Scam Victims and the Land of Limen – the In-between Place of Liminality While Struggling to Recover
Limen and Liminality in the Journey of Scam Victims: Navigating the Space Between Trauma and Recovery
Note that this article is intended for scam victims-survivors, families, and advocates
Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Philosophy
Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
Limen and liminality, concepts of thresholds and transitional spaces, provide a powerful framework for understanding emotional upheavals and life transitions. During difficult times, individuals often find themselves in a liminal state—no longer tied to their old identity but not yet grounded in a new one.
This space, while disorienting, offers profound potential for growth, reflection, and transformation. A sense of place, whether physical or symbolic, becomes essential, anchoring individuals as they navigate uncertainty. By embracing these in-between moments and recognizing them as part of the human experience, people can transform adversity into resilience, turning transitions into opportunities for renewal and self-discovery.
Welcome to the World of Limen: Understanding Liminality in the Journey of Scam Victims and Navigating the Space Between Trauma and Recovery
What is Liminality?
Liminality is a concept often used in anthropology, philosophy, psychology, and cultural studies to describe a transitional or in-between state. The term comes from the Latin word limen, meaning “threshold.” It refers to the experience of being on the boundary between two states, phases, or conditions, where normal structures and norms are disrupted, and transformation becomes possible. In the case of scam victims-survivors, it is that journey from trauma to recovery.
Characteristics of Liminality
Transition: Liminality typically occurs during a transition from one stage to another, such as adolescence (transitioning from childhood to adulthood) or during rites of passage (e.g., initiation ceremonies, marriage).
Ambiguity: Individuals or groups in a liminal state often occupy an ambiguous space where they are neither fully in their previous state nor in their next one.
Disruption: Established norms, roles, or structures may temporarily break down, allowing for experimentation, introspection, or change.
Transformation: Liminality is often associated with profound personal or societal transformation, as it creates space for new identities, ideas, or structures to emerge.
Examples of Liminality
Rites of Passage: In traditional societies, initiation rituals often include a liminal phase where participants are separated from their normal roles and prepared for their new status.
Personal Transitions: Life changes such as moving to a new city, starting a new job, or going through a breakup can create a sense of liminality.
Cultural Phenomena: Events like protests, revolutions, or pandemics can create a societal liminal state, disrupting the old order and potentially paving the way for change.
Physical Spaces: Airports, train stations, and doorways are sometimes called “liminal spaces” because they exist as transitional places between destinations.
Why Liminality Matters
Liminality is significant because it highlights the potential for growth and change during periods of uncertainty and flux. While these states can feel destabilizing or disorienting, they also offer opportunities for creativity, self-reflection, and innovation. However, if prolonged, liminality can lead to feelings of stagnation or anxiety, underscoring the importance of eventually finding resolution or closure.
In essence, liminality is both a challenge and an opportunity—an in-between space where the old ways no longer fully apply, but the new ways have not yet fully taken shape.
The Land of Limen
The world or land of “Limen” refers to a conceptual or metaphorical space characterized by liminality, the in-between or transitional state where boundaries blur, and transformation is possible. In the context of “Limen,” this world is often depicted or imagined as a place of ambiguity, change, and potential, where individuals, societies, or ideas exist on the threshold between two defined states.
Ironically, You Probably Already Know of Limen as Purgatory
Purgatory is a concept found primarily in Catholic theology, referring to an intermediate state after death where souls undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter heaven. It is not a place of eternal punishment like hell but rather a temporary state where individuals are cleansed of venial sins (lesser sins) or the residual effects of forgiven sins that still require penance. The idea of purgatory emphasizes God’s justice and mercy, allowing for spiritual growth and healing even after death.
Key Characteristics of Purgatory:
Purpose: Purgatory is meant to prepare souls for heaven by purging imperfections or attachments to sin.
Temporal Nature: Unlike heaven or hell, purgatory is not eternal; souls eventually transition to heaven once purification is complete.
Intercessory Prayer: The living can assist souls in purgatory through prayers, acts of charity, and Mass offerings, which are believed to expedite their purification.
Scriptural Basis: The concept of purgatory is rooted in certain interpretations of biblical passages (e.g., 2 Maccabees 12:45-46, 1 Corinthians 3:15, Matthew 12:32), though it is not explicitly named in the Bible.
