13 Herbs To Induce an Altered State of Consciousness and Aid in Hedge Riding

Reaching an altered state of consciousness (ASOC) is necessary for hedge riding and other forms of astral travel as it allows your spirit to transcend our reality. Reaching an ASOC is often difficult for those with overactive minds, especially in today's society which suggests relaxing means you are lazy. Winding down enough to quiet the mind and focus on shifting your consciousness takes work, but it can be aided through breathwork, drumming, chanting, dancing, and even plants.

Entheogens are a psychoactive group of plants that help induce an ASOC, often in a religious or shamanic context. The term entheogen comes from the Greek entheos meaning "god within" and genesthe meaning "to generate." This roughly translates to "to generate god within" or creating the divine within one's self, referring to the transcendence of one's spirit while under the effects of an entheogen. In other words, entheogens produce visions and induce an ASOC.

Entheogens have been used across cultures in a variety of religious activities, especially among shamans, medicine men, diviners, oracles, seidhr, and witches, among others. Many entheogens that have been used historically, such as fly agaric, peyote, ayahuasca, opiates, datura, and belladonna are currently illegal in many parts of the world or dangerous if not used under the guidance of a licensed professional. There are, however, several other entheogens and non-entheogens that are legal and generally considered safe, even for novice herbalists, that you can use in your practice.

In today's post, I offer 13 plants and herbs you can use to reach an ASOC and aid you in your hedge riding journey. As with all plant use, use at your own risk. Some of these plants do not mix well with certain medications, can induce anxiety or panic, cause cancer if used long-term, or are not legal in all areas.

1. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Mugwort is by far my favorite herb for just about everything, especially when it comes to hedge riding and spirit work. Sometimes referred to as the Witch Herb, mugwort is known for its ability to enhance psychic abilities and intuition, assist in lucid dreaming, and heighten awareness and focus. It is one of many plants commonly found in flying ointments, hallucinogenic salves/oils used to aid in hedge riding and other forms of astral travel.

Use

You can use dried leaves, stems, roots, or flowers of mugwort in a couple of different ways to induce an ASOC, but the best way is through smoking or inhaling incense smoke. It pairs well with tobacco in both instances. Mugwort can also be drunk as a tea. To make an infusion combine 1 teaspoon of dried mugwort with 1 cup of boiling water or try my Hedge Riding tea recipe. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10 minutes before drinking. Mugwort can also be used topically as an oil or ointment. Generally speaking, using mugwort topically is slower to induce an ASOC and can sometimes leave individuals feeling hung over. I have not experienced this with mugwort, but others have reported general fatigue, headache, and tiredness after use.

Do not use mugwort if you are:

• Allergic to ragweed, birch, celery, wild carrots, fennel, honey, hazelnuts, pine nuts, tobacco, or grass.
• Pregnant (causes uterine contractions)
• Living in Lousiana (currently banned)
  
  

2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

While lavender is not an entheogen, it is relaxing, helping to calm the mind and shift your awareness away from the mundane. Historically, lavender has been used to enhance sleep and induce prophetic dreams as it helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls bodily processes like breathing, heart rate, and hormone secretion. This is not the most potent of herbs on this list, but it is among the safest and also part of my Hedge Riding tea.

Use

The use of lavender is very diverse. The flowers can be drunk as an infusion, burned as incense, or used as an essential oil on pulse points, similar to how you would apply a flying ointment. To create an infusion, combine 1 teaspoon of dried lavender with 1 cup of warm (not quite boiling) water. Allow the mixture to infuse for 5-10 minutes before enjoying. 

Do not use lavender if you are:

• Allergic to tea tree oil. Some individuals who are allergic to tea tree oil are also allergic to lavender oil.
  
  

3. Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)

While you are probably most familiar with sage for its cleansing and protective qualities, garden sage can also be used to reach an ASOC. When burned, garden sage has been found to induce relaxation, enhance memory, and heighten awareness. Some report feeling lighter and having an elevated awareness when using garden sage. Like lavender, garden sage is not an entheogen and therefore not a potent as some other herbs on this list. That doesn't make it less effective though. 

Use

The best way to use garden sage is to smoke it or inhale incense smoke. It pairs well with tobacco and mugwort. It can also be drunk as an infusion although the effects are lessened significantly when used this way. To make an infusion, combine 1 teaspoon of dried leaves with 1 cup boiling water. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10 minutes before enjoying.

Do not use garden sage if you are:

• Allergic to peppermint, oregano, or pollen
• Have seizures (contains thujone which can trigger seizures)
• Taking medication to manage diabetes (can interact with diabetes medication)
  
  

4. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

Tobacco has long been used to aid in spirit communication and has been seen as the connection between humans and spirits. As such, it is commonly found on ancestral altars, smoked during certain ceremonial rituals, or used to summon spirits. Nicotine is mildly hallucinogenic allowing you to reach an ASOC when smoked or chewed. Nicotine, however, is also very addicting, and therefore tobacco should be used sparingly and with caution. It pairs well with mugwort and garden sage.

Use

Tobacco is most effective when smoked or chewed. It can also be used as an incense and the smoke inhaled.

Do not use tobacco if you are:

• Have asthma
• Pregnant (can cause birth defects)
  
  

5. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

This one might be surprising to some, but I promise you it's here for a reason. Lemongrass is often used in rituals to cleanse and purify, but that's not its only use. It's also used to calm the spirit and mind, enhance psychic abilities and focus, dissolve obstacles, and promote openness, allowing you to slip into the astral plane more easily. Furthermore, lemongrass has been used to aid in shapeshifting, making it of particular use to those engaged in astral travel.

Use

Dried lemongrass can be burned as an incense or drank as an infusion to induce an ASOC. If burning as an incense, lemon grass pairs well with mugwort and lavender. To create an infusion, combine 1 teaspoon of dried lemongrass with 1 cup of hot water (not boiling). Allow the mixture to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes before enjoying.

Do not use lemongrass if you are:

• Allergic to wheat, rye, oats, or rice (in the same family but does not contain gluten)
• Pregnant (causes uterine contractions)
  
  

6. Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

While damiana is most often used in sex magic, it can also be used to increase psychic awareness, induce prophetic dreams, and promote clairvoyance by aiding in relaxation. In the 1950s, damiana was often used in lue of marijuana as it induces a slight "high." It helps quiet the mind, allowing you to enter an ASOC more easily, while simultaneously heightening your perception. This makes it a great herb for hedge riding, trancework, and other forms of astral travel.

