Really strange question...

[Desdemona]

I have been a practicing solitary for almost a year, and just started doing ritual and study with a coven.

After coming home from last night's full moon ritual, sniffling and with a sore throat, my spouse said, "you know, every time you come home from a circle, you get sick."

When I thought about it, I realized he was right. Sure enough I woke up this morning with flu-like symptoms, and that happens every time. Doesn't matter if it is indoors, outdoors, if we use incense, if we don't use incense, if we drink wine, or if we drink grapejuice. There doesn't seem to be any one common denominator other than it takes a lot of psychic energy to ritual, maybe it leaves me depleted afterwords? I could blame it on cooties from passing the chalice around, but no one is sick but me. (hope I'm not making any of my sisters and brothers sick!)

Has anyone ever heard of or experienced anything like this? I don't want to ritual alone anymore, I really enjoy the fellowship of a coven.

[Pesha]

Actually yes have heard of this happening. But in that instance there was a member in that coven who had bad vibes for her sisters and so alot of them got sick. Cleanse yourself before going to rituals and also after you get back. Could be nothing more than the combined power of your group being a bit too much for you at present and soon you will integrate yourself into a coven situation and the problems will pass.

BB
DS.

[Sylvan]

I'd also do a quick grounding directly before and after too. The whole "Imagine that you have tree roots growing from your feet/spine down into the ground, let the energy of the Earth fill you..." thing.

Have you talked to the other coveners about this? Maybe there is something they can do to help you out. Maybe they're so used to working together that their energy is clicking together automatically and yours is fighting to get in on the action or something... Maybe they need to figure out how to integrate your energy better or something.....

[Sequoia]

Could it be that you're a little too giving or "overenthusiastic"? You might be draining yourself a bit past your healthy point. Human beings always have germs circulating in our bodies, we just don't get sick because our bodies are remarkably capable of fighting them off. Perhaps you're exhausting yourself spiritually, which would definately effect the physical. Leaving you really vunerable to getting sick.

Just a thought. :) And hope you feel better soon!

[Raihn]

Use of energy, naturally, can be exhausting. And the loss of energy has made me ill more than once before. Spiritually, you may be over exerting yourself...my lover has actually become sick through these types of workings like you have. Hmm.

Perhaps if you meditated before performing any sort of energy work, your whole self will be a bit more focused, both mentally and spiritually, quite possibly raising your strengths throughout whatever rituals or prayers you may do...

Just my take on your situation. I hope feel better.

Have a small vampire happy face as a representation of my care. :vamp:

[LadyWillow]

Yes, I agree, ground and center before your workings and after. Over exerting yourself can cause you to become sick, grounding and centering will help with this.

[Desdemona]

Wow!

Thank you everyone who replied, I am so relieved. I have never been in a situation like this so I had nothing to compare it to. I found your suggestions to be very helpful, especially Kurgarra, Puma and Raihn, thank you very much! I will be more mindful of grounding before and after. The last circle I did was with a huge group and I was a visitor, so this makes a lot of sense. I wanted to be a gracious guest and make a good impression, and this was the sickest I have ever been after a circle.

Thanks again!

:RuNew:

[LadyWillow]

you're welcome!

[Desdemona]

Thanks to you too Lady Willow :)

[Sequoia]

You are very much welcome. :) :hugz:

[Raihn]

Oh, you are very welcome, Desdemona. Good luck to you.