Broader Interpretations:
In non-Catholic traditions or secular contexts, “purgatory” is sometimes used metaphorically to describe any state of waiting, trial, or temporary suffering that precedes relief or resolution. For example, someone might refer to a difficult waiting period as “purgatory” to evoke the sense of being in limbo or enduring hardship before achieving a goal.
You Also Know it as The Twilight Zone
You’re traveling through another dimension — a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s a signpost up ahead: your next stop: the Twilight Zone!
You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into… the Twilight Zone.
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call “The Twilight Zone”.
Characteristics of the World of Limen
Boundary Zones: It is a world of thresholds—places or states where conventional rules and structures no longer hold sway. This could include physical locations like borders, doorways, or crossroads, as well as psychological or spiritual states of transition.
Ambiguity and Uncertainty: In the world of Limen, traditional roles, norms, and identities may be suspended or redefined. This space is often unsettling because it lacks the clarity of fixed structures.
Potential for Transformation: While it can feel destabilizing, Limen is also a fertile ground for creativity, reinvention, and growth. It is the space where new possibilities are imagined and where change becomes possible.
Suspension of Time and Space: In many interpretations, the world of Limen is timeless and spaceless. It exists outside the usual parameters of daily life, offering a sense of pause where reflection and transformation can occur.
Applications of the World of Limen
In Literature and Art:
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- Often used as a setting or theme to explore characters in transition or societies on the verge of change.
- Examples include depictions of dreamlike worlds, post-apocalyptic landscapes, or mythical realms where characters undergo profound personal or collective transformation.
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In Ritual and Culture:
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- Traditional rites of passage often recreate the world of Limen by placing participants in liminal states—ritual spaces where they are neither who they were nor who they will become.
- This transitional phase is symbolically “the world of Limen.”
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In Personal Experience:
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- People can inhabit the world of Limen during major life changes, such as leaving behind a previous identity (e.g., a job, relationship, or role) and stepping into an uncertain future.
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In Philosophy and Psychology:
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- The world of Limen symbolizes the threshold of transformation in human thought and emotion. It may relate to moments of existential questioning, periods of creative inspiration, or psychological breakthroughs.
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Imagining the World of Limen
The world of Limen is often envisioned as:
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- A misty, undefined space symbolizing uncertainty and the dissolution of boundaries.
- A dynamic environment where the old and new collide, creating a sense of chaos and opportunity.
- A symbolic or metaphorical realm where transformation, growth, and redefinition occur.
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Why the World of Limen Matters
The world of Limen serves as a reminder that transitions, though challenging, are vital for growth and innovation. By embracing this space of ambiguity and potential, individuals and societies can move toward renewal and transformation, emerging from the threshold stronger and more defined than before.
In many ways, the world of Limen is not a destination but a process—a necessary phase in the journey of becoming, or in the case of scam victims-survivors in recovering.
Scam victims who have ended their scam often find themselves in a transitional, undefined state—a psychological and emotional liminal space. They are no longer ensnared in the deception, but they have not yet fully healed from the trauma and aftermath of their experience. This in-between state, rooted in the concept of liminality, is akin to standing at the threshold of transformation. It is a phase filled with uncertainty, emotional turbulence, and profound potential for growth.
Understanding the world of Limen and its application to scam victims provides insight into their journey and offers pathways for support and recovery.
The State of Limen for Scam Victims
In anthropology, the term “limen” refers to a threshold—a space between one state and another. Scam victims occupy this liminal space after the scam ends but before recovery is complete. They exist between two identities: their pre-scam self, often confident and trusting, and their post-scam self, who must rebuild trust, confidence, and their sense of safety in the world.
This Liminal Phase is Characterized By:
Loss of Identity: Victims often struggle with feelings of shame, self-blame, and humiliation, which challenge their sense of self. They may question how they were deceived and whether they can ever trust their judgment again.
Emotional Turmoil: Fear, anger, grief, and confusion dominate this phase. Victims may feel unmoored, unsure of how to process their emotions or move forward.
Social Isolation: Many victims hesitate to share their experience due to stigma, judgment, or fear of being misunderstood. This creates a sense of being “in-between” their old social connections and any potential new support networks.
Uncertainty About the Future: Without a clear roadmap for recovery, victims often feel stuck, unable to return to their pre-scam life or envision a way forward.
