From Negative Mirroring to Tradition, Creativity, and Innovation: Group as Pharmakós
The ambiguous figure of Pharmakós is a representation of the hidden dangers that threatened the community. Social and spiritual insecurity during period of extremely uncertainty leads to the prevalence of the dynamic of social mistrust, which is embodied in the rituals of Pharmakós.
The Pharmakós rituals are also connected to the notion of some impurity to be expelled from the community or something dangerous to be neutralized. A lack of secure knowledge - both for others and for oneself, perpetuates a constant state of risk in which impurity emerges. Trustworthy social connections can be developed and rebuilt within the community.
We invite you to join us in Athens as we explore the complex interplay between tradition and innovation, between the forces that perpetuate division and those that offer the potential for collective healing.
We look forward to your participation in this important conversation.