Rip Van Winkle and Dream Magick

As the thunder rolls over the mountains and the veil between the worlds thins, so too does our inner sight flourish and fly. Deep within the heart of the Kaatskill Mountains lies a story of old--a story of a man that, to we practitioners of magick today, sheds light on the pathways of Dreams and the Unseen World.

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Instagram: @beyondtheseaspodcast
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Tarot Collaboration: @thefeatherwitchnyc
Weekly Book: Thistlefoot
Podcast website: https://beyondtheseas.buzzsprout.com/
More info: https://www.kierandanaan.com/beyond-the-seas

Author Interview Collaboration
Crossed Crow Books (@crossedcrowbooks)

Source
Irving, Washington. Rip Van Winkle (Abridged). E-book, Nettelhorst. 2017.

Music
"Seasons" by Beneath the Mountain
"Intimacy" by Ben Winwood
"The River Breteren" by Doug Kaufman
"Peaking Out" by We Dream of Eden
"Irish Mountains" by Ben Winwood

Cheers Magick Makers, 
Kieran

Transcript

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Sleep. Sleep deeply and dream. 

Dream of tomorrow, of the things yet to come; 

Of the memories of sorrow and elation. 

Dream of a time that has bygone our age, 

And an age that is forthcoming steadfastly and strong. 

Dream in the darkness, a void, a path,

The way back to the future, a forgotten past. 

Fly towards the light, as you carry the darkness,

And awake to the dawning from your own twilight. 

Arise anew, arise strong and fast, 

And look forward to life, gifted with love.

Love, all your days—love easily and freely,

And fall into the dusk of nighttime’s embrace. 

Close your eyes, breathe in, breathe out. 

And sleep most deeply. Sleep, and dream. 

(transition music)

            Grand tidings and welcome to you on this, the Forty-Sixth Episode, of Beyond the Seas. My name is Kieran and here we are again, back at it for another week. Whewwee, there are so many people I have talked to about the podcast here in New York City and they say, “you have 46 episodes?? That’s a lot!!” I’m so happy that we are barreling towards the show’s one year anniversary, which that in and of itself is a feat and accomplishment; but I am just so happy that this show is a part of my life, and a part of yours. Thus, the plugs time: @beyondtheseaspodcast over on Insta, and Claudia’s account, @thefeatherwitchnyc, to follow along with our weekly tarot collaboration—wherein Claudia teaches the tarot one card at a time, one week at a time. Also, our collaboration with Crossed Crow Books, @crossedcrowbooks. Finally, consider signing up for one of the tiers over on our Patreon, patreon.com/BeyondtheSeas. We have a new drop coming in hot for you all today: Under the Waves, a guided meditation. I loved writing and recording this one, as it sang to my soul…and poured forth out of me thereof. Hahaha. Also, please leave a five star rating and review, on your platform of choice, so the show may course its way through the interwebs and find new Magick Makers the world over. I am so, so, so happy you are all here, sharing some time with me on the show, today.  

            And now, artistic and literary updates! There are some exciting things coming up with Claudia and I, in terms of a potential theater project together. We have something in the works that, once it hits New York, is going to take over the town. Stay tuned for more updates as we venture down that road together. In terms of the book, I am almost done with GennaRose Nethercott’s Thistlefoot—and I am so glad I am reading it. The tone is incredibly contemporary and nuanced, with a slew of folklore and mythology included in its pages. There is a trope of bouncing back and forth between present day and past—the past of myth and legend. Which lends itself to the overall theme of movement, fluidity, and magnetism of the novel: you are never in one spot for too long, and never know exactly what is about to come—or happen—next. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this delicious novel, and settle in for a world of fun. 

            And now, the Card of the Week! As a few nights ago was the Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse, the energies swirling around us are daily interesting and new. So much is happening right now! And what continues to astound me is how the cards pick up on this energy, as this week we dive into the Ace of Cups. Now, as we venture into the tale of Rip Van Winkle, we will come to see the literal parallels it holds to the card of the week. Overall, though, newfound opportunities regarding your dreams have now come into the fold. There is an abundance of overflowing good energy in your life—so do not shy away from chasing after what is meant to be yours. Accept it graciously and gracefully this week, knowing that you are meant to walk down this path and hold these gifts. Trust in the newfound process and opportunity. 

