As a psychotherapist interested in all things spiritual, I really appreciated this video and the points you made. Remaining grounded and attuned to consensus reality isn’t just about functioning, it is also about embodying the human experience. Along these lines, your point about having many things you enjoy and relish is essential. Thanks for sharing super valuable content about remaining in this human experience.
A friend of mine says; "Not everything is a side quest, sometimes a cat sitting on the side of the path is just a stray cat. Its still a nice cat but its not there for you specifically. A cat has to cat."
One of the trademarks of bipolar disorder can be obsessing over religion when in a hypomanic phase. To me, this means I'm tossed into the "magician mindset", and then tossed out again. Even with proper medication, my ups and downs makes my interest in the craft wax and wane, leaving me feeling unvalid. It has taken me some time to realise that this is what my practise is, and that that's ok.
Thank you for talking about this. I have bipolar with hypomanic phases, too and I have had similar experiences like you described (I take meds, too.) I often have phases of a few weeks where I feel like I am in a spiritual slump and not feeling like doing much for my path and craft. So far, I didn't connect this to my bipolar disorder, but what you wrote got me thinking about this.
Very well done. I know this is for the witchy crowd, but want to say it is good advice for anyone on a spiritual path of any sort. Very reasonable, well thought out and mature. I would feel point anyone to this video, not matter what path they were or were not on. Thank you!
As someone who has mental illness, which has at times been incredibly severe, I am incredibly interested in this video. I am looking forward to hearing your opinions and seeing what we agree on. Thank you for being so brave and sharing this video, Kelly-Ann!
This is so interesting… I can only speak from my perspective and with emphasis that this is purely anecdotal and something I'm still navigating, but… among many other aspects, witchcraft is a framework for me. Leaning into the 'witchy structure' for the stuff that had always made me feel nourished and "fizzy" is what led to the official discovery that I am autistic. It highlighted that the things that made me different and ill and full of struggle - things I could never seem to explain to others - had a completely logical and earthbound reason… it also made my patterns in terms of overload and burnout much clearer. For me, it's socially easier to recognise the early stages of unhealthy intensity if it's about wild mythopoetic/creative/ritual (etc) stuff than it was when I was "just" weeping about why I got more exhausted than others at work. I will add, though, that I try make a point about merging the magic and the mundane because my witchcraft *must* give me groundedness. And the 'Tower moment' of discovering one's neurodivergence in their 30s (or any other such huge piece of info) ISN'T pleasant or easy at all...for me it was for survival and the process was terrifying and the proof seems to be mainly in making it through and regaining health...which is ongoing. Witchcraft is redefining but it's also about drinking water and using earplugs and learning what to wear so running errands is less difficult. 😅
Amazing, Kelly-Ann, thank you for broaching this important subject with the fearlessness, respect and delicacy that is your nature. Thank you for talking so openly and powerfully. Thank you for being you 🖤
Well I was not expecting to watch this and be called out for the muggle stuff I'm doing to not exactly assist my brain! I'm processing a huge amount of trauma and honestly expecting far too much of my self as my brain deals with a huge change, all that trauma and my BPD.
Yay, thanks for talking about this Kelly-Ann! I have experience with this as you know, so I'll TRY not to write you an essay in the comments 😅 I agree with you 100% that if you have mental health issues (pre-existing or ones that crop up while you're on your path) being cautious is very well advised. You don't need to be doing deep inner journeys and working with powerful dark spirits if you're experiencing significant distress. You might be better off saying a prayer or some affirmations, chanting or doing a simple candle spell for healing and to bring your sparkle back. I started practicing magic and paganism and self identifying as a witch at 13 after coming out of a childhood where I was emotionally abused and neglected and went through a lot of bullying. I think it's useful to spend some time analysing what draws you to the craft (especially if you have mental health issues) and for me it was a desire to feel empowered as well as to feel a spiritual connection (because I was lonely). I was out as a witch in high school and I was pretty confident, I wasn't picked on much & I liked that some kids were scared of me! I had a good group of friends who accepted my path (and even a few who were also witches). Things at home were still shitty and I went through what I now know were episodes of depression and anxiety. I think when these aren't treated early on they often become something worse. I was the black sheep of the family and my parents just thought I was a shitty teenager, so they didn't recognise that I was having significant problems. They pushed me to go to uni where I struggled in every way - socially, academically, having a relationship breakup that wrecked my shit, trying weed and developing an alcohol problem - and this triggered episodes of serious depression that my parents finally recognised. I was prescribed antidepressants that triggered mania and psychosis. I was hospitalised and diagnosed bipolar 1. This was horrible and affected my self image, I stopped identifying as a witch for a number of years there. I started seeing psychiatrists and psychologists with varying success. I still had episodes on & off. The thing that really helped the most in the end was DBT as well as my spiritual path (which I got back into in a serious way after I had kids). I'm 37 now and I've been mentally well for a few years. I would generally say witchcraft has helped me. I can't imagine my life without the spiritual mindset and world view of a witch. Meditation, spellwork, prayer etc. are a valuable part of my mental health toolbox. I have wondered whether my intense interest in all things magic is due to being neuroatypical, so maybe being a witch came about due to being neuroatypical and not the other way around? 🤔 Lol. Maybe I am delusional for thinking I can talk to deities & spirits and thinking that using my energy can change my reality. I think you are right though that this isn't necessarily a problem and doesn't hurt me or anyone else. We certainly are no worse than people on other spiritual paths! I do have a spending problem and this is a definite pitfall. One thing I've noticed is that sometimes people have problems when their spells don't work or they feel a deity is angry at them and things like this cause distress. This is something to be wary of and that may indicate a problem. I totally agree that you still need to be a balanced & well rounded person, enjoy the mundane things and NOT feel the need to chew off everyone's ears about your path! Overall I'd say witchcraft can be so nurturing to your mental health, self esteem, wellbeing and satisfaction with life... but there are pitfalls to look out for. Love you Kelly-Ann, take care! 🥰💕
i've definitely struggled in the past with obsessing over my craft and REALLY oversharing about the ins and outs of what i do in it. me: my path has been SO liberating for me, of course everyone wants to know about how they can use witchcraft or psionics to improve themselves. the self-intervention: gerrrrl, shadow work.
