Safeguarding the Self: Spiritual Psychosis in the Age of Social Media Sorcery

In the digital age, interest in the occult has grown rapidly—especially on platforms like TikTok, where magical practices are presented in highly aesthetic, accessible ways. What was once confined to initiatory traditions and years of disciplined study is now reaching millions through short-form videos on deity work, spirit communication, and ritual practice.

This has opened many doors. People who once had no language for their spiritual experiences now feel seen. Those drawn to esotericism can explore traditions with less gatekeeping than ever before.

However, alongside this awakening, there has also been a quiet crisis—a rise in spiritual psychosis and magical destabilization, especially among individuals who live with mental health vulnerabilities.

At The Order of the Unseen Flame, we believe that esoteric knowledge should be accessible—but it must also be approached with deep responsibility. If you are living with a mental health diagnosis or have a personal history of psychological sensitivity, this post is for you. It is not a warning meant to instill fear. It is a guide meant to protect your spirit—and your mind.

What Is Spiritual Psychosis?

“Spiritual psychosis” is not a clinical diagnosis, but rather a phrase used to describe a breakdown in the mind's ability to distinguish inner experience from external reality—often triggered or worsened by mystical practice.

It may involve:

• Hearing voices or receiving “messages” that become obsessive or overwhelming

• Feeling chosen or persecuted by divine or demonic entities

• Believing oneself to be a god, prophet, or reincarnated figure

• Persistent paranoia, especially involving spirits, magic users, or signs and symbols

• Sudden hostility toward former spiritual allies, teachers, or practices

• Feeling completely disoriented, unable to ground, and trapped in altered states

In some cases, these experiences stem from pre-existing conditions (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, complex PTSD, or dissociative disorders). In others, magical practice may trigger latent vulnerabilities. And sometimes, spiritual and psychological crises occur together, tangled and difficult to tell apart.

Why Magical Practice Can Exacerbate Mental Health Challenges

Magical work intentionally blurs the line between the seen and unseen. It amplifies thoughts, dreams, emotions, and symbols. It invites the practitioner into a liminal space where inner and outer worlds intersect. If you’re ungrounded—or already struggling with mental clarity—this can intensify instability.

Add to that the feedback loop of social media, where practitioners are often encouraged to share their revelations, spirits, and initiations in real time, and it becomes even easier to lose perspective. Clout becomes mistaken for clarity. Reaction becomes mistaken for revelation.

We have seen practitioners with genuine gifts and deep insight unravel under the pressure of performing spirituality without adequate grounding, community, or care. What begins as connection becomes confusion, and sometimes collapse.

Signs You're Approaching a Crisis Point

If you’ve been practicing magic while managing your mental health, it's vital to check in with yourself regularly. Here are signs that you may be approaching a dangerous threshold:

• You feel mentally or emotionally “fragmented” after ritual or meditation

• You’ve stopped sleeping or eating normally because of magical work

• You believe spirits are giving you urgent, constant warnings

• You feel isolated and distrustful of everyone—even allies or teachers

• You can no longer tell whether something is “real” or imagined

• You feel compelled to destroy altars, sigils, or tools without explanation

• You no longer feel in control of your own thoughts or body

If these sound familiar, pause your practice immediately. These are not signs of advancement—they are signs of crisis. There is no shame in stopping, grounding, and seeking help.

You Are Not Weak for Seeking Help

Magic is not a replacement for therapy. It is not a cure for mental illness. And while spiritual practice can be profoundly healing, it should not be used as a stand-in for psychiatric care when that care is needed.

If you're struggling:

• Reach out to a therapist, especially one familiar with spiritual or religious content

• Let a trusted friend or magical peer know how you're feeling

• Temporarily cease invocation, evocation, or intense ritual work

• Reconnect with grounding practices: nature walks, breathwork, light journaling, or basic daily routines

• Keep a daily mood log—track shifts in thought, sleep, and behavior

• Avoid posting or sharing spiritual experiences online until you're feeling stable again

• Remember: you are not failing your path by stepping back. You are protecting it—and yourself.

Protective Practices for Spiritually Sensitive Practitioners

If you are prone to anxiety, dissociation, psychosis, or depressive episodes, we recommend the following practices as safeguards:

Daily Grounding

Before any spiritual work, ground yourself with breath, visualization, or contact with the earth. Anchor your awareness in your body.

Banishing and Closing

Always end magical work with a formal closing, such as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP), to prevent lingering energetic influence.

Use of Containment Tools

When engaging spirits, work within protective circles, wards, and structured rituals—never freeform invocation in emotionally unstable moments.

Magical Journaling with Reflection

Keep records of your workings, but review them periodically to look for patterns or escalating intensity that may signal trouble.

Maintain a “Reality Check” Person

Choose a friend or mentor—magical or mundane—who you trust to help you distinguish mystical insight from delusional thinking.

Take Breaks

Spiritual work ebbs and flows. Breaks are not only okay—they are often essential. The spirits will not abandon you for resting.

Closing Thoughts: Protect the Flame Within

At the Order of the Unseen Flame, we honor the vulnerability and complexity of spiritual seekers. We do not judge those who struggle with mental health. In fact, many of the most gifted magicians and mystics throughout history have walked the edge of madness.

But power without preparation is perilous. And the deeper the work you do, the more vital it becomes to care for the vessel doing it—yourself.

If you are on this path and have ever felt destabilized, frightened, or overwhelmed, know this:

You are not alone. You are not broken. And there is a way back to balance.

Magic can be a torch in the dark. But left untended, it can also burn. So walk carefully. Ground deeply. And never be afraid to ask for help before the flame grows too wild.

In Flame and Clarity,

The Order of the Unseen Flame