Ever since I had a course on the psychology of religion which discussed the topic of the psychology of rituals, I’m especially intrigued by the psychology of rites of transition. I believe these rites are essential in being human. Specific rites can be defined by culture or religion, but essentially every human being performs such rites.

Rites of transition literally take place in transition circumstances and help the psychological transition of one phase in life to another. For example a phase change occurs when you are going to college (the rituals surrounding receiving a diploma), getting married (you’re not alone in life) or burials (the rest of your life is without this person). We have a lot of rites around death, births, marriage, moving to another place to live, becoming an adult (sweet sixteen), etc.

You transition in to another you. Your place in your family is changing. A shift in living generations happens (birth or death). A rite of transition supports this change. In abstract form it looks like this:

Before performing such a rite, you need to prepare for this rite. Without preparation a rite is meaningless. As of this moment you are in between the two situations: No man’s land. This is often accompanied by uncertainty, uneasiness, fear of letting go of the old and fear of the unknown. Think of pre-marital jitters or the mourning and uneasiness you are feeling before a funeral of a loved one. Actual performing the rite gives meaning in pointing out the transition and sharing it with others. After completing the rite the new situation is there. This is often accompanied by feelings of closure and peace of mind.

For example take marriage. You prepare for marriage by getting engaged and start planning. From this time you are between single and married. Most of the people will experience doubt if this is the right choice for them. Stress with the planning. You say goodbye to your old life with a bachelor party. The last time you go out without being married! Then you get married, sharing this moment with people around you. After the rite of getting married, the new situation is there and has been welcomed. Of course this is just the start: there is a lot of getting used to. The rite of passage helped with psychological and sociological being ready to start growing in this new phase of your life.