#sleepynovice

My primary use for this herbal blend is smoking, I have started regularly adding this to sativa cannabis. You can use this blend as a tea to receive the same effects, though I’m unsure of how it will taste. What this blend will actually do for you is calm and soothe, help you remember your dreams, and can induce lucid dreaming if used before bed. It is up to you to bring deep breaths and really tune in to yourself and what your body tells you during/after your session to experience heightened psychic ability. 

Lavender: I add this for its cooling, calming effects. Dried lavender flowers are used to prepare a series of natural remedies for antiseptic, calming, relaxing  and nerve stimulating effects. They are used in cases of digestive disorder,  as a flavouring and corrective agent, in hypertension, cardiac affections, headaches, insomnia, as a sleep aid, and more. Associated with protection, purification, calming, love, and money. 

Calendula: for me this is like a mood enhancer, so I’ll add it to my smoking blends to increase my high and bring positivity. Calendula can be used to remove negative energy. The oil can be used to consecrate tools, and the petals can be used as part of an incense for divination, or sprinkled on the floor under the bed to bring prophetic dreams. Also anti inflammatory, and I use in baths. Visually it is yellowish skinny flower petals. The plant has a long association with Samhain, and the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, and can be used at remembrance ceremonies as well as funerals and rites for the deceased, as well as for magic to remember deceased loved ones, in particular partners.

Uva ursi (Bearberry/Kinnikinick): Native Americans were known to use Bearberry and other herbs in religious ceremonies. In this circumstance it was utilized as a smudge or smoked in a pipe, with the smoke of the burned herbs carrying the smoker`s prayers to their ancestors. The leaves ingested in a tea are believed to increase psychic abilities and divination in modern magic.  Powdered herb can be sprinkled around the alter area or into burning candles in divination rituals, and leaves can be made into sachets to help increase psychic ability during meditation. Use this herb to wash your talismans or amulets, in healing spells to increase their potency or to induce visionary dreams. Associated with purification, awareness, joy, boundaries, and clearing blockages.

Mugwort: The active compound in mugwort is thujone, an oil also found in wormwood. Consumed orally or by inhaling mugwort herb smoke or aromatic oil, mugwort can improve dream recall and sometimes induce lucid dreams when used shortly before bed. Some people recommend smoking mugwort and taking it as tea simultaneously to enhance its effects, or wrapping fresh mugwort in an aromatic dream pillow so you can inhale its active constituents as you drift off to sleep. Let it be known the tea is very bitter!              Associated with clairvoyance, magical Workings, astral travel, and dreams.

Mullein: The flowers have a honey-like scent and a sweet taste. The name mullein itself is derived from the Latin word "mollis" which means soft, and the herb itself looks fluffy. Mullein leaves are believed to have sedative and euphoric properties. This has also been used to treat migraines and long lasting headaches. Associated with courage, protection, health, love, and divination. Wormwood: This is the plant used to brew the alcoholic drink absinthe. Overall it is a relaxant. It really stimulates the brain to create a peaceful and calming feeling. Wormwood can also be used as a light anaesthetic. It is commonly used to give relief to menstrual cramps and headaches. Smoked these effects will be stronger but short lasting, if you want long lasting pain relief I suggest making a tea with wormwood, which I have not tried but have heard is quite bitter. Associated with psychic powers, calling spirits, love, and protection.

**HERBS BURN FASTER THAN WEED, DO NOT PULL ON YOUR JAY OR PIPE AS HARD**

Feel free to leave out or add any herbs you like and let me know how the blend works for you! I’ve read wonderful things about smoking calamus root and I’m about to try adding yarrow soon. For the record I am not encouraging anyone to smoke, and do so at your own risk. 

Peace be.

Turning 18 and beginning my gap year planning, I’m faced with the realities of “traveling alone.” My parents are against it, random relatives are praying for me, everything is so expensive, and what am I actually doing? It took a while for me to reconcile being my own support system because of my parents’ disapproval, but I am ready for this experience. 

In September I will be going to Balgue, Nicaragua for 3 months to intern with an organization called Project Bona Fide. My internship is focused on sustainable agriculture and herbal medicine. I’ll be learning permaculture practices, tending the herb garden, and attempting to create a local shop for the farm’s herbal remedies. This in tandem with improving my Spanish and participating in the many workshops and excursions at the PBF Farm.

I got into contact with PBF and this internship through an organization called Omprakash, which matches volunteers and interns with nonprofits and other organizations worldwide. They provide an incredible pre- and post-departure support team, with an online classroom dedicated to global development and volunteerism. Through them I am doing crowdfunding for my trip, getting discounted travel insurance, and have a mentor! I really recommend their organization for anyone looking to travel abroad and have it be more than a vacation. 

There are multitudes to my gap year, I will be completing my yoga teacher certification, returning to Antigua, and possibly doing a volunteer trip through Omprakash. It really all depends on my finances and flexibility, but I’ll keep you all posted!

So I’m Caribbean. The only time I’ve traveled alone is to my mother’s home island and country Anguilla. And that was to stay with my aunt the entire trip, and travel back with an older cousin of mine. I know the ins and outs of air travel from going to Anguilla and Antigua with my family all throughout my life, so this shouldn’t be that daunting right?

Right! I am excited to not have to juggle 3 bags because we always bring things for family and to be able to stick to my schedule. I am flying to Managua in September, where I will meet up with 2+ other interns and we will travel together to the PBF farm. Thereafter, I will be with PBF staff, interns, volunteers, and the surrounding community. 

Oh, but it is that daunting. As I mentioned I’m Caribbean, and my parents are fighting me tooth and nail to get me to call off this trip. I can do another post about why I am going to take a gap year at all if you’d like. Their concerns are rooted in safety, which I acknowledge. I’ve always wanted to take Krav Maga defense art classes, and will likely be doing so sooner rather than later to appease them. 

Human trafficking is a very real threat, and tourists are such easy targets. Literally fuck being a tourist. I hate the idea of walking into a new place ready to drop a ton of US money, look stupid, and appreciate the scenery more than the people around you. So many people that travel and volunteer do not have this attitude but you will always note the tourists in any place you go. 

Making yourself into a target is a for sure way to get pickpocketed and even kidnapped not only in Central America, but all over the world. I advise you not to be flashy with money or gadgets, and to just enjoy your time without taking a photo of everything. 

Some other tips I’ve made up or come across for keeping yourself and your shit safe:

Get a money belt thing, its like a flat fanny pack u can wear under your clothes to make it way harder to pickpocket

Know where you are going, download the google maps in wifi BEFORE you even leave for your trip

Do not look at your map on the street, rather duck into a store or cafe (looking lost makes you a target)

If you have a daypack and are going through a busy area wear it on your front

Try to know as much as you can of the language where you are going (being confused makes you a target)

Make a female friend, ask them where not to go and safe areas

Do not have both headphones in in public places 

Snap a picture of your cab’s license plate before you get in it.

If you stop to buy tickets or anything where your attention is away, put your bag between your legs or in between your body and the counter instead of beside you

Don’t feel guilty about saying no to anything

Know how to use the emergency call function on your phone, for if you have no service or wifi 

Have scheduled calls with someone back home

I plan on using all of these tips myself, and will be documenting my gap year travels here and on youtube (videos coming soon)