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Death, mortality, illness, and prejudice—these are some of the many burdens that we share as human beings. In life, we all deal with personal suffering, but in ritual we can find sanctuary where communities are free to heal together. But what is the fate of the unlucky souls whose pain is carried into the afterlife?
The third collection of A Higher Art focuses on rituals that seek to rehabilitate, rejuvenate and forge a healthy balance between the realm of the living and that of the spirits and the gods. These stories will show you that it isn’t just their power that heals us—in fact, sometimes they need the power of our love to heal too.
Episode 11
Inside the palaces of worship of Myanmar’s ancient folk religion—the cult of the 37 Nat. These cursed souls are stuck in the realm of the living, and their houses of appeasement have transformed into a refuge for gay and trans communities.
Episode 12
A celestial king ascends from the heavens once every three years to cleanse a small Taiwanese island. For four days, the entire community becomes a stage of performance for their gods.
Episode 14
Every year the King of Hell opens up the gates of the underworld to allow all forgotten souls to roam the realm of the living. Known as the Ghost festival, this celebration allows the living to compassionately wine and dine these wandering souls known to many as “Hungry Ghosts.”
Episode 15
During Ghost Month, the souls of the Ximen army are honored with the gift of Shen Dzu. This inside look at the farms shares a different side of the ritual, and reveals the darker side to animal rearing.