If you are a sufferer of depression please pick this one up. I am one who suffers from depression and it did help some. Didn’t cure it so don’t think it will but will help.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

What I loved most about how the author broached this subject is that they did not vilify any approach and, to me, offered a view of other avenues available when dealing with mental health. The advice was sound and approachable and not off putting at all. It's a great book to have on hand and another helpful "tool" to utilize if/when the time comes.

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.

I appreciated how the author did respected medicine and didn't go for the "bigpharma is bad" path.
i appreciated how he dealt with the topics and the exercises.
It's well written, well researched and informative.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Empty cauldrons by Terence P Ward is a powerful book on working on your depression with your spirituality. This book goes over rituals and mental Heath self care when it comes to battling the physical affects of depression. I enjoy how this book has a combination of practical and magical tips and techniques.

Empty Cauldrons is an examination of depression from a pagan perspective. It intertwines what we know medically about depression with the author's knowledge of magic and ritual. It's a unique perspective, and encourages readers to try incorporate these ways of perceiving depression and these rituals in addition to any therapy or medical treatments they may be pursuing.

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.

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.

A good addition to those who want to add their spirituality to this topic/area of life. More of authors’ and contributors thoughts on certain things but be an addition.

LOVED loved loved this book.

The writing had me captivated from the start to finish, and I found myself reading it almost straight through one sitting. I look forward to reading more by this author.

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.

I really appreciate someone writing a book about depression and how it can be managed with paganism. That isn't out in the world very much so I really enjoyed working through some of these exercises. I will be purchasing this book because it is a wonderful tool for my mental health.