"The Green Witch" eBook is a captivating and informative guidebook that explores the practice of green witchcraft. It delves into the ancient wisdom and natural magic of the earth, herbs, trees, and stones. The book offers a wealth of rituals, spells, and herbal remedies that readers can incorporate into their daily lives to enhance their connection with nature and harness its transformative power. "The Green Witch" eBook begins by introducing readers to the core principles and beliefs of green witchcraft. It explores the idea of living in harmony with the earth, deepening one's connection to nature, and aligning oneself with the cycles and seasons. The book emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, intention, and gratitude in harnessing the natural magic of the earth.
Are you a scientist who specializes in neuroscience, cognitive science, or psychology? And have you read a recent peer-reviewed paper that you would like to write about? Please send suggestions to Mind Matters editor Gareth Cook. Gareth, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, is the series editor of Best American Infographics and can be reached at garethideas AT gmail.com or Twitter @garethideas.
This vicious cycle which I call the panic-hallucination model continues to feed into itself until sleep paralysis becomes chronic, prolonged and, worse yet, potentially psychopathological. In Italy, some interpret sleep paralysis as an assault by the so-called Pandafeche, a figure described as a malevolent witch or terrifying giant cat.
The book emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, intention, and gratitude in harnessing the natural magic of the earth. Throughout the eBook, readers are introduced to various aspects of green witchcraft, including herbalism, spellcraft, divination, and energy work. The author provides detailed instructions on how to create herbal remedies, such as tinctures, salves, and teas, using common plants and herbs found in nature.
Sleep Paralysis and the Monsters Inside Your Mind
Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to an unearthly figure with blood dripping down its fangs. You try to scream, but you can’t. You can’t move a single muscle! If this sounds familiar, you’ve probably experienced an episode of sleep paralysis, which involves the inability to move or speak upon falling asleep or awakening and is often coupled with hallucinations. About one in five people have had sleep paralysis at least once. But despite its prevalence, it has largely remained a mystery. For centuries, cultures across the world have attributed these hallucinations to black magic, mythical monsters, even paranormal activity. Scientists have since dismissed such explanations, yet these cultural beliefs persist. In fact, my and my colleagues’ research, conducted over roughly a decade in six different countries, suggests that beliefs about sleep paralysis can dramatically shape the physical and psychological experience, revealing a striking type of mind-body interaction.
Sleep paralysis is caused by what appears to be a basic brain glitch at the interface between wakefulness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM, you have intensely lifelike dreams. To prevent you from acting out these realistic dreams (and hurting yourself!), your brain has a clever solution: it temporarily paralyzes your entire body. Indeed, your brain has a “switch” (a handful of neurochemicals) that tilts you between sleep and wakefulness. Sometimes the “switch” fails, however—your brain inadvertently wakes up while your body is still under the “spell” of REM paralysis, leaving you stuck in a paradoxical state between parallel realities: wakefulness and REM sleep. During sleep paralysis, the crisp dreams of REM “spill over” into waking consciousness like a dream coming alive before your eyes—fanged figures and all.
These hallucinations—often involving seeing and sensing ghostly bedroom intruders—are interpreted differently around the world. In Egypt, sleep paralysis is often thought to be caused by a jinn (“genie”)—a supernatural creature that terrorizes and sometimes kills its victims. In Italy, some interpret sleep paralysis as an assault by the so-called Pandafeche, a figure described as a malevolent witch or terrifying giant cat. In South Africa, Indigenous people believe the state to be caused by segatelelo (black magic), involving menacing dwarflike creatures called tokoloshe, and in Turkey, it is the karabasan—mysterious spirit-like creatures. In contrast, the Danes offer a less imaginative explanation: they largely attribute sleep paralysis to physiological risk factors such as stress.
These explanations—scientific and sensationalist—can have a profound impact on how people experience sleep paralysis. When directly comparing the phenomenon in Egypt and Denmark, we found that Egyptians fear it much more than Danes do. In fact, more than 50 percent of Egyptians who experienced the condition were convinced that sleep paralysis was deadly. Egyptians also believed that the episodes lasted longer—and remarkably, they occurred three times more often for this group. Beliefs about sleep paralysis among Egyptians appeared to have dramatically shaped their experience. Those who attributed it to supernatural forces suffered greater fear of the experience and longer paralysis. A pattern was revealing itself. Paired with particular beliefs, sleep paralysis had gone from a simple “brain glitch” to a chronic, prolonged and potentially fatal supernatural event.
The question was whether the results could be replicated. Italians also have striking cultural beliefs about the origin of sleep paralysis. More than a third of those from the Abruzzo region thought their sleep paralysis might be caused by the Pandafeche creature. Like Egyptians, Italians also experienced sleep paralysis more frequently, with prolonged paralysis and excessive fear of the experience. In both groups, beliefs about the disorder heightened symptoms in a bizarre mind-body interaction with “nocebolike” effects. An active imagination had the astonishing ability to shape physiological experiences.
