Anyone here done any astral travel?

[BlueIris]

I had a very weird experience last night. Not bad, just unusual, and unfortunately, it doesn't feel significant, as if I learned anything deeply valuable about myself or my future (kind of what I was hoping for). I'm wondering if it matches up with any experiences any of you have ever had.

I'd been interested in exploring astral travel ever since reading a poster's description on another board about the things they learned during time in the Astral world about our government and future political events. I thought whatever I learned in my dream might be of use in this forum. Also, as I've mentioned before, I'm trying to figure out where I'm going in this life, what I want to do with the rest of my existence. I was hoping for enlightenment of some variety, even if it was very cryptic (I'm sorta good at identifying the messages in my own dreams). I thought last night would be a good time to try out astral travel because a Tarot reading I'd had featured the Chariot Rx in the sixth position of a Celtic cross, which my reader noted can sometimes mean astral work.

Okay, you may laugh, but here's how I got the process started: I actually bought a candle from my trusty local metaphysical bookstore labeled "for astral travel" and burned it. I really didn't expect it to do anything. Curiously, it burned extremely fast (within a hour, it was gone, a nine inch candle) and made me kind of foggy. I thought it was the fragrance in it. As I was falling asleep, I felt a bizarre kind of floating feeling, and thought to myself, "is astral travel giving me my first, long-coveted OOBE?"

Then, the dream. I don't remember the first part, but the second part featured me wandering around in a city that looks like Los Angeles--or at least, in my dream, I kept calling it that, but probably wasn't. It seemed smallish, and I could see sky scrapers in the distance, but they were very, very far away, and obscured by smog. Also, wandering isn't the right word, I was floating. That's one of the anomalies that makes this dream different from all others I've had. I don't pay much attention to details like walking in dreams, or running, though sometimes in my dreams I will know that I'm doing those things. In this dream, everywhere I went I felt as if I was floating along, and knew that the floating was how I moved. First, I noticed a library (huge) with scruffy, desert-like palm trees around it, that was like the much larger version of my city's own library. In the dream, I found that comforting (I was homesick, and felt vaguely lost). Second, a house, that looked kind of like the house in New Jersey where the "Amityville horror" allegedly took place. It was painted this bizarre shade of blue-grey. I went inside, thinking it was my house, only to be told by the construction guys working on it that "the owners" would be back soon and I could ask them any questions I had about the house. I was sorta shocked I wasn't the owner. I felt like I should be living there, like the owners were at least going to rent it to me. And here's something I realized after waking up--every single person in the dream treated me as if I wasn't supposed to be there. They were nice, (the owners were a young family with two little kids) but it was the kind of nice attitude you'd use if a crazy person showed up and started behaving strangely and you didn't know how to handle it or get rid of them. I foggily recall that they asked me about myself, and I explained I had "just moved to L.A. and missed my home." I got some funny nod-and-smile type reactions for that.

The only other details I can think of that feel important are the trees, which looked like large palm trees only with very dark, almost black bark. There were a few of them in the city, couldn't tell you what that means. I remember the family letting me tour the house, which had three bedrooms, none of which seemed like rooms I could live in, and appeared to have been preserved from the '70s. They were discussing info about the price of the house at one point ($171,000, which I recall thinking was super cheap for L.A. or even an L.A. suburb, which, well, it is). Then, the end, which was the most bizarre. I was floating along with the family's children, touching trees that looked more like the weeping willows in my city in the middle of a green, leafy, park-like area, where a guy on a riding lawn mower cruised by occasionally. I thought, how on earth is there a park like this in L.A.? I just kept floating from tree to tree, trying to feel the life energy of each, which didn't exactly happen (I guess I'm not sensitive to trees).

When I woke up, I was struck by one other odd detail--just for an instant, my room felt strange. As if it were mine, but I was looking at it the way a stranger who did not recognize it would view it. I haven't experienced that sensation in a long, long time (it used to happen more during my adolescence, and the best description I can come up with for it is that it resembles what psychologists call 'depersonalization,' a feeling that can include the notion that the entire world is essentially a hologram). I actually still feel that foggy sensation, as I'm typing this, but I should mention that none of the dream or its after-effects are unpleasant. I actually feel calm and tranquil, if confused. There is one other truly bizarre thing about the experience, but I'd like to know if this dream sounds like astral travel to anyone else here before I post it.

