Charlie Rainbow Wolf
I don’t know about you, but for me the idea of chamomile tea conjures up warm June afternoons and sleepy star-filled evenings. Chamomile smells sweet, earthy, sensuous. It’s a favorite among herb gardeners and one of the first plants I explored when starting my journey into plant totems and helpers. Looking similar to a small daisy, its presence is welcome in the garden for many reasons.
The most popular chamomiles are Matricaria chamomilla, or German chamomile. Some people refer to this as the true or wild chamomile. Chamaemeium nobile is also popular, and it goes by many names, including English, Russian, Roman, or common chamomile. They both have the very similar growing habits and uses.
The main differences between the two chamomiles is that the German chamomile is taller, sometimes reaching two feet in height, while the English chamomile is a low-growing creeper and more of a ground cover. They’re both hardy in USDA growing zones 3–9, and neither need a lot of watering once they’re established. Partial shade is preferred, but they’ll tolerate full sun, too. It’s easily propagated by splitting the parent plant.
This little miniature daisy has many assets in the garden. Folklore says that if healthy chamomile is planted next to another weaker plant, the sickly one will start to revive. It’s pleasant to look at, smells nice when bruised, and is a wonderful companion plant to a garden, for it helps to keep bothersome pests away from the vegetables. It’s particularly advantageous for onions and members of the cabbage family.
In herbal medicine, chamomile has a variety of benefits, internally and externally. Chamomile tea is a tried and tested sedative, known to relax and soothe the nerves as well as quiet a grumpy tummy. It’s used to reduce fevers, and it is even said to prevent bad dreams.
A poultice made from chamomile flowers helps to lessen bruising and discourage swelling. Cold chamomile infusions can be used on hair as a conditioner and on facial skin to tone it after cleansing. The dried flower heads can be added to herbal sachets that, when put into a pillowcase, will help to promote a good night’s sleep.
Magically, chamomile is an excellent herb for dreamwork and divination. Chamomile oils can be used to anoint crystals and mirrors used for scrying. Added to mojo bags and charms, chamomile is said to attract love. It encourages a feeling of general happiness and peace of mind, as well as helping to act as protection against negative energy. It’s sometimes used as a money-draw herb, too.
A Chamomile Dream Ritual
Litha is the time of year when the days are at their longest and the energy of the Sun is at its peak. What better time to do a ritual to assist you in dreaming big dreams, and then work hard to make them manifest? After all, the nights are going to start drawing in after the solstice, where you’ll have more time to focus on dreaming. Set your intent, and then start to make it happen!
You’re going to need some chamomile tea. Loose flower heads are okay, or you can get chamomile tea bags and tip out the herbs. You’ll need additional herbs for this one, too; hops, catmint or catnip, lilac, lemon balm (also called melissa), and rose petals. You’ll require a cotton muslin bag, a needle and thread, and a pen and paper, too. If you’re doing this in a group, make sure that everyone has their own bag, pen, and paper, and that there are enough herbs and threaded needles for everyone to share.
At the appointed time, write out what you want the coming six months to bring to you. What do you dream will happen? Be as detailed as you can—but not so lost in minutiae that the universe doesn’t have some wriggle room! For example, you might want a new love; focus on that person being kind, respectful, fun to be with, and loyal—rather than him having blond hair, blue eyes, and driving a green car. If you want a new house, choose the neighborhood, rather than a red house with blue shutters and two lampposts in the yard.
When you have written down your dream, fold the paper to fit into the muslin bag. As you fold it up, envision those words being locked into a reality. You’re setting your intent. You’re about to make real magic happen.
Place the paper in your bag, and then start to fill the bag with the herbs. Put just a pinch of each. Say an affirmation with each one. Something like this would work:
Chamomile: Don’t be lazy, my little daisy!
Hops: Hop to it and make my dream come true!
Catmint: We won’t let the cat out of the bag yet!
Lilac: We’ll gather lilacs in my dreams!
Lemon balm: There’s nothing sour about this intent!
Rose petals: Oh, rose, I knows you knows!
Have fun with it. Make up rhymes, and don’t be afraid to giggle. The more laughter and merriment you put into this little sachet of intent, the more joy you’ll have working toward its fulfillment. Yes, it may seem simple. Yes, it may seem frivolous. Just trust me on this one—it works.
When you’ve filled your bag, it’s now time to sew it shut. Focus on what you wrote with every stitch so that you blend your active energies with your dreams. Once this is shut, so that the herbs cannot escape, the sachet can be put into something more decorative, such as a lace bag. I often knit my dream pillow holders, echoing my intent with each stitch. If you’re crafty, you could crochet or sew one. It doesn’t matter how you make it. It doesn’t even matter if it’s store-bought. What matters is how much oomph you put into this and how much you’re going to focus on making it happen.
Now get on with your solstice merrymaking, celebrating however you choose. Before you go to sleep, put the pouch you’ve made in your pillow. You might want to keep a journal next to your bed so that it’s easy to record your dreams upon waking in the next weeks. Your unconscious mind will speak to you through visions and images as you sleep. Watch for repetitive patterns and for things that really stand out. Above all, though, don’t think that the ritual is finished just because you’ve made your pouch and placed it in your pillow. Chamomile teaches you that you really can make your dreams a reality. They’re waiting for you to step into them, but wishing isn’t enough. Thoughts without deeds are lost opportunities. You still have to do the work in the real world to match the dreamtime work for anything tangible to manifest.