot be performed at the front lines. This trend reflects a broader resurgence of mysticism in Russia, with polls indicating that 85% of Russians have dabbled in magical practices, nearly double the rate of belief in psychic powers compared to 2019. Consumer data shows significant increases in sales of protective amulets, crystal balls, and aspen stakes. While businesses like the voodoo-themed bar Marie Laveau thrive on this zeitgeist, the Russian Orthodox Church and some lawmakers oppose the trend, citing financial exploitation and spiritual danger. Patriarch Kirill has criticized the mass influence of fortune-tellers, supporting legislative efforts to ban advertisements for such services. The article contextualizes this revival within Russia's historical coexistence of Orthodox Christianity and folk superstition, noting similar surges during the late Russian Empire and post-Soviet chaos.
The Independent World