[arikara]

1. I don't know, it just about sounds more like a vivid dream to me

however I just want to say please Blueiris, reconsider attempting astral travel during these unsettled times. It isn't safe to be out between the worlds right now if you don't know which pathways to take; and if you don't know what you are doing your body might not be safe being left behind. Blessings be to you in love and light!

:grouphug:

[BlueIris]

2. Oh, I won't be attemtpting astral again anytime soon.

Mainly because the last few days, each time I have been on the verge of sleep, I experienced a strange, "wobbly" moment that felt as if my consciousness was literally trying to slip out of the mold of my body. I haven't had anymore weird "floating" dreams, just ordinary ones that I barely remember, actually, but that sensation is entirely new to me and odd. I really, really hope it doesn't happen tonight.

I didn't even consider not doing it because of the issue you mention, the unsettled nature of the universe right now. I felt safe attempting it the first time, because, well, I didn't think anything would happen. It also didn't occur to me that my indecision and inexperience could be major liabilities--whoops. Of couse they can. So, no more astral for me, I think. It did not yield anything profound and was too unsettling.

[arikara]

3. I'm glad you're not continuing with it

I was concerned about you. To get rid of the residual wobbly's, keep yourself surrounded with light and love, and demand that only beings of white light be able approach you. That simple thing will keep the dark ones away.

[BlueIris]

4. Gotcha. One thing I left, out, which I might as well throw out there

I guess--I was warned, and did heed warnings, by those I get mystical guidance from, that the astral plane has good entities in it and bad ones. I was warned that astral travel can put you in touch with these bad entities and it is possible to well, bring them back with you to the temporal plane. I attempted to surround myself with good energy before I went to bed, I really did. As I posted, I didn't have an unpleasant experience in the dream or after the dream, it was just weird. However--and this, I find a little disconcerting--before I went to sleep that night, I was cleaning out my bedside desk area, and found an old bottle of sedatives from when I had insomnia last year. There were two tablets left, and I considered taking one, but then decided against it (yes, I have now read about why drug use and astral travel are a bad idea generally.) I left one tablet on the desk table, though, and remember noticing it was still there before I drifted off, thinking "it sure is good I didn't take that, I feel so drowsy as is..." The next day, literally as I was typing up the description of the dream for this site, I looked over at the desk top and noticed the pill wasn't there. I have NO memory of taking it or moving/getting rid of it. I've looked for it in my room and it isn't there. I don't sleepwalk, and as far as I know I've never done something while half-asleep and forgotten it later--I always remember everything I do when sleepy but not asleep. True, it's just one missing sleeping pill (which I am quite certain I didn't take--I would have felt druggy and groggy the next day, for one thing, which I didn't). But it's still a little creepy to think that something about or in the dream might have affected this reality.

For the official record, I am surrounding myself with images of personal protection at this time, including things that represent light and goodness to me. Thanks for the advice, though.

[Why Syzygy]

5. I know a little about

astral travel. Read about it. Twenty years ago, someone offered to 'teach' me. I declined. I have a hard enough time as it is to stay grounded most of the time. I don't need to go hurling through time/space.

Maybe do some grounding exercise. Robin Wood has a great one on her site. Zip yourself back into your body and align your chakras.

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Good to hear

I also sense your guides are having a bit more protection on you as well until you get back to normal. Very strange with the pill. Maybe one of them took it. I remember one time in my room last year or so I had this ink pen on my night table far away from my bed where I couldn't sling it off and it was on the floor next to a journal. :shrug: That was weird. So maybe someone knocked it off so you wouldn't be tempted to take the pill. Glad you didn't and you're okay. I remember one time waking up and feeling like I was taller than usual. Has anyone ever had that happen before? :shrug:

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Something interesting

is I've been trying lately to astral travel and just go somewhere. I used to do it a few times and I had no idea how to do it but I've been to the future. I didn't know that times now were unsettled. What exactly do you mean? This could be why my spirit isn't traveling anywhere. My guides are very protective of me (especially my guardian since he is my soul mate) and I can sense he does not like me traveling now and keeps me here while I sleep. I remember when I had an OBE experience a few years ago (back in 2003 or so I believe) I still felt like I was in my body but I didn't have skin or anything like that and I knew what was going on. It was all very strange but also at the same time very natural and I just kept going. That first time I was in my room and it was in the late part of the winter (I was wearing a dark heavy colored black wool sweater and jeans) and was in my room talking on the phone to some man. I was romanitcally involved with him and I heard his voice in my left ear talking to me. :shrug: But your dream I think is more astral and not totally an OBE. Of course I've only had a few experiences myself. Whenever I have been to the future in my dreams I was always there in my future body and not as a spirit except that one time with the man on the phone.

