Lucid dreaming is active, conscious dreaming. Not just knowing you’re dreaming, but taking on an active role in your dream. Dreaming is a very important part of many Pagan spiritualities.
Ancient lore is full of the messengers of God(s) visiting people in their dreams to give advice, commands and general knowledge. If dreaming wasn’t important to the people who first began to repeat these stories, there would be no story, or at least, the messenger wouldn’t come in a dream but would knock on the door.
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What is it?
Many believe that dreaming is an Astral state. Your soul leaves your body and experiences things in other places. Sometimes in other worlds, and sometimes in this world. The dream world is part of the Astral Plane and it is is not limited by linear time, so your spirit can experience things that happened years ago or that have not yet happened.
Also, because your conscious mind is relaxed, all your filters are down while you are dreaming, making it easier for spirit beings to contact and communicate with you.
You are asleep when you are dreaming, rather than a sort of semi-consciousness you might experience with other Astral States.
This makes your dreams very difficult to control. The point of Lucid Dreaming, however, is not so much to control your dreams as to experience them fully.
What happens in a lucid dream?
Lucid dreams occur when we become aware we’re dreaming, allowing us to shape the dream, interact with characters, and explore freely.
These dreams mainly happen during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep, which features vivid, detailed dreams and accounts for 20–25% of our sleep. Unlike the slower NREM phase, REM is marked by rapid eye movement and high brain activity.
The prefrontal cortex—linked to conscious thought—is more active during lucid dreams, suggesting that this increased brain function may be what allows us to realize we’re dreaming.
How do you have lucid dreams?
Lucid dreams can occur spontaneously or be deliberately induced. While spontaneous ones are unpredictable, researchers have explored techniques to help trigger them.
MILD (Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams) is a method developed by psychologist Stephen LaBerge. It involves repeating a phrase like “Next time I’m dreaming, I’ll remember I’m dreaming” before falling asleep. This taps into prospective memory, training your mind to recognize when you’re dreaming.
WBTB (Wake Back to Bed) was studied by the University of Adelaide and involves waking up after about five hours of sleep, staying awake for 30–120 minutes, then going back to sleep with the intention of remaining aware in your dreams. This method is even more effective when paired with MILD.
Reality checks—regularly questioning whether you’re awake during the day—can become a habit that carries into dreams, helping you recognize the dream state and become lucid.
External stimuli methods use tools like binaural beats or flashing lights designed to activate during REM sleep. These gentle cues can signal your dreaming brain and encourage lucidity.
How long can a lucid dream last?
The duration of a lucid dream is generally different from that of an unconscious dream, because it is closer to what the dreamed events would have in reality.
However, it can be affected by cuts, jumps and temporal alterations typical of the ordinary dream sphere.
How long lucid dreams can last also depends on the experience of the dreamer or, in any case, on his ability to maintain a state of lucidity during sleep.
Those who are less familiar with this practice may experience brief episodes, while those who have refined their ability in dream control may prolong the duration of such experiences.
How do you wake up from a lucid dream?
Being able to develop the ability to induce lucid dreams should also imply that of interrupting them, when you no longer want to continue the dream exploration.
For this purpose, some practical techniques have been developed that would help the mind to wake up, such as: blinking asking for help or screaming to stimulate the brain to become alert again trying to fall asleep within the dream trying to read or write your signature, thus activating brain areas not used in the REM phase
Are lucid dreams dangerous?
Research into lucid dreams has sparked questions about their purpose and potential risks. Are they beneficial, or could they harm physical or mental health?
Potential benefits include:
- Creative exploration: Lucid dreams provide a safe space to try out imaginative scenarios, build skills, and confront fears.
- Stress management: Studies suggest being able to influence your dreams can help you cope with stress and explore solutions.
- Increased self-awareness: The sense of control in lucid dreams may boost self-confidence and awareness.
- Therapeutic uses: Some researchers believe lucid dreams could help treat PTSD, recurring nightmares, or anxiety-related issues.
Possible downsides include:
- Sleep disturbances: Heightened brain activity during lucid dreaming might disrupt sleep quality, leading to fatigue, mood swings, or even depression.
- Blurring of reality and dreams: In rare cases, frequent lucid dreaming could cause confusion between waking life and dreams, especially in vulnerable individuals.
Conclusion
Lucid dreaming can be a wonderful way to explore your mind, your spirit and your soul while taking control over the oniric world.
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