“Are you keeping up? Look what the administration is doing that’s hurting Mother Earth!” my friend, Jeff, said. “I can’t help it. With looking at the world and how I’m getting pushed around at work, my mood is lower than low. I’ve hit bottom.”
Perhaps, you can relate to Jeff’s concerns.
Have you ever woken up in the morning and just didn’t want to face the day and all its problems?
Maybe you’re emotionally exhausted. A number of my Wiccan friends say, “Every time I see any broadcast news, I feel drained.”
Are you feeling sad? Feeling sad is normal. A rough day or a rough patch of life can inspire sad feelings. We are not going to try to put a bow or happy face on feeling sad. The idea is: You can experience some sadness and then, at times, shift into another state of being.
Three Steps to Help You Climb Out of a Low Mood
- Listen to Music – Chant – Sing
A big depression symptom that can knock me down is: Feeling that I have no energy. Sure, I know that if I could get myself to a coffee shop and sit with a friend, we’d have a good time talking. But the problem is that I feel that I have no energy. I’m having trouble getting out of bed.
What can we do?
Listen to music. In three clicks or less, you’re listening to music. You could sing along.
Or you could do a bit of personal chanting or singing. You don’t have to have great talent to do this. Just light a candle and express yourself. It helps.
The point is that music can lessen the burdens in your heart.
While listening to your preferred music, you could dance! Moving your body helps get the blood flowing and can shake out a bad mood.
Consider taking a walk while chanting, humming, or singing.
- Meditate or Pray (Talk to the God and Goddess)
A version of an old phrase is: “When you meditate, you listen to Deity. When you pray, you talk to Deity.”
Many of us Wiccans choose to connect with the Goddess. We pick a God or Goddess with whom we resonate.
Certain types of meditation can also help you beat a bad mood. Especially if you’re subject to self-deprecating thoughts.
However, some people have hesitations about meditation. They find it tough to sit in silence with their thoughts. Is that you?
My mother has to have the T.V. on as soon as she gets up until bedtime. Why? Because she desperately does not want to have silence and hear her own thoughts. She is so unhappy that staying in her own thoughts troubles her greatly. She needs a pacifier of the T.V. to distract her from her thoughts.
A Solution If You’re Afraid of Disturbing Thoughts During Meditation
Focus on a phrase that uplifts your heart. I use this phrase: “I am the Gods’ Love; I am the Gods’ Light.” I use this phrase for a mantra.
- Call Appropriate Friends – Get Outside
I’ve heard friends who deal with depression-symptoms say, “I’m a real actor. I pretend that I’m okay when I feel horrible.” So, at times, it feels like we can’t call people because we’re afraid of “bringing them down, too.”
Think about which friend is someone you don’t have to pretend with. Talking with a good friend can reduce stress and, for females especially, can create oxytocin, known as the bonding hormone. This hormone helps you feel safe and bonded into your personal community.
Wiccans need our community to feel heard and to feel we have a common identity. Talking to people in our personal witch/pagan community can lift your mood.
Wiccans talking and listening to each other is vital because there are times when some of us may be targeted with disdain or even hate. Find someone who will support you.
I’ve noticed that it is good to realize that you can have different “levels” of friends. Some friends are stronger and closer. They can be good listeners to your difficulties. They can give you the support you need. And they are there when you need them.
Also, just getting out of your home into the sun may be just what you need. Especially during the dark half of the year. Get some fresh air, and it’s better with a friend than without.
** Depression Symptoms Can Be an Alert to Other States of Being – Clinical Depression and S.A.D.
Those of us who deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) find that this requires treatments like light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications. Those who deal with SAD need to check with medical professionals.
The Mayo Clinic reports: “Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.”
There are other forms of depression, too. In these cases, you need to consult medical professionals for help.
About Clinical Depression
Every day, I deal with the symptoms of clinical depression. The Mayo Clinic reports:
“Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.”
A “Combination Approach” to Dealing with Symptoms of Clinical Depression
I deal with all of the above problems. I have been fighting for decades to keep myself alive and well.