[yellowdawgdem]

6. maybe this was more like

a first attempt at something you'd like to try, ie, astral travel. And what you got was a vivid dream based on your intention, as well as some signs of weirdness. A pill that was missing, etc.
I'd take it as a success. Maybe a warning not to go too fast with it. As far as the dream itself, I identified with some of it, because I often dream about houses that are not completely mine, or they are mine, but are uncomfortable in some way. I don't really know what it means, but houses are supposed to relate to the self/the physical body/ or suchlike. Likewise, I often dream about Los Angeles. Manytimes the dreams show some alienation there, or difficulty navigating the 'bigness' of the area. But the last time I dreamt of LA, I actually had someone in the dream tell me I am suppose to live there again, that it is part of my future. Of course, I don't like hearing that. It's interesting that you had some imaging of the palm trees, but that they were dark. Sort of combining areas, or types of trees. Not sure what a tree would represent. Maybe some sort of growth, or a symbol of you flourishing? Also, the idea that you were out of place according to responses from other people in the dream- that they were polite but felt you didn't belong there. That does sound like some sort of time travel scenario. Or, again, it could speak about you not feeling comfortable in some way in your current life, and trying to fit together the reasons. I enjoyed hearing about the "astral travelling" candle, and think that probably we make to much of the danger in doing this. I think probably most of us astral travel in our dreaming state, and it isn't a big deal, or even that unusual.

[Why Syzygy]

7. I am pretty much convinced

that I have 'astral' traveled during dream states.
It is another space/time.

Nothing I could bring back of note. Other than a sense of being in the 'other'.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. I have that a lot too

Sometimes I also have that I've been somewhere and where I've been but I have no memory of it. That always sucks.

[yellowdawgdem]

14. It's a good bet

that you have, I'd think probably so. One thing that interests me very much is forgetfulness, in this dimension- and in others. Like forgetting what happened to a pill that was sitting in a bottle. That seems similar to losing things in present time, and then eventually finding them. I'm sure it's all connected to the idea of moving between the time dimensions.

[FreedomAngel82]

10. Oh yes with houses

I mostly dream about going back to school or something like that. Very weird. Lately it's been with high school. :shrug: I have also been to what is supposed to be a future house and walked through it. That was pretty weird.

[yellowdawgdem]

15. It would be interesting

to get to walk thru your future house. iow, like walking thru a part of your future life?

[Why Syzygy]

17. The absolute BEST dream I ever had

was about a year ago, and I was shopping for houses in a new area. Everyone (in the dream) was so friendly and helpful. Someone had a house for sale, but they were painting it purple. I thought, ugh.
The one I liked had gemstones around the roof line. They were all stucco (southwest style). There was a lot more to the dream, but houses are always a notice to pay special attention.

[NJCher]

12. a couple trips I took

That was a very interesting and intriguing dream, BlueIris. My two cents worth, though, is that it wasn't astral travel. I had two out-of-body experiences and in both, I really knew I was astral traveling. There was self-direction there: I could go wherever I wanted just by thinking it.

In one situation, which happened about 25 years ago, I lived in a townhouse that was built on many different levels. From any of the upstairs levels, one could look down and see the other levels. Anyway, this was a nice place to live and I was in the middle of purchasing it (it was a rental going condo). There were certain things I had not examined about the purchase, however.

One Saturday night, I fell asleep on my couch. The next thing I knew, I was awake and floating up to the "ceiling," if you want to call it that. Like I said, this place was architecturally quite unconventional; the "ceiling," per se , was way up. I recall looking down and seeing me asleep; I can even remember the clothes I had on (a cream-colored fisherman knit vest, a cotton turtleneck and velvet-type trousers).