I've had psychotic depression and actually strange "magical" experiences at the same time. Worst thing I've ever experienced is to see obvious synchronizity and strange things in the 3d that even others say is strange (when i have the receipts), but psychiatrist would never believe you. That was the most lonely stigmatizing feeling ever. But at the end of the day, spirituality in itself wasn't the problem, my traumas were. My traumas were manifesting as a sense of an unexplainable bad influence in my life. Only healing aspects of spirituality actually saved me. Shadow work. Grounding. Self love. What a perfect topic you brought up again!! 🍃🖤
Oh, might i add. the way I always have synchronizity and clairvoyance etc as a daily thing (it's extremely frequent!) if my existence was in itself inherently creepy and i didn't have the chance to be seen as a witchy lady who is just connected to something spiritual that is nothing creepy or bad... It's so much better than carrying it alone or being seen as insane. Spirituality is healthy and prevents from mental health crisis just as much as it can disturb someone, is the point.
Fantastic discussion Kelly- Ann, thank you 💗 Really loved your point about loving the "concensus " world enough to keep you grounded as a witch. Its so very hard to love the world we are in but theres a lot to find amazing and exciting. From my very beginning of practice my desire has been to experience the magic IN this world not to find escape from it (although we all like a bit of escapism from time to time). Witchcraft has truely helped me through my teens and adulthood. As someone who has habitual avoidant tendencies it always kicks me up the arse to take responsibility for myself, and im thankful for it x
Damn..great vid Kelly-Ann!! Be it witchcraft or ceremonial magick, it’s true what they say about the dangers of the ego when it comes to magick. The ego is a beast and it wants to feed. I notice when the ego..MY ego..starts acting up after practicing, it tends to exacerbate any other psychological/personality issues I have.
I recommend making an ego jar spell. Mine has lithium quartz in it!! To me the ego is the self image that other people have given me, and it is malleable, we can toy 🧸 with it
You could even add to the spending problems with hourding. Lol I know I felt like I had taken on a great deal of stuff in the beginning of my witchy path. I would bring home all kinds of things for the altar, jars, Rocks, shells, feathers, dried flowers and especially herbs. I wanted to be prepared to do anything and everything witchy when the mood hit but it had all become a bit too much for my space. I just had to go foraging for any and all plants that could come in handy for spell work. I would come across a new plant in the woods and study everything I could about it's properties. I now know how little often I need most of them and have taken it down a notch or two only hanging on to the ones that are hard to get or that I go to regularly. I ended up giving a lot of the herbs back to the earth by way of offerings by adding them in to my compost to feed the worms or burning them in my outdoor cauldron with a purpose.
This is a great video. I have had times myself where I have fallen into the rabbit hole a bit too deep and had to take a step back & redirect my energy towards a completely mundane project for a while to regroup and ground my energies before diving back in. It's so important to stay in tune with yourself & respect your own limitations, I believe this alone is very powerful magic. Thanks for another banger, Kelly-Ann.
Emphasis on grounding practices when things really start to feel like a spiral. I love your chant as a form of that. Also... clairaudience is a thing. That's a hell of a trip when it first starts to happen. Spiritual emergency is definitely a thing, too. Kundalini awakening without a guide/teacher is not for the faint of heart.
Kelly this topic hits me like a brick wall. I struggle with mental health. 😩 I recently took a break, as was freaking myself out.With the death of my Catholic nephew so many things crossed my mind. One of the reasons that drew me in was the forgiveness of sins. The craft has also helped my self esteem 🙃. Thank you so much for this topic, and think it's a secret in the community. Stay strong Witches !
It’s taken me a long time to feel ready for this, and I honestly didn’t quite know if I was ready when I hit play. But, I am so grateful that I have. I think delineating the fear of the illness and the hope of the transpersonal almost felt very Justice to me. Like the trauma I experienced can be separate. There can be a line in the sand there, and healthy spiritual experiences aren’t tainted or spoiled in any way. Thank you as always ❤✨
Awesome video Kelly-Ann!! I’ve seen a lot of ppl around me suffering different mental health issues. So this was and still is a very big issue in my practice - on one hand afraid of losing my grip on my mind whilst not denying the things I’ve seen or experienced from a very young age. There’s a fine line to walk if you aren’t able to ground down into the earthly plane - but that is present in every religious practice as you said. You really need to get to know your body, your inner and outer. Witchcraft - I found for me - saved my mental state in my teens. I had a very hard family life from age of 1-21. I could have broke and gone down an avenue of not being here. But witchcraft/art gave me an anchor, a or life buoy, to navigate my reality to create a new one. And it also helped me understand beautiful, magical and ugly parts of myself.
When I started to really get into spirituality I experienced a lot of detachment from the physical world. I just didn't feel connected to it and didn't see the point in being connected to it. It was really quite scary. I did some research and ended up watching a lot of resources talking about the "dark night of the soul" and it was very helpful! Just knowing that others have been through this and that there is a way through was so helpful and was that silver rope back to consensus reality. Now I think of spirituality as a hot air balloon. I can pump the helium and go off into the clouds, but at the same time I know when I need to touch down and come back to reality. Such a good summary Kelly and something more youtubers who make content for new witches should consider making as well!!!
Fantastic video. I have been in and out of witchcraft for 15 years. My early experiences were very powerful and for some reason I was getting depressed from it. I was raised a Catholic and I would think what I was doing was wrong. I think that had a lot to do with my conflict with it. I'm also the type of person that goes all out with things I am interested in so I have decided to stay with the craft without guilt and keep a healthy balance in my life. I also suffer from bouts of depression and my practice is not to blame for that. It is actually helping me. Again, great video.
