Self Care and Mental Wellness

It’s no secret that a lot of people are drawn to witchcraft for the healing.

I personally found my practice to be a huge wealth of freedom from religious oppression and self harm.

So there’s no wonder why so many empaths and non-religious folk are flocking to witchcraft in the droves!

It’s so crucial for human beings to have a safe space to unwind and be themselves.

The Irony of witchcraft

The irony of seeking spiritualism after escaping a spiritual environment is not lost upon me.

For many witches, there is an element of turning away from childhood indoctrination in favor of a renewed self outside of that upbringing.

Not to say that witchcraft is older or the basis for all tradition, but there are some odd practices in a ritualistic attempt to change reality.

The cosmic joke is that witchcraft and the use of magick has permeated much of American culture–both in theology and in the “secular” world.

In what way?

By this I mean practices such as:

• Blowing out your candles on your birthday

• Making a wish at 11:11

• Taking communion

• Crossing your fingers while lying

• Wishing on a penny for a fountain

• Knocking on wood

• Praying to a deity

• Singing “fly, fly, go away”

• Saying “I hate bunnies” or any variant to get a bonfire’s smoke to avoid you

• Putting teeth under your pillow for the tooth fairy

• Throwing salt over your shoulder

• Baptism

• Being nice and not naughty so you get presents once a year

• The sign of the cross over your body

• Avoiding the number 13 or 666

• Avoiding cracks to keep your mom safe

• Wishbones at Thanksgiving

• Not washing a jersey

• Pulling petals off a flower for “he loves me, he loves me not”

• Safe spaces of any kind

Everyone is a snowflake

So I hate it when people are perceived to be sensitive and get called this name.

It basically means “You’re a wuss and need to be given special treatment so your feelings don’t get hurt”.

But it’s true! Everyone is a snowflake.

The very people who use snowflake as an insult have their safe spaces too.

In my experience, I’ve been called a snowflake from conservative circles when I talk about the need to be politically correct.

But this can come from any direction.

What does all this have to do with mental wellness?

Because self care and mental wellness have everything to do with feeling safe.

And many witches have found a safe space in finding something familiar while also being no longer oppressive.

Witchcraft is a form of self care

The one thing that I always emphasize is that witchcraft is individualized.

Meaning that witchcraft for one witch can be worlds different for another witch.

This idea not only promotes tolerance between practitioners, but also allows each person to individualize their practice based on the care that they need.

How can witchcraft be healing?

Lots of ways! Here’s some:

• Meditation and grounding helps connect with yourself

• Spending more time in nature promotes wellness for the body and mind

• Your altar is a safe space just for you

• Performing rituals allows you to express your spiritualism without judgment

• Casting spells is a way of demonstrating hope for a better reality

• Finding other like-minded witches builds a community of healers and activists

• Trial and error in your practice shows you what you want/don’t want … This is fundamental!

• Ancestral work honors your family despite its flaws

Finally, as I said before, a lot of witches come into the fold from oppressive environments.

Escaping those environments are crucial to start a healing process.

I’m so thankful for the community that I’ve found!

But every community has toxicity.

It’s all about intent.

As a pagan witch who advocates the LGBT community, sex positivity, body positivity, and feminism, I meet a lot of resistance.

There’s creeps and those who dissent, but the hardest group I’ve encountered is unfortunately other witches who exhibit toxic behavior.

Pettiness and shaming others looks really bad for our community at large, and definitely doesn’t create a space for people to heal.

Luckily this is a minority, and it’s important to surround yourself with people who support you and don’t tear you down.

It’s all part of the healing process.

Tl;dr

Witchcraft is a great place for self care.

The sacred space and safe community allows for so much healing and mental wellness.

Don’t be ashamed of allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Sometimes you gotta put yourself first!

What do you think?

I want to hear from you!

Has your practice brought you healing?

Let’s collab and share our stories here!

Blessed be,

Cat