I instantly realized I was astral traveling and decided to take advantage of it by touring the townhouse for things I wouldn't be able to see from that angle. I went from room to room and in each room I felt I was hovering near the ceiling. I saw a number of interesting things about the place from overhead. One was that the refrigerator had rust spots on top of it and since it was a fairly new refrigerator, this indicated something like a ceiling leak.

Much of this was quite practical: it was a trip that was very useful to me in assessing the true value of the property. It seems kind of humorous to me now that I would have an astral trip with such practical value to it, though.

Maybe about eight years later, I was living in another townhouse in another state and suddenly realized I was out of my body and floating around. Again, I felt fully cognizant: nothing dreamy or odd or even feeling that it was an altered state. My immediate thought was, "This doesn't happen very often! I'm going to take full advantage of this!" I went zipping throughout my townhouse and then saw my small window in the kitchen. I was thrilled with the idea of cavorting with the stars and the moon so I aimed for the window, thinking I could go right through it. But I couldn't! I smashed right up against the window (astrally, not physically) and went nowhere! As I came back into my body, I was actually laughing about my zeal for this experience and how funny it was that I had been preventing from going too fast and too far.

So, my conclusions from these experiences are that when astral traveling, one can be fully aware of it. This is not to say everyone is, but just that this is one experience.

I, too, however, have had many mornings where I know I've "been somewhere" but can't tell anything specific about it.

Back to your experience, however. I get a feeling this could have been a time travel experience or a trip to another dimension. The reason I think this is that I once heard an experience that was similar and the person who had it definitely felt she'd stepped into another dimension.




Cher

[yellowdawgdem]

18. that sounds quite impressive

What an unusual experience to have- and you made practical use of the time, as well.

[Mabus]

13. My experience - I think

I've only experienced OOBE once, I think. I was meditating. It was my first time meditating alone and I did it because a friend of mine recommended it. I figured it couldn't be that hard - light a candle, visualize a white protecting light around myself, then just relax, clear my mind and let go. I settled into my favorite living room chair, lit a candle, closed my eyes, visualized the protective light and cleared my mind and then all of a sudden I felt like I was in an elevator shaft. I felt/heard a whooshing and it felt like I was vibrating. Next thing I knew is that I felt "floaty" but very aware of my surroundings. I realized I felt sound like it was vibrating through me. I remember thinking that this meditation stuff was pretty cool. I kept my eyes closed and continued to feel sound then I noticed that sound had colors. Almost immediately I began to hear this most incredible music. It seemed to express the gamut of emotions all at once. I can't describe it any better than that. At some point I wondered who was playing this music. It was then that I opened my eyes and saw myself sitting in my chair below. WAM! I was back IN the chair. I called my friend and told her what happened. She said I had had an out-of-body-experience. She was also a little perturbed because she'd been trying for years. I don't know what it was but it was definitely different than anything that has happened before or since.


Afterwards, I remember that I was very thirsty. I wouldn't say I was dehydrated but I was definitely thirsty. For the next few days I felt "vibratory", that is, I was very (overly) sensitive to almost everything. Sounds seemed louder, colors seemed brighter and I felt them. I was also a little freaked out because I had not expected anything like that to happen. I've started meditating again recently. Whenever I've come close to that vibrating-elevator-shaft feeling again I stop and meditate later.

Actually one of the reasons I visit this forum is to see if anyone has had similar experiences so I can try to understand them better.

As for what you experienced I don't know what to make of it. You're the best judge of that. BTW, do you know what was used to make the candle? Scents can be very strong medicine and the ones used in the candle you used may have affected you and be the cause of what is going on now.

I did a quick search on the net and found some astral projection candles that contain herbs and oils. I'm assuming you used something commercially available like those. So I'm guessing you might be having a reaction to one or more (or the combination) of these scents in the candle. My guess would be too much frankenincense, clove or clary sage is in the candle you used and is making you feel foggy. You might want to try another type of candle next time.

[BlueIris]

16. Another reason I don't think anymore travel is in order...

I'm starting to feel that the energies in my present residence are pretty negative. Nobody, panic, I'm not in danger. But the place where I live has something of a history of well, fucking up the lives of its occupants. Yes, I was warned before I moved in. Yes, I chose to live here anyway and yes, I am choosing to leave. Soon (next year). I didn't think before us of the astral candle that in addition to the weird stuff going on cosmically at the moment, the physical space I occupy in the cosmos isn't nice or healthy. It's kind of the opposite of those things, really.