I've been doing witchy things in my life without knowing it and recently I have decided to better inform myself and see if I can take my practice further for self help purposes. The first thing I've been doing is write down some rules pertaining to ethics and (mental) health care, due to the times and due to my past and my current situation. This video is so affirming, I'm like you in the sense that I want to be safe. I rather have the train in the station and figure myself out then leave the station and get lost. Thank you, your videos have been a delight!
What came to my mind were the many occultist and magicians who work with spirits, djinns, demons etc. who become weirdly deluded that they themselves are uber-powerful (more powerful than others, which they like to talk about) and that so many old, powerful creatures fight about them specifically to recruit them, because they're just the greatest magician ever - and they love telling everyone about that. It's a weird mix of arrogance and megalomania that can really slip into mental health issues. 😅 Thanks for the video, inspiring as always!
Oh Kelly-Ann, thank you. This is by far the most important video on the craft I've ever watched, especially now that I'm "coming off" an overly intense spiritual period that I feel really threw me off with my mental health. I'm trying to find a way to re-incorporate my spiritual practices in a healthy way. This is exactly why I love you and your work, and it's such a privilege to have had your words to help me reflect and grow through the years.
Excellent video, and yes :) you did make sense! Coming from another witch that also has a history/present with mental illness--my spirituality has actually helped me so much in realizing it will be okay, and to give me something that is within me to lean on if that makes sense. I have also had fears in the past (and sometimes even when im falling asleep in the present) due to religious fear distilled as a child but I would never let that stop me from practicing something that I truly believe has saved my life. We know what our spirituality does for us--noone else needs to understand to make that true! Cheers lovely people
I struggle with allowing myself to be a witch now. My family has a line of witches, it is ‘normal’ to me - and I’m also bipolar type 1. On every occasion that I have gone full on out of control, out of touch manic, I went into deep crazy power play and my craft became distorted, delusional and out of touch reality. Not in what may be a typical craft way - I lost control and went to places and did things that are not within the realms of sanity. Now I always worry when I feel power rising- am I going off again, or was I ever manic - was I just hyper conscious? It is a constant daily question of mental health - what is my craft, what is my illness. The lines become terribly blurred and it is scary. It ruins my confidence and trust in my family line, yet question if my illness is also a gift. Ugh, brains!!!
I would call the colour of your dress "olive". Though I don't know how common this word is in English (translated it from the german "oliv"). Nice colour - looks good with the silver and reminds me of my father...
Like you said, this can happen in any intense practice of well... anything! But I'm so glad we can talk about it in our community. Thank you for always being open about your own experiencing. And I'm so glad youve been the one to make this video because you're so well spoken, caring, wonderful!
The wild trip, that sounds like my regular life 🤔 The 'super strong paradigm' 👍💜 I absolutely LOVE the staying sane recommendations, you clinched it! Going back to take notes now. Thanks so much💙💙
Sometimes I watch Chynna Phillips I used to listen to her from childhood growing up In the 90s. And it’s so disturbing how much these women have no power in their lives and blame the devil instead of looking inward at themselves and realizing they are the ones consciously creating their circumstances in their lives. It’s disturbing to hear her in the latest video attacking tarot and calling it evil and it’s just so crazy and extreme to me. I’m sad she’s a bible thumper now.
I had no idea about Chynna Phillips and so I looked her up and found the recent video you're referring to. I too remember listening to her music growing up. Wow. I've been around long enough to not be thrown off by that kind of messaging, but I can see how confusing it can be for someone new to witchcraft or someone gingerly exploring new spiritual avenues when the dominant cultural religious view is, sadly, exactly what she's modeling. How does watching her videos make you feel? I'm feeling shocked and sad. And also somewhat relieved, tbh. There but for the grace of gods...
This was such awonderful video! I fear a lot of things like mushrooms, but I know they have done people some good. Thank you fir opening up this duscussion from multiple persoectuve. I've defeniteky had to incorporate the mundane in my nagical practice. Thank you for bringing up topics that are hushed or unspoken.
Gosh, this is good. Such an important conversation. (with self/others) Some of these things have impacted me and my craft. As someone who had a dogmatic religious upbringing, that's one of the main things I had to sit with. I'm so glad you brought up having a witchy community of some sort as it can be lonely when something good/bad happens in terms of your craft and you feel as though you have no one. I appreciate all you do, Kelly-Ann. 😘
Absolutely! I have often said that Tarot has always been my best counsellor and witchcraft is definitely the way I got through life. Without it..... I just can't imagine.
I'm still only halfway through this video but I think this is a really important conversation to have. For me I've always really shied away from Western psychiatry as I feel that some of the ideology which has informed it is harmfully eurocentric. I've found so much more value in shamanic traditions and the way they interpret and work with what some people *might* label as symptoms of psychosis. But obviously psychiatry isn't completely irrelevant or harmful, especially within the context of the societies it evolved in. So thanks for sharing the positive or helpful aspects of the psychiatric model and how you relate it to your spirituality.
I'm so glad you made this video. I recently found myself drawn to Green Witchcraft but always worried about how to do it safely for my mental health. It's a topic that seems rarely touched upon in Witchtube and in general. I've asked questions in other tuber's livestreams and got ignored or even got my comments deleted. I haven't watched all the way through yet, but I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks again!
You remind me of my boyfriend, whom I met in 2014. He had great personality, was very creative and outgoing. He had very harsh early childhood. He was very sensitive. Sadly, he had a mental health and a SEVERE drug and alcohol problem. He was half dead already, when we met. Vomited blood from time to time. It was a hard decision for me to leave him. Sadly, he couldn't take control over his psyche and his drug problem. He died young 2 years after. I am afraid to meet mutual friends, I am afraid they are going to blame me somehow. Very sad story. I had my first grey hair afterwards.