Use

Dried leaves of damiana can be smoked, burned as incense, or drank as an infusion, while the essential oil can be applied to pulse points to induce an ASOC. If smoking, damiana pairs well with marijuana (they have a similar flavor) or tobacco. To create an infusion, combine 1 teaspoon of dried damiana with 1 cup boiling water. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes before enjoying.

Do not use damiana if you are:

• Hypoglycemic or taking medication to regulate diabetes (can lower blood sugar)
• Living in Lousiana (currently banned)
  
  

7. Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)

Blue lotus is an entheogen that contains three alkaloids, apomorphine, aporphine, and nuciferine, that have psychotropic effects similar to cannabis. It induces an opioid-like state, making you feel lightly euphoric, and helping to induce a trance-like state. As such it is often used to induce lucid dreaming and to enhance visionary experiences. Because it goes through periods of "waking" and "sleeping," the Egyptians associated it with life and death, thus providing a spiritual connection with the afterlife. Its magical correspondences in conjunction with its psychotropic effects make it a wonderful herb to use during hedge riding. In the US, blue lotus is not approved for human consumption, making it difficult to find, but it is legal in every state except Louisiana. 

Use

Blue lotus can be used in a variety of ways, most commonly through drinking tea, taking an extract, or smoking the dried flower petals. It pairs well with tobacco and cannabis if smoking. To make an infusion, combine 1 teaspoon dried blue lotus flower with 1 cup hot water (not boiling) and allow the mixture to infuse for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.

Do not use blue lotus if you are:

• Allergic to water lilies and other related plants
• In the US military (use of blue lotus is prohibited for all service members)
• Living in Lousiana (currently banned)
  
  

8. Wild Asparagus Root (Asparagus racemosus)

Also known as Tian Men Dong meaning "heavenly spirit herb," wild asparagus root has long been used by spiritual practitioners for its "heart-opening" effects. Taoist monks often used wild asparagus root to strengthen one's spirit and induce dreams, nicknaming it "the flying herb" because it would help the user fly through the universe during lucid dreaming. Wild asparagus root is listed as endangered in its natural habitat, so if you plan on using this root in your practice, be sure you purchase it from a reputable dealer who practices sustainable harvesting practices.

Use

Wild asparagus root is usually drank as a tea. To make an infusion, simmer 1 teaspoon of dried wild asparagus root with 1-1.5 cups of water for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour depending on how strong you want your infusion.

Do not use wild asparagus root if you are:

• Allergic to onions, leeks, garlic, or chives
  
  

9. African Dream Root (Silene capensis)

African dream root has been used by the Xhosa and Zulu people of South Africa to induce lucid dreaming and promote vivid dreams. African dream root contains triterpene saponins, which are known to stimulate vivid dreams and lucid dreaming to those sensitive to its effects. Furthermore, the alkaloids and diterpenoids in the root give it a mild psychoactive effect, making it perfect for reaching an ASOC. However, if you choose to work with African dream root, be mindful of the cultural heritage associated with it. Respecting and honoring the traditions, practices, and cultures surrounding African dream root is essential. When in doubt, don't work with it if you aren't going to respect the culture it originates from. 

Use

African dream root is traditionally consumed as a foam. 1/8 of a teaspoon or 200 milligrams of dried root powder is combined with water in a container and shaken until foam forms. The foam is then consumed and the container is shaken again. This is repeated until you feel full or feel you have had enough. Dosing is extremely important here. While African dream root is not toxic, too much can cause you to vomit.

Do not use African dream root if you are:

• Suffering from stomach issues, such as ulcers (saponins may irritate the lining of the stomach and digestive tract)
• Not going to honor its cultural heritage
  
  

10. African Dream Bean (Entada rheedii)

Despite its name, the African dream bean is also native to Asia, Australia, and Madagascar, growing in tropical areas as a climbing vine. In South Africa, the bean's tender flesh was consumed or smoked to connect with the spirit world and ancestors and induce lucid dreaming, similar to that of the African dream root. While the psychoactive effects of the African dream bean are not fully understood, it's suspected that the saponins and alkaloids found in the seeds contribute to its dream-inducing properties. Like the African dream root, be mindful of the cultural heritage associated with it. Respecting and honoring the traditions, practices, and cultures surrounding the African dream bean is essential. When in doubt, don't work with it if you aren't going to respect the culture it originates from. 

Use

Traditionally the inner meat is eaten directly or the meat is dried and smoked.

Do not use African dream bean if you are:

• Suffering from stomach issues, such as ulcers (saponins may irritate the lining of the stomach and digestive tract)
• Not going to honor its cultural heritage
  
  

11. Shrubby Yellowcrest/Sun Opener (Heimia salicifolia)

Also known as Sinicuichi by the Aztecs, shrubby yellowcrest was and is commonly used to induce trances as it contains mildly hallucinogenic alkaloids such as vertine and lythrine, although its psychoactive properties have not been medically confirmed. Either way, it is said to not only induce a trance-like state but also alter auditory perception and yellowing of the vision when consumed in large quantities, giving rise to its name "Sun Opener." Shurbby yellowcrest is still used among certain groups in Central America and South America, so be respectful of its cultural heritage if you choose to work with this plant.

Use

Traditionally shrubby yellowcrest is used as an elixir that takes at least 24 hours to create. Fresh leaves are collected and allowed to wilt before being crushed and placed in a jar with cold water and placed in the sun. The mixture is left to ferment for at least 24 hours before being consumed. If you do not have access to fresh leaves, dried leaves can be used to create a non-traditional infusion by combining 1 teaspoon of dried leaves with 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the mixture to infuse for 15 minutes before enjoying.

Do not use shrubby yellowcrest if you are:

• Hypoglycemic or taking medication to regulate diabetes (may lower blood sugar)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Living in Lousiana (currently banned)
• Not going to honor its cultural heritage

12. Mexican Dream Herb (Calea zacatechichi)

Mexican dream herb or bitter grass is one of the most well-known dream herbs, historically being used by the Chontal Maya to induce lucid dreaming and improve mental clarity and focus. Users commonly report this herb helping journeys, trances, and dreams to follow a more coherent narrative instead of abruptly shifting or ending before you want them to. While most individuals use it to improve dream recognition, it can produce a mild hallucinogenic effect while awake, lower blood pressure, even breathing, and relax the body, allowing the user to slip into an ASOC and detach from our realm.

Use

Mexican dream herb is commonly smoked or drunk as tea. To create an infusion, combine 3-5 grams of dried leaves with 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.

