Tap Into Your Subconscious Mind with Dream Journaling and Blue Lotus
Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) is an ethnobotanical treasure that has been revered through the centuries and across the continents as the “Flower of Enlightenment”, a sacred flower best known for its powers of intuition, rejuvenation, and aphrodisia. A highly revered plant across the world, particularly in ancient Egypt and by the Maya; it has a long recorded history as a heal-all and is revered as our ancestral flower in mythological texts – creation stories. Although often considered a nervous system tonic (nervine), it has a wide spectrum of healing abilities. It has also been studied for its lymph decongestant properties and its uterine tonifying effects. From its emergence as a hybrid of the white lily to its use by the ancient Greeks, the Tibetans, and as far as the Alexandrian empire, eventually Blue Lotus was even celebrated in the Roman outpost known as Londinium. Among the ancient temples of Egypt, there is hardly a monument to be found that doesn’t prominently display the Blue Lotus flower. It’s seen everywhere on pillars, thrones, stone altars, papyrus scrolls, and on the ceremonial headdresses of pharaohs. When they opened Tutankhamun’s tomb, even King Tut’s mummy was covered in this special blossom that has also become known as the Sacred Lily of the Nile. Oddly enough, if you look around Egypt today, it is rare to find this flower growing anywhere. (Yet, there are people growing it in very small-scale farming plots in different parts of the country.) It has generated a lot of curiosity as to know why the ancients cultivated special lakes and ponds exclusively for the Nymphaea caerulea. Many scientists speculate that, unfortunately, the only reason massive flower plantations and carvings were elaborated was only due to the beauty of Blue Lotus. I believe this historical devotion spans far beyond just its mere beauty. Did you know this magical elixir was concealed by the early Church for over 1500 years? Stay connected on special events, classes, and savings. 15% OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE Its true purpose was long forgotten until interest re-emerged again in the mid-1800s when archeologists began asking questions.
They too wondered why temple wall carvings showed Blue Lotus flowers laying over earthen jars. No one guessed it was to steep the flowers in wine for its touted euphoric and “mind-altering” use. So important was the Blue Lotus to Ancient Egyptians that they associated this flower with the God Nefertem, son of Ptah and Sekhmet, who is portrayed as a beautiful young man with a Blue Lotus flower on his head or holding lotuses. When consumed, it is said that you invoke these gods. During ancient times, the plant was widely cultivated in temple lakes and along the Nile, then exported throughout the Mediterranean. This flower was revered in Greece as early as 550 BC, where the sacred sacrament of the Blue Lotus was re-introduced to the newly formed religion of Isis and Serapis. Even modern-day Egyptians say the Blue Lotus flower symbolizes creation and rebirth, as it typically emerged from its primordial waters to bloom once a year for only three days.
The plant was also associated with the sun-god Ra as the bringer of light and the embodiment of the “perfection of wisdom.” Furthermore, it has been nicknamed “The Flower of Enlightenment”, ensuring entrance to heaven when ingested. Often used in funerary ceremonies after the death of a loved one, Blue Lotus is said to encourage the soul to enter the light. Traditional Aboriginal medicine in Australia has always used the Blue Lotus. Eating the roots, stems, and flowers, and incorporating this plant into daily culture remains common.
There are traditions and secret women’s businesses dedicated to this plant that go back 40,000 years within recorded botanical scripts.
The plant has been highly, extensively revered for centuries for its medicinal properties.
The plant is actually a “nervine”, and “antispasmodic”, also commonly used as a natural sedative. Blue Lotus contains small amounts of alkaloids highly similar to those used for sedation and anti-convulsant purposes. For thousands of years, it was used in ancient Egypt as part of religious ceremonies to reach higher levels of consciousness and to connect to the Divine. Practitioners would steep the Blue Lotus flowers in wine for several weeks and use it as a sacred sacrament. (Supposedly, it nullifies the negative effects of alcohol.) Blue Lotus also contains nucifera (a natural anti-spasmodic) along with aporphine, which will give you feelings of calming euphoria. That’s why it is a natural anxiety and stress reliever. No wonder it was often used in ancient social gatherings. Additionally, it has been reported to be useful as an aphrodisiac and to remedy erectile dysfunction (which might explain the ancient nude party scenes depicted in some of the carvings!). Perhaps we can say it’s a modern-day Viagra as well. On a more medicinal front, Blue Lotus is used to treat gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea and dyspepsia, making it a great sleep aid and chronic stress reducer. A lot of users ask: Should I worry about Blue Lotus being psychoactive? Many report the plant to have a profoundly calming and euphoric sensation (much like a subtle psychoactive). But the answer to your question is no, you do not need to worry about our Blue Lotus Flower of Intuition Tea being psychoactive. A regular tea will never provide this feeling. Rather, such effects are a product of more from hyper-concentrated formats of Blue Lotus. Others experience Blue Lotus more as a mild stimulant-like effect. It’s interesting how this bi-directional medicinal experience changes from person to person, much like an adaptogen.
The plant provides that which is needed. This is why it has often been associated as a supreme rejuvenative tonic within ancient Egyptian pharmacology. Its natural intelligence seems to work in accordance with what’s needed. Some have used Blue Lotus to help relieve depression by opening them to greater examination of what led to their depression. With calming euphoria often comes insight, which is why the ancient healers prized Blue Lotus effects. It was believed that use would easily release fear and lead to increased states of cosmic connection and ultimate soul growth.
The Blue Lotus is also revered as an herb to increase sexual vitality in both men and women. However, I think it’s the adaptogenic benefits that work in the same way as the ginseng family–and other ginseng type families like Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng), Suma (Brazilian ginseng).
The root of the Blue Lotus increases energy as the adrenal glands are healed, and the androgen hormones can return to a balanced state.
Then, the long-gone libido returns. So, in the true context of an adaptogenic, Blue Lotus has the power to repair all of the body without taking into account any one particular organ, system, or illness. It is undiscerning in its selection of what it heals, which is often the case with adaptogens. It targets the area in need of healing, and it shifts energy into what the true constitution should be. It does it all; Blue Lotus is therefore a medicine that targets mind, body, soul, and emotions. Stepping into the present day . . . How can we continue to enjoy the benefits of Blue Lotus as an ongoing, intention-based ritual? If we are open to receiving the positive, euphoric effects of this sacred flower, what other ways can we deepen its impact on our daily lives? Like Blue Lotus, Bobinsana, and otherlucid dreaming companions, a dream journal practice can help decipher messages from our subconscious mind to hear spirit guides more clearly. Below are 8 tips and reasons from bruj@s and other experts around the world to get started recording and examining your dreams in-depth today. Here are 4 easy steps to begin your dream practice: Adriana Ayales is the owner of Anima Mundi Herbals, and a Costa Rican native who dedicated herself to the study of plants and healing from a young age. She uses rainforest tribal-style botany, as well as classic European alchemy, bridging the gap between indigenous medicine and Western practices.
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