does depression affect magic?

[StormVixen]

ok i am clinically depresed, im not on meds and i dont see a counceller because im aparently over it, according to my dr.

i find any sort of magic really hard, especially raising energy and focusing on particular things. also staying positive is difficult, ive tryed doing a spell to banish my depression but i dont think its worked very well!

i hate my home life and i hate work, the only times i feel "happy" are when im with my boyfriend (who lives 20 miles away) or when i am doing witchy things (especially research).

so i was just wondering if anyone else on here has depression or has had depression, or at least has any ideas of what i could do to be able to feel better, and stuff. :sadeyes:

[Raven Reed]

I suffer from depression because I have bi-polar disorder. I went through a really bad patch a while back and getting into my spiritual path more actually helped me get over my depression. It was the one thing that was under my control and made me feel good about myself.

I did find it hard, but I kept at it and things have gotten easier. I hope the same works for you.

[VelvetBlade]

I definately think depression can affect your magic. If you're depressed and those energies are passed through you..or if you think "this isn't going to work -- I'm depressed", then you're exactly right..it won't. But...if you use your magic as another tool to help you get control..and think of it that way..it's YOUR magic...it just may help lessen the depression by giving you back control.


And please, if you don't feel like you're over your depression, speak to your doctor again about it. They aren't always right...


*hugs*

~AW

[StormVixen]

one of my best friends is bi-polar (that is the other name for manic depression right?) she is so cool! that reminds me ive gotta see her soon!

the thing is i got in to paganism before i got depression so i feel like ive lost control of that aswell, i used to be able to raise energy and stuff relitively well but now i HAVE to either be in the middle of nowhere or in the middle of a wood to be able to do anything (ive got even worse since moving into a 7th floor apartment! blegh!)

depression sucks! i want soo badly to "get over it" but its so hard!

[StormVixen]

And please, if you don't feel like you're over your depression, speak to your doctor again about it. They aren't always right...

to be fair to the dr i am better than i was its just the dregs of it left... i dont trust drs now tho... one told me i was waisting his time at a point in my life when i was suicidle... luckaly i have good friends who saved my life that day.

[VelvetBlade]

to be fair to the dr i am better than i was its just the dregs of it left... i dont trust drs now tho... one told me i was waisting his time at a point in my life when i was suicidle... luckaly i have good friends who saved my life that day.
That's understandable, but they're really not all bad! I'm sure you know that depression is not an easy thing to deal with..something that you have to work with daily sometimes. This is probably going to sound trite, but have you tried yoga or mediation? It worked wonders for me, and though it was difficult to do initially ( just didn't "feel it", ya know)..I stuck to it and the results were great. Just a thought!!
Hang in there!

~AW

[StormVixen]

oh yeah meditation... i love meditation! i have a chocolate sented candle and i meditate whilst focusing on it... (chocolate sented...is that classed as fluff bunnie? i hope not lol!)

i like to go to the forest in my head!

[VelvetBlade]

oh yeah meditation... i love meditation! i have a chocolate sented candle and i meditate whilst focusing on it... (chocolate sented...is that classed as fluff bunnie? i hope not lol!)

i like to go to the forest in my head!
Wait..you have a chocolate scented candle?? I may have to get me one of them....lol. I think I'd be afraid my meditation journey would take me along a chocolate river with a chocolate waterfall...hmmmm...not a bad idea !!! :smile:

[KEishin]

*raises hand*

Another one here. I've got long-term dsythemia, which basically means in my case it will never go away, so I know exactly what you are going through luv. :hugz: And yes it does affect your magick, but not in outright ways; it's more subtle. You don't feel like moving, you can't concentrate or you're bouncing off the walls with ungrounded energy, sometimes within minutes of each other!

I'll echo others here - focussing on spiritual things really *does* help. I think it's partly becuase you're concentrating on thing outside of yourself. In my case it broke through the cycle of pain. I had days where it felt like there was a telephone pole piercing my chest and the last thing I wanted to do was move, but I would meditate or read, or *something* and after a while it would abate. It took time, and medication to get the last of it, but these days those episodes are thankfully rare.

