It's been a while since I've noticed an interesent thing - probably caused by my dual origins - i catch myself observing both with sort of snobism mixed with detachment and almost anthropological interest, with a priviledge of having "inside information". (have to work on it bcz its so hypocrite of me..)

Lately my attention was drawn to an outstandingly great interest that former soviets show in isoteric field, whe some focus on the knowledge such as teachings of great masters, philosophy behind it, theories of how the world was created and functions, while others find fascinatingly credible things like horoscopes, magic, spells and so on.
With an unarmed eye it demands to be said that educated people look for knowledge and explanations while less educated and less big-world-ppl seek fortune tellers and ways to influence without being able to do so conventionally. But i'm going to make a mini-research on the subject..
As for the main reason for soviets to pay extra interest in those things - as usual it can be explained possibly by the restrictions that existed in communism - no religion, no abnormal thoughts/events, nothing magical to look forward to..so instead of looking for answers in religion, like european/american catholic or whatever faithful ppl do - they were urged to turn to fast-food-almighty mediums and magicians.
I am aware of the fact that this field of interest exists in every country (maybe not so popular in zimbabwe - their inflation is unpredictable so probably all mediums were killed after mistelling the future of dollar), but still russians seem to be all over it. I got a recommendation for a book, that turned out to be quite isoterical. every russian i told the name of the author was in awe, smiling happily saying that they've read it several times. noone else, from any country havent heard of it ever..it deserves a mini-research..