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.
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.
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.  Not enough for a book or anything like that, but certainly enough for a blog - especially as what I intend to say would probably not be interesting in any format other than a blog post.

I think that my initial thoughts on writing on this subject came from the rather human desire to marry up our different interests into one thing.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  It's just that in this case, I've come to realise that it really doesn't work.  Or at the very least, they don't necessarily fit together in a massively productive way.

Can a person find that paganism is beneficial for their mental health.  Certainly.  I'd say that spiritual fulfillment is one element of mental wellbeing.  If Paganism is what helps you find that spiritual fulfillment, then great. 
However, that is not the same as saying that Paganism (or things within Paganism) are themselves tools for achieving better mental health.

I have suffered from Depression for a long time and it is perhaps because, of late, that suffering has been particularly felt, that it has made me think on this subject more than usual.
But as much as some of us might like to think that Paganism is a balancing force that can improve every element of our lives, for some of us that just isn't true. 
Religion may provide a person with a sense of perspective and even provide some occassional support, in certain situations.  But there is nothing to say that it should actually fix anything and certainly nothing to say that it should "fix" you - and there is nothing wrong with that.

Paganism is not going to heal me of my mental health problems.  I can't expect magic, nor the Gods, nor any amount of ritual, to do that.  Maybe nothing will.

But there are Gods and spirits that are intimately associated with things like madness and the mind.  What about them?  Should we not expect that working with them will provide avenues to better mental health?
Maybe.  I don't know.  Do we think that developing a relationship with that kind of deity will cause them to heal us?  Personally, I would take issue with such a simplistic outlook.
The Gods are not an over the counter remedy and the benefits of having them in our lives are cumulative (and often subtle) over many years.  A relationship with the Gods is like any relationship, you get out of it what you put in. 
There is so much I could say on this subject.  Firstly, what kind of relationship do you actually want with the Gods?  If your only reason for seeking a relationship with them is to be healed of some psychological malady, then you have perhaps underestimated or misunderstood the nature of a relationship with the divine.  You have to put in work from your side of the relationship and recognise that in order to truly gain the benefit of that relationship, they may want to teach you things and take you to places that are well beyond a doctor-patient relationship.  In short, you can't go into a relationship like that expecting to benefit from one particular change in yourself, because the nature of such a relationship is to be led downn a path that causes change in every part of who you are.

Secondly, when it comes to mental illness, we're talking about major, chronic illnesses.  No single ritual or ceremony is going to make that just go away.
It is necessary to realise that mental illness is rooted in the deepest parts of our psyches and that if you want to overcome it, then it needs to be addressed at the root.
Outside of religion and magic, it can take many long years of work and therapy to move beyond a mental illness.  Seeking to find aid in these matters through religion, we should not expect it to be any less involved (and nor should it be a replacement for actual medicine!).  The same applies to magic.  Many view magic as "The Great Work" - an art for inner alchemical transformation of the self.  It requires years of dedication and work.  Mental health is a massive aspect of the "self" and so changing it in any meaningful way is not going to be achieved with a quick spell or ritual.

Thirdly, you may not want the help of some Gods, no matter how intrinsic their connection to mental health.  Remember, there are Gods and Goddesses out there that actually inspire maddness.  They bring it and it is an interwoven element of their being.
That may not be helpful.

Finally, back on the subject of magic, I'm going to make the very controversial statement that in many cases magic and mental illness are not a good mix.  In fact, they can be a very bad mix.
I've been involved with some significant magical workings, including some that have been performed at length, within an expanded magical space.  Such a thing can be very potent.  But among such potent energies and such a charged environment, where changes in consciousness are sought, there also comes the risk that those same potent elements will exacerbate already present mental health problem.

Now, none of this is to say that deities, spirits and magic can't be beneficial in dealing with one's mental health problems.  But it is so important to recognise the limitations of these things and the greater demands and work that come with reaping those benefits.

Then there is the other side of the coin.  Another very controversial way of looking at this is that "madness" does itself walk hand in hand with genius - or in this case, lunacy can also be an avenue for spiritual revelation and enlightenment. 
While the possibility of this shouldn't necessarily be overlooked, there is also one other things that positively cannot be overlooked:  it sucks.
Seriously, having mental health problems sucks in a way that those not suffering it, probably can't even begin to comprehend and the suggestion that there may be the potential to find avenues of enlightenment in it, can feel insulting and insensitive.  From my part of the crazy patchwork quilt, I've found that there can be an element of truth to the old addage that madness and genius walk hand in hand.  Your mileage may vary.
But hey, if something positive can come from your suffering, then why not claim it?

If you find that your spiritual practice helps you deal with psychological issues.  Good for you, don't stop!
For the rest of us, the road is inherently long and painful, and we may need to find our respite elsewhere.
But the point is, that we should not expect that Paganism, magic or the Gods are things that can be married to our mental health issues and help us deal with or cure them.  It just doesn't work that way.  For every person who finds that there is a natural mental health peace through Paganism, there is another who can only find that same mental peace through music or exercise or science fiction movies or writing.