And that's something else - don't discount medication. I was worried that it would affect my magickal skills, and it did, but in a good way. The medicine gave me back the rest of my ability to focus, which we all know is important in magick.

Tell you doctor to go shove it and get a new one. Your health is too important to mess with.
And anytime you need to talk, PM me. If I'm on I'll respond.
:hugz:

(PS: Connect with the Gods as best you can. I appealed to Persephone quite a bit in those dark times. She's great for helping you travel through the underworld.)

[StormVixen]

*raises hand*

Another one here. I've got long-term dsythemia, which basically means in my case it will never go away, so I know exactly what you are going through luv. :hugz: And yes it does affect your magick, but not in outright ways; it's more subtle. You don't feel like moving, you can't concentrate or you're bouncing off the walls with ungrounded energy, sometimes within minutes of each other!

I'll echo others here - focussing on spiritual things really *does* help. I think it's partly becuase you're concentrating on thing outside of yourself. In my case it broke through the cycle of pain. I had days where it felt like there was a telephone pole piercing my chest and the last thing I wanted to do was move, but I would meditate or read, or *something* and after a while it would abate. It took time, and medication to get the last of it, but these days those episodes are thankfully rare.

And that's something else - don't discount medication. I was worried that it would affect my magickal skills, and it did, but in a good way. The medicine gave me back the rest of my ability to focus, which we all know is important in magick.

Tell you doctor to go shove it and get a new one. Your health is too important to mess with.
And anytime you need to talk, PM me. If I'm on I'll respond.
:hugz:

(PS: Connect with the Gods as best you can. I appealed to Persephone quite a bit in those dark times. She's great for helping you travel through the underworld.)

i do have a different dr and ive finished a course of meds, i think that i do need someone to talk to tho, but i dont have money for a counseler or anything... when i was at college i could talk to a counseler for free... um... talking about my problems on the net is wierd because its like you could be talking to someone you know but not know that its them or something... um...

[Invidosa]

Hey doll, I know exactly what you're dealing with here, I too have this problem. I have to agree with what others have said. I really found my spirituality to be a life saver in these situations. When it gets really bad, I envision the Goddess standing in front of me with her arms open, its a very comforting thing to see. Also, remind yourself that your ARE strong enough to persevere, heck, think of all the difficult times you have survived before now! Another point I agree on, you need to find another doctor. If the one you have now does not listen when you tell him/her that you think you still need help then he/she is absolutly not doing the job right. As for medication, I was worried when I went on antidepressants, and the side effects were kind of scary for a week or so, but in the long run I know that my meds have helped me tremendously. :hugz: Lots of love and hugs to you.

[MoonDragn]

This is semi related, something I've been thinking about. I need someone who is depressed to try this. Next time you are depressed, hum different ranges of tones from high pitch to low pitch, and see if it affects anything. This is an experiment so don't beat me up if you don't wish to participate. I have a theory about how depression comes about and how it can be helped without medicine.

[KEishin]

Can you expand upon your theory, or would that potentially ruin the results?

[Invidosa]

This is semi related, something I've been thinking about. I need someone who is depressed to try this. Next time you are depressed, hum different ranges of tones from high pitch to low pitch, and see if it affects anything. This is an experiment so don't beat me up if you don't wish to participate. I have a theory about how depression comes about and how it can be helped without medicine.

You know, this is not the first time that I have heard someone link musical tones/vibrations with mental disease, I just can't remember exactly what it was. I am pretty sure I heard it on Coast to Coast AM (if you are familiar with that show) In any case, I would really like to hear more on your theory.

[MoonDragn]

Experiment first, then I'll see if it matches my theory. Just tell me if it makes a difference and if different tones make a difference more than others.

