neptunesdolphins | Divining with Roman Virtues: Mental Illness (Reply)

Dealing with someone who is severely depressed involves “Dignitas,” the questioner’s worth and the reader’s reputation. For that, I refer to Rev. Dennis Kenny’s criteria. In “Breaking the Spiritual Care Code,” he gives three rules in counseling mentally-ill people. The first is to consider time limitations. The second is to consider skill limitations, and the third, emotional limitations. A diviner at a psychic fair faces severe limitations of all three. As for me, I lack the necessary skills, time, and emotions to deal with any severe mental illness such as depression. As a responsible diviner, I have a list of hot-lines with me, when I do readings.

Rev. Kenny offers several principles to effectively help the person in distress. First focus on the person. The counselor (diviner) lets the woman know that they care about them. Second, they help the woman to understand that referring her to help is a positive action. Most importantly, the counselor has the person involved with the decision to get help.

For the case of a suicidal woman, I would establish a rapport with her. I would ask her what she wants from a reading. Then, I would ask if she has considered getting help for her depression. I would also tell her that I have gone through major depression myself, and help is always available.

As a diviner, I would let the woman know that the spirits care about her. I would stress that she can heal. She can initiate a positive transformation by deciding to seek help. As for the reading, I would say that it “informs but not predicts.”

Works Cited:

Cicero, “On Duties.” Translated by Walter Miller. Roman Roads Press: Moscow (ID). 2016.

Cook, Tonya, “Influence of Roman Virtues on Modern Ethics,” 30 November, 2024. Web. Roman Mytholology Worldwide. https://roman.mythologyworldwide.com/the-influence-of-roman-virtues-on-modern-ethics-2/.

Kenny, Dennis, Rev., “Breaking the Spiritual Code.” Wipf and Stock: Eugene (OR). 2023.

Kinneging, Andreas, “The Geography of Good and Evil.” Trans. Ineke Hardy. Regnery Publishing: Washington D.C. 2005.

Leath, Melissa, “Psychic Integrity.” Hay House: Bloomington (IN). 2011.

Triarius, L. Vitellius. “Religio Roman Handbook.” Independently Published. 2014.

Vest, Jennifer Lisa, PhD., “The Ethical Psychic.” North Atlantic Books: Berkeley (CA). 2022.

Wood, Robin, “When, Why…If.” Livingtree Press: Dearborn (MI). 1996.