January is the season for dreaming. Between Winter Solstice and Imbolc, the long nights get a little shorter and it’s time to get some serious dreaming done while we can. By Imbolc, the first signs of lengthening days become noticeable. Snowdrops, hellebore and even some crocuses venture out from under the frozen ground. Animals come out of hibernation and so do we!
Until then, though, dream on. Visualize the seeds that fell to the ground at harvest time, sleeping deep in the earth, beginning to glow with new life. Think of the plans you made last year and sort out what worked and didn’t work. See in your mind’s eye what you want to be this year and what you want to accomplish. Consider your hopes and wishes, with no limits. This is a time for wild creativity.
There’s another side to January dreaming in addition to contemplating the coming year. This month’s dreams may be unusually rich, vivid and deep. Make use of this by keeping a dream journal, if you don’t already have one. Keep it, along with a reliable writing instrument, beside your bed within easy reach. It’s been proven that the more you try to remember dreams, the more dreams you’ll have, and the ones you have will be more meaningful. It is important to write down everything you can recall as soon as possible after waking because the details and even the dream itself will fade as your everyday consciousness takes over. Even if the dreams are silly or don’t make sense, write them down anyway. If you look back on the pages of your dream journal a few months from now, or at this time next year, you may discover some amazing insights hidden in your nighttime ramblings.
Herbal aids to dreaming include mugwort, valerian, passionflower, damiana, cannabis, burdock and peppermint, all of which can be taken as a tea before bedtime. These herbs are known to enhance dreams and perhaps even bring what is called “lucid dreaming”. The effects vary greatly from one person to another, so experiment, take notes, and find out what works best for you. It isn’t wise to become too dependent on any of these herbs, however. Use them only as enhancements for what occurs naturally. Don’t over- use them or your dreams can become distorted.
What are dreams anyway? Sometimes the mind keeps working on a stubborn problem after the body goes to sleep and the images are projected upon closed eyelids in a kind of dream theater. Sometimes the happenings of the day are replayed in symbols and strange characters. Sometimes guides will appear in dreams, offering pathways or advice. And sometimes physical conditions experienced in sleep will carry over, resulting in the common bathroom dream or reaching for an extra blanket.
Dreams have been used as healing therapy since ancient times. There were dream-temples and sanctuaries in many places, such as the temple to the Celtic god Nodens in Lydney, Gloucestershire and Asklepios in ancient Greece, where rituals were enacted to bring important dreams.
If you keep a dream diary, you’ll probably notice that you often return to some of the same places or meet the same people, known or unknown in waking life. Usually these involve a setting like a school or dormitory, or streets that seem vaguely familiar. Large buildings with networks of staircases are also common backdrops. Pay attention when you find yourself returning to these places, which can be an important part of your inner landscape.
By Imbolc, the dreams, whatever they happen to be, will start manifesting in tiny, barely perceptible ways. Keep recording them in your journal and notice any changes. Meanwhile, make the best use of the long nights while they last!
For further reading:
http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/temple-of-nodens-incubation
https://earthandstarryheaven.com/2018/07/05/nodons/
Green Witchery 