Great post Sammi and well done on two points.

1. For having the guts to speak about something often swept under the carpet, well done!

2. For finding ways to battle anxiety and depression that fit with who you are inside.

I'm impressed and am still sending you love and hugs. :)

With smiles and blessings,
Amethyst
Oak and Mistletoe Founder, Elder and Chair

I also battle with depression and panic attacks, i applaude you for being able to speak out about it.  It is something i am very uncomfortable about doing.  But having a loving husband and being on medication of course, helps me alot, but i never considered casting circles as another way to help in my darker hours, i do carry crystals to help though, and they do help, however being very new to Wicca, i have never cast a circle, although i have some idea on  what to do, i am still a little unsure, i would love some advice on the best way to cast a circle if anyone is able to help.

Blessings

Sissa Jayne

Sammi,

It is great that you had the guts to talk about your depression. I, unfortunately, suffer from severe depression, anxiety and mood swings affected by both. It is very hard for me to talk about my problems because I am always so busy trying to help everyone else, I don't think about myself. I have seen professionals and all that seemed to do was make my anxiety worse. I am of course on medication but it doesn't work very well. I like the suggestion of casting a circle, I will try that next time I feel down. I'm also new to wicca, so any suggestions for casting a circle would be great.

Hi Melissa Jayne,

the circle casting, lesson 3, should be very helpful to you. I think you might get allot out of it.

With smiles and blessings,
Amethyst
Oak and Mistletoe Founder, Elder and Chair

Mental Health is one of the greatest remaing taboos & areas of descrimination  - and I applaud you for sharing so openly your own experience.  I too have recently started treatment with anti-depressents.  Yes, they have an effect on your state of mind, but it is (hopefully) a desired, monitored and controlled effect.  Should that preclude ritual - no, I don't think so: That is, not unless you include everything else that can modify your mood or state of mind as also disqualifying you - and that is a VERY long list. (I do like chocolate - but I wouldn't go into circle drunk.)

Ritual itself, can modify your mood or state of mind - indeed you could argue that is one of its primary purposes. It can certainly be very useful in grounding you, and I see no reason why it cannot be used as self help for both physical and mental health.

There is however some reason for caution.  More serious forms of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, are characterised by lack of insight and detachment from reality, and I certainly would not reccomend attempting ritual in those circumstances.  Even then though I think there is potential  for pathworking to help - but only if performed with a (very experienced) partner.

WOW  Im new here, I suffer from chronic drepression and recently post traumatic stress disorder which i'm on medication for. It can be such a debilitating ilness.Sometimes it's so hard to pretend that everything is ok when it is far from it. I discovered Wicca about 11 years ago, I have not cast circle or anything (not enough confidence in myself) I have just read books and the difference it makes to me is just incredible. It doesn't cure my depression but it makes me feel good about myself and not so worthless. It was fantastic to read about how it helps others as well. I have not told anyone how much it helps me but now that I know i;m not the only one to feel this way it feels fantastic THANK YOU everyone you have helped me so much.

Mooncloud