Terra Artemisia

For three months on and off, I took a mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) tincture, experimenting with dosage and frequency in hopes that my dreams would be more vivid and meaningful.

I found myself disappointed and frustrated with myself for “sucking” at dreaming, as I would experience the same kinds of dreams I’d experience otherwise, perhaps in a more vivid package. I had only experienced two lucid dreams in my life, both happening accidentally after falling back asleep in the morning, and my dream landscape tends to be quite the same, re-imaginations of places I frequent, a linear dreamworld I tend to come back to. I have had many dreams come true in the past, but felt drawn to deepen my understanding of my own dream world more recently.

Despite seeing little result, I continued, until one night I realized I was taking mugwort in hopes of interesting dreams. Being intentional, but without really connecting with the plant spirit itself. I decided to try this for myself in the moment. I apologized to Mugwort for seeking interesting dreams without a reciprocal relationship and made a promise that I would grow her in my garden to understand her better. (I certainly see mugwort as a feminine figure; dark in a lunar sense, mysterious, and sometimes cryptic, but fiercely and lovingly protective)

The next day I received an unexpected message from a friend. A funny feeling came over me as I remembered reading an unexpected message from them in my dream that night. Well, that’s encouraging!

I decided that night to try this with a Vervain tincture (specifically Verbena officinalis), introducing myself to the plant, and stating my intentions and wishes to learn from the plant spirit… I felt a different energy this night. Verbena, although more bitter in taste to me, seemed to be quite gentle. I had the word “doula” in mind to describe the nature of verbena’s compassionate energy granting me comfort, even though that might not perfectly describe the nature of universal compassion I felt from this experience. When I woke up I remembered learning things from Vervain. I even remembered making a mental note in the dream that I would do my best to remember what was revealed to me. Unfortunately, as I started to try to remember the details, they escaped me. Despite that fumble, this made for a conclusive start to more intentional dreaming.

If you are struggling with lucid and divinatory dreams even when using oneirogenic (dream-inducing) and dream-supporting herbs, and you haven’t already: try letting the plants know you aren’t doing this without the intention of forming a relationship with the plant! These kinds of things are always said, but sometimes I take them for granted myself. You can gain wisdom from a stranger, but wisdom gained from an established relationship can always be built upon.

If you don’t have access to vervain or mugwort, here’s a non-exhaustive list of dream and sleep-supporting herbs:
-Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
-Lavender (Lavanda angustifolia is recommended)
-Hops (Humulus lupulus)
-Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
-Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

SAGE’S DREAM TEA
2 Parts Lavender
1 Part Hops
1 Part Clary Sage (or catnip, if clary sage is hard to find in your area)

Instructions: Combine ingredients according to batch requirements, preferably in a glass jar. Shake or combine until the mixture looks even. Brew before bed and drink while stating your intentions for your dreams ahead. 1-2 tsp brewed covered for at least 8 minutes is a simple way to take this, but you can brew it as you like or feel called to.

As a note, this tea is fairly bitter due to the hops. The lavender serves to improve this, but if your tastebuds don’t adjust (after a few sips I do not mind it), feel free to add honey. The beauty of herbal recipes is you CAN play with them. Missing an herb? Consider using an herb with similar actions and qualities that you already have!

It doesn’t hurt to try making a habit of journaling your dreams every morning, either! Even just a few sentences and keywords can offer insight and a big-picture view of your dream world. Making note of any herbs you used to enhance your dreams the night before can also help you identify which plants make you most receptive to changes in your dreams.

To learning and dreaming!

Ophelia