How Pagans Can Move Beyond Depression and Anxiety during the Holiday Season

November 27, 2015 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Lights

“I’m feeling low,” Matilda said.

“I hear you,” I replied. “Something in particular?”

“We’re squeezed from all sides. All the Christmas music, the shopping, the happy couples, the family time. Hey, it was Yule!—before the Christians hijacked our season,” Matilda continued.

Ever feel, as a pagan, that you’re on a small island in the middle of “Christmas-focused people”?

The holidays often create depression and anxiety in Pagans. Seeing all the decorations and good cheer may be nice. Still, we Pagans know that one of our sacred Sabbats was perverted into a consumer holiday.

One holiday season, I was sitting in a knitting group at a yarn shop, when an older woman exclaimed, “What’s all this ‘happy holidays’ crap? It’s Christmas, damn it! It’s always going to be Christmas.”

I felt my hackles rise because I knew full well that in the group were a Jew, me and an Asian with parents from China. Through our diversity, we were already demonstrating that “happy holidays” was a respectful greeting at this time of year.
Why? Because in the USA, we have people of various cultures and traditions.

Long time readers of this blog know that I deal with depression symptoms. It’s true that outside things like all of this tinsel and tyranny of some people pushing their religion on others can exacerbate my depression symptoms.

Getting Past Feeling Depressed

I have learned to focus on the beauty around me and what it means to me. By this I mean, I focus on this present moment. If I see a Yule tree and I enjoy its beauty, then my depression symptoms “quiet down.” Who cares what others call the tree.

Pagans Feeling Anxiety during the Holidays

I have a number of Pagan friends who have to hide their faith from their Christian family and friends. Talk about anxiety! What if the pagan lets something slip like: “Oh, yeah. I had so much fun a Pantheacon”?

Here are some of things I do to lower my anxiety levels.

I have a particular family member who works with some people who are not open to hearing about the pagan path. So I make sure to guard my own energy before an event with that particular group. I prepare to listen and talk about things that this group is comfortable talking about.

Most importantly, I make sure to devote time with like-minded pagans so I feel safe and nurtured—and renewed in energy.

About dealing with the consumerism of the season:

I didn’t participate in Black Friday. I did not run around and attempt to get big bargains. That activity has nothing to do with the true meaning of the holiday Yule, which is about honoring the birth of the God, and the return of the sun.

Pagans and Wiccans know what Yule really means.

I practice being gentle with myself about gift-giving. Sure, you can give close ones gifts. Just go easy about it.

The way to deal with depression and anxiety is to nurture yourself.

Focus on being in the present moment. Find the beauty you cherish and create your own meaning.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path

A Blessing for Success and Strength

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

A Blessing for Success and Strength

Are you walking the path you want to be traversing? Would you choose a different path? We’re all walking a path at the moment. But the question is: Is this the path you prefer?

Years ago, I felt I had no control over the path of life I was walking on. I felt like I was just dragged along, whether I enjoyed it or not.

Many of us feel like that, at least some of the time. How do we take control of our path? One thing that helps is meditation. This clears the mind of the distractions and helps us focus on the important elements of life.

For a little extra help you can say this blessing upon yourself.

A Blessing for Success and Strength

I call upon the power of the Gods and the mighty ones that I may be blessed.

Blessed be my mind, that it be clear of all distractions. Focused on its sacred purpose.

Blessed be my eyes, that they see without hate, and that they see my correct path.

Blessed be my lips, that they speak with strength, beauty, kindness and truth.

Blessed be my voice, that it be clear and strong and that it not shake in fear from adversity or from facing closed minds.

Blessed be my heart, that I always have love and compassion for myself and others.

Blessed be my arms, that they carry my burdens with strength and ease.

Blessed be my hands, that they work and create with purpose, steadily and honorably.

Blessed be my knees, that they not tremble with fear when hardships come my way.

