Terence P Ward - Empty Cauldrons: Navigating Depression Through Magic and Ritual

Llewellyn Publications

Woodbury, Minnesota

Copyright Information

Empty Cauldrons: Navigating Depression Through Magic and Ritual 2022 by Terence P. Ward.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any matter whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications, except in the form of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

As the purchaser of this e-book, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. The text may not be otherwise reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, or recorded on any other storage device in any form or by any means.

Any unauthorized usage of the text without express written permission of the publisher is a violation of the authors copyright and is illegal and punishable by law.

First e-book edition 2021

E-book ISBN: 9780738763330

Cover design by Shira Atakpu

Editing by Marjorie Otto

Interior art by the Llewellyn Art Department

Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data (Pending)

ISBN: 978-0-7387-6333-0

Llewellyn Publications does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business arrangements between our authors and the public.

Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific reference will continue or be maintained. Please refer to the publishers website for links to current author websites.

Llewellyn Publications

Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

2143 Wooddale Drive

Woodbury, MN 55125

www.llewellyn.com

Manufactured in the United States of America

To Pan Ganesha,

whose lifes journey was not ended by depression,
although it was surely shortened by its presence.

Contents

: Depression in the World

: Defining Depression

: Depression as Spirit

: Your Relationship with Depression

: Depression and the Gods

: Strategies for Life with Depression

: Strategies for the Body

: Strategies for the Mind

: Strategies for Spirit

: Rituals and Routine

: Prayers, Offerings, Dreams, and Spells

: Community

Exercises

Defining Depression

(Journal Exercise)

Depression as Spirit

(Journal Exercise)

Your Relationship with Depression

(Journal Exercise)

(Journal Exercise)

(Journal Exercise)

Depression and the Gods

(Journal Exercise)

Strategies for Body and Mind

Strategies for the Mind

(Journal Exercise)

Strategies for Spirit

(Journal Exercise)

Rituals and Routine

(Journal Exercise)

Prayers, Offerings, Dreams, and Spells

(Journal Exercise)

Community

(Journal Exercise)

Acknowledgments

Its a little bit daunting to think about all of the people who make it possible to write a book, because like every other part of the human experience, its only possible in community. I am humbled and grateful to be one of this amazing species, despite all mistakes we make trying to live and and learn about this wondrous world. Nevertheless, there are certain individuals whose presence and influence helped wrest these ideas from my brain and put them to page for others to share.

Robin Ward, my unflappable life partner, whose faith in my capabilities and potential have never wavered.

Heather Greene, my editor, who has the gift to recognize the really good stuff in the first draft that I wrote and help to bring out its shine.

The many people who took the time to talk to about their own expertise and experience: Anthony Rella, Barbara Rachel, Courtney Weber, Ivo Dominguez, Jr., Joshua Tenpenny, Kelden Mercury, Kirk White, Nimue Brown, Orion Foxwood, Raven Kaldera, Sarah W., and Siobhan Johnson all gave generously of their time and attention with no reward promised. Without them, this book would have been flat and without life.

Perhaps most important, I give thanks to the many people whose stories are not included, either because they were unwilling to share such personal information, or because they later got cold feet and withdrew consent to use the material. Your struggles are the reasons this book needed to be written.

Disclaimer

Neither the author nor any of the interview subjects, except where noted, are licensed to practice medicine, offer counseling, or prescribe medication in any jurisdiction. Whats presented here is personal opinions based on the experience of individuals, and if the reader finds wisdom in these words then that is a blessing. However, no material herein is a substitute for medical advice from a licensed professional, because no medical doctor or therapist can provide the personal advice you may need without knowing about your history and circumstances.

Please, please, please consult a professional if you are struggling. If you feel that you are in immediate danger to yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800/273-8255. More resources are in the back of this book.

Foreword

One of the big secrets that Paganism shares with society at large is the bugaboo of depression, or as I prefer to call it by the ancient Greek word acedia . Whether you call the condition depression or acedia, this state is difficult to describe. Acedia is a spiritual staleness, emptiness, ennui.

Its a common affliction yet it carries an undeserved stigma, so it often remains invisible to others. Symptoms of the mind and spirit tend to be viewed as evidence of weakness or moral failing. That has certainly been the case in my family and in the society in which I was reared, and Im sure its a common attitude. As a result, an individual suffering from depression doesnt usually reveal that fact.

In recent years, society at large has recognized the reality of depression as a fairly common affliction. Depression is becoming more visible and less taboo. Its always been there, but now its being addressed.

Depression affects us emotionally, physically, and spirituallybody and soul. We become sluggish and our thinking becomes cloudy. We forgo physical movement and exercise. We often eat poorly, with no attention to proper nourishment. We may sleep and sleep and sleep, and still be fatigued. This neglect results in our becoming weaker in every way. We shun the company of others and we retreat into solitude.

Weakness and isolation create a vicious cycle that feeds itself and continues unabated. However, it can be managed and overcome. With social contact, outside help of whatever kind(s), and supreme effort, this spirit of ennui can be starved.