Im loving this look Kelly. This video is so good too. Thanks for talking about this, your mental health journey is super inspiring. I always found the spiritual landscape in the UK so interesting, so much of the population is secular as you said, and then you have all these super religious and/or spiritual minority groups sprinkled in between, not sure about Manchester but that's what I experienced in London.
I don't think it can harm your mental health as much as mainstream religion has harmed mine. I'm nervous to do certain activities STILL do to religious programming and the intimidation of a war God judging everything I do to see if I deserve to burn for eternity.
I enjoyed everything you said. I really thought you were going to say some off the wall strange things but it was a perfectly clear, validating and just a very intuitive chat. Made lots of sense to me. Thanks 👍
Just clicked on and immediately wanting to make a set of nails inspired by that beautiful olive and silver dress! Lmk if you want ;) your parcel was just delivered yesterday!
This is a little off subject, but I wanted to reach out with a question. I am currently learning about tarot from your series from 10 years ago. I am about to go back to college to get my master's degree in social work/mental health counseling. I am VERY interested in learning more about transpersonal therapy and using tarot in therapy. Could you recommend some resources that would help me in learning more? I have been absolutely amazed that my random idea to learn tarot could actually connect with my career ambitions to become a therapist. I feel this may be a calling, but I am lost on where to learn more. Thank you for any direction you can provide.
Thanks Kelly-Ann!! Superb video. I am slightly out of the broom closet!! I am careful!! Thanks!! Because of this video and the one about coming out of the broom closet, I have bought Rebel Witch!!
Ah man I could just listen to you all day. ♥️ What an amazing topic and you handled it beautifully! I’m skipping around a bit so thank you for the time stamps!
Do you have any videos going into more detail about astral travel? Guidelines, stuff to be careful of? The only time I've felt an experience akin to astral projection is when I was sleep deprived during a bipolar episode. It was pretty unpleasant and I don't want a repeat of that but I'm still so curious about it and how other people manage it safely
Somebody on TikTok was talking about the viewpoint some European ethnic groups had about nature before they were forced to become Christian - nature doesn't exist to serve you, the human being. It exists for it's own sake. Another TikToker had a white deer in her neighborhood that had been showing up every year and the comments were full of people asking about the spiritual significance of the deer and if it was a message, and the lady was kind of annoyed. She said the deer is just living her life, she isn't her to impart anything. I think if I keep these ideas in mind, it will help when my bipolar acts up, and I won't get stuck believing everything is a sign. Like sometimes seeing an animal can be a sign, but not always. It's good to remember "mundane before magical" to keep yourself grounded.
I think if you keep a good balance between spirituality and practically it shouldn't probably be too much of an issue and tbh I think a lot of spirituality can actually be beneficial for mental health from my experience religion has had more of a negative impact on mental health not to say it hasn't had its moments however than again most of the negative experiences were because of toxic people who are a part of it so I feel like people have made it more negative then the craft itself then again I'm a Scorpio and can be intense anyways 😂 so I love the crazy weird stuff then again I feel like this duality where I've always been between worlds because a real stable practical logical side and a crazy weird rebellious spiritual imaginative side 🤪🤣👽👻 if I wanted to push my beliefs on people I would have stayed in religion 😂 I believe in live let live basically you do your thing and let me do mine also be careful of getting readings from readers online unless you are friends with them first because you don't always know their intentions I speak from experience it can be detrimental for you and your mental health protect your energy at all costs that's my advice and stay in your power and don't just give that out to people like it's free candy from a pinata 😂
My experience with mental health and witchcraft has some similarities and some differences with the topics outlined here. I was REALLY pleased to hear you talk about the difference between knowing that the mental health issue didn't feel good and the witchcraft does feel good. That is something that I have had to keep in mind since returning to my craft 4 years ago after struggling with OCD. The "magical thinking" of ocd did not mesh well with the magical thinking of witchcraft! The magician or wizard mindset was interesting as I could have imagined that getting out of hand with OCD too, but I didn't really experience that. It was also really interesting hear about your "rules" as I have done the same thing without really realising it. Things like really heady rituals based on older practices (usually with some Latin or Greek) are something I know I'm still not ready for, but will be one day, and that's okay, there's lots of other stuff I can do in the meantime 😊 I've thought about making a video specially about witchcraft and OCD as I could never find one when I looked, but it's a complicated weird topic, so I can understand your jitters over making this. Maybe this can give me the confidence to finally go into detail about my experience there. Thanks Kelly-Ann 🧡
As a psychotherapist interested in all things spiritual, I really appreciated this video and the points you made. Remaining grounded and attuned to consensus reality isn’t just about functioning, it is also about embodying the human experience. Along these lines, your point about having many things you enjoy and relish is essential. Thanks for sharing super valuable content about remaining in this human experience.
A friend of mine says; "Not everything is a side quest, sometimes a cat sitting on the side of the path is just a stray cat. Its still a nice cat but its not there for you specifically. A cat has to cat."
One of the trademarks of bipolar disorder can be obsessing over religion when in a hypomanic phase. To me, this means I'm tossed into the "magician mindset", and then tossed out again. Even with proper medication, my ups and downs makes my interest in the craft wax and wane, leaving me feeling unvalid. It has taken me some time to realise that this is what my practise is, and that that's ok.
Thank you for talking about this. I have bipolar with hypomanic phases, too and I have had similar experiences like you described (I take meds, too.) I often have phases of a few weeks where I feel like I am in a spiritual slump and not feeling like doing much for my path and craft. So far, I didn't connect this to my bipolar disorder, but what you wrote got me thinking about this.
Content warnings are given at 01:55. Please take heed of them and take care of yourself xx
Very well done. I know this is for the witchy crowd, but want to say it is good advice for anyone on a spiritual path of any sort. Very reasonable, well thought out and mature. I would feel point anyone to this video, not matter what path they were or were not on. Thank you!
