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In a peculiar trend that has been gaining traction worldwide, affluent women are shelling out thousands of dollars to participate in what are being called “rage rituals” deep in the woods. These unconventional events involve participants screaming at the top of their lungs and smashing sticks, all in an effort to release negative emotions and find inner peace.

According to a recent report by USA Today, these rage rituals have been garnering attention on social media platforms, particularly on TikTok. Women who have taken part in these events claim to be inspired by seeing other females manifest their anger in such a raw and primal way.

One of the key figures behind these retreats is Mia Banducci, an author and self-proclaimed “Spiritual Fairy Godmother.” Banducci told USA Today that the retreats are designed to help participants release negative feelings and, in turn, increase happiness in other areas of their lives. “When people do this and give themselves permission to release their anger, their capacity for joy actually expands,” she explained. “They’re able to feel more happiness and pleasure, and they go home to their families with more gratitude and ease and peace.”

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Banducci, who has been leading rage rituals for several years, initially started the practice for herself before deciding to offer it to the general public. The process of a rage ritual is relatively simple: participants first grab large sticks while focusing on “every person who’s ever crossed you, who’s ever hurt you, who’s ever ignored your boundaries or taken advantage of you or abused you in any way.” After a series of warm-up breaths, the participants begin screaming and swinging the sticks for at least 20 minutes or until their arms become too tired to continue. Banducci notes that the rituals are held in the woods to allow participants to scream without disturbing others nearby.

Kimberly Helmus, a cybersecurity engineer, shared her experience of attending her first rage ritual with Banducci in Scotland two and a half years ago. Helmus initially believed the event would help her address the anger she felt toward her ex-husband following their divorce. However, she was surprised to discover that the ritual brought up a deep sadness she had been carrying since witnessing a friend’s death when she was just 15 years old. “I remember it was a very clear, light-switch moment where I was like, ‘Oh, that’s what this is about,'” she recalled. “So many times, I think you can’t really feel a lot of stuff until you work through it.”

While Banducci may be the most prominent figure associated with these rage rituals, she is not the only one offering such experiences. USA Today reports that Secret Sanctuary is set to host a “Sacred Rage Ceremony” in Alberta, Canada, in July, while author and self-described mystic Jessica Ricchetti will be holding a “Sacred Rage” women’s retreat in North Carolina in June.

As the trend of rage rituals continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen whether this unconventional approach to emotional release will have a lasting impact on the well-being of its participants. While some may view these events as bizarre or even unsettling, proponents argue that they provide a much-needed outlet for women to confront and process their anger in a safe and supportive environment. As more women seek out these experiences, it is clear that the desire for alternative methods of emotional healing and self-discovery is on the rise.