Several years ago, I went through a phase where I woke up at 4 am, no matter what time I went to bed. I had just moved after a difficult breakup and was wholly unsettled. My coworkers, who were such kind people that they published the Random Acts of Kindness books, probably noticed as I became more fatigued and bedraggled but said nothing. This went on for many weeks. Finally, I mentioned to my boss I was having  sleep disruptions and she said, “Oh, 4 am; the hour of anxiety.” She had experienced the same which, in her case,  was due to hypervigilence where she could not “shut down” and going over her to-list in her mind, etc  A brilliant Buddhist, she noted her spiritual practice was her path to restored health and deep rest. In this instance, I knew my path could do the same for me. And it has. I pondered the wisdom of my Aunt Edie and the hedge witches of yore and realized I had gotten away from my roots. I was a farm girl yet I was spending zero time outdoors. I started going for daily walks in Golden Gate Park, unpacked my witchy tools, oil and teas and got some herb post growing on the windowsills and stoop of my tiny new apartment dwelling, I  self-soothed with these simple steps. It was not overnight but, soon enough, I was sleeping through the night, awakening refreshed. Sleep itself is healing and these remedies will keep you rested and rosy!

 Respite Rite: A Good Night’s Sleep Herbs

The sweet scent of petals and herbs can bring deep rest when you cast this spell. Try to perform this spell during a full moon.

Gather together:

• A small lidded box

•  white quartz crystal

• Fresh white and pink Rose petals, ½ cup

• 1  vanilla bean

• dried woolly thyme, 1/3 cup[

• A pinch of ground cinnamon

• Piece of white paper and a pen

Mix the flowers and herbs together, and fill the bottom half of the box. Chop the vanilla bean with our bolline and add that in. Now write 5 qualities you want in regard to rest and rejuvenation on the piece of paper.. For example, I did  this in a few years ago and wrote that I wanted to get up an hour earlier each day but feel fresh and rise up ready for the world . Sure enough, I was able to do that after one week. This manifesting magic works! Fold the paper at least once, to fit into the box. Fill the rest of the box up with the herbs. Nestle the crystal in the herbs right at the top, and close the lid. Each night, open the box up and take a sniff to remind you of your search for true restoration.