Energy For Witchcraft When Your Personal Reserve Is Low

In the past year, I have been struggling with low energy. Visits to doctors and various tests in the past month have offered medical reasons that I will not get into right now. But these days it is really hard to write for this blog, work on my book, care for my garden, make progress on my herbalism studies, do the podcast, etc., in addition to caring for my family, cleaning my house, and preparing meals.

Being low on physical energy is making everyday life right now— exhausting. I’m managing my SPOONS a lot these days. And I know there are people reading this post who can relate whether their low energy is physical, emotional, or spiritual. I’ll be giving ideas on how to give yourself an energy boost at the end of this post.

Low Energy Happens

In addition to everyday life stuff, there are activities I wish to perform as a Witch. Meditation, devotional acts such as lighting candles and hailing my deities, rituals for the Dark, New, and Full Moons. There are spells I want to work or need to maintain, etc. But in recent months, that has been more of a challenge. And I am sharing all of this for people who are dealing with a similar situation.

So, what is a Witch to do? In my experience it helps to keep a few things in mind:

• Watch out for Imposter Syndrome. You do not have to participate in a ritual, work a spell, or be actively “witchy” to be a Witch, Pagan, or magickal practitioner. Being a Witch is who you are as a person, how you interact with and view the world, not merely your activities.
• Life happens. There will be times when you are low in personal energy. There will be illness. You may be experiencing a “fallow period” where you need to take a break, rest, and regroup. Taking care of yourself should always be a priority.
• Communicate with significant others, children, family, friends, coven, or group members that you are struggling with low energy. Ask someone to pick up the slack, take over where you might normally lead, etc.
• Refuse to feel guilty for not having the physical, emotional, or spiritual energy to “do stuff.” This condition will not (or does not) have to last forever. But respect where you are and how you are feeling right now.

Raising Personal Energy

Alright, so you have low energy and there are witchy things you want to do. What can you do to raise energy (in the short term) to attain one of your goals? Different people will have their own methods but here are a few things that work as needed:

Pendulum: My friend Amy (Open Chest Studio) taught a class in 2019 where she suggested working with a pendulum to raise energy. To do this, you allow direct (or ask) the device to swing in a deosil (clockwise) circle. In my experience, the wider the swing the more energy raised. You can also use a pendulum to release excess energy by directing (asking) the device to swing widdershins (counter-clockwise).

Music: Listening to music can be cathartic and can be used to raise energy. For me, it is usually a goddess-oriented chant with a swift beat. But sometimes listening to my favorite songs (ones that inspire me to sing along) is the boost I need to get moving.

The Earth: As a devotee of the Earth Deity, connecting to the primordial world soul of our planet through meditation will often fill my energy coffers up for ritual, spellcraft, etc. To do this, I practice a grounding meditation where I send energy “roots” into the earth, then ask the Earth Deity to strengthen me with their energy. In doing this, I am given an energetic foundation for my witchcraft, shoring up my personal energy.

The Moon: I will meditate or stand within the light of the Full Moon, asking Hekate/Artemis/Selene/Mani to fill me with their energy for ritual, spellwork, etc.

Spirit Allies: There are plants and stones that can assist. Rosemary is wonderful for clearing the mind. Clear quartz can amplify what you need.

Coven Members/Family/Friends: Tell people how you are feeling or what you are capable of doing at the moment. See if they are willing to raise energy with/for you to do a ritual, magickal work, etc.

Obviously, doing our best to maintain a wholesome diet is important (even when unexpected health challenges make it difficult). Eat good food, drink water, exercise, and find ways to manage stress. All of these will help the physical self which in turn can assist emotional, spiritual, magickal, and personal energy wellbeing.