It is known by many names: trance journeying, shamanic journeying, hedge crossing, hedge riding, spirit flight, astral projection.
Yet each of these phrases refers to the same foundational practice: entering an altered state of consciousness or “trance state” with the intention of journeying through the astral plane, usually to the Otherworld.
Trance journeying is an ancient practice, used by mystics, diviners, and healers around the globe for thousands of years.
Traditionally, an individual will embark upon a trance journey for a number of reasons:
- To communicate with deities, ancestors, or other guiding spirits
- To acquire wisdom, such as magical knowledge or insights about future events
- To perform healing work for themselves or others
Through my own experiences with trance and spirit flight I have met ancient ancestors, learned their names and places of origin, and danced beside them on a great burial mound.
I have come face-to-face with Odin, Freyja, Saturn, and other deities in the upperworlds and underworlds; I have received their guidance and instructions to help me further my esoteric learnings: rituals to practice, magic to study, new guides to seek out.
I have communicated with land spirits, listened to their stories and needs in the physical realm, and performed healing work for them in the spirit realm.
In fact, hedge crossing has become one of the most essential practices I use in my work as a witch.
Some journeys to the Otherworld are long and drawn out, while others are brief jaunts; some yield valuable new insights, while others are simply a way to practice trance journeying and to stay connected with the spiritual realm.
Yet all journeys are worthwhile for one reason or another.
New practitioners are often cautioned that spirit flight is not a “beginner-friendly” practice.
While it is true that there are important safety precautions to keep in mind when embarking on a trance journey, I wholeheartedly believe that trance journeying is something that anyone can learn if they dedicate themselves to studying and practicing.
My best tips for folks interested in learning to cross the hedge:
- Meditate, meditate, meditate. In my experience, there is no better way to prepare yourself for the more complex work of spirit flight than by spending ample alone time within your own mind.
- Listen to guided visualizations on YouTube (or from other sources). While not quite the same thing as traveling to the Otherworld through spirit flight, these are great for building your visualization abilities and helping you become comfortable with deeper states of consciousness.
- Start slow and small. It’s entirely possible to enter a trance state and remain within this realm, without traveling to the Otherworld. I love communicating with tree spirits in my local area through trance! When you do feel ready to venture further in your astral travels, choose a location that feels accessible to you. There is no need to immediately jump into more advanced practices such as shape-shifting or communicating with deities.
- Protect and ground yourself. It’s a good idea to use a few basic protective measures before trance journeying. If you typically cast a circle, you can absolutely do that! Personally, I have a ritual rattle I use during trance that also doubles as a protective ward. Holding a crystal or another item that feels protective to you can help you enter your trance journey confidently. It’s also normal to feel “spacey” after trance work, which is why grounding afterwards is so important. Stand on the earth with your bare feet, eat a small snack, or drink a cup of herbal tea.
Is hedge crossing something you are interested in learning more about? Please feel free to leave any questions in the comments!
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