Herbalism and Dream Work: An Interview with Vero Light
Veronica “Vero” Light is an herbalist, plant educator, medicine maker, aromatherapist, Reiki practitioner, gardener, plant lover, dirt worshiper, and co-founder of Spirit Wise Herbs & Magick in Portsmouth, NH. My husband met her in October at a Witches Market and brought me home some Spirit Wise dream balm which smells divine and has now become an essential part of my evening ritual and dream work practice. I wanted to learn more about herbalism as it relates to sleep and dreaming and asked Vero if she would let me interview her. She said yes!
Genevieve: What are your favorite herbs for supporting sleep and dream work?
Vero: My two favorite herbs for improved sleep are Skullcap and Valerian root. I like to work with these plants in an herbal alcohol extract. They help me to get to sleep quickly and have a more restful longer period of sleep. Some of my favorite herbs for more vivid, lucid dreaming and dream recall are included in our dream balm. Mugwort is the star and has been worked with as an ally for dreaming for ages. It is relaxing and helps one to be present in a sort of in between worlds state where we are more likely to be open to receiving messages from guides and ancestors in the dreamtime. Jasmine as aromatherapy has also been used magickally for centuries to improve dreaming and lucid dreaming. Petitgrain, which is an essential oil made from the wood of the Orange tree, has also been known to improve dreaming. Other herbs to consider are Calendula, Lavender, Rose and Hops. With the exception of Calendula, these herbs are all aromatic plants that have been known to calm the nervous system while opening the spirit and third eye to what can be learned in dreamtime. Calendula is a gentle nourishing plant that can be worked with to improve "second sight" or encourage visions in meditation or dreaming.
Genevieve: What are some of the ways that these herbs can be incorporated into an evening ritual?
Vero: There are quite a few ways that herbs can be incorporated into your evening ritual. The simplest is a strong tea blend. When incorporating tea into a bedtime routine, you want to drink your tea about an hour before bedtime. Let your tea be strong and your cup small. This gives you time to use the bathroom before bed so you won't have to get up in the night, interrupting your sleep. Another simple way to work with these herbs, especially the aromatic plants, is to put them dried into a little sachet under your pillowcase. If working with fresh plants, you can bundle them and hang them very near your bed. Before sleeping, give the bundle or sachet a little squeeze to release the aromatics and experience the aromatherapy. You can also infuse some of these plants into an oil base and use the oil (or thicken with beeswax into a balm) or balm on the pulse points and over the third eye before sleeping. This brings the aromatics to where you need them and the benefits of the herbs right over the pineal gland. This is my favorite way to work with dream herbs. You can also burn Mugwort or Lavender as an incense in your room before bedtime, again to fill the room with the aromatics. You could also create a linen spray with some of these plants and oils! And then don't forget the benefits of working with these herbs in a bath before bed for further relaxation and assimilation through the skin.
Genevieve: What role does intention play in the effectiveness of herbal magick?
Vero: Intention plays a very important role in all magick, Herb magick is no exception! In America, we often find ourselves taking part in a culture of taking, using, turning a profit. With Herb magick, you have to intentionally avoid this mindset and turn your heart and mind to a spirit of reciprocity. Ask the plant's permission to be used in medicine and magick. Ask the plant to be an ally and a guide for you in your dreaming, healing, magick. And then how can you intentionally pay this plant back for it's help? Save the seed and grow with intention. Leave an offering of nourishing tea or compost. Leave your own hair. Teach others about the plant that has lent its aid in your work. These are all a start. The plants are very generous in nature and can aid us in healing and magic in boundless ways. Your intention when working with them will determine whether they decide to work with and for you.
Genevieve: What resources do you recommend for learning more about herbalism and dream work?
Vero: To learn more about herbalism, there are some excellent resources, meaning PEOPLE to learn from in our area. Maria Noel Groves is a local author of some excellent reference books for herbal medicine. She focuses less on the spirit and magick of plants and more the body systems and plant constituents and actions. Misty Meadows Herbal Center in Lee, NH is a career school that offers classes and programs year round, training certified herbalists each year. Our little shop in Portsmouth, NH, Spirit Wise Herbs and Magick has an herbalist on staff at all times to answer questions and guide customers to books and resources. Both Dover and Portsmouth NH have a Herbal Path store with well trained staff to guide you to healing herbs as well.
Try to avoid googling herbal information. There is so much misinformation disguised as common knowledge. The truth is that your journey with the plants will be totally unique to YOU. You need to start working with the plants one at a time and get a feel for how your body interacts with them.
I don't have a specific guide to recommend for dream work, although there are books on the subject of lucid dreaming that I think can be helpful. Don't let any dream dictionary tell you what your dreams mean. Symbols and signs will only have meaning for you if they inspire connection and seem tied to significant parts of your life. Be your own dictionary.
Genevieve: What products or services does Spirit Wise offer for those interested in incorporating herbal remedies in their dream work practice?
Vero: Here at Spirit Wise we have a full apothecary for you to work with the herbs mentioned above in tea, aromatic sachet or incense. We don't sell many essential oils, but we do have a dream balm and Calendula salve made here that you can purchase or ask us more about. We also have aromatherapy sprays that could be helpful. We have loads of books, some on dreaming and lucid dreaming as well as astral projection. We even have a few ornate dream pillows here for sale, crafted by one of the owners and spelled for peaceful sleep and dreaming. We sell journals here that could be perfect for your dream work practice of journaling on waking. There is always a knowledgeable person working the shop, ready to answer questions and give suggestions!
Genevieve: Thank you so much Vero!
