In today’s media landscape, distressing news is unavoidable. Stories of political tension, violence, climate disasters, and social injustice often dominate headlines in the United States. While staying informed is important, constantly taking in negative media can wear on your spirit, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or even spiritually drained.
Here’s how to protect and uplift yourself spiritually while staying aware of what’s happening in the world:
1. Set Boundaries Around Media Consumption
Awareness without overload is key. Set specific times to check the news—perhaps once in the morning and once in the evening. Avoid doom-scrolling before bed or first thing in the morning, when your spirit is most vulnerable.
Create a buffer zone by starting and ending your day with something nurturing: prayer, journaling, meditation, or simply stepping outside and observing nature.
2. Practice Discernment
Not all media is created equal. Discern what is informative versus what is sensational. Choose sources with integrity and balance. If a headline provokes fear or anger immediately, pause. Ask:
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Is this meant to inform or to trigger?
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What’s the deeper truth here?
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How would I respond from a place of love rather than fear?
Spiritual protection often starts with clarity—knowing when your soul is being manipulated versus enlightened.
3. Ground Yourself With Rituals
Daily spiritual practices serve as anchors in turbulent times. Even simple rituals can reconnect you to your core:
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Light a candle while setting an intention for peace.
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Burn sage or incense to cleanse energy after a tough news cycle.
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Repeat a grounding affirmation, such as:
“Even in chaos, I remain centered and connected to divine peace.”
Your nervous system and your spirit both respond to intentional, repeated acts of care.
Hoodoo Practices to Spiritually Protect and Uplift Yourself in Troubled Times
1. Spiritual Baths for Cleansing and Grounding
When you feel overwhelmed by news or energy from the outside world, take a spiritual bath to cleanse and reset:
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Simple Cleansing Bath: Add Florida Water, a handful of salt (Epsom or sea salt), and fresh basil or hyssop to your bath.
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For deeper grounding: Use roots like vetiver or patchouli, and pray Psalms (e.g., Psalm 23 or Psalm 91) over the water before entering.
Say aloud:
"I wash away fear and confusion. I return to clarity and protection."
Let the water carry away the spiritual weight.
2. Protection Work with Herbs and Roots
Create a protective barrier around your home and spirit:
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Black Salt or Brick Dust: Sprinkle around entryways to keep harmful energies out.
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Bay leaves, rue, or angelica root: Place in a mojo bag or keep on your altar for spiritual shielding.
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Wear or carry High John the Conqueror root for strength and resilience when you feel powerless watching the world unfold.
Anoint yourself with a protection oil (like Fiery Wall of Protection or homemade rosemary-infused oil) before consuming news or engaging in activism.
3. Ancestor Communication for Strength and Wisdom
Your ancestors have lived through injustice, upheaval, and oppression—and their spirits know how to guide you.
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Light a white candle on your ancestor altar.
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Offer coffee, water, or rum, and speak your concerns aloud:
"Show me how to stand. Show me how to keep going." -
Pay attention to dreams, sudden insights, or shifts in energy throughout the day.
Their strength is your inheritance.
4. Psalms and Bible Work as Spiritual Weapons
Many rootworkers use Psalms as spoken spells for justice, protection, and peace. Here are a few:
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Psalm 23 – for comfort and reassurance
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Psalm 35 – for spiritual warfare and justice
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Psalm 91 – for divine protection
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Psalm 46 – when the world feels unstable:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...”
Speak them aloud, dress candles with oils and herbs, and let the words build spiritual armor around you.
Final Thoughts
Staying informed and spiritually grounded is not an either-or choice. You can hold awareness of pain in the world without letting it define your vibration. You can witness suffering and injustice while still choosing love, action, and hope.
Your peace is not apathy—it’s a powerful tool for transformation.