Are there any pagan therapists who work with depression?
Jan 15, 2015 · Taking all of that into account, there are Pagan-specific approaches to handling depression; all of which can be incorporated into a larger treatment plan. Both Fox and Tony Rella , a mental health counselor in the Seattle area and a student-mentor at the Morningstar Mystery School , use the elements of earth, water, air, and fire in their ...
How do I find a pagan mental health professional?
Here are some of the most commonly-invoked Deities. Adonis – Greek God of rebirth and vegetation, worshipped in mystery religions for untold eons. Apollo – Greek/Roman young solar …
Do you feel drawn to the ancient gods of paganism?
The two common themes seem to be educating the mental health profession at large, and the creation of Pagan pastoral/spiritual counseling systems. Education of the Mental Health …
What does the Bible say about mental illness?
Paganism in Health Care Abstract The pagan comprises of a rapidly growing but small umbrella of minority which is nature centered. The approach to this research was grounded on the …
Mental Health and Paganism
For a little while now, I've had on and off thoughts about writing a book about mental health from a Pagan perspective or rather, ways in which Paganism can be beneficial to the mental health of Pagans.#N#It's something that I've entertained in my mind, considering different ideas of what could go into such a book and then generally letting the idea drift away again with some kind of idle speculation that maybe one day I could do that.#N#But over the last couple of days, the subject has been on my mind a bit more, to the point where I actually do want to write somethign down about it.
Being Moonstruck
Then there is the other side of the coin.
To cure the crazy
If you find that your spiritual practice helps you deal with psychological issues.
How does Fox use spirit?
Fox uses spirit in the context of “one’s practices and understandings” when speaking about depression . “Some daily spiritual practice can be a really important component,” she said. That could take the form of “being at a home altar calling on the Divine, Goddess, God, Great Spirit, or a particular pantheon, depending on the tradition. Actually call on the sacred and ask for assistance as one goes through life and the day.” Further, “a ritual for self-healing involving chanting, candlelight, incense, [or] affirmations . . . is really a complement to whatever else one is doing.”
What questions does Rella ask about water?
Regarding the element of water, Rella asks questions that are tied to mood, including “Can I give space and permission for painful emotional experiences to emerge? What deeper wisdom might these feelings point toward? What difficult truths can I see in my heart?”
What is the most depressing day of the year?
According to a formula concocted for a now-defunct travel network, the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year. While that designation was most likely created to sell vacation packages, it does serve to focus attention on a complex, often intractable condition.
Who is Selena Fox?
Reverend Selena Fox, founder of Circle Sanctuary, has been a practicing psychotherapist for most of her adult life, and most of the people she works with in that context are Pagan. “It’s important one takes a holistic approach to healing and wellness,” she said.
Who is Sable Aradia?
Sable Aradia, a Pagan clergyperson, provided some specific actions for depressed Pagans to take in her second post on The Downward Spiral — Depression and Suicide in Paganism, including the use of banishing pentagrams to dispel negative moods, witch bottles to get rid of bad luck, and seeking council of the gods.
What is air associated with?
Air is associated with the intellect and thoughts. “What kind of story is my depression telling about me?” asks Rella. “What harmful self-beliefs are coming to light? How could I rewrite those stories to promote more ease and self-acceptance?”
Is depression a common disorder?
Depression is so common, and for a lot of us, it's something that comes back multiple times and takes prolonged efforts to eliminate. Speaking for myself, in 2003 I was diagnosed as severely depressed, chronically depressed, type 2 bipolar (not otherwise specified), and border-line personality disorder.
Who is the god of medicine?
He is known as the god of medicine, and his serpent-draped staff, The Rod of Asclepius, is still found as a symbol of medical practice today. Honored by doctors, nurses and scientists alike, Asclepius was a son of Apollo.
Who is the Greek goddess of hunting?
Artemis (Greek) Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, and represented by the bow and arrow. John Weiss / Flickr / Creative Commons/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Artemis is a daughter of Zeus conceived during a romp with the Titan Leto, according to the Homeric Hymns. She was the Greek goddess of both hunting and childbirth.
What is Bona Dea?
JTBaskinphoto / Getty Images. In ancient Rome, Bona Dea was a goddess of fertility. In an interesting paradox, she was also a goddess of chastity and virginity. Honored originally as an earth goddess, she was an agricultural deity and was often invoked to protect the area from earthquakes.
What is Brighid's role in the Celtic world?
Brighid was a Celtic hearth goddess who is still celebrated today in many parts of Europe and the British Isles. She is honored primarily at Imbolc , and is a goddess who represents the home fires and domesticity of family life, as well as healing and wellness magic.
What is Babalu Aye?
Falantes / Getty Images. Babalu Aye is an Orisha often associated with plague and pestilence in the Yoruba belief system and Santerian practice. However, just as he is connected with disease and illness, he is also tied to its cures.
Who is Patti Wigington?
Gods and Goddesses of Healing. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
What is the meaning of Heka?
Heka was an ancient Egyptian deity associated with health and wellness. The god Heka was incorporated by practitioners into medicine — for the Egyptians, healing was seen as the province of the gods.
Who is the messenger of the Gods?
Messenger of the Gods. Trickster God. Herne – British God of vegetation, vine, and the wild hunt. Holly King – English God of winter (rest, withdrawal) Horus – Egyptian Sky God, God of sun and moon, God of war and the hunt. Krishna – Hindu Supreme God, essence of all creation.