[erielfae]

ok i am clinically depresed, im not on meds and i dont see a counceller because im aparently over it, according to my dr.

i find any sort of magic really hard, especially raising energy and focusing on particular things. also staying positive is difficult, ive tryed doing a spell to banish my depression but i dont think its worked very well!

i hate my home life and i hate work, the only times i feel "happy" are when im with my boyfriend (who lives 20 miles away) or when i am doing witchy things (especially research).

so i was just wondering if anyone else on here has depression or has had depression, or at least has any ideas of what i could do to be able to feel better, and stuff. :sadeyes:

Hi Sweetie. I know it seems hard right now, but just hang in there. Almost everyone goes through a depression once or twice in their lives and it perfectly normal. I know you want answers, but I don't know why you are depressed, and I've never met you, but I can assure you that it will all pass away. are you a solitude practitioner? Maybe if you found some pagan friends you would feel alot better. I don't know what your parents think about it or if they even know, but friends who are into the same things really help, especially pagan, and trust me there are more out there than you think, and they'll come to you. They'll sense they're needed. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you much, but I promise it'll alll get better. We have all been there. I hope to hear from you again soon.

ErielFae

[StormVixen]

ive never had "real life" pagan friends but im planning to meet one soon whom i have been talking to on the internet and on the phone... that humming thing makes me giggle... noesy people are around now so i cant write any more!

[Semele]

Anything affecting your state of mind affects your work.

[Xander67]

according to the MAgical Personality book...... what I found is that if your elements are not in balance you may be hindering yourself.....

typically, you have Earth, Air, Water, and Fire...
each of these correspond to a certian element in your work,

example... Water is the Emotion that you have , Air is directly connected to the Astral, Earth is the starting point and ending point and Fire is pure magic itself....

you start from earth... grounded and centered
then you move into air, (intent ) which is where the symbols come into play
at the water stage is where you build up the emotion and will which peak at Fire
Once you peak it at fire and release the energy... you ground and center again bringing you back to earth....

according to the book, im lacking in Earth and Fire,
there are ways to balance the elements... but in my case, this is the worst possible deficiency,
I wasnt grounded and lacked the FIRE to transmit the energy...

this is what I found in the book, and it did apply to me, haveing been diagnosed with Social Anxiety Dissorder...

I am finding that if I take the time to ground and center, my day goes smoothely and im not as Jumpy...

If you are not properly gounded in a ritual, then there is no point in doing the work......

this is what I have found... so in answer to your question,
I believe that Depression and Anxiety will hinder your magical work... but it need not do so
there are ways to overcome this if you identify which areas you are in need of harmonising.

these are my opinions based on the book, others may have other ideas, but this worked in my life.

[Xander67]

You know, this is not the first time that I have heard someone link musical tones/vibrations with mental disease, I just can't remember exactly what it was. I am pretty sure I heard it on Coast to Coast AM (if you are familiar with that show) In any case, I would really like to hear more on your theory.

Sound waves effect us at the cellular level as the different frequencies resonate within the body.. Mozart and a few of the other composers worked with this... and there is quite a bit of research being done today in that area. It does work..

[Xander67]

if you go to yahoo and type in healing sounds, there are a few good sites,

i like this one, it uses devices and tecniques from tibet, bowls, crystals, etc
http://www.healingsounds.com/

[Flar's Freyja]

I deal with depression as well, and while it's hard to get up the motivation and energy to start, once you get there you can use those emotions and physical feelings to your advantage.

The most effective magic I've done has often been while I've been immersed in the depths. I've simply gotten very angry, or cried and poured my heart out to the Goddess and have gotten results quickly. You don't necessarily have to be at your altar or in other sacred space. If it hits in the car, just do it and don't worry about what your fellow drivers may think.

You'll find lots of support here. A large percentage of the population suffers with depression at any given time and that goes for this community as well.

:hugz:

[Darakash]

I think alot of the responses have already addressed some very good suggestions, but a thought occured to me while I was reading that may help you in terms of the lack of energy in magick, caused by depression, etc.

Do you have any sensitivity at all to crystals/gems/stones? I mean, do you feel energy from them when you touch them? Cause the thing that occurred to me, is that, if I handle enough crystals, especially those with projective or fiery energy, I get a buzz that is almost like injecting caffein, but with a clearer head.....sooooo, maybe it might be good to "play" with some crystals and really draw on their energies in your magick space before you perform workings? If crystals don't work for you, is there some other tool that projects energy to you? just a thought! Herbs?

