In the ever-evolving landscape of internet trends, the latest craze involves women paying thousands of dollars to participate in “rage rituals.” These ceremonies, led by self-proclaimed spiritual guides, offer a platform for women to release pent-up anger through screaming and breaking objects.
Mia Banducci, who goes by her online persona Mia Majik, is at the forefront of this movement. A cybersecurity engineer turned “intuwitch,” Banducci hosts these rage rituals, inviting women to the wilderness to unleash their fury by beating sticks on the ground and screaming at the top of their lungs.
Banducci explains the motivation behind these rituals: “It’s like, ‘don’t be a bitch’ or ‘don’t be angry’ or ‘don’t be aggressive’ or ‘don’t stand up for yourself.’ ‘Don’t protect your integrity.’ ‘Don’t tell anyone that they don’t have consent to touch your body or speak to you in a certain way.’ There are particular emotions that are accepted in the gender binary that we each need to feel. Men need to cry − and it’s so healthy for men to cry − and women need to be able to get angry,” she told USA Today.
These rage retreats, which started as small gatherings for friends, have now evolved into overnight events. Banducci’s latest venture is set for this August in France, with costs ranging from $6,500 to $8,000. Participants are encouraged to think of past grievances while they scream and beat objects, supposedly until they feel a sense of release.
Kimberly Helmus, a past participant, recounted her experience at one of Banducci’s retreats. “There’s no place where you can see women be able to be angry like that, and it not be condemned. ‘She’s just hormonal. She’s just unhinged. She’s just crazy. She’s just on her period. She’s just, whatever.’ This was a place where you were, probably for the first time in a really, really long time, if ever, able to scream out loud things about how you felt,” Helmus said.
But Banducci is not alone in this burgeoning field. Jessica Ricchetti is another prominent figure, offering similar retreats that include bonfires and “magical workings” to help women experience what she calls “sacred rage.” Social media, particularly TikTok, has been buzzing with women expressing their desire for such getaways. Comments like, “Why did I have an immediate visceral reaction and start crying,” and “as a now middle aged woman with even more rage, I need this!!” highlight the appeal these rituals hold for their target audience.
The concept of scream therapy, which these rage rituals draw upon, was pioneered by Dr. Arthur Janov. While some find value in these emotionally charged sessions, experts caution that such methods may not be universally effective. The Independent reports that, “experts note that rage rituals likely won’t work for everyone.”
Despite the skepticism, Banducci remains convinced of the benefits. “When people do this and give themselves permission to release their anger, their capacity for joy actually expands. They’re able to feel more happiness and pleasure, and they go home to their families with more gratitude and ease and peace,” she told USA Today.
In the end, these rage rituals highlight a growing trend where personal and emotional liberation is sought through unconventional means. Whether it’s a genuine path to emotional health or just another costly fad remains a matter of debate. However, the surge in popularity of these retreats underscores a significant demand for alternative ways to cope with the stresses and frustrations of modern life.
