Wiccans, a question about mental illness and Wiccan practice...?

Question

Hello, all:

I came across a discussion about this on a LiveJournal community recently, and it was interesting enough that I thought I'd bring it here.

As a Wiccan, what is your attitude toward people with mental and emotional illnesses? Would you be comfortable working with them in circle? How about in an initiatory Tradition? Can a mentally/emotionally ill person, even if their condition is being controlled by medication, function effectively as a Wiccan in a group situation?

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to respond.

Aster Metrics, I'm pretty sure it was on the Wiccan LJ.

◦☿◦ Marissa -- no problem. :-) I welcome answers from people other than Wiccans as well... I addressed the question to Wiccans because the original question I'm basing this on was so addressed, but it's good to see other points of view also.

I should point out that I live with mental illness myself (treatment-resistant depression and a mild form of Borderline Personality Disorder), so please don't take this question to mean that I am targetting the mentally and emotionally ill.

Answer 1

Not Wiccan, but I do practice witchcraft, so I hope you don't mind me intruding. :)

I think we're all a little crazy, to some extent. Every single one of us has issues, and if we don't address them, they can affect the outcome of our rituals as well as affecting those who work with us. Anytime you choose to work in coven situation, you're opening yourself up to allow other people's negativities or imbalances -- mental, physical, or elemental -- to affect you as well.

I will agree with Hestia's Priestess, that its important that the person acknowledge that they have a mental illness and choose to deal with it, rather than run rampant and take over their lives and influence both the mundane and magical choices they make.

I don't think that anyone should be excluded solely on the basis that they have emotional or mental problems that they couldn't have avoided. But I also think that this is where the rule of personal responsibility comes into play -- if you can't take care of yourself, don't expect your coven to take care of you. Don't expect your coven to share in the responsibility of the bad choices you make. This is not to say that you shouldn't be able to turn to your coven for support in times of need, only that you shouldn't use emotional issues as an excuse for doing as you please, and then expecting your fellow witches to either live in your mess or clean it up for you. But then again, this is true for those of us who are "mostly sane" as well!

Answer 2

Practicing the religious aspects of Wicca, or other Pagan traditions, can be very healing for someone suffering from depression or other mental illnesses. I would have no problem celebrating a Sabbat with someone who had a mental illness. They can celebrate the seasons, commune with the Gods, no problem. And the loving support of a spiritual community, such as a Coven, Lodge, or Grove, can go a long way.

However, the Magickal and initiatory practice is quite different, and this goes for all Neopagan and Occult traditions, not just Wicca. It would really depend on what their mental illness was, their attitude towards the practice at the outset, and the support of their therapist. Magick demands realistic expectations, and an ability to keep your perspective and maintain your grasp on reality. The path of the Initiate is a deeply psychological process. It demands a lot of personal work, a lot of looking within and facing things about ourselves we may never want to face, facing our personal Shadow. The goal is greater wholeness, and the realization of your True Self, emotional and psychological wholeness and balance. This is a very powerful, very healing process. But it is very demanding, and it isn't for everyone. Without the proper guidance, if you loose your perspective, an otherwise healthy person could go a little nutty in the process. In some Occult/Magickal traditions, the initiate is encouraged to undergo psychoanalysis as part of their Magickal education. So, if I person has a severe mental illness -- such as schizophrenia -- I would not recommend initiation or deep magickal study. At least, not without the support and guidance of a licensed, qualified, Pagan-friendly therapist.

Answer 3

Let me break this down to answer it:
"As a Wiccan, what is your attitude toward people with mental and emotional illnesses?"
It depends on the mental illness. One of the people close to me has the mildest form of bipolar disorder and takes a mood stabilizer. She realizes that when she's off her meds she's not capable of controlling her moods very well, and therefore SHE TAKES THEM, rather than fighting her body for control.
One of my neighbors has a more severe form of bipolar disorder, and he refuses to take his meds because they make his life less exciting. Obviously, he's not welcome in my circle.

"Would you be comfortable working with them in circle?"
I was born with a genetic disorder that causes me to be missing a vital hormone. Every day I have to take a pill or my body will break down and I'll be dead by 50, an age that is getting closer all the time. If I said that someone with an excess or a lack of seratonin, dopamine or norepinephrine couldn't work with me I'd be a HYPOCRITE.

"How about in an initiatory Tradition? Can a mentally/emotionally ill person, even if their condition is being controlled by medication, function effectively as a Wiccan in a group situation?"
If a person's condition is controlled by medication, I see it no differently whether the condition is depression, parkinson's or anemia.
It's about whether a person can understand the situation and be trusted, and that's a case by case thing.