            And now, the Wine of the Week! So it was that time again, the time for a break!! I feel actually pretty amazing, as this week was completely alcohol-free: I was running through Central Park almost every day, getting so much sleep, eating an extremely healthy diet, and breathing, breathing, breathing. I have said it many times on the show before and will continue to do so: breaks are good. Healing is good. And taking care of yourself is good. So, Magick Makers, this week, try settling more deeply into your breathing rhythms and patterns. Where do you breathe in your body? How short or long is your normal, resting breath? How does your awareness of it change it? And, most importantly, how does your breath sustain you? Revel in the health that is you this week, as we look forward to a super fun collab coming up oh so very soon with a special twist of wine-filled magick. Hehehehe!!

            And, finally, this week’s topic. I have a yearning this week to fuse. Especially in regards to connecting folklore and magick. And what better way to usher in Autumn than with a tale from Washington Irving, one that carries within a sense of wonder, magick, and otherworldliness? For therein lies a great seed of truth, and a treasure trove of implications that lead us to discover the machinations of practicing Dream Magick. 

            Ergo, grab your favorite bottle of red, find a comfy chair, and close your eyes as I tell you the tale of Rip Van Winkle and Dream Magick—and take you…

            Beyond the Seas.

            (transition music)

            Imagine: The Kaatskill Mountains. Distant, rolling thunder. Dark storms clouds. A crisp, cold wind. Nothing but yourself and the immense rolling vista before you. Sounds remarkable, right? It is in our inner sight that our greatest dreams, fantasies, and desires play out—but the Crat is rife with magick that seeks to open the ways within towards manifesting those very intentions in our daily lives, while allowing open communication between ourselves and the Other-than-Human entities in the beyond. 

            Thus, today, I proffer an experimental episode, one in which we take a folktale and suffuse it into our practice of dream magick. So sit back in this first half of the episode as I recount to you Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle.

            “This story takes place in a Dutch village in America in the 18th century. There lived a simple, happy man, named Rip Van Winkle. He was a kind neighbor and obedient husband. He tried to help the people in the village. He listened to the women who told him their problems and gossips, he played with the children and told them stories about ghosts, witches and Indians. He also helped the men build fences and repair their tools. He had a lot of things to do, but he had no time to work in his own house and on his own farm. So, it was the worst piece of land in the whole country. He also didn’t earn much money, because he helped his neighbors all the time. His children wore ragged clothes, his house was old and in bad condition. His wife always told him to go to work to earn some money. And Rip always shrugged his shoulders and said nothing. He went out of the house with his dog Wolf, and sat on a bench outside a small inn with other similar men of the village and talked about village things and sleepy stories about nothing important. 

            “Rip Van Winkle liked hunting, too. He liked going to the mountains to shoot squirrels. He also liked sitting in the mountains and watching the world below—the blue River Hudson, vast green woods, and white cliffs in the distance. 

            “One day, he stayed in the mountains late. It was getting dark when he started walking down to the village. Then he heard a voice. 

            ““Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle!” Somebody was calling out his name. He looked in the direction and saw a strange figure with something on the back. Rip was surprised to see a human being in this deserted place, but he thought it could be somebody from the village. He went to the figure. It was a short old man with wild grey hair and grey beard. His clothes were old-fashioned. On his shoulder he had a big barrel full of liquor. Rip helped the man with the barrel. They went up the hill. On the way Rip heard some noise, something like thunder. Then they came to an opening in the woods. In the middle of the meadow there were some strange people playing a game of nine pins, sometimes called skittles. Their clothes were also old-fashioned. They all had beards of various shapes and colors. The whole group reminded Rip of the figures in an old Dutch painting. They poured the liquor into cups and continued playing. Rip was afraid. He didn't say a word and when the strangers didn't look, he also tried the liquor. It was a tasty old Dutch liquor. He tried another cup and another one, and finally he was drunk. He lay on the ground and fell asleep. 