Do not use Mexican dream herb if you are:

• Allergic to ragwed, daises, or chrysanthemums
• Hypoglycemic or taking medication to regulate diabetes (may lower blood sugar)
• Living in Lousiana (currently banned)
• Not going to honor its cultural heritage
  
  

13. Cannabis

Cannabis, like many other plants on this list, is an entheogen and it should surprise no one that I included it. When smoked or consumed, it induces an ASOC, allowing the user to slip between realms easily. It has long been used across multiple cultures with ritual uses being recorded in almost every civilization. Early Chinese occultists used cannabis to see into the future, while ancient Egyptians used it to induce visions and communicate with the gods. In the 15th century, a coven of witches in Germany was accused of using cannabis, among other herbs, in flying ointments. According to Christian Ratsch, cannabis was associated with Freya and ritually used to connect with the divine feminine. The history is endless, but the uses are remarkably similar: induce an ASOC or trance and increase psychic abilities. 

Use

Cannabis can be smoked or consumed through food in small doses. Moderation is key when using cannabis, especially if you have never used it before. Too much and you lose control of the high, ruining your chances of hedge riding successfully.

Do not use cannabis if you are:

• Allergic to almonds, apples, bananas, chestnuts, eggplant, grapefruit, peaches, or tomatoes
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Taking anticoagulants (decreases their effectiveness increasing the risk of bleeding)
• Taking SSRIs (interferes with effectiveness and can cause mania)
• Living in a state or country where it's currently illegal

This is by no means a complete list of plants you can use to induce an altered state of consciousness when wishing to engage in hedge riding, lucid dreaming, or other forms of astral travel. However, these are some of the most accessible and most often used for such purposes because they are generally safe and legal. As I mentioned earlier, always exercise caution when working with any plant. If you are new to trancework and hedge riding, have a friend watch over you while you experiment with dosing. Always start with less before working up to higher doses. The point is not to get high, but to relax enough to shift your consciousness. If in doubt, stick with mugwort, lavender, lemongrass, and garden sage.

Happy exploring!

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The Transforming Witch: A Comprehensive Guide to Shapeshifting in Witchcraft

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Shapeshifting has long captivated the human imagination, holding a prominent place in the realms of witchcraft and the occult. In fact, the myth of the shapeshifting witch can be found in folklore around the world and across multiple cultures, from the British Isles to the Americas to Asia and Africa, where witches were reported to turn into rabbits, cats, deer, mice, owls, ravens, and wolves. Shapeshifting is an intriguing practice that involves altering one's physical form, or at least one's perception, and is often associated with mystical abilities and spiritual connections. In today's article, we delve into the depths of shapeshifting in witchcraft, exploring its historical roots, role in hedge riding and other contemporary applications, and how modern witches can engage in this transformative practice, including spells and rituals to help you transform! This is a hell of a long post, so buckle up witch!

What is Shapeshifting?

Shapeshifting, in the context of witchcraft, refers to the belief and practice of altering one's form or perception through magic and ritual and can take place in the Otherworld or on our current astral plane depending on the needs of the witch. It encompasses the idea of undergoing a physical or metaphorical transformation, allowing witches to embody different beings, animals, or even objects. Often times this occurs when the witch wears the body of an animal, such as a skin or mask, but it can also happen through ritual trance work. As much as many of us wish to physically transform into an animal, we know literal transformation is not possible, but it can certainly happen on an energetic or spirit level. This can occur in one of two ways: the witch's spirit transforms into the spirit of an animal or the witch's spirit 'rides' a living animal or external spirit on the physical plane or in the Otherworld. In either case, both are considered shapeshifting and can be used for the same purposes.

The History of Shapeshifting

Throughout history, shapeshifting has been a recurring theme in witchcraft and occult practices. Mythologists from different cultures are replete with tales of witches, sorcerers, and enchantresses who possess the ability to shift their shape at will. In folklore, we encounter stories of witches taking the form of animals, such as the witch's fetch or the lycanthropic legends of the werewolves. These myths and folklore are so widespread and prevalent that it's hard to cover them all, but I'll do my best to sum them up here.

Starting with prehistoric records, we have possibly the earliest record of shapeshifting found in the Cave of Trois-Frères in southern modern-day France. Among the drawings is one named "The Sorcerer," which looks to be a mix between a human and a deer in mid-transformation. While the image is debated, many scholars believe the image is a reference to a belief in the ritual of transformation.

The Sorcerer, drawing of the cave art, Cave of the Trois-Frères, France.

Later, in Ancient Rome and Greece, we see a number of classical writers reference shapeshifting, sometimes by choice and other times as a punishment. In the Odyssey, Circe punishes Odysseus and his men by turning them into swine while in Ovid's Metamorphoses, Jupiter punishes Lycaon by turning him into a wolf (lycanthropy anyone?). However, not all transformations were punishments. In The Golden Ass by Apuleius, Lucius uses a magical ointment to accidentally turn into an ass while attempting to transform into a bird. This is likely a precursor to later flying ointments, used by witches during astral flight and hedge riding. Among the gods, Zeus is known to shapeshift into countless different creatures and even turn others into animals as both punishment and for fun. Other gods and goddesses are noted as doing the same, such as Demeter transforming Ascalabus into a lizard for mocking her sorrow and King Lyncus into a lynx for attempted murder. Medusa is turned into a gorgon for having sexual intercourse, whether consensual or not, in Athena's temple. The list is honestly endless. Other times, women were transformed to escape being raped, such as Daphne being turned into a laurel, Corone into a crow, or even Demeter into a mare. These transformations were aided by the powers of the gods, whether invoked or not, suggesting that one could not change without magical or divine intervention.

Across the way in Scandinavia, the Nordic Völsunga saga also includes multiple tales of shapeshifting, sometimes by choice and sometimes due to a curse. In the tale of Sigmund and Sinfjötli, both are able to turn into wolves using wolf skins stolen from the sons of the king who were believed to be skilled in witchcraft. Unfortunately, after donning the skins, they are unable to transform back, becoming werewolves themselves. In yet another tale, Björn, the son of King Hring, is punished by the queen who strikes him with a wolf skin glove and curses him to become a rabid, wild animal who can eat only his father's sheep. He is later hunted down and killed by the king's men and the queen has his remains cooked and eaten during a feast. The idea of wearing an animal skin also appears in the Vælundar kviða where young maidens are said to wear the skins of swans to fly. There are also references in the Faroëse song of Finnur hin friði, where Finn turns into a werewolf after being cursed and in the second Kviða of Helga Hundingsbana a curse is said to turn people into wolves. Of course, Odin too, much like Zues, is mentioned on multiple occasions as turning into a bird, beast, fish, or woman, as well as Loki, for various purposes. 

