Child Scared of Monster

[Yex]

Hi all. The following situation might not seem as dire as some of the posts here in the "help" section, but I was hoping for some input.

I have a 2-year-old daughter. Lately, when she wakes up in the morning, she points to a particular part of her bed and says that there's a "stinky monster" (her generic term for something frightening), and appears frightened of that spot. Her vocabulary is limited, so I can't really get any more information about what she's scared of. Now I know, children have vivid imaginations, and this all probably seems very mundane, but I'd like to attempt to take it seriously and address it as such.

I was hoping for suggestions on what to do for the situation. I already do a brief blessing of her room most nights before I put her down to sleep (and have done this long before this situation arose). I was thinking of maybe putting a dreamcatcher in the room, and maybe some garlic for general banishing. If you have any other ideas, I'm open to hear them. Also, any suggestions on how to bless the dreamcatcher with the correct intention would be welcome as well.

Peace and Love,
Yex

[corvidus]

Hey there Yex,

I would consider 're-programming' her reaction to 'stinky monsters'.
Have you considered teaching her a simple banishing technique -- something that works particularly well on 'stinky monsters'?

Doesn't have to be too elaborate. Maybe just a simple phrase (particular to your religious beliefs) to direct the intent while drawing a symbol (like an 'X' or the sign of the Cross) over the spot?

[PoisonPen]

Intent of purpose is more important than method. One of the methods I've seen used is to take a simple spray bottle and print up a label for "Monster Spray" which a child can spray when she or he feels frightened. Putting some generic purifying substances in the liquid, like garlic, salt, and sage, wouldn't hurt either. When she gets scared, she can use the spray. Being able to do something proactive negates the "learned helplessness" effect from the fear, and helps to direct her nascent Will at removing negative influences.

[Yex]

I didn't even think to try and empower her to deal with it herself! That's some good advice, right there. Next time I hear her vocalize fear, I'll try and show her how to do a little banishing.

[the_spiral]

Besides the spray (which is a great idea) you could give her a protective item and tell her it will sleep beside her, be her friend, and protect her from the stinky monsters. It could be something as simple as a teddy bear or other stuffed animal, which you could also charge with protection sigils and sew talismans, herbs or other banishing items inside. I don't think people always realize what powerful magical items children's toys can be.

[Desecrated]

Rosemary at the head of the bed and ungrounded coffee-beans at the feet.

[Yex]

OK, we've set up a dream catcher in the room, which she picked out, and which we explained will keep the monsters away. I've taught her a mini-banishing ritual, which she seems to like. Additionally, I've assured her that her stuffed animal (that she takes to bed every night) is brave and will protect her. Plus some more-than-usual blessing of the room, et cetera.

Thanks for all the ideas. Hopefully, we're good; if not, I'll report back in.

[Yex]

I should also mention that this:

I don't think people always realize what powerful magical items children's toys can be.

resonates deeply with me. In my own personal experience, I can verify that a child's stuffed animal can be deeply linked to their animal totems, Holy Guardian Angel, and protective spirits in general.

[RoseRed]

I hope that's more than enough to solve the issue.

If it continues, I would move the bed to see if it's the spot in the room or if it is the spot in the bed itself (if it's always the same spot).

[Yex]

Update: Upon waking up this morning, she didn't complain of anything scary. Later, upon waking up from her afternoon nap, she was in good spirits, and then pointed to the dreamcatcher, said, "No stinky monster anymore! It's gone!", and then went over to that area of the room, said, "it's not a monster, it's cute", and pointed out things in the area that she likes.

Seems to be resolved! [yay] Thanks everyone! [thumbup]

[Yex]

Hey, quick followup question: now that the issue appears to be resolved, should I dispose of the garlic (and if so, how), or should I leave it in there?

[frackture]

Really good advice on this thread.

[corvidus]

Kool

Hey, quick followup question: now that the issue appears to be resolved, should I dispose of the garlic (and if so, how), or should I leave it in there?

Certainly wouldn't hurt to leave it there for awhile. But when you do finally dispose of the garlic, you should plant it somewhere besides the trash can. You know, to thank it for it's service.

[RoseRed]

I would start systematically removing things so that you can know for certain what it is that's helping.

It sounds like your child has quite the Gift of Sight.

I just want to make sure that I've got this correct - after it got caught up in the dreamcatcher and it was no longer frightening - it was kinda cute?

[Yex]

I just want to make sure that I've got this correct - after it got caught up in the dreamcatcher and it was no longer frightening - it was kinda cute?

Well, when she was afraid of that area of her room, every item in that area (for example, a lamp) seemed to fill her with dread; now, she points out those specific items (eg the lamp) and says they're "cute". She also reaffirmed this morning upon waking that there wasn't anything scary there anymore, and again pointed to the dream catcher, which she also said was "cute", and seems to like.

It sounds like your child has quite the Gift of Sight.

For what astrology's worth, both her sun and ascendent are in Pisces, which from my understanding is a very receptive sign, and one often prone to psychic insight.

[the_spiral]

So good to hear the problem seems to be resolving itself [yay]

I've worked extensively with small children (and had two of the little critters myself) and it's pretty amazing how gifted they can be and how assured and confident they are about their gifts. I once worked with a 5-year-old special needs boy from a Muslim family who was apparently protected by a djinn. Of course his parents just dismissed it as an overactive imagination, but he drew me many pictures of it and described their conversations and the stories it told him in great detail. Sometimes he'd bring me to tears with his sincerity and openness to engage with the world in its wholeness. I often wonder if our efforts as occultists are attempts to "re-learn" things we already knew intuitively as children. As I small child I remember being able to astral project and dreamwalk with very little effort, whereas it's a hell of a thing to practice now!

Anyway, your little one is very fortunate to have found a parent like you who supports her gifts and listens to her experiences [thumbup]

[Yex]

Anyway, your little one is very fortuna ... xperiences

Thank you, you're too kind. [smile]

I agree entirely that children in general are open to a lot more of what eventually becomes conditioned out of most of us, and which we here try to re-learn.

[Liberator]

I should also mention that this:

I don't think people always realize what powerful magical items children's toys can be.

resonates deeply with me. In my own personal experience, I can verify that a child's stuffed animal can be deeply linked to their animal totems, Holy Guardian Angel, and protective spirits in general.

So what do you think? I'm embarrassed to admit but I still hold onto my stuffed dog or puppy when I sleep. Even when 17 and very protective of it.

When a person mistreats a dog I am deeply offended, especially due to the fact that dogs and puppies give people unconditionable love. If a person kills a dog on purpose he should in turn be killed the same way he did to one. Those in poorer countries who horribly kill them to make money should be shot for it I believe.

Does this have anything to do with my animal totem you think if I have one? At the start of this life I was even more chaotic in nature but learning morals has helped me learn to reduce their harmfulness to people by bringing them under control but only to a point. When I become restless and drained I will crave to create chaos/entropy such as by pranking, etc.

[Yex]

I would say that you clearly have a strong connection to Dog, and that Dog (or possibly Wolf) may well be your totem (or one of them).

I had a teddy bear as a child (which I still sleep with, and I'm 25 and have a family), and I regard Bear as one of my totems.