Seeing Dreams: Dream Rituals for Vivid Nights

The liminal space of the dream realm is a powerful place to find magic and symbolism. A rich world of personal archetypes, landscapes, and magic for your subconscious alone. How can we tap into this world when we're awake to inspire and delight ourselves?

What would it be like to harness our visionary dreams and make shifts to bring this energy to our waking hours?

In Little Bit of Lucid Dreaming, author Cyrena Lee states "Imagine waking up, day after day, dream after dream, to realize that everything you see before you is a reflection of your inner thoughts and feelings. And the one power that each of us always has, which nobody can take away from us, is the power to control how we think and feel. Being aware of this is the truest lucidity there is."

There are many allies we can call on to tap into the energy of dreams, here are some of my favorite herbal allies for dreamwork.

• Mugwort: Sacred to the Goddess Artemis and connected to the moon, this herb is said to help aid lucid dreaming and astral projection. It can be smoked, taken as tea or tincture, or even dried and hung above the bed or set under your pillow.

• Blue Vervain: Known as the witches herb and the herb of grace, Blue Vervain empowers any magical working and is used to aid in astral projection and dream work.

• Hops: A personal go-to for sleep aid, Hops enhance vision and create a peaceful environment in the dream world.

• Lavender: A chameleon, lavender adapts and aids in restful sleep, nervous system soothing, and is anti-inflammatory.  

• Chamomile: This sweet flower can help with insomnia, anxiety, and digestive upsets. It's also an abundance herb, great when you are calling your dreams in! 

• Passionflower: This alien looking babe (really, look her up!) is a gentle sleep aid that aids in calming the nervous system and opens up us to dreaming, creativity, and possibility. 

Try using some of these dream herbs in a magical tea blend! This can be taken before bed, or any time you want to embrace a dreamy energy.

You'll need: 

• 2 tsp mugwort - a divinatory herb that can help with lucid dreaming 
• 1 tsp spearmint - for flavor and clearing out negative energy 
• 1/2 tsp Passion flower - a favorite nervine, helps with relaxation 
• 1/2 tsp valerian - helps promote restful sleep 
• 1/2 tsp orange peel - to call in joyful dreams 

Combine all ingredients in a airtight jar. Steep 1-2 teaspoons in hot water, and enjoy! 

Create a Ritual Dream Talisman

Another way to enhance dream energy is to create and charge a ritual dream talisman. To construct a dream talisman, you will need:

• 2 pieces of cloth

• a needle and thread

• a selection of dream herbs (mugwort, lavender, passion flower, or hops would all work! But use any herbs that are calling to you)

• A small piece of paper and a pen for your intention

• Optional: Crystals like moonstone, clear quartz, or blue kyanite

Begin crafting your talisman pouch with your intention. Write on your slip of paper how you'd like to feel during sleep, what you want from your dreamwork, or whatever intention you're hoping to focus on or manifest. Some suggestions for intention include:

• I release self imposed limitations and dream freely

• I am a vibrational match for my dreams and desires

• I am creating the life of my dreams

Then, place your two fabrics with the fronts together (so that the back side faces you while you work) and sew three sides of your fabric together. When you've got just one side open, turn your pouch inside out (so now the correct side shows), fill it with your selection of herbs, your intention, and your crystals and sew it shut.

Use your talisman under your pillow while you sleep to enhance your dreams, carry it with you as a reminder that you can tap into your dreamiest self any time, or leave it on your altar to enhance your rituals with dream energy! Be sure to clear your talisman occasionally by placing it in small dish of salt, and charge it under the light of a full moon.

Dreamy Bath ritual

Bath rituals are another great way to tap into dream energy—water is the element connected to our emotions, so try using this ritual whenever you need to find a calm emotional state. You will need:

• a blue or white candle

• 1/2 cup epsom salt

• 1-2 tablespoons moisturizing oil (avocado, olive, or almond works great!)

• 3 drops jasmine essential oil

• optional: dried jasmine, dried chamomile, or dried calendula flower

Begin your ritual by lighting the candle, and taking a few deep breaths. Combine your salts and oils in a small bowl, and add to running bath water. If using dried flowers, sprinkle them in as well. When you slip into the bath, feel your body and mind relax. Allow yourself to truly rest, and day dream. What visions come to you? Where does your mind drift to? What feelings are in your body? Rest here and vision for as long as you need babe. When you leave the bath, be sure to journal a bit about what came up for you.