Blessed be my feet, that they do not waver, but walk on the sacred path of light with surefootedness and purpose.

I have found that using empowering words in meditation is so helpful to turn the direction of one’s thoughts.

What words do you use to empower yourself?

Blessed Be,

Moonwater

Remember to give the gift of The Hidden Children of the Goddess this Yule.

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book

When You’re Down, A Way to Climb Up

September 15, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Climb Your Way Out of Depression

When You’re Down, A Way to Climb Up

So what have you heard about the burden of depression?

If you’ve experienced it, you know what an oppressive malady it is. If you have not experienced it, it’s hard to convey the essence of the pain.

Ever since I was little, I’ve had feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness. Abuse in the form of beatings from my brother and neglect from my parents, intensified my hopelessness.

I never knew when abuse would fall upon me. There was no rhyme or reason. Abusing a little girl is inexcusable. But what was worse, as that little girl, I felt a torrent of twisted thoughts. I believed the abuse happened because I deserved it.

I’ve heard a number of times that some people had perhaps a teacher that provided the support they didn’t have at home. But I wasn’t that lucky.

I did what I could to survive. I avoided people.

To me, depression was living in a deep, deep hole. A dark place where I was alone. I felt that I deserved this dark place. I had no hope, no love, no respect. I felt worthless. My chest hurt. Just cold putrid rotting meat inside me. The depression made it move and writhe like a carcass filled with maggots. There was more: tar, shards of broken glass, rusty nails.

Escape! That’s all I wanted. At eight years old, I tried to hang myself.

The Gods intervened. The cord broke. Not just once, but every time I tried to commit suicide, the Gods saved me.

They poured their light into a places I never thought any light could reach. My heart and soul. When that happened it was indescribable. It was beyond an epiphany. It was beyond life and death. It was so miraculous I can’t describe the event. Only that it was life-changing in every way.

It changed my thinking, my speaking, my body. It changed my world. It changed me. I was not me anymore, and yet, I was. My memories were the same, my environment was the same, my story was the same.

I knew who I was, and where I had come from. But now it was all different. How I experienced life was completely new.

I still have depression. I no longer identify myself as “a depressed person.” I am a spirit who deals with depression systems. I take medication and I have a helpful therapist. Each day I have good moments. I reconnect with the Gods on a daily basis. Even as I write this, my altar gleams with a glowing candle.

The Gods gave me a gift of self-love. I want to show you the way to it. I can’t walk this path for you, but I can show you my own path and walk side by side with you on yours.

Here is a chant you can recite to yourself when you’re hurting:

By the Sun and by the Moon,

Let the Gods’ light be my boon.

Shining deep and shining far,

May I be healed by every star.

I saw it then, I see it now,

Darkness be gone right here, right now!

You can use this short chant whenever you are feeling low. For example you can use this chant during meditation, lighting a candle or as a prelude to a meditation.

As always, let me know your experiences using this chant by using the comments box below. I would love to hear them.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

The Quick Mood Pick-me-up for Wiccans

July 7, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Sitting in a field

The Quick Mood Pick-me-up for Wiccans

A short time before a 4th of July fireworks display was set to start, I sat in a field watching children running, jumping and playing nearby. Their joyful shouts rang in my ears. And an idea arose in my thoughts: I wish I could just let go like these children and be free from the drudgery of life.

We all have our moments of sadness, some more than others. Oh to be carefree and happy like a child!

So I came up with the Quick Mood Pick-me-up for Wiccans. As some of you may know, I battle depression everyday and these techniques can be a lifesaver when in a downer mood. It may not make you as perky and carefree as a happy child, but it will certainly move your mood in a better direction to help you get out of a low mood.

The Quick Mood Pick-me-up for Wiccans

A) Lay down in a field of living grass

Laying in grass is relaxing. Further, it’s easier for some people to let go when they have more bodily contact with the earth. The process is simple:

Concentrate on the ground beneath you.
Let any negative energy flow from you into the ground. Imagine the ground is a sponge, sucking the negative energy from your body and cleansing the body.
Take deep breaths and let your body relax.