Paganism isn't a panacea for mental health illnesses and shouldn't be expected to be.  Though, if it happens to help your mental health, then hold onto it.

Words have power.  That is one of the first understandings of magic.

A friend of mine recently expressed his dismay at the position he was being put in by some people, since he decided to get involved with running Pagan events.  He had been approached for advice, opinions and his perspective on situations that had nothing to do with him and which were in no way his concern.
I can certainly sympathise.  As someone who has been involved with running Pagan events for a while, I too have many times been approached in the same way. 
Advice and opinions, are one thing.  Such as "do you think that this is a good book?" or "do I always need to cast a circle when doing a spell?"  I'm happy to engage in those kinds of conversations and generally help people out, if I can.  That is one of the main reasons that I volunteer in my Pagan community, after all.

But very often, people have a tendency to want you to weigh in on personal issues of rumour and gossip.  "Have you heard about so and so?", "is it true about such and such?", "you'll never guess what wotsisname has done."  A variable array of he said she said gossip mongering.

I hate gossip.  I've said it many times before and those who know me should be well aware that I have no desire to get involved with it.
Even while everyone else is all aflutter about whatever has supposedly happened, I'll just keep right out of it.  Always have.  I don't want to hear it and I certainly do not want to be party to spreading it.

It seems that gossip, particularly malicious gossip, is a fairly common issue in Pagan social circles.  So much so that some have even begun to refer to it as "bicker and bitchcraft" (as opposed to Wicca and Witchcraft).
Of course, this kind of chatter is not the exclusive providence of Pagans.  I am well aware that it is common among many varied social circles and across different religions.  But as Pagans - particularly those of us who are magic users, I think it is necessary for us to consider both the moral and magical repercussions of gossip.

Words have power.
I know this is true, as a witch.  I know this is true, as a writer.  I know this is true, as a storyteller.
There are many different levels to magic.  The supernatural, physiological, the psychological and more.  Gossip, stange as it may sound, can be its own kind of magic and it functions across many of these levels.
If magic is the transformation of thought into being or the ability to alter the world, then gossip can be a mighty form of magic, indeed. 
Words - gossip - has the power to affect perceptions, to change how the world is seen, both by ourselves and by others.  Through this, we can change ideas, beliefs and experience.  Beliefs, perception and experience are all dimensions of being.  They are major elements of what make us who we are and also how we understand the world and other people.  With this in mind, gossip can be like a virus to our being, working as a magic that changes perceptions and distorts reality.
You want to really curse someone, all you need is a good rumour.

In The Aenid, Virgil describes Rumour as a monsterous Goddess and asks "what evil can surpass her speed?"

Rumours, gossip and magic can be incredibly alike and one can very easily be the other.  The power in words of gossip, is the same as the power in words of magic.  It is potential that has been birthed.  But gossip is like a wild hex.  Like putting out something magical, without care for what it is or what it leads to.  Or, inkeeping with Virgil's conception of Rumour, it is like setting loose a terrible spirit, that none can control and that has all the power to destroy.


Beyond magic, there is also the moral dimension to consider.
What value do you place on the truth?  If you consider the truth to be of value, then surely before we speak it should be important to consider whether what you are saying is true and whether or not it serves truth.  By "serves truth", I mean that the power of words is like that of ripples on a pond.  What we say may radiate outwards and so even if those words are true, one must consider how they are said, how they are received and how/if they may be further spread.

Many Pagans also value honour.  So then we must ask if gossip is honorable, particularly in situations where one cannot verify the truth of the rumour and spreading it would risk affecting the perceptions of other people, perhaps unjustly.

As someone who organises Pagan events and group, I know that it can be valuable to be aware of the currents that run through those social groups and any concerns that people may have.
There have been times when people have expressed to me their concerns about certain individuals and so for the safety of everyone, I have been watchful of those people.  But that is just a matter of caution.  Duty of care for the group or event that I am in charge of.
That is not the same as actively engaging in spreading rumours or gossip, nor should it be compared to that.  When someone comes to me with a particular concern or story, I must remain impartial and aware that there are two sides to every story.  I can be mindful and watchful, but not judgemental.

Maybe there are examples of times when more than a watchful eye, is needed.  Perhaps if someone was a real risk to others or themselves.  In such situation it may be necessary to talk to the individual directly.  But in no situation would it be appropriate for me, as an event organiser, to engage in gossip about someone.  Not that I would want to.
If there is a genuine, real risk to people's safety, then certainly, action must be taken and maybe in some instances that would include letting people know about those risks.

However, rarely is gossip about anything quite so dramatic.  More often it is a social tit for tat or just about the cheap thrill of relaying the "juicy gossip".
But as people pursuing a spiritual way of being, can't we at least try to rise above such things?
Words do have power and when used recklessly, that power can harm.
Words also have the power to heal.  To help.  To raise us up.
It is always up to us to decide how we are going to use our power.  We have the choice.  It can become a roadblock on our own path and a whispering beast set loose on others.  Or, it can be a song, sent to soothe and elevate us all.

Do you want to be the one who whispers or the one who sings?