Christian Lönneker systematically explores the phenomenon of magical thinking in the context of
severe grief reactions focusing on intrusive forms reported by bereaved individuals seeking
professional support. The author succeeds in proposing a comprehensive definition of magical
thinking and a rationale for its association with grief based on various disciplines such as
psychology anthropology and the cognitive science of religion. Within the scope of a grounded
theory study case reports comprise themes like bringing the deceased back to life the magical
efficacy of religious rituals and attempts to ward off harmful influences of the dead.
