As a Death Witch, my practice is centered heavily around working with liminal space, in the astral realm, through dreams, and the nature of transitions. When working with the liminal in any form, it is incredibly important to understand the unknowns that come with the "in between"—which includes being open to the infinite possibilities of these portal-like spaces, while also being intentional to protect yourself.
Whether you're intentionally trying to astral project, frequently having intense dreams when sleeping, being woken up from nightmares or night terrors, or anything else pertaining to your ability to easily sleep, rest, and receive positive messages in your dreams, wards act as magical barriers that can keep certain energies OUT and welcome other energies IN.
This article will walk you through what astral and dream wards are and how to create these wards to protect yourself.
Many people, especially practitioners who are connected to the spirit realm may frequently dream or astral project without necessarily even trying.
Dreams, in a simple sense, are the subconscious mind's method for sorting and processing information. Dreams can be attempts at categorizing and understanding things we've experienced in our waking life, but they can also be ways that we receive messages from our spirit guides or the spirit realm to give us insights into our path.
Astral projection, on the other hand, is more like an out of body experience where the astral body explores other realms and places while the physical body is sleeping or meditating.
Though dreams and the astral are different, they are often experienced in a very similar manner and have the concept of "liminal space" in common as they're both "other" places different from the material world we experience when awake.
By nature of being liminal, anything can intrude into these places, both positive and negative. Not every place in the astral is safe or a welcoming place for explanation. Not every entity or person we encounter in a dream is well-intended, benevolent, or positive. The good thing, though, is that as spiritual practitioners, we can create wards for nearly anything in our craft or life.
Wards are energetic barriers that act as a magical protection. They work in multiple directions and can ward select energies IN and ward other energies OUT based on your intentions and goals.
Wards are energetic barriers that act as a magical protection. They work in multiple directions and can ward select energies IN and ward other energies OUT based on your intentions and goals.
When astral projecting or dreaming, this gives you control over what types of messages, spirits, topics, energies, themes, places, etc., can be experienced or accessed. For example, if you're combating nightmares and night terrors, a dream ward can be used to prevent anything malicious, disturbing, malevolent, cruel, or harmful from having access to you while you sleep. You can ward OUT anything you do not wish to come through in your dreams. And you can simultaneously ward IN sweet dreams, restful sleep, peace, love, positive messages, energies or spirits that are protective and benevolent, topics and themes that are aligned with your highest good and allow you to work through trauma or other important healing elements in a way that is safe and focused on your overall well-being.
With wards, you get to set the rules. These rules can be applied to anything that is entering YOUR dream space, your bedroom (or home), your astral realm, your mind, your subconscious, etc. These rules can also be applied to anywhere that you GO while astral projecting or dreaming so that you do not wander into realms that are not aligned with your highest good or aren't safe for you to explore for whatever reason. Remember, you can change the rules over time and as your needs and spiritual understanding change and evolve along the way.
Wards are created through ritual and clearly directed intentions that make an energetic barrier to protect you, by defining what can enter a space and what cannot.
What You'll Need:
Grounding and Cleansing
Take time to ground and cleanse the space where you intend to sleep (whether that be your bedroom at home or a hotel while traveling). You can cleanse with frequencies, a sound cleansing bowl, incense, or whatever your preferred method is.
Welcoming
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I protect my bedroom, dream space, and astral realm, I welcome my higher self, and I thank you for helping set this energetic barrier. Hail and welcome!"
Creating the Ward
Sitting and closing your eyes, envision yourself entering the dream and/or astral realm. Create an energetic barrier, shield, bubble, or structure that surrounds your bedroom, sleep space, etc., and as you visualize yourself making this energetic barrier, set clear intentions on what energies you want to be welcome in your dreams or when you astral project and set clear intentions on what energies you want to be excluded from your dreams or inaccessible when you astral project. Throughout this process, visualize a channel of energy connecting the energetic barrier you're creating being anchored to a physical object you keep in your bedroom/sleep space. I personally like to use crystals and talismans for this, but you can also create a physical sachet with herbs, a potted herbal plant, such as rosemary, or anything else that can serve a similar purpose.
Examples of things you may want to ward IN:
Examples of things you may want to ward OUT:
Once you feel that you have clearly set all of the intentions that are important to you for your ward, you can move forward with closing out the ritual.
Closing
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say thank you to my higher self, and release this ritual space while keeping my ward in place energetically."
Re-Ground and Re-Cleanse
Take time to ground and cleanse again after you're done. Remember, you can re-set your intentions for your wards on a regular basis to re-enchant them and keep them powerful.
Uncertain about creating astral and dream wards for yourself? Book an appointment NOW with Kate Jade. Kate is a death practitioner and is passionate about helping people embrace the nature of liminal space in a way that is safe so they can explore the astral, navigate their dreams, etc., all while getting restful sleep without disturbances or interference.