Apart from references in songs and literature, there is also the eigi einhamir in Nordic and Icelandic folklore. The eigi einhamir, which means 'not one skin', were men who could take on the bodies of another and assume the nature of that body, usually a beast. They are only recognizable by their eyes, which cannot be changed despite the rest of their form shifting. How this shapeshifting occurred varied. Sometimes the skin of the animal was worn, other times the spirit left the body behind to inhabit or transform into a second form. It could also occur through incantations or charms, much like the charms found in Celtic countries.

German woodcut of werewolf from 1722

Much like the rest of Europe and the world, the British Isles have a host of shapeshifting myths and legends, as well as well-documented spells for shapeshifting. These tales mirror those found in Greaco-Roman and Scandinavian folklore and include such tales as the selkie wearing seal skin, kelpies disguised as horses or women, or the puca who can transform into multiple terrifying forms. There are also countless tales of people being transformed as a punishment, including Aoife who turned her stepchildren into swans to get rid of them, or Blodeuwedd who was transformed into an owl after betraying her husband. 

Apart from these tales we also have references to spells used for shapeshifting. Fīth-fāth (pronounced 'fee-fuh') is a Celtic shapeshifting spell, which is believed to render the user invisible to mortal eyes or transform them completely. Fīth-fāth has many different potential translations, including "shapeshifter," "effigy," and "words of magic," all referencing its use as a charm. Traditionally, it's believed these charms were spoken aloud with invocations for protection. It was often used by hunters, warriors, travelers, and smugglers wishing to render themselves unrecognizable to others, thus being used to make them 'invisible.' However, one translation of fīth-fāth is "the deer's aspect" leading some to believe the charms were first used by hunters to make them invisible or transform them into deer. The Carmina Gadelica references the latter in the story of Ossian who comes across a beautiful deer while hunting. This deer turns out to be his mother who says, "Do not hurt me, Ossian. I am thy mother under the 'fīth-fāth,' in the form of a hind abroad and in the form of a woman at home." This same text offers a shapeshifting spell, seen below, to render the user invisible or turn men into horses, bulls, and stags, and women into cats, hares, and hinds.

FATH fith (English Translation)
Will I make on thee,
By Mary of the augury,
By Bride of the corslet,
From sheep, from ram,
From goat, from buck,
From fox, from wolf,
From sow, from boar,
From dog, from cat,
From hipped-bear,
From wilderness-dog,
From watchful 'scan,'
From cow, from horse,
From bull, from heifer,
From daughter, from son,
From the birds of the air,
From the creeping things of the earth,
From the fishes of the sea,
From the imps of the storm.

More famous incantations come from Isobel Gowdie during the 17th-century witch trials. During her confessions, Gowdie named two charms: one for transforming into a hare and one for transforming back into a woman.

To transform into a hare:

    I shall go into a hare
    With sorrow and sych and meickle care;
    And I shall go in the Devil’s name,
    Ay while I come home again.

To transform back:
    Hare, hare, God send thee care.
    I am in a hare’s likeness now,
    But I shall be in a woman’s likeness even now.

Other witches reported similar shapeshifting incantations as seen below.

To transform into a cat:
    I shall go into a cat,
    With sorrow and sych and a black shat;
    And I shall go in the Devil's name,
    Ay while I come home again.

To transform into a crow:
    I shall go into a craw,
    With sorrow and sych and a blak thraw,
    And I shall go in the Devil's name,
    Ay while I come home again.

By the 13th century, it was wildly believed witches could turn into animals at will. Witches were believed to turn into hares, toads, dogs, cats, and other animals to steal milk from their neighbors, curse livestock, and otherwise create mischief and mayhem. In many cases, the harm done to the animal form caused similar wounds to the human. In 1649, John Palmer of St. Albans, England confessed to transforming into a toad in order to torment his neighbor. The neighbor reportedly kicked the toad and Palmer complained about sore shins afterward. Guazzo tells a similar story about a man encountering a toad after refusing to pay his tab at a local bar. The man believed the barmaid had overcharged him and thus left without paying. His traveling companions sliced the toad's throat and the barmaid was stricken with the same wound. Similar stories appear in American folklore, including Aunty Greenleaf who was said to take on the form of a white doe to torment her neighbors' livestock. When the doe was shot with three silver bullets, Aunty Greenleaf was said to later die with three silver bullets lodged in her spine.  

Of course, shapeshifting myths and folklore don't end there. We also have the Navajo skinwalkers, the American loup-garou, Korean kumiho, Japanese yōkai, the kitsune, Tatar's Yuxa, and the Mexican La Lechuza. As much as I would love to dive into every single region's shapeshifting myths and folklore, it's simply too much. I invite you to read up on the myths of your ancestors and the region where you now reside. There is a plethora of shapeshifting lore out there, you just have to go looking for it.

Modern Uses of Shapeshifting

In contemporary witchcraft, shapeshifting has taken on metaphorical and symbolic significance. Modern witches utilize shapeshifting as a tool for personal growth, empowerment, and self-discovery. Through the exploration of different archetypes and primal instincts, witches seek to deepen their understanding of themselves and their connection to the natural world, develop a relationship with an animal guide or totem, and even gain new perspectives on a problem. Shapeshifting becomes a means to tap into hidden aspects of the psyche and embrace transformative experiences. This can take many forms, including calling upon different animal spirits during spell work, meditating on different animal aspects, working with animal spirits, journaling, ritual dance, etc.

Reproduction of a woodcut from Ulrich Molitor's 'De Lamiis' (1489) showing 3 animal-headed witches flying on a forked stick (or stang). Shows how witches sometimes 'shape-shift' into animal forms when flying.

Shapeshifting also shares a deep connection with shamanic journeying and hedge riding, a practice in which the witch traverses the different realms of the Otherworld for spiritual insight and healing. Within hedge riding and other shamanic traditions, shapeshifting serves as a means to enter other dimensions, communicate with animal spirits, and tap into their wisdom and attributes. By assuming the form of a particular animal, the shaman can embody its qualities, accessing unique perspectives and guidance on their journey. An animal form is also often taken as a form of protection during otherworldly travel, as animal spirits are often able to traverse undetected, acting as a form of invisibility, much like the Celtic fīth-fāth incantations. An animal form also allows the witch to travel more quickly and, in some cases, access areas previously unreachable, such as high mountain tops, deep within the ocean or lake, or even burrowing underground or into tight spaces.