Let Goddess take away all your worries and fears.

B) Light a candle

If you have racing thoughts, simply light a candle and concentrate on the flame. This can ease your mind.

Cast a circle and place the candle in front of you. You can bless and consecrate it. Make your ritual as simple or as elaborate as you prefer.
Relax and watch the flame.
Breathe slowly and imagine sending your thoughts into the flame to be cleansed from your mind. In this way, you empty your mind of your troubled thoughts.

C) Hug a tree

I know this must sound a little silly, but hugging a tree is a great way to shunt negative energy into the earth. Any tree will gladly help you.

Wrap your arms around the tree.
Take three deep breaths in and let the tree absorb your negative energy. The tree will do the rest.

Trees naturally shunt energy into the earth. This makes them a great resource for our imbalances in life.

D) Take a walk in the woods

This is one of the easier practices and it’s great exercise. Remember what I shared about trees. In fact just being around trees (and nature) reduces stress. Fear not city dwellers, a park will work just as well. Take deep breaths and relax. Look at your surroundings and see the Gods in all the flowers and trees. Know that you are not alone in your walk, for the Gods walk with you. They support us when no one else can–and even at those times when you might not believe in yourself. The Gods want the best for you.

E) Talk to a friend

Some people find that they allow being busy to deprive them of actually talking with a friend. Don’t let that happen. Talk with a friend and often things appear clearer. Expressing yourself can wash away the stress and pain of the drudgery of day to day living. If you have a High Priest or Priestess talk to him or her. They are there to support you in your journey. This can be a great bonding experience for both of you.

So if you find yourself in a low mood, remember the Quick Mood Pick-me-up for Wiccans techniques. I hope they help you as much as they help me.

Blessed be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

How Wicca Saved My Life – Confidence

February 10, 2013February 10, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Blooming against the odds.

Finding the gods was a lifesaver, literally. Before I had the gods in my life, I was a kid with huge self-esteem problems. I had made multiple suicide attempts.

When I was eight, I was so depressed about my life that I tied a string around my neck, intending to hang myself. But the gods were on my side even then. The string broke. The gods knew I had a purpose; I had work to do for them. But at the time when it happened, I thought, I’m so lame, I can’t even kill myself right! I couldn’t see it for the blessing that it was. I just fell into a deeper depression. There were other attempts, and other failures.

My childhood was filled with physical and mental torture perpetrated by my older brother –and my parents’ neglect.

Somehow I survived to my 16th year. One day, I walked into a Barnes and Noble bookstore in my hometown. That year, I heard a new word Wicca. I asked the sales clerk, “Do you have any books on Wicca?” Her eyes lit up and with great excitement she led me to a shelf and started pouring books into my arms.

That evening, alone in my room, I started to read Scott Cunningham’s book, The Solitary Practitioner. My heart filled up. I finally found my home.

Now I reveled in a new world. Soon I was meditating, and after some sessions, the Gods made contact with me.

The gods embraced me with pure love. My body filled up with their love for me. From my head it moved through my entire body, down to my fingers and toes. Happiness was so foreign to me; I had never felt this way before. But I shifted to a deep part of myself I hadn’t known and here I knew that I was one with the Gods. Forever.

The gods found me beautiful. They took pride in me.

I never knew anyone could have this much love for anyone, especially me! This epiphany was a brilliant light into my chasm of darkness and despair. Now I could start to see myself for what I really was worth.

With this knowledge, I found a new confidence in life. Once the gods opened me up and shone their loving light in me, I was transformed into love. Love for myself and for others.

The “harm none” of Wicca rang true for me. I didn’t want anyone to go through what I had endured. I wanted to treat everyone with respect, compassion and love. So I started on my path and became a Wiccan priestess.

It’s a beautiful path.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw