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Should I Do It While I'm Sick?
Scott Cunningham
This is a question that few students of magic and Wicca ask, so I felt I should address it. These observations are based upon personal experience and studies.
Magic
Performing magic while you're sick may or may not be a good idea. If you're doing healing spells for yourself, then this is obviously a good time. It would, indeed, be ludicrous to cast a self-healing spell at any other time—health rites would be more appropriate.
Any other kind of magic (particularly that for others) should wait until you're well. The reason is simple: when you're sick, your body has lowered reserves of energy. Since magic involves the transference of energy from your body, this isn't a good time to tap into bodily power. In fact, by diverting healing energies into other channels, you could lengthen the illness.
So when you're sniffling, sneezing, mending injuries or otherwise not well, avoid doing rituals to find cars, to bring love into your life or manifest other, non-healing changes. Once you're well, you can again do all types of spells.
Solitary Wiccans
Solitary Wiccans can certainly perform simple rites that acknowledge the Sabbats and Full Moons, no matter how sick they may be. If you don't feel like setting up an altar and casting a Circle in the usual way, simply don't! You can say a few words, visualize and perhaps use some gestures, even if you're confined to bed. Your message will come across, and you won't miss the benefits of attuning with the Goddess and God.
Coven Wiccans
If you're a member of a coven, your High Priestess probably has specific guidelines in this area, and it's best to follow them. Some High Priestesses advise their covens not to miss a ritual without a good excuse. Illness is usually accepted, but ask your coven leaders.
From one perspective, it's better not to miss a meeting. Staying at home on the Full Moon (or a Sabbat) means missing the camaraderie of like-minded friends, and sharing in the religious rituals and magical energy of the occasion.
But if you've come down with come contagious disease, staying at home means that you won't infect everyone else in your group. If you've wounded your leg, and so won't be too nimble in Circle, it's probably best not to attend. Perhaps you can observe the ritual from outside the Circle, or ask the coven to send you healing energy during its rite.
The Nature of Illness
There are those who say that illness and injuries aren't accidental. They may be the result of an imbalance of bodily energy, of emotional upheaval or some inner problem. Though we may not be consciously aware of this state, injuries of illnesses are usually manifestations of this imbalance.
Having recently been through a major health crisis myself, I'm beginning to understand the principle behind this belief. If you become ill, analyze the possible reasons for it. Why did you become ill?
Why did you break your leg? If necessary, go to a councilor or psychic advisor to discover the root cause of the problem and find its solution.
It's not easy to accept that we're responsible for our health. It's far easier to put the blame on other causes: "My job is stressing me out." (Then why did you choose that job?) "The kids are running me ragged." (Why do you allow them to do so?) "She dumped me and I'm depressed." (Why do you allow yourself to be depressed?) Once we've accepted that our inner natures determine our health, or lack of it, we can correct such imbalances and enjoy good health.
1990 by Scott Cunningham, All Rights Reserved | 