Senebty, DK

[StormVixen]

yeah crystals! what is a good crystal for depression, would it be quartz or... um... obsidian cos that absorbs negativity right? i dunno!

[Darakash]

yeah crystals! what is a good crystal for depression, would it be quartz or... um... obsidian cos that absorbs negativity right? i dunno!

Hmm, well i was actually thinking more from the "gaining energy" (as in projective versus receptive/absorbing stones, in that I was looking at increasing your energy rather than decreasing your negativity, if that makes sense....but heres a mini list of both:

Gain Bring Energy:
Tiger's Eye (pretty much any color, but red is very strong)
Red Jasper
Calcite
Amazonite
Amber (not really a stone, of course)
Bloodstone (good for balancing chakras)
Carnelian
Citrine (good for balancing chakras--especially solar plexus)

Draw Away Negativity/Sadness etc
Amethyst
Aquamarine
Lapis Lazuli
Rose Quarts
Hematite

By the way, I am pretty sure that Obsidian is a projective stone, but is good for this too.....clear quartz is considered bothe projective and receptive I believe....
dK

[StormVixen]

sorry yeh i did know what you ment! i just wasnt concentraiting!

i have so many blood stones...! im not good at remembering whitch stones do what so thanx...

[audi]

i was diganosed with derpesssion too. and i find it really had to do magic when i down. however i still keep trying and i find that the perserveriance makes it easier and easier. it also dosnt sound as though your doc has ever suffered from depression. it is sorta like alcoholism or drug addiction. it is a life long thing that if you dont always suffer from, you are more prone to. so this ' ur over it' stuff... i just dont by it. sure, you will feel better and i hope that you do soon. my suggestion would be to keep trying and maybe try to use magic and such when you are most upset, so that when you feel better, magic will have been a positive expereince for you. and you can train yoursefl to be able to use it even whe you are most upset. i dont know if that made any sence. but in short.... yes. been depressed, had problems with magic. hope you feel better. *hugs* ;)

[wooleybob]

I too have depression,along with post tramatic stress.Being a firefighter over 15yrs,i have seen much death,and horrifing things to mention about..I've gone and had therapy.The best thing i found out what works for me is to talk about the problems and hit them straight on.let out all that bothers you inside to come out.yes its hard to talk about somethings,but find someone,friend,reletive who you trust to talk to.if you dont get whats bothering you out in the open,belive me you feel like your goin nuts holding it in.Try playing music you, like. get into the beat of it.Keep youself busy,joke about things..somedays i look at the weather and crack jokes like when its raining out say to yourself man its a beautiful day out,yes it maybe missorable day for others,but you cant change the weather,so make it your day of beauty and be happy.Do what ever makes you feel good at your worst..Please dont wish harmful things to the people who may have caused you a problem.Harm none.!! Talk to your Goddess or God's to help guide you..And at the last resort use meds from your doctor..I wish you the best at what ever may help you over come you problem.....Blessed Be.. :hugz:

[StormVixen]

funny thing is i dunno why i feel like i do! i guess its because my dreen of owning a shop is soo far off it seems impossable

[wooleybob]

nothing is impossible...never give up..If things were never ment to be,they would never happen..For every action there is a reaction...Things will get better... _twohorns_

[Flar's Freyja]

funny thing is i dunno why i feel like i do! i guess its because my dreen of owning a shop is soo far off it seems impossable

This site is of course, trying to sell their courses, but they have some good free resources. I went through it last night and one of the articles focuses on obstacles to success. One of these is resistance, and that resistance can be the fear or lack of belief that we will succeed. "There are no problems, there is only resistance," and "What you resist, persists." You may find some of their articles helpful:

Get Synergized (http://www.getsynergized.com/)

[StormVixen]

i know i will have a shop and i will be successful but its far away... at the moment i just cant be bothered so im just going with the flow...