To summarize, modern witches often incorporate shapeshifting to

• explore different archetypes and primal instincts
• deepen one's understanding of self
• connect with the natural world
• develop a deeper relationship with an animal guide or totem
• gain new perspectives on a problem
• traverse the Otherworld quickly
• protect against prying eyes or make one invisible during otherworldly travel
• gain animal wisdom and guidance
• access previously unreachable places
• access certain qualities associated with an animal
  
  

How to Shapeshift

Modern witches engage in shapeshifting through various techniques and practices. Visualization exercises play a significant role, where witches create vivid mental images of their desired form or archetype, often coupled with ritual work such as wearing animal skin, dancing, drumming, or incantations. Through meditation, you can enter a state of deep focus and receptivity, allowing yourself to embody the essence and qualities of the chosen form. Energy work, such as harnessing personal energy or working with elemental forces, can serve as a catalyst for the transformation, although most witches find it easier to use a mask or skin or use an ointment to prompt the change. Needless to say, there are multiple approaches to shapeshifting and you need to experiment to find which method works best for you. Below are several ways you can engage in shapeshifting from both folklore and modern witchcraft.

1. Incantations and Charms

This is probably one of the most commonly cited historical ways to shapeshift with the incantations from Isobel Gowdie and her fellow witches being cited most often found in the History of Shapeshifting section above. These incantations can be modernized and adapted to turn you into any animal you desire. Since most modern witches do not incorporate God or the Devil in their craft, you can change these titles to whatever deities you do believe in, such as Lord, Lady, Horned God, Hekate, etc. Pagan musician Damh (pronounced "Dave") the Bard does an excellent job of this in his song Fith Fath Song where he says,

I shall go as a wren in spring
With sorrow and sighing on silent wing
And I shall go in our Lady’s name
Aye, ‘til I come home again

Then we shall follow as falcons grey
And hunt thee cruelly for our prey
And we shall go in our Horned God's name
Aye to fetch thee home again

Then I shall go as a mouse in May
Through fields by night and in cellars by day
And I shall go in our Lady's name
Aye ‘til I come home again

Then we shall follow as black tom cats
And hunt thee through the fields and the vats
And we shall go in our Horned God's name
Aye to fetch thee home again

Then I shall go as an autumn hare
With sorrow and sighing and mickle care
And I shall go in our Lady's name
Aye till I come home again

Then we shall follow as swift greyhounds
And dog thy steps with leaps and bounds
And we shall go in our Horned God's name
Aye to fetch thee home again

Then I shall go as a winter trout
With sorrow and sighing and mickle doubt
And I shall go in our Lady's name
Aye till I come home again

Then we shall follow as otters swift
And bind thee fast so thou canst shift
And we shall go in our Horned God's name
Aye to fetch thee home again.

Of course, writing your own incantations works just as well, if not better, than using others' work.

2. Wearing Animal Skins or Masks

Apart from incantations, many witches engage in shapeshifting by animal skins or masks to encourage a transformation. This is often coupled with ritual dancing and drumming until an altered state of consciousness is reached. In her books Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone and Skin Spirits: Animal Parts in Spiritual and Magical Practice, Lupa dives deep into the practice. Lupa more often transforms into a wolf by wearing wolf skin and dancing around a fire. During the dance, she allows the animal's spirit, the spirit within the pelt, to take over her body leading to her total transformation. Wearing an animal mask also can prompt such changes.

In Call of the Horned Piper, Nigel Jackson describes a similar ritual to that of Lupa's. In order to shapeshift, the initiate would undergo a symbolic death by undressing and crossing a lake or other body of water. Upon arriving on the other side, they would don a wolf skin or belt and enter into an altered state of consciousness to "be projected forth in the form of a wolf." This same practice can be replicated with any animal skin or mask using a cold shower as the bridge to "death" should you not have access to a river or lake and privacy.

Witsen's Shaman, late 17th century. The earliest depiction of a Siberian shaman.

Of course, not everyone has access to animal skins and some skins and body parts are illegal to own. Remember to always check with your local laws to figure out what you can and cannot own. While animal skins are often cost-prohibitive for many, owning other body parts can be just as effective, such as teeth, feet, skulls, and other bones or fur/feather pieces. Turn these remains into talismans by creating jewelry, charm bags, belts, or other ritual garbs that can be worn during your shapeshifting rituals. Some reports suggest using salves made from the fat of the animal also works, but I have not tried this method. If you can't access actual remains, I encourage you to make your very own animal mask. There are multiple ways to do this, but as you create your mask, be sure to ask for the animal's aid and infuse their essence into the mask.

3. Trance, Meditation, and Visualization

Reaching an altered state of consciousness coupled with one or both of the aforementioned methods is the key to actual transformation. Reaching an altered state of consciousness can be done in a variety of ways, including ritual dancing, drumming, humming, consuming psychoactive plants, or using ointments. You can read more about these different methods in my posts on hedge riding or try my hedge riding tea. Unlike with hedge riding, however, the goal of reaching this trance state is to shapeshift. With that intention firmly in your mind, you can visualize yourself shifting into your animal form, your consciousness slowly becoming that of an animal. You may find walking/crawling on all fours, growling, hissing, or otherwise behaving like the animal aids in this transformation. Become the animal you wish to transform into.

If you are looking to shapeshift while hedge riding, visualizing the shift, reciting an incantation, and donning your animal garb within the Otherworld will also work. I routinely shapeshift into a fox while traversing the Otherworld using a combination of these methods. Unlike on our plane, you don't need to shift your consciousness again, as that has already occurred. While you don't necessarily need anything physical to do this during hedge riding, having real animal remains or a mask on your person prior to hedge riding will greatly aid you in your work on the astral plane.

There are a couple of rituals that combine these three methods into one, including The Red Meadow's Lycanthropic Ritual, Denny Sargent's shapeshifting ritual (which is outlined more completely in his book Werewolf Magic), and Yasmine Galenorn's Mirror Spell for Shape-Shifting found in her book Totem Magic: Dance of the Shape-Shifter on pages 119-121.

When you are first starting out, start small, shapeshifting for very short periods of time. Experiment with a variety of methods, combing them into a ritual that works for you. However, as with all things magical, shapeshifting can be dangerous.

Shapeshifting Safety

As mentioned in the History of Shapeshifting, there are dangers to shifting into an animal form. This includes not being able to return to your body because you have forgotten you are human, forgetting which realm you belong to, journeying too far, being captured, injured, or killed while within the Otherworld or while riding a 'live' animal. There are many tales of witches traversing the world as an animal and being injured only for the same wound to appear on the witch's human form. These injuries often resulted in the death of the witch, so you should be mindful of these hazards while shapeshifting. So what can you do to protect yourself?