I’ve seen it in the eyes of people who are free of symptoms. It’s as if they’re saying, “Oh, you’re feeling sad. Just buck up and carry on!” These people are uniformed about the reality of clinical depression. I can describe it as trying to climb a mountain and you only have one pint of blood in your body. You have no energy, no resources … and at times, no hope. Oh—and don’t forget the associated anxiety!
I have used a Combination Approach to survive and thrive. I was lucky that I was diagnosed early in my life. An effective combination of medication and doctor/ psychiatrist /therapy and the God and Goddess has helped significantly in my life.
With the Gods on my side helping me, I’m leading a better life.
* * *
In summary, I’ve shared three methods so you can shift from a low mood. The goal is not to attempt to avoid all low moods. That’s not possible. The idea is to, perhaps, shift sooner out of a low mood.
Additionally, I suggest that you consider using a calendar to schedule your meditation (perhaps, make it daily?). Also, call appropriate friends and create reoccurring times to get together. Maybe, you’ll set up a weekly girls/bros night out.
As Wiccans we do well to schedule time for meditation, prayer and ritual to connect with the God and Goddess. Remember, They want to support you. The God and Goddess are there waiting to share Their wisdom and comfort with you.
Blessed Be,
Moonwater
Looking for gifts?
See my designs at Redbubble. For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:
Be a Wiccan Badass: Become More Confident and Unleash Your Inner Power
As a Wiccan I found this an inspiring read. Written in a way that makes it accessible to everyone irrespective of their current knowledge. – Shona Cathro
Goddess Reveals Your Enchanted Light: Peace, Prosperity, Possibility Along Your Wiccan Path
I don’t generally write reviews on books I’ve read…but this time i feel lead to. This book spoke volumes to me, as if the author knew exactly where I’m coming from and what I’m struggling with. It’s not often a book can make me cry, but this one did by making me see the many blocks I’ve put up in my life. I knew they were there, but I’ve gotten skilled at pretending they’re not. Thank you for helping me see I’m not some freak because of circumstances throughout my life that have caused the blocks, and that i need to stop hiding from or burying them and face them one step at a time. – Crystal Sparks
This book is a must have for all of those starting out on the spiritual path of Wicca and for all of those who are just looking for some light and love in their life. MoonWater SilverClaw uses her knowledge of Wicca and her personal experiences to not only teach the Law of Attraction in a clear manner but to help you use the Law of Attraction to better your life.
Through simple guided meditations and tips on living a happy healthy life this book takes you on a journey that will teach you how to love yourself, better your self image, and rid yourself of the negative energies that prevent you from reaching your goals.
This book covers many wonderful topics that will teach you basic magical practices as well as the theory and idea of “like attracts like” From setting up an alter to casting a circle and how to perform and find the magick that you are seeing in your life this book has so much to offer.
MoonWater SilverClaw is truly an inspirational writer for a newer generation of Wiccans and those seeking to use the natural energies of the earth to make changes in their life. Her writing style speaks from the heart because she has been where the reader is, she has used these techniques and steps to better her own life and now she is helping the reader use the Law of Attraction to better theirs – Amazon Customer
Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal
This is an absolute gem for the witch with issues. Rituals for things like self-esteem are something i have never seen before. Moonwater’s writing is engrossing and draws the reader in. I am a witch with PTSD M.S. and other issues and this book made me feel hopeful and capable. – t’air
Ms. SilverClaw has written a book that is really great for the beginner wanting to learn about Wiccan or wants to start practicing the art of Wicca. I found this book wonderful, easy to read, and extremely helpful and informative. It covers everything from what Wicca is, the history of Wicca and how Wicca became misassociated with evil, along with how Wicca can help/save people’s lives. Ms. SilverClaw also discusses practicing Wicca either in a Coven or Solo, and all the things you need in order to have in order to perform your ceremony, and she explains what each item means. She explains how to create spells and gives examples to use, and explains the pitfalls of creating certain types of spells. Ms. SilverClaw has truly created a book that is a cast all net the seems to cover everything that I needed to know to begin practicing Wicca. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for their first book on the topic and wants to start practicing the art of Wicca or is just curious about the topic. This is truly a Must Have book. – Tamra L. Shipman
Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path
This is a terrific book! It is like talking to the author over a cup of tea like one of the bloggers says. – Kitri
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