5 Plant Guardians for Lucid Dreaming
Everwhen is time outside of time.It’s a way of understanding what many indigenous cultures refer to as the Dreaming, that space we all return to when we lay down for the night.
. This is not a place of sleep but of awakening, a place where the unbound spirit is unhindered by the constructs of form, space, and time. In fact some cultures even believe that this world we live in is a Dream, while the world we wander in our sleep is the true reality. Either way, mystics have long been using Lucid Dreaming by becoming fully awake in their dreams, as a way to become more fully awake in their daily life. After all, revelation not only means awakening but also disclosure of information to man by a divine or supernatural agency. What greater supernatural agency is there than attaining mastery with our subconscious? Dreaming has its Guardians – sacred plant teachers which help you to unlock aspects of your psyche, barring you from accessing a vaster dimensional awareness. Whether through smoke, ingestion, or imbibing, approaching these guardians as allies can transform your relationship with dreaming.
They can help you access lucid dreaming, astral travel, bilocation, and even healing or learning at the Soul level. As with all plant teachers, these guardians should be approached with reverence for the power and wisdom they hold and help you to unlock within yourself. Simply consuming them unceremoniously can be dangerous and ineffective. Practice in small quantities or dosages at first, and give yourself an opportunity to connect to the sacred spirit of the plant. Otherwise it’s like taking a yoga class while thinking about whether or not you’re going to get a promotion the whole time... the point is a mind, body, spirit, connection, not just something you can say you did at brunch on Sunday. When approaching a plant teacher be clear on your intentions. Why are you working with this particular medicine? What do you wish to get out of it? What do you need help with? What are you willing to see? Maybe create a sacred space for this communion to occur. Make a simple altar or smudge your sleeping space with sacred herbs before heading into the Everwhen.
Then hold the plant or tonic in your hands and link to it. In terms of physics we’re all made of the same stuff, and linking to something electromagnetically is usually a great idea. Maybe place it close to your heart. Chances are you are about to go on a deep journey together, so take a moment to get intimate. Your body is a very advanced technology. If you feel off, listen to that – there will be another plant teacher for you to journey with and you’ll likely be very grateful to have not crossed a guardian. Different cultures used different allies for their dream travels, so you have a lot of options to choose from, whether you are just beginning a lucid dreaming practice or taking yours to the next level... A favorite of the Egyptians was Blue Lotus or Nymphaea Caerulea. Blue lotus is often depicted in Egyptian art as being carried in the hands of the Goddesses or in the immediate surroundings of Pharaoh. Used for all manner of ceremonial workings, Blue Lotus calms the mind and nervous system- a necessity for anyone engaging astral travel. Because of its sedative effect, Blue Lotus can be used to induce sleep. However if taken in high doses, these flowers can also cause hallucinations. Stay connected on special events, classes, and savings. 15% OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE Native to Central and South America is Calea Zacatechichi – Hierba de Dios (Leaf of God). This ally is for a more seasoned dream walker, as it’s known not only to make your dreams more vivid, but more life like as well. Traditionally used by the Chontal people of Oaxaca, Hierba de Dios is a gatekeeper of prophetic dreaming. Its leaves and stems are brewed into tea form and then imbibed to clear and activate the subtle body. It is also recommended to smoke this herb, with a combination of both as a sure way to unlock the deep archetypal symbolism of your dream life with astonishing clarity and recall. Expectant mothers beware: this plant teacher has abortive properties and should not be consumed during pregnancy. We travel back to the Motherland to encounter the African Dream Root Silene Capensis. “Xhosa shamans regard the plant as a type of “Ubulawu” or medicinal root that they call “Undlela Ziimhlophe,” which literally translates to “white paths” or “white ways.” Medicine people work with the Dream Root ally to connect with their Ancestors, which can be seen as their genetic forebears but also as great white spirits as old as time itself. Its most common use is that of garnering specific wisdom or information. Also used in tea form, the African Dream Root should be taken only in recommended dosages. Mugwort also known as Artemesia Vulgaris is Native to Northern California where it has been used by the Chumash Indians for varying types of ceremonial work. Mugwort is often used in tea or tincture form, though it can also be smoked and in general, burning this sacred herb is said to ward off negative energy. It is often recommended to diet with this plant, as it works to detoxify the liver and simply taking the tea one night may not have a desired effect. Once the body acclimates to Mugwort, it is a very potent herb for healing wounds while Lucid Dreaming. As with Calea, this plant medicine contraindicates pregnancy. Our next guardian takes us to India. Shatawari, or Wild Asparagus Root in English, is an ally used for Astral Travel and connecting to higher dimensional energies. In Chinese medicine, this teacher helps you to open and access your heart energy. With an open heart, you are free to fly through the universe. Taken, in tea, tincture, or capsule form, it is best to consult a physician if you suffer from a weakened immune system. No matter what guardian you choose to guide your path into the Dreaming, remember that writing down your dreams and the effects that sacred plants have on your consciousness over time will significantly help your recall and contextualize your experience. *** Try Anima Mundi’s Lucid Dreaming Tea, a potent blend of calming and soothing herbs that promote vibrant dreams. Nicole Adriana Casanova is a student of Maestro Manuel Rufino, a Taino Elder who founded the Golden Drum educational center in Brooklyn. Nicole is a writer, poet, and storyteller, a 200 RYT Yoga Alliance certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher, a certified Reiki Master in the Usui and Karuna Reiki Riojo, a Shamanic Practitioner, a Human Movement teacher, and Magical Awakening Practitioner. Nicole blends decades of expertise in the wellness and holistic field to create one of a kind empowerment experiences in groups as well as one-on-one settings. As a Soul Architect, Nicole bridges practices and teachings from various wisdom traditions around the world, with intuitive knowledge and practical know how to create one of a kind blueprints of empowerment, healing, and remembrance.
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