Ashley Irving: Image and Pilgrimage #2

Pilgrimage is affected by social culture and by political ideologies. When there is a shift in the culture or political climate of a society, there is also a shift in the popularity of pilgrimage. A certain shift within societal beliefs can lead to many more individuals wishing to partake in a pilgrimage, a shift can also cause a significant decrease in the number of pilgrims that a trail contains. Although a shift in culture can increase or decrease the popularity of a trail, a trail may only experience complete abandonment if it has been discredited or destroyed systematically. The fact that even the de-popularization of a trail will not deter all of the pilgrims who truly wish to have a connection with a higher being demonstrates that despite the influence that politics and social norms have on us, we are still able to make our own decisions when we are truly passionate about something. This unwavering belief by the masses of the truly devout are the sole reason for the continual existence of popular pilgrimage trails across the world such as the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Without the support of those who do not lose support regardless of what society says, many of these trails would not be as successful as they are today and the success of the trail leads to the ability of people to help pilgrims through shelter, food and medical care. These people who provide for the hikers are part of the trail's success but they also succeed due to the trail's success in a never ending cycle. Without the hikers, those who provide would not have the means to do so, but without those who offer their time and services, there would not be as many pilgrims as there are due to the difficulties of a pilgrimage. Society plays a role in the popularity of pilgrimage, but it does not hold complete control over those who partake in them. If people want to do something, they will find a way to do so regardless of the hardships that they may face along the way.