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    Facing the Darkness
    Facing the Darkness
    Facing the Darkness
    Ebook118 pages1 hour

    Facing the Darkness

    By Cat Treadwell

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Facing the Darkness aims to support those going through times of crisis and depression - primarily Pagan, but accessible to all. Utilizing Pagan spiritual imagery, skills and perspectives, a combination of inspirational text and easy exercises work with images and stories to distract and encourage for short-term relief and long-term healing. From the apparent hopelessness of deep night through to the inevitable return of sunrise, Nature imagery, tales of mythology and Deity combine in accessible meditations, activities and anecdotes to remind the reader that they are not alone on their path through the darkness. Cat Treadwell acts as a guide through the forest, working with the Druid skills of Bardic tales and Ovatic land/spirit connection. Darkness and despair can lead to peace and inspiration...through the simple bravery of stepping forward.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJohn Hunt Publishing
    Release dateOct 25, 2013
    ISBN9781780998992
    Facing the Darkness

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      Book preview

      Facing the Darkness - Cat Treadwell

      again.

      Introduction

      We all have a Dark Side. Like the Moon, it exists just out of sight for some of the time, but then turning slowly to engulf us – or suddenly being noticed, overwhelming us with its weight, stifling every ‘light’ thought, positive feeling or shred of confidence that we thought we could rely on. Our foundation is shaken, truths revealed.

      Fairytales have told us for years how to deal with our own personal darkness. Find its true name. Face it, armed and ready, even if the odds are a million to one. Ultimately, it’s about confidence in yourself and being able to stand up to what might be hidden inside, ready to jump out. And that Thing knows your own weaknesses, can embody your fears, insidiously reaching straight to the root of your own Self and (apparently) preparing to rip it out …

      Rationally, this isn’t actually true. Your subconscious isn’t trying to destroy you. But malfunctions, misunderstandings, whether in physical chemistry or mental and emotional experience, can make it seem that this is the case.

      As Pagans, we realise that giving up, succumbing to the blackness, dying – none of it is as final a cut-off as we might think. There’s more to life’s path, and this is just one element, one experience to be lived through, learned from. Life is a series of challenges; it’s not unreasonable that some will be harder than others. This isn’t a game and the odds aren’t stacked in our favour.

      But it’s hard to think rationally when you’re suffering.

      The modern world can be harsh, overwhelming – often insane. As humans, we’re slowly learning what’s needed, and some families, communities, groups of friends come together to support those who fall. Healing the mind, though, is far harder than healing the body and much less understood. It’s hard to pin down subjective experience, especially when it’s perceived as irrational, mad, lunatic.

      I write these words not as a professional counsellor or psychiatrist, but as a fellow sufferer. I’ve walked the dark paths, and still do. As part of a wider community, I want to reach out with my tale and some lessons learned along the way, to hopefully help others as they explore, cutting their own route through the forest, shining a glimmer of hope and companionship into that terrible pit of despair, the screams of rage and pain allowing a song to be heard.

      As a Druid, a modern Pagan, I believe firmly that our spirituality is ingrained into our lives, in good times and bad. We don’t always feel like casting a circle. We don’t always have the energy to get out and actively help ourselves. But we are part of that wider world, living creatures on this planet, and so surrounded wherever we are by others who may help, or even simply distractions to get us through, to cut through the noise and remind us who we are.

      If we don’t allow it to overwhelm us, the Dark places can be a refuge, a point of quiet in a busy life, a place of inspiration. These are the teachings of our ancestors, as we draw magic from the mysterious cauldron, weave a web to catch and protect us, draw on the relationship of shared story and experience to nourish us and keep us going. Or just sit and allow tears to flow, wailing to be heard, experience to be felt without judgement or medication.

      Walk with me into the dark woods. We move forward together.

      This can only ever be my story – each experience is so deeply subjective that I have no way of knowing how relevant it will be to a given reader.

      I offer this book as my sacrifice, hard-earned in body and spirit, so that something good may come from a time of intense suffering, loss, confusion and disconnection.

      My sincere hope is that it can help, even if in the smallest of ways.

      We all walk the dark paths. Please know that we do not have to do so alone.

      The Deep Darkness

      Facing the Darkness

      Run so far and so long

      Run out of all care to fight

      Run and hide away

      Hide that you hate you

      Hide in deepest darkest hole

      Hide your soul away

      Soul in pain cries out

      Soul to the universe sings

      Soul must see her face

      Face to face you cry

      Face the dark and cry your name

      Face the dark and smile

      Smile, you are held fast

      Smile, your fear is meaningless

      Smile at your new face

      Jess

      Earth

      Earth’s crammed with heaven …But only he who sees, takes off his shoes. – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

      No matter where we stand, the Earth is always beneath us, holding us up, catching us when we fall. It can hold us in its thick mud as we sob, or provide the bump that we need to clear our heads.

      Or sometimes we just need to sit.

      Go outside, to somewhere safe and natural – a park, garden, wood or hill. Even a little grass and a tree is fine.

      Sit on the earth. Reach into it, feeling the grass, touching the dirt. Place your hands, palms down, onto the ground. Truly feel it, the land beneath you.

      Are you high up, or closer to sea level? In the countryside or a busy city? What’s beneath you – a subway, plumbing and drains, or rabbit warrens and worms? Imagine it, your busy surroundings. Look around. How much of it can you see?

      Is it sunny and warm out there, encouraging growth and reaching upwards? Or wet, as the earth slowly becomes saturated and your own hair and skin starts to drip along with the leaves?

      Root down, if you can. Feel yourself extending into the earth, through fingers, toes or bones. You’re just another living thing on the surface of the planet, no different to the creatures and plants around you.

      Feel the earth surround you, hold you. It’s always there. Sometimes you can feel buried or stifled, but it can also be a refuge, a hiding place of safety.

      What is your connection to the earth, right now? Nothing else matters but this. Breathe, feel. Just connect, be part of the land. Hold it, as it holds you.

      When you are ready, return home and eat something solid. Give thanks for the food that was grown in that same earth. Honour your connection to the life around, the life you take in and the life you are living. Every tiny creature plays its part as it grows, feels and explores.

      As an alternative option, if you are truly housebound, find a potted plant and touch the earth that holds it. Gently dip your fingers into it, stroke the leaves, petals and stem. Feel the remembrance of deeper lands, as you dream of the outside, but still feel the ground beneath your feet. It doesn’t

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