The grey market of “invisible religion” in Latvia

Abstract

The paper focusses the rise of self-spirituality in Latvia with particular reference to the supply side of spiritual marketplace, discussing the services provided by two healing and witchcraft centres in Riga by using the publicly available materials. The applied research method is thematic document analyses and the general approach is phenomenological. Latvia has experienced significant diversification of its religious field, part of spiritual developments are not recognized as religious by law and general public. This is called the "grey" religious market. Healing of common and life threatening diseases, addictions, help in family matters and business, divination in many forms, as well as magical education are common services offered by spiritual market service providers. The services are focused on self-spirituality and empowerment where the client is perceived as a collaborator rather than passive recipient of the service.