As someone who is currently experiencing mental health issues, this couldn't have come at a better time! Being a witch definitely helps me.
Wishing you strength 💪 and love ❤️
As someone who has mental illness, which has at times been incredibly severe, I am incredibly interested in this video. I am looking forward to hearing your opinions and seeing what we agree on.
Thank you for being so brave and sharing this video, Kelly-Ann!
This is so interesting… I can only speak from my perspective and with emphasis that this is purely anecdotal and something I'm still navigating, but… among many other aspects, witchcraft is a framework for me. Leaning into the 'witchy structure' for the stuff that had always made me feel nourished and "fizzy" is what led to the official discovery that I am autistic. It highlighted that the things that made me different and ill and full of struggle - things I could never seem to explain to others - had a completely logical and earthbound reason… it also made my patterns in terms of overload and burnout much clearer. For me, it's socially easier to recognise the early stages of unhealthy intensity if it's about wild mythopoetic/creative/ritual (etc) stuff than it was when I was "just" weeping about why I got more exhausted than others at work.
I will add, though, that I try make a point about merging the magic and the mundane because my witchcraft *must* give me groundedness. And the 'Tower moment' of discovering one's neurodivergence in their 30s (or any other such huge piece of info) ISN'T pleasant or easy at all...for me it was for survival and the process was terrifying and the proof seems to be mainly in making it through and regaining health...which is ongoing. Witchcraft is redefining but it's also about drinking water and using earplugs and learning what to wear so running errands is less difficult. 😅
Amazing, Kelly-Ann, thank you for broaching this important subject with the fearlessness, respect and delicacy that is your nature. Thank you for talking so openly and powerfully. Thank you for being you 🖤
A really healthy, balanced and informative video, from a cult survivor.
Well I was not expecting to watch this and be called out for the muggle stuff I'm doing to not exactly assist my brain! I'm processing a huge amount of trauma and honestly expecting far too much of my self as my brain deals with a huge change, all that trauma and my BPD.
Yay, thanks for talking about this Kelly-Ann! I have experience with this as you know, so I'll TRY not to write you an essay in the comments 😅 I agree with you 100% that if you have mental health issues (pre-existing or ones that crop up while you're on your path) being cautious is very well advised. You don't need to be doing deep inner journeys and working with powerful dark spirits if you're experiencing significant distress. You might be better off saying a prayer or some affirmations, chanting or doing a simple candle spell for healing and to bring your sparkle back.
I started practicing magic and paganism and self identifying as a witch at 13 after coming out of a childhood where I was emotionally abused and neglected and went through a lot of bullying. I think it's useful to spend some time analysing what draws you to the craft (especially if you have mental health issues) and for me it was a desire to feel empowered as well as to feel a spiritual connection (because I was lonely). I was out as a witch in high school and I was pretty confident, I wasn't picked on much & I liked that some kids were scared of me! I had a good group of friends who accepted my path (and even a few who were also witches). Things at home were still shitty and I went through what I now know were episodes of depression and anxiety. I think when these aren't treated early on they often become something worse. I was the black sheep of the family and my parents just thought I was a shitty teenager, so they didn't recognise that I was having significant problems. They pushed me to go to uni where I struggled in every way - socially, academically, having a relationship breakup that wrecked my shit, trying weed and developing an alcohol problem - and this triggered episodes of serious depression that my parents finally recognised. I was prescribed antidepressants that triggered mania and psychosis. I was hospitalised and diagnosed bipolar 1. This was horrible and affected my self image, I stopped identifying as a witch for a number of years there. I started seeing psychiatrists and psychologists with varying success. I still had episodes on & off. The thing that really helped the most in the end was DBT as well as my spiritual path (which I got back into in a serious way after I had kids). I'm 37 now and I've been mentally well for a few years.
I would generally say witchcraft has helped me. I can't imagine my life without the spiritual mindset and world view of a witch. Meditation, spellwork, prayer etc. are a valuable part of my mental health toolbox. I have wondered whether my intense interest in all things magic is due to being neuroatypical, so maybe being a witch came about due to being neuroatypical and not the other way around? 🤔 Lol. Maybe I am delusional for thinking I can talk to deities & spirits and thinking that using my energy can change my reality. I think you are right though that this isn't necessarily a problem and doesn't hurt me or anyone else. We certainly are no worse than people on other spiritual paths! I do have a spending problem and this is a definite pitfall. One thing I've noticed is that sometimes people have problems when their spells don't work or they feel a deity is angry at them and things like this cause distress. This is something to be wary of and that may indicate a problem. I totally agree that you still need to be a balanced & well rounded person, enjoy the mundane things and NOT feel the need to chew off everyone's ears about your path! Overall I'd say witchcraft can be so nurturing to your mental health, self esteem, wellbeing and satisfaction with life... but there are pitfalls to look out for. Love you Kelly-Ann, take care! 🥰💕
i've definitely struggled in the past with obsessing over my craft and REALLY oversharing about the ins and outs of what i do in it. me: my path has been SO liberating for me, of course everyone wants to know about how they can use witchcraft or psionics to improve themselves. the self-intervention: gerrrrl, shadow work.
I've had psychotic depression and actually strange "magical" experiences at the same time. Worst thing I've ever experienced is to see obvious synchronizity and strange things in the 3d that even others say is strange (when i have the receipts), but psychiatrist would never believe you. That was the most lonely stigmatizing feeling ever. But at the end of the day, spirituality in itself wasn't the problem, my traumas were. My traumas were manifesting as a sense of an unexplainable bad influence in my life. Only healing aspects of spirituality actually saved me. Shadow work. Grounding. Self love. What a perfect topic you brought up again!! 🍃🖤
Oh, might i add. the way I always have synchronizity and clairvoyance etc as a daily thing (it's extremely frequent!) if my existence was in itself inherently creepy and i didn't have the chance to be seen as a witchy lady who is just connected to something spiritual that is nothing creepy or bad... It's so much better than carrying it alone or being seen as insane. Spirituality is healthy and prevents from mental health crisis just as much as it can disturb someone, is the point.
