“I see accessories as a womans armour” ~Rachel Zoe
Let’s take a cue from RZ’s words of wisdom and discuss the key night time accessories and rituals to feel physically, emotionally, mentally and energetically protected. We asked Shaman and Founder of Style Rituals, Colleen McCann, to discuss one of her favorite subjects SPIRITUAL HYGIENE. Below are the mystical tools of the trade as well as tips and tricks in her arsenal for restful slumber, tapping into your dreams and feeling clean, calm, focused and grounded when the lights go out.
1. TEA-TOX BATHING:
Make a TUB TEA with essentials oils or dried Lavendar, Chamomile and Peppermint. Lavender is calming to the nervous system and helps to relax the mind and muscles. Lavender can relieve tension headaches, muscle strain, stress and general tension. Chamomile is calming, relaxing and soothing. It quiets the nervous system and is the healing remedy of choice after a physically or emotionally demanding day. It quiets the nervous system and is the healing remedy of choice after a physically or emotionally demanding day. Peppermint is a master muscle relaxer. Google Bath Tea, Bath Soak, Bath Recipes and plenty of combinations will be available. I suggest to get creative and make it yours! Rose buds, epsom salt, baking soda and crystals (Rose Quartz or Amethyst) could also be added to your signature bath.
WHERE I LIKE TO BUY MY HERBS:
2. SPRAY IT DOWN:
If you aren’t into burnables or sensitive to smoke then Paper Crane Apothecary is for you. Zoe, the Goop and Vogue loved proprietoress, hand crafts each bottle with her signature blend of herbs and sonically tuned crystals. Mist yourself, bedroom or pillow cases with the Dreamcatcher Gem Mist. HOT TIP! She also makes a Dreamcatcher Gem Elixir. Place 3-5 drops under tongue, in tea or water an hour before bed. Do both rituals together and you’ll be out like a light.
3. LIGHT IT UP WITH A SAGE SHOWER:
Burning sage is one of the oldest and purest methods of cleansing a person, object, space and of getting rid of unwanted spirits. The practice dates back to prehistoric times and it’s been documented as having been used in every corner of the world by our ancestors. The type of sage you want to buy is called ‘California White Sage’. Do not use the regular old sage in your kitchen. Sage clears bacteria in the air. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. When sage is burned, it releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into a positive mood. Other qualities believed to be associated with sage when burned are giving wisdom, clarity, and increasing spiritual awareness. Before you light up, remember to open a door or window at the unwanted energy you are trying to clear must have an exit strategy. All that being said Sage can really help to ‘energetically clear’ the day off of you...traffic, hectic meetings, opinionated moms, swiping right, friend drama etc. A night time ritual that I teach all my clients to do is to ask the unwanted energy to leave their space, in their mind’s eye as well as voicing out loud. What I have them say is “Any energy that is not of my highest and greatest good get the f**k out, with love, but you are not welcome to stay here. Please leave through the open window/door.”
4. SALT OFF + SCRUB DOWN:
Epsom Salt Baths are the simplest way to improve sleep, concentration and relax muscles. Why? Epsom salt is a magnesium sulfate compound. Through the stresses of life, magnesium is drained from the body. Magnesium helps to produce that calming effect we get from serotonin. The result of bathing in Epsom Salt and absorbing the magnesium are: improved sleep, concentration, and relaxed muscles. Rebuild your MG!
P.S. Energetically salt helps remove dense energy from body and auric field.
My goto Epsom Salt brand:
Dr. Teal's
My favorite salt scrub:
Earth Tu Face Exfoliate + Hydrate Sea Salt + Organic Oils
If salt scrubbing is tooooo gritty try this!
The Grandpa Soap Co Epsom Salt Bar Soap
MY PERSONAL NIGHTLY RITUAL:
Since I am in a high energy business and need to keep my energy field really clean I have made it a personal practice of salting off in the shower with Earth Tu Face Dead Sea Salt Scrub every night. ALL salt based products have a grounding and clearing properties to them. I like to say silently “Any energy that is not of my highest and greatest good please be absorbed through the salt, be removed by the water, taken down throught the drain and returned to the earth to recycled for good.”
5. CALLING IN THE SANDMAN WITH THE ULTIMATE ENERGETIC POWERHOUSE:
If you need to call in a little mystical muscle than Mugwort is your best ally. Mugwort, also known as “The Travelers Herb” and “Sailors Tobacco”, was considered the herb for protection and prophecy throughout ancient Rome, Egypt, China and by the Celtic people. It is known by many indigenous cultures as “The Visionary Herb” as it is believed to increase psychic powers. This ultimate multi-purpose night time tool promotes restful slumber, lucid dreaming, dream recall, soothes upset stomachs, relaxes the nervous system and in general calms people down.
What to do with it?
DRINK IT: Historically, mugwort tea was drunk before divination rituals and ancient ceremonies to induce visions and lucid dreaming. The herbal tea was, and is still used by women for late periods (and, as it relaxes the uterus)
PLEASE NOTE PREGNANT WOMEN MUST NEVER USE MUGWORT OR BE IN ANY CONTACT WITH IT!
BURN IT: Native Americans also burned Mugwort as a ‘smudge’ to purify the spiritual and physical environment. This is an alternative to using Sage or Palo Santo.
SMOKE IT: Mugwort also has mild hallucinogenic properties. Many users have reported astral travel and prophetic dreams when smoking the herb.
SLEEP WITH IT: Place a few loose dried leaves or sachet under your pillow to experience astral travel and vivid dreams. Remember to make the intention before you fall asleep should you have any particular questions you want answered within your waking life.
6. STYLE RITUALS ‘CRYSTAL Rx’:
Crystals are my passion! I wanted to discuss a few key sleep crystals that every girl should have in her arsenal. Every crystal has a different purpose, or ‘medicine’ as Shamans like to say, so it depends on what you’re to achieve with your sparkly sidekick. Some stones may be best used to relieve stress or to intentionally find answers while dreaming, while other stones are used for grounding or getting us in touch with our circadian rhythms. (See the ultimate list of Sleep Crystals below).
HERKIMER DIAMOND: Not only is she sparkly but she had a great memory. If you go to bed asking to receive messages on certain subjects this little beauty literally helps you remember in the morning long enough to write it down. We all have fallen victim to having a profound and informing dream however the details slip through our fingers when we wake up. Lauri Loewenberg, author of Dream On It: Unlock Your Dreams, Change Your Life, says “The best time to try to recall your dreams is in the first 90 seconds after you wake up, before the memory goes away.” P.S. So have Herkimer close by to help elongate this statitic and make sure to have a dream journal next to your bed in case inspiration strikes!
DANBURITE + LEPIDOLITE: One of my favorite dream cocktails! HOT TIP: Keep the dynamic dream on your nightstand, under my pillow or in your hands while sleeping! Danburite aids in restful sleep (we can all use more of that) and Lepidolite is the Xanax of the crystal community (considering we live in such a fast paced world we all can use extra help to relax).
Lights out! Sleep tight! Good night! Safe travels!
xo, Colleen