[AlAskendir]

ok i am clinically depresed, im not on meds and i dont see a counceller because im aparently over it, according to my dr.

i find any sort of magic really hard, especially raising energy and focusing on particular things. also staying positive is difficult, ive tryed doing a spell to banish my depression but i dont think its worked very well!

i hate my home life and i hate work, the only times i feel "happy" are when im with my boyfriend (who lives 20 miles away) or when i am doing witchy things (especially research).

so i was just wondering if anyone else on here has depression or has had depression, or at least has any ideas of what i could do to be able to feel better, and stuff. :sadeyes:

Yes, magick happens when you focus your passions on a concept and let go. When you are depressed, you don't seem to have any passions, and it can be difficult to remember how to have them or focus them. But they generally come back, but if there are a bunch of things you hate and only a few things you love, you're being to edge over from the 'neutral' that the depression left you at into something negative...if that's where you want to be, I guess it's cool, but negative people are rarely happy.

If you want a way out of it, change your diet to include a lot more turkey (triptophan!), and just before going to sleep each night (about 3 hours after dinner), eat a potato somehow (w/o protein). This will kick up the production of Seratonin in your brain, which should take you from 'neutral' to 'serene' most of the time. If you want to become more positive, find something that you love and spend time when you aren't with it, focusing on it and on your love for it...magnetizing yourself to love. Then give it a few weeks, journaling how you feel every few hours....

[KiNoRonin]

Depression is the Emotional State one inflicts upon oneself when that Individual realizes on the Subconscious Level that one is not Created in a Godlike Image, and that Life is not as perfect as the Bible's passage of Genesis1, Versus 26 - 31.

It is posted on Druidry.org's message board and can be linked to it by Clicking on:



It goes:


In my Supreme Lifeform essay, I mention Genesis 1: 26 - 31 a couple of
times. I have rewritten Genesis 1: 26 - 31 in order so that it may reflect
my personal philosophies and theologies.

I first post the uneddited version of Genesis 1: 26 - 31 and then my editted
version so that comparisons may be made.

I hope a lot of your like it.


Genesis 1: 26 - 31:

"God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature

So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the
air, the cattle,

And yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of
Earth.'

God created human beings; he created them godlike,

Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female.

God blessed them: 'Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take Charge!

Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every
living thing that moves on the face of Earth.'

Then God said, 'I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on
Earth

And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food.

To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes,

I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.' And there it was.

God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!"

(p. 22, Genesis, Chapter 1, "The Message: The Bible in Contemporary
Language," as written by Eugene Peterson).

I rewrote the passage as follows:

"Mother Nature spoke: "Let us make the Universe, Stars, and Planets
in their own Natural image, make them reflecting our nature

So the cycles of life of the Planet Earth is responsible for the fish
in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, every animal that moves
on the face of Earth.'

Nature of Earth evolved human beings; she created them in their own
Natural Image,

Reflecting Goddess and Gods nature, all living creatures are made
male and female.

Mother Nature blessed them: 'Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Be
fruitfull!

Coexist Peacefully with the fish in the sea and birds in the air, for
every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.'

Then Mother Nature provided all living things every sort of seed-
bearing plant on Earth, and every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given
them to you for food.

To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes,

Nature gives whatever grows out of the ground for food.' And there it
was.

Mother Nature Gaia then looked over everything she had made; it was
so good, so very good!"


Ki No Ronin

[StormVixen]

:hehehehe:

[jana]

Rhodochrosite is also good for positive energies. Helps attract love and self love. I find it a very nice stone to wear.
Hang in there...

[Verde]

Depression is the Emotional State one inflicts upon oneself when that Individual realizes on the Subconscious Level that one is not Created in a Godlike Image, and that Life is not as perfect as the Bible's passage of Genesis1, Versus 26 - 31.
Ki No Ronin


Excuse me? Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance within the brain that can strike anyone of any religious upbringing, or no religious upbringing. Depression has absolutely nothing to do with the Bible, or any religious text for that matter.

And as a child of the God and Goddess, who also believes that all things are created in the image of the God and Goddess because all things ARE God and Goddess, and who also suffers from chronic depression, I take exception to your flippant comments on the causes of depression.

If only the cause and cure were as simple as you suggest. But they're not. I get the feeling that you understand next to nothing about depression, and I pray you never do understand what it's like to live with it every day of your life. :awwman:

~Verde

[CzechWoods]

i a nutshell: everything affects magic and magic affects everything.

i know this is not helping much, but meditate on it and you will possibly get the feeling for my message.