Based on these findings, it appears that the more people fear sleep paralysis, the more they experience it, and the stronger its effects are. What were once thought to be benign, even inventive, beliefs have transformed the disorder, triggering conditioned fear and coloring the content of hallucinations. Anxiety and stress predispose people to an attack, so those who dread it are often more likely to experience it. Indeed, sleep paralysis is nearly twice as common in Egypt, compared with Denmark. And as discovered in Italy, those who believe their sleep paralysis may have a supernatural cause are also more likely to hallucinate during the attack—including experiencing a ghostly “sensed presence.” Once sleep paralysis occurs, it is subsequently interpreted through the lens of fear, leading to more anxiety and unwanted awakenings—and effectively, more sleep paralysis. This vicious cycle—which I call the “panic-hallucination model”—continues to feed into itself until sleep paralysis becomes chronic, prolonged and, worse yet, potentially psychopathological.
Our new findings raise the intriguing possibility that sleep paralysis, if accompanied by certain beliefs, is not just frightening but may also be potentially traumatizing. The effects can linger long after an episode ends. Notably, in one study in Egypt, we found that people who have experienced the phenomenon have elevated trauma and anxiety symptoms, relative to those who have never experienced it. Those with visual hallucinations—seeing “demonic beings,” say—are even more at risk. In another study in Abruzzo, I and my colleagues recently showed that fear during sleep paralysis, and fear of dying from the attack, was linked to trauma and depression symptoms. These findings indicate that when it is understood through a particular cultural filter, the disorder can cause psychopathology.
For those suffering from sleep paralysis, sleep is not an escape from reality. Indeed, for some, “sleeping” can potentially lead to a mental disorder. The human mind is vastly more mysterious, and occasionally malevolent, than one would have thought.
Are you a scientist who specializes in neuroscience, cognitive science, or psychology? And have you read a recent peer-reviewed paper that you would like to write about? Please send suggestions to Mind Matters editor Gareth Cook. Gareth, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, is the series editor of Best American Infographics and can be reached at garethideas AT gmail.com or Twitter @garethideas.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Baland Jalal is a researcher at Harvard University's department of psychology and a visiting researcher at the department of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, where he earned his Ph.D. You can follow his work on YouTube and Instagram Follow Baland Jalal on Twitter
Recent Articles by Baland Jalal
- A New Way to Understand--and Possibly Treat--OCD
Sleep paralysis is caused by what appears to be a basic brain glitch at the interface between wakefulness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM, you have intensely lifelike dreams. To prevent you from acting out these realistic dreams (and hurting yourself!), your brain has a clever solution: it temporarily paralyzes your entire body. Indeed, your brain has a “switch” (a handful of neurochemicals) that tilts you between sleep and wakefulness. Sometimes the “switch” fails, however—your brain inadvertently wakes up while your body is still under the “spell” of REM paralysis, leaving you stuck in a paradoxical state between parallel realities: wakefulness and REM sleep. During sleep paralysis, the crisp dreams of REM “spill over” into waking consciousness like a dream coming alive before your eyes—fanged figures and all.
Readers will also learn how to work with crystals, essential oils, and other natural tools to enhance their magical practice. "The Green Witch" eBook offers a wide range of rituals and spells for different purposes, such as healing, protection, manifestation, and love. The author provides step-by-step instructions and outlines the tools and ingredients needed for each ritual or spell. The rituals and spells are designed to be accessible to both beginners and experienced practitioners, allowing readers to deepen their connection to nature and tap into their innate magical abilities. In addition to practical guidance, "The Green Witch" eBook also delves into the history and folklore of green witchcraft. The author explores ancient traditions and beliefs related to nature magic, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the roots of green witchcraft. Through engaging storytelling and rich historical context, the eBook immerses readers in the world of green witchcraft and inspires them to embark on their own magical journey. Overall, "The Green Witch" eBook is a comprehensive and enchanting guidebook for anyone interested in exploring the practice of green witchcraft. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this eBook provides practical guidance, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the natural magic that resides within each of us. By embracing the principles and practices outlined in this book, readers can cultivate a deeper connection with nature, enhance their magical abilities, and create a more harmonious and fulfilling life..
Reviews for "Finding Balance with Nature: The Green Witch eBook"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Green Witch" ebook. I was expecting a comprehensive guide on traditional herbalism and practical magic, but instead, it felt like a shallow and generic overview. The information provided was very basic and lacked depth, leaving me with more questions than answers. I didn't find any unique insights or useful tips that I haven't already come across in other books. Overall, I think this ebook is better suited for beginners who are looking for a brief introduction to green witchcraft rather than those who want to delve deeper into the subject.
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3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "The Green Witch" ebook failed to hold my interest. The topics covered were too basic and lacked substance. I've read several books on green witchcraft, and this one felt like a diluted version of the more in-depth texts. I was hoping for practical advice and nuanced discussion, but I found myself skimming through pages of surface-level information. The lack of depth and originality made it difficult for me to engage with the material. Overall, I would not recommend this ebook to anyone looking for a comprehensive and insightful exploration of green witchcraft.
4. Robert - 1/5 stars - I found "The Green Witch" ebook to be highly disappointing. The information provided was so simplistic that it felt like it was written for children. I was hoping for a more advanced guide on green witchcraft, but instead, I got a superficial introduction that barely scratched the surface. The lack of depth and practicality left me feeling like I wasted my time and money. I would not recommend this ebook to anyone serious about learning and practicing green witchcraft.