Anxiety and Witchcraft

Last updated on: February 20, 2019 at 7:36 pm by Phoenix LeFae

Anxiety and Witchcraft 2019-02-20T19:36:20-08:00 Phoenix LeFae

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I used to thrive off of adrenaline. Once upon a time I did really well with a long to-do list and a short deadline. I don’t know when things changed, but things did change. My capacity to hold high levels of stress has greatly diminished, with the added bonus of occasional anxiety attacks. In order to stay as mentally healthy as possible I let my anxiety inform my Witchcraft and vice versa.

There is not a one-size-fits-all solution to dealing with anxiety. I write this from my own perspective only. The biggest lesson anxiety has taught me is to listen to my body. How my body feels greatly impacts my Witchcraft, my health, and my quality of life.

Decompression

I know that my body can only handle so much stress. I’ve learned that I have to make more space for quiet and stillness in my life. After a full weekend at a workshop, conference, or witchcamp, I have to take time to decompress. If I don’t take the time, my body will force me to take it.

Asking for Help

Honesty is vital to my well-being. If I am feeling off, tired, slow, or unable to handle something I have to ask for help. Sometimes this looks like cancelling appointments, asking a friend if I can vent, or telling my partner I need him to clean the kitchen. Sometimes this looks like laying on the couch watching Netflix. But when I need a break I have to take that break.

Breath Work

Breathing helps. Not always. Not every time. But using breathwork as a tool to calm down my panic has worked on many occasions. The best breathing trick for me is the classic 6-4-8-4. Inhale for six counts, hold for four counts, exhale for eight counts, and hold for four counts, before repeating the process. It works for me because it forces me to breathe and to count. The combination of focused breathing calms my body and the counting calms my mind.

Medicine

Medication works too. I have a prescription for anti-anxiety pharmaceuticals. I don’t use them often, but just knowing I can use them if I need to brings me comfort. It also required me to talk to a medical professional about what was going on for me…you know asking for help.

Distraction

I’ve discovered that distraction is an excellent way for me to deal with anxiety. Any activity that requires my focus on something specific or a shift in venue can do wonders for my mental capacity. Doing the laundry, writing a grocery list, playing a board game, going for a walk, or watching reality television are all things that can help distract me from an attack.

Testing

You might not know what your keys to getting out of a panic attack might be. It takes time to test different methods and ways of responding. The slow methodical nature of it can be frustrating, but it can lead to major changes and improvement in dealing with anxiety.

Witchcraft?

What does any of this have to do with Witchcraft? Simple. Magick is the art of changing consciousness at will. When panic or anxiety takes over I have to be able to shift my consciousness. This is easier said than done, but what is important is trying. Life is a work in progress. You have to keep progressing. Self mastery makes you a better, stronger, more capable Witch. And that’s what this is all about, isn’t it?

Previous Post

February 13, 2019

Charms, Spells, and Potions

Next Post

February 25, 2019 A Solitary and Big Pagan Functions

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ancestor Work Art and Magic Athena Autumn Equinox Being a Priestess Being A Witch Being Pagan Belatane Beltane candle magic Cauldron Cernunnos cerridwen Choosing a magical name Circle Casting Community Coronovirus Coven Curious about magic Daily Practice Deity Depression Earth Ecstatic Practices Elements of Magic Every Day Magic Fae Food Magic Goddess Grounding House Magick Imbolc Ritual Kitchen Witch Knot Magic Lammas Life Ritualized Mabon Magical Healing Magical Practice Magical Teachers Magickal Tools Making Altars Many Gods West Mountain Magic Nature Witch New Year's Tradition Omens Pagan Books Pagan Camps and Festivals Pagan Food Pagan Gods Pagan History Pagan Holidays Pagan Humor Pagan Humour Pagan leadership Pagan Marriage Pagan Music Pagan Parenting Pagan Relationships Pagan Rituals Pagan Rules Pagan Tattoos Pantheacon Peaceful Home Pearl Pentacle Personal Power Politics Ritual Cleansing Ritual Drumming Samhain Samhain Practices saturnalia Skyclad Spells Spiralheart Witch Camp Spirits of Place Spring Equinox spring magic Summer Solstice Tarot The Magick Of Food Time Magic Uncategorized Winter Solstice Witch History Witch Words WitchCamps Work Magic Year End Review Yule

Select a Month March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 October 2020 September 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz