Hello, Hi, Merry Meet and What’s up!
Thank you and Welcome to my page. As I was mulling over what my first Siren Circle article should be I couldn’t help but notice how my IG DMs were filled with Witches who were, like me, living with depression. Although I have posted about it on IG, it struck me as a “this is the time” to speak a little more in depth about it.
Depression is defined as “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.” by the Mayo Clinic. I call it a real pain in my ass that’s been kicking around for more than a decade. Perhaps longer but it’s been that long since I have been successfully medicated. Despite my day job in mental health and wellness with a few letters after my name, I didn’t seek help immediately.
Why? The stigma of it all. But now, that stigma is rapidly disappearing and there are many that are seeking medical assistance.
think we all know that a little pill can only do so much, the rest of my journey to wellness is definitely being a proud Witch and Rootworker. While the rest of the world believes that Witches are only black cats and caldrons, we know that The Craft is a part of our everyday lives. Little rituals and connection to the Power within us and without drives us almost unknowingly. I BELIEVE that this holistic approach to life helps with depression and anxiety. What follows if how I have taken steps to improve my life through witchcraft and medication.
This information is not to take the place of the advice/treatment of a medical professional.
Rituals:
Witchcraft/Rootwork is FULL of rituals. Whether it’s infusing your morning coffee with the day’s intention or full blown evening meditation and yoga; we know that these practices bring calm into our sacred space. Hell, even psychologists know this. They say that rituals that are actions and behaviors create meaning and bring connection between people and the universe or higher beings. It gives meaning to our days, allows us a way to bring in or let go of things and to have a deeper meaning to events in our lives. DUH.. we’ve been doing that for EONs.. thanks for finally catching up!
But what rituals can you bring into your life, as a witch? I’m sure you already have things that are a part of your life and for those moments you have a calm place. Off the top of my head I:
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Speak positivity over my morning coffee or evening glass of wine (don’t judge) turning it from the mundane to something magical.
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Enjoy a hot shower. My showers wash away more than the dirt, it’s rids me of the day’s emotional clutter by washing down visualizing all the crap headed down the drain. For a kick I use Florida Water Soap to amp up and repair my aura.
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I “work” my candles when they are burning. For the Hoodoo Practitioner, working a spell is par for the course. For me it’s “praying” over my candles as they burn. Calling on Angels, Ancestors and Spirits takes the load off me and on to much broader shoulders but that time of communing is peaceful and calm.
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Cook up a little delicious Ju Ju. Kitchen Witches will tell you about speaking prayers and intentions over the food that they cook. Consider the herbs that you cook with and their medicinal and magical meanings. You can also create a sigil over everything that you make or something as simple as a heart.
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Get rid of the junk. Clean up your space magically and spiritually. Clutter creates chaos and for me, it creates anxiety. You can buy floor washes or simply add Florida Water to the water you use to mop your floors, wash down your front doors or sweep off your front porch.
I can’t say how important it is for us to watch what we put in our bodies. There are many herbs and teas that we can use to lighten the mood. Back to rituals, making a cup of tea, can bring needed stress relief and the heat of the beverage forces you to drink slowly. This would be a great time to browse through some Siren Circle articles, plan your next spell or flip through your grimoire with a cup of Lavender, Lemon Balm, Chamomile tea or even Green tea.
Crystal Power
Raise your hand if you have a witchy wardrobe with enough crystals to blind the man in the moon. Yep, that’s most of us. I was never into crystals but gave it a try as my day job became over the top with stress. On a whim, I wandered into a shop specializing in crystals and viola! I will have to say, holding a crystal in my hands, or in my bra, does do the trick. Some of the ones that seem to really help me are:
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Amethyst
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Blue Lace Agate
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Fluorite
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Black Tourmaline
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Clear Quartz
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Rose Quartz
Rootwork
A suggestion for assistance through rootwork would be to purchase a 13 Herb bath. It is said to be for removing hexes, jinxes, and washing away negativity. Most directions ask that you boil the herbs, strain them and pour them into your bath. Traditionally, you would light white candles on either side of the tup and step through their light into the tub.
Once you are done, take a bowl of the bath water and throw it into the direction of the sunset, releasing the negativity into the sunset. Turn and don’t look back at it. Make sure that you read the ingredients that are in the wash to make sure you’re not allergic but most include: hyssop, agrimony, angelica, patchouli, peppermint, verbena, and rosemary.
If you are more of a candle, element of fire, type of witch; consider lighting a candle to St. Dymphna. She is the patron saint of those with anxiety and various mental conditions.
I hope that my article gave you inspiration to research how you can heal yourself with the help of a therapist, counselor or physician.