How Liminality Affects the Recovery Process
Liminality can be both a challenge and an opportunity for scam victims. The unique traits of this transitional state play a significant role in shaping the recovery journey:
Challenges of the Liminal Space
Emotional Vulnerability: In this in-between phase, victims may experience heightened emotional fragility, making them susceptible to further victimization or manipulation.
Cognitive Dissonance: Victims grapple with conflicting feelings—relief that the scam is over but lingering attachment or anger toward the scammer. This cognitive dissonance prolongs the liminal state.
Inability to Move Forward: Without guidance or support, victims may become stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, unable to progress toward healing.
Social Stigma and Blame: Many victims face societal attitudes that implicitly or explicitly blame them for falling victim to a scam, compounding their feelings of shame and isolating them further.
Opportunities for Growth in the Liminal Space
Rebuilding Identity: The liminal phase offers a chance for victims to redefine themselves, emerging stronger and more resilient.
Learning and Reflection: This is a time to process what happened, understand their vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to protect themselves in the future.
Connecting with Others: Many victims find strength in connecting with others who have experienced similar scams. This shared understanding can help them feel less isolated and provide a foundation for rebuilding trust.
Reclaiming Control: By seeking resources, setting boundaries, and focusing on their recovery, victims can begin to regain a sense of agency and empowerment.
Navigating the World of Limen: Supporting Scam Victims
Understanding the liminal space scam victims occupy is essential for developing effective recovery strategies. Here are ways to help victims navigate this threshold:
Acknowledging the Experience
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- Victims need validation that their emotions and struggles are normal. This acknowledgment helps them accept the liminal phase as part of their recovery journey.
- Emphasizing that being scammed is not a reflection of intelligence or worth helps dismantle self-blame.
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Providing a Framework for Recovery
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- Liminality can feel chaotic without structure. Offering clear steps for emotional, psychological, and practical recovery provides victims with a sense of direction.
- Encouraging victims to focus on small, manageable goals (e.g., learning to spot red flags or joining a support group) helps them regain confidence.
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Building a Community
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- Isolation often deepens the liminal experience. Peer support groups or professional counseling can connect victims to others who understand their struggles, creating a sense of belonging and shared growth.
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Fostering Behavioral Change
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- Helping victims develop habits to protect themselves from future scams—such as critical thinking skills and emotional regulation—transforms the liminal phase into a time of empowerment.
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Promoting Self-Compassion
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- Self-compassion is critical in overcoming shame and self-blame. Encouraging victims to treat themselves with kindness during this phase lays the groundwork for long-term resilience.
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The Role of Society in Supporting Victims
Liminality is not solely an individual experience; it is shaped by societal attitudes and resources. To reduce the burden of liminality on scam victims, society must:
Combat Stigma: Public awareness campaigns should focus on systemic factors and the sophistication of scams rather than implying victim culpability.
Offer Comprehensive Support: Governments, organizations, and advocacy groups should provide accessible recovery resources, from legal assistance to emotional counseling.
Create Trauma-Informed Spaces: Institutions that interact with victims, such as law enforcement or financial organizations, must adopt trauma-informed practices to help victims feel understood and supported.
From Limen to Recovery: Embracing Transformation
The world of Limen may feel overwhelming, but it also holds the potential for transformation. Scam victims, with the right support and resources, can move through this liminal phase toward a stronger, more empowered version of themselves.
By acknowledging the unique challenges of this transitional state and providing tools for growth, society can help victims reclaim their sense of self, rebuild their trust, and emerge not just as survivors but as thrivers who have turned vulnerability into strength. This is the ultimate promise of liminality: the opportunity to move beyond pain and into a place of renewal.
The Importance of Limen and Liminality in Establishing a Sense of Place During Emotionally Difficult Times
Esoteric concepts like limen (threshold) and liminality (the transitional, in-between state) are profoundly relevant to understanding how humans navigate emotionally challenging periods. These ideas, rooted in anthropology and psychology, explore the transformative power of being “betwixt and between,” helping individuals make sense of upheaval, uncertainty, and change. They illuminate why recognizing and honoring these transitional spaces is essential for finding stability and meaning, especially during emotionally difficult times.