Who is the Hindu god with the elephant head?
Ganesh – Hindu God with elephant head, remover of obstacles, God of beginnings, patron of arts and sciences, of intelligence and wisdom. Gopala – Hindu Child God, young Krishna, playful and mischevious while always aware of divinity. Govinda – Sikh God, preserver, protective father.
Who is the Greek god of light?
Apollo – Greek/Roman young solar God, God of light, truth and prophecy, God of archery, medicine and healing, God of music, poetry, and the arts. Cernunnos – Celtic God of the Wild Hunt, fertility and masculine energy. Dagda – Irish Father God, somewhat comical and bawdy.
Who is the Greek God of the Underworld?
Hades – Greek God of the Underworld and Death. Hephaestus – Greek God of the Forge, of technology, craftsmen, sculptors, fire and volcanoes. Hermes – Greek God of boundaries and travelers, shepherds and cowherds, orators, writers and poets, invention, commerce, and thieves. Messenger of the Gods. Trickster God.
Who is the God of commerce?
Mercury – Roman God of commerce, messenger of the Gods, speed and travel. Oak King – English God of summer (expansion, growth, activity) Odin – Norse Father God , God of wisdom, wealth, inspiration, poetry, battle, hunting, magick, prophecy. Osiris – Egyptian God of the Underworld and the harvest.
What is the Green Man?
Green Man – Title used for the Earth Gods, such as Tammuz, Herne, Dionysus (also Green God). Horned God – Title used for Wiccan Gods of the animals or the hunt, symbolizing virility and strength, such as Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Pashupati.
Who is the god of the sea?
Poseidon is the god of the sea, known as "earth-shaker.". Harald Sund / Photographer's Choice / Getty Images. There are literally thousands of different deities out there in the Universe, and which ones you choose to honor will often depend significantly upon what pantheon your spiritual path follows.
Who is Patti Wigington?
Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. In modern Pagan religions, people often feel drawn towards many of the ancient gods.
Where did the Celts live?
Although the Celts consisted of societies all over the British Isles and parts of Europe, some of their gods and goddesses have become a part of modern Pagan practice. Here are some of the Deities Honored by the Celts.
Did the Greeks worship gods?
The ancient Greeks honored a wide variety of gods, and many are still worshiped today by Hellenic Pagans. For the Greeks, much like many other ancient cultures, the deities were a part of daily life, not merely something to be chatted with in times of need.
The Bible and Mental Health
Some of the common ailments associated with mental health are anxiety and depression. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 264 million people struggle with depression and 40 million people struggle with anxiety (“Facts & Statistics”).
The Body and the Mind
The individual’s body and mind are both factors of a person’s mental health. If a person’s mind and body are having difficulties, a person’s mental state will suffer as well. Elijah was a prophet who struggled with suicidal thoughts during a difficult time in his life.
1. Anxiety
Anxiety is a common thing people struggle with. Normally, doctors do not diagnose somebody with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) unless the individual’s anxiety interferes with their daily lives.
2. Depression
Depression is another common mental health problem people can struggle with during their life. Having the diagnosis of depression does not make you less of a Christian or less than a person. In fact, nobody is less than a person if they have any type of mental illness.
3. Eating Disorders
There is nothing in the Bible specifically on eating disorders, however, there is much to say about taking care of your body. The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ). God does not want anyone to destroy their body by restricting food, purging food, or over-exercising.
What Can I Do?
If you are struggling with mental illness, there are several things you can do. As stated previously, it is important to seek help from doctors, counselors, and therapists. Each of these people will be able to get you the best care you need in order to feel better and be more productive for the Lord.
Check Out Medical Issues
- Before starting out on more intensive ritual or magical practice, it’s a good idea to start by building self-awareness, and looking at how things are currently going in your life. Looking at your mental and physical health is a great place to start. Many symptoms can affect our minds, but be cause…
Effects of Medication
- Speaking of medication, rather a lot of things can affect how our brains work. Sometimes that’s intentional (we take a med to help with something). Sometimes it’s not. Personally, I err on the conservative side of the recommendations I’m going to make below (in the ‘what are some good ways to handle this’) about making big decisions or commitments (including magical or ritual on…
Are Ritual Practices Dangerous?
- One discussion I’ve heard is whether it’s safe to do magic if you have mental health issues. My take is that it’s like having physical health limitations – some things may be okay, but others may be a lot more risky for you than for someone else. It’s up to you to be responsible and make good choices about what you will and won’t do. (Why is it up to you? Because you have the most expe…
Are You Reasonably Functional?
- One good way to judge things is to look at how well you’re functioning in daily life. If you’re managing your own needs, are working or going to school or getting the other stuff you do done, then you are probably in decent shape to consider adding magical and ritual practices or trying new things. If those things aren’t true – if you’re struggling to get out of bed, take care of your bo…
What Helps with Handling this?
- I can’t tell you what to do – but here are some suggestions that I follow myself due to physical health issues, and that work pretty well for other kinds of issues.
in A Group Context
- The last part of this is talking about it in a group context. Obviously, how we think and feel and interact with the world has a big impact when we’re working in a group or thinking about it. The first thing you should know is that groups have a wide range of approaches to mental health issues. Some groups won’t accept anyone who has diagnosed mental health issues (they’re pret…