SOCIAL MEDIA

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Astral Projection: What It Is & How To Do It

Note: This post contains potentially problematic practices or language, cultural appropriation, or misinformation. I have been working diligently to decolonize my practice, for which you can learn more about in my article Decolonizing Witchcraft: Racism, Whitewashing, and Cultural Appropriation in Witchcraft and How to Decolonize Your Practice. I believe in documenting my journey in witchcraft and that my readers can learn from my mistakes, so the posts will remain as a learning opportunity.

I would first like to apologize for being gone so long. Things have been very busy in our home, and I have been rather sick. I went to the dentist yesterday to have a root canal finished up only to find out that the tooth is still infected despite antibiotics, and two other teeth had become infected. So now I am on really strong antibiotics and steroids, and I believe they are working. I still feel like I was hit by a bus, but at least my teeth don't hurt. But anyway!

Astral Projection: What It Is & How To Do It

Since I have already covered what dream magic is, how to stimulate dreams, and how to promote prophetic dreams, I'd like to talk about astral projection. First and foremost, astral projection is NOT something to mess around with. Do NOT attempt astral projection while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or pharmaceuticals. If you are sick, weak, frail, or have suffered sexual abuse or post-traumatic stress, you should also NOT attempt astral projection. Astral projection is potentially harmful and can lead to soul loss so please, please, please exercise caution.

While sleeping, our soul becomes liberated, allowing us to journey if we so wish. Astral projection reaps the benefits of the dream-state while also retaining memory and control of the experience. It's easier said than done. The soul often resists traveling, especially if any consciousness remains, and for a good reason. I'm going to say it again, astral projection is dangerous. Not only could you potentially lose part of your soul, but sometimes things can come back with you.

According to some, during astral projection, our body and soul stay connected with a thin silver cord. This allows you to confidently travel with the assurance that the cord will lead you safely back. Usually, the return to your body is effortless. As you naturally awake, your soul and body are automatically re-joined. However, if you are awakened abruptly, you may feel a jolt, or a moment of shock, panic or disorientation. In extreme cases, soul loss can occur.

Astral projection normally occurs while you are asleep. However, experienced witches like myself are able to travel while awake using lucid dreaming. Some find it extremely challenging to astral project, while others find it natural. I have never had an issue projecting. In fact, I started as a kid before I even knew what it was. I used to lay in my bed or sit by the creek and just go places. As an adult, I normally only astral project to check up on family and friends I am worried about. I very rarely travel for fun any more, not because it isn't enjoyable, but because it takes a lot of energy. If you are projecting while asleep, you may find you do not wake well rested. It's because you used a considerable amount of energy going for that soul walk. As a child we have endless stores of energy, but as an adult these stores are drained quickly through the stresses and challenges we face everyday. So pace yourself and take the same precautions to protect yourself as you do in your day to day life.

There are many different ways to begin traveling. The best way to start is to hone your visualization skills. Lie down, shut your eyes, and relax in your bed. Now imagine yourself standing at the foot of your bed, exactly as it is, looking at yourself. Repeat this often until you are able to completely visualize the space. After a while you will be able to start walking away from your self, each time further and further away. To do this while sleeping, which is honestly so much easier since the soul has no inhibitions, visualize where you want to go. Form a compete imagine in your mind of where, when, and who you wish to visit. What do you look like? What are you wearing? What do they look like? What are they wearing? Is it night, day, morning, afternoon, evening? Is is hot or cold? What season? Pay attention to all the details; nothing is too much. Now charge yourself with a mission and go to sleep. Keep practicing and keep a record of your attempts. This takes time so don't give up.

To enhance your astral projection abilities you can place live mugwort around your bed or a yellow gemstone in your hand or Third Eye chakra. Jasper also has a strong association with astral travel, so either sleep with in under your pillow, on your chakra or cast a circle of jasper around you while you sleep. Grinding cinnamon, mugwort, and sandalwood into a fine powder and mixing it with arrowroot powder before sprinkling on your sheets will also aid in astral projection.

Have you ever used astral projection? How long did it take you to begin traveling? Anything negative ever occur? Good? To those of you who have not yet traveled, I wish you the best of luck. Stay safe!


