Dreaming True — Plant Medicine for the Pisces Lunar Eclipse

Introduction to Rooted in the Stars and the Significance of Dreaming

leo · pisces

Ashley Marie Ellen Bost introduces the "Rooted in the Stars" segment of the Night Light Astrology podcast, focusing on the intersection of astrology and herbal medicine. She contextualizes the upcoming full lunar eclipse in Pisces by discussing the historical and cultural importance of dreams, citing ancient Greek, Egyptian, Indigenous, and Aboriginal traditions. The section concludes with a personal anecdote about visiting Asclepian dream temples in Italy to illustrate the healing power of sleep and dream interpretation.

• The host is Ashley Marie Ellen Bost, a clinical herbalist and director of Sky House Herb School.
• The episode addresses the full lunar eclipse occurring August 27–28 in the sign of Pisces.
• Themes for the eclipse include vision, intuition, disillusionment, and the dissolution of dreams.
• The goal is to use "dreaming herbs" to support mind-spirit communication rather than "curing" the Pisces energy.
• Ancient cultures, including those in the Mediterranean, Egypt, India, and North America, placed high value on dreams as a source of healing and ancestral communication.
• Modern Western medicine often views sleep as a period of shutdown, contrasting with ancient views of it as a time for insight.
• The host describes visiting Asclepian dream temples in southern Italy, where patients slept for days to receive healing visions interpreted by priests.
• She recounts feeling a vibrational "hum" in the stone slabs of these temples, suggesting a stored mineral memory of deep dream states.

Lunar Eclipse in Pisces: Rituals and 18-Year Cycles

pisces

The creator discusses methods for entering dream states, such as nighttime rituals and sleeping in nature, to prepare for the upcoming lunar eclipse on the 27th and 28th. This eclipse is described as an energized full moon in Pisces that culminates cycles, revealing themes of inspiration, idealism, and the exposure of long-avoided fantasies. The speaker connects these themes to the 9 and 18-year eclipse cycles, linking the current moment to past events in August 2007 and August 2016.

• Nighttime rituals like tea, aromatics, baths, and prayer can help enter a deeper dreaming state.
• A lunar eclipse is an amplified full moon that marks the culmination and revelation of a cycle's "fruit."
• Pisces themes include inspiration, visions, idealism, and romanticism, with shadow aspects involving over-idealizing or neglecting reality.
• Eclipses expose both built-up achievements and avoided issues or neglected visions.
• The 18-year cycle connects the current eclipse to events in August 2007 and August 2016.
• In August 2007, the speaker was a young herbalist managing a new yoga studio, learning leadership and building confidence.
• In August 2016, the speaker's business Sky House Yoga was thriving, but they also explored and ultimately rejected the idea of buying an off-grid retreat center.
• Reviewing old emails from these dates can help identify personal threads and recurring themes.

Personal Growth, Piscean Vision, and Mugwort for Dreaming

cancer · pisces · taurus

The speaker reflects on their personal evolution from 2007 to the present, emphasizing the release of stress and the alignment of their lifestyle with their earthy Taurus and Cancer placements. They invite the audience to examine their own life threads, focusing on the Piscean theme of vision and how past dreams have manifested. The discussion then shifts to herbal remedies, introducing mugwort as a key ally for deepening into the dream realm, drawing parallels between the herb's properties and the goddess Artemis.

• The speaker has moved from a high-pressure state in 2016 to a sustainable lifestyle that suits their Taurus Sun/Moon and Cancer Rising.
• Audiences are encouraged to trace the "threads" of their lives from 2007 to 2016 to the present, specifically looking at the evolution of their personal vision (Piscean theme).
• Mugwort (*Artemisia vulgaris*) is introduced as an herb associated with dreaming, purification, and the goddess Artemis.
• Artemis represents the balance between vision and discernment, warning against the Piscean tendency to overextend or lose touch with reality.
• Mugwort is used in Chinese medicine as moxa to move stagnant blood and chi, helping to overcome fixations on unrealistic goals.
• Practical uses for mugwort include creating dream pillows, hanging bundles above beds, brewing tea (with honey and salt to mask bitterness), taking tinctures, and burning it as a smudge stick.
• Mugwort should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and internal use is recommended for short cycles (e.g., 3 days on, 1 day off) for one to two weeks.

