When the clock has emptied itself of hours and the house holds its breath, the river of sleep runs close to the waking shore. At midnight its ferrymen listen for those bold enough to call.
This working fashions a small vessel to carry the dreaming self downstream, past the shallow and forgettable sleeps, into the deep country where the true dreams keep their fires. It is a passage of surrender, a vow to go where the water goes and return by morning light.
The Working
- At midnight fill a wide bowl with cool water and set it where no draft can trouble its surface.
- Bind a slender boat from three reeds or dried grasses, no longer than your palm, and lay within it a pinch of chamomile and lavender for safe passage.
- Light a single candle and let its flame stand at the water’s edge, the one lamp upon the far bank.
- Breathe upon the little boat three times, giving it your name and your intent to dream truly.
- Set the vessel upon the water and, with one fingertip, send it drifting from the near shore toward the candle’s reflection.
- Speak the incantation low, watching the boat until the flame swims in your sight.
- Leave the bowl and boat until dawn, then pour the water out at a threshold and dry the reeds against your pillow.
The Incantation
Ferryman of the midnight tide,
I loose my little boat to ride.
Carry me past the shallow sleep,
down to the country dark and deep.
Where the true dreams keep their flame,
speak to me my hidden name.
Bring me home on the morning’s tide,
by the candle set to guide.
Sleep then without looking back, and let the current do what currents do. What the deep country shows you at midnight, keep close come morning.