14 comments :

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. I learned alot just now reading about this astral projection to my awareness I have learned that I have been doing since I was a child and I have good and bad experiences with it I think like you said have lost part of my soul to it and that scares me so if you could reach back to me I would like to talk to you I think I may need your help on some things please my name is Shannon and I cry out to you for some help

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    1. Hey Shannon, shoot me an email. I would love to talk and help you through in whatever way I can!

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  3. I want to astral project, but I don't want to have any fear. Other sources I've read have said that nothing can hurt you, and that it isn't dangerous because what you see is a reflection of yourself and you just have to show it love or ask it to leave. I've also heard that what you see in the astral world is only a reflection of yourself, and anything negative is your own inner darkness. And then I also have heard that there are sort of spiritual vampires in the planes that you may have to fight off and can lose your soul to if you aren't careful. I guess, is it worth the risk? What do you gain? And why am I coming across different explanations of whether it is dangerous or not? I just feel a little too misinformed before I can proceed. Thanks for all of your posts, they are really informative and inspiring!

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    1. Astral projection occurs within our plane of existence and therefore there are dangers, just like there are in every other aspect of your daily life. Many people call astral projection an "out of body experience." As such, there is always danger when your leave behind your body behind and travel astrally. Any source that is telling you otherwise is sugarcoating the details. However, with proper precautions, such as grounding and centering before and after, writing protection symbols on yourself, red thread, etc, you should remain relatively safe. Basically, the same safety procedures you would use during hedge riding (see my hedge riding series) can be used for astral projection. Your biggest issue is not fully returning to your body, which again, can be fixed by grounding and centering. Grounding roots you firmly back in "reality" while centering pulls all your energy (soul if you want to call it that) back to you. You also run the risk of running into less than savory entities while astral projecting, but usually shielding and common protection spells will keep you safe. I tend to make things seem slightly more dangerous than they actually are because I don't want to be the reason someone gets hurt. Just like with any form of magic, there are risks and you should do what you need to keep yourself safe. Hopefully that clears things up for you.

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  4. Does Lucid dreaming help with Astral Projection? Because I have had several lucid dreams on accident/purpose. Could you teach me how to control them?

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    1. Lucid dreaming can totally help. If you are looking to achieve astral projection, I would focus on meditation and pathwalking. These will help focus your mind and sharpen your skills. Then move on to attempting astral projection.

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    1. Honestly, by practicing witchcraft and calling yourself a witch! If you are looking for where to start, I suggest with books and blogs like this one. Learn everything you can and practice, practice, practice!

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    2. I have a question. As I know someone who intends harm to me and my family through jealousy. She calls herself a wiccan. My friend said that wiccans aren't allowed to Astral projects she heard that through her wiccan friend. So I'm curious if thats true or not. And keep in mind this jealous girl is new to witchcraft and very hormonal and jealous. And set on vengeance

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    3. That is absolutely not true. Wiccans often engage in astral projection, and I have never heard anything that says they "can't." I'm not sure where the person you referred to got this information, but it is certainly incorrect. As someone who has been practicing for upwards of 18 years, I encourage you to look into other witch and pagan paths. While Wicca is great for some, it is a religion that happens to practice witchcraft. There is so much more out there that offers more freedom.

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  6. im really confused as to how AP differs from hedge-crossing?

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    1. So I actually wrote two different articles about this. Check out this inforgaphic: https://www.flyingthehedge.com/2019/12/astral-projection-vs-hedge-riding.html

      And this article: https://www.flyingthehedge.com/2016/07/meditating-pathwalking-and-hedge-riding.html

      Hopefully that'll clear some of the confusion up for you!

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  7. I was wondering if it’s possible to astral project.. somewhat unintentionally. I was practicing some more intense meditation even though I haven’t done it in a while (probably wasn’t smart to start so intensely). I was practicing shielding, grounding and manipulating my energy (drawing it up and moving it around) and felt the need to “connect” to some of my friends and family. I did so and tried to draw myself back to my body after but my meditation end rather abruptly. I felt very “transparent” for a few hours and then feeling very fatigued after “solidifying”. Is this astral projecting?

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