Post by KittyLane on Feb 6, 2007 17:40:42 GMT -5
Dream pillows
Dreams are the subconscious mind's way of communicating with the conscious mind. As the subconscious mind uses svmbols instead of words to communicate, dreams are generally symbolic of something. The subconscious mind uses metaphors, sometimes in the wildest possible way, to get our attention.
If the subconscious mind feels that we cannot emotionally endure being shown troubling parts of a problem, it will often symbolically present part of the action but delete the toughest parts. When we accept the first actions we are shown in dreams, then the dream will later expand to include the rest.
Dreams can provide answers. By thinking about a certain thing you want solved just before you go to sleep, you program your subconscious mind to send up solutions.
The images and actions in dreams are tailored to each individual by her/his own subconscious mind. That is why so few dream books are any help at all. By recording your dreams, you will begin to see a pattern in the symbolic images and form your own interpretations. However, there are a few symbols which appear to be universal in interpretation. For example, mud and manure represent money or prosperity.
Making dream pillows for specific purposes is an excellent way to make your subconscious mind work with you on problem-solving, prophecy, etc. Dream pillows will also help when you are troubled by nightmares.
For hundreds of year people have used herb mixtures to effect their dreams. In the same way that certain fragrances (like baking bread or fresh roses) evoke a pleasant memory for you, herbs also evoke pleasant associations of memory. Our noses are said to be the most direct route to our minds and recollections.
Dream pillows were once called comfort pillows, and were used in the sickroom to ease the nightmares that may come with medicine and the smells of illness. Relaxing herbs -- primarily catnip, lavender, and mugwort -- combined in little pillows were respected for their usefulness in easing the sleep of crying babies.
Dream pillows work just as well on healthy folks, but maybe not for everyone. Although most people react to fragrances in pleasant ways, the people who have had the least reaction are heavy smokers, elderly people, and those who use excessive amounts of cologne or perfume; all seem to have desensitized noses. But for most people, fragrance unlocks pleasant memories that play out in their dreams in the most delightful way.
Traditionally, certain herbs and oils are used for specific purposes. The following lists of herbs and oils will help you decide which you want in your personal dream pillow. This list is by no means all inclusive but it does contain many items most kitchen witches will have on hand.
The basics of a pillow. Take two pieces of cloth or felt in the appropriate color and size that you want and sew up three sides (using appropriately colored string or floss). Mix your herbs and oils together and then (depending on the size of your pillow), add your mixture to the cotton stuffing/filler so that the herbs and scents are well mixed. Turn your pillow right side out and stuff it. Stitch the forth side closed. Ta-da - a dream pillow.
Oils
Bergamot: (not the mint kind!) soothes the nerves, gives relaxing sleep.
Hyacinth: stops nightmares.
Jasmine: helps increase psychic dreams, lifts depression, quiets the nerves; is calming.
Lavender: relaxing deep sleep.
Lilac: recalling past lives.
Mimosa: prophetic dreams; getting to the truth; making decisions.
Peppermint: sleep, psychic visions
Herbs
Angelica : prophetic dreams and visions.
Anise: use just a little to repel nightmares.
Balsam fir: relaxing, soothing
Basil: offers protection and psychic dreams
Bay: for clairvoyance and wisdom in your dreams
Bay Laurel: inspiration; repels negativity.
Camphor: awakens past live memories and prophecy in dreams
Cedar: helps to repel bad dreams.
Chamomile: for peaceful sleep
Cloves: use just a tiny amount because of the strong odor. Retrieving buried memories.
Dill: help one to fall alseep
Hops: restful sleep and healing.
Lavender: for peaceful sleep as well as clairvoyant dreams
Lemon grass: for prophetic dreams
Marigold: prophetic dreams
Marjoram: relieves depression.
Mint: adds alertness and vividness ot dreams
Mugwort: visions and prophetic dreams, aids in remembering dreams
Mullein: repels bad dreams.
Rosemary: use just a little as it is very strongly scented. Avoid nightmares and headaches.
Rose: for peaceful, happy dreams as well as clairvoyance.
St. Johns Wort: banishes spirits.
Thyme: for peaceful sleep, psychic powers and attracting faeries
Valerian: deep rest
White sage: for attuning to the spirit world
Colors
Blue - for peace, calm, and wisdom
Purple - psychic power and hidden knowledge
Silver - intuition and dreams, in general
- This is an abridged version of a Bewitching Ways workshop
www.bewitchingways.com/dreams/pillows.htm
Dreams are the subconscious mind's way of communicating with the conscious mind. As the subconscious mind uses svmbols instead of words to communicate, dreams are generally symbolic of something. The subconscious mind uses metaphors, sometimes in the wildest possible way, to get our attention.