1. Set clear and firm boundaries and time limits for travel. Setting an alarm or using a musical cue can help pull you back from your trance.
   
   
2. Have a spotter that can help rouse you should you not come back when originally planned. This is especially important if you are just starting out. If you don't have someone that can spot you, send a really loud, obnoxious alarm to alert you when it's time to return.
   
   
3. Have a safe word or incantation that when spoken pulls your spirit back into your body. You can use Isobel Gowdie's charm, write your own, or pick a safe word/phrase important to you.
   
   
4. Use a red witch's thread tied around your finger or arm to anchor your spirit to your physical body. If you get lost, follow the thread back to your body.
   
   
5. Carry or wear protective charms that will prevent your spirit from being stolen or harmed while in the Otherworld. Your familiar or even household pet can also act as a protector of your body, sitting on or near you during shapeshifting to ensure nothing else tries to inhabit your body.
   
   
6. When you are finished shapeshifting, make sure you are completely grounded in your human body by grounding and centering and enjoying some food and drink.

You can find more useful tips in my post, Hedge Riding Safety Tips if you are using shapeshifting in the Otherworld. Many of the same tips are useful during shapeshifting.

Shapeshifting in witchcraft remains an enigmatic and alluring practice, intertwining myth, history, and contemporary spirituality. It offers a gateway to explore the depths of our own selves, connect with the primal forces of nature, and embark on transformative journeys of self-discovery. Whether through the exploration of archetypes, communion with animal spirits, or embracing the hidden aspects of our being, shapeshifting provides a mystical transformation that resonates with the essence of witchcraft. With a few precautions and plenty of practice, I hope you'll find shapeshifting to be a profoundly magical experience. Until next time!

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5 Deities to Aid in Hedge Riding and Astral Travel

Hedge riding is the act of purposely entering an altered state of consciousness and traveling to the Otherworld to seek wisdom, work with spirits, and perform magic. It's the defining characteristic of the hedge witch, and this form of astral travel has been performed across multiple cultures for centuries. For some, it can be difficult to cross the hedge, the boundary that separates our reality from the Otherworld. Invoking the aid of a deity may help lessen the burden of travel and open the doors to new opportunities, wisdom, and magical lessons. But who can you call on for aid? Below are five deities that can aid you in your travels to the Otherworld and beyond!

Freya & Odin

Yes, these are two deities, but they are both equal masters of seiðr, a form of Nordic shamanism used to divine the future, shape fate, and traverse the Otherworld, much like modern hedge riding and hedgecraft. Seiðr was historically a highly gendered practice so Odin acted as a model for men and Freya for women, although some texts suggest it was 'unmanly' for men to practice as it was considered 'woman's work.' Odin defied these gender norms by learning seiðr from his wife, Freya/Freyja, and engaging in the practice to learn the magic of the runes, divine the future, and engage in spirit communication. Both Freya and Odin can be called upon to aid in hedge riding, by men, women, and nonbinary folks alike. I suggest including a distaff in your work, the tool most often used in seiðr to connect with the World Tree.

Hekate

Hekate is the goddess of witches, magic, necromancy, and otherworldly travel. It was Hekate, along with Hermes, who led the search through the Underworld for Persephone, her torch lighting the way through the darkness. As such, she is deeply associated with traversing the Otherworld, safe travels, and crossroads, and is said to be easily found in liminal places, such as the hedge. Call upon Hekate to lend you her torchlight and guide you on your way through the Otherworld safely. 

Brigid

Brigid may seem like an odd choice, but understanding her history sheds light on her liminal nature. Brigid is traditionally associated with Imbolc, the time between winter and spring. Furthermore, she walked between worlds, both fairy and mortal, and later was the bridge between Celtic paganism and Christianity. Her liminal nature, and her willingness to cross between realms, make her an excellent guide and travel partner for those engaging in hedge riding. 

Áine

Áine's history is riddled with contradictory folklore, but one thing is for certain, she was assaulted by Ailill Aulom, King of Munster, and bit off his ear during the assault, rendering him unfit to be a king. As the goddess of sovereignty, Áine holds the ability the grant and remove someone's power to rule. However, it's her association with Midsummer and lakes that are of particular interest to the modern hedge witch. Midsummer is believed to be a liminal time for the fae who actively cross between realms during this time to celebrate the Sun. Lakes, like hedges, are also liminal places, acting as portals to the Otherworld. Áine is just one of many Lady of the Lakes found throughout the United Kingdom and was said to emerge each Midsummer to bask upon her favorite spot. Her power is particularly potent on and around Midsummer, and the modern hedge witch can call upon her services to guide them safely through watery portals.

Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga is among the most infamous witches found in Slavic folklore. According to legend, Baba Yaga engages in nightly flights in her mortar, using her pestle to guide her along her way. She shares many traits with Hekate, sometimes being viewed as a triple aspect, while other times being represented by the matronly crone. No matter how you view her, Baba Yaga often extends a helping hand to those who seek her out, although she is often harsh in her tone and words. Call upon her to guide your way through the darkness and into the Otherworld, meet spirits, and even make your way to the Witch's Sabbath. If you treat her with respect and offer her a spot of alcohol or some tobacco, she'll be more apt to oblige. 

***

Of course, this list is not exhaustive by any means. There are multiple other deities that are associated with astral travel and the Otherworld, but remember to be culturally sensitive when choosing a deity to work with. Before invoking a deity for hedge riding, be sure you have developed a relationship with them first. If you wouldn't ask it of a friend, let alone a stranger, then don't ask it of a deity. Furthermore, just because you have built a relationship and asked for their aid, doesn't necessarily mean the deity will show up. They are not there to serve your every need and if you run into a non-responsive deity, try another time.

How you ultimately invoke one of these deities is completely up to you. Once you have an established relationship, you will know how to ask for their aid, thank them for their service, and what offerings they prefer. Go with your gut. I promise you'll know the way when the time comes.

Happy traveling!

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Hedge Riding Tea to Aid in Reaching an Altered State of Consciousness

I think by now it's pretty obvious I have a thing for tea. I think most witches do, partly for the experience and flavor, and partly due to the magical and medicinal properties that come with it. Tea is a great way to use herbs in your practice with many of them offering so much more than their magical correspondences. Tea magic is incredibly simple and can be used to manifest and banish pretty much anything if done correctly. However, tea also heals and relaxes, and, depending on the recipe, can be used to help you reach an altered state of consciousness required for hedge riding. Use this tea recipe below to help you do just that!