Fantastic discussion Kelly- Ann, thank you 💗
Really loved your point about loving the "concensus " world enough to keep you grounded as a witch. Its so very hard to love the world we are in but theres a lot to find amazing and exciting. From my very beginning of practice my desire has been to experience the magic IN this world not to find escape from it (although we all like a bit of escapism from time to time).
Witchcraft has truely helped me through my teens and adulthood. As someone who has habitual avoidant tendencies it always kicks me up the arse to take responsibility for myself, and im thankful for it x
Damn..great vid Kelly-Ann!! Be it witchcraft or ceremonial magick, it’s true what they say about the dangers of the ego when it comes to magick. The ego is a beast and it wants to feed. I notice when the ego..MY ego..starts acting up after practicing, it tends to exacerbate any other psychological/personality issues I have.
I recommend making an ego jar spell. Mine has lithium quartz in it!! To me the ego is the self image that other people have given me, and it is malleable, we can toy 🧸 with it
Thank you for sharing such responsible, sage and grounded advice.
You could even add to the spending problems with hourding. Lol I know I felt like I had taken on a great deal of stuff in the beginning of my witchy path. I would bring home all kinds of things for the altar, jars, Rocks, shells, feathers, dried flowers and especially herbs. I wanted to be prepared to do anything and everything witchy when the mood hit but it had all become a bit too much for my space. I just had to go foraging for any and all plants that could come in handy for spell work. I would come across a new plant in the woods and study everything I could about it's properties. I now know how little often I need most of them and have taken it down a notch or two only hanging on to the ones that are hard to get or that I go to regularly. I ended up giving a lot of the herbs back to the earth by way of offerings by adding them in to my compost to feed the worms or burning them in my outdoor cauldron with a purpose.
@Yussop op why is it so hilarious? Is it because you don't?
@Yussop op oh nevermind. I see you other comments on these videos. Your just a troll. Lmao. Go find a bridge to live under.
@Yussop op oh but I am laughing at you. Lol go back to your little anime child. The adults are talking.
This is a great video. I have had times myself where I have fallen into the rabbit hole a bit too deep and had to take a step back & redirect my energy towards a completely mundane project for a while to regroup and ground my energies before diving back in. It's so important to stay in tune with yourself & respect your own limitations, I believe this alone is very powerful magic. Thanks for another banger, Kelly-Ann.
Emphasis on grounding practices when things really start to feel like a spiral. I love your chant as a form of that. Also... clairaudience is a thing. That's a hell of a trip when it first starts to happen. Spiritual emergency is definitely a thing, too. Kundalini awakening without a guide/teacher is not for the faint of heart.
Kelly this topic hits me like a brick wall. I struggle with mental health. 😩 I recently took a break, as was freaking myself out.With the death of my Catholic nephew so many things crossed my mind. One of the reasons that drew me in was the forgiveness of sins. The craft has also helped my self esteem 🙃. Thank you so much for this topic, and think it's a secret in the community. Stay strong Witches !
It’s taken me a long time to feel ready for this, and I honestly didn’t quite know if I was ready when I hit play. But, I am so grateful that I have. I think delineating the fear of the illness and the hope of the transpersonal almost felt very Justice to me. Like the trauma I experienced can be separate. There can be a line in the sand there, and healthy spiritual experiences aren’t tainted or spoiled in any way. Thank you as always ❤✨
❤️❤️❤️❤️
This is so so important. Glad someone is speaking about this in a raw, truthful way. 💐
Awesome video Kelly-Ann!!
I’ve seen a lot of ppl around me suffering different mental health issues. So this was and still is a very big issue in my practice - on one hand afraid of losing my grip on my mind whilst not denying the things I’ve seen or experienced from a very young age.
There’s a fine line to walk if you aren’t able to ground down into the earthly plane - but that is present in every religious practice as you said.
You really need to get to know your body, your inner and outer.
Witchcraft - I found for me - saved my mental state in my teens. I had a very hard family life from age of 1-21. I could have broke and gone down an avenue of not being here. But witchcraft/art gave me an anchor, a or life buoy, to navigate my reality to create a new one.
And it also helped me understand beautiful, magical and ugly parts of myself.
When I started to really get into spirituality I experienced a lot of detachment from the physical world. I just didn't feel connected to it and didn't see the point in being connected to it. It was really quite scary. I did some research and ended up watching a lot of resources talking about the "dark night of the soul" and it was very helpful! Just knowing that others have been through this and that there is a way through was so helpful and was that silver rope back to consensus reality. Now I think of spirituality as a hot air balloon. I can pump the helium and go off into the clouds, but at the same time I know when I need to touch down and come back to reality. Such a good summary Kelly and something more youtubers who make content for new witches should consider making as well!!!
Fantastic video. I have been in and out of witchcraft for 15 years. My early experiences were very powerful and for some reason I was getting depressed from it. I was raised a Catholic and I would think what I was doing was wrong. I think that had a lot to do with my conflict with it. I'm also the type of person that goes all out with things I am interested in so I have decided to stay with the craft without guilt and keep a healthy balance in my life. I also suffer from bouts of depression and my practice is not to blame for that. It is actually helping me. Again, great video.
"cuz really sometimes we give ourselves too much to do, and too soon." yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kelly-Ann!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been doing witchy things in my life without knowing it and recently I have decided to better inform myself and see if I can take my practice further for self help purposes. The first thing I've been doing is write down some rules pertaining to ethics and (mental) health care, due to the times and due to my past and my current situation. This video is so affirming, I'm like you in the sense that I want to be safe. I rather have the train in the station and figure myself out then leave the station and get lost. Thank you, your videos have been a delight!