Answer 4

I'm a non-Wiccan witch, but I used to be Wiccan. I hope you don't mind me answering.

I believe that if the illness is controlled with medication, and/or therapy, then unless they are violent, they should be allowed to function in a group. I am mentally ill myself. I suffer from depression and anxiety disorder, but it is treated.

As far as initiatory traditions go, I know that some refuse to teach or accept into their covens individuals who are MI, even if it is treated. It seems like covens don't want to bother with anyone who has a mental or neurological problem, even if it's thoroughly treated. I have had personal experience with these types and was refused to be taught because of my MI and my epilepsy (haven't had a seizure in years, also, when I do, they happen *only* in my sleep). I know that not all Wiccans are like this, I just came across a few bad seeds I guess. Their elitism is what forces many people into self-teaching and practicing solitary, instead of having the joy of participating with a coven. They need to know that people with treated MI or epilepsy can and do function normally in groups.

Answer 5

Mentally ill people have the same rights as others. Although some are so severe they cannot function. But those who can function should not be a problem to the group. Of course if their behavior is disruptive then they should not be allowed. there are many mentally ill folks who are highly functional and beneficial to a group.

It should be viewed on an individual basis.

Wicca as with any religion even Christianity at time attracts the mentally ill because of the use of magick and rituals. Same with the Pentecostal movement of Christianity their mystical way of worship and their belief in modern miracles attracts many mentally ill people.

Wicca can help someone with mental problems to control their emotions but not everyone wants to control them. I know druid for example that is a schizophrenic and refuses to take his medications because he believes his voices and visions are a special gift from the gods. This type person scares me.
BB

Answer 6

If she truly believes she's a vampire she's hiding from reality for some reason and it's exhibiting itself as this. People that follow Wicca are no crazier then those that follow Christianity,Judaism etc. They don't believe they have any powers whereas the person that thinks they're a vamp is trying to cover up they fact that they will die. Actually, with that thought, I 've just realised it's the Wiccans that are the most sane!

Answer 7

I don't work with covens, so everything I have to say is speculative. If someone had a problem that made it hard to distinguish between reality and fantasy, such as schizophrenia, then yes it could be a problem. Or, if they had tendency toward erratic, possibly violent behavior, then of course that could be tricky. It would depend on the type of illness, and the type of work being done in the circle. A Gothie friend of mind, was in discussion about getting my son into some of the Asatuar groups, to help him with some of his problems. He was worried about him being involved in a Seith, but other than that thought he would do fine and it would be helpful for him.
)o( Blessed Be!

Answer 8

Prarie, I would think it would be judged on a case by case basis. Also the level of mental illness involved would be of some consideration. If the person were violent or Schizophrenic, I would tend to think that person would be unfit for inclusion in an organized coven working. He/She MAY be able to function quite well as a solitary eclectic, however. A person's mental health should not be a sole reason for exclusion, what should determine that is the person's ability to actually work within the confines of the group without causing undue disruption. Many folks are "considered" to be MI and still have the ability to function very well in the general population and accordingly, there is NO reason to exclude them soley on the basis of their mental illness.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 9

I cannot speak for Wiccans as I am not one. However, as a Hellenic Polytheist, I feel that there is room for those with mental emotional illnesses in Pagan communities IF their condition is acknowledged honestly and they are taking medicine to control their condition IF that is needed.

Currently, I know that I am suffering from depression and perhaps a bit of PTSD due to the combination of the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina and the recent passing of my mother. I acknowledge that this may mean that I need help, but also that my devotion to my Gods has not changed.

Does this mean that someone who has a mental or emotional illness should lead a worship community? That is something I feel should be handled on a case-by-case basis as I would not want someone who could not handle the responsibiltiy to lead that community, even if it was myself.

Answer 10

I have not, nor would not have a problem participating in a circle or another religious ceremony with someone diagnosed as "mentally ill" any more than I would have a problem with someone diagnosed with any illness. Grounded, compassionate religious experiences are very healing. I do, however, take exception with the "mentally unstable." There is a difference. Someone who is unstable, whether or not they have been officially diagnosed can be like handling a loaded gun. You have to be careful and you have to know what YOU are doing. I have been involved in healing rituals intended to help stabilize a person's mental and/or emotional state with great success. On the other hand, I have had the experience of being invited to a ritual and then found myself with individuals who I viewed as "unstable". They weren't necessarily mentally ill, but their energy and actions were so unsettling and unstable that I had to bow out.

To clarify, I am comfortable working with the so called "mentally ill." In fact, in many cultures those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness in our culture, would be the shamans in another!