Hedge Riding Tea

1 tsp dried lavender 

1 tsp dried rosemary 

2 tsp dried mugwort 

honey or another sweetener to taste 

Begin by grinding the dried herbs together. Place in a tea ball and combine with 1 cup hot water and sweetener. Let steep for 10 minutes, stirring clockwise occasionally. As you do so, chant "draught of night, bring me flight." Consume prior to hedge riding. 

Lavender helps you relax and be open to traveling, rosemary enhances memory to help you recall the journey and improves circulation, allowing the herbs to work faster, and mugwort is a known mild psychedelic that will help you reach an altered state of consciousness. Mugwort is the key ingredient here. This isn't the best-tasting tea in the world, but it works.

Let me know if this tea works as well for you as it does for me in the comments below!

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Reader Question: How Do I Know If My Journeys Are Real?

"How do I know if my hedge riding journeys are real?"

This is a fairly common question I am asked as a hedgewitch in regards to hedge riding. Hedge riding is the act of reaching an altered state of consciousness to travel to the Otherworld to work magic, perform healing rituals, complete soul work, divine the future, and communicate/mediate with spirits. During this process, our senses are flooded with images, information, sounds, and smells, and it's not surprising that some people, especially the skeptical, feel as if it were all just in their head, that none of it was real. It is perfectly okay to question your journeys; in fact, I encourage you too. It is through critical analysis of our experiences that we are able to decode the messages the Universe is sending us and evolve spiritually. 

So how exactly do you know if your journey is real versus an active imagination? There are a couple of things that separate hedge riding journies from visualization, pathwalking, and meditation. First, you lose control of the journey. During the beginning of hedge riding, while you are attempting to reach that altered state of consciousness, you have control over the visualization. However, once you pass over into an altered state of consciousness and enter into the Otherworld, the visualization is no longer in your control. You are unable to control the actions of others and how the surroundings respond to you, just like you don't control other entities within our plane of existence. For example, I have encountered a number of spirits in the Otherworld, each vastly different from the next. When I encounter these spirits, they act of their own free will. What they say and do is completely beyond my control. When something disturbing happens within the Otherworld, I can't simply will it away like in my nightmares. I cannot change a scary beast into a fluffy bunny. I also cannot control how the environment behaves. I cannot will it to be day time or night time; I cannot will the rain to stop and for the sun to beam down, just like I can't on Earth either. This loss of control of the narrative is the key difference between hedge riding and an active imagination. If you believe you are hedge riding and you find yourself in control of forces outside of yourself, that's an indicator that you are not in fact hedge riding. However, as I mentioned before, you have control in the beginning, as you enter into the Otherworld and reach an altered state of consciousness. I always have control of the beginning of my journey, but when I 'pop' through to the Otherworld, that control vanishes.

Second, time does not behave the same way it does within our realm. Sure during visualizations and pathwalking you can speed up events, but that's the key here; you are doing the speeding up. Within the Otherworld, time behaves however it sees fit, completely beyond your control. Sometimes it slows down, dragging similar to the way 2020 lasted 50 years. Other times it speeds up, with you able to live several lifetimes in a matter of minutes. I have had experiences last hours in the Otherworld, only to come out of my journey 20 minutes later in our world. I have to say, the lifetimes spent within the Otherworld are some of the most powerful journeys, ones I have been unable to achieve through mediation or pathwalking. So, if you have control over the flow of time in your journey, then it is unlikely you are hedge riding.

The last sign that your journey may or may not be real is more difficult to explain. It's based on how you feel afterward and everyone always feels different. So for this, I can only speak from my experience and you will have to determine what differentiates hedge riding journeys from mediation and pathwalking for you. First, when I meditate, visualize, or pathwalk I am often feeling light and relaxed afterward. The only time I ever feel particularly tired after such work is if I was already tired. All the meditation did was relax me further. After hedge riding, however, I often feel very, very different. Sometimes I am utterly exhausted. My muscles ache, my body is stiff, and I am out of breath. Other times I am exhilarated, my heart, and mind racing. Very rarely do I come out of a journey relaxed and at ease. Of course, this is just me, so you need to find your difference.

I have to say though, the biggest question isn't always, "Was my journey real?" but "What did I learn?" Maybe you didn't technically hedge ride, but did you find the answers you were seeking? Isn't that really what matters in the end? One of my favorite interactions from Harry Potter, apart from the Always scene, of course, is the conversation between Harry and Dumbledore at King's Cross Station purgatory. Harry asks Dumbledore, "Professor? Is this all real, or is it just happening in my head?" to which Dumbledore responds, "Of course it's happening inside your head, Harry! Why should that mean that it's not real?" This is how I try to live my life as a hedgewitch. Even if it is all just in my head, it is very, very real to me and that's all that matters. Just because someone else doesn't believe it is, has no impact on how my hedge riding journeys have affected me. The same applies to you. It's hard to let go of our ego and our need for approval from others, but part of our spiritual journey is to do just that. I promise you it will open you up to so much more.

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Hedge Riding and Hedgecraft 101: Resources for the Aspiring Hedgewitch

Hedge riding is a form of astral travel in which the rider first reaches an altered state of consciousness before traveling to the Otherworld. Unlike meditation, guided meditation, or pathwalking, the rider loses control of the vision and the beings they interact with and therefore does not determine what will or will not happen during the journey. The only control the rider has is over themselves. Furthermore, hedge riding differs from astral projection in that it takes place outside of our realm in the Otherworld, while astral projection occurs within our plane of existence.

There are much confusion and misinformation floating around about hedgewitches and the practice of hedge riding. I have created this page to help dispel some of these misconceptions and link those interested in the practice to some valuable information and resources. It should be noted that under no circumstances should hedge riding be taken lightly. The act of reaching an altered state of consciousness alone can be dangerous, not to mention the spirits you encounter in the Otherworld. Should you wish to learn how to hedge ride, do so with caution, and always remember to protect yourself.