What came to my mind were the many occultist and magicians who work with spirits, djinns, demons etc. who become weirdly deluded that they themselves are uber-powerful (more powerful than others, which they like to talk about) and that so many old, powerful creatures fight about them specifically to recruit them, because they're just the greatest magician ever - and they love telling everyone about that. It's a weird mix of arrogance and megalomania that can really slip into mental health issues. 😅
Thanks for the video, inspiring as always!
Thank you for talking about a subject that still has a stigma attached to it...🎑
Oh Kelly-Ann, thank you. This is by far the most important video on the craft I've ever watched, especially now that I'm "coming off" an overly intense spiritual period that I feel really threw me off with my mental health. I'm trying to find a way to re-incorporate my spiritual practices in a healthy way. This is exactly why I love you and your work, and it's such a privilege to have had your words to help me reflect and grow through the years.
Excellent video, and yes :) you did make sense! Coming from another witch that also has a history/present with mental illness--my spirituality has actually helped me so much in realizing it will be okay, and to give me something that is within me to lean on if that makes sense. I have also had fears in the past (and sometimes even when im falling asleep in the present) due to religious fear distilled as a child but I would never let that stop me from practicing something that I truly believe has saved my life.
We know what our spirituality does for us--noone else needs to understand to make that true!
Cheers lovely people
I struggle with allowing myself to be a witch now.
My family has a line of witches, it is ‘normal’ to me - and I’m also bipolar type 1.
On every occasion that I have gone full on out of control, out of touch manic, I went into deep crazy power play and my craft became distorted, delusional and out of touch reality.
Not in what may be a typical craft way - I lost control and went to places and did things that are not within the realms of sanity.
Now I always worry when I feel power rising- am I going off again, or was I ever manic - was I just hyper conscious?
It is a constant daily question of mental health - what is my craft, what is my illness.
The lines become terribly blurred and it is scary. It ruins my confidence and trust in my family line, yet question if my illness is also a gift.
Ugh, brains!!!
I would call the colour of your dress "olive". Though I don't know how common this word is in English (translated it from the german "oliv"). Nice colour - looks good with the silver and reminds me of my father...
Like you said, this can happen in any intense practice of well... anything! But I'm so glad we can talk about it in our community. Thank you for always being open about your own experiencing. And I'm so glad youve been the one to make this video because you're so well spoken, caring, wonderful!
Such a valuable video, Kelly-Ann… I’m sure this will help many peeps out there. Sending love.
The wild trip, that sounds like my regular life 🤔
The 'super strong paradigm' 👍💜
I absolutely LOVE the staying sane recommendations, you clinched it! Going back to take notes now.
Thanks so much💙💙
Rubicks Cube ??? Is that I new one....? I think it's a new one... It must be a new one another Kellyism for the book
NEW ONE inspired by Quanah Jay Hicks doing lightening fast Rubix on IG! And another friend who is great at it! Always seems sooooo transpersonal
Sometimes I watch Chynna Phillips I used to listen to her from childhood growing up
In the 90s. And it’s so disturbing how much these women have no power in their lives and blame the devil instead of looking inward at themselves and realizing they are the ones consciously creating their circumstances in their lives. It’s disturbing to hear her in the latest video attacking tarot and calling it evil and it’s just so crazy and extreme to me. I’m sad she’s a bible thumper now.
I had no idea about Chynna Phillips and so I looked her up and found the recent video you're referring to. I too remember listening to her music growing up. Wow. I've been around long enough to not be thrown off by that kind of messaging, but I can see how confusing it can be for someone new to witchcraft or someone gingerly exploring new spiritual avenues when the dominant cultural religious view is, sadly, exactly what she's modeling. How does watching her videos make you feel? I'm feeling shocked and sad. And also somewhat relieved, tbh. There but for the grace of gods...
This was such awonderful video! I fear a lot of things like mushrooms, but I know they have done people some good. Thank you fir opening up this duscussion from multiple persoectuve. I've defeniteky had to incorporate the mundane in my nagical practice. Thank you for bringing up topics that are hushed or unspoken.
great video! love your content.
Great video! Now I am considering spending my valuable money on your book.
❤🌹 Precious advice! Do you know anything about derealisation and depersonalisation?
Gosh, this is good. Such an important conversation. (with self/others)
Some of these things have impacted me and my craft. As someone who had a dogmatic religious upbringing, that's one of the main things I had to sit with.
I'm so glad you brought up having a witchy community of some sort as it can be lonely when something good/bad happens in terms of your craft and you feel as though you have no one.
I appreciate all you do, Kelly-Ann. 😘
Thank you for this video I struggle with mental illness and looking forward to not having to be on medication
Oh my gosh this was so good. Thank you Kelly Ann ❤️
Absolutely! I have often said that Tarot has always been my best counsellor and witchcraft is definitely the way I got through life. Without it..... I just can't imagine.
I'm still only halfway through this video but I think this is a really important conversation to have. For me I've always really shied away from Western psychiatry as I feel that some of the ideology which has informed it is harmfully eurocentric. I've found so much more value in shamanic traditions and the way they interpret and work with what some people *might* label as symptoms of psychosis. But obviously psychiatry isn't completely irrelevant or harmful, especially within the context of the societies it evolved in. So thanks for sharing the positive or helpful aspects of the psychiatric model and how you relate it to your spirituality.
I'm so glad you made this video. I recently found myself drawn to Green Witchcraft but always worried about how to do it safely for my mental health. It's a topic that seems rarely touched upon in Witchtube and in general. I've asked questions in other tuber's livestreams and got ignored or even got my comments deleted. I haven't watched all the way through yet, but I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for being amazing ❤️
You remind me of my boyfriend, whom I met in 2014. He had great personality, was very creative and outgoing. He had very harsh early childhood. He was very sensitive. Sadly, he had a mental health and a SEVERE drug and alcohol problem. He was half dead already, when we met. Vomited blood from time to time. It was a hard decision for me to leave him. Sadly, he couldn't take control over his psyche and his drug problem. He died young 2 years after. I am afraid to meet mutual friends, I am afraid they are going to blame me somehow. Very sad story. I had my first grey hair afterwards.