            “He woke up at the place where he met the strange man. It was a sunny morning. Rip thought that it was all a dream. He took his rifle, but it was old and rusty. His dog, Wolf, was not there.

            ““The old man stole my rifle,” thought Rip. He stood up and went down to the village. The way was very different. He sometimes felt lost and had difficulties to get back to the village.            

            “When he got there, he saw that the people in the village were strange. He didn’t recognize them. It was difficult for him to find his own house. Finally, he got there. But the house was very old. The roof had holes in it, the windows were broken, the door open. There was an old dog, but it wasn’t his Wolf. Rip went inside the house. It was empty and dirty. He called his wife and children. Nobody was there. Rip went quickly to his favorite inn. 

            “When he came there, it was not the old inn, but a big new building with nice windows and a sign above the door: “The Union Hotel”. In front of the hotel there was a statue of George Washington. 

            “Rip Van Winkle’s strange clothes and his rusty rifle attracted the attention of the people. Soon, they came closer to him. The mayor of the village came to Rip and asked him: 

            “‘Who are you? Do you want to riot in my village?’

             “‘No!” cried Rip. ‘I am a poor quiet man. I come from this village. I am loyal to the king. God bless him!’ 

            “‘A spy!” shouted the people. “Arrest him!’ 

            “‘Who are you looking for?’ asked the mayor. 

             “‘I am looking for my neighbor. Nicholas Vedder.’

            Everybody was quiet. Nobody knew Nicholas Vedder. And then an old man said: 

             “‘Oh, yes! Nicholas Vedder. He died 18 years ago.’ 

            “‘Where’s Brom Butcher?” asked Rip. 

            “‘He went to the war. Some people say he died in the battle of Stony Point in 1779.’

            “‘And Van Bummel, the school master?’ 

            “‘He went to the war, too. Now he is in Congress.’ 

            “‘Does nobody here know Rip Van Winkle?’ cried Rip desperately. 

            “‘Oh, Rip Van Winkle. There he is!’ and an old man pointed to a man standing by a tree. Rip looked at him. He was very similar to him. 

            “‘And who are you?’ asked the old man. 

            “‘I am...I am somebody else. I was myself yesterday, now I am somebody else. Yesterday I went to the mountains, the year was 1759. Today, I am back and don’t recognize anybody, my clothes are old, and my rifle is rusty.” 

             “‘1759? Oh, yes.’ People looked at each other and tapped their foreheads. Then they started to be afraid that this fool could hurt somebody. A woman walked by with a child in her arms, and the child began to cry.

            “‘Hush! The man won’t hurt anybody!’

            The tone of her voice was familiar to Rip. 

            “‘What's your name?’ he asked. 

            “‘Judith Gardenier.’

            “‘And your father's name?’ 

            “‘Ah, poor man, Rip Van Winkle was his name. But 20 years ago he left home and never returned. Nobody knows what happened to him. Maybe the Indians killed him. I was a little girl when he went away.’ 

            “‘And where is your mother?’ 

            “‘She is already dead.’

            Now Rip couldn’t hold his tears. 

            “‘I am Rip Van Winkle. I am your father. Don’t you recognize me?’ 

            Everybody looked amazed. Then a very old woman came closer and looked long at him. 

            “‘Yes, it is Rip Van Winkle. Where have you been so long?’ 

            Rip Van Winkle told them his story. Then they called a historian and he said: 

            “‘It is true that the Kaatskill Mountains are haunted by strange people. Hendrick Hudson, the first discoverer of the river and country with some men kept a watch there. And the legend says, they come back every 20 years.’

            “Rip Van Winkle went to live with his daughter. And again, he started to do the things that he did 20 years ago. He sat on the bench in front of an inn and talked to other old men of the village. He learned that now the country where he lives doesn’t belong to the English king George III, but he was now a free citizen of the United States. 

            “Rip told his story to every traveler who stopped in the village. And even today, when people sometimes hear strange thunder over the Kaatskill Mountains, they say that Hendrick Hudson and his men are at their game of nine pins.”

