Review: Triskelion Botanicals (and some thoughts on dream states)

A couple of years ago, I had a client begin behaving in an erratic way. He was interfering with a settlement offer that seemed wildly in favor of a large group of people--including him. I was stymied: how could someone act so adverse to his own interests?

One afternoon, sleep came over me. In a dream or dream-like state, I saw the troublesome client collecting money in a way I had not known about before. Realizing the litigation resulted in an unexpected side hustle for him, I understood why he was resisting the settlement.

I went forward in my case with a better understanding of the interests involved. Called on his motives, my client did not deny what was happening. I was better able to assist everyone in the complex situation.

Although I did not take any elixirs to bring on the dream state above, I inadvertently bit into an herb bundle I was carrying (using my mouth as an extra hand) the previous night. Perhaps the juices I released (enough to make my mouth numb) brought on the revelation.

I am not including the ingredients of my accidental "dream elixir" here--it was random and not collected for that purpose. A few of the items are reputed to be poisonous. It is far better to concoct or buy something with a specific purpose in mind in terms of physical health and intention. I am also not declaring what happened to be a dream, remote viewing, or or astral projection--I am just glad to have experienced the phenomenon as I did.

Since that experience, I have sought it again with no success. Likely, I need to need to have the experience before it is granted again.

Although I haven't taken a second flight, a pleasant stop along the way of trial and error has been Dreamwork by Triskelion Botanicals. Triskelion is a great little herbal shop with a lot of heart--the proprietor is a friend of mine and truly cultivates magick and healing as she grows, gathers, dries, mixes, and brews in her corner of the world. Many of her herbs are wild-gathered, and all are free of chemical treatment. They are made with intention in a home setting filled with love and good vibes.

I reserved my two samples of Dreamwork for nights when my agenda was not crowded, and when I did not feel pressure about the next day. I didn't want to arrive in court "hung over" from a night flight, and I didn't want to push away experiences in favor of a good night's sleep. I also eschewed the elixir on nights when I was drinking or needed to take medication--Dreamwork shouldn't bear the blame for drunken escapades!

My first adventure began well before bedtime. I had a relaxed evening of productive journaling and introspection. Dreamwork helped me reach a state of relaxation while still being able to create and solve problems. The second adventure resulted in a very sound night's sleep, and it was much needed at the time. I did not remember a single dream. However, the next night, without more elixir, I had vivid dreams that I remembered and recorded. Both the journaling and the second-night dreams were helpful in resolving challenges I faced at the time. I credit Dreamwork with the sound night's sleep that set me up to enjoy a night of continued effects with the clear, memorable dreams.

I recommend Dreamwork. First, it is a safe alternative compared to biting into an herb bundle prepared for another purpose. Secondly, the "worst" outcome seems to be a sound night's sleep--something we all sorely need. Most importantly, it leads to restorative imagining, sound sleep, and helpful dreaming. I am going to continue experimenting with Dreamwork, varying when I take it.

Night flights, remote viewing, or just rest and clarity--all can benefit us as we go about creating, crafting, hexing, and blessing.

Clearing the Way for a Successful New Year

We've had a little trouble accessing Blogger today. Probably me in retrograde, again!

It is New Year's Day, so, of course, I wanted to talk about cleaning and clearing and welcoming in new, positive changes.

This site is all about resolving problems, so, throughout the year, I am bringing in everyone's spiritual "dirt." We all collect our own problems and those of people we care about, and not clearing results in challenges building up and creating blocks, illnesses, and chaos.

It looks like my hosting platform has some cleaning and clearing to do, because it is glitchy today. I can't sign in! So, here are a few of the tips covered:

1. Clean and clear -- Sweep the floor, clean and re-arrange altar areas, dust, and go through those old boxes for things to recycle or donate. I did a load of laundry and got all my rugs. Adding some magickal ingredients is a great way to remind yourself this is more than just cleaning--I used lemon and vinegar, as wel as lavender and eucalyptus.