It is so great, that you have found a way to deal with those issues. Great job! You are a very strong person!
Currently on chapter 14 of Rebel Witch 😇🙌 lovee it so far! Informative video Kelly Thank you
Im loving this look Kelly. This video is so good too. Thanks for talking about this, your mental health journey is super inspiring. I always found the spiritual landscape in the UK so interesting, so much of the population is secular as you said, and then you have all these super religious and/or spiritual minority groups sprinkled in between, not sure about Manchester but that's what I experienced in London.
This is a great video, very much appreciated, especially the advice you give here.💚
I want to watch magician mindset
Malevolent spirits that a person can encounter and ptsd afterwards
Such an important topic! You really covered some vital points! Thanks ✨
I don't think it can harm your mental health as much as mainstream religion has harmed mine. I'm nervous to do certain activities STILL do to religious programming and the intimidation of a war God judging everything I do to see if I deserve to burn for eternity.
I LOL d when you said late for coffee because you are staring at a sandcastle and thinking about what it means to you, it 555 AM
I enjoyed everything you said. I really thought you were going to say some off the wall strange things but it was a perfectly clear, validating and just a very intuitive chat. Made lots of sense to me. Thanks 👍
Just clicked on and immediately wanting to make a set of nails inspired by that beautiful olive and silver dress! Lmk if you want ;) your parcel was just delivered yesterday!
This is a little off subject, but I wanted to reach out with a question. I am currently learning about tarot from your series from 10 years ago. I am about to go back to college to get my master's degree in social work/mental health counseling. I am VERY interested in learning more about transpersonal therapy and using tarot in therapy. Could you recommend some resources that would help me in learning more? I have been absolutely amazed that my random idea to learn tarot could actually connect with my career ambitions to become a therapist. I feel this may be a calling, but I am lost on where to learn more. Thank you for any direction you can provide.
yes everyone should watch when too much witch craft is too much if I remember the name correctly
Thanks Kelly-Ann!! Superb video. I am slightly out of the broom closet!! I am careful!! Thanks!! Because of this video and the one about coming out of the broom closet, I have bought Rebel Witch!!
Love to you Kelli -Ann!
Love your big round blingy white ring 💍. Can you share where you got it? It's Fire 🔥, need one lol 😁🧚♀️💜🪄
Ah man I could just listen to you all day. ♥️ What an amazing topic and you handled it beautifully! I’m skipping around a bit so thank you for the time stamps!
I absolutely love what you share here. :)
Do you have any videos going into more detail about astral travel? Guidelines, stuff to be careful of? The only time I've felt an experience akin to astral projection is when I was sleep deprived during a bipolar episode. It was pretty unpleasant and I don't want a repeat of that but I'm still so curious about it and how other people manage it safely
Kelly-Ann, this gave me big magnum opus vibes ✨💫🔥👏
What a wonderful video. Thank you x
I love the weird shit.
Same
Somebody on TikTok was talking about the viewpoint some European ethnic groups had about nature before they were forced to become Christian - nature doesn't exist to serve you, the human being. It exists for it's own sake. Another TikToker had a white deer in her neighborhood that had been showing up every year and the comments were full of people asking about the spiritual significance of the deer and if it was a message, and the lady was kind of annoyed. She said the deer is just living her life, she isn't her to impart anything. I think if I keep these ideas in mind, it will help when my bipolar acts up, and I won't get stuck believing everything is a sign. Like sometimes seeing an animal can be a sign, but not always. It's good to remember "mundane before magical" to keep yourself grounded.
I was not expecting the MUCH NEEDED call out about giving my brain too much to do... lol
I think if you keep a good balance between spirituality and practically it shouldn't probably be too much of an issue and tbh I think a lot of spirituality can actually be beneficial for mental health from my experience religion has had more of a negative impact on mental health not to say it hasn't had its moments however than again most of the negative experiences were because of toxic people who are a part of it so I feel like people have made it more negative then the craft itself then again I'm a Scorpio and can be intense anyways 😂 so I love the crazy weird stuff then again I feel like this duality where I've always been between worlds because a real stable practical logical side and a crazy weird rebellious spiritual imaginative side 🤪🤣👽👻 if I wanted to push my beliefs on people I would have stayed in religion 😂 I believe in live let live basically you do your thing and let me do mine also be careful of getting readings from readers online unless you are friends with them first because you don't always know their intentions I speak from experience it can be detrimental for you and your mental health protect your energy at all costs that's my advice and stay in your power and don't just give that out to people like it's free candy from a pinata 😂
Awesome video and great advice.
P.s. I love Pink Floyd too 🖤 I'm a Sid Barrett fan and enjoy "the early days"
Do you mind me asking what you use to edit your videos please?
My experience with mental health and witchcraft has some similarities and some differences with the topics outlined here. I was REALLY pleased to hear you talk about the difference between knowing that the mental health issue didn't feel good and the witchcraft does feel good. That is something that I have had to keep in mind since returning to my craft 4 years ago after struggling with OCD. The "magical thinking" of ocd did not mesh well with the magical thinking of witchcraft!
The magician or wizard mindset was interesting as I could have imagined that getting out of hand with OCD too, but I didn't really experience that.
It was also really interesting hear about your "rules" as I have done the same thing without really realising it. Things like really heady rituals based on older practices (usually with some Latin or Greek) are something I know I'm still not ready for, but will be one day, and that's okay, there's lots of other stuff I can do in the meantime 😊
I've thought about making a video specially about witchcraft and OCD as I could never find one when I looked, but it's a complicated weird topic, so I can understand your jitters over making this. Maybe this can give me the confidence to finally go into detail about my experience there. Thanks Kelly-Ann 🧡