From Flying the Hedge

What is a Hedgewitch?
Hedgewitch vs Kitchen Witch
Meditation, Pathwalking, and Hedge Riding: Making Sense of it All
Meditation, Astral Project, and Hedge Riding: What's the Difference?
What is Hedge Riding?
Realms of the Otherworld
Focusing the Mind: Getting Ready to Ride
Preparation + Hedge Riding Sachet
Hedge Riding Etiquette: Do's and Don't's of Interacting with Spirits
Hedge Riding Safety Tips: Staying Safe Outside Our Realm
How to Hedge Ride + Flying Ointments
Seeking Your Animal Guides + My Animal Guides
Questioning Spirits: Is This Spirit My Guide?
Developing a Relationship With Your Spirit Companions
After You Hedge Ride: Coming Back to Earth
Setting Up Your Astral Garden/Office
Sigils for Hedge Riding
5 Crystals for Hedge Riding 
My Hedge Riding Experiences
How Do I Know If My Journeys Are Real?
Hedge Riding Tea to Aid in Reaching an Altered State of Consciousness

Books

Hedge Witchcraft by Harmonia Saille
Hedge Riding by Harmonia Saille
Witches, Midwives, and Nurses by B. Ehrenreich and  D. English
The Book of Hedge Druidry by Joanna van der Hoeven
The Witch's Book of Spirits by Devin Hunter
Hedge-Rider: Witches and the Underworld by Eric De Vries
To Fly By Night: Craft of the Hedgewitch edited by Veronica Cummer
Cunning-Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic
Elves, Witches, and Gods: Spinning Old Heathen Magic in the Modern Day by Cat Heath

This post is not officially archived under "Resources" which includes tons of books, blogs, shops, podcasts, apps, and more. 

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Sigils for Hedge Riding

Sigils are a great way to pack powerful intentions into a spell using a design. Sigils use symbols and imagery to manifest a specific intent and are one of the most common forms of magic in the modern world. These three sigils are designed to help you hedge ride, protect you while in the Otherworld, and call your guides to you. Enjoy!

Sigil for Hedge Riding

Sigil for Protection in the Otherworld

Sigil to Summon Your Guides

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Meditation, Astral Projection, and Hedge Riding: What's the Difference?

You can read more about the differences, specifically between meditation, pathwalking, and hedge riding here.

Questioning Spirits: Is This Spirit My Guide?

When hedge riding, I often encounter any number of spirits. Honestly, I prefer to work alone or with a select few spirits when I am hedge riding, but there are times that spirits specifically seek me out. Sometimes these spirits have a message for me for someone else, although this is rare in my case. I've made it pretty well known to the spirits of the Otherworld that I have no desire to be their medium, at least not at this time in my life. Most of the time, however, the spirits are coming to work directly with me, some asking to stay in my life longer than one journey. It's important that we are critical of these interactions. Not every spirit we encounter is benevolent and not every spirit has your best interest in mind. For example, the spirit attached to my ex-husband. I made the mistake of trying to steal my heart piece back from this spirit instead of doing it the proper way and ended up being stalked by the creature every time I crossed the veil. It was terrifying and extremely dangerous and reckless of me, but I desperately wanted to feel better. Up until the beginning of this year, the creature had hung out just outside my Garden gate, waiting. However, with the help of three new spirits, I was able to banish this creature and have felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. When I first met these new spirits, however, I was hesitant and skeptical. The only reason I even allowed myself to work with them is because Meka, my fox guide, trusted them. If Meka trusts you, I trust you. Despite her trust, I still sat down and recorded everything I could about these new spirits and how I felt working with them. Each time since that I have encountered them, I have expanded on my notes. I want to be sure these spirits are really there to help me and not trying to trick me. So far so good.

It's extremely important that we judge the spirits we work with in the same way we judge strangers. Always be cautious and wary, especially of eager spirits. Most spirits are not pushy and overbearing. A benevolent spirit will leave if you are uncomfortable and ask them too. If a spirit is too eager to hang around you, be mindful of their behavior and tread carefully. That isn't to say all eager spirits are out to get you! Child-like spirits and those who passed before their time tend to be immature and pushy, just like little kids. Just use your best judgment and always trust your gut. Keep a detailed record of your interactions with these spirits to help you decide if the spirit is really a guide or partner, or if they are just trying to use you.

Devin Hunter in his book The Witches Book of Spirits has a really great outline of questions you should consider and statements you can rank to help you determine whether or not the spirit is truly a spirit guide, familiar, helpful spirit, or something else. When you first meet a spirit you suspect may be a guide or otherwise helpful spirit, begin by asking the following questions:

What is your name?
Do you come to work with me?
Have we worked together before? When?
What are you capable of doing for me?
What do you want in return for your assistance?
What shape do you most often take?
How will you present yourself to me when you want to make yourself known?
What can I do to immediately feel connected to you?
What messages do you have for me? Where do you come from?
Were you once human?
What are your interests?
What are you here to teach me?

I've modified or left out some of his suggestions because I personally don't feel they are pertinent questions, but that's just me. And of course, these are just basic questions to get you started. When conversing with a spirit, you'll often know intuitively which questions to ask. Spend time getting to know them during your journey for as long as it takes. Once you have returned, Hunter suggests using his Spirit Guide Profiler to rate your interactions with the spirit. I absolutely love this idea and have started using it in my own practice. Each statement is ranked 1-5, 1 being strongly disagree and 5 strongly agree. Rate each statement below when you encounter a new spirit that may be a guide:

I feel a vibrational or energy change when actively communicated with this spirit.
I feel safe when this spirit is around.
I feel calm when this spirit is around.
This spirit is easy for me to communicate with.
I feel that the information exchanged between us betters me.
This spirit is direct when it communicates with me.
This information comes to me easily.
The information is easily integrated or used.
This spirit has accurately informed me of future trends in my life.
When I finish my work with this spirit, I am left feeling empowered.
This spirit assists me in my life.
This spirit and I have a deep connection.
The spirit feels like it might be a potential familiar spirit.
This spirit is will to journey through the Otherworld.

Again, I have modified several of these and excluded one statement: Since meeting this guide I have been able to help and encourage others. This isn't an important factor to me because I am selfish and journey for me alone, not others. However, you may feel the need to add it to your list. If your score is low (15-30) this spirit probably isn't a guide. Cleanse and release yourself from this spirit. If your score is between 31 and 45, this may be a spirit guide, but they are most definitely worth continuing to work with, even if they aren't a guide. They are at least helpful to you but take proper precautions. They could also be a spirit guide that is not yet ready to become a full guide as some of the pieces or connections between you two are missing. If the score is 46-60, the spirit is likely a guide and you should continue working with them until the day comes that the lesson they had for you is taught. Remember, guides come and go, so we open to change. No matter what, keep a record of these answers and ranked statements and revisit them as information changes. A spirit may make you feel comfortable one day and really uncomfortable the next. You will not always know after one meeting whether or not a spirit is helpful, but keeping detailed records will help you sort it out down the road.

When you encounter a new spirit, how do you determine if they are a guide, familiar, helpful spirit, or something else entirely?