Angelica Archangelica and Lavender for Dreaming

pisces

This section details the use of Angelica archangelica as a protective and dreaming herb, linking its "bear medicine" status to hibernation and visioning. It covers practical applications such as carrying the root as a talisman, burning it for a hypnotic effect, or preparing it as a decoction or tincture, while emphasizing critical safety warnings regarding pregnancy and look-alike plants. The window concludes by introducing Lavandula angustifolia as a calming herb to quiet the nervous system and facilitate the transition into contemplative spaces.

• Angelica archangelica is described as a "bear medicine" due to its root appearance and consumption by bears, symbolizing protection and the dream-time state of hibernation.
• The herb offers protection against the "porous" and dissociative nature of Pisces energy, serving as a talisman when carried in pockets or lockets.
• It functions as a warming digestive herb (carminative) that helps settle unease and aids in processing dream imagery.
• Usage methods include burning the root for a subtle, hypnotic alteration of perception, making a strong decoction from the root, or taking a tincture.
• Safety warnings stress the need to buy from reputable sources due to lethal look-alikes in the Apiaceae family, and it must be avoided during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or when taking anticoagulants.
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is introduced as a safe, widely known herb that helps quiet overwhelmed or scattered feelings associated with Pisces energy.

Lavender & California Poppy for Dreaming

leo · pisces

This section details practical methods for using lavender to calm the nervous system and induce sleep, emphasizing its safety and various forms of use such as tea, baths, and essential oils. It then introduces California poppy (*Eschscholzia californica*) as a hypnotic herb for restlessness and anxiety, distinguishing it clearly from opium poppy. The creator connects California poppy’s physical behavior to the astrological energies of Leo and the Pisces eclipse, encouraging a practice of receptivity and gratitude toward past mentors.

• Lavender is anxiolytic and helps activate the vagus nerve to reduce hypersensitivity and anxiety.
• Practical lavender uses include dried flowers in bowls, 100% essential oils in diffusers or on cotton balls, pillow sprays, and muslin bag infusions in baths.
• Lavender tea is best prepared as a cold infusion (1-2 tsp dried flowers in 3-4 cups cold water for 8-12 hours) to preserve volatile oils and avoid bitter tannins.
• Lavender is safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding at therapeutic doses; essential oils must be diluted for topical use.
• California poppy (*Eschscholzia californica*) is a hypnotic for restlessness and anxiety, distinct from opium poppy.
• California poppy is indicated for individuals who struggle with letting go, grasping for control, or falling asleep due to pain.
• Recommended California poppy dosage is 1-4 ml of tincture 30 minutes before bed, or 3-5 drops during the day for high anxiety.
• Avoid combining California poppy with pharmaceutical sedatives or during pregnancy; consult a professional if taking anti-anxiety medication.
• The creator links the poppy’s opening and closing cycles to Leo energy and the Pisces eclipse, encouraging reflection on past lessons and gratitude to mentors.
• The final ritual invitation is to prepare a nighttime sanctuary for dreaming using candles, scents, tea, and gentle reading.

Herbal Dream Work and Closing Reflections

This final section details four specific plants used to facilitate access to the dreaming portal: mugwort, angelica, lavender, and California poppy. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, respectful use of these herbs guided by the archetype of Artemis, and maintaining boundaries during this potent time. The episode concludes with a call to action for viewers to share their experiences with these herbs and past eclipse cycles from 2007 and 2016.

• Mugwort is described as an ally for opening the shades and seeing the liminal space.
• Angelica provides protection and creates a safe "cave" for the dreamer to hibernate in.
• Lavender calms the mind, eases anxiety, and fills the environment with peace.
• California poppy offers permission to let go, surrender, and find belonging.
• The speaker advises viewers to identify which plant ally resonates with them personally.
• Citing Artemis, the moon goddess, the speaker warns against excess and encourages protecting boundaries and serenity.
• Viewers are invited to share stories about the 2007 and 2016 eclipse cycles to compare key themes.
• The episode ends with a request to like the video and stay in touch.