            I love this story. I love the Americana mood, I love the idyllic pre-Revolutionary village vibe, I love the liminality of living-at-the-edge of the unknown. It is a wonderful short tale that arises from the heartland of my home. Now, here is where the magick comes in: let us take a look at the inciting incident, the moment where Rip ventures forth into the wild. He treads into the mountains, by all accounts to escape his wife and her demands, when he hears his voice on the wind. It very well may be the spirits, the gods, the powers of Nature calling him even further into the unknown—until he breaches the Veil and encounters one of The Others. Therein, parallels to stories of The Fae and Fayerie abound: namely, the partaking of food and drink. In this instance, it is the inebriation of The Others’ implied liquor that gifts him with the twice-long decade of repose. Meaning, twenty years of sleep. 

            Which, to we practitioners today, we glean not only folkloric information on how to breach the veil between the worlds, but also implications on how to induce these magickal, trance-like dreams. For there is more to this tale than first meets the eye…

            Refill your drinking horns, your goblets, your chalices, for the second half of Rip Van Winkle and Dream Magick, after this brief break.            

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            Deep within the wells of our being lie hidden pools, doorways, pathways, and entrances to the vast amounts of Otherworlds. The power to travel lies within us, separated only by the act of waking and the process of dreaming. For when one falls deep into oneself, one enters an entire vista of possibilities: an endless array of manifestations, realities, and powers. It is a rather remarkable thought to know how much potential is held inside yourself, right?

            Thus, what exactly is Dream Magick? I perceive it to be the process of a multitude of things: sending forth the spirit in the night; divining information of the past, present, and future; understanding answers to questions and conundrums; and conversing with persons over vast distances—and worlds. There is a great opportunity to call in The Others from worlds beyond our ken, in order to learn bygone wisdom, powers, and information. Also, to converse with other practitioners—so as to relate news, feelings, forebodings, and promises. 

            To unlock the powers of Dream Magick, we may glean inspiration from good ‘ol Rip Van Winkle. First, we must venture forth into the wild. To do so, we must enact the first practice: separating the spirit from the body. This space creates distance and a void, allowing not only The Others to enter our lives, but also the opening of the spirit roads within. Before crawling into bed, take a luxurious shower or bath—focus on cleansing the physical body of its impurities from the day, thinking of the spirit shining forth from within. Then, adorn the skin with lavender essential oil and a favorite body lotion—luxuriate in the feeling of all that is you, while calming the flesh in order to separate from it. 

            As you prepare for sleep, place a vessel of water by your bed: this may be a glass, vase, bowl, or plate full of this life-giving and life-sustaining substance. Peer into its depths and begin to visualize the spirit lifting forth from the body. Adorn the underside of your pillow with bundles of wormwood, mugwort, and lavender—along with soft polished amethyst crystals, to empower your magick. Burn incense of rose, patchouli, and cinnamon to induce trance-like rhythms in your breathing, relaxing, and settling into sleep. Now is the time to clear the mind and allow distance between your physical and spirit selves. 

            Finally, as per Rip Van Winkle, concoct a strong tea of chamomile, rose, pomegranate, raspberry, and cinnamon. This tea mirrors the draught taken by our dear short story friend. It is the tincture that will open the inner sight and allow easy access for the spirit to travel unhindered to the Unseen World. Red wines steeped with hints of rosemary, orange, star anise, and cinnamon sticks—think mulled wine here, people—is also an excellent option. Also, you may wish to imbue earth energy and other such powers into your brew: simply cast a small circle and conjure this energy through your normal method, then empower this liquid with your conjuration. You may wish to bespeak spells and charms over it, with words that come from the heart. They may suggest a map of your intentions that night, as to where you wish to visit. A desire as to which you wish you solve or receive. Speak your desire out loud, into the liquid, and drink. 

            Then, lay quietly on your back in the darkness of your boudoir. See the dancing shadows across your ceiling through an open window, allowing your vision to relax and blur the world around you. Swim in this liminality, as you fall more deeply into yourself. Here is the trick: as the body falls asleep, the mind remains awake. It is rather head-scratching, isn’t it, to equate the two happening simultaneously; however, with practice, it does work. This technique induces lucidity in your dreaming: that awake unawakeness. Or so I call it, hahaha.

