Coping in a Quarantine

Speak of the Devil Episode List, Third Side Perspectives / / Depression, Quarantine, Speak of the Devil, Third Side Perspectives, Witch Cimminnee Holt, Witch Doctor Troj

Speak of the Devil presents Third Side Perspectives. Reverend Campbell is being joined by Witch Doctor Troj and Witch Cimminnee Holt to discuss coping in a quarantine. We will be covering regional differences, effects on individuals with mental health concerns, and realities of opening back up. Join us live and share your thoughts and techniques in chat.

Opening Monologue

Welcome to another Speak of the Devil presents Third Side Perspectives! It’s been quite some time, in fact I believed that nothing would convince me to return to this particular format, but apparently over 5 million worldwide Covid-19 cases with over 340 thousand deaths is that very nothing, and here we are. Now it is true that we have experienced pandemics, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters in the past which have shaken the very core of our identities and societies. In nearly every other case we have had leaders willing to step up to the plate, give the facts straight to the public and let us all know that we CAN and WILL get through this. That is to say we HAD those leaders. More specifically, America, who wasn’t always the laughing stock of the world, had those leaders. Not anymore.

Now we are duct taped to a man who is convinced pushing the country over a cliff is the only final solution to her woes. Yea, this absolute failure of a human suggested penetrating light rays, injecting or ingesting household cleaners and taking drugs that have no effect on the virus the world is afflicted with, would actually cure said virus. Does he suggest this because his political advisors or scientific and medical professionals recommend these actions? No, he ignores and attacks them. He will only act out of stupidity and ignorance, never with data and facts behind him. But Americans know that. They knew he was a total joke when they voted for him. And I can’t pretend the sacrifices of American sons and daughters are worth it anymore. I can’t pretend that Americans aren’t some of the most wilfully ignorant and self destructive children on the face of the earth any longer. 

Rather than educating ourselves on an issue, we boil it down to the three most important points to an american, me, myself and I. Will the suggestion of wearing a face mask benefit society by slowing infection rates, even to my own family or myself? Who cares, I am an American, I don’t want to. Freedom! Will remaining quarantined help slow the infection rate and allow the society to deal with the virus systematically? Who cares, I want to go to the beach! Freedom! Will stocking up on toilet paper help you survive this pandemic? Who cares, I want mine, Freedom! Will stocking up on firearms and ammunition protect you when you have never used a firearm before or even know how to properly handle or maintain it? Who cares, you aint gettin my TP, FREEDOM!

That is the state of America and it has been sadly for much longer than I am comfortable admitting. So as we approach Memorial Day, and we reflect on the sons and daughters we have sacrificed, lost their lives, died!, let’s stop pretending it was for some shining light on a hill or Old Glory. Let’s finally admit that we don’t give a shit about any of that. We sacrificed them for Walmart, Gun sales, amazon prime, U.S. and confederate flag speedos and the wholesale destruction of our environment, governmental norms, personal health and general safety. This pandemic is what it took to finally shake loose my drunken haze of patriotism and realize that America hasn’t been worth saving in a long, long time.

But because I refuse to give into the air of madness, I would like to offer a few words of hope. So take the barrel of that firearm away from your head. Put down that handful of pills. Take a few steps back from the bleach and sit down for just one second. Yea, I admit it, we are in a pretty disastrous place right now. Sometimes when looking at the full magnitude of it, it becomes difficult to draw breath, and take any actions at all, other than binge watching videos and stuffing your face full of salt, fat and sugar. But we put ourselves here. Our actions contributed to the painful state we find ourselves in. We are so focused on ME all the time we seem to forget that ME exists solely because WE decided it should. Because WE built a society that can work in harmony, encouraging innovation, exploration and enlightenment from the myths and lies that have kept us slaves from knowledge and growth in our collective past. As Satanists WE understand that to truly have a total environment, it is up to the society’s willingness to allow it, and that means we have to engage with it, to mold it, to shape it into something that we can individually grow and find accomplishment in. It is truly tragic that so many of you have suffered financially and more importantly, personally from this pandemic, but if we are anything it is resilient. We know that with work, true effort and thinking about WE just a little will actually benefit our collective ME in the end. 

There is a future on the other side of this that will be as tenuous as it is now, but can hold the promise of a sustainable environment, a stable society and a healthier WE. Not for some mythical god or collective good, but for the collective ME. Let’s stop accepting the presented two sides of any argument, political party or social media cause de jour, and try just for once, to find an uncomfortable third side that can shine light on the motivations and truths behind the division, and use that newly uncovered awareness to guide us to our infinitely more attractive is-to-be’s. 

In an effort to do just that I am joined by two wickedly wonderful women. 

Our first guest has a PHD in Clinical Psychology. Her clinical practice focuses primarily on autistic adolescents and adults, LGBTQ clients, clients with disabilities, and clinical issues like anxiety, depression, grief & bereavement, and life transitions. Her research focuses on health outcomes for people with disabilities, and she also assists the Furscience/IARP research team in studying fandoms and the use of fantasy in positive coping. It’s my pleasure to introduce a friend of the show, Witch Doctor Troj.

Our next guest is currently a PHD candidate in Religion. Her areas of research are: western esotericism, ritual, new religions, and religion & popular culture. She has received multiple scholarships and awards of excellence, and is published in peer-reviewed academic journals and books. She is a frequent guest and friend of the show. Allow me to introduce Witch Cimminnee Holt.

Discussion

  • Second waves
  • New social norms
  • Individuals refusing to adapt
  • Crisis as opportunity
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