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
If you've found your way here, I assume that means you've heard the call of Lady Death, and just maybe you're ready to answer. Death witchcraft at its core uses the energy, metaphor, or personification of Death to empower the spiritual practitioner. Rather than viewing Death as a tragedy or a sense of loss, it is viewed as a transition or transmutation of energy.
"A witch stands on the very edge of everything, between the light and the dark, between life and death."
As a Death Witch, this is one of my favorite topics to teach on, but it is important to note that you do NOT have to identify as a Death Witch in order to practice death witchery in the same way that you do not have to be a Green Witch to use plants or herbs in your spiritual practice.
Death is something that all humans have in common regardless of any other defining factors of our lives and is widely related to many different spiritual traditions and mystical paths, so do not let a concern with arbitrary witchcraft labels deter you from joining if you feel the pull to work with Death.
Through The Death Witchery Mentorship Program, you'll be mentored by Kate Jade on many different forms of Death magick and working with Death energy, including:
This program is in-depth and works with heavily experience-based witchcraft training that isn't readily available for online consumption. Interested students have the option to subscribe monthly for exclusive access to the mentorship program.
Enroll now to learn more! https://astartestemple.xperiencify.io/the-death-witchery/order/
If you've been wanting to dabble more in astral projection, astral traveling, dreamwork, and the like, this article's for you! Many spiritual practitioners utilize their astral travel and dreamwork sessions to gain deeper insights into who they are beyond the physical realm, understand what's happening in their subconscious mind, and more.
Though some spiritual practitioners may effortlessly be able to astral project, lucid dream, or control various aspects of what they do while they're sleeping, others may need a little more help to achieve similar results.
Thankfully, there are multiple herbs that can aid in these practices, but as with all things in the health, wellness, and medicinal space, we can't stress enough the importance of thoroughly researching each herb and consulting with a licensed health professional to ensure that what you're planning to consume is safe, doesn't interact with any medications you're on, or cause any complications relating to any medical conditions you may have.
While we fully support the natural life, we also are pro-safety and pro-research, and just because something grows from our beautiful Mother Earth doesn't mean that it is safe for consumption (remember, there are many poisons, toxins, and mind-altering plants in the wild too!). For example, we LOVE mugwort and its many uses in a holistic, pagan, or witchy lifestyle but we can't forget that it also is nature's "Plan B" and is unsafe for women who are pregnant as it can cause a spontaneous abortion. So, RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!
This potent plant is believed to enhance psychic abilities and facilitate lucid dreaming, making it a valuable ally for those seeking to explore the astral plane. When used as a tea, incense, or placed under a pillow, mugwort can induce vivid dreams and improve dream recall, allowing practitioners to gain deeper insights from their nocturnal journeys. Its protective properties also create a safe environment for these explorations, ensuring that the spiritual traveler remains grounded and shielded from negative energies.
Damiana is believed to stimulate the pineal gland, which plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and dreams. When used in teas, incense, or spellwork, damiana can help induce vivid dreams and facilitate deeper states of meditation, making it easier to achieve astral travel. Additionally, its calming effects aid in relaxation and mental clarity, creating an optimal environment for spiritual exploration and lucid dreaming. Incorporating damiana into your rituals can thus significantly enhance your ability to navigate the astral plane and gain insights from the dream world.
Valerian is known for its calming and sedative properties, valerian aids practitioners in achieving the deep relaxation necessary for successful astral travel. By quieting the mind and easing physical tension, it facilitates a smoother transition into altered states of consciousness. Additionally, valerian enhances dream recall and lucidity, making it an invaluable ally for those seeking to explore and manipulate their dreamscapes. Its grounding energy also provides a protective barrier, ensuring safe journeys through the astral plane.
The blue lotus flower, revered in ancient Egyptian culture, holds significant magickal benefits. Known for its psychoactive properties, the blue lotus induces a state of deep relaxation and heightened awareness, making it an ideal aid for entering altered states of consciousness. When used in rituals or consumed as a tea or tincture, it can enhance lucid dreaming, facilitate vivid visions, and support the journey into the astral plane. Its calming effects help practitioners maintain focus and clarity during these spiritual explorations, ultimately enriching their mystical experiences and deepening their connection to the subconscious mind.
Wild asparagus, often referred to as the "Flying Herb" in witchcraft practices, is renowned for its magickal benefits in enhancing astral projection and dream work. This amazing herb is believed to facilitate a deeper connection to the astral plane, making it easier for practitioners to embark on out-of-body experiences and explore other realms. Consuming wild asparagus or incorporating it into ritualistic practices can aid in achieving lucid dreams, providing clearer insights and more vivid dreamscapes. Its energy is said to align with the higher chakras, particularly the third eye and crown, thus promoting heightened intuition and spiritual awareness during dream states and astral journeys.
Looking for herbs for your next astral projection or dreamwork session? Explore the Herbs page in The Apothecary section of our website! Happy traveling!
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
