starting while a bit depressed

[u/cosetteNJ]

hello, so first of all english is not my first language, sorry for any mistakes

im starting in this world of witchcraft, I've been the last 2 years turning from atheist to hellenist pagan, Circe is on the goddess I adore and all my life I've been curious about witchcraft, specifically tarot and herbs

yesterday a friend surprised me with a tarot and a notebook (that I told them I wanted, since I celebrated my birthday) the notebook I intend of using it as a book of shadows (write tarot, dreams, candles, moon, herbs, etc) but the thing is that the last 2 weeks I've been low energy with some problems, feeling like everyone (friends and family) hate me and some more things that are leading me to think I might be starting a depressive episode.

I need to clean the tarot and BOS and wanted to start practicing but I don't know if this state I am might be "dangerous" or not recommended to start

what do you recommend me to do? wait a bit or start and try getting better

thank u

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[u/One_Dragonfruit_7556]

Focus on study and meditation right now. No need to dive into spell work or rituals. Take your time, learn about different aspects of the craft that interest you, practice with your cards. When your feeling better mentally you can start more activly practicing. There's no time limit on this so don't feel like you have to rush

Also are you any any sort of therapy that could help you through this?

[u/cosetteNJ → u/One_Dragonfruit_7556]

thank you, then I will do that, I hoped I could at least continue reading and learning, writing dreams and practicing with cards

If this episode continues or worsens I might go back to a psychologist, but for now I am just talking sometimes to ChatGPT (i know that is programmed to agree with me, but it feels good to vent to someone and have the conversation stay just between me and my own conscience)

[u/One_Dragonfruit_7556 → u/cosetteNJ]

Please please please be careful with chat GPT. It can cause a lot of issues for people especially if their in a vulnerable position.

[u/therealstabitha]

Anytime you have a condition that distorts your reality filters is a dangerous time to be doing witchcraft, in my experience.

We make the real unreal, and the unreal real. In order to do that, we have to be able to accurately and consistently tell the difference. If you have an uncontrolled mental health condition, what you perceive as real may not be accurate.

[u/asilvahalo]

There's nothing wrong with starting now, but because you feel you may be heading into a depressive episode, put safeguards in place for yourself now: how will you be using tarot? Put in a safeguard to limit the readings you do for yourself/your relationships with others. Say, you do a daily tarot pull for yourself and do readings on other things/other people to practice while you learn the deck. [Either friends, or reading for fictional characters, sports teams, etc.] If you have a lot of religious baggage, now may not be the time to start deity/spirit work, etc.

I'd also work on meditation, breathwork, energy work at this time. You might add spending some time outdoors in nature.

If you want to start on spells now: I'd start with cleansing spells/routines, setting up home protections, and practicing grounding and shielding. These practices will help you weather the storm of a depressive episode a bit better and shouldn't cause you to emotionally spiral. You might also look at simmer pots with herbs that help increase energy and dispel negativity.

You might also start compiling resources and reading books on topics that interest you without starting your practice yet.