Rites of Passage into Elderhood

Rites of Passage into Elderhood concludes the yearlong exploration of THE SPIRITUALIY OF LATER LIFE that began with the 2011 Winter issue of Itineraries.In its introductory essay, guest editor Randy Morris calls for a restoration of elder rites of passage that will awaken our culture from its destructive trance and inaugurate a new age of sustainability focused on the needs of future generations. Morris dedicates the issue to the late Fred Lanphear, whose remarkable life and pioneering work around earth eldering is described by his friends and colleagues, Jim Clark and Craig Ragland. Next, we hear the youthful voice of Darcy Ottey who urges reticent baby boomers to take their rightful place of leadership in culture. Edith Kusnic, herself a baby boomer, reviews the history of her generation and reminds her peers of the work that awaits completion. Ron Pevny gives an excellent overview of the principles that underlie rites of passage, and Tom Pinkson offers examples of recognition rites he has conducted for elders.A quartet of essays explores various dimensions of rites of passage. Harry R. Moody shows how the invitation to personal transformation often comes through our dreams; and Richard Rohr, reminding us that "the way up is the way down," offers techniques for exploring our shadow nature. Richard Leider illuminates the call to meaning for elders by clarifying the power of personal choice. And regular contributor John Sullivan compares the two initiations - into adulthood and into elderhood - in the context of the soul's longing to come to life more fully.The issue concludes with two personal accounts - by Larry Hobbs and Helen Kolff - of a particular form of an initiatory rite of passage, the vision quest.