If the subconscious mind feels that we cannot emotionally endure being shown troubling parts of a problem, it will often symbolically present part of the action but delete the toughest parts. When we accept the first actions we are shown in dreams, then the dream will later expand to include the rest.
Dreams can provide answers. By thinking about a certain thing you want solved just before you go to sleep, you program your subconscious mind to send up solutions.
The images and actions in dreams are tailored to each individual by her/his own subconscious mind. That is why so few dream books are any help at all. By recording your dreams, you will begin to see a pattern in the symbolic images and form your own interpretations. However, there are a few symbols which appear to be universal in interpretation. For example, mud and manure represent money or prosperity.
Making dream pillows for specific purposes is an excellent way to make your subconscious mind work with you on problem-solving, prophecy, etc. Dream pillows will also help when you are troubled by nightmares.
For hundreds of year people have used herb mixtures to effect their dreams. In the same way that certain fragrances (like baking bread or fresh roses) evoke a pleasant memory for you, herbs also evoke pleasant associations of memory. Our noses are said to be the most direct route to our minds and recollections.
Dream pillows were once called comfort pillows, and were used in the sickroom to ease the nightmares that may come with medicine and the smells of illness. Relaxing herbs -- primarily catnip, lavender, and mugwort -- combined in little pillows were respected for their usefulness in easing the sleep of crying babies.
Dream pillows work just as well on healthy folks, but maybe not for everyone. Although most people react to fragrances in pleasant ways, the people who have had the least reaction are heavy smokers, elderly people, and those who use excessive amounts of cologne or perfume; all seem to have desensitized noses. But for most people, fragrance unlocks pleasant memories that play out in their dreams in the most delightful way.
Traditionally, certain herbs and oils are used for specific purposes. The following lists of herbs and oils will help you decide which you want in your personal dream pillow. This list is by no means all inclusive but it does contain many items most kitchen witches will have on hand.
The basics of a pillow. Take two pieces of cloth or felt in the appropriate color and size that you want and sew up three sides (using appropriately colored string or floss). Mix your herbs and oils together and then (depending on the size of your pillow), add your mixture to the cotton stuffing/filler so that the herbs and scents are well mixed. Turn your pillow right side out and stuff it. Stitch the forth side closed. Ta-da - a dream pillow.
Oils
Bergamot: (not the mint kind!) soothes the nerves, gives relaxing sleep.
Hyacinth: stops nightmares.
Jasmine: helps increase psychic dreams, lifts depression, quiets the nerves; is calming.
Lavender: relaxing deep sleep.
Lilac: recalling past lives.
Mimosa: prophetic dreams; getting to the truth; making decisions.
Peppermint: sleep, psychic visions
Herbs
Angelica : prophetic dreams and visions.
Anise: use just a little to repel nightmares.
Balsam fir: relaxing, soothing
Basil: offers protection and psychic dreams
Bay: for clairvoyance and wisdom in your dreams
Bay Laurel: inspiration; repels negativity.
Camphor: awakens past live memories and prophecy in dreams
Cedar: helps to repel bad dreams.
Chamomile: for peaceful sleep
Cloves: use just a tiny amount because of the strong odor. Retrieving buried memories.
Dill: help one to fall alseep
Hops: restful sleep and healing.
Lavender: for peaceful sleep as well as clairvoyant dreams
Lemon grass: for prophetic dreams
Marigold: prophetic dreams
Marjoram: relieves depression.
Mint: adds alertness and vividness ot dreams
Mugwort: visions and prophetic dreams, aids in remembering dreams
Mullein: repels bad dreams.
Rosemary: use just a little as it is very strongly scented. Avoid nightmares and headaches.
Rose: for peaceful, happy dreams as well as clairvoyance.
St. Johns Wort: banishes spirits.
Thyme: for peaceful sleep, psychic powers and attracting faeries
Valerian: deep rest
White sage: for attuning to the spirit world
Colors
Blue - for peace, calm, and wisdom
Purple - psychic power and hidden knowledge
Silver - intuition and dreams, in general
- This is an abridged version of a Bewitching Ways workshop
www.bewitchingways.com/dreams/pillows.htm