Liminality: The Space Between
Liminality refers to a state where an individual is no longer in their previous condition but has not yet reached a new one. It’s a period of ambiguity, disorientation, and potential transformation. In emotionally difficult times—such as grief, trauma, or significant life changes—people often find themselves in a liminal space where familiar structures of meaning and identity are disrupted.
This can feel profoundly unsettling:
Loss of Anchors: Old routines, relationships, or beliefs may no longer apply, leaving individuals feeling untethered.
Ambiguity: The lack of clarity about the future or the meaning of the present moment creates emotional tension.
Potential for Growth: Though painful, liminality also offers the possibility of transformation, where new identities, perspectives, and connections can emerge.
The Role of Place in Emotional Transitions
A “sense of place” refers to the psychological and emotional attachment to a physical or symbolic environment that provides comfort, meaning, or identity. In emotionally difficult times, this sense of place becomes a stabilizing force, offering:
Grounding: A physical or metaphorical “home base” allows individuals to feel anchored amid chaos.
Reflection: Familiar or symbolic spaces can serve as mirrors, helping individuals process emotions and reorient their understanding of themselves and their circumstances.
Belonging: A strong sense of place can reinforce community and support, reminding individuals that they are not alone in their struggles.
Limen as a Bridge
The concept of limen—a threshold or boundary—captures the transition between leaving an old state and entering a new one. It’s a critical psychological and emotional juncture:
Holding Space: A liminal place provides room for emotions like grief, confusion, or hope to coexist without forcing resolution.
Symbolic Markers: Rituals, ceremonies, or even personal milestones can act as thresholds, signaling the passage from one phase of life to another.
Opportunity for Reorientation: Recognizing the limen allows individuals to pause, reassess, and prepare for what lies ahead.
Why Limen and Liminality Matter During Difficult Times
Acknowledging the In-Between: Recognizing that emotional struggles often occur in liminal spaces normalizes the experience of disorientation and reduces feelings of shame or inadequacy.
Providing a Framework for Transformation: Liminality highlights that transitions, though painful, are part of the human experience and can lead to growth.
Fostering Resilience: Understanding the cyclical nature of liminal experiences—departure, transition, and re-integration—helps individuals embrace the process rather than resist it.
Creating Intentional Spaces: Identifying and creating spaces—physical, social, or symbolic—that honor the liminal experience provides comfort and context during times of uncertainty.
Applications of Limen and Liminality in Emotional Healing
Rituals and Symbolism: Practices such as journaling, meditation, or ceremonies can act as liminal markers, providing structure and meaning during transitions.
Safe Spaces: Therapy, support groups, or even sacred physical spaces like parks or religious sanctuaries can embody the liminal and offer refuge.
Reframing the Experience: Viewing emotional difficulty as part of a transformational process can inspire patience and hope.
Embracing the Unknown: By understanding liminal spaces as necessary precursors to growth, individuals can better tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity.
Conclusion
Limen and liminality are not just esoteric ideas; they are deeply human experiences that help us navigate the complexities of life. In emotionally difficult times, they offer a lens to understand transitions, redefine identity, and re-establish a sense of place. By embracing these concepts, individuals can find meaning in the uncertainty and ultimately transform adversity into growth, resilience, and renewal.
References
- Hope Gillette. (2024). Liminal Spaces in Psychology: How to Cope with the In-Between. Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/liminal-space-psychology
- editorial process. (2023). The Impact of Liminal Space on Your Mental Health. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-impact-of-liminal-space-on-your-mental-health-5204371
- Maverick. (2024). Navigating Liminal Space: Mental Health and Transitions. California Prime Recovery. https://californiaprimerecovery.com/navigating-liminal-space-mental-health-and-transitions/
- About The Writer. (2022). Liminal Space: Understanding What Was & What’s Next | Nobu Blog. Nobu. https://www.nobu.ai/blog/liminal-space/
- David Hampton. (2024). Thresholds Of Recovery. Addiction Center. https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/thresholds-of-recovery/
- anchoredtides. (2023). Liminal Space: Learning To Transition | Anchored Tides Recovery. Anchored Tides Recovery. https://anchoredtidesrecovery.com/liminal-space-learning-to-transition/
- Anne Marie Cribbin. (2024). October’s Liminal Space: The Gift Of Uncertainty In Recovery | The Sober Curator. The Sober Curator. https://thesobercurator.com/octobers-liminal-space-the-gift-of-uncertainty-in-recovery/
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A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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