Calea Z…
More Dreaming Herbs at I Am Shaman
Experience report by Andi.
So, this morning, I fell asleep around 3, meaning to have drunk a cup of calea zacetachichi after asking the plant to meet me, and asking for various Dieties’ aid in seeing truly into my past.
I woke up at 8, feeling fairly refreshed, but tired. I felt it would be a good time to drink a cup of Calea Z. as the plan had been the night before, to purify myself ritually, and do a full job of properly ritualizing the experience for myself. My trip report/day follows!
There was a warm rain, and it was mid February. I am a 27 year old woman who just eloped with her husband on the second of January (2007). I was extremely happy to have married the love of my life, and as we had been married in a Pagan marriage ceremony, I decided to delve into my Pagan roots, and try a little oineromancy (dream magick/interpretation for finding lost objects, etc.). I know that Calea Z. has been used by the SChontal Indians of Oaxaca-and other areas- for centuries (possibly thousands) of years. Their Shamans have worked with the ally to find lost objects, find the cause of a sickness, etc.
I have decided to start working with Calea Z., if it allows me, so that I may try to find if there is a spiritual reason for my pain condition.
Ah, the rain is pounding on the roof. I am glad that this roof is sound, knock on wood. I have a feeling we’re going powerless shortly, so I’ll post up to here, just incase….
I took my first sip around 8. Ugh. I have drunk poppy tea before (lots of chai actually makes it bareable…kind of), so I’m used to gagging things down. My only problem is getting them to stay down: thus my friend, Mary Jane. I enjoyed one bowl of excellent quality Indica (Purple Romulan), which I take for nerve damage and chronic nausea. While staring from my new house’s kitchen into the overgrown backyard, I packed a bowl of calea zacetachichi with reverence while waiting for the water for tea to boil. I stared out the window and prayed to Shiva to bless me with an awareness of the true nature of the Universe. I asked Freyja’s blessing on myself and my house. I asked the Calea plant to help me truly remember my past lives. I asked Mercury’s assistance in making the journey.
Quite honestly, I wasn’t expecting much of an effect as far as sleepiness goes. I expect to shortly fall asleep and then have slightly more vivid lucid dreams (or at least, that’s my aim). I am used to taking more potent entheogens in a Shamanic context, so I didn’t think this would do much. Well, as I sit here drowsily staring at the television and the computer screen 45 minutes after first starting the tea and my first bowl, I am pleasantly surprised. The energy of cannabis seems to be synergistic with Calea. I packed a small bowl of the Purple ROmulan, and prayed to Shiva to allow me to remember my past lives. I inhaled. I thought of childhood spent indoors during storms. I looked outside, and I felt how good it is to be an adult. I exhaled.
The first impression of Calea smoke is one of relief: the tea tastes so bitter (it’s known as ‘Bitter Grass’ in some areas, so don’t be amazed when you encounter a bitterness that will make your tongue want to detatch itself and go flapping haplessly out of your mouth- anywhere but next to the Calea.
Wait. Did I say that? Hah. In my belief, certain plants (entheogens) have protective mechanisms (such as Morning Glory causing nausea and body aches, or Calea Z. being bitter, to protect themselves against all but the most determined Seekers. The reward is worth it, but the path is hard.
According to much of what I’ve read (and Shamanic common sense), the common dosage to start is about a 1 tbsp. of the dried herb matter,made as a tea, left to steep for about 15 minutes before bed (it is relaxing- as much as a valium for me). This is to be done either in tandem with or before smoking a bowl or two (I’ve also heard a cigarette’s worth) of calea Zacetachichi. I have enjoyed one bowl of calea and two (small) bowls of cannabis, and although I normally feel horrid in the mornings (chronic pain), and smoke cannabis for it, now, I feel good and feel no need for any extra painkillers (my normal daily legally prescribed medication is 80 mg of oxycontin 2x daily. I lay back on the couch and listen to the rain. I think about my husband at work. I think of my potential past lives.
My whole life, I’ve felt very connected to the counterculture movement in the 60′s. Reading about the People’s Park in Berkeley makes me feel so strongly that I start to tear up, and my desire for Americans to be free to smoke or drink whatever they deem fit so long as they harm noone has been my most passionate belief ever since I was a child…..wow. I suddenly realize I’ve been day-dreaming. I’ve sunk into the fleece snuggling blanket and stare at the screen. I’ve now nearly drunk all the tea (coating the tongue with honey (raw) and chugging seems to do the trick. I feel VERY tired and slightly euphoric. I can feel my heartbeat in a good way- the way I imagine a baby feels in it’s mothers’ womb. I will go smoke another bowl of Calea, till I’m appropriately out of my body, and then I’ll enjoy some cannabis in Shivas name, and go lie down in my bedroom. My bedroom. In my home. I am happy. My dog sleeps at my feet. The ferret is behind me. I feel so content. I think perhaps Calea has some mood-elevating qualities. I’d definitely enjoy some after work….although the tea is vile I think it’s worth it. Over all, this is a pleasant afternoon and a pleasant experience.
At 9:06, I smoked another bowl of Calea. With each hit, I prayed to remember my past lives clearly and accurately in my dreams, trying not to entertain possibilities, and to be open to anything. If the notion of a hippie even crossed my mind, I thought of my Hungarian ancestors and how I believe souls travel in families (if only for a few lifetimes, I believe). If I were the incarnation of say my…….grandfather, then I couldn’t have been a hippie. So. I wait and pray to Freyja, Mercury, and Janus to help me open the door to the past.
I burp. This tea is so VERY bitter. I was going to drink the last drink as a kind of ‘test’ for myself, but now realize that would cause me to loose all the tea and then some….ugh. I nibble on some raw honey and decide to be bad and enjoy a white reese’s cup. Sometimes, even when one eats raw foods, a piece of complete decadence is in order. I wonder what my favorite foods were in a past life.
I can detect no discernable difference between the last bowl and this one, and the last of the tea sits in the cup, taunting me. I would just chug it, but I want to KEEP it all down. I decide on another small bowl of cannabis, then honey and the swallow method. It seems a good idea. Out I go to smoke. I love the rain. Have I always loved the rain?
I wonder how long my spirit has been in North America for. I wonder if I were ever a Shaman in Southern America. Most of me doubts it….but who knows. Again, I try to avoid any concrete speculation, and always balance any flight of fancy with the equal but opposite.
It’s 9:20 and I’ve returned after smoking some Trainwreck. It’s a good wake and bake OR a sleep inducer, and it seemed right at the time. Sensation now seems strange. It feels ‘sharper’ to type- as though the feeling in my fingertips is slightly more sensitive than usual. I wonder if that’s an illusion or it’s a side effect. I feel sleepy and wish Star Trek were on….it’s almost time for bed and I consider a 3rd bowl of Calea Z….
I am a big believer in, “You can always take more, you can never take less,”, so I like to be catious in my introductions to new Allies. I went to bed, and slept…..
I slept until 1ish. Calea, for now, is being grouped under sedative/hypnotic, for me. I didn’t experience any vivid or lucid dreams, although the feeling of Calea is very pleasant. I believe that more experimentation is in order……