Incorporating somatic healing into magick
One day during therapy my therapist asked me if I could explain my process for when I curse someone. I giggled and broke it down. Light the candles, set the intention, make the candle and sigi. Then I turn inwards to bring that fire and pain to life. I ball it up and push it out of my body while focusing on my target.
It’s a cathartic release.
Sometimes I scream at pictures of them. Telling them all the things, wishing them their “karma” and getting it all out. Sometimes I will write it all out, and burn it with various herbs.
And when I am done? I engage in self-care such as breath-work, a bath, eating and sleep.
She broke down and showed me how this entire process is chalked full of healthy coping skills and various somatic techniques. And yanno, even if the “curse” doesn’t work, it helps me process and release the pent up energy and emotion. The unburdening as I like to call it.
This conversation opened my eyes, and I realized that Witchcraft is full of so many different techniques you can utilize for healing. Whether it’s curse-work, manifestation, self-healing, confidence, prayer and devotion to deities, daily rituals, etc… It’s all healthy and somatic practices!
Understanding Somatic Healing and Nervous System Regulation
What is Somatic Healing?
Somatic healing is based on the idea that the body holds onto your trauma, your long-term stress and tension. By learning to pay attention to bodily sensations and releasing stored trauma,you can foster deeper healing. Practices like mindful movement, breathwork, grounding, and touch are commonly used to engage the body and its senses.
What is Nervous System Regulation?
Your nervous system shifts between different states: parasympathetic (rest and digest), sympathetic (fight or flight), it’s normal regulated state. While all of these states serve a purpose, stress or traumatic experiences can cause you to “get stuck” and prevent your nervous system from self-regulating. Practices that stimulate the vagus nerve (which controls the parasympathetic system) is an important key for calming the body and supporting healing.
In rituals and spellwork, incorporating somatic healing ensures that magick isn't only intellectual or spiritual, but fully embodied—allowing deeper emotional release, grounding, and transformation.
Preparing for Somatic-Based Rituals
Creating a Safe Space:
Before engaging in rituals, setting a safe container is vital. This step utilizes grounding and resourcing techniques and skills.
Environmental Setup:
Create a soothing environment that soothes the senses. This can be with soft lighting, incense, herbs or essential oils, and a temperature that feels comfortable. Choose colors that help set the mood and intention(External Resourcing)Tools and Symbols of Safety:
Incorporate objects that symbolize protection and security for you—crystals, protective sigils, or sacred talismans.(External Resourcing) Call upon deities, guides, or ancestors you associate with(Internal Resourcing)Grounding Items:
Having physical items that help ground you is essential. Stones like hematite or black tourmaline, weighted blankets, or a small bowl of water to dip your fingers into are all useful tools(Grounding Techniques through Touch)
Setting an Intention with the Nervous System in Mind:
When setting your ritual intention, focus on both your energetic goal (e.g., healing, abundance) and a specific somatic goal (e.g., releasing physical tension, restoring balance). This step helps incorporate somatic sensing or emotional body sensation. For example:
"I release stored grief from my chest and invite nurturing energies into my life."
"I ground my body into a state of rest, calling in abundance and safety.”
Ritual Structure with Somatic Healing Techniques
The ritual should follow a structure that supports nervous system regulation:
Opening: Grounding & Body Awareness
Invocation: Connecting to Your Higher Self or Deities(Internal Resourcing)
Main Working: Integrating Breathwork, Movement, and Somatic Healing
Closing: Grounding & Rest
Techniques for Incorporating Somatic Healing
A. Breathwork for Nervous System Regulation
Breathing practices are one of the most effective ways to regulate the nervous system. By consciously shifting your breath, you can send signals to your body to enter a relaxed state.
1. Four-Part Breathing (Box Breathing):
This technique can be incorporated during spell casting or invocation to induce a calm, meditative state.
Inhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
Exhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
You can chant or visualize with each breath cycle. For instance, during the inhale, visualize drawing in calming energy or magical intent. On the exhale, imagine releasing stored tension or blockages.
2. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana):
This technique balances the hemispheres of the brain and calms the nervous system. During a ritual, this can be particularly useful when seeking balance or calling in dual energies (such as light and dark, masculine and feminine).
B. Body Scanning and Somatic Tuning
1. Body Scan Meditation:
Before beginning the main spellwork, take time to move through a body scan. This involves sitting quietly and bringing awareness to each part of your body, starting from your toes and working your way up to your head.
As you progress, visualize tension or trauma gently being released with each breath. If you encounter areas of discomfort, place a hand on that area or breathe into it, releasing stuck energy. This primes the body for deeper magical work.
2. Tuning into the Body for Guidance: During a spell or invocation, let your body guide you. What physical sensations arise as you chant or visualize your intent? Does the body feel tight, light, or heavy?
For example, if you're working on a self-love spell and your chest feels tight, it could be the heart chakra indicating blocked emotions. Gently place your hands there, and focus on releasing the blockages through breathwork and emotional body awareness as part of the spell.
Grounding Through Movement
Movement is a powerful somatic tool for releasing trapped energy, as well as grounding into your body. During a ritual, movement can take the form of dance, subtle swaying, or more dramatic physical expressions depending on what the body needs.
1. Grounding Dance:
As you raise energy during a spell, move your body in a way that feels intuitive. Stomp your feet to ground the energy into the Earth, or sway your arms to disperse tension. Focus on staying present in your body as you move.
2. Shaking to Release Trauma:
Shaking is a primal way to discharge stuck energy and reset the nervous system. As part of your ritual, you could shake for several minutes, visualizing the release of stagnant energy and trauma. This is especially effective in rituals for releasing old patterns, grief, or trauma.
Incorporating Touch and Sensation
Using the sense of touch and engaging with your enviroment within rituals can create a somatic link to the spell’s intent.
1. Self-Soothing Touch:
As part of your closing ritual or during grounding, gently stroke your arms, neck, or face. This mimics the feeling of safety and can be incorporated into spells focusing on self-compassion or healing.
2. Ritual Baths:
Water itself is deeply healing and calming for the nervous system. Incorporate ritual baths that include herbs like lavender or chamomile, or Epsom salts for muscle relaxation. As you soak, visualize the water cleansing your body of any stored trauma.
3. Altar Items
Having grounding items on your altar that you can touch, hold, engage with, or focus on. This can be crystals, candles, feathers, pictures, bells, incense, etc…
Sound and Vocalization
The use of sound is another powerful way to work somatically within a ritual.
1. Humming and Chanting:
Humming has been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve and calm the nervous system. Incorporate a gentle hum as part of your ritual, especially during grounding or invocation stages. Chanting works similarly and can be done in a repetitive, soothing way.
2. Sound Bowls or Chimes:
Sound frequencies can help shift brain waves into states conducive to healing. Use sound bowls, chimes, or bells during the ritual to create resonant healing vibrations. This is particularly useful in rituals focused on inner balance and harmony.
Grounding the Energy Post-Ritual
The closing of a ritual should focus on grounding both the magical work and your body back into a regulated, safe state. It also helps you shift into a more mindful state, so you can move on without hyperfocusing on results. Part of the magick is allowing it to permeate and stew, not forcing or obsessing over the process.
1. Grounding Visualization:
Envision roots growing from the base of your spine or feet into the earth, anchoring you. This grounds your energy and signals to your body that the ritual is complete, allowing you to transition back into a calm state.
2. Eat and Hydrate:
Nourishment post-magical workings is important. Eating something healthy or drinking water helps the body feel stable, especially after energy-raising practices like breathwork or movement which can be draining.