            Other similar techniques include closing the eyes and envisioning the famous silver thread attached to your spirit within. Envision a ladder stretching up before you and your spirit lifting from your body and ascending this ladder. As it does so, it leaves the body—giving a flying, floating sensation. The silver thread connects your spirit body to your physical self, maintaining the path home. With this kind of work, you are always safe—with the proper safeguards and protections in place. 

            You may also wish to sleep next to a broom, staff, or stang—adorned with runes, sigils, and other markings—denoting power and aid, tools of communication in and of themselves, towards separating the body and spirit. Symbols and the like associated with dreams and the unseen world are perfect to use in this matter. Sleeping with these instruments creates not only a special kinship and bond, but also a powerful message to the brain and spirit: lift off and fly. The physical proximity of these tools induces the subconscious mind to believe in the power of an out of body experience, thus manifesting it in reality. The mind is a powerful thing—but magick, so I believe, is a little bit stronger. Hehehehe. 

            Now, what happens once the spirit is released and free? Here you find yourself in the Unseen World, the Land of Dreams. You are in complete control, and may seek guidance for your answers to questions, in terms of divination. Chant rhymes of power, such as “answers answers, come to me, the way is open, the knowledge is free.” Envision runes and other such oracular devices before you in the dream and throw the tools to ascertain your answer. 

            You may also wish to discover the solutions to conundrums. Envision the problem before you: it could be as simple as, say, a blocked sink in your apartment because the metal stopper is stuck and will not pop out. Living in Manhattan, lemme tell ya. Regardless, envision such a problem before you and allow the Unseen World to infiltrate the area and solve it for you. It is a most powerful moment when the two worlds blend together in this most liminal of meeting spaces. 

            You might want to communicate with other spirits and beings from the Beyond. Call out to them in your spirit form and feel yourself pulled and conjured to new and distant lands. Take in the changing of the scenery as you fly forth to meet these beings. They may also make themselves manifest before you by simply appearing before you and relating to you in their own chosen manner. Allow these moments to manifest as they will. 

            Finally, in terms of maleficium, you may wish to send your fetch, servitors, or spirit helpers from your spirit team upon your enemies or those who seek retribution upon. Conjure this being or beings and direct them out to where you will, naming the person or persons you seek to reach. Tell them exactly what to do, as to your intended results and desires. Envision them flying off and out into the Seen World, or perhaps even into the dreams of the others—to cause nightmares, terrors, and shakes. These are now the things that go bump in the night, as it were. But again, it is in the heart of the witch to decide what to do here. The option is open and available, and should not be dismissed. It is as balanced to heal and divine with dreams as it is to harm and inflict. Choose wisely. 

            Then, to return, follow your silver thread or descend the image of the ladder once more—all to subside into your corporeal form. Then, allow Nature to take over as you descend into natural sleep. Rest. Recuperate. Enjoy being human and alive…as you are asleep, hahahaha. But know that the body is doing what the body needs to do. 

            As with all things in the Craft, it is the power of simplicity and intention that makes this work powerful and successful. The will and the word, right? But also, the inclusion of other objects of power: herbs, crystals, teas, wines, oils, baths—that separates the Seen World from the Unseen. It introduces the body and mind into a whole other type of subconscious perspective, one that eventually takes over and rules the night. Much like Rip Van Winkle, we must entrust in the journey of the draught, and the depths of sleep it gifts, as we journey on into the shadows of the twilit night. 

            For when we do so, we gain knowledge, wisdom, perspective, and power that heretofore was unknown and distant to us. We gain confidence and love in ourselves and others. We seek retribution and justice against those who wrong us. We complete the circle as travel and grow in our journey of life. Thus, as a result: your magick, my magick—our magick—will always be made stronger…because of it. 

            (transition music)

            The stories, research, and production elements were done and edited, respectively, by me, Kieran, with sources attached in the description. If you want to be a guest on the show, or have a topic you wish me to explore and discuss, send me an email at beyondtheseaspodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to hit the follow button, on whichever platform you enjoy the podcast, and look forward to more content next week. Until then, seek the veil between the worlds, and allow yourself to travel…Beyond the Seas.