Hedge Riding: A Quick Introduction to Trance and Astral Travel

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Have you ever felt a pull to explore something more? A feeling that there’s a world just beyond what you can see? This calling might be leading you to the ancient practice of hedge riding.

If words like “astral travel” or “shamanic journeying” sound complicated, don’t worry! This guide breaks everything down into simple, easy-to-understand steps. Hedge riding is simply the skill of shifting your consciousness to journey beyond your physical body. Think of it as a deep, intentional daydream where you can explore spiritual realms.

Let’s learn how you can start your own hedge riding practice safely and easily.

Want some more background on Hedge Witchcraft? Check out our post.

What is Hedge Riding, Really?

Let’s start with a simple picture. Imagine an old village. It’s safe and familiar. Now, imagine a thick hedge or fence around it. This hedge is the boundary between the known village and the wild, unknown forest.

Hedge riding is the practice of “riding” that boundary—of crossing from the familiar (our everyday world) into the unknown (the spirit world).

• The “Hedge” is the symbol for the line between our physical reality and non-physical realities.
• The “Rider” is you, the practitioner, learning to cross this line at will.

It’s different from just meditating. When you are successfully hedge riding, you enter a trance state. It feels like your awareness has gently lifted out of your body and can travel to other places.

Is it Like Astral Projection?

They are cousins! Astral projection often involves a full separation from the body. Hedge riding can include that, but it’s often more of a deep, meditative journey. The main goal of hedge riding is to cross into the spirit world for wisdom, healing, or to connect with guides.

Getting Ready to Ride: Your Practice Foundation

Before you take a trip, you pack your bags. Before you go hedge riding, you need to prepare your space and yourself.

1. Create a Safe & Sacred Space

You wouldn’t journey into a forest without telling someone where you’re going. Similarly, you should never start hedge riding without setting up a protective space.

• Find a Quiet Spot: Choose a place where you won’t be interrupted.
• Clean Your Space: Tidy up physically. Then, cleanse the energy by ringing a bell, burning some sage or palo santo, or sprinkling salt water.
• Set an Intention: Say out loud or in your mind: “Only beings of love and light are welcome here. I am safe and protected throughout this journey.”

2. Learn to Calm Your Mind

A busy mind can’t cross the hedge. Think of your thoughts like a choppy ocean. You need the water to be calm to see clearly to the bottom.

• Start with Meditation: Just 5-10 minutes a day makes a huge difference. Sit quietly and focus on your breath. When thoughts pop up, gently let them go and return to your breath.
• Practice Mindfulness: Pay attention to the in-between moments of your day, like when you’re about to fall asleep or just after you wake up. This gets you comfortable with liminal (in-between) states.

3. Use Your Breath to Shift Gears

Your breath is a powerful tool for changing your state of mind. Here’s a simple method:

• The 4-7-8 Breath: Inhale through your nose for 4 counts. Hold your breath for 7 counts. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 counts. Repeat this 4-5 times. It calms your nervous system and prepares you for trance.

4. Try Drumming or Rhythmic Sounds

A steady, monotonous rhythm is one of the oldest ways to help people enter trance. It gives your conscious mind something to focus on, allowing the rest of you to relax and journey.

• You can use a real drum, a rattle, or simply play a “shamanic journey drumming” track from YouTube or Spotify. A steady beat of 4-5 beats per second is perfect for hedge riding.

3 Easy Techniques to Start Your First Journey

Here are three beginner-friendly methods. Try them all and see which one feels best for you!

Technique 1: The Gentle Hammock Method

This is a very soft and easy method for beginners.

1. Lie down, get comfortable, and close your eyes. Do some 4-7-8 breathing to relax.
2. In your mind, picture yourself in a beautiful, safe place in nature. See a hammock woven from soft, glowing light hanging between two trees.
3. Imagine yourself climbing into this hammock. Feel it gently rocking you back and forth.
4. With each rock, feel yourself getting heavier, more relaxed, and more detached from your physical body.
5. When you feel very dreamy and loose, imagine gently rolling out of the hammock. Instead of hitting the physical floor, you land softly on the ground of the spirit world.

Technique 2: The Rope Technique (A Classic)

This method is great if you prefer a more active visualization.

1. Lie down and relax. Look up at the ceiling with your eyes closed.
2. Visualize a strong, sturdy rope hanging from the ceiling. It’s not a physical rope; it’s made of energy.
3. In your mind, reach up and start pulling yourself hand-over-hand up this rope. Don’t tense your physical muscles. This is all happening in your mind and energy body.
4. As you climb, you might feel tingling, vibrations, or a sense of lifting. Keep climbing.
5. The goal is to climb right out of your body. Imagine looking down and seeing your physical body still lying below you. From there, you can intend to cross the hedge.

Technique 3: The Belly Button Method

This method uses powerful symbolism of separation.

1. Get into a deep state of relaxation.
2. Try to “flex” your hands and feet in your imagination, without physically moving them. This helps you feel your energy body.
3. Now, bring your awareness to your belly button. Imagine a silver cord of light connecting your spirit body to your physical body there.
4. Gently feel your spirit body lifting up and out, as if you’re being pulled by this cord.
5. When you feel separate, imagine taking a pair of scissors and gently cutting the cord. This symbolic act allows you to move freely.

Technique	Which Technique is For You?
The Hammock Method	Best if you like gentle, soothing visualizations.
The Rope Technique	Best if you prefer having a clear “job” to do.
The Belly Button Method	Best if you connect with symbolic, intuitive actions.

Helpful Tools & Tips for Your Journey

Simple Herbal Support (Always Safe & Legal)

Some herbs can help you relax and enhance your intuition. Never use toxic or psychoactive plants.

• Mugwort: Known as the witch’s herb, it’s great for dream work and intuition. You can make a light tea (check for allergies first) or place some in a dream pillow.
• Lavender: Wonderful for calming your mind and space before a journey.
• How to Use: Brew a mild tea before your practice, or burn them as incense to set the mood.

Keep a Journal

After each hedge riding attempt, write down what happened!

• What technique did you use?
• How did you feel?
• Did you see, hear, or sense anything?
• What was the date and time?

Writing it down helps you remember and see your progress over time.

A Final Note on Safety

• Always practice in a safe place where you won’t be disturbed.
• Never try to go hedge riding while driving or doing anything that requires your attention.
• Be respectful. The spirit world is a real place with other beings. Be a polite visitor.
• If you have a history of severe mental health issues, please consult a professional before exploring deep trance states.

Conclusion

Remember, the path of hedge riding is a personal and profound journey, not a race. Every practitioner’s experience is unique. Be patient and kind to yourself as you learn to cross the hedge between worlds. With consistent practice, the once-faint path will become a familiar road, filled with wisdom, connection, and the magic of self-discovery. Trust in the process, and most importantly, trust in your own innate ability to explore the vast landscapes of spirit.

Ready to weave more witchcraft into your daily life? Share your own hedge riding experiences in the comments on our posts—we’d love to hear about your journey.

Follow us on Instagram: [@designsbyawitch]

Use the hashtag #HedgeRidingJourney to connect with other practitioners and share your stories!

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If you share, good luck will come your way! 🧙🏻‍♀️