[IvyWitch]

Depression is the Emotional State one inflicts upon oneself when that Individual realizes on the Subconscious Level that one is not Created in a Godlike Image, and that Life is not as perfect as the Bible's passage of Genesis1, Versus 26 - 31.


Umm.....no. Not really. First of all, that doesn't really apply to those on this PAGAN message board who don't believe in the Christian idea of God, but most Christians I know would probably want to ask you what the heck you're talking about... :thumbsdow Depression is a medical condition and isn't soley related to one's relationship with any higher power. Heck, there are plenty of athiests out there who are depressed.

[Crystal_Raye]

Try looking at a happy color like yellow or pink for a while. And try smelling and eating something sweet and uplifting like a citrus fruit.

[CzechWoods]

Umm.....no. Not really. First of all, that doesn't really apply to those on this PAGAN message board who don't believe in the Christian idea of God, but most Christians I know would probably want to ask you what the heck you're talking about... :thumbsdow Depression is a medical condition and isn't soley related to one's relationship with any higher power. Heck, there are plenty of athiests out there who are depressed.


I think you are misunderstanding the post you critisize.
your argument of atheists getting depression in fact backs up the idea that a lack of nourishing faith could lead to the conditon that we call dpression.

but many pagans have depressions too. that is because they feel the connection to the all, imo and/or are working on digesting injustice from their past, that is not easy to be overcome: rape, abuse etc.

the question about depression is not whther it is described as medical or religious, because thatslike discussing which cam e first: egg or bird.

the divisions between the worlds as we perceive them and constantly try to put uo, in fact do mot exists. there is no medical state that has not a spirituality aspect and vice versa.

i put it into a nutshell by saying:
depression affects magic, magic affects depression.

[flar7]

Depression is the Emotional State one inflicts upon oneself when that Individual realizes on the Subconscious Level that one is not Created in a Godlike Image, and that Life is not as perfect as the Bible's passage of Genesis1, Versus 26 - 31.

Ki No Ronin
Perhaps such blanket statements are unwise? and a bit disrespectful to the thousands who suffer from depression through no lack of faith or trying....

[StormVixen]

ummm... ok... anyway...

[CzechWoods]

Perhaps such blanket statements are unwise? and a bit disrespectful to the thousands who suffer from depression through no lack of faith or trying....


You are right Flar.

I am sorry if my words were somewhat disrespectful to anyones suffering.

not intended at all

[Milliscent]

Excuse me? Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance within the brain that can strike anyone of any religious upbringing, or no religious upbringing. Depression has absolutely nothing to do with the Bible, or any religious text for that matter.

And as a child of the God and Goddess, who also believes that all things are created in the image of the God and Goddess because all things ARE God and Goddess, and who also suffers from chronic depression, I take exception to your flippant comments on the causes of depression.

If only the cause and cure were as simple as you suggest. But they're not. I get the feeling that you understand next to nothing about depression, and I pray you never do understand what it's like to live with it every day of your life. :awwman:

~Verde



:clapping: I couldn't find the high-5, but this'll do...you go, girl!

[StormVixen]

anyway... i feel lots better now... infact im loving life at the mo.... :hahugh:

[CzechWoods]

anyway... i feel lots better now... infact im loving life at the mo.... :hahugh:
:boing:

[Mysteriouss_Destinee]

This is semi related, something I've been thinking about. I need someone who is depressed to try this. Next time you are depressed, hum different ranges of tones from high pitch to low pitch, and see if it affects anything. This is an experiment so don't beat me up if you don't wish to participate. I have a theory about how depression comes about and how it can be helped without medicine.

Is there a certain amount of time your supposed to hum or does it depend on the person?
.. I am going to try.. *giggle* does this help the emotional state as well .. cause am I always emotional! _cookie_

Much Love, Mysteriouss_Destinee

[blackroseivy]

Hi, I'm medically bi-polar & the original post as I understood it was talking about would this affect the *practice* of magic. Personally, I don't practice anything when I'm depressed - not only would it not be effective anyway, but I simply cannnot work up the proper spirit & energy-level. That's *my* answer! ;)