2. Clean your cleaning implements (some say buy new) -- Now is a good time to replace brooms and garbage cans and other cleaning implements. I've heard some say it is time to buy new, but, I like to avoid over-consumption (and it has been too cold where I live to get out to buy new items for nearly two weeks now!). If it is time to get rid of something, now is the time, but also: clean. I ran all my floor cleaning supplies and garbage can through hot water with cleanser today. Get rid of all that build-up from the year! I threw out an old sponge--if it is time for something to go, now is definitely the time to do it!

Look at all the stuff that collects your dirt as you go--dish drainer, strainers, drains. It may be time to clean those areas!

Don't forget magickal implements. If your herbs tend to be as out of sorts as mine tend to be, it's a great time to organize and sort.

3. Make new cleansing potions! I started my year fresh with a new bottle of quick cleansing wash (coffee grounds, lemon, salt) to use on my self, pets, and floors/house as needed.

4. It's time to eat traditional foods--for me, cabbage is the most important. I have some lentils going with a little spinach, quinoa, and seasonings in it. Later, I'll cook up some potatoes and cabbage. If I get lazy, I can eat the cabbage cold in a salad or slaw. It is a good time to share with your ancestors through an altar offering or scattering some of your bounty outside for critters!

5. We are living in modern times with things to clean and clear our ancestors didn't have. Take a look at getting rid of extraneous apps, websites, and unused services!

6. This isn't Oprah . . . but look at those habits! Just this past week, I was able to resolve a chronic pain problem by adding a breathing exercise. Undisciplined breathing, habitual/pain-avoiding movement patterns, and my habit of being tense and not relaxing combined for a lot of pain. I made a lot of progress using yoga, but wasn't able to get rid of the last bit of pain until I changed these habits.

If the Creek Don't Rise (Book Review)

CONTAINS SPOILERS

If the Creek Don't Rise isn't a "witchy" book, unless you consider the high level of faith it takes to keep going with absolutely nothing. The title sentiment was also expressed by my Grandma as, "If I live . . . ". (Perhaps hearing, "If I live, we'll . . . " as the condition under which we would do things as mundane as making cornmeal mush made me prone to reach for a protection amulet and some lavender salt!)

However, magik is more expressly present in the book in the voice of Birdie Rocas, the neighbor (and protector) of the protagonist, Sadie Blue. Sadie Blue is in an abusive marriage, and, as such, needs a bit of help with details like delivering the baby her husband killed in utero or whipping up some hemlock root poison for . . . those who need it. Birdie Rocas tells us that her last name means crow, and that some folks call her a witch--a good thing for hunting ginseng (apparently because her appearance scares those who would steal her valuable harvest). When Birdie scrys for a dead body and the killer turns up dead himself, one begins to suspect she uses her magik for more than hunting ginseng.

Magik is sprinkled throughout the book as charms, amulets, potions, and folk wisdom. However, Birdie does share her scrying method:

--Fetch shallow bowl the color of blood

--Put on tree stump

--Pour spring water one finger width deep

--Kiss and put on personal amulet (Birdie's is a horn-shaped amulet)

--Make repeated "X" with thumb on forehead until coated with oil from skin

--Rub oil on item belonging to person you seek (handy to have crows to retrieve these for you!)

--Drop item into water

--Watch for answer to form

Although Birdie seems to get her answers, she leaves us with some lingering questions and an observation:

"Why are young girls dumb and men surprised?

"What does evil look like to crows from up in the sky?

"They're brave to play hide-and-seek with the dead."

While by no means a craft "how-to" book, this novel includes a few pages worthy of any book of shadows. It is a respectful window into the misunderstood and sometimes-popular world of granny magik or hoodoo, and deserves to be read.

The dialect in the book is southern Appalachian. It will sound "off" to readers from Kentucky or West Virginia. It does not seem to be intended disrespectfully.

Those of us not apt to find a hag stone shaped like a horn might appreciate a commercially-produced amulet like Birdie's:




(Note: links are designed to make me richer than a moonshiner with a revenuer cousin!)