---
title: What is a rite of passage?
description: "The deliberate death-and-rebirth (separation → liminal → incorporation, after van Gennep) by which the childhood-built identity is dismantled and a new one, rooted in the Soul, is grown. The lost route to Adulthood. ## Where does this come up in…"
url: "https://www.therapeutic-shamanism.co.uk/wiki/what-is-a-rite-of-passage/"
updated: "2026-11-10"
category: Glossary
---

# What is a rite of passage?

The deliberate death-and-rebirth (separation → liminal → incorporation, after van Gennep) by which the childhood-built identity is dismantled and a new one, rooted in the Soul, is grown. The lost route to Adulthood.

## Where does this come up in the wiki?

These answers say more about it:

- [How does Therapeutic Shamanism understand death and what happens when we die?](/wiki/how-does-therapeutic-shamanism-understand-death-and-what-happens-when-we-die/)

## Where can I find the other terms?

Every term used across the wiki has a short definition in the [glossary, A to Z](/wiki-glossary/#rite-of-passage).