Empty Cauldrons: Navigating Depression Through Magic and Ritual

by Terence P. Ward, M. Macha NightMare (Foreword)

A Pagan Guide to Coping with Depression

Whether is it impacting you or a loved one, depression can be difficult to discuss or even acknowledge. Empty Cauldrons explores the isolating influence it can have and why many people resist professional help. With contributions from Pagan clergy, depression sufferers, and therapists, author Terence P Ward creates a picture of depression that draws upon both science and religion. He also shares his own experiences with this common affliction and the spiritual methods he has used for relief.

Discover how to draw off miasma, appeal to the gods of the wind, purify yourself with sound, and host a traditional Hellenic ancestor feast. Learn about conducting shadow work, tending a depression shrine, keeping a dream journal, and much more. Throughout the book, Ward compassionately presents dozens of simple strategies for developing a polytheistic relationship with depression, seeking comfort, and rekindling hope.

Includes a foreword by M. Macha Nightmare, priestess, witch, and cofounder of the reclaiming collective

Genres: Witchcraft, Spirituality, Paganism, Self Help, Mental Health, Nonfiction

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2025

About the author

Sometimes writes under the pen name "Terentios Poseidonides"

Terentios Poseidonides is a temple priest—hiereus—of Poseidon, a job that is performed in a variety of ways including by acting as oracle of the bull god, researching both ancient and modern ways to honor Poseidon in the context of ancient Greek (Hellenic) culture, and providing spiritual support as needed to practicing polytheists who seek it. Poseidonides' practice includes the honoring of a number of other deities and spirits, and is expressed by stretching the understanding of spirit-work into the realms of grammar, economics, and political theory.

Residing in Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, Ward is a journalist and practicing Pagan for more than thirty years. He has been bound to a Wiccan coven, communed with the Earth as a backpacking Pagan (sometimes known as a Gaiaped), and been tapped by the Olympian gods. He manages his depression through his work as a priest to Poseidon, and he's a minister ordained through the Church of the Sacred Earth: a Union of Pagan Congregations in Vermont. Ward is also a member of the order of the occult hand.

Reviews

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession: I had planned to review this book weeks ago, but I’m only getting to it now. Why? Because this book is SO GOOD that I was forced to slow my pace and savor every single word. Every time I attempted to read faster, I just couldn’t be rushed. And then I would basically go back and read large chunks of it aloud to my partner, because it was too good not to share. The breadth of interviews and perspectives included in every section of this book (from various pagan practitioners to medical and clinical professionals) really speak to the passion of the author to help people struggling with depression. It was nice that they included both scientific/medical approaches as well as spiritual ones, shedding light on both their weaknesses and highlighting strengths.

Empty Cauldrons is an exceptionally thoughtful, thorough, and compassionate conversation about depression. I felt so validated, so many times (in the first section on Defining Depression alone), that I wanted to cry. I really appreciate this well-rounded and realistic approach to depression. Ward recommends keeping a journal as part of your experience in living with depression, and I was excited by how many great ideas were provided here as well. Not only do they suggest a variety of methods for journaling in general, but each section also comes with at least one journal prompt or exercise to encourage deeper contemplation and introspection.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. It will have a permanent place on my shelf, and will be the go-to book I recommend to others who are seeing more insight about depression.

[Owlvine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book quite difficult to get through. The first two chapters are about the experience of depression, and it was heavy reading. I suffered with depression for over a decade myself, and I could feel that energy all over the book. It was tough to be immersed in it.

The following chapters give advice for how to navigate depression. I think some of the exercises would be helpful for someone battling this illness.

I think most of the book is about normalizing depression, that narrative is weaved throughout every chapter and seems to be what the book best achieved.

I read this hoping I would take away some useful exercises to pass along to others. There was one I did really like. In chapter 7 there is a Shadow Work exercise, one of the best I've seen in a book, a general one useful for anyone.

In short, there are good tidbits spread through out the book, but I think a lot of cushioning in between that makes it a bit hard to wade through.

[Tyesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am pleasantly surprised. The first chapter was not the best and if I was not obligated to review it I don't know if I would have continued. It was far too long and jumbled. The author would have done better to post the full interviews as a "profile" on various depressed Pagans and their definition. Instead it was all thrown together and chaotic. Because of that there are times where things are repeated word for word in different sections throughout. Now to the positive. After the first chapter, the rest are reasonable lengths and easily consumable. I love that Ward was throwing shade at monotheism with their toxic positivity and 'everything happens for a reason' mentality. I also enjoyed how he presented depression as a spirit that stays with you and you can exercise or embrace it. I'm not explaining it well but it made depression less violent and drowning. He does the same with substances and medications used to treat depression. There was a lot of sound advice throughout as well. The people being interviewed are clinical therapists and other types of healers. Overall this was decent one. It wasn't perfect for me but what mental health book is.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a deep dive written by someone who has truly gone to the depths of depression. The journaling ideas are excellent, as are the rituals, exercises, and spells. Some of the rituals and exercises are simple and befitting someone who can barely move forward, so he gets it for sure. 4 stars instead of 5 as there was an abundance of reference to male gods but less in practice for goddesses, and of course little discussion of privilege, patriarchy, and how this can contribute to the fog of depression. This was definitely written from the individual pagan practice of the author, and a bit more could have been written or done to address other pagan practices, in my opinion. Big respect and gratitude to the author for bringing this topic up and writing the first book of its kind. Well worth the read.

[Kirsten Corby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful perspectives and rites to manage depression from a Pagan context, including Pagan spirituality.

[Indigo Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't like most other books you find in the spiritual section of the bookstore. There are spells and rituals, but the major focus of this book is a pagan approach to dealing with depression.

I think any pagan, regardless of their path or tradition, can benefit from reading this. If for no other reason than you can see how you're not alone and that others that have similar spiritual interests to you have endured this same condition.

There does seem to be an assumption that the reader has medical insurance or is otherwise able to pay for therapy. I cannot mark myself as such an individual, unfortunately. There are free resources, of course, though they're very hard to get into most of the time, which was not really touched on in this book. I was rather disappointed to see that this wasn't mentioned.

I do recommend this book. Even if you don't suffer depression yourself, there's a high chance someone you love does, and this might help add a little perspective to this very tricky condition.

[Lacey Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is needed, it's helpful in so many ways. If you are struggling with depression please, please pick up this book. Nothing is a cure all but this will absolutely help. I was captivated from start to finish, the prompts and work throughout are amazing tools for navigating your way through a depressive episode. Just immaculate.

[Jordyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was sort of with this book until he said "money is something humans believed they invented, but it's not exactly true." While I think I know what he's trying to get at, this is extremely silly and unhelpful since money is 1) entirely made up by humans and used by humans alone 2) fake as hell and only has value because society gives it value and 3) is the invention of capitalism. I've found that the rest of the book follows the same kind of loose logic and fluffy metaphors to get at its meaning. Some of the exercises, while basic, might be helpful, but others described could potentially even be harmful. The author seems to take his own experience with depression and his own biased views of it and apply it to everyone.

What's good about this book? It discusses depression and attempts to normalize it - something that needs doing in every community, but that I haven't seen as much in discussions of magic and ritual. However, this is more a book about the authors personal experience with depression and spirituality than it is anything else, despite the book's attempt to be a guide for others.

[Christina Cuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a spiritual person struggling with depression or even simply temporary difficult phases in your life - this is a go to book! Even if you’re not spiritual at all or are just in the discovering process it can be very helpful dealing with difficulties or dark times by simply encouraging in searching for help and accepting oneself in these phases.
For me there were several chapters that opened my perspective on how depression - even a chronical - can be either loosened or at least accepted so far that a rather normal life with it becomes possible!
Also if you have someone in your community struggling with depression it can help to recognize changes in mood, to understand what a depression can feel and look like and to support your beloved one, family member or a friend.
It is beautifully combined with scientific explanations of depression, advices how and whether to search for medical and professional help and how to support yourself with different types of spiritual or personal small exercises. I absolutely recommend reading this book - for me it was an enrichment! ❤️

[J 'Fey Enigma' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I found this book helpful and even profound. It didn't shy away from the dark depths of depression, and it offered a variety of insightful (and practical) ways to contend with it. There were several exercises, prompts, meditations, and spell crafts to try.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great ideas that I'll definitely be trying. A lot of references to things I'm not familiar with. Not necessarily a beginner level book.

[Deborah Canaday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me view my own depression struggles with more self-compassion. Thank you, Terence P. Ward for writing this book from a Pagan perspective.